andreww

Just an update: got my Thai will written, translated to English and signed at a local law office for 6500 thb, gotta deposit it to amphur and have piece of mind on this matter. Whoever quotes 10k+ is simply trying to bank from your unawareness, just open google maps and call around for better quotes, took my wife whole 10 minutes to fine a good deal. First overpriced lawyer was recommended by my wife's freind, but the friend's family is top 0.0001% richest family in Thailand, and I guess her lawyer is very well aware of that. Or maybe she expected a laundry list of assets to enumerate with all the labour involved, not sure.

Folks, sorry to hijack the topic, but since I can see some knowledgeable people in here, maybe someone can clarify how much making a will or POA cost here? I asked couple of lawyers, and was invited to pay 25-50k thb, is it real for what is basically a templated document? Also, can foreign residents (i.e. my overseas relatives) be included in my will? Or I can draft a simple power of attorney allowing them access to assets? Will Thai banks accept such document? Thanks in advance.

I change 3-4 out of 6 stages of my filter every 6 months, and this time it was especially sakapok, due to some recent pipe maintanance in the building. The filtered water was still pure and clean, but pressure was not sufficient, and if I hadn't UV-stage, i'd be reluctant to drink that water even after filtering.

Thai Embassy in China requires my friend to book a hotel for whole 2 months while she's in Thailand even though she owns an apartment to stay here! Are there any grounds for such requirement?

Hello, My Chinese friend is currently in the USA on a tourist visa (B-1, B-2) and she'd like to visit Thailand for ~60 days. I've heard that some Thai embassies refuse to issue visas to non-residents (never met such requirement in person though, had my visas issued in Australia, Malaysia and some other places, w/o being a resident there). Given that, she probably cannot apply for a tourist visa while in the US, what are other options for my friend to enter Thailand? On a 14-day stamp for Chinese tourist for example, and apply for some extension here? She's with money and quite old, so can apply for a retirement extension as well. Thank you in advance.

Thanks for response, @theoldgit, It's just a short 5 days leisure trip. We checked with the airline, they confirmed our predicament is not a problem for them, so fingers crossed everything goes smoothly on departure. Will update here.

@mjcm, can you please share how your situation was resolved? I'm facing similar situation: and wondering about recent experience others may have had.

There were some old posts about whether it's permitted for a Thai citizen to leave Thailand for a short trip with a passport expiring in less than 6 month, but I cannot find any updated info. We have travel plans arranged, and were supposed to renew kiddo's passport before departure, but due to some new / archaic rules, my ex-wife has to be present at the passport office, which she cannot do due to her work overseas (no Thai Embassy where she works). Has anyone had recent experience with this? Our only option (apart from cancelling the trip) is to try and check in anyway.. Wondering whether it's an official rule or some pre-cautionary measure airlines take... ps. Our son has 2 more passports to enter another country, but to leave Thailand he gotta use his Thai one.

The same story just repeated. Apparently despite the announcement that TM30 requirement was dropped, some (or all?) hotels still consistently update TM30 database messing up my residential address in the immigration database, so I have either to re-register myself at MY HOME upon return or fill 90 report with a hotel address where I stayed ovenight (which is even more fun in case immigration would want to look for me there).

Anyone had luck getting any money from them? At least the premium refund... This is mindblowing, a company can just say "sorry no money" and walk away from their liabilities, I wish an average consumer could do the same to the banks or hospitals. <deleted>.

UWC Thailand International School, located in Tambon Thepkrasattri, Thalang, in northern Phuket, has filed a formal petition against a slaughterhouse covering several rai from being built within 400 metres of the school. https://www.thephuketnews.com/uwc-phuket-petitions-against-slaughterhouse-near-school-83293.php

Some people would compare Phuket to Pattaya or Hua Hin... All I can say, those people been only to one of those places. Recently I had to go to Pattaya once, first time ever and last one I hope. Cannot even remotely begin to imagine why someone would pick that craphole to spend their holidays, let alone move to live there. That place is like a combination of worst things Thailand has to offer: bad city vibe, terrible beaches, lots of tourists, endless traffic jams and far from everywhere.

You just described Phuket. Not as affordable as Europe in general, but far better climate, sea swimable 365 days and surfeable 8+ months a year, close proximity to most Asian destinations and Australia, all intl. food you can eat, world class medical facilities and intl. schools etc etc. Most people (myself included, 15 years ago) disregard Phuket as an overly touristy destination, but a) there are plenty of mostly tourist-free expat-oriented areas b) during 2 years of COVID if was true paradise free of travelers, not sure whether it lasts though. I admit, it's hard to live here completely car-free, but you can find a place surrounded by shops not far from the beach, and online deilvery options reduce necessity to go shopping altogether.

not sure they're cheapest, but their policy covers lots of stuff other insurers won't touch with a 6ft pole. We tried looking for alternatives (just not to miss out on good deals laying around), and even agents from other insurers (not brokers) keep telling us that PC's cover is far superiour.

Bangtao beach looks like the filth on the photos above: full of umbrellas, deckchairs and cheap Thai food joints nearby. Looks totally f#cked comparing to other pristine Phuket beaches. Surin was in similar state prior pandemic, but I heard no beach chairs there, just lots of street food on the road along the beach. Hopefully such cancer won't spread to other beaches and Phuket stays beautiful..