Roy Baht

It's clear that that recently the THB has strengthened due to its becoming a haven for foreigner money due to Thailand’s current account surplus, its significant foreign reserves and negligible inflation.

<<<<26) The Bangkok Post and Phuketwan do not allow quotes from their news articles or other material to appear on Thaivisa.com. Neither do they allow links to their publications. Posts from members containing quotes from or links to Bangkok Post or Phuketwan publications will be deleted from the forum.>>>>

However, It's also clear that the idiotic manner in which Brexit has been managed (not Brexit itself) has weighed on the GBP and continues to weigh on it.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50821583

Both of these factors together have made the GBP especially weak against the THB.

9 hours ago, Stocky said:

I use DrugstoreBangkok they're cheaper than anyone I can find in Hat Yai.

Is it better than Klang Ya Hat Yai, not only in price but in selection?

https://www.facebook.com/klangyahatyai

If the IO where you actually reside (and do your 90 day reporting) is the same as your yellow book residence, it's feasible. Otherwise, it's not.

France to evacuate citizens from Wuhan by air

No mention of permission in this article

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-france-evacuation/france-to-evacuate-citizens-from-wuhan-by-air-idUSKBN1ZP0QV

1 minute ago, Gweiloman said:

Issue is that he says he has personally dealt with people who were initially on Non O (not non O-A) who were seeking extensions and that these individuals were required to have health insurance. We have not read anything yet on TV about this. In fact, many have posted that this was not required when they renewed recently. 
Who would you believe?

Exactly. I agree. It's up to you to decide who to believe.
 

Benjamin doesn't hide the fact that he's running a business. But how many lawyers tell you what they think BEFORE you hire them? With Benjamin, you can listen to what he says and if you don't like it or disagree, don't hire him. (Again, I am not a client of his. I have only watched his videos.)

Who you believe is up to you. I'm just presenting the info.

Just now, Jingthing said:

But if so, that still wouldn't mean it's something that most people on O based retirement extensions should really worry about.

I agree. I'm simply presenting the information.

Here's a longer account (same source):

"I have gone over this multiple times. The new regulations are vague, they seem to be intentionally designed to allow discretion either way. Also, as previously stated, all O visas are covered under the same "catch-all" section of the law and are subject to administrative rules and interpretation by the Immigration apparatus. There seems to be a campaign to create a hard and fast distinction between O retirement extensions and O-A visas/extensions with respect to the issue of medical insurance coverage where none has specifically been created based upon a reading of the plain language of the Immigration Act and the regulations (old and new). The "O-A" vs. "O" designations seem to have been created and applied for different cosmetic reasons. They seem to be internal designations. Ministry of Foreign Affairs uses "O-A" in order to distinguish an O visa issued abroad granted annually as opposed to the standard practice of issuing such documents with a 90 day validity (hence the "A"). Meanwhile, the Immigration Bureau in Thailand applies the appellation "O retirement" to extensions in order to explain the reason for the extension (as opposed to an O marriage visa, for example). Some offices are allowing O retirees to extend without insurance while others are not. That stated, this exercise of discretion should not be confused with a mandate under the relevant law and regulations to treat "O" and "O-A" retirees differently with respect to the insurance requirement. There is nothing in the law creating such a differentiation. I have made multiple videos analyzing this issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcsZ-IK5Vn8&t=10s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Js_5xPpKw0&t=1s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knuT1f3nBkk&t=6s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOP28MccsC4&t=14s --BWH"

3 minutes ago, treetops said:

Source please?

Comments beneath this video:
 

The Chinese government is already taking strict measures to slow the spread of the virus, shutting down tourist areas and restricting travel (see below).

What's the Thai government doing as thousands of Chinese tourists flood in to celebrate the Lunar New Year?

Signs in arrival gates telling people to wash their hands?



"Chinese tourism continues to be affected by the spread of the virus.All domestic and foreign tour group operations are to be suspended from Monday. The move follows the closure of Shanghai’s Disneyland, and all tourist sites in the popular Sanya city."

https://www.theguardian.com/science/live/2020/jan/25/coronavirus-china-death-tolls-rises-to-41-as-france-confirms-three-cases

According to Benjamin W. Hart, Managing Director of Integrity Legal:

"I have personally dealt with multiple cases in the past 60 days in which individuals who have been extending as O retirees have been required to obtain medical insurance in order to maintain their status moving forward. It is happening, due to the vagueness of the new regulation it is implemented at the discretion of the adjudicating officer and some Immigration offices are not broadly implementing the requirement, but it is happening. --BWH"

This just in. Clarification of Vietnam's new "30 day rule":

On 1/22/2020 at 3:05 PM, lopburi3 said:

Guess they missed another deadline - was supposed to be end of year and then January 15.

I think it may depend on the ATM used? There are a lot of old ATMs in Thailand that read magnetic strips. I imagine the old ones have to be retro-fitted to read chips--or simply replaced.

3 hours ago, manarak said:

 

the early Chinese reponse is impressive, but the efforts done by Chinese seem to indicate their scientists estimate that virus to be really *extra* dangerous.

the safety measure taken by the Chinese government seem very drastic.

That's what worries me.

You think they're overdoing it this time, to make up for mishandling SARS?

38 minutes ago, sirineou said:

  $1.5 million per year  is more than a bit over the top. 

Actually, if I think of how much it would cost for my (Thai) family and I to live in the States at the same level of comfort & security that we enjoy here in Thailand, $1.5M sounds about right.

18m ago

1 hour ago, saengd said:

Closing stable door after horse has bolted.

That is true but is there no advantage in slowing the rate of infection? Wouldn't that lessen the strain on Thai medical emergency workers and hospitals?

The Chinese certainly can't close the door, but they are shutting down tourist areas.

"Chinese tourism continues to be impacted by the spread of the virus.

China is shutting down tourist areas. Thailand isn't?

"Chinese tourism continues to be impacted by the spread of the virus.

20 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

Sorry everyone but I am the first to get the vaccine. 

I'm waiting for the enema

Thank god we don't have to worry about this

Thank god we don't have to worry about this

13 hours ago, Torrens54 said:

 

Not only will the Tourists find better alternatives, but so will the much maligned Expats, who pour Massive amounts of Money Monthly, into the Thai economy.