bamboozled

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

You only need scanned to copies to upload on the e visa site. No need to mail anything to the embassy or one of the 3 official consulates. It is all done online and your visa emailed to you.

See: https://thaievisa.go.th/

Well gosh, that almost seems too easy. I've attached a screen shot of what the link you sent mentions as required documentation. It doesn't specify about which bank statement I need to show. I'm also looking at the New York consulate website (egads, it looks like it's from 1988) and it also fails to mention what I can use for proof of finances. I bring this up because it's a somewhat onerous affair when doing it in Thailand. I don't think I will be able to get a up to date statement from my Thai bank as I won't be in Thailand. I can't imagine trying to get that info from SCB over the phone. I can try calling the New York consulate once they open and ask.

How far in advance of my old Non-O visa expiration can I apply for the new Non-O visa, please?

Thank you!

Thank you Jack and Joe. Previous to the extensions based on marriage done in country, I always exited every year and got a new visa....thus I could extend it by 90 days by ducking in and out of the country near the end of the visa. Alas, not now. But that was the reason for that particular question. It sounds like getting the new Non-O in the US would be easier than back here in Thailand. Is that a correct assessment? And still the money in the bank for that route? I have been doing the monthly transfers so I SHOULD be covered but from news I've seen on here, things are not always as they seem. That is a bit worrying. If I get the Non-O in the states, I suppose I am going to need some of my original paperwork there meaning I need to take it with me?

On my first extension last year, they nixed the home visit but I had to go to immigration with my witness who was put through the wringer. Luckily, she's as tough as day-old sticky rice.

Your help is always greatly appreciated people!

Well, since we're on the topic could I politely insert a question here? Last year, I did my first extension based on marriage. That will expire in December. Can I do a 90 day report just before the expiration to get another 90 days? And to get a new extension, are the requirements the same....money in the bank, home visit, photographs of home, etc...?

Lastly, I am planning on a trip back to the US shortly with a return most likely before my extension expires. On the off chance that I remain outside Thailand until after my permission to stay expires, could I then enter as a tourist and subsequently apply for the non-O? Or should I apply for the non-O in the US (if even possible)? Thank you!

I know of the one at Bangkok hospital but not any others. I recall reading it was about 15k. Does anyone have any feet-on-the-ground experience with this clinic? It's a good amount of cash to invest and totally worth it if they find something. It would be nice to hear some feedback from someone that's been!

Cheers, Bam

Some good info here, thanks all! I'm sure it will help a few people. I knew about the CM Mediclinic. It is the first to pop up on a google search. Price is the same as HCMC and since I've been before to HCMC I think I'll opt for that one. I didn't know about RAM. That's a quick turnaround and could be useful because the timing is so crucial. Cheers all!

2 hours ago, Tracyb said:

Please elaborate.  What is HCMC?

Health Care Medical Clinic...yes, not a very memorable name. If you google HCMC Hang Dong Rd, Chiang Mai, you will get there.

Well I got a response from  HCMC on Hang Dong Rd and I've been there before. They can set an appt. for me and get it done all in a day so I think I'll go that route. Maybe this info will help someone.

Hi folks, can anyone recommend a place to get the PCR test prior to international air travel? I've found a few places online, a couple clinics, Bangkok Hospital...just wondering if anyone has personal experience.

Thank you and cheers!

21 hours ago, JomtienRay said:

I'm still trying to understand COVID Insurance requirement..

1. I have current O retirement visa and re-entry permit.

2. I am 75 

3. I am double Pfizer jabbed.

4. I want to return to Aus for a short holiday and to catch up with family for about 3 weeks, then come back to my condo in Thailand, where I live..

 

MY QUESTION..

Do I need the COVID insurance to renter?

If so, what duration do I need?

AND, can I get it being 75?

 

Very grateful for any CORRECT advice..????????????????

I spoke with an agent from AXA Sawasdee Thailand and was told I could just purchase one month of insurance for a cost of about 2700 baht. I am 53 on a non-O visa but I don't think that had anything to do with it. She did not ask the expiration of my visa.

8 hours ago, james2m said:

https://www.tuneprotect.co.th/en/product/coronavirus-covid-19-insurance/ONCOVIDL

This worked for me and was about the cheapest I could find.

Thank you, James!

41 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Mandatory quarantine for the fully vaccinated starts Nov 1 at least, but who wants to come to a "dry" country?

I think you mean "ends" Nov. 1st. I do believe it will be lifted for people that are double vaxxed. The pressure to open up is building and building not just here but around the world. So that would be/will be a big one checked off the list. All these other hoops though....I've got to do some more research. So no one has gotten this $100k insurance?

Does everyone need the COE and all this other jazz? I am hoping to travel to the US sometime this month with a re-entry in Nov. I am double Pfizer vaxxed at this point, on a Non-O, married to a Thai citizen, and 53 years old. I suppose all this info is on a Thai gov. site somewhere?

Thanks (And good luck OP!)

Was it a question of whether to drill new holes in your wall or to drill new holes through the heater back to re-use the old holes in the wall. Is that not the case? If so, I guess the installer thought it was the lesser of two evils to drill through the back of the unit. I certainly agree the work done here is more often than not deficient. In this particular case, if it is as above, at least you can see some logic perhaps being applied. One can understand the reasoning. Depending on the wall (was it tiled?), it might have made more sense to damage a little plastic than the ceramic.

