scorecard

Many months ago I checked the  covid19.tgia.org  website and in the status (list of visa types) I found 'Permanent Resident', which I selected leading to a premium of 1,600 of 1,800Baht (I forget which one). Very reasonable premium. 

I am a PR holder and I have now finally reached a situation where I can plan my return (from Australia to Thailand) to be mid Dec 2021.

Yesterday I rechecked the same website  covid19.tgia.org  and the specific category of 'Permanent Resident' has disappeared.

I called the number on the website  2108 8399 and was told by the person who answered the phone (good English) who was asking questions to another staff member so she could answer me ...

"Your category is Long stay O-A, 0-X, STV  premium 14,xxxBaht for one year". I was then told that 'one year is the only time period available because your type of vise requires that you must have full cover for the full life of the visa, and health insurance renewed every year to gain renewal of the visa.

I tried to explain more but the line cut, call finished.  

Have any other PR holders who have already returned used this company and did you experience as above?

Further, if you used this company do you have an e.mail address for the company that you could share, so I can try to explain that PR holders don't need to have health insurance, plus explain that there is no renewal because PR is issued for lifetime. Or perhaps could you please share the e.mail address they used to send the policy/receipt to you.

Alternatively does any PR holder have a suggestion of another reasonable premium insurance company to use?

Thanks, much appreciated.  

Many months ago I checked the     covid19.tgia.org    website and in the list of visas I found 'Permanent Resident', which I selected leading to a premium of 1,600 of 1,800Baht (I forget which one). Very reasonable. 

I have finally reached a situation where my return (from Australia to Thailand) will be mid Dec 2021.

Yesterday I rechecked the same website and the specific category of 'Permanent Resident' has disappeared.

I called the number on the website  2108  8399 and was told by the person who answered who was asking questions to another staff member.

• "Your category is Long stay O-A, 0_X, STV       Premium 14,xxxBaht for one year". I was then told that 'one year is the only time period available because your type of vise requires that you must have full cover for the full life of the visa, at renewal every year.  I started to explain more but the line cut, call finished.  

Have any other PR holders who have already returned used this company and did you experience as above?

Further, if you used this company do you please have an e.mail address for the company that you could share, so I can try to explain that PR holders don't need to have health insurance, plus explain that there is no renewal because PR is issued for lifetime. Or perhaps could you please share the e.mail address they used to send the policy/receipt to you.

Alternatively does any PR holder have a suggestion of another reasonable premium insurance company to use?

Thanks, much appreciated.  

4 hours ago, Espanol said:

 

 

Authentic adventure tourism 

 

 

No, it's a mystery tour, surprise at every corner. 

5 hours ago, Shuya said:

After that it will be another one, then another one, then another one... Just not to confess it was destined to fail from the beginning. 

The headline details mentions buy condos.

The original proposal mentions buying land in own name.

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I got an unexpected email from AirAsia today.

As you didn't use your ticket credit in the 6 months allotted, we've decided to credit your account with that money for another 3 years. I'd actually given up on it!

Same.

But zero forecast when they might be flying. 

On 7/20/2021 at 3:19 PM, Ralf001 said:

Utter pish.

There will be little to no evidence of such a trail to follow.

Probably true, with decades of experience there's little doubt the RTP have invented/devised/perfected many ways to pass bribes (incl., big bribes) inside Thailand and internationally, all with no trail whatever.

Additionally there must be international systems to pass big bribes/sweeteners across the world with no trail, all providing good examples for Thailand's 'finest' to follow.

Along with the above, those involved will never speak up because they would incriminate themselves and their buddies, and seriously embarrass their families for such very serious crimes, all carrying punishments of decades in jail, removal of their family assets and more.

Are you surprised? 

13 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

Shows what a complete exercise in bureaucratic bungling this COE malarkey is they have your cash now squirm your not alone London the same good luck 

On the other hand the Thai staff at the Thai Embassy in Canberra and in the Thai consulate in Sydney are courteous, friendly, knowledgeable, good listeners and have a great 'can do' attitude to fixing things like this. 

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I have 2 of these, now 2 years old, (2 x330w and 3x 340w panels) work perfectly, fans a bit noisy sometimes. I just mounted the panels on my back wall, bit of shadow after 3pm but making an average of 130 units/month in total.

