Pattaya57

OP your friend was on an O-A visa which means he had 12 months to open a bank account. No need to be "forced to open an account with BKK bank, who in turn forced him to buy an 'accident insurance' for 8k" Opening a bank account with O-A visa would be a free easy process

I just paid 100 baht for one Thai lottery ticket, but read online it should be 80 baht for a pair of tickets with same number. What is the real situation as we all know Thai ticket sellers need to make commission. What is the actual price for one lottery ticket? Also, I was lucky enough to win 2000 baht with last 2 numbers being 65 (year of my birth so lucky me). How do I claim my winnings? I went to TKB bank who pay out tickets but they said pay only to Thai? Any help appreciated as Thai lottery seems a very good deal ????

Non-imm O in Australia definitely asks for health insurance 400k baht/40k baht so would assume UK the same. As Aus only gives single entry 90 day, no problem. Since UK give 12 months multi assume assurance would be required for 12 months, just like O-A?

OP: My issue is, i've been in and out of Thailand since last August on visa exempt and I've now used up all my extensions (2 per calendar year) There is no calender limit on extensions. There is also no limit on number of visa exempt entries by air (there is limit of 2 visa exempt entries by land)

Australia only offers single entry but Ho Chi Minh offers Multi-entry for non-imm O for Marriage (pity Retirement not covered) https://hochiminh.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/non-immigrant-o-accompanying-thai-spouse-and-family-members?page=5d80ab3315e39c2fe800a791

So he works and runs a cannabis cafe but he does a visa exempt border run...something not right with that story ????

I loved Pattaya Beer Garden. I ate there tonight and after ordering a basic club sandwich was disappointed 25 minutes later when it hadn't arrived. I then noticed all the fantastic meals waiting for delivery to tables, but they were just sitting there with no-one delivering?

I just find it funny that people on long stay visa's where a return flight is not relevant seem to have the loudest say demanding its required.... Meanwhile, visa exempt people who it actually applies to have their advice diminished by "you were lucky" or "some are asked, some not", so you must get a ticket

Since someone laughed at my post above, I arrived 8 March on visa exempt with a return ticket nearly 5 months later and nobody cared. Last year I flew to Thailand 3 times on one-way tickets entering visa exempt, no-one cared. I'm wondering if all the people saying you can't do it are actually experienced visa exempt flyers or just quoting some long held belief (or have shares in onward flight company lol)

All the people that insist you get a return/onward ticket within 30 days say it's because airlines will be responsible to fly you back out if you're rejected entry and want protection for that cost. Well if you already have a ticket at 34 days what is the cost of re-scheduling your paid ticket? Maybe $50 Rediculous to think an airline would care about reclaiming that insignificant cost. If you're hassled ask to see the Duty Manager and explain your case. Worst case is they'd ask you to sign an indemnity form agreeing to any cost (very unlikely in your case)

None of what you say matches the link I posted which says 16,500 for a 40 minute flight?

Surprised Pattaya doesn't have any helicopter scenic flights. Much better than a Cessna 172 flight

Yes, once the O visa 12 month extension is granted you need to apply for a re-entry permit if you leave and return which keeps your extension valid. If you leave without it, your extension is cancelled O-A is a multi-entry visa and you get 12 months every time you re-enter within the first 12 month validity (if you maintain insurance). That's how you can get 2 years out of it.

Quick summary based on Aus requirements which should be same as UK As you said an O-A visa requires a Police name check and medical check, plus also 12 month health insurance and 800k baht equivalent in home bank. If you leave and return just before 12 months is up you will get another 12 months free (if have 12 month insurance) An O visa (issued in Aus) requires 90 days health insurance and A$2000 in home bank. It can then be extended for 12 months in Thailand with 800k baht deposited in Thai bank for 2 months (I think without health insurance?) An O visa issued in Thailand just requires 800k baht in Thai bank (extend for 12 months once 800k in bank for 2 months) Note: for the o visa extension you need a re-entry permit to return (1900 baht single, 3800 multi). O-A visa you can leave and return anytime no charge

100% yes considering election day is a Sunday ????

You're the only one suggesting that, OP thread title says no scooters As for dangerous on the back, I took a bike taxi from LK Metro to my condo a couple of years ago. Only 600 metres so should be no problem. Guy thought he was in a GP and stacked it. My ankle was stuffed for 6 months because he thought he could ride fast on a scooter

Or maybe the opposite, riding bikes takes a lot of experience to prevent everyone from killing you. To suggest an inexperienced bike rider should start in Pattaya would never be my suggestion

Not sure if they do daily runs but Nams Taxi have many drivers in Pattaya/Jomtien in between airport pick-ups. Worth asking them for a regular ride? https://www.namstaxipattaya.com/contact

My "Newbie" bike history includes a Kawasaki GPZ750, Yamaha FJ1100 and a Harley 1200...plus 15 years in Thailand...

And then he said ???? "After I got used to it, I bought my first bike and rode myself and that's what I am still doing most of the time. Maybe that is an option for you."

Geez, OP indicates he has reasons not to ride a bike and 2 posters pushing for him to ride a bike, in one of the most dangerous countries for motorcycle deaths in the World of all places....

OP might as well ask why is the drinking age 20 in Thailand but 18 in Aus. Their country, their rules, not hard to understand

I really miss FLB from late 2000's. Great band and atmosphere and as they ran a forum with bar cam it felt like you knew everyone for ages when you finally got to meet them first time in the bar I heard RTB (Rythym Tracks Band) from FLB is still playing in Pattaya at Sky Music Bar (between soi 7 & 8). Haven't got there yet but always loved watching the 2 female singers put on a great show ????

Haven't linked anything as not sure what's allowed, but Google search gives multiple sources of no booze sales between 6pm May 6 to 6pm May 7, plus same 6pm deadline May 13 to 14 So I guess they want clear heads for election day on Sunday. Wouldn't they (like us falang) just buy enough booze before 6pm Saturday to keep them going for 24 hours?

Pretty sure you're quoting the price for renewing the 12 month extension. Maneerat just quoted me 26,000 for non-imm O and 12 month extension (and that is with 800k in bank)