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eppic

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  1. Actually, this is not completely accurate (we moved to Phils from BKK a few months ago). Bank rules vary slightly, but its pretty universal that you do have to be a resident and in fact they will ask for the ACR (residence card) and lease agreement. In fact, even Filipinos must have a valid written lease agreement or proof of home ownership, which is part of the reason a very large proportion of Filipinos are unbanked (cash is still king here). We spoke to several banks and I have never heard of 3-yr rule, although its possible it exists at a bank I never spoke with. In the end, I decided to not bother with getting accounts in my name -- my wife is a Filipina, so eventually (after securing apartment lease, etc.) we were able to open accounts in her name. I still can't open an account as I have no intention to get the ACR card since I can get a 12-month stamp at entry as long as I arrive with her -- very easy and puts the Thailand spouse visa (or any other visa) to shame. Bottom line, if you close the account it will be impossible to open a new one without moving here and officially stablishing residency
  2. Ubonjoe or anyone with direct knowledge, is it still true that children under 12 are not fined for overstay? Our 6-yr-old is currently on overstay because we did not want to repeatedly take him to crowded immigration while forcing him to miss school. Before this visa-exempt arrival we had always extended him as required but we are now leaving permanently in a few days. I just want to be prepared with 20k baht in hand if there is any chance we will be fined upon departure. TIA
  3. Thanks, may I assume the Samitivej booth provides some sort of certificate for travel? We are going to Philippines which also accepts rapid antigen but I want to make sure they will provide the necessary document showing it was administered by healthcare professionals. Traveling with family so we can't risk it if there is any doubt.
  4. We are in a similar situation, arrived on 22 Dec. At MTT, my wife and I were both unlucky to get the infamous "dragon lady" who seems to scold and shout at everyone. In my case, after seeing I had requested 60 days, she loudly announced "no more 60 days!" to me (this was my first ever Covid extension) then asked me to physically write down the date I would be departing, although she did not demand an air ticket. She was not quite as aggressive with my Asian wife, but still demanded an exact departure date. So some immigration officers would clearly prefer to stop allowing extensions if it is within their power to do so. Not sure if we would actually attempt another extension since we plan to leave anyway, and not sure of the purpose of asking for a written departure date other than perhaps the intimidation factor. Just another day at immigration in the Land of Smiles, really makes us feel so welcome here ????
  5. Having lived in Singapore (15 years), Thailand (7), US, UK (1) and Japan (2)... and married to a Filipina, I would also personally choose Spain (Malaga or Valencia area)... The never-mentioned problem is, if you have any decent income or assets Spain is a horrible tax trap. Tax worldwide income at very high rates and also a horrendous wealth tax on worldwide assets. Great place if you have no (or very little) income or assets, I guess. My favorite place for women probably Indonesia, wow, amazing (nevermind that they are Muslim, they don't care!). Malaysia? hell no. At least SE Asia countries don't tax worldwide, so I don't get the oft-repeated line that no one with money would want SEA...at least you can keep it, whereas Spain will try to take it all!
  6. A bit off topic, but in the Phils location is very important. Some wonderful places, some horrible. Better beaches than Thailand for certain (my wife is from Illoilo on Panay island, home of Boracay). Manila mostly horrible but BGC district (where we will move) better and more civilized than anywhere in Bangkok. Plus, Philippines wins on being accepted as a foreigner, ain't gonna happen in Thailand.
  7. Screw this. Meanwhile, Philippines just announced full reopening Feb 10 with an end to quarantine for fully vaccinated so we can finally make our permanent exit. It's time for Thailand to end this nonsense.
  8. You might also consider Hansar on Mahadlekluang 2. Many of the benefits of Magnolias but a much calmer, zen feel (Japanese designed) and this is big - a private lift. Attached to a hotel so can get room service, etc, but no heavy traffic - very serene - and kitchen far superior to Magnolias (more of a bachelor pad kitchen). We lived there for eight years and loved it (get the RBSC view if possible).
  9. There are already numerous threads in this topic, just go back a few days. Bottom line, just book at MedPark. Forge t Bumrungrad, still refusing to provide a date (could be months away) but Medpark is taking appointments for late Jan into Feb. We just did this a week ago. Contact them on Line first for further instructions.
  10. Agree. Best area in BKK, actually walkable! We were on Mahadlekluang 2 for eight years, would also consider Magnolias right on Ratchadamri if single (a friend stays there, very nice). Another fantastic area very nearby is Sindhorn Village off Langsuan with the new HiSo mall... Wonderful green oasis in BKK. We would probably move there if not leaving Thailand soon.
  11. There are a few threads on this topic. We also got "Pfizered" in the US in early August and went looking for a booster here. Bumrungrad still refuses to give an appointment (just vague timeline, possibly Q2) for Moderna so screw them. BKK Hospital had Shopee vouchers for Moderna but now disappeared, so maybe sold out. In the end we contacted Medpark via Line a couple of days ago. Next day got email instructions on how to book (bank transfer 1650 first) and appointment dates from 25 Jan onward. Requested Jan 25, two days later got a call from a polite Filipino (obvious due to perfect English) and are now booked for the 25th. Moral of the story, just book at Medpark and save the hassles...not worth 1650 baht (US$49) to register and wait in some government queue to get jabbed like cattle at a stadium. We personally prefer a Moderna booster after Pfizer, but your options would be more limited if you insist on Pfizer.
  12. Thanks. It sounds like some of your response pertains to the Covid extension, so did you mean regular 30 day extension followed by a 60-day Covid extension prior to Jan 25? That may not work for us (entry on 22Dec, so 30 day extension would go to around 20Feb) but is worth a try if it appears Covid extensions will end 25Jan - we only want one of those anyway so we can depart in April (Covid-permitting at destination).
  13. Just to bump this thread rather than create a new one: At MTT is the 30-day extension effective from application date or waiver expiration date? If expiration date, how early can the extension be obtained? (10-14 days okay?) No onward ticket requirement, correct? TIA
  14. Has anyone purchased a Moderna booster recently and given an actual date / appointment (in BKK)? If so at which hospital? I know it can be done at many private hospitals including our usual Bumrungrad but their site is very hazy on the date -- sometime in Q1 or Q2 -- which could mean January or June, so not really helpful. I know there may be Facebook transfer options but I am more comfortable just going to the source.
  15. May I ask where this (QR scan and notice of need for 2nd PCR test) took place? Was it at immigration or the hotel? Did you need to sign an acknowledgement?
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