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MMan

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Posts posted by MMan

  1. I think this post probably belongs in the Visa forum rather than BKK forum, however I can answer OP:

    About a year ago Immigration did indeed start cracking down on the TM30 rules.  My online 90 day report was rejected with a notice saying to contact Immigration and show them my updated TM30 (this was after I had moved to a new address in BKK, and after I had filed a new TM30).  I had to go IN PERSON to Immigration at Cherngwattana and show them the TM30 report which I had filed 2 months earlier at Cherngwattana.  Before going to CW I made an appointment online for the 90 day section, so the whole process went quickly and I was given the OK to stay another 90 days after showing them my updated TM30.

    I'm hoping going forward I will again be able to do future 90 day reports online, but haven't crossed that bridge yet...

     

    • Thanks 2
  2. I'm holding out for Moderna, Pfizer or J&J (with AZ a fallback option), and will be more than happy to pay out of my own pocket for any of those at a major International Hospital in BKK as soon as they become available.  Some projections say it might be the 4th quarter but I'm hoping they get here earlier.  Alternatively if TH waives quarantine requirements for those who can prove they've been fully vaccinated with one of those (or at least minimizes the quarantine to no more than 3 days), I'll jump on an airplane back to my home country ASAP & get it there.

    If you are wanting a freebie from the TH government you will most likely be offered either the Chinese or Russian vaccine as it looks like those will be the primary options here over the next several months.

  3. 1 hour ago, thatmanagain said:

     

    And yes - I've already bitten the bullet and organised taking my "due date" off work to do it in person. Will definitely prep for the mail-in next time around.

    If you're going to Muang Thong Thani (BKK Division 1), try to get there around 9 AM or at least before 9:30.  Otherwise you might not finish before they go on their lunch hour.  And if possible try to avoid Mondays, Fridays or the day after a long holiday weekend.  I got there at 9:35 on a Wednesday and finished at 11:30.  They close for lunch from noon to 1 PM.

    • Thanks 1
  4. I don't know if they offer that particular type of laser treatment, but I highly recommend Rutnin Eye Hospital for eye-specific conditions.  I've had 2 cataract surgeries and 2 surgeries related to a detached retina there, and was highly impressed with the doctors, staff, facilities, etc.  Probably the #1 hospital for eye treatment in Thailand and they have state of the art equipment.  According to their website they have a full range of lasers in their laser suite.

    I've always dealt with Dr. Roy (Roy Chumdermpadetsuk) who is half Thai / half American, was educated in the US (Philadelphia & New York), and who I believe he is actually on the Wisconsin State Board of Ophthalmology.  He is very popular though and can be difficult to get an appointment with, however I think all of their doctors are highly capable so I'd suggest asking to see any Ophthalmologist you can get an appointment with.

    Some info on floaters from Rutnin's website:

    https://www.rutnin.com/en/eye_knowledge/detail.24.1.html

  5. Having been to a number of Hard Rock Cafes over the years, the BKK one was pretty good.  They typically had some of the best live bands in town (for those of us that like Classic Rock), good service and good food.  Yes it was pricey, but I had a lot of good visits there & part of the cost was to cover the entertainment & atmosphere along with the rent in an expensive area.  Over the last few years though the service and food quality seemed to be down a bit IMHO, and it became less and less busy.  Part of that is probably because those of us old enough to have lived the glory days of Classic Rock are becoming a smaller & smaller segment of the expat / tourist market.  On my most recent visits though it did seem that the percentage of Thai visitors had gotten higher, often a group celebrating a birthday or other special event.

    During my first visits 15+ years ago it was always packed & the bar area usually had a selection of local lady freelancers on the lookout for customers.  Smoke-filled too (big turnoff for me), at least until the government implemented the ban on indoor smoking almost 14 years ago.

    I was less impressed with the HRCs in Phuket, Pattaya, Phnom Penh & Bali.  A fairly good one did open in Chiang Mai a few years ago though I don't think they ever did the business they anticipated, likely because the locals & tourists there tend to be a lower budget group.

