UTH001

I like to go to Vientiane for a day trip. Seem to recall that after Covid, a one night stay was required but don't know if that rule/requirement still exists. Possibly now to just enter Laos in the morning and return to Thailand in the afternoon (with Thai re-entry visa)?

I agree, don't think too many won't visit because of that fee. BUT: I am also annoyed that I will have to pay this fee each time I enter. But I am curious how they will include that fee in the ticket price, but exclude Thai nationals. Will they require airlines and booking systems to change their IT systems to make that distinction? Or eventually set up kiosks at airports instead? In addition to the absolutely useless re-entry visa (Bt. 1,000), double or triple pricing (plus their plans to make hotel rooms for foreigners more expensive...) and me paying Thai Income tax each year (which close to 90% of Thais do NOT...). And being required to have Bt. 800,000 in my account for five months of the year, yip, they really make foreigners welcome!

Just started taking Melatonin 2mg, not working for me. Increased to 6mg (three tablets), still not being able to sleep well. At least though, no hangover feeling in the morning. Guess it works for some people and not for others. I wish I could get cannabis on prescription...

Would be interesting to know what actually happened to the 'boyfriend'...

My experience? I get a tax residence certificate each year. But ONLY after I have paid some taxes here. Not paying any taxes = no tax residence certificate, at least in Udon Thani! Same with the Thai Income Tax number, by they way. You only get that, once you are paying taxes.

My US friends in Texas are fully vaccinated and boostered. All four of them (two adults, two kids) had Covid last month. Feeling a bit unwell for two days, and that was that. Less symptoms than that of a flu...

Well, I am thrilled for you, of course. But there is possibly a slight difference between ME LIVING HERE and YOU NOT. AXA travel insurance is not accepted (purchased locally, which I have to do as I live here!), I am told to buy AXA SAWADEE instead. And I rarely to never write rubbish, just by the way!

You are aware that Thai Immigration (to the best of my knowledge) does not accept normal Travel Insurance. Even though many cover Covid and for far more than just US$10,000? I would be happy to have travel insurance. I do object though to an insurance with higher premium (compared to Travel Insurance) and fewer benefits!

Really don't quite understand all this: AXA has a normal travel insurance (Bt. 3,138 for one year) that covers medical expenses like Covid up to Bt. 2,000,000 (US$59,000). Now that the requirement has been dropped to US$10,000, why is that insurance not acceptable. But one is required to buy the far far far more expensive AXA Sawasdee insurance?

What's that got to do with the topic at hand? Australia has had a history of very weird alcohol laws, mostly copied from the UK. I remember the days when being a 'bona fide' traveler, you could drink as much as you liked on a Sunday afternoon and then drive home...

Was told a few weeks ago by one Post Office that packages to the US can only be sent by courier, completely incorrect (and the 'suggested' rate was R2,150). Went to another post office and posted for R990 (airmail), without any problems. And yes, overseas shipping has become very expensive via Thai Post. Will no longer do it but post overseas, not worth it. Funny thing though? If I post in Germany via Deutsche Post / DHL to the US, the cost is a third, the new rates by Thai Post are a complete rip off.

Being a 'dirty falang', very interested what the 'rules' will be put in place for boosters after 2x Pfizer.

It would be more interesting to know how many international flights actually landed in Thailand last month (November), excluding cargo planes. Since there were only 133,294 international arrivals between November 1 and December 6 (3,702 per day on average, I could not find any data for November 1 to November 30 only), certainly 15,614 flight slot reservations are NOT required to carry that few passengers. I know that airlines currently make tons of money out of air cargo. But carrying on average only 8.5 passengers per plane is probably a bit ridiculous.

Personal choice is fine, I am all for it. But health insurance premiums for non vaxx people should increase as they pose a higher risk (and potentially higher cost to the insurer).

After all the glowing reports about Roojay, I signed up with them. I paid my premium on September 29, got the insurance papers on October 9 (via email) and then, nothing. I realized on October 27 that I had not received the insurance confirmation to be put onto the car window. I called, I was promised to get it via email (to print out myself). Nothing. I contacted them via the app on October 28, nothing. I called again today, someone eventually called me back. Turns out they 'forgot' to send it to me (not that they admitted to that, of course), only posted it on October 28, it is still 'on the way somewhere' (policy starts tomorrow). And all that seems perfectly ok for them, no apology, no nothing, <deleted> weak service, if you ask me.