jayboy

Good luck in getting an answer.We can but live in hope. Reading the UK press particularly the Guardian, it seems that the problem is not with Astra Zeneca but with the certification process.There is a very similar sense of outrage in India for the same reason.

This matter is fast becoming a scandal.Nobody blames the Ambassador and his staff but it is absolutely his responsibility or those to whom he delegates to communicate more clearly and more regularly with British residents on this matter.This is not happening.If there isn't a definite answer to be given yet then it is the Embassy's duty to explain what considerations are in play.If the concerns of British residents are not of pressing interest then the Embassy should also understand the requirements of the large number of Thais who have business and social ties to the UK.This muddle is doing the reputation of the UK no good at all. Jonathan Head of the BBC, in response to the Guardian article. correctly identifies the illogicality, stupidity and hypocrisy involved in the refusal to recognize Astra Zeneca vaccinations from Thailand. "Agree this is completely illogical and seems discriminatory.Astra-Zeneca states that its vaccine is of identical quality wherever it is made - here in Thailand you might get locally made AZ or AZ from Korea - both have exactly the same efficacy"

Exactly.It's a group which has minimal impact on the property market with the exception of the condo sector - and even there farang are very much minority players.Personally I don't think opening up the property sector to all comers would do anything but good, but it will never happen.

Do you know what "farang" means?

It's a rather poorly written article but the quoted comments of Dr Wichai are quite revealing because they so clearly demonstrate the mindset of the Sino-Thai commercial class. Looking at Dr Wichai's handsome features I'm guessing his not so distant ancestors hailed from the rice fields of Southern China.If a bunch of foreigners ever cornered the Thai property market, his lot did.

My understanding from Astra Zeneca in Bangkok is that France and Germany both recognize AZ vaccinations performed in Thailand ( these countries' approval remove the possibility of any quality control difficulty.)The UK at present does not recognize AZ vaccinations performed in Thailand for reasons which are unknown.The new British Ambassador is aware of the problem but has not explained why there is an issue here nor given any kind of estimate when the issue will be resolved.

Thanks, very interesting.But as you probably gathered my post was not really about Mussolini and his trains but rather about the danger of assuming illegal and authoritarian regimes being somehow more efficient than more democratic ones (not that Arkady was suggesting this.) Incidentally I'm not sure you're right about the poor not being part of the fascist constituency.The bread and circuses approach or populism is very much part of the fascist approach to split the working class. Arguing against myself, one can always invoke Alexander Pope: 'For forms of government let fools contest Whate'er is best administered is best

And Mussolini made the trains run on time.

Thanks for this useful info which prompted me to check my own Mor Phrom App and noted the same results as you have set out. I expect many of us have booked a Moderna (or similar) vaccination for next year as a booster, or at least are thinking about it.As far as I know the government is not providing these so we will have to source from private hospitals. It would be great after having received the booster, the details could be incorporated in the existing Vaccine Certificate/Digital Health Pass - but I guess the likelihood the hospital concerned will be issuing their own verification.

Funniest comment I have read for quite some time and unless I'm mistaken I think it's meant to be taken seriously.

Thanks.I think this walk in facility might be of interest to quite a few British expatriates "on leave" (do people still say that?) who are looking for a booster jab after having received the first two vaccinations in Thailand.It's UK policy now that the booster be given to appropriate groups six months after the second jab.Obviously it's not available now so it's a matter of keeping on checking next year.

For the record this doesn't answer my question or even point me in the right direction.The information on the government website you highlight does make it clear that: "Overseas visitors to England, including anyone living in the UK without permission, will not be charged for: testing for coronavirus (even if the test shows you do not have coronavirus) treatment for coronavirus – including for a related problem that affects some children called multisystem inflammatory syndrome vaccination against coronavirus" But it doesn't give any practical information on how vaccinations might be obtained without details of an NHS number or, failing that. a relevant GP's surgery.For many of us these UK based details no longer exist. I don't have much doubt that vaccinations are accessible in the UK for visiting expatriates and I will make inquiries accordingly.

The current government is elected albeit on the basis of a rigged constitution. It's obviously a sham democracy. As to the different treatment of foreign protestors who can fully gauge the warped thought processes of the Thai elite? However I suspect that their deranged ideas of who are the "good people" have something to do with it.

Er, no you wouldn't unless you're talking about totalitarian regimes.In Western Europe, North America, Australasia or Japan it wouldn't be of the slightest concern. Perhaps it is you that needs to think about it further.

So do I but what exactly is the Thai law being broken if foreigners attend political rallies? I remember many foreigners attending the yellow demonstrations and none of them were prosecuted or deported.

@British Consular Team Thanks for all you have done in moving the vaccination process forward for British expatriates.There seems to be the prospect of vaccinations for all - though it's been a tortuous journey. My question is this.If expatriates visit the UK is it possible to secure vaccinations without a GP referral and (as in my case) without an NHS number. In other words are there walk in vaccination points where one can for example get a booster jab?

You seem reluctant to be specific.Please give some examples.

I'm still not sure what additional requirements you have in mind.Can you very briefly list the more significant ones. It's always been the case that Immigration can ask for extra documents though in most cases they don't. It's never been fully proven but there's always been the thought that some minimum levels - e.g salary, tax paid etc - may not be in practice be enough.But I've known people with the minimum salary level that achieved PR without a hitch I think it's perfectly possible that at the border line level some applicants may be refused if they are perceived as objectionable - eg rude or condescending or heavily tattooed .For the vast majority of applicants however if they meet the criteria they will get PR.Since my time I've been told that a higher standard of Thai is required but others need to advise on this aspect.

1.What are the new requirements to apply for PR? You mention but do not elaborate. 2.Are you sure that it is now necessary to employ an agent and pay "VIP Service Fees"? Who told you this - an agent? I ask because I'm advising a friend who applied last year (I have PR already)

'Lovely stuff!' Not my words, the words of Shakin' Stevens!

It's worth having a look at this 600+ page autobiographical masterpiece because quite unintentionally on the author's part, it's a work of comic genius.In short it's pure Alan Partridge.

I have never heard the questions are different.In fact I doubt whether the interviewing panel is aware whether the applicant has retained a lawyer or not. I understand that the approach is helpful.It certainly was in my case.Obviously it makes sense to prepare for the interview anticipating likely questions and answers.

Good post.As I mentioned I know several people who successfully managed the process without a lawyer.They were all savvy professionals who mostly spoke decent Thai.It should also be noted that most reputable immigration lawyers do not do the running around themselves;it's mostly delegated to junior staff.In many cases the legal firm retained is the same one that the applicant's company has been using for years for all kinds of legal work.For those who manage the process themselves this is the part - and collation of documents - often done by a competent Thai secretary. Truth is that it's not that complicated.Rules are clear and if you meet the criteria you will almost certainly get PR.There's no mystery about it.

Pay no attention to him.For years on this forum there has been a small (thankfully) number that screams with outrage when it's suggested that a lawyer might be helpful in any aspect of the Thai Immigration process including PR. The error they make is the assumption that everybody has as much time on their hands as they presumably do and is skint as they are.As you point out this isn't really the case with full time employees with demanding jobs.I've known several people who have achieved PR without using a lawyer but in most cases they had an efficient secretary who handled the bulk of the paperwork. And there is the important caveat - don't use a lawyer who isn't 100% reliable and that means all the cowboy outfits who feed on gullible farang.

Thanks.The PR books (red book and certificate of residence) don't have the number.At least I can't find it in them. When I got vaccinated I had the blue Tabien Baan from which the number was extracted.