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234872_1469957439

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Posts posted by 234872_1469957439

  1. I'm planning my return to Thailand.  Realised that I'm not going to have time to go to a copy shop to make a hardcopy of my PCR test (the one I take less than 72 hours prior to departure)... Unless I pay £60 more for an express service.

     

    Will I be asked for a hardcopy?  Either at Heathrow (Flying Qatar), or at the Thai end?   Can i show them the test results on my phone or tablet? 

     

    Or perhaps there's a convenient place to make hardcopies within Heathrow terminal 5?

  2. Oh!  Will I need an onward ticket for my COE?  I think usually I could probably just buy a single. I have a reentry visa for my extension of stay + o visa based on retirement.

     

    My second question is whether "renting" an outward ticket could allow someone to skimp on covid insurance?  (though not sure if I would risk it).  By only buying insurance to the fake date of exit. Maybe 3 months instead of 6.

  3. I didn't realise before the insurance applies to both options, So I'm favouring the sandbox scheme now.  Let's focus on that. 

     

    Any leads for cheaper insurance?  I've started shopping around and six months insurance is around £400.  I only need 5 months (possibly 4), and I don't need all the travel insurance stuff (except perhaps refunds if I get a positive PCR test before departure).  Any leads on cheaper insurance deals?

     

    Specifically, what's the minimum safe time to apply for COE in the UK?

     

    I heard that an additional PCR test might be required to leave Phuket and travel to Bangkok.  Is that right?  Any other complications getting from Phuket to Bangkok?

     

    I'm not sure when in October I will travel.  The date could be sprung on me at short notice.  (Selling a house, completion date unknown). It might be that the conveyancers drag their feet so much I can utilise the Bangkok sandbox.  But I don't want to hang around in the UK too long once I have nowhere to live.  That's why the COE delay is a factor. 

    • Like 1
  4. @BritTim.. So you're saying that covid insurance is indeed required for ASQ?  (Originally it was only required for the sandbox option).  I didn't even realise that COE was required for ASQ now. 

     

    CORRECTION:  In my original post, I meant to write: "Another factor is the delay of obtaining an COE" (not ASQ). 

  5. I've been away from Thailand for a few months.  Planning my return early October.  I'm a UK citizen, living in Bangkok, on a retirement non-imm-"O" Visa extension of stay valid until 19th February 2022.  I have a reentry visa.  I am double vaccinated. 

     

    I am weighing up the pros and cons of ASQ vs Phuket Sandbox (it would have been Bangkok Sandbox, but that has been pushed back.)

     

    When I looked into this months ago, the cost of insurance (5 months) made me favour the ASQ on the basis of cost.  Have things changed now?   Does anyone have any leads on good insurance deals? 

     

    Do I need insurance for ASQ now?  Some months ago this was only a requirement for the Sandbox?  Is there any problem obtaining insurance or COE for my non-imm-O extension of stay?  (rather than being on a tourist visa)

     

    If I went for the Phuket Sandbox, I would have to travel home to Bangkok after (and I read that additional Covid tests could be required), vs the convenience of ASQ in Bangkok.

     

    Another factor is the delay of obtaining an ASQ.  I've seen websites that state a minimum of 5 to 15 working days prior to travel.  Do they mean one week or 3?

     

    I'd also be interested in the views of other expats who have returned to Thailand, and considered ASQ vs. Sandbox options. 

  6. Lots of trial and error... and nothing worked.  Just tried Safari and Chrome on the Mac, then downloaded Firefox and tried that too.  I still think the missing link for that jQuery library is suspicious... but if it's working for everyone else maybe that's a red herring.

     

    I'll give up on doing this online from now on and next time try by post.

     

    What is the least busy day of the week for chaengwattana?

     

     

  7. 7 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

    All of it including the 2 letters.

    It helps to only complete the required fields marked with a *.

    Have you gotten a new passport since you last entry?

