happyaussie

I had a rough time with Expedia. They would accept bookings and payment only for flights to be cancelled. Which can happen. But when it comes to refunding it was horrendous. They accept no responsibility for what airlines do and Expedia are very difficult to contact. As others suggest, go direct to the airlines.

I must say I like TV forums. Always great tips and chuckles. 

I've cleaned A/C filters and fridge door wasn't sealing properly. Let's see what happens. My original point wasn't the amount. It was why such a variance from one month to the next. With no additional usage. 

I'll get a A/C technician to give a proper service. 

If this doesn't work I'll take others advice and ask PEA to inspect.

Thanks again. 

If I apply for a 60 day Thai wife extension on my tourist visa (which complies to amnesty rules) could I ask for a 30 day tourist visa extension when that expires? Or am I better of doing the 30 day tourist visa extension with embassy letter?

If 30 day extension which form does that require?

The Australian Embassy are issuing supporting letters based on the lack of flights and 35 max passengers on repatriation flights. Apparently it can take up-to 6 weeks to get accepted. No idea what the selection process is. But they assure me it's not driven by business class passengers. I suspect returning diplomats would chew up the numbers.

37 minutes ago, dimitriv said:

So the 45000 Baht in the subject was just clickbait?

 

Oops sorry about that. Fat fingers.

33 minutes ago, johng said:

Check the fridge  it could be running full time  if the control panel went wrong  or the door seals are bad or too much stuffed in the ice box forcing the door slightly open.

Also check the aircon  if its very dirty or someone set the temp down to 19 degrees it will use a lot of power.

Great feedback, thank you.

This. months power bill was more than double last month at 4500bht. And we have done nothing differently. I run one A/C at night, one fridge, a little lighting, no TV, one fan and charge computer. I will take it up with the PEA and see what they say. Something tells me there will be a shrug and pay up.

Our 2nd house next door is 800bht. everything same except no so much A/C use. 

Has there been any increases? We're semi isolated so no chance of someone pinching our power, I think.

Look forward to your advice.

56 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You will use a TM7 form  that is used for all extension applications. Download: Fillable TM7 form.pdf

You are a legend. Thankyou so very much. Now lets see what happens.

To be honest I've found the service at Chiang Khan immigration hot and cold. More cold than hot. Most officers Indifferent with a sense of anti farang. But I'm used to that now. Line up all the ducks, be prepared for a curve ball and most of all, stay cool.

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You could also apply for a 60 day extension to visit you wife if you have not applied for one yet since you entered the country. Your wife would will have to be with you when you apply.

Best to use your designated office. Another office would want proof of residence for where they are located.

Thanks very much. Would you know which form I should use? Would it be TM 25?

13 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You have to use the designated office for where you are living.

What do you need to do at immigration?

Seek an extension for my tourist visa. I have an embassy letter. Am registering weekly for an Australian Embassy Thai Airways flight. But with maximum 35 passengers they tell me not to hold my breath. Am also married to a Thai which I can show relevant proof. 

Ubon Joe I noticed you've offered sage advice to many. Therefore your opinion would be great.

Anyone been to Chiang Khan immigration lately. Were there long delays? Or should I go to Udon Thani or Kohn Kahn?

Last time I went was before amnesty and spend 2 days queuing without a result. They were too busy processing Laoations forms for 1000bht a pop.

Fortunately day two was when the first amnesty was announced. 

Several Airlines are selling tickets BKK to Sydney, with multiple stops. With Australias ridiculous limits on arrivals how can they sell these tickets? I've already been burnt with three booked and paid for flights which were cancelled. And clawing the money back is tedious. One airline offered me 50% and Thai gave me a credit. Which I can't seem to use because they also constantly cancel flights.

Can anyone suggest a solution? 

I'm on a tourist visa and fall under point 1 on the Announcement. Can someone advise if my circumstance will make me eligible for a further extension.

I have been trying to return to Australia since March by booking and paying for 3 different flights. All have been cancelled. One even at checkin. I am currently booked for 01 Nov but like the others I am pretty sure this will also be cancelled. Why 01 Nov. This was the first dates Thai Airways accepted. Qatar are not accepting bookings. 

The Australian Embassy are arranging repatriation flights every Sunday, but this is restricted to 30 passengers per flight. They inform those interested on Thursday the week before. The Embassy informed me they usually get approx 200 apply and I shouldn't hold my breath. They also told me they no longer issue supporting letters. 

I am applying each week. But what happens if I continue to miss out? I'm pretty sure I can request a paid 30 day extension. But what happens after that? Will they sell me another 30 days?

I've been married to a Thai for 12 years. Can I request an extension based on that fact?

Thanks  

2 hours ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

One of the biggest problems for Australians wanting to return home is that the government has limited the number of international entries to about 500 people per day...split between Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane (Melbourne is not accepting any at this time). International wide-body aircraft often arrive with only double-digit passenger counts due to these restrictions, and because of this, in order to make the flights economically viable, airlines that are still flying to Oz like Qatar are basically only selling Biz Class seats (Doha to Sydney one-way is quoted at A$9000).

