TallGuyJohninBKK

OP, you need to find a private hospital in your area or somewhere you can go that's participating in the Moderna vaccines program organized by the Thai Private Hospitals Assn. Those doses are supposed to be arriving in the 4th quarter of this year and the first quarter of next year. And AFAIK, those are all available regardless of nationality, provided you can find a private hospital still accepting "reservations" for the private (non-government) Moderna doses and you're willing to pony up the 1300+ baht per dose pay in advance fee that's being required. But those private Moderna doses are a relatively hot commodity, AFAIK, especially given the relatively large number of Thais who are adverse to taking the government-offered Chinese-made doses. So I'm not sure to what extent new reservations for those upcoming Moderna doses are still available at this point.

The various reports tonight that have the PM saying that bars and entertainment venues are going to be allowed to reopen and serve alcohol starting Dec. 1 seem more than a bit at odds with this thread's OP news report posted just hours earlier today.... Can they ever keep their story straight??? "Prayut added that restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues will be allowed to reopen and sell alcoholic drinks from December 1." https://www.thaienquirer.com/33850/thailand-to-open-doors-to-vaccinated-travelers-from-safe-countries-starting-november-1/

The Thai Enquirer website has a comparable news report posted tonight: Thailand to open doors to vaccinated travelers from ‘safe countries’ starting November 1 "Thailand will open its doors to vaccinated travelers from a list of ten “safe” countries starting November 1, the Thai prime minister said on Monday. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said in a nationally televised address that it was time for the country to gradually reopen in accordance with his government’s plans. The United States, the United Kingdom, China, Singapore, and Australia were among the countries mentioned as being on the safe list with more to be announced later." (more) https://www.thaienquirer.com/33850/thailand-to-open-doors-to-vaccinated-travelers-from-safe-countries-starting-november-1/

Gotta love "customer service" here in Thailand.... I didnt get any call back from them with an answer to my question about the availability of their new wifi 6 router here in BKK... BUT, I DID get a phone call this morn from a 3BB service tech who wanted to come to my home this morn to install the new router I had ordered (even though I hadnt ordered anything)! So,I guess tbat's their way of answering my question!

Had a long phone call this afternoon with 3BB customer service about their 3BB GigaTV service and the various details involved in that. Most of it was confirming the things I already knew, but there was one major surprise that emerged. According to the rep I spoke with, the much advertised GigaTV package pricing with their fiber internet of 700 baht per month (749b with VAT) for 24-months service commitment, or 800 baht per month (856b with VAT) for 12-months service commitment are temporary PROMOTIONAL pricing! In other words, after your original 12 or 24 month service commitment is finished, the price for their 1 GB / 500 Mbps fiber internet package with the GigaTV add-on will increase on an ongoing basis to 1,016.50b per month (the post-contract monthly fee ends up the same price, whether you start out with the 12 or 24 month contract.) Under either GigaTV package, just like with their solo fiber internet plans, there are no upfront equipment or installation charges. (Technically there are, but those are automatically waived, unless you fail to keep the monthly service for whatever duration you commit to). As for the situation of a house having more than a single TV, the rep explained that with the GigaTV service, you have the option to add on extra GigaTV Android boxes for the added price of 100 baht per month (107b with VAT). However, it may also be possible avoid that extra expense by sideloading 3BB's GigaTV Android app onto an extra Android-based smart TV or Android-based streaming stick/box/device. I was also curious, because I'd seen them advertising lately a new 3BB Wifi 6 AX router, whether upgrading to GigaTV would mean an automatic upgrade to their newer AX routers. And the rep said NO (at least for their existing internet customers), the basic GigaTV package would be installed with whatever existing 3BB router you may already have. So I asked, "what if I just want to upgrade my existing 3BB router to the newer Wifi 6 AX version separate from any GigaTV discussion?" And she said that might be possible, but would involve agreeing to an additional 12 months service commitment. She also didn't know whether they actually have the Wifi 6 AX routers available and in stock in Bangkok right now, but was going to check for me and give me a call back.

3BB has a graphic on their website with their complete channel roster for the GigaTV service. It seems to include all the normal Thai broadcast channels, apart from the foreign cable ones like HBO, Cinemax, etc. As I see another member has already posted a link to the full channel list above: https://gigatv.3bb.co.th/channellist PS - 3BB these days also has a website for their regular internet subscribers (not GigaTV) where, with log-in, you can stream the regular Thai broadcast channels.

And the same studies that are being done on the aftermath of Pfizer vaccinations also show that, despite the declining antibody rates over time, the vaccine still has a very high rate of preventing both serious COVID illness and death over those same extended timeframes.

