wn78

I recently posted another topic of suspected VPN throttling with Thailand mobile ISPs (True, AIS).  Has anyone seen any evidence of intentional VPN throttling by the residential ISPs discussed in this topic?  

I've had connection problems with VPN over mobile hotspots on my last trip.  

I would pop a TRUE SIM (prepaid) into my phone, turn on the hotspot, connect my laptop to it, and use ExpressVPN on the laptop.  I noticed lagging connections with video calls and remote desktop sessions, anything that requires a steady connection was freezing up.  I ran a ping/traceroute, and saw latency spikes, constant packet drops, and the connection going dead for a few seconds every minute or so.  Disconnected the VPN and the connection becomes steady.  Thinking maybe it’s the VPN server, I tried many different VPN servers in the USA and different VPN protocols, it would improve for a short time, but then interruptions restart.  Then, keeping the same VPN server I switched my phone to an AIS SIM card and the connection immediately became steady, so I figured it was not the VPN problem, but TRUE.  Everything was smooth for a few days on AIS, but then started having the same interruptions on AIS.  Same issues with a DTAC SIM later.  I started to suspect all of them were detecting VPN and throttling it.  I've used VPN for years on my travels to Thailand and have not had such issues until the last trip.  

Anyone has similar experiences with a VPN over hotspots lately?
 

Now I suddenly recall that the application requires you to submit a copy of your passport pages... but I can't remember if only pages with your last entry to Thailand, or the pages with your most recent travel anywhere?.....  If the latter, the embassy people could be checking where you are right now, if they can make out those barely readable stamps.

Like I said, the IO also has a chance of figuring it out during the entry, but I doubt they care, unless you are incredibly unlucky and get a bad apple IO... but in that case there are 5 other things the could find wrong to deny you entry regardless of this issue.

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

What he is holidaying in Vietnam and obtaining eVisa to enter Thailand from there.

What if he is currently in Thailand and wanting to have an eVisa for entry into Thailand and is planning a exit flight and return to thailand using his emailed eVisa. 

All good? 

Theoretically the IO could see the flight from Vietnam and question how long you were there and figure out you got the visa while being there....  what will happen? I don't know, never heard such reports.

I would draw the line at Thailand.  The IO will see immediately that you were in Thailand while obtaining another visa to Thailand, by comparing your visa issue date to the entry records on his screen.  I think that would be a clear violation.

I'm from US, but I would assume it's the same web interface and process in both UK and US.   I don't remember any step in the process that requires you to prove your current location while applying.  Just make sure you indicate your residency and address in the UK to be eligible.  It's e-visa, so nothing is mailed to you, you get the sticker by email.  

So it's extremely rare, tons of other rare diseases out there, no need to get concerned, right?  

This one is different because it has 98% fatality rate.  And it comes from water anywhere or even swimming pools.  So any cases should be investigated thoroughly on where they came from.  

4 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the man’s genetic testing for three types of viruses causing Naegleria fowleri was 99.6 percent comparable to those detected in a patient with meningitis who was reported abroad

Naegleria fowleri is a parasite, not a virus - poor translation?

Googling it - you can only catch it swimming in fresh water, not the ocean.  I wish they further investigate where he was swimming.  Isaan has lots of standing fresh water, but this disease is very rare.  But it is also found in poorly chlorinated swimming pools.... hmm... Execution of proper pool maintenance procedures in Thailand hotels.....????

4 minutes ago, bendejo said:

There is a tropical disease research lab that is part of Mahidol Univ, near Victory Monument.  Once when preparing to travel to a remote part of Indonesia I went there for malaria pills.  Apparently they don't get many farang, and the only person they could dig up to speak English with me was a young research doctor, the receptionist was embarrassed to summon him.  He was reluctant at first, but then gave me them.  I asked about mosquito repellents and he laughed, said nothing else works the way DEET does.

This was nearly 20 years ago, so things may have changed.  On google maps there is a "Thai Travel Clinic," it's all between the monument and the elevated expressway.

 

 

Yep, that's the same clinic that does the blog I referenced on my OP.