Or did the old holes line up with the new heater holes without drilling new ones?

I must got an email saying this:

Dear, sir/madam

If you are a foreigner (at least 40 years old or older) and have never been vaccinated (COVID-19 vaccine), you can come to the vaccination site of the McCormick Hospital on 5^st October at 9.00 am. 

Apologies for any inconvenience.

Yours sincerely,

Covid-19 Response Team

Chiang Mai Public Health Office.

13 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

I'm going Sunday for my second shot.

 

Did you have any side effects?

 

Enjoy your weekend!

They only side-effects I have is a slightly sore shoulder and a bit swollen, too. But less sore/swollen than with the first shot. For that one, I felt like I had a charlie horse for a week. But not flu symptoms or anything like that.

2 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

Didn't they know who you were for gods sake!

I know, right??!!

Yep, I went this morning arrived about 10 out by 10:47. I was a bit annoyed having to fill in the same form again with the exact same info...silly...but then I'm easily annoyed. I annoy myself all day long. Writing that just annoyed me. I think you can probably go tomorrow and get a first jab if you haven't had one. Certainly you will get the info. I'm not sure what time they close down today.

17 minutes ago, DaLa said:

Resident partygoer here. Yes they both serve alcohol. The upstairs bar on the Emirates A380's are good fun and sociable. I have only had one dry flight in 40 years; I'm restless on a plane , can't sleep and can't watch films with a low droning noise in the background.

I had one flight in economy where I went to stretch my legs at the back and thought there was a guy there waiting to use the bathroom. After 5 minutes I started talking to him and he said he couldn't sit for hours either. He then disclosed he would go to the back and open one of the cupboards in the galley where they keep all the alcohol miniatures. We had a great alcohol fuelled chat for 2 hours and then returned to our seats. I half regretted that session when I arrived at my destination.

Hmm, I don't think I've ever been on a plane that had an upstairs nor a bar of any sort. I've been on a good number of flights, too. I hope I run into the situation such as you describe. I don't have any problem watching films, though, and quite enjoy zoning out to 4 or 7. The key is to have decent headphones, not the one the airline gives you.

2 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

I heard Emirates offers COVID-19 insurance for 30 days on flights.

 

https://www.gqmiddleeast.com/travel-eats/emirates-is-offering-multi-risk-travel-insurance-free-with-all-flights

 

Pretty wonderful!

Thank you for the input, good info. Do they both or neither serve alcohol? Personally, I like to have a couple drinks and take a Xanax and that lets me sleep a decent bit....works for me. The Qatar site is not loading well so I haven't been able to get the details on baggage and change fees. Not sure what's up with that. Certainly will book direct and not with a consolidator. I can deal with any long transit ultimately but those long late night/early layovers are uncomfortable, being in that zombie/walking dead state for hours on end. I once flew Bkk to NYC and it took about 48 hours due to weirdness that I can't quite recall. This was with Thai back when they did that route. Funny story....my return flight out of NYC...I went to the airport on my departure day all set to go and....there was no Thai to be seen anywhere. They had killed that route and up and left JFK and LAX completely. Didn't have any planes there nor even an office. But they had still sold me a ticket. Amazing Thai(land).

Greetings fellow Miserables....I'm looking to book a flight shortly from Bkk to USA and have a choice between Emirates and Qatar. Prices are more or less the same but Emirates has a longer layover....but is slightly cheaper. Do people have strong opinions about these two airlines? I have flown Qatar in the past and though a distant memory I don't remember any negatives. Not sure I've ever flown Emirates. However, I'd be in the airport there for about 5 hours hanging around. They are also advertising no change fees and it's nice to have that flex. Not sure Qatar. Anyone care to input on this?

Thanks!

I also use Dental 4 You and do need some implants but so far have kicked it down the road. I think in the end you should expect to pay between 50,000 and 60,000 unless you go super high-end. There is also the question if you will need...I forget the term, bone reinforcement. I think this is for upper implants only where if your bone where the teeth sit is too thing they need to strengthen it. I get the impression it is necessary more often than not. I can't quite recall but it adds 15 to 20k to the price. I was told I need this done after an X-ray of my jaw bone. Hmmm who knows?

11 hours ago, Aussiepeter said:

The chap who died from snakebite had consumed quite a lot of alcohol before going to see the movie and may even have fallen asleep. He was wearing shorts and flip-flops (thongs for us Aussies) and the cobra had bitten him on his foot. According to my wife, when the lights came on at the end of the film, the locals just thought he was asleep. She told me she wouldn't ever go in there - Thais tend to avoid areas that may be "ghost-prone". 

 

Furthermore....what was playing?? I want to avoid watching that movie!

17 hours ago, lordblackader said:

Not a great example - there's never been 25,000 cases in Chiang Mai. It only ticked over 8,000 total this week. 

 

Why would Chiang Mai want Bangkok's cases? there's only so many beds to go around. This time, as opposed to April, we've been lucky. 

My point is only that unless there is true quarantine, infected people will infect others whatever province they are in. Sure, CM doesn't want BKK cases, I understand that. And I understand going to another province will spread it to another province so a larger area will have some infections. I'm just wondering if the overall number of cases will go down by banning inter-provincial travel. That's my wonder.