sillypoint

I am flying from suvarnabhumi to Taipei on Thai airways next week, economy. Normally I travel light. I can't remember the last time I have checked in more than one bag for the hold. However this time, It would be convenient to check-in 2 bags (total weight around 15-20kgs). On the flight info. it has 25kg limit for my ticket. It says bag (singular). I am wondering if Thai airways strictly enforce 1 checked bag (free) for economy, or just take into consideration weight. I would prefer to use 2 smallish bags to manage the weight while carrying them around. I'll still be taking a small carry-on bag to the plane with notebook, etc. This flight comes under zone 1 on their website, and extra baggage can be bought in advance for just $12 / kilo. Are charges a lot higher at the time of check-in? I realise there are ways around this by redistributing things in the bags once at the airport. Just wondering how lenient Thai tend to be re. multiple bags. Thanks, in advance.

I've just posted this on another thread. I'll put here too in case anyone is interested. Here are three series / channels that I like. I'll put the link to the channels and / or example videos 1. https://www.youtube.com/@upcomment 780 videos, no less! 2. From the Thaipbs channel: 3. https://www.youtube.com/@backpaeger 143 videos Two and three are of a similar ilk - travel / backpacking series, which I really love. Of course, dialogues featuring non-Thai speakers aren't in Thai, but you still have the Thai subs, throughout. Having bits of English interspersed with the Thai might irritate some, but predominantly they're in Thai. All in all, plenty to binge watch if these are your cup of tea!

I'm not sure whether, since this thread, there have been many others created with links to Thai (audio) youtube channels with Thai subs. I will copy this post in to one other particular thread I am aware of that lists Thai shows with Thai subs. Anyway, here are three series / channels that I like. I'll put the link to the channels and / or example videos 1. https://www.youtube.com/@upcomment 780 videos, no less! 2. From the Thaipbs channel: 3. https://www.youtube.com/@backpaeger 143 videos Two and three are of a similar ilk - travel / backpacking series, which I really love. Of course, dialogues featuring non-Thai speakers aren't in Thai, but you still have the Thai subs, throughout. Having bits of English interspersed with the Thai might irritate some, but predominantly they're in Thai. All in all, plenty to binge watch if these are your cup of tea!

Excuse the waffle below if it's not really relevant: the simple question I have is, can I apply for my first extension 15-21 days before my 'O' visa (retirement) expires? Thanks. I have a non-immigrant 'O' 3 month visa (retirement), which I obtained within Thailand, successfully converting from a visa exempt using a TM87. The initial 'O' visa expires on 8th March. I'd just like to check whether I can go to apply for an extension (one year) over the next week, 15-21 days before the expiraton date. My local office is in Chanthaburi. I'm not sure if all offices follow the same time windows for applications. For the initial 'O' application, I had to submit all the docs. at the immigration office, and then go back 2 weeks later to get the decision and visa stamp in my passport. They obviously needed longer to process as there was a change in visa staus. I guess this time, the office can issue the extension on the same day I apply, assuming all the docs are in order. (I had funds >800k in my Thai bank for 2.5 months prior to my initial non-imm 'o' application, so it is now over 5 months -well over the 3-month qualifying period. I've just added this in case it's of relevance). Thanks a lot.

@ubonjoe Sorry for the delay in replying. Thanks very much for the very clear and detailed info. and advice.

I'm intending to quit my job in Thailand at the end of the current contract on September 30. I will have about 4 - 5 months before I start a new position outside of Thailand. I'll be using the period between this October and February next year to complete a couple of UK uni. courses that I have been studying online . What are my visa options for remaining in Thailand after September 30th for all or part of the 4-5 month period? I'm 58. Could I apply for a retirement visa? Tourist visa? Can either of these be obtained while remaining in Thailand or would I need to exit? For a retirement visa, I currently have about 500,000 baht in a Thai a/c and can transfer a further 300,000 whenever necessary. 30th September falls on a Friday, which is actually about 2 weeks before the end of term, so I will basically be working right up until that Friday or at least the Thursday. I'm happy to make a mad dash to the airport for a new-visa run if necessary. In these circumstances, is there also a short-term option of a 7 day extension of stay? I feel I may have heard of something like this or is it just my imagination? Thanks, in advance, for any sound bits of advice or links to threads where similar situations to my own have undoubtedly already been discussed. Sorry, while living here reasonably contentedly for the past 10 years, I have (un)wisely paid little attention to visa requirements for new circumstances. Thanks again.