neilrob

i am going to ask about the status on the missile site, sorry spy post, sorry, sorry, perfectly innocent new bomb proof consulate

If you import items into Thailand you have to pay customs duty and VAT on them. You should expect this on an international shipment. This is what the shipper is asking you to pay, plus a small service fee to handle the transaction. This is not extortion but government taxes you pay on imports, particularly if you ship via an express service. If you ship by the post office, then taxes are normally waived below a certain value, but it would take a long time. What value did the person shipping the glasses to you declare for the shipment? Thai Customs will normally charge taxes on this plus on the shipping cost. You can get an itemised list of the charges from the shipper's web site if you look

I would be most interested to hear the answer from someone knowledgeable. You are very lucky to be able to get so close to this family. We have Chinese Pond Herons later in the year, but they will fly away if I approach, although I certainly mean them no harm

Thank you very much to Kuzie57 and DFPhuket for their valuable information

I appreciate all the replies. However, they contain rather different advice. In previous years with similar flights, sometimes I had to go through immigation here, sometimes in Bangkok. So the question is what is the procedure at present? Has anyone had recent actual experience?

I am flying from Chiang Mai to Europe via Bangkok on Thai. I usually avoid transiting via Bangkok for international flights, so have not made such a trip since well before Covid. I can't remember if I exit Thailand through Immigration in Chiang Mai or in Bangkok, ie. should I check in at the international or domestic terminal at CNX? I know that the procedure has also changed from time to time in the past, so I am looking for recent experience. If you have recent experience, please let me know. Thanks

I agree with the two posters. Best Friend Visa is very good and very reasonable in price. I have been using them for many years

You can get a booster at Chiang Mai Neurological Hospital, which is part of the CMU complex. I went there last week to talk with them and check availability. Any morning between about 8:30 to noon, no appointment necessary, just walk in. They only have Pfizer. I believe it is free for anyone who lives in Thailand. I plan to get it next week.

Go to Rimping in Meechoke Plaza. They have quite a range of smoked salmon, ranging in price by a factor of 3 or 4. You are right that the cheap stuff is not very good---avoid it. Look for Thammachart Seafood smoked salmon---it is good. They often sell out of the good stuff, so you may have to go more than once

Reclaiming tax is comparatively easy. I go to the tax office in the city hall complex, which is sort of opposite 700 Year Stadium (your tax office may be different, depending on where in CM you live. Early in the year (March or preferably before), ask your bank for a document certifying the amount of interest and take this with you along with the bank book, your passport etc. Best to take a Thai speaker along also unless you speak good Thai. I have always found the people there very helpful. Then you can apply for a tax ID. Actually reclaiming the tax is mostly done over the internet now, but I used to go there and fill in the forms on paper. I have always received tax back in a month or so after applying.

I plan to go this Tuesday. I have hopes of enjoying the experience....

Thank you for this information---where did you find it? The food should be good and I will definitely try the new restaurant once it is open

As previously pointed out, Dan and Aod are normal Thai nicknames---Aod is quite common---not some made up names like Wynken, Blynken and Nod

The chefs who are opening the new restaurant may be Chef Dan of Sipolle and Chef Aod of Al Dente (which opened where Sipolle once used to be before it moved). If so, it will be well worth going to for Italian food