To rub salt in, Australia is now accepting overseas students. Seems commercial gains with paying students overrides it's citizens. Suppose a collective of university chancellors weald some power and would have a direct line the the PM and Education minister.

Makes me wonder how history will look back on this Covid thing....poorly I suspect.   

On 8/23/2020 at 11:44 AM, soi3eddie said:

Regarding charge-backs;

I run two businesses in London and both accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. We have a cancellation policy that is clear and agreed upon at time of booking but occasionally a "customer" will initiate an unfounded charge back request. We have to work hard to dispute any charge back and I can tell you that whilst we can allow the charge back, we cannot have it refused unless we can prove we have not broken our contract or we have actually supplied service. 

In the case of refunds for cancelled flights, you are unequivocally due a full refund and the credit card company is equally as liable as the airline. Next time your flight gets cancelled ask for confirmation in writing (email) then tell them you want a full refund within 14 days. When they give you the guff about backruptcy tell them to put that in writing too. With that evidence (and all your previous cancellations) the credit card company cannot refuse the charge back. Record all calls as they can be sent to credit company as evidence of refusal of refund. Always use a CREDIT CARD for anything possible and NEVER, EVER use a debit card as you have much less protection with a debit card. 

 

Excellent advice, thanks very much. Plus others who gave same or similar advice. 

I contacted Amex and they have initiated an investigation. In the meantime the amount has been credited to my account. 

Fortunately I have records of bookings, cancellations, payments and email threads.

I must say, Amex have been great, can't say the same for Expedia. They are elusive and almost impossible to email. 

On 8/22/2020 at 6:10 AM, mtls2005 said:

 

Consider the money paid for the TG ticket as lost. And the ticket, worthless.

 

TG won't fly this route until who knows when, if ever. (Yes, the may operate repat flights but your current ticket is not valid for those.)

 

If you want or need to return, the embassy repat flight is the only option.

 

You will spend more than 60,000 baht staying here, unless you are unusually frugal.

 

Thai Immigration may not look kindly on one who has avoided available repat flights?

 

The Australian Embassy may not issue a supporting letter if the had seats available and you chose not to take one.

 

 

 

 

The Australian embassy has been supportive and issued me a letter. Which I'll need updated for my latest cancellation. To be honest TG have also been supportive and the credit is valid until Dec 2021. I'd say it is the ridiculous quotas the Australian government enacted that's caused the problems.

On another point, my ticket was originally booked through Expedia by Amex. When I inquired to rebook through Expedia they informed me it will cost almost double due to TG charges. After which I phoned TG and they told me this was untrue and rebooked over the phone at the original price. Which I've now rebooked for 01 November. Fingers crossed sanity prevails between now and then. 

1 hour ago, FlyingThai said:

Having to pay for a new ticket is certainly something that isn't great but is the cost of remaining in Thailand for several months really cheaper?

 

This is the question I'd ask as an immigration- or a consular officer when it comes to applications for documents.

 

Was your TG ticket a one way flight? I'd try and initiate a chargeback with my credit card company. Amex has already returned cash for 5 tickets to me.

Yes, one way business. class Thai Airways. I did pay with Amex and will try as advised. Only problem is that the original ticket was purchased in March. I was under the impression both parties had to agree for a charge back. I say this because I tried to have a different purchase reversed a couple of months ago and Amex said I can't without the supplier agreeing. But I shall try again. Thanks for the tip.

One saving grace is that the Thai airways credit is valid for 12 months. Which I could use to return once this nonsense is over. 

3 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Had AXA on my wife's MY08 CR-V that was t-boned by a motorbike. Reasonably fast response and they were quite proactive in helping  short-circuit the inevitable hands-out from the family of the underage, unlicensed and uninsured motorbike riding 'victims' and the lazy cops.

 

On my first MY11 Ranger 2.2, I took the dealer's 1-year free insurance and rolled it over on renewal without shopping around. I recall the original LMG premium was in the region of 19,000 baht. I was less than impressed with LMG's quote at the next renewal, shopped around via a broker and switched to AXA. I recall the premium was maybe near 17,000 baht. No claims bonus was earned and transferred but I had to badger them for it.

 

On my second MY14 Ranger 3.2, I again took the dealer's 1-year free insurance with LMG but swapped back to AXA on first renewal, saving about 3000 baht. Two years ago, I swapped to roojai. With two named drivers, and 48% NCB, the premium dropped almost 50% to a few baht over 8000 baht. I also note that roojai offered a higher replacement value than AXA. That's handy if it's a write-off, or fire or theft.

 

On several threads on this and other forums, I haven't read of any bad luck stories with those making claims on roojai insurance.

