Gaccha

One more thing: the activation of VoWifi is *440*1#  .

Good luck everyone! 

1 hour ago, The Fugitive said:

Thanks for providing the solution. I have had TrueMove H pre-pay for 5 years. Before a recent trip to U.K. I used their instant messaging service asking this same question. They enabled International Roaming and also suggested paying 3 baht per month to keep my number active without having to top-up. My 'phone automatically picked up Vodaphone network in U.K. I had already turned off Mobile Data and don't answer any calls (I get hardly any). OTP's from Bangkok Bank come through fine and my credit balance hasn't reduced. Your solution sounds simpler. Can you send SMS for free as well as receive? 

To activate VoWifi requires you are present in Thailand, but only for the initial activation to-- ironically-- receive an SMS. 

I then think the SMS sent and received will depend on whatever cost in the normal plan you have set up with TrueMove. TrueMove groups plans by Voice, Data, SMS and MMS. 

With international roaming it might and might not work in each country. Part of the problem is a lack of consistency in carrier protocols.

The VoWifi will simply require a WiFi connection of any sort. TrueMove then piggybacks off that WiFi signal (a home, a cafe, a hotel etc) to send the SMS. It avoids relying on foreign networks.

Solved!

You have to register with True to use VoWifi. Takes about 5 seconds.

I then put my phone on Flightmode with "Wifi calling" activated and had a friend send an SMS from Cambodia. And it worked. And he got my response SMS with the same function. 

So all good. Now I can get banking SMS anywhere on Earth with Truemove and a Wifi signal. 

18 minutes ago, Eaglekott said:

The document I always take to the clinic for the certificate has always stated "Alcoholism"

 

It says:

1, Leprosy

2, Tuberculosis

3, Drug Addiction

4, Alcoholism

5, Elephantiasis

6, 3rd Stage Syphilis

I had some old one. Perhaps 10+ years ago. 

This is a perennial problem for travel outside Thailand. 

To use services (such as banking), an SMS confirmation is often needed. Strictly speaking, the banking SMS are not actually SMS, but that's probably not important. 

There seems few alternatives if I want to use the TrueMove SIM abroad:

1. Have banking and other Apps switch off SMS verification before International travel. This used to be an option 5+ years back but appears to be unavailable for my Thai banks now. 

2. Use VoWifi (voice over wifi). This is known to work with other sevices such as AIS.  TrueMove doesn't appear to have this option in its packages. 

3. Get SMS to foreign country. Not available in any packages for other SE Asian countries on TrueMove App. 

And that's it... Has anyone figured this out?... Thanks 

A desperate plea on this forum was made 11 years ago on this forum, but was met by only silence. 

I thought the chance was much better in 2022. Yet I've checked Lazada, JD, Shopee, Villamarket, Foodland, and I've come up blank. 

Has anybody seen Soreen malt loaf?

I noticed 7/11 does sell malt bread every now and again, so Thais are slowly getting introduced to the idea of malt in their loaves. Within the decade, I can imagine it sold at Tops. 

My work permit got rejected today because of a lack of an "alcoholism examination".

Unfortunately, I was not the one to go and make the application at the Ministry of Labour, so I've no idea whether this means there is some new test (a blood test?) or some updated medical form or something else. Does anyone have a clue about this?

Since I drink around 1 pint a month I suspect I will pass the requirement whatever it is... I just don't know the requirement.

After years and years of the same medical process (VDRL blood test + standard form for doctor to fill in), I've never had the work permit rejected, so this is bizarre. 

EDIT: Looks my office used an older form without the alcoholism section. I'll update if it actually is a new requirement.

That's interesting. 

The reservation site lists the retirement extension as taking one hour. For my "expert" visa extension, the site states 15 minutes. I felt that was very optimistic. I was right.

I attended a few days ago.  My reservation let me jump the ticket queue. I simply walked up to the counter (around 10 minutes before my alloted time) and she started processing my extension. That jumped me in front of around 100 people.

...And it was 15 minutes. But then an extra hour for the supervisor's check. Nevertheless, this still makes it around 6-8 hours (!) quicker than the queue system. 

The Officer had a tick list of all reservations that day at her desk. This was around 30 people. Let's hope it keeps working. 

10 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

How would you know it was the last economy ticket please?

If you are buying it via an agent then they'll know. If not, it becomes obvious because it's usually around 500 pounds more than the 2nd to last ticket. The price rises become extraordinary.

EDIT: I should explain that flights are deliberately overbooked because the airline can presume a 2 to 3% dropout rate. So, several people can purchase the last seat. On the day of a full flight, people will be induced to give up their seats with offers for future flights or the algorithm will select them for removal, or desirable customers will be upgraded.

I like to see the good side of things. I know from endless personal experience that if you buy the last economy class ticket on a flight, which will be very pricey, then there is a very high chance that the airline algorithm will give you a free upgrade to business class. 

Bump.

I hope I can slightly bump this post as the forum is very quiet.

47 minutes ago, Bluespunk said:

 

Not that I believe it will work, but the problem with alcohol is the long term damage abuse it causes to the body 

This drug appears to almost solve that. It converts the alcohol before it is converted into acetic acid by the liver, avoiding most of the damage to the body. 

Of course, this won't prevent drunks from being complete pratts. 

