phungo

In BKK, I've been ordering online from Tops and Tesco for several years now... And then Villa Market came along with their own online ordering service in the past year or so.
 
Tops is always free delivery with 888 baht or higher orders, and have periodic free delivery offers for their online customers.\
 
Tesco is a flat 60 baht delivery fee, regardless of order amount.
 
Villa is 90 baht per delivery, again, regardless of order amount.
 
Big C is OK, but I usually find what I want elsewhere. And I used to have a lot of problems with Big C showing items available on their website, and then having them deliver the order with many or most of the items missing... Because, their online system doesn't reflect what's actually available in their various stores that handle their deliveries by area.
 
FWIW, Tesco and Tops also have similar issues with their online platforms not reflecting what is or isn't in-stock in their stores, and I've had similar problems with both in the past. But at least these days, Tops will call ahead of the order to advise if things are out of stock. Tesco typically won't even do that.
 
Villa, on the other hand, pretty much has its online platform in synch with its in-store stock, probably because all their own deliveries come out of one location, their Suk Soi 33 main branch. In the past, I've been ordering something from them online, and clicked to say I want two pieces of something, but when I click for a 3rd piece, the system will then reply, no more items available.

OP, thanks for the report. super helpful.

Please also provide how much have you been paying each much for the insurance. What is the name of the package or coverage you are paying for?

I have a 1 year Non O Visa (based on marriage, im from USA) and would like to open a bank account.

I went to Bangkok Bank with my wife. They said I cannot open a bank account unless i have a letter from embassy. We asked what letter, she said embassy will know. Why doesn't she know what letter the bank she works for required? argh!

Does someone here know what letter Bangkok Bank need from the US Embassy?

what are some things you do differently day to day to avoid or reduce the effects of the bad air quality, besides having the air filters on?

does wearing masks help?

im planning to buy eyedrops and keep them in my pocket to avoid itchy red eyes.

 
Sigh....
 
It is just a normal SIM on which they will top up 100 baht and then send it to you. As I told, your cousin could have picked up any old AIS/TruemoveH/DTAC SIM. They all have similar promos for 100 baht per month.
From what I have seen, on another board, with any new SIM you have the choice of 32 GB, 45 GB, 60 GB, 110 GB and 140 GB. So you've only succeeded in locking yourself in to a specific package. 
The airport booth might not be that helpful, since you will not purchase anything from them. But I guess they will be duty bound to help you.

I have never seen anyone has a clothes dryer in thailand. I don't like how my clothes are all crunchy after it is air dried.

why don't Thais like having a clothes dryer?

where can I buy one?

 
Obviously you are writing about Truemove H and not AIS. 
Either way, you can register it at any official outlet. Airport too, since you will be buying credit from them.
But it looks like just a normal Truemove H SIM. So she can just pick one up from 7-Eleven, on the way to meet you at the airport.
 
 

Anyone can buy the sim off Lazada but you will probably need your passport to register/enable it .

Those unadvertised promotions are probably useless for most people.  First of all it only works for new SIMs.  And since you cannot transfer your existing phone number you cannot keep the same phone number.  And if you are just getting off the plane and trying to do this at the booth at the airport good luck with that.  If they wouldn't tell me how to do this, or even acknowledge it's possible, at the AIS office, I doubt they will do it at the airport where they are used to dealing with gullible tourists all day.
 
So about the only thing I can see it useful for is if you are ONLY using the SIM for data and want to keep jumping through hoops to renew every month because the codes probably change every month or maybe you might even need to buy a new SIM every month.  Even if they don't do that now, no guarantee they won't in the future.  Only 50 baht for a new basic SIM with no prepackaged addons but still, it's a hassle to have to go into the office with your passport to get that SIM.   So they don't make it easy to try take advantage of this promotion.

Not a valid link - am very sure no 220 baht filter is true HEPA unless vacuum cleaner size.

