samtam

On 5/7/2022 at 10:08 AM, skatewash said:

I too have an SCB EZ-Savings account paying 1.5% APR interest, but it is an account that doesn't have a passbook and Phuket Immigration requires you to show your passbook and copies of the relevant pages (in addition to the bank letter and bank statement).  So I am reluctant to be a pioneer and see if the EZ-Savings account would be accepted in Phuket.  

I have given up chasing the higher interest rates on my 800,000 baht deposited for retirement extension purposes.  The amount of money at stake doesn't outweigh the complications of moving the money for me.  I'm content with the 0.9% I get from my Krungsri Bank's Mee Tae Dai savings account.  If you change accoutns during the year you will need bank letters and statements from each of the banks, so for me that's twice the work.

...and paying twice for the bank fees for bank letter and bank statements.

On 5/7/2022 at 3:33 PM, Brick Top said:

I have just read this post and i am quite angry , the SCB informed me about the EZ account about 18 months ago. They told me that you earn 1.5% on balances up to 2 Million. I then transferred 2 Million from my Mai Tha Dee account that at the time was paying 1.2%. I just left the 2 Million in there thinking it was earning 1.5% as no one has informed me of anything different. Today after reading this post , I rang the SCB call center to confirm I was still earning 1.5% on the 2 Million. They informed me it changed in January 2021 to 1.5% only on the first 1 Million then just 0.5% on the remaining balance. I therefore just calculated they have cost me 10,499 in lost interest as if I had left the 2 Million in the Krungsri Mai Tha Dee account it would have generated that much more in interest. 

The banks here never inform you if any changes .

Nor do the banks (Krungsri) tell you when your VISA debit card/ATM card expires; with all my other accounts in UK and HK, the bank sends me the new card before the old one expires. Not here, I discovered.

Yes, money in bank, savings passbook, needs to be supported by bank statement for preceding 12 months prior to extension of stay, as I experienced last week at CW*. I use a dedicated savings passbook account with THB800K all year round. Only transactions are interest accrual. *I provide this because my agent tells me it's a requirement, so I assume he knows. If you have a different experience, whereby you do not require bank statements for money in the bank, then it's good to know, but as in "recollections may differ", "experiences may differ". My bank confirmed that they issue the bank statements all the time because it's an IMM requirement, another fee, on top of the bank letter fee.

I just get what the agent asks me, and the 20 minutes at CW is well worth his fee.

1 hour ago, Scooby Snacks said:

I think his comment was that 12-month bank statement is currently required at CW. Thanks for the heads up. I've ordered mine last week and will pick it up at the bank on Friday or next Monday. 

Yes. The 12 month bank statement is still required at Chaengwattana for Extension of Stay, because the passbook, if not regularly updated, can amalgamate activity, and not provide a complete activity picture, and IMM need to check that you've kept the requisite funds in for the required time, before and after extension.

15 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

Did she have to send her expired passport off or does she still have it?  She will not be refused entry if she has a Thai passport - expired or not. She could probably renew it more easily in Thailand.

 

I believe there is (was) a list of insurers on the Thailand Pass website.

 

If she enters on her British Passport - don't forget that she will need a visa if she wants to stay longer than 30 days (but a 30 day extension is possible).

14 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

IF she hasn’t sent off her existing (expired) Thai Passport she can use that. 

 

IF she has, she can still use that (if she has scans), the Thai Embassy (or wherever she sent it off too) should return it before travel.

 

Failing that, she can apply for her Thai Pass with her British Passport and pay the 650 baht insurance, but that just adds more complication when she should be able to use her expired Passport.  

 

To answer the question: Where to get the covid insurance ? - Its on the Thailand Pass website. 

I mentioned a friend in USA returning at the end of May being unable to get the THB695 insurance through the Thailand Pass because it was down. Not sure whether that has been resolved. Instead he had to buy insurance for THB3900.

On 4/28/2022 at 11:22 AM, Scooby Snacks said:

Yes TM30 was never required until a few years ago when I went in and it was their new thing to catch people out and they were fining everyone that didn't have it. Since it was set up and I'm in their system they have never requested it again.

 

Good to hear they still offer to do the 90-day report so that I can sync with my new passport number and it will save me a trip to the separate immigration office.

 

I'm using money in the bank method but just have that one account. Last year when I showed the bank book the IO couldn't see exactly the balance for the three months after the last extension so demanded a 12-month bank statement which the bank branch at CW could not provide immediately. I took better care to regularly update the bank book this time so may not have the same problem. I'm wondering if anyone else can comment about this issue whether the 12-month statement is being required recently or not.

 

For passport copies, I think you mean just ID page of the new passport but same for old passport, copy of last transfer of stamps? and most recent visa extension (last year) as well as TM 6 front and back w/entry stamp, which I will plan to take with me. Did they require any other photocopies? How many prior visa extension stamps in old passport?

