n8sail

Girlfriend and I had RT-PCR test done at Pattaya Memorial Hospital yesterday morning.  Picking up the hopefully negative results on the way to Swampy this evening, flying BKK-DXB-BOS at 1am.  Emirates website says they demand RT-PCR test within 72hrs prior to leaving Thailand.   On another website I saw that USA also needed it, and on yet another website I saw that Antigen test is actually suitable for entrance to USA.   So RT-PCR it was.

Haven't heard anything about a clinic at Swampy for pre-boarding test.

3500 baht each at Pattaya Memorial.  BKK Pattaya is 3800 reportedly.  Memorial was easy peasy.  Parked car, walked 8m across a quiet street, sat outside away from everyone while they did paperwork etc.   Downside was they make you go BEFORE the actual test, in-person, to register.  That could be because we've never been to that hospital before, though, not sure.   Seems ridiculous you can't register online or phone call though, given the situation here.  TIT.... 

15 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

any side effects reported?

Girlfriend, 42, had her 2nd Sinopharm jab, purchased by company in Rayong on Tuesday this week.  First one she felt kind of sick, slight fever the next day.  This past one arm hurt more immediately after for 24hrs, and had some slight sickness feeling last night, so those symptoms were delayed a day more than first one.  Seemed to be right as rain this morning working from home as I left for work.

On Monday  night we are flying to USA so I can get vaccinated as I'm also 42 and the expatvac scam website that now has all our data has still not come through.   She wants to get a Pfizer 'booster' at the end of the trip of 3 weeks in the USA as Sinopharm has efficacy limitations noted above.

We are both very healthy and live a very active lifestyle.

Amazing Adventure Thailand!

Test positive for COVID, asymptomatic, and go to ACTUAL jail!
 

I feel very very bad for anyone that ends up here.  What a demoralizing experience that would be. 

Friend just arrived from USA this past Wednesday night, ASQ at a hotel near Erawan Square now, Thai wife and half-baby 12yo.  Purchased 1 Liter of booze for each carryon from duty free at stopover in Korea.  So he got 3 liters in and they never asked anything.

However, when walking all their luggage out through Customs, the Thai family behind them got pulled to the side.  Of course he couldn't stick around to see what happened to them LOL.

He also tested out having a friend bring them food from outside the hotel.  It worked.  We reckon a couple beers could be hidden in a food package pretty easily.

2 hours ago, peleid said:

Happy for you. Now I will tell you my experience today. I am registered at both private and local (which ever comes first I will have, over one month registered) a few days ago pivate got in touch, come for vaccine 29th walk in, yesterday I sent message, confirm vaccination tomorrow, answer yes, this morning, happy as Larry set off on my bicycle, arrived hospital, paid my money then was told October maybe, everyone including Thais coughed up money and THEN was told October

Sorry for your luck...   But, you gotta admire the business acumen of these private hospitals.   THAT is a seriously awesome bait-n-switch play!   Even the Thais fell for it!

I'm registered for Moderna from the VP of the company I work with.  4th quarter they say.   I'm not holding my breath...  I did order extra SCUBA tanks, though!

Despite this place giving me a great life, supplying me with ample income and a great career that I truly love, I am getting truckin' tired of all of this.  Rest of the world is getting better, we're getting worse.

11 hours ago, Bkktodd said:

Yes. And all persons on TF work perfectly legal work as deemed by the thai government .  So you are good 

Right!  I was just planning to sit down and have a friendly chat, that's all...  there's no way any other nefarious things could occur as prostitution is both illegal AND as such, none has ever been found here!

???? ????????

5 hours ago, robblok said:

Just drink your beer home with one or two friends and be safe.

According to the article, in Chonburi we can only drink if we are alone!

"...gatherings of over five people are forbidden (and over one person around alcohol), and a variety of other Covid-19 related rules and restrictions in the Pattaya area."

So...  sitting in my 'Luxury' (HA!) condo, overlooking the ocean, I must kick my girlfriend out first before I can have a beer.

