Moving to BKK in a few days and looking for last minute advice...

[Mascot]

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Good day Folks!

So I have posted on here to ask a few general questions in the past and I have received a lot of helpful advise back so I thought I would ask a few final questions before I move.

As it stands, I'm set and ready with a plane ticket in hand, but I was just wondering if there is any other suggestions, advice or things that I'm forgetting to consider buying, bringing or taking care of before I make the big move. I wanted to do my best to cover all the basics, but I also wanted advice from people like yourselves that live there and have been through what I am about to do too.

Here's what I have so far.....

-Canadian Passport - (lots of time before it expires)

-60 day double entry visa (120 day)

-BS degree, copies of transcripts + TEFL as I intend to teach English or teach another subject in

general

-I have a copy of my criminal record check (clean...lol)

-Relatively comfortable with my finances - no debts back home ect

-I already have accommodations

-Vaccinations shots

Here's what I wanted to make sure I was doing right....

-I have a one way ticket from Canada to BKK and a exit ticket to Singapore before the first 60 day visa expires. Does that sound fine? Or is Singapore not an option....what country(s) would be best?

-Cell phone (Iphone 4 or 4s) - Does anyone know if I can get the chip/card changed in BKK and use it there? Or is it just better to buy a new phone once I get there?

Other then that, like I said before I was just looking for any quick thoughts or advice from the people that would know better then I would at this point. I'm in this for the long term....or better said, I'm going to give this a full effort on my part to try for the long term....lol....Heck, most of you have been in my shoes starting at day 1 at some point eh!

Thanks for any advice as it's much appreciated!

Cheers!

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[ubonjoe]

You don't have to leave after the first 60 days you can get a 30 day extension at immigration that costs 1900 baht. Then you can just make a border run to use the 2nd entry.

Up to you whether you use the ticket to Singapore or not.

If your phone is not locked to a carrier in the UK you can get a SIM card for it at many places. If locked there are shops that can handle that for a fee.

[Mascot]

Thats awesome UbonJoe! Great advice as always....Thanks Eh!

[watcharacters]

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Did you take care of having mail and etc forwarded or sent to a mail handling service?

[Mascot]

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Did you take care of having mail and etc forwarded or sent to a mail handling service?

Good call! And yes I did take care of all of that. I have most of my mail either e-statements or sent accordingly. Thanks

[Mrjlh]

If your current phone is a "4 Band" phone", it will work anywhere in the world.

Make color copies of your passport picture page and visa page. Put them is several places, each luggage piece, computer case carry on. Just in case things get lost.

Also reduce your passport page and visa page to a wallet size and laminate them. Carry that instead of your passport which should be secured away in a room or hotel safe.

Watch for pickpockets in crowded stores, trains, buses, and the BTS system. Never put your wallet in your back pocket.

Other than that ....enjoy.

[HooHaa]

perhaps flight on to Laos would be considerably cheaper than singapore and easier to extend or get new visa

[Mascot]

If your current phone is a "4 Band" phone", it will work anywhere in the world.

Make color copies of your passport picture page and visa page. Put them is several places, each luggage piece, computer case carry on. Just in case things get lost.

Also reduce your passport page and visa page to a wallet size and laminate them. Carry that instead of your passport which should be secured away in a room or hotel safe.

Watch for pickpockets in crowded stores, trains, buses, and the BTS system. Never put your wallet in your back pocket.

Other than that ....enjoy.

I'm starting to thing I am more prepared then I thought.....lol....I have multiple copies just as your post states.....haha....but thanks for the reminder! As for the phone....I think I am best to buy a new one as I as having problems with this one anyways...Thx again!

[kurnell]

I like to carry one of those bottle opener key rings, as you never know when you are going to be caught without a devise for opening beer bottles

[Mascot]

I like to carry one of those bottle opener key rings, as you never know when you are going to be caught without a devise for opening beer bottles

Thinking "outside the box"....awesome idea! Also, has anyone tried a "Power Bank"? I was wondering if there worth it.

[kurnell]

I like to carry one of those bottle opener key rings, as you never know when you are going to be caught without a devise for opening beer bottles

Thinking "outside the box"....awesome idea! Also, has anyone tried a "Power Bank"? I was wondering if there worth it.

For the iphone? The one that attaches to the back?

[Mascot]

I like to carry one of those bottle opener key rings, as you never know when you are going to be caught without a devise for opening beer bottles

Thinking "outside the box"....awesome idea! Also, has anyone tried a "Power Bank"? I was wondering if there worth it.

For the iphone? The one that attaches to the back?