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.Zk0uS

Lopburi and tallguyjohninbkk, thanks for the help! just went ahead and bought 2 of the Hatari AP12. from lazada.

Regarding replacement filters, this item here is only 220 baht https://s.lazada.co.th/s.ZkWjY, which is much cheaper than 1000 baht, so is this a legitimate item that just happens to be a good deal?

 
With that overall size, It depends on the layout of the condo, and how many and what self-contained rooms you have.
 
If you have a studio type one big open space, that would take quite an expensive and large sized purifier, or multiple smaller purifiers, to be effective.
 
But if you have multiple enclosed rooms, usually, people would use one purifier in their bedroom while sleeping, and the same purifier or a separate one in their living space room during the daytime. 
 
Purifiers here typically are going to be rated in their specs and manuals on being able to handle a certain amount of square meters of area.  You need to decide and identify what exact number of spaces and sizes you want to clean the air for, and then go from there.

what do you all recommend for an indoor air filter for a 100 square meters condo?

where to buy? what brand? what features?

You know?
Pray tell!
Seriously!
I am here for 12 years now and I still have no actual clue, why this law exists!

If you signup for a one year contract you get a free router (which you have to return it when your contract is over)

Do you all rent or buy your Modem and Router?

Is the deal similar to how it is in the US where to rent you pay like 10% per month of the modem router combo device (they call it a gateway here). The benefit is that you can just upgrade to the latest and greatest gateway for free whenever a new one is out.

New SIM offers for September;
 
DTAC;
 
Buy a new SIM and within seven days, apply;
*104*430# for 31 GB @ 4 Mbps, 100 baht per month. 
*104*100# for 101 GB @ 4 Mbps, 200 baht per month. 
*104*131# for 131 GB @ 4 Mbps, 250 baht per month.
 
For the 1st month, then;
 
*104*433# for 31 GB @ 4 Mbps, 100 baht per month. 
*104*111# for 101 GB @ 4 Mbps, 200 baht per month. 
*104*133# for 131 GB @ 4 Mbps, 250 baht per month.
 
for months 2 until 12.
This so you can vary the package after testing for the first month.
The other networks auto-renew the starting package
 
AIS;
 
Pick up a new AIS 4G SIM and within seven days of opening, add at least 200 baht and then apply the code *777*909# 
That will get you 110 GB per month, capped at 4 Mbps(0.5 MB/s) for 200 baht per month.
Alternatively;
*777*918# for 32GB per month , capped at 4 Mbps(0.5 MB/s) for 100 baht per month.
 
Truemove H;
 
Pick up a new Truemove H 4G SIM and within seven days of opening, add at least 200 baht and then apply the code *900*9605# for 100 GB per month, capped at 4 Mbps(0.5 MB/s) for 200 baht per month
Alternatively;
*900*9604# for 30 GB per month at 100 baht per month. 
Truemove H package includes free in-network calls
 
Tourist SIM are not eligible..
 

The biggest obstacle to wealth is big government and liberalism. Not capitalism which has lifted millions of people OUT of poverty globally.

There is no consensus...because few have tried them all....many do not have access to the various ISPs as all ISPs do not service all areas....many, many different plans and speeds....and it seems like in some areas certain ISPs have oversubscribed their bandwidth capability in that area.  Many factors can determine how satisfied or unsatisfied a person is with their ISP.
 
But it does seem True gets more hate mail/less glowing reviews than AIS, 3BB, and TOT.   
 
If if I had to pick an order from best to worst I would go AIS, 3BB, TOT, True.   

Far too many factors involved to give an answer. Other things influence speed such as VPN's, demand, location, time of day, DNS Server, type of connection, web page complexity etc. Actually I find Thiavisa's web page with all its scrips takes longer to fully open than many of the European sites I visit.
 
I have not read about one particular ISP having a bad international speed, think they are all much the same.
 
