La Migra

Or this one.... seems to be the one most are referring to in the the discussions on the issue.

14 minutes ago, Mango Bob said:

Even with Tricare being a better health insurance and excess what the dirty dozen insurance companies here offer.  Tricare will not say that their policies has a 400,000/40,000 policy.  Just like many U.S. Insurance companies will not sign the form for insurance.

If one person asks they (Tricare) will likely refuse because it falls outside their normal operations ..... if 1000 or 10000 people contact Tricare with the same question - they will likely look into what is going on....and since their coverage meets the requirements - they will (ok, "might") start issuing the letter/certificate. Strength in numbers, squeaky wheel...

16 hours ago, Kokila said:

....my wallet is smaller than my heart....

I know the feeling.  Remember giving your time is as important as your money.  

I am US, so evaluate transparency using "Charity Navigator", however, not too much directly on Thailand there.  But you can find some that support charities in Thailand - so that will help identify worthwhile causes in country, in addition to the ones mentioned by members here.

I would also suggest giving where you will visit, so you can see the impact of your generosity.  I donate to the Jesuits work up in Chiang Mai.

On 11/10/2019 at 6:22 PM, Pravda said:

Having just received my brand spankin' new passport in the mail....

Glad you got it all sorted out. 

Did you have to get the new Drivers License, or did you find alternative 2nd ID? 

3 hours ago, lkv said:

So Sheryl, if someone mentioned seeing two people doing that, it must be true, right?.... I have looked on the websites of some of these companies, I don't see how they can be purchased online on the spot.

I believe the larger point was: Don't purchase insurance on the spot at the airport.  If faced with the dilemma of a 30 day permission to stay or buying insurance while in immigration : take the 30 day stamp and sort it out.

Also, I agree, I don't see how to purchase in such short order - unless these companies have "operators standing by...." 24/7 . If you can just 'apply', and get a year stamp while waiting for approval ..... that sounds like a loophole Thai Immigration will close quickly. " post excogitato"

23 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

44 minutes ago, La Migra said:

Question for all: Have their been reports of anyone actually signing up/buying the insurance at the airport/port of entry?

Yes, someone mentioned seeing 2 people do that. ...Which means they got what I frankly would regard as virtually worthless policies. Any policy you can buy  on the spot has not been reviewed by underwriters.

Thank you, that is what I was thinking, that any policy you could get instantly via your phone standing in secondary at the airport would be worthless...... if you could get it at all.

23 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

...seeing 2 people do that.

But no first hand reports?

Question for all: Have their been reports of anyone actually signing up/buying the insurance at the airport/port of entry?

I have read of those given a choice of 30 day visa exempt entry or buy - but no one opting to buy. (Plus the original post being given the option then being stamped in for 12 months).

So again, any reports of someone signing up/buying insurance at the airport?

9 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

Now in lieu of pure Medicare, there are some Medigap polices available that would provide emergency coverage overseas, but from what I read, in general the conditions are quite strict.

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

As I understand it there are residency requirements for Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans. You need to permanently reside not only in the US but in a specific state.

Yes, those plans are specifically designed for traveling - not staying long-term outside the US. 

Lots of complaints about Thai Consulates and Immigration not accepting foreign insurance coverage and specifically "TRICARE" for US military vets and dependents.   But no actual reports of someone trying to use TRICARE to qualify for this insurance requirement, and no reports of TRICARE being asked to provide the certification letter - just speculation that it will not be accepted.

Also, while requesting the US embassy to intervene on behalf of this issue is a good path - and it appears US State Dept is already doing so ..... might I suggest that if you have TRICARE coverage - you start contacting TRICARE directly to see if they will supply the required certification.

When a company which provides insurance coverage in a country sees that there is a new requirement - they generally don't just abandon the business... their legal department jumps to work, and they satisfy the need.

10 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

Embassy/consulate will issue you an OA Visa valid for 1 year from date of issue (or to the end date of the foreign insurance policy if that happens to expire more early).