     

    2 years ago I visited the one in Saigon during my 'Songkran Escape from Thailand' - place was packed & humming on a Thursday night with great service, great food, a lively crowd and an excellent band.  Will definitely be sure to check it out again when I get back there.

    • Like 1
  6. Recently I've been mainly going to Bangkok Hospital but I've used Bumrungrad many times too and I've been very happy with both.  I've also heard excellent things about Samitivej.

    The thing I prefer about Bangkok Hospital is that they have multiple different clinics for people of different nationalities.  There is an 'International' clinic that provides general medical services to Thais, Indians and English speaking patients.  Then a separate clinic for Chinese, separate clinic for Arabs, separate clinic for Burmese, separate clinic for Japanese and a few others.  There is staff in the separate clinics that speak those languages and are familiar with their religions and customs.  This can provide a more pleasant and comfortable atmosphere for patients with fewer cultural and language misunderstandings.

    Cost is relative depending on your individual expectations and where you come from.    Compared to seeing a doctor or visiting a hospital in the USA, medical care here is dirt cheap and the service is much better.

    That said... BEWARE of having prescriptions filled at the hospital pharmacy.  Bumrungrad's pharmacy charges far more for the same meds that you can get much more cheaply at outside pharmacies.  I learned this the hard way when they charged me a crazy price for a dozen or so Tylenol tablets when I already had a full bottle of it at home - I didn't really look at the bill until I got home, but it was a lesson learned).  Similarly the medicine I was prescribed for High Blood Pressure by a Bumrungrad Doctor, I found at a pharmacy near the JW Marriott for about HALF Bumrungrad's price.  Their doctors typically direct you to their pharmacy after you see them, but in reality you do NOT have to buy your meds at the hospital pharmacy - just tell your doctor you prefer to get the prescription filled at an outside pharmacy.  

    • Like 1
  7. 7 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

    Huh?

    I was as MTT today and didn't see any tent. The waiting area was at the 2nd floor parking garage.

    I was there yesterday.  The tent is just outside the building entrance in front of the door.  You almost surely walked right through it when entering & exiting the building and perhaps didn't notice.  When I was there it appeared those sitting under the tent were perhaps drivers or others waiting for people inside to finish their business.

    The waiting area for people queueing while waiting for Immigration service is on the 2nd floor parking garage, as you say.

    • Like 1
  8. On 2/16/2021 at 9:03 AM, DerbyDan said:

    Never had the guts to go into those Karaoke's near there on Chang Klan but the girls who stand out there are extremely attractive, Chinese I think. Almost passed my number to one when walking home at night but I'm sure they are 'watched'. Not farang friendly places.

    The Karaoke girls are Thai of ethnic Chinese descent & thus the whiter skin which Asian men prefer.  And yes the ones sitting out front are usually extremely attractive + well dressed.

    If you go in you will be escorted to a Karaoke room where a parade of girls will come though with the manager pushing you to choose at least one to sit & drink with you (you also pay a modest fee for the Karaoke room, though that's the only 'modestly priced' thing you will be billed).  The girl will then ask you to also buy a drink for her 'friend' and her 'other friend who hasn't had a drink all night'.  Then someone will come in with a food menu and the girl will say "I'm hungry - let's order food". Then some even better looking girls will walk in and you will be invited to buy one or more of them a drink too.  And pushed to buy the server + the manager a drink.  After about 30 minutes you check the tab and see it is already running close to or above 10,000 THB and you've only just ordered your 2nd beer.  You might be able to negotiate that down a little, but for sure you will leave with your wallet empty and nothing more to show for it other than perhaps a 'joob joob' on the cheek IF you are lucky.

    These places cater to Asian businessmen who have a generous expense account to entertain clients, government officials, etc.  Farang should avoid like the plague and stick to the darker skinned girls on Loi Kroh road.  ????