I hope the receptionist learned to speak better English in the 20 years she's been there...  I will report back on that. ????

10 hours ago, BritManToo said:

One of my work pals went completely bonkers from anti-malarial tablets, had to be locked up for a couple of weeks, while locked up stopped taking the meds, then caught malaria while in the mental institution.

That is most bizarre turn of events!

10 hours ago, BritManToo said:

You also need to start taking the meds 2 weeks before travelling, so absolutely no use as a backup to keep in your bag.

Are you talking about prophylaxis here? I  am not talking about the preventive meds, I am talking about the emergency treatment regimen

51 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

In Thailand the ortho specialists usually  read the MRIs thrmselves and ignore radiology report. 

 

What type of ortho problem? As there are sub-specialties.

 

And were you advised to have MRI with or without contrast?

Thanks, I did not know that.

I PM'ed you more detail.

I may need an MRI soon for an orthopedic issue, and I may be running out of time to do it in my home country for certain reasons.

Is there a modern MRI facility in Bangkok, I would assume in a major hospital, at Western standards, that has:

1. Latest generation MRI machine, specifically 3T type

2. Musculoskeletal-trained radiologists (MSK) on staff to interpret the results.  This point is important, not just any radiologist.

Or maybe just recommend me a hospital that has the reputation for best care for orthopedic/musculoskeletal issues.

How much would a modern generation MRI cost in BKK?

16 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Doubtful unless you will be traveling in near future to a malarious area.

 

Which on SE Asia means overnighting in dense jungle.

 

 

Ok then, maybe I was misjudging the situation.  I presumed Thailand doctors would be more flexible then in the West on this issue.  In the US doctors would rather have a patient take the risk and go somewhere without a supply of emergency medicines, than take the risk of having some patients misuse the prescribed meds and then come back and sue the doctor.

2 hours ago, internationalism said:

it's not malaria you should be aware of (around 1-2 cases of infection to tourists per year) , but dengue fever (that might be in hundreds/thousands per year - total for thailand is 60k). 

For dengue there are 2 vaccines, also available in the USA (dengvaxia).

Thanks for your reply.  Dengue fever  vaccine was just covered in my other post a few days ago, so no need to repeat that discussion here

2 hours ago, internationalism said:

malaria is in sub-saharan Africa.

I don't have the distribution and maps in front of me, but I'm pretty sure it hasn't been the case for a long time now.  It's been spreading to many other areas.  I read a few travelers' post over the years reporting cases in the Caribbean and other areas.  While the risk is still very very low, it's  fatal disease and having an emergency med in your kit is a good idea if you travel to remote places

2 hours ago, internationalism said:

for prophylaxis of malaria is an antibiotic doxycycline - to be taken a week before

Yes fully aware of that, and don't want prophylaxis for the precise reason of the risk of infection being so small.

2 hours ago, internationalism said:

for treatment of malaria only quinine and chloroquine are available at some large pharmacies. They are older generation drugs and cheap. 

That's good info, I will check it out.  I would of course prefer more modern treatments, more effective I assume

2 hours ago, internationalism said:

In the USA you can ask for a prescription of malarone, might be expensive. Probably thai travel clinics would also give you prescription and point you which hospital to buy.

You can ask, but in 99% case you will not get it.  Very few clinics are willing to go that route.

2 hours ago, internationalism said:

"Please be informed that Antimalarial medication in Thailand are special reserved medications. Our Ministry of Public Health has strict rule and regulation to control the use of antimalarial medication in our country. So they will be available in some public/university hospitals only. Antimalarial medication is not available over the counter and must be prescribed from a qualified medical doctor only."

Yes I saw that, but I assumed since they recommend SBET in their blog, they could prescribe it for a remote traveler who wants it

I was browsing the excellent blog from the Thai Travel Clinic, and saw articles on malaria standby emergency treatment (SBET)

https://www.thaitravelclinic.com/Knowledge/standby-emergency-treatment-of-malaria.html

https://www.thaitravelclinic.com/blog/all-about-malaria/sbet-regimen-in-thailand-and-southeast-asia.html

Seems like a useful item to have in your bag if you like traveling to remote islands (in Thailand, Philippines, Caribbean).  In the US doctors would not allow you to get “future need” drugs like that so I’m thinking of stocking up next time I’m in BKK.