Living out in the sticks my only option is to use TOT Fibre 2U. I have the 50mb/15mb basic package and have left TOT settings other than change the DNS to Cloudflare. With no VPN my downloads max out the connection so no international problem there. In the evenings with two TV's streaming, wife using TOT's IPTV for local channels and me watching international content, I can not remember when we last had buffering issues.
 
Personally if you are looking into buying a package I would first checkout what your neighbours are using than asking on a forum such as this. Everyone's circumstances are different and that will most probably be reflected in the answers.
 

I see many posts here about slow international speeds. So what's the concensus so far on which service provides the fastest international speed?

AIS? TRUE? Or 3BB? Other?

And what package?

Reading this article was informative so I wanted to share. https://www.expatden.com/thailand/thai-marriage-visa/

I think I get the whole picture..is my understanding correct below?

Situation: I received a Multi-Entry Non Immigrant - O, 1 year visa that expires Aug 15 2020 from the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles California. (This visa is based on marriage to my wife who is Thai.)

When I first arrive in Thailand in a couple of weeks (Sept 25) I will fill out a TM6 arrival card. The imm officer at the airport will stamp my passport that let me stay for 90 days.

All is good for 80 days. Then there are 2 paths

PATH 1:

Dec 24, I leave Thailand, and re-enter to get another 90 days. I do this every 90 days until Aug1 2020. At which time I will have to apply again for a Multi Entry Non -O visa (marriage) at say HCMC Thai Consulate. Then repeat the 90 days thing. There is nothing else I need to do? (Like a re-entry permit? TM30? ANYTHING else at all?

PATH2:

Instead of having to travel out of country every 90 days, I make sure that within 24 hours of my arrival to Thailand, that my landlord files a TM30.

Then on Dec 1, I can extend the 90 days by another 60 days at local immigration office for 1900 Baht. At the end of the 60 days (Feb 1), What do I do? Fly out of the country or extend another 60 days at local Imm office?

Before my Visa expires in Aug 15 2020 I can fly out to HCMC Thai consulate to do another 1 year ME Non-O Visa.

Thanks for your help!

Reading this article was informative so I wanted to share https://www.expatden.com/thailand/thai-marriage-visa/

I think I get the whole picture..is my understanding correct below?

Situation: I have a Multi-entry Non O, 1 year visa that expires Aug 15 2020. (This visa is based on marriage to my wife who is Thai.)

When I first arrive in Thailand in a couple of weeks (Sept 25) I will fill out a TM6 arrival card. The imm officer at the airport will stamp my passport that let me stay for 90 days.

All is good for 80 days. Then there are 2 paths

Path 1:

Dec 24, I leave Thailand, and re-enter to get another 90 days. I do this every 90 days until Aug1 2020. At which time I will have to apply again for a Multi Entry Non -O visa at say HCMC Thai Consulate. Then repeat the 90 days thing. There is nothing else I need to do? (Like a re-entry permit? TM30? Anything else at all?)

Path 2:

Instead of having to travel out of country every 90 days, I make sure that within 24 hours of my arrival to Thailand, that my landlord files TM30. Then on Dec 1, I do a "90 day report". I do this report every 90 days until my Visa expires. Before my Visa expires in Aug 15 2020 I can fly out to HCMC Thai consulate to do another 1 year ME Non-O Visa.

In your case it is the owner of the condo where you are staying (your wife's cousin) that has to file the TM30.
If you need to visit immigration (e.g. for doing a 90 day report or an extension of stay), you need to make sure that your wife's cousin indeed filed the TM30 stating that you stayed at her condo.  Otherwise you risk your extension of stay being denied.
Yes, if you leave the country before the end of every 3 month period, you won't have to deal with the local immigration office and then it doesn't matter for you whether the TM30 has been done or not.
Your wife's cousin doing the TM30 on-line would be the best way to proceed, both for the cousin as he/she will be in compliance with the law, as well as for yourself as in that scenario you don't need to leave the country before every 3 months but can stay longer without hassle.