Front Row

Anyone have any recommendations for ad blocking software for macOS machines?  Because the number of advertising pop ups and windows on this site make it practically unusable.  ????

On 10/12/2023 at 6:59 AM, Bangkok Barry said:

Do you have any figures, surveys or, you know, facts to back up what you claim? Or did you just make it up? I'd guess - guess, not claim are as you do - that 90% are the 'whatsoevers', which is normal people. Where are you, by the way, and if in Thailand which category do you fit into?

You know what they say, every accusation is an admission.

25 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Only Bangkok immigration wants it to mailed 14 days before your report date. But it must received at least 7 days before the report date.

 

Thanks, Joe.  That's exactly my question - the rules for the Bangkok fiefdom.  And it's where I get a bit confused. Is that "at least 14 days before", "exactly 14 days before" ?  What is the earliest I could mail it to them? How much wiggle room do I have with this?

Let me be succinct.  I tried today, using Firefox and Chrome browsers.  Turned pop-up blockers on and off.  I could not get anywhere.  The page refused to load.  I'll try again tomorrow.

Having to jump through hoops to get COE and then do 14 days ASQ quarantine upon arrival is the deal breaker for me at the moment.  If they drop the ASQ requirement for fully vaccinated people, a trip to the USA to get vaccinated becomes more appealing. 

Otherwise, hopefully vaccines will become available locally before year end.  If so, I can wait.  I might change my mind if it looks like it will take longer than Oct or Nov to get a jab though. If Covid really gets out of control and this place starts to look like India then I would change my strategy.

On 5/6/2021 at 1:26 PM, ThailandRyan said:

CBS News got an inside look at the logistical challenges of getting Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to the public, including a required storage temperature you would find in the coldest places on Earth.

 

Colder than Antarctica in winter, dry ice — made from carbon dioxide — is crucial for moving and storing these vaccines. Pfizer's vaccine needs to be kept at 94 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Dry ice helps maintain the subarctic temperature during shipping. 

 

Medical facilities at embassies have a full on storage location for medications.  

 

Pfizer developed a thermal shipper, which they call a "cool box," for the trip. It's about the size of a carry-on suitcase.

Again, FWIW, let me mention that Pfizer does no longer requires super cold storage.

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-allows-more-flexible-storage-transportation-conditions-pfizer

On 5/6/2021 at 12:53 PM, Nojohndoe said:

Any significant amount of a vaccine that needs to be kept at super cold temperatures would be difficult to avoid detection IMO.

Pfizer doesn't need super cold storage any longer.  And they probably brought this in to the US Embassy (and possibly others) via diplomatic pouch.  The Thai government doesn't get to see what is within a diplomatic pouch or seal so the Thai government wouldn't know.

On 5/6/2021 at 12:58 PM, Surelynot said:

Just thought....this is the -70C vaccine........that will be a major headache for Thailand.......I can't see it making its way any further than central Bangkok.

Pfizer no longer needs super cold storage. 

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-allows-more-flexible-storage-transportation-conditions-pfizer

On 2/3/2021 at 5:00 PM, Nout said:

When Trump used executive orders he was accused of being undemocratic but now Biden is doing the same he is lauded by the leftists and liberals. Might some people consider this shameful hypocrisy?  Just wait until the same kind of actions are used against the war on 'domestic terror' (1st Ammendment Rights to Freedom of Speech) as already mooted by AOC..

The first piece of legislation that the Biden administration sent to Congress was an immigration bill.  I think that says a lot.  It's obvious to both sides that it is not possible to have an effective immigration policy that's executed via dueling EOs.  But with Congress so polarized, I don't expect much progress will be made on immigration legislation.  Would it be possible to address the Dreamers with a simple stand alone bill that gets voted up or down?  A majority of Americans (70%, I think) support such a pathway.  Resolving that one issue would be a good first step.  But I'm not holding my breath.

On 2/3/2021 at 10:38 AM, NorthernRyland said:

Those were Europeans though. Now we're talking about the underclass from various South American countries. Not even the middle class but people that are so desperate they need to enter illegally. This is a totally new class of immigrant in 2020 than in 1920. 

Racist much? 

8 minutes ago, asiaexpat said:

Depends on type of account. If regular savings account then CW expects a transaction same day. If account is a fixed account no transaction needed.

A transaction slip from an ATM is good enough to show account details.

Sounds like an ATM slip would be the way to go then. As long as the ATM slip doesn't need to be from that specific bank's ATM machine.  ????

16 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

Then it's easy. He needs the bank letter and bank statement from his bank showing the 800k in the account 2 months prior to the application. He still needs a transaction,though. The reason for that is Immigration wants to see that the account is active. 

So, when does this transaction need to take place?  The week before, the day before, the day of?  That's what I'm trying to nail down, preferably from someone whose funds are in a statement account and who has dealt with CW Immigration officers.

Thanks However, there is no passbook with this account.  That's the point of the question.

Just curious if anyone has experience with presenting documents to prove 800K of seasoned funds that are in a statement bank account rather than a passbook account.  Do the IO accept a letter from the bank and copies of the monthly statements or do they want more than that.  I've heard where the IO wants to see passbooks updated with a transaction on that day.  That's not possible to show with a statement account, unless perhaps showing the IO a screen grab or print out of the current  account status from online banking.  Asking fora friend.  ????

Thanks!  

17 hours ago, Katipo said:

I was there about 2 weeks ago. It wasn't very busy at all. I was in and out in not more than 15 minutes.

That’s what I wanted, first hand info. ????

Thanks. I appreciate you taking the time to reply. 
The question was “has anyone been . . . ?

I was looking for a first hand report, not speculation.

(And we are all well aware of the amnesty.)

That wasn’t the question though, was it. 

Has anyone been to the Chamchuri Square One Stop Center recently? I am considering going this week to do a 90 Day Reporting. 

6 hours ago, Lacrimas said:

special savings account are not considered in that list

https://www.scb.co.th/en/personal-banking/deposits/savings-account/easy-saving-account.html

P.S. Google is your friend. 

4 minutes ago, Guderian said:

I've been told twice at Jomtien Immigration that the criterion they apply to decide whether an account can be used to hold the 800K Baht is that you must be able to access the funds in it on that day. That's why the SCB SFF Fund account has never been accepted by Immigration, there are no same-day withdrawals. How does your EZ Savings account score on that test?

It’s described exactly like a passbook savings account, but without the passbook. AFAIK, you can withdraw from the bank tellers or via certain ATMs and the app. (Apparently you can’t insert a link or a url here or I would do that.)

18 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Most immigration offices now accept an account without a bank book.

You would need a bank statement from the bank for at least 2 months on the day you apply.

Thanks. I think I’ll try to find someone at an SCB branch who can tell me whether an e-statement can be sent out every month. Who knows I might even find someone at SCB who’s dealt with this issue previously. ????

1 hour ago, samui99 said:

I used SCB EZ Saver last year, they could not print me a statement. I just had a Screenshot showing the 800k balance from when logged in on my phone.

The immigration officer just rang the bank to confirm that it was an "online only" account. No problem. FYI that was Hua Hin immigration, I have always found them pretty good.

 

Thanks. That’s great to hear. 

SCB Bank offers an account called an "EZ Savings Account".  The account earns an interest rate of 1.5% which is very good.  However, this type of account has no physical passbook.  You access account info online or through a phone app.  I believe you get or can request a monthly statement (need to confirm that).  With no physical passbook I worry that Immigration would not accept this kind of an account. Does anyone have any real life experience?