    No new passport.  I just tried removing all non-essential (non-*) fields.  Same problem.  In a while, I'll try again from scratch on the Mac again.

  8. I'll just clarify a few things...

    1. This is my first online report.  My first 90 day report was made in-person (beacuse they told me I couldn't do the first one online)

    2. For my Arrival Card number, I've tried BOTH with and without the two letter prefix.  (MQ4.... and 4....)

    3. My Arrived in Thailand date was end of April.

    4. I'm using Google Chrome... I've tried both with and without IE10 emulation using Chrome UA Spoofer.

    5. I have tried both my Mac and Linux laptops.

    6. url is https://extranet.immigration.go.th/fn90online/online/tm47/TM47Action.do

    7. jQuery library link at https://extranet.immigration.go.th/fn90online/online/tm47/includes/jquery/jquery-1.9.0.js is broken.

  9. The online 90 reporting website has been broken all though the Christmas and New Year periods.  I thought now that the holiday period is over they may have fixed it.  And it's my last day and last chance to get this done online before my due date next week.

    The jQuery javascript link is broken... so when you submit the first page of the form... it doesn't work.

    I tried the 1111 number... useless!... It took me ages to convince the idiot on the end of the phone that I was using the website correctly - it just isn't working properly.  Then he was unable to log a fault, or do anything useful.

    At the moment - as I'm typing this... I'm on-hold trying to get through to ChaengWattana.  If I eventually get through, I don't expect them to do anything - because they're all bloody useless.  Does anyone know the direct number for the website team?

    So what are my other options?  To save me wasting hours at ChaengWattana next week.  Too late by post.

    • Like 1
  10. I want to apply for an exit visa for a trip in December.  I haven't bought any flight tickets yet.  But I've got to go to Chaeng Wattana anyway in a day or two (for my 90 day report-in).

     

    When I fill-in the form - how crucial is it that my departure and return dates on the form tally with the dates I ACTUALLY travel?  I read a comment on another topic that suggested they don't need to be exact.

     

    If I do need to be exact?... Has anyone got their exit visa from the Airport on the way out?... How much is it?  How long does it take to process?  Anything I need to know?

  11. I've recently obtained my first year visa based on retirement.  My first 90 report is scheduled for October... and I've been asked to come in-person to the Immigration office.  I have questions:-

     

    1. What will this report-in entail?  What documentation will I need?  Financial documents again?  Or just residence address?

     

    2. When I got my visa, I asked about online 90-reporting... and they said my first report-in would be in-person.  How do I change to online reporting?

     

    3. Can I spend my money now?  I have the requisite 800,000 Baht in a Thai savings account... can I transfer some to my current account?  Do I need to continuously maintain an amount over the threshold?... or can I just top things up again next year - when I renew?

  12. 10 minutes ago, reargunnerph3 said:

    Report a scam to the Police.

    I think we may have nipped this in the bud.  After I talked to her - she called him out on his bullshit and demanded they video call so he would show his face.  She ended up with a voice call - and she says his English wasn't too good.  (Nigerian?).  Then she blocked him.

     

    I don't think any parcels had been dispatched yet - but I'll check.

     

    The Thai Police?  I thought the policy was never to involve them in anything if you can help it.  As they will only try and exploit the situation for their own financial gain.  But that's probably only as a foreigner .... Ok, I'll suggest she talks to the police.

    • Like 2
  13. A Thai friend of mine has been writing to a guy for four months.  This morning she sent me some of the latest messages - as she'd got a little suspicious.  I knew it was a scam straight away.  The question is... what can she do at this stage to protect herself?

     

    He claims that he's sending her a parcel containing valuable gifts.  When she confirms receipt of the parcel - he will give her details of his flight... so she can wait for him at the airport.

    He will hand the parcel over the freight courier services (f.c.s).

     

    He has asked for her personal details... name passport number, address etc.  Unfortunately - she didn't smell a rat quickly enough, and gave him all of this - but she doesn't have a passport... so she showed him her Thai ID card.