What other “emergency medical kit” medications you would advise to get in Thailand which are not available in your home country at your request? 

4 hours ago, internationalism said:

Hence go for dengvaxia (that one if for those already staying in tropics minimum 10 years or already after 1 infection) 

Can you clarify what you said - recommended for those in Thailand staying for 10 years or after 1 infection, and not recommended for anyone else?

Thanks for advice with regards to risks.  I am aware my risk is miniscule, visiting regularly Krabi and other beach areas.  I have visited rural Isaan areas a few times on very short trips, and may occasionally repeat.  My rationale was, if the vaccine risk is very small, and so is the price, what's the harm, although a live vaccine type puts me off more than the inactivated one.  When medical professionals recommend/don't recommend something, they are driven by the public-health guidelines or insurance companies.  It may still make sense to get vaccinated based on your own individual risk/benefit assessment.

Good point on the dengue vaccine, I actually wasn't ware there was one.  I will be checking it out.

Thank you for the pointers.  Thailand prices are so cheap compared to US.  Although Thailand vaccine is a live vaccine type.  I'm not too keen on live vaccines, prefer inactivated, but Imojev is an Australian brand, so the safety profile should be good regardless.

Possible to get it in Bangkok, and how much does it cost?

Anyone knows what type of JE vaccine it would be (name/brand)?

This vaccine in the US is very pricey.

Yeah, keep on going folks, take the bait and have a blast talking about semantics of words, look for hidden insults, and make it a serious matter discovering the meaning of  "scam", whatever gives you kicks.  It's amusing.  In the meantime, a few people here did recognize this discussion is less of a rant and more of an opportunity to exchange solutions to the "baht leakage" problem.  The rest is just useless noise ????

1 hour ago, blackcab said:

 

No. Thai law is very specific about who gets what after a divorce. Your wife would be entitled to half of most things you earn/receive/obtain after you are married, but nothing from what you owned before you were married.

 

A prenuptial agreement, even if entered into willingly by both parties, cannot supersede statute law.

Good to know.

I can't add anything to the discussion, as I got no knowledge in this area.  But it makes me think, will Thai marriage be legally recognized in the OP's home country, in which case he may be getting bigger problems if his wife makes claims under his home law, should he divorce one day

2 minutes ago, transam said:

Buy a wall calendar and mark it, like this one......????

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome idea.  Even better, I'll clip it to my shirt in front, so I can see the dates every time I look down to take a <deleted>.

On 8/25/2022 at 6:25 AM, treetops said:

AIS seems to work OK on my package.  Sent two days before the package expired.

Correct, for recurring packages they remind (because they want your next installment).  For non-recurring packages, they don't.

On 8/25/2022 at 6:30 PM, FritsSikkink said:

It is not a scam, you are just incapable of planning your phone payments.

You are just incapable of understanding the subject of this discussion.  The point was a phone company that provides good service should send the expiration reminders automatically.

Also I never called it scam.  I called it "scam".  You are just incapable of understanding the meaning of quotation marks.

Cheers.

23 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Yes there are a group of Thai bashers on this forum who see negativity everywhere  in Thailand. The best thing to do is challenge  them politely and report them. The constant libel and  slander is tiresome and new members think its normal. I get challenged  because I don't hate thais!

Right now, I should be reporting you, and you should be politely apologizing to me for slandering me by insinuating I am some kind of "Thai basher". There was nothing Thai-hating in my post, ZERO.  Big business in all countries engage in questionable practices aimed to taking advantage of people and maximizing their profits.  Calling it out does not constitute hatred or libel towards Thais or any other people.  You and a few others here took a generally harmless topic and twisted it into a negatively charged and discriminatory confrontation.  I don't know if you are hyper sensitive with this kind of myopic view or pursuing some other agendas, whatever.  If you got nothing constructive to say on the topic, please go somewhere else to stir your negativity.