SUOER 1000W (VA) Inverter อินเวอร์เตอร์ ON GRID TIE INVERTER GTI-D1000B ประกัน 1 ปีเต็ม | Shopee Thailand

 

 

Thanks for sharing.

You mentioned : SUOER 1000W (VA) Inverter อินเวอร์เตอร์ ON GRID TIE INVERTER GTI-D1000B ประกัน 1 ปีเต็ม | Shopee Thailand

Forgive my ignorance, can you please share the meaning/implications of the words 'ON GRID'.

Also, is your whole system with or without batteries?

Thanks again.

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

@scorecard a few questions.

• Will you DIY or use a contractor (it's not rocket science but DIY would mean you can't join the Solar Roof scheme)?
• Roughly what is the daytime energy consumption? (read the meter at 8:30 and 16:30 to fit in with max solar production)
• What environment will the inverter(s) live in some have noisy fans (you don't want it in your lounge), others are IP65 sealed (damp and gekko proof)?
• Are the panels going on a house roof or car port or ground mounts?
• Do you have a budget?

 

Thanks Crossy:

Some answers:

- At the right time I will encourage my son to do more checking to find a local experienced credible contractor. 

- I'll get my son organised to get the data you mention.

- The inverter etc., and eventually the batteries will be in a small room/cabinet my son will get constructed on the outside of the wall that holds up the outer side of the carport. The technology/battery room/cabinet will be about 1.8m wide, up to the ceiling, about 40cm depth, slated doors for air circulation, I'm hoping that will be big enough. (When the doors are open the whole width, height, depth of the cabinet will be open for full access). This room/cabinet will be under quite wide eaves and well protected from rain. The carport is fully under the main roof of the house (black cement roof tiles, steel framework).

- Panels will be on the main roof of the house. It's a bigger house, 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, big living, dining, kitchen, store rooms so the roof has an area which could support many panels. 

- Budget not yet confirmed, but I have told my son if he gives me a good proposal* I will support Step 1. up to 40,000Baht. (*but let me be honest I don't know what a good proposal for this project would look like. Also, 40,000Baht is a wild guess on my part and I'd much appreciate any comments/advice on this.)

Thanks again. 

10 hours ago, Crossy said:

 

Indeed, we have the 6kW version of that Sofar inverter, as well as the newly arrived hybrid.

 

But our OP notes that he may want to add batteries "in future", just how far in future would determine whether he should bite the bullet now and get a hybrid or go for a pure grid-tie and replace it later.

 

Also, if, like many of us, his main usage is at night, he will need some means of time-shifting his energy if he wants to do more than just zero his daytime consumption. In the absence of net-metering batteries are the only way forwards.

 

Actually I came across some small inverters with limiters which could either operate directly off panels or off batteries (with an external solar charge controller). Let me see if I can find the link.

 

EDIT Found it https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001054628033.html

 

Best of both worlds, run directly off panels with a limiter (up to 3 units on one limiter). Later add batteries and a solar charge controller and you have a psuedo-hybrid.

 

Note: I've used that AliExpress seller in the past and found them reliable.

Thanks for all the replies.

Bottom line, the house is owned/occupied by my Thai son, his Thai wife and 3 kids, and me, in CM.

Son wants to eventually make big dent in his electric bill. Biggest daytime electric consumption is electric cooking hob and oven, several ceiling fans, water heaters, lights, TV.  In evening little cooking, but some fan us, TV etc., and several air-cons.

Son has zero electrical or engineering knowledge but he doesn't hesitate to ask good questions and he's a good listener. I have no electrical/engineering knowledge.

One of sons buddies has recently installed panels but not batteries (installed them himself) with no design and no advice from anybody, and is less than satisfied that he has achieve anything. The buddy has no electrical or engineering knowledge/experience at all. This 'result' is what prompts my son to think that maybe (with good advice/help) it's possible to take a 2 step approach:

• Step 1: Install panels and some form of system, but no batteries, to power the house in daylight hours.
• Step 2: Add batteries with overall aim to reduce the total power bill by maybe 80%. Best guess of timing to add the batteries might be 2 to 3 years after Step 1. He's realizing that what gets installed in a Step 1, needs to be good foundations for Step 2.

Son has asked some questions at a couple of Thai owned/operated electrical engineering shops / contractors but says he can't get any clear holistic answers.

End result:  'Dad, can you please ask some farang people to comment'. 