Yeah it's for the IPhone....I think I remember seeing one that goes on your keychain. It charges from your computer....something like that.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Medical insurance??

Mac

[Mascot]

Medical insurance??

Mac

Does anyone have any advice on Medical insurance? I do plan on finalizing employment around May and from my understanding if it is a reputable school they will provide health care (although I could be wrong too)

Thanks,

[Thainess]

perhaps flight on to Laos would be considerably cheaper than singapore and easier to extend or get new visa

Completely wrong on that. Singapore is the cheapest country to fly to from Thailand (£40 single and sometimes £70 return), followed by Malaysia for about £45-50. The cheapest single ticket to Laos is about £80 with Lao Airlines (dodgy) or Bangkok Airways, plus you need to pay for the Lao visa. Singapore is visa-free but apart from that, one of the most expensive places on the planet, so it's always recommended to fly to Singapore and come back on the same day...

Also completely wrong that it's easier to get a Thai visa in Laos. Much easier in Singapore because the embassy is well organised, as is the whole city. The only thing with Singapore is that hotels are at least double the price of Thailand, so when a flight costs only £40 it can be cheaper to fly to Singapore and back in one day rather than staying 1 or 2 nights in a hotel in Singapore to get the Thai visa. You can do it the next day if you plan well, but even then, with the cost of the visa and a decent hotel being £100+, you can just fly out of BKK to SIN and back the same day and get 1 month on arrival, and it costs you less money.

[thepool]

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Medical insurance??

Mac

Does anyone have any advice on Medical insurance? I do plan on finalizing employment around May and from my understanding if it is a reputable school they will provide health care (although I could be wrong too)

Thanks,

If you find good employment you will be covered under the Thai "social security" scheme which is very limited. My advise would be to obtain 12 months worth of Travel Insurance which will give time for an exploration of the local private insurance offerings.

As you are young I suggest you look at the Thai BUPA offerings which will enable access to the very best of medical care.

[dddave]

Have you arranged with either a person or a mail forwarding agency to sort your mail and forward important items?

[kurnell]

I like to carry one of those bottle opener key rings, as you never know when you are going to be caught without a devise for opening beer bottles

Thinking "outside the box"....awesome idea! Also, has anyone tried a "Power Bank"? I was wondering if there worth it.

For the iphone? The one that attaches to the back?

Yeah it's for the IPhone....I think I remember seeing one that goes on your keychain. It charges from your computer....something like that.

I have the one that slides on the back. It makes the phone bulky and heavy, but I get 2 full charges out of it so it lasts all days no matter what

[ubonjoe]

perhaps flight on to Laos would be considerably cheaper than singapore and easier to extend or get new visa

Completely wrong on that. Singapore is the cheapest country to fly to from Thailand (£40 single and sometimes £70 return), followed by Malaysia for about £45-50. The cheapest single ticket to Laos is about £80 with Lao Airlines (dodgy) or Bangkok Airways, plus you need to pay for the Lao visa. Singapore is visa-free but apart from that, one of the most expensive places on the planet, so it's always recommended to fly to Singapore and come back on the same day...

Also completely wrong that it's easier to get a Thai visa in Laos. Much easier in Singapore because the embassy is well organised, as is the whole city. The only thing with Singapore is that hotels are at least double the price of Thailand, so when a flight costs only £40 it can be cheaper to fly to Singapore and back in one day rather than staying 1 or 2 nights in a hotel in Singapore to get the Thai visa. You can do it the next day if you plan well, but even then, with the cost of the visa and a decent hotel being £100+, you can just fly out of BKK to SIN and back the same day and get 1 month on arrival, and it costs you less money.

It is possible to travel to Vientiane on a domestic flight to Udon Thani then it is short van trip to the bridge in Nong Kai. Plus a person can also travel overland to Nong Kai. Another cost factor you must also consider is transport and hotels in Singapore that are more expensive.

You evidently have not read all the reports I have read of people being turned away for a visa or being treated rudely by the staff at the embassy in Singapore.

Another significant factor is that Singapore only does single entry tourist visas and has been reported as wanting a ticket out of the country to get one. A 2 entry visa can be obtained in Laos with no tickets required.

[FritsSikkink]

BS degree, copies of transcripts + TEFL as I intend to teach English or teach another subject in general

You can't work on a tourist visa.

[TerryLH]

"If you find good employment you will be covered under the Thai "social security" scheme which is very limited."

Employees at some places that offer 'good employment' are not eligible for Social Security. Private schools, for instance.

thepool, can you elaborate on what you mean by SS being 'very limited'?

Other than being assigned to a specific hospital, the actual health coverage is pretty good.

Terry