I suppose that while she was kicked out, and after I finished the beer, I could get a quick visit from a sow sow on TF, though...   maybe I should start following this rule!

2 hours ago, Nanaplaza666 said:

The newer models have good cameras you don't need to be REALLY close and wearing a mask and being outside has less chance to catch it . Or do you tell me when you go shopping your chance of getting close to people isn't the same as when paying by QR code with the phone , only then you are inside a building(shop) ,so stop the drama Mikey you can't win this one . 

With a 1 in 10,000 chance of catching it by contacting a 'contaminated' surface, I'll take my chances with cash.  The waste of plastics and chemicals for cleaning is astounding, and for what?

Do the research.  Follow the science.  SARS-COV2 is an aerosol transmitted disease.  Give your immune system some exercise for the other pathogens we have to fight off, lay off the stupid alcohol hand sanitizer and cleaning every surface every hour.  Just a waste of resources.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/science-and-research/surface-transmission.html

13 hours ago, canthai55 said:

Anyone who has been in LOS more than 15 minutes should know that all banks, all DLT, all EVERYWHERE is not the same.

Check around, up Ahs and go look. Leave the keyboard to the warriors posting garbage.

You MUST have a cosigner, you MUST have a cosigner with a Gov't job, you MUST put down 25% !!!

555

This is very true...  If you look at it from a business perspective, those of us hearing "MUST have 25% down minimum, Gov't employee etc." has got to be for a reason:

The banks are not selling cars, they are selling a loan.  It is in their interest to collect as much up-front as possible.  So, of course the loan salespeople are going to say "25% is the minimum for farang, must pay us 25%."   I would do the same if I were them.  Make the falang (and Thai co-signing) believe that is the only way, so you don't go shopping for other loans.

Very good that OP has been able to do it for 10% down and 0% for 7 years.  That is amazing, and I admit that I'm little jaded and jealous.  I'd have my new EV, a lot more money in my pocket NOW, and pocketing even more each month from my car stipend if I had gotten those figures.  ????    My girlfriend is no dummy, and even she was duped into thinking this 25% is the RULE, by 2 banks!

Anyways, OP, absolute best of luck, hope your passport issue works out and please update us when the deal is done.  Personally, I never bought a brand-new car in my life before coming to Thailand, and it is a very nice experience, I hope you get to enjoy this also!

16 minutes ago, problemfarang said:

UPDATE:

 

bank called us and said i must pay 20% if want on my name. 

 

So its confirmed now that farang can get car loan but must pay 20%

 

 

I consider that a victory...  Lower than my 25% I was required to pay by both Tisco and Kasikorn banks for my cars.

For what it's worth, I got both loans, as a farang not employed in Gov't (but in BOI zone), and not married to a Thai, but co-signed by a Thai who has a very good job at a large company, but not the Gov't.

Lesson I guess is it is 'Up to dem'...  no set rules  ????

Sort of like immigration offices here....
Ahhhh Thailand.

27 minutes ago, RAZZELL said:

Can a foreigner get a "loan" without a WP?

 

If they put down say 25% and have a Thai guarantor? (The Mrs?)

 

RAZZ

As I understand it, you must have a work permit AND a Thai guarantor (can be anyone does not need to be any relation to you)

But, I was wrong about a 0% loan for 7 years, if in fact the OP's saleswoman is not pulling one over on him...  as the link provided for the 'deal' is as stated above, 25% down etc.

OP, keep us updated even after the 2 weeks to get your passport back.  These things are useful to know for all farangs here.

5 minutes ago, problemfarang said:

Hi,

i agree and disagree with some of your comments. 

 

First of all i dont know about %25 because im farang, but this was something i was expecting. Because when i was buying my ford focus they told me i must pay half of it if i want it on my name. this was about... 4-5 years ago. Although if you read my posts here, you would see that the lady at the bank who came to mazda shop and do paper work told me (she was very sure) that i can apply to buy it on my name as same as thai person. I told her farang cannot buy without paying cash or else but she again very surely told me as long as i have work i can buy and lot of things changed in 3-4 years so now no need to pay anything or else. Even though she told me that i still agree with you and im pretty sure the bank HQ will tell her and me to pay some deposit or down payment. Funny thing is we just talked with her again 5 min ago and she told us let me give her my documents and she will send them to bank HQ and wait for the result which im going to do so. Nothing to lose. 