Although we haven't had report of it yet, the implementation order mentions the consulate writing down the date to which the health insurance is valid, on the visa.  That date wouldn't change on subsequent entries.

If the health insurance date they write is Oct 1, 2020 - I think you will only be admitted until that date - no matter when you enter. Unless you show you have purchased one of the listed policies, or convince immigration with a new signed and certified letter of qualifying outside insurance coverage.

41 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I emailed them accordingly and received an interesting response I reported on elsewhere.

Which thread?

2 hours ago, treetops said:

If this happens and I'm stamped in for 60 days and I change my mind about the onward travel the next day, are there likely to be any recriminations?

Direct answer, probably not.   Travel plans change.

Two issues, what if you tell them you are in transit and leaving the next day....and they only stamp you in until your flight out? Now you are in Laos, or wherever, with the same problem of entering Thailand. Plus, issue two, since still on that METV per your plan, you still might run up against the unwritten 180 day rule.

If you want to use your plan, and not get new type visa in UK, I recommend to have a flight out in 10 days or so, not immediate .... and execute your plan to change to Non O followed by retirement as quick as you can.

"...Get the correct visa ! "  I think that says it all.  

It really appears Thailand is imposing a rule of thumb of 180 days per tourist. First if you are over, but also if your pattern of stay shows you might go over.

23 hours ago, Galong said:

I kinda let old age creep up on me. I didn't pay attention to it, didn't really think about it, and now I'm 64! ???? 

Ha Ha, I think that is how it happens to most of us, working or not!  Glad to hear your success story, you have found your niche and from all the responses to your question, you are good to go. 

Sorry if this was already suggested: so many long posts, quoting other long posts in full.... so I skipped a few pages.

You talked about medical stuff you were having done - why not get a medical visa?

"1. Medical Tourist Visa: 40 USD for single entry of no more than 60 days

2. Non-Immigrant O Visa (Medical Treatment): 80 USD single entry of no more than 90 days, which can be extended and changed to multiple entries at Immigration Office in Thailand."

....... extra steps than just a tourist visa, but seems to fit your profile and might get you past that pesky too much time in country rule.

3 hours ago, eg84 said:

She stamped the passport and off I went, quickly!!

 Ha ha !   Great news! 

Although I would start to form another plan for the rest of your time in Thailand. 

Best of Luck getting in.

Let us know what happens. When I fly in from Cambodia, it is the only place that asks for onward ticket out of Thailand. So be prepared to buy one.

I think you got your consensus answer; try a VE entry at a land border crossing in Laos (considered more friendly). If denied entry you are no worse off than now. Except you are in Laos vice Cambodia. I would suggest that, if immigration hesitates to let you in, explain that you just need to get your computer and so on, and accept a reduced number of days admission. (Maybe have a flight pre-booked to leave Thailand in 10-15 days)    

I still don't understand why they would put a visa sticker in your PP.  Wouldn't they normally just deny your application for the SETV?       

So the embassy denied your 2nd SETV application? And stamped your old SETV denied w/o prejudice? Or did you get the second SETV and it was denied at the border?

Could you please post a picture of the stamps?

9 hours ago, krey said:

Lets say I have a Expiry date of Feb 1 2020

I leave on January 25th and come back on January 27th

I have a new year stamp that states I can stay in the kingdom until Jan 27 2021

I know these are hypothetical dates, but just in case the IO decides not to stamp you in for another 365 .... don't cut it too close to the end of your visa.

5 minutes ago, Pravda said:

 

They don't accept damaged passport as ID.

 

No drivers license. I was a non resident since 2015, so expired.

Sounds like it is time to get a new Canadian Driver's License

2 hours ago, Pravda said:

Does any Canadian here know if I could obtain a regular passport without 2 pieces of id?

Not Canadian, but you have your citizenship card and the damaged passport. That is two forms of ID. 

Do you have any Thai ID, like a driver's license?