vincent13

Official figures for most things in Thailand should be taken with a grain of salt.

Most Thais don't pay them and, as others have stated,. no repercussions come road tax time.

Same for Air Asia flights from Phuket to Chiang Mai and Phuket to Udon Thani. First booking date available is 1 February but who knows whether flights will actually resume on that date.

I guess there are worse places to be stuck than Phuket.

6 hours ago, Capt Rob said:

Good to hear you have had zero issues thus far.

My own experience with a O-A visa issued in Australia before the 1st November 2019 was arriving in BKK not acceptable without insurance resulting in a 30 day to get me back to CNX.  In CNX I eventually had my visa reinstated but not the multiple re-entry . I now have to get a re-entry each time I leave Thailand.    In summation I would suggest avoiding re-entry via BKK, their interpretation was polite but unrelenting about the need for insurance. CNX seems a little more understanding as long as it does not have to be ' kicked up stairs to BKK for a ruling '.

A similar thing happened to a friend of mine returning through Phuket in early February - no health insurance so they only stamped him in for 30 days. He eventually did a border crossing and re-entry at Nong Khai to get the 12 month stamp.

6 hours ago, Assurancetourix said:

 

The sea in Phuket is always dangerous, even when the flag is green;
only excellent swimmers can venture a little offshore and provided that they do so in a group

Wildly inaccurate statement. Might be true during wet season but not at this time of year.

1 hour ago, tweedledee2 said:

  When flying AirAsia their policy is you have to use the same ID at check-in that was used for booking the flight. I believe the only option to book online for a foreigner is with a Passport. Thai nationals can book using either their Passport or Thai ID. My Thai daughter and I flew from Bangkok to Buriram last week and check-in staff would not accept a photo of her ID card on my phone and they requested the actual card which she had.

Just flew Udon Thani-Bangkok and return with Air Asia in the last fortnight. They refused to accept my Thai DL and insisted on my passport.

1 hour ago, CGW said:

^ You had best go ahead and "despair" as the situation (social divide) is only going to get worse, with the present "government" who have guaranteed they or there ilk will be staying in power for a long time to come. ???? 

I can only agree. I just never knew it was as bad as it is. I suspect you are right that it is only going to get worse.

Anyone else see the article in the online edition of the BP today where the chairman of the government-appointed committe on disparities is reported as telling a forum that "1% of the (Thai) populaion holds 60% of the country's wealth and owns 25% of the nation's land title deeds".

I found this absolutely gobsmacking and leads me to despair for the future of this country.

Refer to the table in this link to see what the situation is in other countries.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20181107-what-we-just-dont-understand-about-the-1

Interesting thread.

Here's the link to the Discovery Centre:

https://discovery-garden.net/thai-vanilla-is-as-tasty-as-the-original/#more-820

I'm less than 2 hours from Nong Khai so I will check it out next time I'm there. Sounds like they have lots of exotic plants for sale.

2 hours ago, ukrules said:

I wouldn't be so sure about the 40k/65k per month method.

 

I suspect it will be lump sums only. This is just a hunch of course.

Yes, I think you are correct. For those countries whose embassies won't issue "letters" I can see it being lump sums only.

4 minutes ago, mogandave said:

 

Shots in the US are 1 1/2 oz ~ 45ml

 

Didn't know that, thanks. What about Thailand?

22 hours ago, cat handler said:

I have now finally found out why, in Australia the standard “shot” of spirits is 30ml, in the US I believe it is higher, however in Thailand it’s 15ml (a half shot) and they only use a full shot for Thai Whiskey.

That's not my experience of the bars I drink at in Thailand. Currently I drink at two different bars in Udon Thani where it's definitely 30 ml shots. Can anyone else comment on this aspect of the OP.

Thanks giddyup, that's interesting.

I was in Power Buy today and spotted TCL and Aconatic 55" TVs which were surprisingly cheap. Anyone have any knowledge of or experience with these brands?