 

About the bank interest as i mentioned before its 0% you can check the mazda website i posted here. you will clearly see its a promotion and no or 0 down payment and 0% bank interest. So its a great deal if you dont have ready money in your hand to buy a car. Yes its here.. i already signed the papers and also clearly can see the numbers. Also this kind of promotion is quite common so i dont know what you mean by its not here.. i saw many times this kind of promotion. Only changing thing is the bank interest rate. For this one its 0. But they asked me a government worker must guarantee to me which is not a problem because of my work, i work for thai army. 

 

About paying 7 years... well it looks like a long time but still a good deal if you think there is no bank interest. Also they give you the option of payment from 4 to 7 years.  

 

you also mentioned about car prices in thailand is high. I dont agree, i think car prices are really ok and easy to buy. Thats why even the poorest has a pick-up or honda. About payment.. well thats up to the person who buys.  You bought MG with 1.87 interest because there was no promotion and its standard bank interest or maybe the promotion was 1.87

 

I also dont agree not to buy a car. If you are working in thailand and planning a life here, if you can, i think its really stupid not to buy a car. Not saying the best one but at least something will take you anywhere safely. 

 

thanks for your comments though.

Apologies!  I somehow missed that your loan was 0% for 7 years.  That is amazing...  but does seem too good to be true.

I'm pretty sure the bank HQ will come back with deposit requirement, I was told that farangs must pay 25% minimum, and Thai co-signer.  Hopefully I'm wrong!

Pickup trucks are pretty good pricing here as they are taxed differently and made here in Thailand.  Passenger cars have insane taxes, though.  MG was not too bad as it is made in China and there is a very favorable tax agreement between Thailand and China.  A base-model Honda Accord for 1.4 million baht is absolutely INSANE.  That is almost $43,000 NOW and exchange rates were much worse last year.  A base model accord in USA is less than $24,000.  So.... cars are definitely stupidly expensive here.  Main reason I bought a pickup truck.  I don't even like trucks and had never owned one.

One more question....  I had to pay 3000 baht non-refundable deposit for the MG, and I think it was 5000 for the truck.  I'm sure the kind woman at the dealership gets a cut of that...  Car salespeople will tell you ANYTHING to get you in the door.  So just be prepared if you paid a 'fee' for starting the process.

3 minutes ago, champers said:

Who administered the jab? DIY?

Probably the Dentist?   Given the business card and state of the resort, DIY might be the way though?  ????

I'm pretty sure they were saying there's a local Doc.  It was all a bit confusing, as I just rode a rented motocy over to see what the view was like (very nice!) as it is a pretty expensive resort, or was, in the past.  Then all of a sudden the guy at the front desk starts going on about COVID shots etc.   I can speak Thai quite well, and understand about 50% if I have context.  The conversation DEFINITELY didn't have context though, so I missed quite a bit of it before I figured out what he was talking about.

If anyone is interested, go ahead and have Thai wifey or girlfriendy give them a call.  It did seem legit, weird as the experience was.   I'm not too interested in $hit vaccines and will likely fly back to the USA to get me jab later this summer.

5 hours ago, Tony M said:

So, are there any vaccination tours to Koh Larn ?   70%  vaccinated already ?   Surely some local entrepreneur can set up some day trips to Koh Larn with vaccination included for local residents ?

Myself and some other friends sailed up to Koh Sichang 2 weekends ago, and I found a resort that is doing exactly that!

Free vaccination with a weekend stay.  I believe it was Asstracrapica as well.

