CygnusX1

I think it should be stressed that it would only cover UNPAID medical bills that delinquent travellers without sufficient means or travel insurance were unable to pay.

I’ve seen proposals for proof of travel insurance required for entry discussed in the past. If the 300 baht is an alternative to that, it’s wonderful. I’d much rather pay a totally negligible 300 baht than go through the hassle of proving that my credit card already gives me travel insurance with unlimited medical expenses.

My computer glasses definitely do, as I remember ordering some kind of non reflective coating when I bought them a couple of years ago, but maybe that hasn’t been enough time for me to damage the coating? My photochromics are also only a couple of years old, don’t know if they work by some kind of coating. Have other much older polarised and non polarised sunglasses, no idea if they’re coated.

I’ve just been using tissues and methylated spirits (denatured alcohol) on my prescription glasses, including sunglasses and photochromics, for many years. I know this is the wrong way to clean glasses, and that tissues are supposed to be abrasive, but they’re all still fine, except for the odd scratch where I’ve dropped a pair. As my eyes change very little, some of the glasses are very old. I must just be lucky.

Not saying this was the cause of this accident, but all car drivers have to be aware that the thick A pillars in modern cars create a blind spot. While riding my bicycle I was once hit by a car turning across my path, and on another occasion almost hit. Both drivers apologised profusely, saying that I was in their blind spot. Case of passive safety (strong A pillar protecting occupants in a rollover) compromising active safety (being able to see everything in front of you). As both a cyclist and car driver, I appreciate both sides.

2 shots of AZ plus 1 of Moderna. Only time I’ve ever worn a face mask was while getting these shots at a pharmacy, grand total of less than one hour. 2 very mild colds the last 2 years, in Australia the whole time.

Sorry VinnieK, but even I wouldn’t go so far as to BAN masks. Maybe just gently encouraging people that constantly wearing a face mask to slightly reduce the chances of contracting a virus that for the great majority of people causes symptoms no worse than influenza or a bad cold is a little over the top. I do fear, however, that you’re correct in that Thai people will be wearing them for many years to come.

So many reasons given here for the lack of tourists compared with France, but the overwhelming reason is face masks - the elephant in the room that many pretend not to see. Exchange rate - not too far from long term average. 300 baht tourist tax - negligible. Dual pricing - who cares, always been that way. Broken footpaths - part of the charm of a 3rd world country. Bureaucratic evisa - a minor irritant. People don’t have money to travel - I’m on a low income by Australian standards, but have heaps to splurge on travel, especially as I’ve spent nothing on travel for more than two years, same applies to most westerners. Even though I own a condo in Thailand and have a 20 year elite visa, why would I travel from a mostly mask free Australia to Maskland, as NorthernRyland ably puts it. Masks have just been dropped on direct flights from Australia to Rome, and that’s where I’m thinking of my next holiday, rather than my usual long stopover in Thailand on the way to Europe. It’s a fact that the majority of Westerners loathe face masks - here in Australia, about 10% are wearing them in crowded shopping malls and supermarkets, so they sure don’t want to holiday in a country in which they’re ubiquitous.

Kitchen, laundry, pool that’s usually bigger than at a hotel. Additionally, if you like a view, there’s a big advantage in being able to book a specific apartment. You might book a room in a high rise hotel, only to end up on a low floor. Before the pandemic, I had several holidays staying in apartments in Croatia and Montenegro, where there doesn’t ever seem to have been the controversy over short term rentals there is in Thailand, probably because people there have been renting out their apartments on a weekly basis long before Airbnb ever existed. Again before the pandemic, the short term renters never bothered me when I was staying in the condo I own in Jomtien. In fact, the younger Russian ladies added some welcome colour to the swimming pool area. Putin’s probably guaranteed that we’ll never see their like again.

From a quick web search, several sites claim that if a condo’s rented for at least 30 days, which is what the OP wants, it’s legal. I’m certainly not an expert on Thai property law, so are these websites wrong? If so, then what’s the minimum legal period?

I hope they’re not proposing to abolish the baht bus, the world’s best public transport system.

Severe impacts like that can cause damage to a transmission that only later becomes apparent. Another reason for her to be given a new vehicle. Many years ago my parents’ almost brand new car was hit from behind at high speed while it was legally parked. Fixed with a “cut and shut”, where the entire back end was swapped with that from another car. Couple of months after the repair job the auto transmission totally packed it in. The insurance company refused to cover that, and General Motors Holdens understandably refused to cover it under the new car warranty, as they said the failure was almost certainly due to the impact.

I don’t think you need to read too closely between the lines to see that possible fraudulent use was his friends’ main concern! It’s not hard, at least in Australia, to find a credit card that has no extra fees or charges for overseas use, and which uses a very fair exchange rate. I have two of them.

If they’re really concerned about credit card fraud, they could use a prepaid credit card. That way, at worst, they can only lose the amount they preloaded on the card. Would cost a bit extra in fees, and they should check the exchange rate used, best to buy a card that can be loaded with Thai baht. I’d take the risk and just use my usual credit card, regularly checking the card online, just as you should at home, where you can also be the victim of fraudulent card use.