General Reports

[QUOTE=EihTooms;2481902]Yes, a lot has changed for outsiders trying to get into the country on a new visa since then. Like from possible to virtually impossible on the near horizon. But I don't think much has changed for in country expats needing to renew their O-A Non Immigrant retirement visas since then. No new or radically different income/health insurance requirements or THB-USD exchange rates for us since then, that is.[/QUOTE]And maybe the 83 year old who's struggling financially is now relieved to be living in an area where his life is not at major risk of the virus? THB-USD rates may be similar but against Euro and Sterling THB is at or near 12 month lows.

[QUOTE=EihTooms;2481844]It would be helpful to know a few things not mentioned in that article;

How much of a monthly pension does 83 year old Gerry get as a USA Navy retiree who has been "out of the USA system" since he was about 50? Is he not receiving at least the minimum 65,000 THB per month required? If it is notably less than that and he has been skating by on a bogus notarized Income Verification Letter from the USA Embassy over the past many years then it was foolish for him not to have saved and set aside a small portion of his income over those past 3 damn decades until he had enough of a Thai bank deposit to offset the difference.
.[/QUOTE]The article doesn't state for sure that he is a military retiree. If he was, he should have enough income. Military retirement is linked to inflation so it increases over time. Also even military retirees can apply for social security payments when they turn 65. Of course, in divorce settlements you can loose a lot of your income. And having a vengeful ex would be reason to stay "out of the system".

[QUOTE=LittleBigMan;2478331]This morning an article that the Hotel Association of Thailand " Demanded " that the country open up to foreigners. Where will this go the member is from a very powerful family and does have influence with the puppet man since the Hotel industry is pretty much at Zero!

But as you continue with the article it still is talking about allowing only certain countries and only into a specific location like Phuket and if that works which I really hope I'm wrong Chon Buri (Pattaya) will be next but as I noted there is no mentioned about removing all the obstacles in place just to get into quarantine! So I put this article into my smoke pile![/QUOTE]I think a lot of people would be willing to do the 14 day quarantine for a 1+ month trip, assuming you can choose a decent hotel to do it in. Things are dead here and every hotel is hurting for money; they can't continue as is for much longer without serious harm to the economy in Phuket. Pattaya also more or less dead right now.

FYI.

[URL]https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/thailand-to-finalize-entry-plan-for-foreign-visitors-by-october/ar-BB18QvMs[/URL]

[QUOTE=TheCritic;2482109]FYI.

[URL]https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/thailand-to-finalize-entry-plan-for-foreign-visitors-by-october/ar-BB18QvMs[/URL][/QUOTE]I doubt it will be soon. There is talk about opening up Phuket for long visits but you have to stay in quarantine for two weeks and then stay on the island at least one week more, they is suggestions that tracking braclets might be part of it. All this is just ideas at the moment and I have yet to hear that it's going to happen. Thailand is still repatriating citizens at this time, in addition certain limited classes of foreigners in small amounts. I also hear that the Alternate State Quarantine hotels are pretty full right now.

[QUOTE=Downandup;2482145]I doubt it will be soon. There is talk about opening up Phuket for long visits but you have to stay in quarantine for two weeks and then stay on the island at least one week more, they is suggestions that tracking braclets might be part of it. All this is just ideas at the moment and I have yet to hear that it's going to happen. Thailand is still repatriating citizens at this time, in addition certain limited classes of foreigners in small amounts. I also hear that the Alternate State Quarantine hotels are pretty full right now.[/QUOTE]Tracking bracelets? You got to be real desperate to allow yourself to be treated like a criminal just to get some Thai poontang.