This resort:   https://goo.gl/maps/kfMnUEK2zdHKckyMA

Edit:   Found the business card they gave me.  Appears to be run by a local woman who is both a Dentist AND a Real Estate Professional.   Now THAT"S what you call entrepreneurialism!

15 hours ago, OJAS said:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khao_Laem_Ya–Mu_Ko_Samet_National_Park

I stand corrected, thank you!  I should have known, I've been into the main office where this sign is several times to ask the 'grand poo-bah' of the park for permission to kitesurf.   He's very nice, but I have about 50% rate of approval for getting to kite.  Even on perfect days with basically zero risk of drowning.  It's completely 'up-to-him'.

I bought a 2016 Ford Ranger new on a 0% interest 48 month loan.   They required 25% downpayment because I'm a foreigner.  You MUST have a Thai co-sign, my girlfriend co-signed.  Co-signer must have enough credit and salary to cover the loan, as must you.  After the 48 months, and some 'fees' (I think was about 3000 baht), I got the car book, in my name only.  I have a 53,000 baht salary in Thailand... and also MUCH more in the USA.  They don't care about foreign paid income or bank balances.  I imagine if my salary was less in Thailand, they'd require more downpayment as was likely your issue with the 50% request before.

I just bought another new car 6 weeks ago, an MG EP.  Same deal, 25% downpayment, girlfriend had to co-sign.  This loan is 1.87%.

Note that loan percentages are quoted APR, not full-rate like they are at least where I come from.  In USA calculation of simple automotive loans are simple...  1.87% of the loaned value.   Here...  you pay 1.87% of loan value EVERY YEAR.   So if it's a 4 year loan, you're actually paying 7.48%...  a substantial amount.

A 7 year loan is stupidity unless it's less than 1%, or 0%.   You will NEVER find this here though.  In my opinion, if you can't afford the payment on a 4 year or less loan, buy a cheaper car, or take the plunge and go 2nd hand and pay cash.

I could have paid cash for these cars, but as life here is very uncertain, I would find it much easier to walk away from a partially paid car than one I fully paid for.  Of course easier to sell if you have the car book, but if you need to leave in a hurry, you're still gonna lose a lot of money selling quickly to a tent dealer, etc.

Cars are crazy expensive here, loans are expensive.  I only do it because my work gives me an allowance for it.  I would probably not use my own money to buy a car in Thailand unless I was bleeding money.

One tip if you don't keep much baht in Thailand same as me, is they allowed me to put the downpayment on my USA credit card.  I just called my bank to okay the several thousand dollar transaction.  Worked both times.  This way if things go awry right away, you can at least contest the transaction with your bank and not lose all your money.

Looks like Haad Mae Rumpheung, definitely not Koh Samet, there are no beaches with sand that color on Koh Samet except for the area near the pier which would have only very small waves right now.  Koh Samet and the Eastern end of Mae Rumpheung are both part of Laem Ya National Park.  There is no 'Koh Samet' national park.

Haad Mae Rumpheung is known to be very dangerous, several Thais drown there every year.   I kitesurf there and have nearly drowned myself a couple times LOL...   but I'm a very good swimmer and understand rip currents and have spent hundreds of hours in the water at that beach.

1 hour ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Not greed just human nature. They support their families in a way the government won't.

Government does it way smarter than the girls do.

The girls get paid to get effed....

The Government gets PAID to eff us all!

19 hours ago, Falcon said:

The Hua hin police have already got one Tesla car, they’ve had it for some months now. We see it driving around now and again so not sure if it’s out all the time or there just for the police to have fun with.

This is common in Thai police force especially in BKK and other wealthy areas.  I've seen BMW and Mercedes 'Police' cars also.  Tesla is a new one though LOL.

These cars are not owned by RTP.  They are guys from extremely wealthy families that join the RTP as 'something to do' and also likely to gain even further wealth through extortion, etc.  These are all private cars, just painted in the Thai police colors.  Pretty ridiculous that one can actually do that here, and even more so that one would even WANT to spend that much of their own money for 'work'.   I guess for them it's really an investment if they really are using it for extortion (likely the case).