 

My advice to anyone buying a new car is to shop around for your own insurance FIRST and tell the dealer to keep their 'free' insurance and give you a more meaningful price break. They won't give you 16,000 baht of freebies but you may get 8000 baht's worth.

Great feedback, thanks to you and others. I did the roojal on line quote and it does seem like a good deal. 

28 minutes ago, ourmanflint said:

Thai can give you a seat on alternative Star Alliance carriers, but you have to ask

None of the Star Alliance members are currently flying to Australia. One World has a much stronger list of participating airlines. Thanks anyway.

13 minutes ago, dbrenn said:

Lots of Australians stranded overseas due to caps on arrivals imposed by the government, so as not to overload quarantine facilities. 

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.smh.com.au/national/can-we-still-call-australia-home-the-refrain-of-expats-facing-shut-borders-and-20k-flights-20200819-p55n4i.html

 

Be prepared to pay if you want to go back - airlines are demanding business class, on the pretext that they can only carry a very limited number of economy. You'll also have to pay for quarantine when you land.

Thanks for this. As Thai airways are frozen due to bankruptcy I doubt they will transfer to a code share partner. But I will try. 

With Australian arrival numbers being set until 26 October. By November I'm hoping sanity will prevail and some flights will be possible.

I called Thai immigration and they told me that with an embassy letter I will get an extension. They also told me there is a good chance the government will mandate a third extension of 30 days. 

Here's hoping. And thanks to others who replied. 

Thai airways informed me my BKK to Sydney flight booked 01 October has been cancelled. I've rebooked for 01 November. Which I'm assuming the same thing will happen. 

This is the third cancellation and due to bankruptcy hearings can't issue a refund. 

I could join the Australian embassy repatriation flights but can't use my credit. Which would leave me 60,000baht out of pocket.

On top of this the visa amnesty expires 26 September. 

Do you think immigration would issue me a visa extension based on my circumstance?

Never been so stressed in my life. Trying to work with limited funds and get back to Australia for business.

When I purchased my cars, Honda City and Ford Ranger Wildtrack I took the dealers insurance. Are there better options.

The Honda is 6 years old and we pay 12,000 Baht pa. I maybe wrong, but it seems this has not changed since we purchased the vehicle. And I'm sure they only pay on depreciated value. Probably a fair deal when new. But not now. Same goes for Ford.

Do Thailand insurance companies offer no claim bonus deductions on policies? 

Can someone recommend a good insurance company?

Can anyone share what premium they pay for similar vehicles and who with?

Any tips would be appreciated.

On 8/18/2020 at 2:47 PM, bbi1 said:

She sure makes a ton of money for a cashier! Who knew you could afford a MG on a cashier's salary, let alone a car!

Chinese made MG's are some of Thailands cheapest cars.

On 8/16/2020 at 3:34 PM, trevoromgh said:

I've never understood where the money comes from for the Thais to all be buying flash new cars at exhorbatant prices. I understood salaries over here are pretty low compared to other parts of the world so unless they all have rich parents or are leasing the vehicles and are therefore in-hoc for millions of baht.  If so it could all backfire if the pandemic leads to large scale redundancies longer term. 

That's why there are so many near new second hand cars for sale.

Buyers are lured into buying new cars with low interest only to discover that coughing up monthly payments is harder than anticipated. Followed by repossession. 

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

I wouldn't count on that TG flight. TG did announce officially that flights were cancelled until the end of September. Can't see them operating that Oct. 1 flight.

 

It looks like the Australian repat flights have been on QR via DOH and CX via HKG in the past.

 

Assuming you need to return, I'd work with the Embassy.

 

If you were to depart on Oct. you'd pay for the overstay. Don't think 4 days will go on your permanent record.

 

 

I'd contact the embassy.

 

Given how challenging it appears to be to fly to Australia right now you might qualify for an extension?

 

I've seen some wording - quasi-official - in the Immigration cartoon mentioning: 1.2 in the case of having other obstacles such as no flights avilable... Not sure if you need a supporting letter from the Embassy?

 

LAst news I could find was that the government was metering returning citizens, and quaratining them.

 

Maybe check with news sources you find to be reliable?

 

 

Thankyou very much. Appreciated.

Some advice please. Yesterday I confirmed a Thai Airways flight BKK to Sydney for 1st of October. 

To be on the safe side I contacted the Australian embassy who informed me this is all well and good, but due to varying lockdowns there is a probability this will not happen. Australia is also limiting arrival numbers (which I consider strange, especially for citizens wanting to return). 

They suggested I put my name down on their Thai Airways repatriation charter flights. Only problem is, I cannot use my Thai Airways credit. Which would put me out of pocket $2,500. Being public servants, do you think their simply playing the safe game?

Question - If I leave on the 01 October and as current extension expires 26 Sep. Should I simply pay 4 days overstay at airport? Will this affect future visits.

If my flight is cancelled last minute and my visa expired what do you think will happen? 

Man this has been a stressful 6 months. Any sage advice will be appreciated.