[QUOTE=ThaiX;2482086]I think a lot of people would be willing to do the 14 day quarantine for a 1+ month trip, assuming you can choose a decent hotel to do it in. Things are dead here and every hotel is hurting for money; they can't continue as is for much longer without serious harm to the economy in Phuket. Pattaya also more or less dead right now.[/QUOTE]Understand that quarantine doesn't mean a "stay home order" or self isolation. All hotels that act as quarantine facilities have to be certified by the Health Ministry, residents (inmates?) are in isolation at least until the 5 day Covid test comes back and then might be allowed a turn round the pool or garden for an hour a day. Meals are left outside the room by PPE suited staff. Food delivery (Grab / Foodpanda) not permitted. Alcohol not permitted. Leaving the hotel not permitted.

I don't know what you would view as "a lot" but the numbers quoted for the Phuket scheme were hundreds per week not thousands and it would require specially arranged charter flights. The suggested target market was those wanting to stay 90 days or more.

In terms of even that happening there was a fact finding trip to Phuket over the long holiday weekend which included a public meeting at which the majority were against. That in the most tourism dependent province of Thailand. Also note that the activist / reformists are certainly not calling for relaxation of border controls.

[QUOTE=TheCritic;2482109]FYI.

[URL]https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/thailand-to-finalize-entry-plan-for-foreign-visitors-by-october/ar-BB18QvMs[/URL][/QUOTE]I hope it is but every day there is something old all dress up as new. This story said nothing that hasn't been said already, to be honest, I would gladly do a 14 day if that is all they want. Maybe you guys missed the other announcement the PM has basically shut down, slow down every idea and that includes the Phuket one. Today the Phuket Hotel Association? They need help or it is over for them they can't last the year. There just aren't any takers with all the restrictions even with a vaccine it would take at least two months for the signs to be positive that it is slowing down the virus plus airlines must be given a positive sign before they pull out the aircraft and get them ready which takes time!

The case with the DJ pretty much shot every idea down plus the inability to contain the borders Myramar and which has an outbreak and have no equipment or space to treat patients even if the skies open they aren't medically ready to handle the wave as of today they have done nothing to prepare throughout the country. Whether they know it or not the economy has already been damage they just refuse to admit otherwise their baht would drop instead it is being propped up by the rich.

[QUOTE=TheCritic;2482109]FYI.

[URL]https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/thailand-to-finalize-entry-plan-for-foreign-visitors-by-october/ar-BB18QvMs[/URL][/QUOTE]More likely:

Soon:

[URL]https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/thailand-hospitals-appeal-for-aid-against-covid-19/1965264[/URL]#.

Dream on if you guys are thinking of getting in to Thailand any time soon. The girls I know in Thailand are freaking out that there are 7 new cases in Thailand today today. As LBM states, the PM has shut down the Phuket option and China has been banned now because they had 7 new cases today.

On the bright side, the FKK clubs are slowly reopening even during a 2nd wave in Germany. Think of alternate plans on where to travel guys cause Thailand will not be in the cards for a LONG TIME!

[QUOTE=BananaBoi;2482413]Dream on if you guys are thinking of getting in to Thailand any time soon. The girls I know in Thailand are freaking out that there are 7 new cases in Thailand today today. As LBM states, the PM has shut down the Phuket option and China has been banned now because they had 7 new cases today.

On the bright side, the FKK clubs are slowly reopening even during a 2nd wave in Germany. Think of alternate plans on where to travel guys cause Thailand will not be in the cards for a LONG TIME![/QUOTE]I really don't like being so negative about their ideas but it doesn't take much to do so! I will be the first person that would like them to be right and be able to leave Thailand just for a few moments get back to S. F. see my mother and beautiful nephew who has special needs seeing him and getting one of his big hugs brings life back to me mentally. Sure the USA Isn't the same certainly my home town isn't but right now I dream of sitting at my favorite local donut shop having a cup of java and watching all the homeless outside, human shit everywhere, the smell of urine at every post office mailbox sitting on the corner, down and out guys pacing up and down talking to themselves with their pants hanging down to their knees.

