CRUNCHER

Use this regularly (HSBC HK to BKK Bank). Transfer currency is HKD. Under instruction to receiving bank ask them (BKK Bank) to change to Thai baht and they will do it. Normally takes less than 24 hours. For larger amounts BKK Bank will usually call you to confirm converting to Thai Baht and if you are really lucky they will give you a slightly better exchange rate.

You are right about lack of clarity for sure. Not only from the Government. TGIA only offers 30 day coverage, but says quite clearly *The insurance must cover the whole duration of stay in Thailand. This only adds to the confusion for long term visa/extension holders.

Can you get cover up to $50,000?

Bangkok has cancelled Lunar New Year festivals. So Bangkokians will head down to Pattaya bringing the virus with them. Same same as calendar New Year. Same same as Songkran. Someone should tell the mayor about the definition of insanity.

ATK are not reliable. If they were you would never need a PCR would you? Trouble is, if you test ATK positive at an official test you end up in a concentration camp.

My calendar must have the virus. I didn't know it was 1st April.

I had mine done there about 6 months ago. 450 baht.

Was it a full shot or a half shot?

But it does give the Government an excuse to suspend (even cancel) Thailand Pass, which was not working, without losing face for a stupid idea in the first place.

There is a saying that goes that when people think you are a fool it is best to keep your mouth shut and keep the guessing rather than open it and remove all doubt.

Thanks Sheryl. That is very informative and useful. A picture paints a thousand words. I note that the AXA certificate does not specifically mention Covid. This was causing problems in the early stages of Thailand Pass. It seems that is now a thing of the past.

There we are then. BBL is superior. Wife and I have joint account and I use the app regularly with no problems.

It is what happens when the lunatics are allowed to run the asylum.

Allowing New Year festivities - they must be mad. Don't they remember what happened when they didn't cancel Songkran?

I presume that the International Certificate can be used for Thailand Pass, but does anyone have any actual experience?

Next it will be Joke Ferrari.

Exactly. If it isn't broke don't fix it.

Good question. As usual a total lack of clarity.

The guideline says "COVID-19 Health Insurance with minimum coverage of USD 50,000" Is that Covid Insurance or health insurance that includes Covid cover?

A quote from Thailand Pass FAQ (the emphasis is mine) "Does my insurance have to be a COVID-19 insurance in order to register with Thailand Pass? - No. You can ALSO use general insurance or health insurance with a minimum coverage of 50,000 USD." https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/thailand-pass-faqs The use of the word "also" implies that COVID 19 insurance is acceptable, but other insurance can be used as well. Otherwise it would say general insurance or health insurance which also cover COVID 19 must be used. Does anyone have direct experience of using COVID 19 only insurance and it being accepted by Thailand Pass?

Thanks for that. Helpful. Is it necessary to upload both certificate and QR Code?

This thread has been well and truly hijacked. Extensions of stay, use of agents etc., which are all off topic, have nothing to do with elderly expats and insurance. Does anyone have any updates as to how us old timer residents and coping on the insurance issue?

Nearly 59,000 sounds a lot, but... 38,584 in Bangkok's 2 main airports is about 2,300 per day. About 8 plane loads between 2 airports. Hardly a stampede. Further, how are the figures broken down? How many are returning Thais and long term expats relieving a pent up demand? How many are normal businessmen? How many are short/long term tourists, which is what Thailand desperately needs? It is far too early to say Thailand Pass is fit for purpose and then we will need more meaningful statistics.

One thing I have been wondering about is what happens when, and if, large numbers of tourists return to Thailand for people who are not proficient in English. I am thinking of some of Thailand's main targets- Russians and Chinese, but there are many others. Tour groups will be alright because the tour companies will sort it out. Not all Chinese tourists, however, come in groups; quite a number were independent tourists. China has a digital certificate for those vaccinated which includes English, but whether this will satisfy Thailand Pass I do not know. For Chinese there is no hurry. There will be no tourist until after the Winter Olympics in February. You can take that to the bank. I have even seen a suggestion that China will not allow outbound travel until after the Asian Games in September. That remains to be seen. But as I said there are many others for whom language will be an issue in using Thailand Pass.

Point taken. It is difficult to keep a dedicated thread on topic. Perhaps I have been guilty. I have 6 threads open on my computer and they are mixed up. Just because things get done eventually does not mean success. A system like this should be user friendly. After 17 days it is definitely not that.