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SEAsia Traveler

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  1. On the appointment calendar, what is the difference between Short-term Extension and Tourism Purpose? I want to do a 30-day extension on visa-exempt entry stamp at Blue Tree. Does there need to be a TM30 for me in the system, or do I just need the address of where I'm staying? Is the TM30 something I can self-report online, or does my landlord need to do it for me?
  2. I'm currently in Thailand on a retirement extension that expires on August 24, which happens to be the last day to apply for the covid extension, as of now. What would happen if I applied for covid extension on August 23 or 24? Most likely at Chonburi immigration. I'm in contact with an agent who says they can "convert" my retirement extension to covid extension. Thank you
  3. Can someone please recommend a good clinic or doctor to have baseline bloodwork done in Bangkok or Hua Hin? I'm age 54 and have not taken TRT before. I have andropause symptoms but my total testosterone has been pretty stable over the years, measuring at 809 in October 2021, up from 766 in May 2016.
  4. I will be entering on the non-o extension with a single re-entry permit. What if I overstay my non-O extension by three days? In other words, depart the country three after the extension expires. Is there a grace period of any kind? What are the risks?
  5. Is it possible to get a covid extension instead of extending a non-o retirement extension for a second year? Any reports of that happening successfully or any problems? For do-it-yourself without an agent.
  6. What about Peru? Lima seems good for food and third-world women with European looks. But it is overcast half the year due to the marine layer. Rainfall is low. There some air pollution. Arequipa is a mid-sized city at higher elevation so the weather and air are better. Peru treat visitors well. Thoughts on Peru?
  7. Another negative: the morbid fascination with horror, death, gore and ghosts. Another reason I'm leaving: increasing closure of establishments, depressed vibe and lack of vibrancy, with no end in sight. When it does open properly, it won't be the same. The restart will proceed at a glacial pace. RIP Sanuk Thailand.
  8. A while back I was watching a live stream by an expat who listed his positive and negatives about Thailand. I borrowed some of his points, added my own, organized into categories and present them here (in no particular order) for your entertainment. I suspect the grumpy old men on the forum will enjoy the negatives like crocodiles snapping at red meat. ???? I recognize that one person’s positive can be another person’s negative. For example, weather can be both a positive and a negative (too hot for some), and protectionist laws can be both a negative and a positive (keeps housing affordable). I also recognize that Thais will have a different perspective. Surely, I missed something, so comment on your own positives and negatives. Enjoy! Positives: 1. People (manners, values, consideration) 2. Traditional society (male-female roles, family orientation) 3. Overall vibe (hospitable, accommodating, non-confrontational, fun-loving, tolerant) 4. Central location (Asia travel hub) 5. Diverse geography (plains, mountains, jungles, rivers, beaches) 6. Weather 7. Convenience (eating, shopping, transport) 8. Social opportunities (clubs, meeting people, forming relationships) 9. Nightlife (bars, nightclubs, night markets) 10. Food quality, price, and selection (street food, markets, restaurants, foreign foods) 11. Thai fine arts (sculpture, architecture, artwork, music, dance, dress, cuisine, massage, kickboxing) 12. Inexpensive, abundant, and flexible accommodation (hotels, guesthouses, furnished condos, serviced apartments) 13. Inexpensive transportation (air, rail, taxi, ride-hailing, van, bus) 14. Inexpensive labor (tradesmen, mechanics, housekeepers, drivers) 15. Delivery services (food, products, packages) 16. Availability of products and services (supermarkets, pharmacies, specialty stores, online) 17. Adoption of western innovations with precision and beauty (air travel, telecom, electric trains, shopping malls, product display, fashion, music, cinemas, interior design) 18. Low incidence of crime 19. Flexibility in compliance with rules 20. Ability to use money to solve problems 21. Infrastructure (airports, ground transport, power, telecom, medical, banking) 22. Liberalizing drug laws 23. Availability of massage parlors and spas 24. Sports and exercise (gyms, cycling, swimming, running, walking) 25. Personal hygiene (cleanliness, showers, bum guns, public health awareness) Negatives: 1. Governance (corruption, cronyism, nepotism, ineptness, inconsistency) 2. Bureaucracy (paperwork, red tape, needless complexity, roadblocks, subjective application of laws and regulations) 3. Uncertain future (protests, coups) 4. Road danger (disregard for laws, lack of enforcement) 5. Animal control and welfare 6. Puritanical laws (alcohol, sex) 7. Protectionist laws (import taxes, jobs, business, real estate) 8. Immigration and visas 9. Inflation 10. Strong currency 11. Increasing traffic on roads 12. Aging rail system and lack of high-speed rail 13. Low quality of building materials and construction 14. Electrical and fire hazards 15. Dual pricing (rents, real estate, transport, medical care, entrance fees) 16. Lack of pedestrian amenities (footpaths, crosswalks, green spaces, public seating) 17. Environment (industrial and vehicle pollution, fires, flooding, waste disposal, tap water) 18. Feudal practices (groveling, inwardness, xenophobia, heavy-handed treatment of foreigners, patronage system, nationalism, censorship, bloated civil service and military, profligate spending, protection of elite class, disregard for vulnerable populations) 19. Lack of modernity (intellectual curiosity, innovation, product expertise, city planning, skilled workforce, economic opportunity, rising incomes, transparency, free speech, talented and representative leadership) 20. Severe defamation laws, adjudication, and penalties 21. Familial burdens placed on young women 22. Cultural expectations and misunderstandings (saving face, family obligations, raising children, relationship problems, workplace conflicts, collective vs. individual values) 23. Opportunistic treatment of foreigners (rip-offs, scams, shameless use of cunning and guile, aggressive ladyboys) 24. Fear, suspicion, and avoidance of foreigners 25. Apathy of Thai men towards foreigners 26. Low class of foreign visitors (criminals, drug dealers, cheap charlies, scammers, mentally ill) 27. Foreigners preying on other foreigners and Thais (begging, scamming, cons, negative energy, violent crime) 28. Thai vices (gambling, loan sharking, lottery, consumer debt, corrupt monks) 29. Foreign residents and citizens being mistaken as tourists 30. Language barrier and low prevalence of English 31. Public education system 32. Public nuisances (loud music, parties, advertising trucks, public announcements, cooking fires, chemical sprays) 33. Food hygiene (bacteria, sanitation, pesticides, oils, additives, preservatives) 34. Increased prevalence of artificial, processed, and manufactured foods 35. National emergency response (PM 2.5, Covid-19) BONUS LIST I’m leaving Thailand after nearly a year in Phuket as a trial retirement. My reasons for leaving, in descending order of significance. 1. The heat 2. Boredom 3. Distance from North America 4. Miss family back home 5. Hassles traveling within Thailand currently 6. Xenophobia in its various forms 7. Prefer Filipina for relationship 8. Second-hand smoke 9. Temptations of alcohol and drug use 10. Outdoor mask mandate 11. Motorbike lifestyle 12. Want to travel to other countries 13. Untreated tap water 14. Food hygiene 15. Thai bureaucracy
  9. Oh boy…this story is tailor made for spidermike and one of his rants about the decline of tourism. He could copy and paste his entire list of grievances to this one.
  10. I've decided to return to the US in early October. I don't want to retire in Thailand. I would rather just be a tourist. So I need just enough extension of stay to fly out in October. @ubonjoe My non-O visa expires on 24 August. I used an agent, and the visa was stamped by Khon Kaen immigration. But I still live in Phuket and still have my certificate of residence (a copy, not the original). Can I get a covid extension in Phuket? If so, when should I apply? Will Phuket immigration question the Khon Kaen visa stamp? I would need about 2 weeks prior to 24 August to send off for the 1-year extension (14,000 baht agent fee) if the covid extension is denied.
  11. I purchased an AIS SIM on 15 February 2021 under the promotion of 10 Mbps for 300 baht per month. The lady at the kiosk told me it is only good for 6 months. My profile on the AIS website indicates "Mobile service year 5 months" as of today. What does this mean? What are my options to keep this AIS number and continue service? Would it help to visit an AIS shop in the mall? Thank you.
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