kimjohansen

I have renewed my retirement visa myself for the past 19 years. Never a problem !! Previously it took about an hour, but now with the online appointment system, it takes less than 30 minutes. Fill in the application, attach your photo, update your bank book and obtain the bank verification letter the day before, attach all the required documentation copies and pay the fee . Once you get your passport back, get your re-entry stamp (last few years less than 15 minutes of time) and you are done. Since you can now do 90 reporting online, no need to see immigration until next year. Why pay an agent 7,500 + Baht ? I would rather spend the money on a nice getaway weekend with the girlfriend !!

My friend applied for his COVID visa extension yesterday 25 Jan 2022. This was his 7th time. It was business as usual, normal application process & paperwork, photo at the desk and 1,900 Baht. Two month extension granted. Bring the passport back in in one month for a stamp update good through the last week in March 2022. Historically, each time they have extended the program in the past, it has usually been two weeks prior to the current program expiration date.

I never said bookings via Agoda is "not possible". I said my Agoda booking through the LA consulate was rejected by both the consulate and hotel and I had to book directly with the hotel. I am sure different consulates around the world interpret the rules differently. Some may accept Agoda bookings and some like LA may reject them.

My information is based on my experience applying through the USA LA consulate. I initially applied using an Agoda booking using the link on the Consulate website. It was rejected by both the hotel and the consulate. The hotel said I had to book directly with them and they cancelled my Agoda booking. The LA consulate sent me their notification from their website that Agoda direct bookings are not accepted. You must submit a 14 prepaid invoice from the hotel and a SHA + certificate with registration number. I am sure there will be different experiences and time frames for processing a COE for different consulates around the world.

I am in Patong, Phuket now as part of the Sandbox program. Five of the last six restaurants I have had dinner at over the past week have served alcohol; beer, wine, cocktails !!

I am in Phuket now via the Sandbox process. You need to apply for a certificate of entry for the Phuket Sandbox model through a Thai Embassy or approved consulate (USA - LA, NYC, Chicago or Washington). The process takes 2 - 3 weeks if you already have a visa and entry stamp. Add an additional week if you need a visa. Basically you need the following to apply for the COE: current passport with at least 6 months validity, entry Visa, $100,000 USD Covid-19 travel insurance policy (issued online by a approved Thai insurance company, links on the embassy websites), vaccination certificate with approved vaccines, hotel booking direct with SHA + hotel in Phuket (you cannot book with any travel website like Agoda. It has to be direct with the hotel as they have to issue you a certificate with registration number needed for the COE application), direct flight into Phuket from outside Thailand (you cannot transit through Bangkok), fully paid invoice from the SHA + approved hotel for 14 days, separate fully pre-paid invoice from the hotel for three Covid PCR tests, and confirmed roundtrip airport/hotel transportation arranged by the hotel. Once you get your COE, you have to obtain an RT-PCR test not more than 72 hours before your flight departure time. The entire COE process is done online unless you need to send your passport into a consulate for a visa. Make sure all documentation is 100% correct as it is highly scrutinized during the application process, at the airport and upon arrival in Phuket. One little mistake and you might get rejected at any of the steps. Good luck !! https://www.thaicgny.com/entering-thailand/