Living here year-round strictly with Thais dealing with them (in general) especially the way they think it wears you down mentally the frustration leaves me unable at times to even want to be with other Thai women, to be honest even if it was free? Once or twice a year, I get into the dog house there right now frustrated as hell that it would be really tough to get LBM to rise to the occasion?

I would love to be wrong things are dying whether they want to admit it or not if they got to trace and check 1000 just because one guy can you imagine if they open up? Especially if there is nothing in place as for testing, treating when the wave does come but they never stop with all the bright ideas like spending over 2 billion baht to make Bali Hai pier a crown jewel of Pattaya.

Dream on but I wake up with sweats that I'm still here need a break bad and in another month I got to visit the wife farm no hot water, no a/c, sleep on a wooden floor, bugs everywhere mosquitoes are terrorist they bit through your clothes then I got to squat to get the job done at my age I must have done something GOD can't forgive I squat naked one hand got the scoop of water and on the other a finger up the ass trying to dig it clean. At times I think I'm already in hell? And all you guys are thinking of coming in?

[QUOTE=EihTooms;2481844]It would be helpful to know a few things not mentioned in that article;

How much of a monthly pension does 83 year old Gerry get as a USA Navy retiree who has been "out of the USA system" since he was about 50? Is he not receiving at least the minimum 65,000 THB per month required? If it is notably less than that and he has been skating by on a bogus notarized Income Verification Letter from the USA Embassy over the past many years then it was foolish for him not to have saved and set aside a small portion of his income over those past 3 damn decades until he had enough of a Thai bank deposit to offset the difference.

"Estranged from his wife." Is his wife Thai? If so and he can prove it, I think he can qualify for an annual retirement visa with only a 45,000 THB monthly income stream, not 65,000 THB. I forget what the one time only lump sum deposit in a Thai bank would be in that case but I'm guessing it must be more like 500,000 THB instead of 800,000 THB.

The new health insurance requirement might also be waved or greatly reduced if he is married to a Thai and applies for the pertinent visa based on marriage. Not sure about that since I don't choose to utilize that visa option.

Regarding another comment in the article that health insurance premiums for a 75 year old "could be as high as 100,000 THB per month," yeah, that is shockingly high for the required 40,000 THB of out-patient coverage and 400,000 THB of in-patient coverage. Of course, I don't know what my premium for the required coverage will look like in 7 years. But if it jumps from about 4,000 THB per month, which is roughly what it is now, to 100,000 THB per month I suppose I will have to take another look at the Philippines as my new retirement home country.

Until then, being retired in Thailand is still interesting to me. Glad I'm here and not in the USA right now. Or many other places on Earth.[/QUOTE]Fforu.

I've not lived here as some of you but what I do know from my experience I run into a number of Expat been here 25 years and it is if they have been in a bubble their whole time. If you go on the T. V. Forum you see the posting and comments that re-enforces my position. For example when it comes to applying for Visa day in day out for years even when things have been in place and they have been applying for years ask a question as if they have been dead and buried. After near two years questions still about how much you need to have in the bank for a retirement O? Then start to read the responses after the first page you no longer even know what the topic is about. I shake my head and pray LBM when is it all going to hit me will I end up going to the market one day and forgetting to put my shorts on?

I know a lot of Expat who are younger than this 83-year-old guy you be surprised how they get along although we are here and talking about Thailand people are the same everywhere human nature here in Thailand doesn't change much. There are guys who overthink everything try to make sure to head off everything I'm one of them then you got guys " mai pen rai " rolls off them and live for today. I knew a guy like this from the forum had the best of time living like a King couldn't even spend his Social Security check said when it is time he would just drop dead that is exactly what happened.