     

    (Presumably... the sting will come when she needs to pay "taxes" to receive the parcel... and fake f.c.s. will contact her?  or maybe she needs to bail him out being "detained" at the airport)

     

    Anyway - what is her next step now?  How much damage is already done now he has her personal details?

    • Sad 1
  14. On 2 March 2018 at 4:40 PM, koo said:

    I'm just wondering what is it with importing computers from Canada or USA?  Makes absolutely no sense, since the are all manufactured in China or Taiwan, and can be most probably bought in Thailand far cheaper than US/Canada. Am I missing a crucial technical point here?

    Yes.  As stated before - this is not a run-of-the-mill laptop.  It's unlikely you'll find many of these in Asia.  Google it.  System 76 Galago Pro.  

  15. On 8 February 2018 at 3:03 PM, OJAS said:

    If your Malaysian trips take you anywhere near Penang have you considered the possibility of obtaining a non-O visa there as an alternative to a non-O conversion in Bangkok...

    I was in Penang... but last time I looked into getting it done there - the problem was a "proof of retirement"... that they don't impose in Bangkok.

    Another Question.... If I get a non-Imm O-Visa.... how could I leave the country during that 3 months ?  Am I free to leave the country?  Does leaving the country invalidate it?  Or do I need to get a re-entry visa?

  16. Just now, khunken said:

    I've no idea about the Canadian postal service but if it's any good, use them to send the laptop to Thailand. Goods received here via the overseas & Thai postal service are rarely subject to the tax rip-offs that come from the couriers. It will take a little longer but it's worth the wait.

    Thanks for the tip.  I didn't realise that standard postal service would be different.

  17. 5 hours ago, dsj said:

    I would suggest buying it here.

    For a run-of-the mill laptop such as Asus, Apple, Dell, Microsoft etc... I'd buy it here.  But this is a laptop not many people would have heard of - and the company don't even ship it to Thailand.  There will be very few of these - if any - in Asia.  A System 76 Galogo Pro.  A linux laptop.

     

    ... So basically - would I be better off booking a hotel in Malaysia for a few days?, receiving it there? - and just carrying back as my luggage?  It's a hassle - when I'd rather just receive it here and pay 7%.  (Also this puts my o-visa application on-hold for a little longer while I faff around leaving the country again)

     

    To clarify...

     

    A. Is the problem that stuff gets held up at customs and the Thai officials  slap random extra charges on?

    or B. That the Courier Agents attempt to scam you?

  18. I am watching the other thread.  And thanks for confirming only 7%.  Having someone fly from Canada is likely not an option.  (Though as I said in my initial post - I was considering receiving it in Malaysia - and flying into Thailand with it).

     

    @RichCor... That's the problem- I have to trust to LUCK.  We all know it SHOULD be just 7% fee - but there's still the possibility that Thai customs will ask for a higher fee.  Thai institutions make it up as they go along - they don't seem to follow rational processes or rules.  Then what do I do? - if they insist on adding 70-80% of the laptop's new value.  (Technically it's second-hand - though almost new).  If I refuse to pay will it be returned to sender? ... Will the sender have to pay extra then?

     

    Has anyone actually used a courier that quoted the 7% tax - and that's what they got charged?

  19. Someone wants to send me a laptop from Canada.  (An individual, not a company - and they're flexible about how to send it, and how to describe it on the packet).

     

    When I Googled Thai import tax - I nearly fell of my chair!  Up to 60%, and some people have talked about 80%!.  I don't mind paying around 10% if  have to... but how do I avoid extortionate fees?  I've heard that electronic goods are exempt - but some people are still being charged.

    I did consider taking a flight to Malaysia, booking a hotel, and receiving it there - and avoiding the hassle.

     

    (BTW... I did search forums... and I even noticed a similar thread recently... but less confusing to ask about MY specific situation here.  So don't flame me for not searching first).

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