6 hours ago, MikeyIdea said:

And they deliver to you, cash on delivery in Thailand. Do you say that you keep social distancing rules when paying them? How exactly do you do that? 

Some services take electronic payment when you order the food.

2 hours ago, flossie35 said:

I also have a Bangkok Bank card. Limit 10,000. A year or two ago someone used it to pay a small sum to the London Borough of Barking, and a larger sum to pay a telephone bill. I have never used the card in the UK, and have no connections at all with Barking, and no idea how someone in Barking could use a Thai card to which they had no access except by hacking my computer I suppose. I reported to the Bank who promised to investigate, which they did, and they refunded the money. Whoever had used the card left a trail that Clouseau could have followed, and was presumably caught.  

Same, several years ago. Same day, 3 transactions on my card (issued in cooperation with Mastercard) at a large supermarket, total around US$500. And same at 2 more large supermarkets (each a total around US$500). Total US$1,500-. 

All transactions on the same day within one hour and across 3 different countries none close to each other, and no country near my country of domicile. I went straight to my bank branch, the m'ngr took copies of every page of my passport to prove no travel. All investigated quickly and charges cancelled. 

Another point, HO of my bank quickly got involved, called me to ask for a lot more details. Bank guy also asked 'do you want an instant SMS message wherever your card is used anywhere in the world?' I confirmed yes and got a quick confirmation the service had been started.

Bank guy also mentioned 'please react very quickly if you get an SMS which makes you suspicious'. He also courteously mentioned 'if this happens 2 more times you will automatically be suspected of collusion'. 

On 7/18/2021 at 1:10 PM, worgeordie said:

You should never carry a large deposit in any account

connected to a debit card, bit to late for you, but might

help others.

Hope you manage to get the problem resolved.

regards worgeordie

Well said. A year back I did an online transfer of AU$2,000- from my main savings account to my Debit card. Within seconds I got a call from my very security focused OZ bank pointing out that criminal misuse of debit cards is very common.

I explained I had done the transfer deliberately anticipating to make a large online purchase within the next few minutes.

Response from bank 'we can monitor the debit card say for five minutes or whatever and automatically transfer the large amount back to your savings account if there's no transaction, if you wish'. I agreed to a 10 minute monitoring.

On further review of the product I decided not to buy.

Sure enough (I timed it) at exactly 10 minutes the funds disappeared from my debit card and instantly reappeared in my main savings account.

Same bank officer immediately called to confirm if was aware the funds had gone back to my main savings account and he politely spoke again about the dangers of debit cards. I thanked him.

Great service, and it made me more aware of keeping only very minimal funds in my debit card.

On 7/16/2021 at 9:02 PM, connda said:

Aussie's probably will still say that they live in a freedom loving democracy that cherishes personal liberties. 

The absolute amazing thing about modern propaganda and psychological techniques are that those who are the targets never even have a clue.  Honestly, it's that effective!  I'm actually incredibly impressed.  It's awe inspiring in it's sheer audacity and magnitude.  Here we are: you tell the commoners to jump and they'll ask "How high?"  
Lord - The Land of Human Border Collies. 

Way off the reality - Aussies are realistic in regard to the Covid 19 situation and a very high % of citizens take an intelligent civil society approach (we all need to cooperate and contribute to fighting the virus) and quite willing to accept what's needed to eventually get out of the current situation. Overall Australia had a very small number of deaths, way way under many other countries.

'Jump' 'how high' is bullshxx talk, insulting.

23 hours ago, Crossy said:

She could send the bike by Thailand Post and go home on the bus or train (assuming they are operating of course).

Agree, Thai post transport mcys regulalry, good service, prompt, not expensive.

Son did this, sent his HONDA big bike CM to PO near Rose Garden just outside of Pattaya, excellent focused service both locations, good communications, no damage whatever, just on 48 hrs all completed, not expensive.

Not all post offices are actively involved with this service, just ask at local PO, they will direct you to nearest PO who offer this service. Good luck.

44 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Going grid-tie will let your solar offset your power bill, if your consumption goes over the solar production the extra is simply drawn from the grid, totally seamless.

 

Start with 2 or 3 panels and a 1kW grid-tie inverter to generate about 3 units a day of free power.

 

If you plan to add batteries in the reasonably near future you may want to spend rather more $$$ on a grid-tie hybrid inverter. Personally I wouldn't just yet.