 

Noted regarding the map and if you think of anything else please let me know. I will go to the bank tomorrow and change to the new passport. Cheers.

Yes, it is.

Has Grab improved on Samui since the OP posted? I'm going there for a break, and the hotel quoted THB2000 for a van pick up, to Banyan Tree.

Thought I'd get a taxi, or Grab, but I just don't want to start the short break with hassles, and will probably just pay the hotel's THB2000 charge.

Also, be warned, I am informed by a friend who is returning from the US at the end of May, (having gone only for 4 weeks), that the insurance he wanted from the Thailand Pass (through the "gateway"?) wasn't working, (cost THB695), so he had to buy another insurance @ THB3900. May also be a temporary glitch, but another pain/scam which highlights the stupidity of the TP.

10 minutes ago, Tofer said:

I applied digitally for my wife and son, with the promise of a 4 week turnaround, and got an acknowledgement of documents received 15 & 17/03/22, for a straight forward renewal of pre-existing British passports. HMPO's acknowledgement is sent out as an email message, and there is a tracking facility showing the application history, with the dates recorded of the documents received, but I was still constantly receiving automated messages requesting we send the documents, noting that if already sent to ignore that message.

I presume you're in UK if you applied digitally, as that facility is not available here in Thailand, AFAIK.

The system for Thailand applications is different, although the turnaround is apparently still 3-4 months, (website says 11 weeks).

I'm thinking of a break from Bangkok and to visit Chiang Mai in mid May. Is the "burning season" over? Is May a good month weatherwise? Climate change means that many seasonal features are way out of kilter. Has there been enough rain to make the landscape lush and verdant?

In desperate need to break my non travel from Bangkok for the last 3 years!

3 hours ago, RubbaJohnny said:

I HAVE DONE THIS SUCCESSFULLY ALSO

I will try it when I get the new passport.

11 hours ago, CMBob said:

Back to the OP's question, I had the same issue - obtaining my first booster (Moderna) which was done under the then-existing passport (US) number, obtaining a new US passport, and then getting my second booster (again, Moderna) under the new passport number.  When I got the second booster, I did tell them that I got a new passport in the interim but I have no idea how they dealt with that.

Would note that (1) the Mor Prom app vaccination record shows both boosters without reference to any passport numbers and (2) I successfully applied for the International Certificate via the Mor Prom app and I'm supposed to be getting that within 3 days or so of the 29th of this month.

I'd also note, for what it's worth, that my CDC (US) card reflects both the initial two Pfizer shots I got early last year and both booster shots (because I asked the nurses to write in the relevant booster info on lines 3 and 4 of my CDC card.

In the app my Mor Prom "Covid 19 Vaccination-Records" box shows the record in Thai, and there is no passport number. My "International Certificate" box on the app shows my passport number. But, if as above, it is easy enough to change it, then it is not a problem. Not clear whether subsequent jabs and boosters can simply be added to the Yellow Vaccine Passport, even if the new passport number is different. (This used to be how it worked back in the day for all the vaccination records, when we needed them; the same yellow vaccine "passport" was just updated, whether the passport number had changed or not. Also added pages were just stapled in.)

4 hours ago, Kopitiam said:

OP, it doesn't matter.  Thailand Pass shows only name, birthday and vaccine shots details.  No passport number shown.

My wife was in the same situation.  Fully vaccinated in Thailand with old passport number.  Got a new passport while out of Thailand.  Got Thai Pass with no problem (applied with new passport number and vaccine certificate with old passport number).

good to know vis-a-vis Thailand Pass, may it soon rest in peace, however...

4 hours ago, transam said:

Your old PP number will be written in the new PP transferred visa/permission to stay stamp. 

I'm aware of that, but I'm referring to VACCINE PASSPORT & MOR PROM records, which show Passport Numbers, (current, versus new).

4 hours ago, Crazy Noobie said:

What country are you from?  I am from the USA and yes when I obtained a new passport I received a new number. When immigration transfers all of the information from the old passport to the new passport, they also list the old passport number.

I'm aware of that, but I'm referring to VACCINE PASSPORT & MOR PROM records, which show Passport Numbers, (current versus new).

To repeat, how will existing VACCINE status be "transferred" under the current Thai system, which records a passport number, (when the vaccine was administered) on both the YELLOW VACCINE PASSPORT & the MOR PROMP app?

If anybody has that knowledge, I would welcome knowing it.

Thanks. 

Some of you may have already experienced this scenario - getting vaccinated and having it recorded in Mor Prom app and yellow vaccine passport etc.

What happens when you get a new passport? Is it possible to change the Mor Prom app passport details and can one still use the existing yellow vaccine passport which shows the old passport number? 

Grateful to hear from anyone with this experience.

Thanks.