The article you cited provides the obvious answers: "But the combination of the hyper-infectious delta variant with the misinformation-driven refusal by so many Americans to get vaccinated -- some 70 million who are eligible have not received the free shots -- has left the country vulnerable to a virus that continues to adapt and find new victims." All of the above is only an argument FOR more people to get vaccinated, not the opposite as you seem to be implying.

These days, 3BB seems to be offering their GigaTV package including their fiber internet service for the same price as their fiber internet-only package for those who are already on their 700 baht per month 1 GB/500Mbps fiber plan, if you accept a 2-year service contract commitment, or 800 baht per month (100 baht per mo extra) with a one-year service commitment. Comparable deals for their two higher level fiber internet only packages -- TV package for same price with a two year commitment, or only 100 baht per month extra with a one year commitment. https://www.3bb.co.th/3bb/product/register

Couple of things: --it's not uncommon for Android TV devices to NOT support the most popular Android browsers via their Google Play Store connections (ie. the browsers simply aren't listed in the Google Play Store for those devices). None of my various ATVs do. However, as explained above, it's pretty easy to install and use the "Downloader" app from the Play Store, [ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.esaba.downloader ] and then use that to access other alternate Android app stores via their websites such as APKPure or Aptoide that allow you to install/sideload regular Android apps, including browsers like Firefox and Chrome. (The Downloader app includes a basic web browser functionality that can be controlled with the regular ATV remote control). In contrast, the reason ATVs don't generally support the main Android browser apps is they're designed for touch screen devices like mobile phones and tablets, whereas the ATV OS is not touch screen but instead remote control-clicker operated, and the remote clicks won't control the Android browser apps. Thus, to use Android Chrome or Firefox on an ATV, you'll need to use something like a Bluetooth mouse or some Android mouse app that will allow you to use and control the Android browser apps. --from everything I've seen and found, there should be THREE different ways to access the 3BB GigaTV content. 1. use the Android TV box from 3BB that has all their content built-in. The box will connect to your 3BB router either by LAN or dual band wifi. 2. use your own Android TV box, and then install the 3BB GigaTV Android app on your own Android box (access the app in the Play Store requires a Thai IP). 3. streaming the GigaTV content in a web browser by logging into the GigaTV website using your 3BB/GigaTV log-in ID and password. https://3bbgigatv.com/login

In looking last night, the HBO GO website for Thailand says you can subscribe directly to them, without going thru or needing 3BB, for 149b per month. But you do have to connect via a Thai IP address. It won't work with a non-Thai IP address. https://www.hbogo.co.th/

I was trying to find the same kind of info. My wife has a domestic flight back into BKK in the coming weeks. And in looking at both the AirAsia and Nok Air websites, they appear to be relatively useless for current COVID rules info. The AirAsia site has a link to a Ministry of Interior website that, just fyi, is entirely in TH and only appears to respond if you're using a Thai IP connection. https://www.moicovid.com/ข้อมูลสำคัญ-จังหวัด/

I think you misunderstood my comments. I didn't NEED to do my 90 day report as part of doing my extension at BKK CW. I WANTED to see if I could do my 90 day report at BKK CW as part of doing my extension, so I wouldn't have to worry several weeks later about whether or not the online reporting sytem was going to be functioning at that time. As I was preparing to go for my extension appointment, I had heard BKK CW (in a major change from recent practice) was allowing people to do 90 day reports as part of extensions, instead of sending them off for a separate trip/visit to MTT. And that's in fact what occurred.