4 hours ago, idman said:

I see the lovely Dr.Vachiraporn Sujaritwanichpong, now that's a mouthful, at Chiang Mai Ram Skin Center.  She is well trained as she did her internship and residency in Dermatology at Boston University and she speaks perfect English.  I have nothing but great things to say about her and recommend her.  She is there with the exception of Wednesday and Saturday.  Just walk in and make an appointment, you never have to wait more than a few days if your schedule is flexible.  She also told me to use Aldara and where to buy it OTC here in Chiang Mai, head to your nearest Pharma Choice Pharmacy and ask for it, if they are out they will contact another shop and get it for you or tell you which branch has it and where it is located.

I can endorse Idman's comments about Dr Vachiraporn. I have a long history of skin cancers and had been searching unsuccessfully for a dermatologist in Thailand in whom I had full confidence. Visited Dr Vacjraporn in January and was most impressed with her competence and professionalism.

18 hours ago, charly58 said:

Im in korat and do my 90 day report sometimes in pattaya no problems!

Sent from my SM-T715Y using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

I am registered at Sakon Nakon Immigration and tried to do 90 day report at Udon Thani only to be told I must report to Sakon.

8 hours ago, bazza73 said:

The Australian embassy does not provide a letter of income - that would be taking on responsibility, which bureaucrats hate doing. They will notarise a statutory declaration by me concerning my monthly income. I understand other Australians have successfully applied for retirement extensions on the basis of a statutory declaration. I will be checking with my visa agent to verify this.

Yes, I have utilised a stat dec from the Australian Embassy for my last 5 retirement extensions without being required by the Embassy to provide any proof of income. Most recently in October last year. There were some recent comments on TV to the effect that the Embassy may in the future require proof of income before notarising the stat dec but I am unaware whether that is now the case. Guess I will find out in October.

Yes, can, but gambling is illegal in Thailand.

Been vaping publicly in and around Udon Thani for 3 years without any problems.

Can no longer find Gatorade ANYWHERE and Nicorette gum disappeared from pharmacies about 18 months ago never to be sighted again!

On 05/11/2016 at 1:09 AM, Damrongsak said:

 

I've always been rather like that.  When I was very young, my Mom stopped punishing me by making me stand in a corner, facing the wall.  Said it didn't do any good and I would just play with the dust bunnies or whatever, to her embarrassment.  I enjoyed it, I guess.  Although I do like being on the periphery of people and conversations.  More so now that I'm older.  But conversation has to be like tennis, lobbing the ball back and forth. It's not a game to be won, it's a pastime.  Like posting here.

 

When I went to Thailand 40 years ago, I would walk around my small town if I got bored in the evening.  With my limited Thai, I would talk to a shopkeeper for a minute, then move on down the street and have about the same conversation with the next person.  Over and over again. In a small town, they soon get to know your face.  Thereafter, all you have to do is lift you head, say "uuh" and smile as you go by.  Tease little kids and watch them run away giggling.

 

Can't say anything much about Cambodia or Vietnam, as I have not visited.  I have one Cambodian buddy here in the U.S. and he is the nicest guy one could hope to know.  I'd trust him with my life.

 

As for Vietnam, my wife's clan is from there, still some left including her older sister.  Last week she went there to visit for the first time ever, for two weeks.  Today I was on Facebook video chat with them.  Mostly grinning and bowing and a few words of English.  One nephew is a mechanical engineer and quite a nice boy.  There was an old man and the cutest 8 year old girl.  And a crappy connection.  But all having a good time. 

 

OK, Dotpoom, "what about yourself" 55555

 

 

I have no idea what your point is. 

Henning Mankel, and Jo Nesbo as recommended above.

I reported online successfully in early January.

I now want to print the receipt. I check the status online and it shows the status as "approved" but when I click on the magnifying glass option under "View" it opens a new page with nothing on it.

Anyone else had this problem and managed to resolve?

Again, many thanks for the replies; in particular, ubonjoe and Jpinx on the work permit issue. Will now have to give this matter some more thought.