 

Do you have a conventional (spinning disc) or electronic electricity meter?

 

Thanks, We have an electronic electricity meter.

58 minutes ago, Excel said:

Guess the Thai government feels it has no need to provide a convincing argument to TVF members

Actually I was meaning all Thai people.

Hoping for an expert comment from Crossy or another of our experts.

A question:

- Is it possible to install solar cells and use the power generated direct into the house wiring during the daytime but with no batteries installed?  (And use main grid power after dark.)

Further if this is possible, could it be set up as a first step in a house installation, adding batteries at a later date without a major rewiring/major re-set-up? 

Thanks.

7 hours ago, Can samui said:

True for the gulf which has a depth of about 80 meters max so they would be confined to the deep waters on the Andaman side.

Plus, has anybody read any convincing argument to justify

purchases of any submarines by the Thai gov't?

3 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

December and even October are a long time from now.  It may get better in terms of entry into Thailand, it could get worse or stay the same.  Based upon the trajectory of the pandemic it does not look like things will change for the better soon.  I am leavening soon to get vaccinated in the US.  I may or may not attempt a re-entry in October. I am planning to face the exact same entry criteria that is outlined now on the Thai Embassy website in Washington DC.  

Good luck.

1 hour ago, sqwakvfr said:

1 No and only after you complete Quarantine(Regular ASQ or Sandbox). Currently all international arrivals not going to PKT SandBox arrive at BKK and then straight to Quarantine.  The days of "domestic" transfer are no more.  I arrived in BKK in mid Feb 2021.  Went to ASQ and then flew domestic to CNX after 15 days. 

 

2. Yes.

 

3. No news.  Still 14 days(actually it is 15 days because when you check in it is considered Day Zero).  The only new thing is 3 Covid 19 PCR tests(in Feb 2021 it was only two PCR tests).

 

4. No such thing as quarantine at home for anyone(even Thai Nationals returning from overseas have to quarantine.)  As of July 1 2021 free quarantine for Thai Nationals was terminated. They have to now pay for Quarantine as well.  

 

 

Thanks.

Because of other factors my tentative date to arrive in Bkk on an international flight is 10 Dec 2021.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed things will have improved a little by that time re quarantine, but of course not holding my breath.

And telling myself that I will have one good positive point (not affecting total quarantine days) in that I'll have my 2 Astra Zenica shots (here, already done) and I've got a booking for early October for a Pfizer booster, around 2 months before I fly. 

Stay safe.

1 hour ago, Yellowtail said:

Why would a court order be difficult to get unless the sale were not in the best interest of the child? 

Fact is that the Thai history shows that the judge/court needs to be convinced that the sale is totally absolutely necessary, and also judge will push towards allowing a future assets of that child to be disturbed in any way.

That's the history. 

I'm lost with the latest/current rules.

1.  Can international passengers arriving on semi-commercial flights into Bkk with COE all in order transfer to domestic flights at swampy to fly to CM? (Meaning flights outside of the sandbox program.)

2.  Is quarantine still 14 days for everybody? (Meaning flights outside of the sandbox program.)

3.  Is there any news re quarantine total time/location for international arrivals who can prove

• 2 jabs of Astra Zenica, or
• 2  jabs of Astra Zenica plus 1 booster jab of Pfizer?  

      (Meaning flights outside of the sandbox program.)

4.  Is quarantine at home allowed for farang who can prove they have a family / a home at destination, e.g. name of farang and names of Thai members of same family (same family name) in Tabien Baan book and/or with Certificate of Residency (PR)?  (Meaning flights outside of the sandbox program.)

Please share.

Thanks.

4 hours ago, onekoolguy said:

Not sure about Thai law but in the USA and I think here also, Minors can own property but cannot sell or transfer it until they reach legal age. Easy to put into their name but maybe a major problem later on?

Correct, by Thai law, to sell the property before she reached majority would need a court order which is extremely difficult to get.

Is it legal to record ownership in her name? Yes this is possible by Thai law, but keep in mind that, like many things in Thailand, local bosses of govt' agencies* sometime don't like this idea and refuse to allow the transfer, and yes they do get away with it.

(*a good example, different immigration offices require different document to renew visas.)

Further things to remember, someone will have to pay the monthly maintenance charges to the body corporate.