I know and meet guys in Pattaya that based on their story rate in 4-5,000 USD a month but have no savings never been to the doctor now they are fucked. I know Brits who came here when the baht was 80-1 live in a mansion on the Darkside drive a Benz now they are fucked never having a second thought it might drop these are guys who live and keep up with the Jones, live for tomorrow and tomorrow is here and they are fucked? Living here in Pattaya or Bangkok it isn't the same as other parts of the country you live in a bubble don't need to learn the language and have plenty of resources to get what you want. For example, my mother 102 now came to America (S. F.) in 1944 from China never had an education but she never learns how to speak English? What for she had Chinatown! They had all the resources how to obtain her citizenship she came and went unless you knew her would never guess she couldn't speak very much English. It is amusing when she gets cold calls, once she hears English she knows to say " no speak English and hangs up " I think she did this 2 years ago when Trump called on her 100th?

I think I see these 83-year guys all the times at Windmill, I see them throughout the town at night in particular Gogo these are the ones who know which one serving cheap draft beer go into a club like Dollhouse or Beaver all the guys with promotion draft beer are these 83-year-old guys. How they get by? They just do somehow? A while back before the name was changed to Beaver (Baby Dolls) I've seen this guy in town for a number of years I was checking the place out he comes in and ended up near me the odor nearly knock me over but all girls knew him he was buying drinks but before I got up and left as cheap as water is here and clothes I said what the fuck come on have some pride in yourself?

People like this guy are everywhere a year ago I met this one guy from S. F. Through another he was getting 5000 USD a month living down on Soi Buakhao renting a room for 4000 baht he wanted to borrow money from my friend in the conversation he was sending the majority of his money to some girl in Isan who he hasn't seen in a year haven't fuck her in 4 years then you got the friend who is like Charlie Tuna no one wants him each time he gets hooked and he is thrown back into the sea he takes the bait again whenever he comes to Thailand as soon as he lands he walks out thinks he is Bill Gates? Starts to throw money around saying these people need help I say to him if you want to help why not just give your money to Father Ray the guy has never stepped into a church back home. Two years ago he purchased a 2. 5 million baht home for a maid that clean his hotel room he never fucked and doesn't plan to fuck. Believe it or not, there are guys out there this same guy is so cheap he wouldn't buy me a cup of coffee.

People are funny tough to put a finger on them as to how they get by but they do? When it comes to family I think the article is referring to where he came from when you are at 83, and live here as long as he has those back home are mostly dead and those who aren't don't even know who he is for myself I have a big family but the only ones I know and keep in contact with are my first cousins I have something like 200 nieces and nephews I've never seen or met. I'm not this 83 year old with no money but one day I will be estranged from my family like him?

People are funny we are all different but not much when you get right down to it?

Just announced! next week the cabinet is meeting to discuss another idea this time TAT wants to offer 90 days visa allowing thereafter the tourist to renew twice at 2000 baht a pop this allows the tourist to stay up to 270 days like always they list all the numbers how many jobs are going to be affected etc etc, hinted that they will offer countries with a low number like from Europe but the article provides little information whether they have to jump through all the hoops like before? Wait and see?

In the best case, in the event that a vaccine ends up being found, then distributed to the entire Thai population (end of 2021 ?) It will not be completely effective. In young adults, the effectiveness of the vaccine against seasonal influenza is considered to be in the order of 60 to 70% depending on the year. It works less well for the elderly, those who have the highest risk of complications and 90% of deaths are people over 65 years old.

There will never be zero risk in the face of COVID 19. The strategy of countries which aim for 0 cases condemns them to let their borders be closed until the virus disappears on its own, including with a vaccine available, this which can last maybe several more years, until another virus appears....

[QUOTE=LittleBigMan;2482446].....................People like this guy are everywhere a year ago I met this one guy from S. F. Through another he was getting 5000 USD a month living down on Soi Buakhao renting a room for 4000 baht he wanted to borrow money from my friend in the conversation he was sending the majority of his money to some girl in Isan who he hasn't seen in a year haven't fuck her in 4 years .................[/QUOTE]I do not ponder on blokes spending money as they wish as long as its not my money.