ArtVandelay

I'm still confused. They wouldn't let the OP out of Thailand because of what specifically? A few years ago I was able to change to my new passport at Aranya Pratet. Paid the 500 Baht. Took almost an hour, though.

Annapurna is a spectacular area to trek. I've done it twice, but not as high an elevation as they went. My first time I had hired a private guide in Pokhara. Made a mistake listening to him, since he was determined to get me to a specific tea house for the night. Rather than stop early my first day when I got sore, like I should have, he pushed me to keep going up. I learned later that some of the guides have certain businesses on the mountain where they get kickbacks in the form of free food, etc, and will pressure you to stay at that specific one. I should have listened to my body, and stopped at a lower tea house for the night. Since I kept going, I was so sore the next day, that the rest of my trek was a miserable experience. Also, coming back down the mountain was actually more painful because it takes as much or more muscle power to stop yourself from falling than it does to climb up the mountain. If you go, listen to your own body. The guides might have other interests than your health,

I had a previous non-B visa and several covid extensions, which probably didn't help. She called her supervisor who then grilled me (politely but firmly) on what I was doing in Thailand this long. I explained I was just a tourist not ready to go back home yet. It was when I finally mentioned that I was planning on going home for Christmas that she finally stamped me in.

I've heard of Red Stamps, and know they are to be avoided. Can anyone explain to me what one is and what the implications are if you get one? I've gotten two red visa-exempt stamps when entering Thailand by air in the past year. I was given the full 30 and 45 days, but questioned extensively last night when entering at DMK. Are these the dreaded "Red Stamps" I always hear about or is it just a stamp that happens to be red? I entered both times by air. Thanks.

Thanks. What way do you recommend crossing into Cambodia? I'm in Bangkok.

Any reason you don't recommend Aran Poipet crossing? I was thinking about crossing there next week . . .

I watched a foreigner roaring drunk staggering down a road near Khao San in the middle of the day a couple years ago. So naturally, he wanders into the same restaurant I'm sitting in demanding a hamburger from the waitress. Rather than refuse service, she quietly but firmly explains how he has to pay up front because he's drunk. Now he's offended. A loud argument ensues, he finally agrees to pay, sits down, scarfs his food when it comes and gently walks away a different man. He must have been hangry. Bad combo alcohol and empty stomach apparently.

"The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) estimates that Thailand has 10 million stray dogs, with 1 in 10 dogs in Bangkok suspected to be infected with rabies." "Rabies was included in the list of notifiable diseases in Thailand in 1980 with 370 human cases reported in that year. Subsequently, 185, 50, 15, and 2 human rabies cases were reported in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, respectively." Q: If 1 in 10 dogs have rabies, how could there be only 2 human cases of rabies in 2020?

Once the ITCZ retreats to the south of Bangkok, it will be the dry season. When it happens, usually in mid-October, it's fast, like turning a switch.

Well . .if the climate deniers think the refugee situation is out of control now . . just wait until vast swaths in Northern India and Africa are too hot to even live in. They ain't seen nothin'; yet.

Thanks for the information. I'm in a similar situation. Can I ask what the next step is now that you have the "under consideration" stamp? Did you have to pay the 1900 Baht for example?

USD is usually seen as a safe haven in times of stress. Which is odd because Americans are feeling pretty stressful at the moment. Putin's war, Trump's imminent indictment, soaring inflation, activist supreme court justices, minority rule, mass shootings almost daily, all in an election year.

Looks like they're still giving out the covid extension "under consideration" stamp (today for me, June 27) at Lak Si. Any theories on why? I can't figure it out.

Thanks for the fast reply, Dr Jack. So that would be for both types of extensions at IT mall Laski?

I have to extend my visa exempt stamp this week. Should I go to CW immigration? What are the chances of getting a Covid 60 days extension? I read somewhere that it's up to the immigration official. Thanks.

Correct me if I'm wrong . . but "visa runs" will probably involve a lot more than they used to. To re-enter Thailand, I'm assuming we'll be required to register in the Thai Pass system, purchase covid insurance (again), cross our fingers and then hope the system doesn't break down and we get approved in a timely manner, etc etc . . ?

I have a similar question. I entered on a visa exempt stamp. (May 4th this year). Am I eligible for covid extension? If so, can I apply before the 24th? Where at (I'm in Bangkok)? Thanks in advance.

You're right that there are scientists warning about possible "T-cell exhaustion" from getting too many boosters, however when I looked into it, I found there's still no proof of this actually happening with any vaccine so far. For example, plenty of people get the flu vaccine every year, no problem. T-cell exhaustion does happen with cancer and HIV though. I went ahead and got a 4th dose (Moderna).

Q : When will the Test & Go website actually change the requirements? After these new changes are officially approved?

WARNING This is the same CDC that was unable to come up with a reliable Covid test early in 2020 at the same time Europe and Japan was testing daily. And BTW . . the FDA also blocked the use of these other tests, probably out of pride, even though they worked.

One thing living abroad has taught me is that there are psychopaths in every culture.

Sorry if this has been asked already (I looked but didn't see it). I know that the Non-O cannot be extended for Covid anymore but have never seen an answer about Non-B. I've extended recently and am ok until March 27th. Thanks

Maybe everyone needs to stop thinking of Covid as a disaster. Actually, it's been pretty lucrative for some. The US - for example - had record bread lines at the same time as record profits on Wall Street. This isn't a bad time to be in the travel insurance industry either apparently. And don't even get me started on price gouging . .

Just out of curiosity . . . how many other countries are requiring health insurance just to travel there? Anyone?

A Thai once told me that these disputes often go back generations. The same technical school the father went to the son now goes to . . . etc.