@ubonjoe, I can never remember if the VDRL test and med certificate is only required for the Immigration Police or for the Labour Office or both. 

I'm always amazed that the Visa Extension must be obtained before the Work Permit Extension. So any intuitive feelings I have on how things should be, could equally be wrong on the med cert + VDRL. 

My guess is the Med Cert and VDRL is only required for Immigration. Am I right? Thanks.

I've been lost/got into trouble in places with no cellphone signal that I want an SOS GPS Garmin device (Mini 2, Explorer Plus, 66i etc) with text communication cabaility with the Iridium satellite network.

Thailand seems to require personal use licence through its broadcasting agency. I can understand they would want to restrict because the devices could be used in the Deep South troubles. 

It is almost impossible to buy the phones I mentioned above, but several Thai companies sell the Garmin 88i, the marine version of the 66i. This means Thailand does provide the Use Licence for at least this type of phone to importing companies. 

My inference from these brute realities is Thailand is likely to deny any licence request unless an overwhelming need, but are open to boat owners gaining the device for emergency situations.

Even if I couldn't use it in Thailand, I'd find it useful to take on holidays abroad.

Can anyone tell me if my inferences from the factual reality are correct?

1. Thailand is highly restrictive on the licences

2. Licences for boat users/owners are the most likely to be granted 

3. Even an unused device (a device intended for foreign holidays only) without a licence is illegal

I'm hoping the licence is a matter of routine, and is simply for the purpose of keeping track of the owners of such devices should they be used in the Deep South. In the same way, cell phones don't work in the Deep South unless first registered.

Also, can I apply for the licence prior to obtaining the phone? Must I?

Anyone here with a Personal Licence? 

On 6/24/2022 at 8:24 AM, DrJack54 said:

Such a game changer if the new system proves to be the ongoing success story. 

555.

You remind me of me when the online system version 1.0 appeared many years ago. 

I remember those blissful first few months when it looked like a new dawn, a new shining city on the hillock of bucolic Siam. 

Allow me to tell you how the next few years will play out:

Because of a terrible IT structure, the version 2.0 will start to collapse under its own inherent contradictions. New demands will be placed upon it by new regulations that cannot be tolerated by the IT set-up.

As years go by, and ThaiVisa users return to using carrier pigeons, the embassies will hint of government plans to scrap the system. Then there will be silence. Nothing but a void. Not even a rustle of a blade of grass.

And that's when the IT system 2.89 will collapse and an all new system using BASIC will arise as version 3.0. And a new day will rise! 

17 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

A appeal for what.

The only form for a appeal is denial of entry to the country.

My bad Joe.

I was thinking of the TM11 and 12. You're correct. 

You should immediately file an appeal. I forget the form but it's a TM something or other. Check the Immigration website. 

I find it so strange that even though we have known since April 2020 that COVID is particularly dangerous to certain groups, there are still no campaigns to inform them and to nudge them to change. 

The healthy population has made incredible lifestyle sacrifices, has spent in excess of 15 trillion dollars, sending the next three generations into endless debt, plunged into possible stagflation, to give these vulnerable groups the time to sort their #@% out. 

It's very simple: if you are fat, or have diseases associated with being fat, such as a type of diabetes, or you are unfit, or have a poor diet, then you had an overwhelming moral duty to solve your problems within 2 years. All you needed to do was get your BMI down to 24, go for a daily run, stop eating sugar, eat lots of Vitamin D.

15 trillion. That's how much it cost the World to give you the chance to change your diet and buy a tracksuit. That's 15 Afghan wars.  

As for the old. They have to follow the vaccine requirements. It is unforgivable to ask of others so much and to not do the bare minimum. 

The World cannot keep babysitting you. The young and healthy have done so much for you. They sacrificed their futures. You're now on your own. The masks are off. Good luck and good night.

The Thai "MorPhrom" App, which has your vaccine records on it, has a map with all available nearby facilities. 

Boots (yes, them), on that App, allows you to do the test at home with a kit they send or you purchase. You have to record yourself doing the test and then show the results on the video. They see it and provide a certificate around an hour later. 

Since the video will be 20 minutes long, it's considered polite to have nice gentle background music playing, and to dance as you wait for the result. 

1 hour ago, Chris.B said:

Cheap Charlie.... ????

No. I get an allergic reaction to the AC if I sleep with it on.

Look it up in the Merck Medical Dictionary: Air Conditioner Allergy.

The movement of dust at night by the AC gets in my eyes which probably don't fully close,  so I wake up with bloodshot eyes. 

The real issue should be checking for poisonous chemical remnants after the leaching process to remove the THC has been carried out.

The CBD items in the West all provide lab results to ensure there is no food adulteration. 

I don't trust Thais to make handgel alcohol wash, let alone CBD items. 

54 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Traveling around the country does not change your address for 90 day reporting.

If you were able to do the report at a different office that would require a address for where you are located.

You 90 day reports can be done online ( https://tm47.immigration.go.th/tm47/#/login ) or by mail to the office your report to. In both cases you would use the address for where you normally live.

Joe,

What happened to that insane spell when even staying at a friend's overnight after a late night at the disco (supposedly) had to be reported within the day? I think it was 3 years ago but The Covid has made me lose track of time.

Was there a regulatory change or did it just fade away under the sheer force of absurdity?