nkped

Email from the US Embassy. It's slow and eventually it crashed without giving me an appointment. I do appear to be registered.

Email from Gavin Waddell, the international marketing manager at Phyathai Hospital in Sriracha

Report last month, the officer saw that I had the TM47 form. It may have mattered that there were other pieces of paper as well but he didn't look at them. He pulled and scanned the receipt from the last report, printed the new receipt and stapled it in the passport. With the online system down, they be wondering why they are having to do the additional work.

Still no insurance requirement for O extension.

Did my retirement extension last week with minimal fuss. A couple of points which may be new/helpful to others. I may have missed this before but immigration now has a listing of extension requirements online. Retirement is #22. Since my eyes glaze over when people talk about the 800K in the bank, I go the 65K a month route. Can't seem to copy and paste from the drop down. #3 says evidence of income of no less than 65,000 baht a month. #5 Must have annual earnings and funds deposited with a bank totalling no less than baht 800,000, as of the filing date. Not sure if those are alternative or cumulative. BTW 12x65,000=780,000. Bangkok Bank opposite Soi 7 seems to be familiar with the #5 alternative. Their letter and the bank book update refected the total amount deposited over the past 12 months as well as the amount for each month. I had gotten the bank letter the day before but that wasn't an issue. Had a printout, obtained online, of my annuity statement. I had forgotten that last year, which caused some bureaucratic angst. Had forgotten to bring something with my address on it. Fortunately, it's on my driver's licence so that was easily remedied. Also, it's only one photo which I never seem to remember.

The government has given the okay for private hospitals to purchase 10 million doses of Covid vaccine. Since it will probably be one of those which requires two shots, that will cover 5 million people. Just going by the number of Thais you see at Bangkok Hospital, I'm not sure that will cover the demand. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/private-hospitals-in-thailand-to-get-10-million-covid-19-vaccine-doses

Gave up on agencies probably 15+ years ago. I can only cite one bad experience with an agency, sent a ticket to an old address and that was probably my own fault. Flying from the northwestern US, there are only a few options and I find it easier to check the airline sites.

A couple I don't recognize at all. Others have not visited the mess in some time.

Good experience with Expat Car Rental on Tappraya near Thepprasit.

Singapore is reviewing the Chinese Sinovac vaccine for possible use authorization.

They have filled in the last tank trap on Siam Country Club Road on the curve as you go under the elevated bypass. There still is some work to the side so don't take it too fast.

I learned to navigate to the Nongprue police station which is just a short distance away. I particularly appreciate their breakfast menu. The English speaking peoples seem to be particularly nationalistic when it comes to the first meal of the day.

Recent startup and they seem to be doing well.

Gym closed so went out at 6:45am to start a long walk. Felt distinctly cool. I thought, well, unless it is below 70F, it will be proof my blood has thinned out. Refreshed the weather info on my phone. The temp was 70F/21C.

7am, 64F/18C in Pattaya ??

I've had the atomic soda pop and I've had the jug of salt water. I'll take the atomic soda pop.

A bump on this as I should be getting one this year. Relatively certain, GP has a medical background so I will check the Phya Thai website as to who they have on their GI staff. BHP would be easier as far as transportation is concerned. My experience in the US was that they didn't knock you out but enough quality drugs that you didn't much care.

Speculation, but I'm thinking the next major milestone is March or whatever you consider as the end of high season. FWIW I'm not optimistic. I am in Thailand by choice but would like to be able to make a trip back to the US.

At Central Festival on Monday. A guy walks out of one of the shops in a bit of a hurry. He removes his mask and sneezes. I was a good ways away so I didn't deck him.

Not the least bit certain, but some times cops go for what will definitely work even if the real motivation is a bit equivocal.

How to put it, would a reasonable officer of the law thought you needed to be off the street and the lack of a passport provided convenient cover? Yes, I'm sure you didn't see it that way.

If it is October 31, just glad I did my last 90 day report on July 15, so I will avoid the next round of panicked hordes.

My specific flavor of Blue Cross Blue Shield covers me in Thailand. They will pay directly at Bangkok Hospital and some other hospitals. That had been inpatient only but now includes outpatient. Still believe a high limit credit card is essential out the door kit.

A good many Hilux, Fortunner and equivalent. A Tiger might stand out.

Today, the Porsche, small SUV(!?!) was back along with BMWs parked next to each other. Some years back, I was in Orange County, California on a business trip and was driving a rental Ford Focus. I thought I was going to be ticketed because my car was too cheap.