Went to BKK CW Immigration last week for my annual retirement extension re-issuance, which went as smoothly as I've ever had, although there were several changes/clarifications from the same process I experienced there last year. Some of the notable items included: BANK DEPOSIT LETTER --The IO handling my extension via Thai bank deposit confirmed that the Thai bank deposit confirmation letter of your 800,000+ baht deposit can be dated up to SEVEN days prior to your application, at least at BKK CW. Can't speak for other Immigration offices. And, the same SEVEN day period was also confirmed to forum member @Pib who went for a marriage extension a few days later. [However, you still need to update the printed balance in the physical Thai bank book you're using earlier on the same day of your Immigration application.] 90 DAY REPORTING --Unlike past years, BKK CW Immigration is now allowing retirement and marriage extension applicants to complete their upcoming 90-day reporting obligations while there at BKK CW doing your extension. You just need to bring along or complete while there the standard TM47 90-day reporting form. Upon request, the IO handling your extension should handle that for you and give you a new slip for your future 90-day report right there in their cubicle, without having to go anywhere else or deal with any other IOs. In my case, since I had a completed TM47 in hand, that whole part of the process took about two minutes. In my case, my future reporting date was about 3 weeks into the future--no problem. In Pib's case, his future date was almost 6 weeks into the future--no problem. ADVANCE APPLICATION PERIOD The short-lived recent rule Immigration announced a few months back that, supposedly, you could only show up for your new extension no more than THREE days prior to your current extension expiring because of COVID is now GONE. And, the BKK CW Immigration office appears to be back to their prior, long-time rule of allowing extension applications up to 45 days prior to your expiration date. [Also, if you got a new/different Sept. 26 expiry date last year from BKK CW because of COVID, they're sticking with that time frame this year, so my new extension for the year ahead carries forward the same new Sept. 26 expiration date they gave me last year.] FOURTH MISC FORM TO FILL OUT & SIGN --For a long time, BKK CW Immigration has had three misc. single-page forms that they want retirement extension applicants to fill out, sign and submit, in addition to the TM 7 extension form and various photocopies. There now is a FOURTH single-page form, which is a copy of the actual Police Order rules for retirement extensions. Unlike past years, all four of the misc paper forms now seem to be readily available upon request from the Immigration info counter on the way into the main queue ticket counter inside. However, for convenience, I'm attaching here PDF files of the four single-page forms (I like to have them completed and signed ahead of time): 2 Ret Exten Reqs from Imm 2020 version.pdf 2 Ret Exten Overstay Penalties Form.pdf 2 Ret Exten Statement 2.pdf 2 Ret Exten Statement 3.pdf INCLUSION OF 90 DAY REPORT SLIP, TM30 RECEIPT & HOME MAP --This was I think my first ever retirement extension application visit where the IO had absolutely nothing to request of me or complain about. She was satisfied with my package exactly as I submitted it. And while your mileage may vary, that included a package with copies of: --my latest 90-day reporting update slip --my most recent TM30 residency confirmation receipt --an annotated Google Map printout that I enhanced on the computer to more clearly show the route to (and location of) my home. All of the above were accepted by my IO and kept by her to use in my packet. None of those forms were returned to me. Likewise last year, the IO handling my retirement extension then specifically requested copies of the 90-day report receipt and TM30 receipt, which I had in my possession, but hadn't initially included in my paperwork submission then. COVID RESTRICTIONS / WAITING AREA ACCESS --Compared to last year this same time, there was a different COVID restrictions process in place. This year, once you got your queue ticket number from the main counter, there was an IO staff member standing at the entrance to the L Section (extensions area) entrance, and at least on the day of my visit, she would not let you into that area to sit and wait until your queue number was close to being called. My number was about 15 down upon arrival, so I had to sit outside the main interior entrance where they've set up a socially distanced seating area for people who already have their queue tickets. The queue ticket Immigration gives you also has a QR code on it, which if you have a mobile phone that can read QR codes, gives you access to a live webpage version of the Immigration queue system and shows you how many people are ahead of you for your queue. Though I believe you have to periodically refresh the webpage in order for the changes to get reflected on the screen you're seeing. The IO staff member finally let me into the L Section waiting area by the time I was only 4 or 5 people down in the queue for extensions. Here's the full list and details of what went into my retirement extension paperwork package this year for Immigration: -- Completed TM7 form printed on a single sheet front and back. Your color photo pasted on the back side, and your mobile phone number hand written at the top of the back side. -- Official Thai bank letter confirming you have a qualified Thai bank account with at least the 800K required current deposit, with the letter dated no more than SEVEN days prior to your Immigration visit. -- Thai bank book for that account print updated earlier on the day of your Immigration visit, showing the required deposit and signed regular photocopies of your bank book pages showing account activity during the prior 12 month period. The current rules at BKK CW require a retirement extension applicant to show the 800K deposit for at least two months prior to the application, and then three months after, while the remainder of the year must have a balance of no less than 400,000 baht. -- the four misc. single page forms listed listed above and included as PDF files. -- Hand-signed portrait-orientation photocopies of the following: (they want photocopies, they don't seem to like printed scans): -- Passport face page -- if you've obtained a new passport any time after your most recent actual visa, the front two pages of that where Immigration has copied over the visa and stamps info from your prior passport. -- Most recent visa or extension stamp page -- Most recent arrival/entry stamp page -- Airport departure card front and back -- Hand-drawn or printed map showing the location & address of your home. -- Latest 90-Day Report receipt -- Latest TM30 receipt Ahh, and let's not forget the money -- 1900 baht fee for the annual retirement extension, and 1000 baht fee for a single-use re-entry permit. Lastly, this year, I took the new SRT Red Line for my trip to and from BKK CW, which was an interesting experience. And although the new Red Line has a Laksi station at the corner of Chaengwattana Road, my conclusion was that taking the BTS Light Green/Sukhumvit Line to Mochit Station and then a regular meter taxi onward to BKK CW is still the quicker, easier and simpler way to travel. I did a separate thread on all the details of that, as follows: Comments and personal experiences about all of the above at BKK CW welcome!