    • Haha 1
  9. I talked to one of the employees at another Duke's location who used to work at the Night Bazaar store.  She said, as was previously mentioned here, the idea was to 'try something different'.  Fat Chow was only open for 3 days during which time they got NO customers.

     

    I guess we'll see when the business outlook looks better again whether it reopens as Fat Chow, Duke's, or....

  10. I also want to know if I can fly from BKK to Chiang Mai for a normal visit without having to quarantine.  When the rules were relaxed at the beginning of June, the news reports I read just mentioned that 'Thai people' from BKK and other provinces could now travel to Chiang Mai.  There was no clarification regarding expats who live in BKK or other provinces and haven't been out of the country recently, but the implications were that foreign expats were still being required to quarantine.  

    Unforunately I don't know of any reliable way of getting an answer to this question.  I've checked all the domestic airline websites but no guidance there.

     

  11. K Car Rental Chiang Mai.  Have used them multiple times the last few years.  Good price, nice cars & good service.  Their website is carrental-chiangmai.com (hope I'm allowed to put that here).  They are not located at the airport, however they can meet you at the airport or at any area hotel to deliver the car.

  12. Got my monthly bill Tuesday (big bill this month staying at home and it being hot season).   Every time I try to pay it online I just get a message to contact the provider.  Tried many times to call MEA at their customer service phone number, but only get messages that the line is not available, get a busy signal, or get a message to call back another time.  I then tried to pay it at Bangkok bank - the bank teller said their system would not accept it, and her supervisor then told me I needed to go to the MEA Office (the bill is NOT past due).  Went there today, but the sign on the window said the payment office is only open from 9 am - 3 pm (it was 3:15).

     

    Next I went to my condo juristic office to see if they knew why I have not been able to pay it.  First the woman there told me to pay at 7 Eleven, but I don't think they can take it if the bank cannot.  Then she told me I don't have to pay it this month because the government is helping.

    Does anyone actually know the facts of what is going on and can enlighten me?

     

  13. I concur with taxout on the above.  I actually called the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Line one time when I sent my return from Thai Post by April 15 but it did not arrive until 5 weeks later (I assume it either got temporarily lost or was mis-routed somewhere along the way).  The lady I talked to said as long as it was postmarked by April 15 it would be fine, though suggested I hang on to my post office receipt (which I did) just in case it was ever questioned (which it wasn't).

     

    And if you don't want to wait for Thai Post to be offering overseas Express Mail and Air Mail services again, you can always send it via UPS, DHL or FedEx (according to FedEx Thailand's website they are currently adding a temporary surcharge for outbound International Express service).

  14. 14 hours ago, Langsuan Man said:

    Why does everyone try and make this complicated !  

     

    Yes, as an expat (being out of the US at tax time) you can get an automatic extension, BUT, that extension does not exempt you from paying your taxes due on April 15th, and your extension does not exempts you from penalties and interest.

    (source: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/understanding-penalties-and-interest)

     

    And of course if you are owed money then you would be foolish to take that extension

     

    The difference this year ONLY, is that the official filing date is no longer April 15th but July 15th and more importantly even if you owe the IRS you do not have to pay them until July 15th.  This also means that if you end up having to pay estimated taxes for tax year 2020 your estimated payments also start on July 15th, not April 15th  

    Langsuan Man's above comments are by far the most accurate and factual post in this entire thread (I'm not a tax expert though I am a CPA and know quite a bit about IRS rules).

    By the way, there is currently NO outgoing Express Mail or Air Mail service in Thailand via Thai Post (Thai Post is offering ground delivery only for now).  Private courier services like DHL, FedEx, etc. might still be an option though I'm not sure.  You can still file online of course.

  15. Many of the exchange shops in Chiang Mai primarily cater to Chinese and other Asian tourists, who have largely disappeared.  So it's not surprising many would shut at least temporarily.  I would though be very surprised if banks stopped offering exchange services - they might close some of their smaller branch offices though (especially those in main tourist areas).  You might not be pleased with the exchange rates however as the Baht is falling like a rock versus currencies considered 'safe havens' like the USD and JPY, and banks often don't offer rates as good as some exchange places like Super Rich.

