samtam

Notification today at 15.22 that passport received at VFS, so taken 7 weeks. I have 30 days to collect, which is just aswell, as I have eye surgery on Monday, and will need to convalesce for about a week plus. Anyway, good news.

Had my prelim bloodwork and EKG. I was told after the bloodwork, (for which I fasted), I could go and eat, and I specifically asked if I could drink coffee. "Yes". Of course it effed up my blood pressure, on top of the pressure of schlepping over to Asok by 8.30 am, and successive attempts at readings made it worse, so that I had to go an obtain a doctor's letter from another hospital. I am in the process of doing that. My own doctor at said hospital wouldn't give it to me based on 3 or 4 more attempts with high readings, so I now have to monitor over 24 hours, and if I fail, the operation is off. Today's little exercises cost about THB8k, so extras, on top of the cataract surgery are around THB16k so far. My BP always spikes anywhere near a hospital, but obviously my doctor wants to get me on meds, which I don't want to do. Rather jaded, and poorer, by the whole experience.

Sounds very similar. I went across the road for a cup of coffee from 7-11 and it was a struggle, as I didn't bring sunglasses, essential in these circumstances. Luckily the zebra crossing rules were being observed and there were a few of us crossing, so I survived in the pack.

I went 28 June aswell. There may be a more complicated procedure for your own case, but I couldn't comment. My preliminaries before seeing Dr Roy included several people (4 or 5?), and took a total of 5 hours. Whilst this is a bit of an ordeal, (espcially when you're pupils are so dilated), it is reassuring to know that their assessment is so thorough.

I just received an estimate from Rutnin for monofocal @ THB95K to THB100K. My pre op consultation on Tuesday cost around THB7500, and there is an op prelim (bloodwork, EKG etc) which I imagine will be around the same price.

Still no! But still less than 7 weeks, so within their prescribed 11 week wait.

Coincidentally I had problems getting an OTP for my UOB yesterday afternoon on 2 occasions. First time OTPs came several minutes after request, second time requested 3 OTPs which never came, and then gave up until 9 pm. System obviously not that robust on a day that it needs to be.

When I initially said I did not have proof of address with me the clerk asked about my EoS validity, and said that "might be accepatble". In the interim, I managed to get a copy of a recent bank statement, so any posible delay was averted, as she allowed me to go and download the LINE message with the photographed copy, have it colour copied in the nearby office. So, in answer to your question, I think she probably would have allowed me to proceed with my application on that basis. Anyway, It's still "only" 6 weeks since I made my application, so theoretically only just over halfway through my waiting time of 11 weeks.

I was at the hospital in BKK this morning having a medical check up, and I suggested to my cardiologist and subsequently to my doctor, that it was time we removed masks. Both responded that it was a good idea to keep wearing them...I said "forever?". There seems a very well established mindset that mask wearing is a good thing, but I am not clear why. If God had intended it, he would have created a skin flap that covered our noses and mouths. Of course I still oblige the "rule", "law", "guideline", (not sure which it is, BTS claims it's the "law"), but I think the lack of critical thinking persists, and will do so for some time to come. I walk on the wild side, and now don't wear my mask when I'm in the park, but still do, when I'm walking in the streets, (rarely in this heat).

No.

I think we know Thailand struggles to make things easy. Why not have more fun filling out mindless redundant forms, such as the forest required at IMM on Extension of Stay; there was even another new one thrown in to the 20 page mix I submitted at the last episode....I [name] confirm that I [name] am [whatever] residing at [whereever] am who I say I am. Confirmed by me [name] during the bluest of new moons in the age of Aquarius ... etc etc, blah, blah blah, signed, and please add your mobile number....

I think 1) is for VFS, but not sure why, as you have to pick up the renewed passport in person at VKS in Sukhumvit. I omitted to read that section of the notes, and did not have proof of address. Luckily however, I rang home and my spouse photographed my latest bank statement, which I then took to a nearby shop on the same floor, and they colour copied it, which was accepted. The passport has your current Extension of Stay / or Visa and that alone should be proof of residency in Thailand. But hey, why not overkill with documentation.

Interesting. I just checked my credit card statement. My card was debited on 19 May, (8 days after I submitted). Not sure the debit date means anything.

In all seriousness THB170K is not that big a budget, depending on the amount you want to pay for rent. THB50K for a 1 bedroom flat in Bangkok is doable, but it would lessen your options in the quality, facilities and location of where you want to live. I own my own 250sqm condo in CBD Bangkok, so I do not pay rent, but I spend about THB90-100K per month on normal living expenses, like maid, management fees, utlities, transport, incidentals (tipping), groceries. I rarely eat or drink out, but I buy at one of the top grocery stores for food and drink. Bangkok is not a cheap city in which to live at a high standard of living. There are of course many permutations to scale everything up or down, depending on how much you want to spend; that is everyone's choice.

Grab. You do the research, the driver will take you there, using GPS. If you need help finding somewhere interesting to explore, then a tour company would be the best solution. Finding a reliable one not so easy.

Use Grab, (no Uber since about 2018). In central Bangkok waiting time is about 5-10 minutes. Zero point in having a semi-call driver, and Grab do not provide, as this is their service. Use Grab Car Premium, (Toyota Camry or Nissan Teana, or sometimes better, mostly in very good (new) condition.

That sounds a bit more promising....42 days versus 77 (11 weeks).

At VFS in Thailand you only submit a photocopy of your passport, not the original, which you keep, but cannot use for international travel.

I submitted mine at VFS in Bangkok, (in which I live), on 11 May, and it will take 11 weeks, so the new one will not be available for collection before beginning of August, and quite possibly longer, if the horror stories at HMPO are in the majority - some 500,000 backlog and some cases taking over 3 months. My old passport expires on 30 April 2023, so as my new Extension of Stay is up until then, I hope I shall get it back before that....???? ...well, a lot before then, as it would be nice to exit Thailand after more than 3 years, (6 months renovating my condo, and 2 1/2 years of Covid), when travel was too tedious.

"...this month", we're nearly half way through June, (and 2022). Clearly a well thought out plan, covering every avenue.

I find it shocking that a Thai government website should crash.

There used to be a fine alterations shop (Sew Point) in Silom Grande (latterly), on Saladaeng, but the owner Kh On, moved on (!), during the height of covid. Is there anywhere that has popped up as a replacement in the Sathorn area?

...just like AIDS really????

Well, I think it's in Table A. I assumed the Extension of Stay would be proof of residency evidence, as they state a "visa", but perhaps they were being overzealous, and luckily it wasn't an insurmountable request.

Just applied for my new UK passport in Bangkok, (at The Trendy Building). All went smoothly, except I did not have proof of my address in Bangkok, which I could not and still cannot find in the supporting documentary requirements. Problem solved by having a photo of a recent bank statement sent over via LINE, and printed at an adjacent office on 8/F. So...take proof of address.