4 hours ago, Crazy Noobie said:

When you go to their website, look a the top menu bar and click on "Buy Insurance Online". Then click on "Insurance for Thailand Pass". Here's the page link: https://direct.axa.co.th/TA-Inbound/CoverageOptionPlan

Thank you so much. Very helpful, and much appreciated!

On 4/23/2022 at 8:10 AM, ubonjoe said:

They probably will not ask for proof of the the covid 19 insurance when you apply for a multiple entry tourist visa.

Sixty days would be enough to get a Thailand Pass and enter the country.

I am not clear how many days one needs to buy with a Extension of Stay "visa". Is there any information of that yet?

On 4/23/2022 at 8:14 AM, Crazy Noobie said:

I purchased the min of 30 days from AXA's website. Everything went real smooth and had the insurance within a few minutes. The coverage was excellent. It was simply and easy to apply.

Do you have a link to the specific covid entry insurance. I found "travel insurance" but it covered only when I was travelling, not any days after re-entering Thailand.

Just now, Eleftheros said:

That seems to be the case for Thailand, but not for many other countries (such as Singapore, where travellers need to know about how long their particular vaccine is good for.) So a Thailand Pass may not be valid for some other countries in the region.

 

There is also sometimes a difference between whether you have had a booster shot or not. Some European countries are stating that validity is 9 months for doubly vaccinated people and unlimited validity for those who have had boosters.

 

The reason seems to be that this is no longer a health issue, but a reward for Doing The Right Thing.

The Thailand Pass is valid for entry into Thailand, not exit from, and to another country.

15 hours ago, daejung said:

My bank is HSBC but Its' the case for any bank I think

I enter the nine first figure of my card there and I get a certifcate :

https://www.visa.fr/fr_fr/global/assurance

I changed the country from France to 1) Hong Kong and 2) United Kingdom (because my VISA cards are Hong Kong and UK issued), but unfortunately the same page with the first 9 of VISA card numbers does not equate. So I think your option is only open to you because you have a VISA issued in France, (and possibly you are French).

13 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

That's me sorted now then!

 

Well pleased.

 

Out with Qatar on April 24th and back to Bangkok on May 9th.

 

Just cancelled my test and go hotel and I have booked a late morning flight straight up to Roi Et.

 

This will really take unnecessary stress out of the equation. 

Can you advise the insurance company you used, and how long the duration needed to be for the insurance, (i'm assuming you are resident in Thailand)?

3 hours ago, gearbox said:

The insurance you have when you stay long term in Thailand would be valid when coming back, this is what I used last time when entering.

Can you advise the insurance company you used, and whether it is travel specific, and covid specific? (i'm assuming you are resident in Thailand)?

(I don't use insurance for my long stay term in Thailand), as hitherto it has not been a requirement for a Non-B Visa on Extension of Stay based on Retirement, (for the last 15 years).

37 minutes ago, daejung said:

If you pay your flight ticket with a Visa premier card, you get a free insurance including Covid, so if accepted by thai pass, no charge for you.

 

I just checked by asking an insurance certificate :

 

 

Which bank issued the VISA Premier card? HSBC?

Although the cited article mentions Thailand Pass remaining, the paper that we can't quote does not.

The definition of foreign visitors and foreigners residing in Thailand is also not given, so not clear whether the new regulations only apply to tourists, (foreign visitors?), or to all non Thais, whether they live in Thailand or not.

Clarity is not a friend to the people who make public announcements.

Still USD10k insurance...don't know the details, (as in for how long), but apparently "for foreigners".

Any updates welcome.

10 minutes ago, TigerandDog said:

To my surprise where I am the opposite has occurred. Outside our district hospital there is a pedestrian crossing that was virtually impossible to cross. Buses, cars and bikes just kept on going regardless. Now as soon as it looks like there's 2 or more people wanting to cross the road, using the crossing, everybody stops and gives way to them.

That appeared to happen in some areas....for a few days, but the Sathorn Road crossing, near Saladaeng is a <deleted> shoot.

As predicted, the strict implementation of stopping at pedestrian crossings has dwindled away to nothing, after the young female doctor was killed by an off-duty cop a month or so ago in Bangkok. There was not an iota of change on my crossing on Sathorn Road immediately after that tragedy, where motocy view traffic lights as a pretty colour decoration, and pavements as their lane of choice, in either direction; always have, always will. Plus ça change. 

12 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

As soon as your passport application is received they mark you passport as invalid in their system. Some countries will check to see if your passport is flagged when enter that country.

A risk absolutively not worth taking.

23 hours ago, Kopitiam said:

Why can't you travel while your new passport is being processed?  You still have a valid passport with you.

For the reasons stated. The UK Passport rules say you cannot travel whilst the passport is in the process of being renewed, unless you obtain an emergency passport. Quotes as above. The only reason they process your passport with photocopies is because of Thailand's "requirement" that passports must be carried at all times, (although in practice no one does).