  16. On 3/9/2019 at 12:33 PM, streetlite said:

    I am a US citizen. Because of the IAT format I decided to use Transferwise to send money to my Bangkok bank account. This is a recent message from TW:  "When we send funds out to your recipient, the money will come from our local bank account in that country. For example, when we send to recipient’s in Thailand, the money will be sent from our local Thailand account. Being that the money is coming from a local bank account in that country, it would not be an international transfer and won’t appear this way."  Can anyone verify otherwise? I have TW set up as a borderless account.

    When I send money from my US account to my Bangkok Bank account using TW, it shows as an 'International Transfer' on my Bangkok Bank account, even though TW sent it through their bank in Thailand.  I think TW uses the IAT format and they supply that info to Bangkok Bank.  Below is from my Bangkok Bank account showing the TW deposits that hit 19 and 26 March. 

     

    26 Mar 2019 14:02

    International Transfer

     

    128,938.25

    142,422.08

    AUTO

    25 Mar 2019 19:23

    Cash Withdrawal - BBL ATM

    5,000.00

     

    13,483.83

    ATM

    23 Mar 2019 21:32

    Cash Withdrawal - BBL ATM

    3,900.00

     

    18,483.83

    ATM

    21 Mar 2019 16:16

    Cash Withdrawal - BBL ATM

    5,000.00

     

    22,383.83

    ATM

    20 Mar 2019 21:35

    Cash Withdrawal - BBL ATM

    5,000.00

     

    27,383.83

    ATM

    19 Mar 2019 14:02

    International Transfer

     

    31,349.89

    32,383.83

    AUTO

     

    When I go into my US account online and pull up the details from the TW debit the following descrrition appears:

    TransferWise Inc DES:  IAT PMT INFO: MIS 000000000000000000 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE

     

    As you can see they reference 'IAT PMT INFO'

     

  17. I work in Thailand and have a Work Permit valid until December 2018 (which will be renewed by my Thai employer then).  Recently I got a One Year Extension of Stay permit and a One Year Multiple Entry Re-Entry Permit, both valid until 31 July, 2019.

     

    I plan to be traveling outside of Thailand in July 2019, and would like to renew the Extension of Stay Permit and Re-Entry Permit before I leave.  Are there any restrictions on 'when' I can renew those?  Can it be done as early as 30 - 60 days before the current permits expire (sometime in May or June, 2019)?  Based on the current rules of course, which I know can change by then.

  18. Went here recently on a Sunday afternoon only to find it closed with the gate shut.  Tried to call them yesterday but got a message "The callee is not authorized to accept this call."

    Then talked to the manager at TeeOff 42 Driving Range, and he told me it is permanently closed to make way for a new condo and fitness club.

    Bummer!  I liked that place.  The trains passing by behind you were kind of fun too.

  19. Most golf courses in Thailand will not hire a foreigner for a number of reasons such as (1) They will need to get you a Work Visa before you can start working. That means legal expenses, and to get the Visa approved they will need to make a case that they cannot find a Thai person to do the same job (foreigners are prohibited from doing many types of work unless it is a specialty where finding a Thai to do it would be very difficult or impossible). (2) Thais generally work cheaper than what a foreigner expects. (3) You probably don't have a good command of the Thai language. (3) Culturally it can be more difficult for Thais to work with foreigners than other Thais, due to the thing they call 'Thainess' as well as any language barriers.

    I have seen many foreigners come here hoping to work at at golf course. Before long they usually go back home or maybe if they are lucky find other work such as being a low paid English teacher.

    I have seen a few courses hire a western General Manager or Assistant Manager or teaching pro, but only a few and in many cases they are not there long (either because of their choice or the owner decides he doesn't need them).

    Many foreigners have tried to start up golf schools here too. But I've never heard of one being successful.

    Good luck to you though. You might be lucky to somehow stumble into something that works out.

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