Bob

What remains puzzling to me is the failure of almost all articles on the subject to discuss the background rate of blood clots in the general population. In every article I've read, the background blood clot rate (the number of blood clot issues expected to be experienced by any population) far exceeds the rate experienced by the vaccinated population. If one believes those numbers, then one could conclude that there is far less likelihood that one would experience a clotting issue if one was vaccinated than not vaccinated! To simplify my comments, so far the US has experienced 8 serious blood clotting issues within the population of 7 million people who have been vaccinated with the questioned vaccine. According to the medical literature, the lowest number of blood clot issues expected (US history) would be 1 to 3 cases per year of 1000 people within the general population. Using the lowest number there (1 serious blood clot issue per year within a general population of 1000 people), then one would expect 7000 cases for a general population of 7 million people. One-sixth of that (or two month's worth) would be 583 serious blood clotting issues that would be expected. Sure sounds to me like a much worse number than the 8 cases reported.

I can only hope:

Yes, sorry to hear that. Knew Mark from many years back although probably haven't seen him for at least 6-8 years when he visited Chiangmai. Not sure if he and Jiap (probably wrong spelling) have still been together but, if so, hope that Jiap is doing okay.

Never saw that place that I recall but I have somewhat toured the area (including the nearby dam and reservoir). From my memory, there basically isn't much of anything around there and it sure is a long way from town. Likely a pretty place but way too far from town for my tastes. I presume the resort will make transportation available but it won't be fast and you surely won't find any songteaws anywhere near there.

DM....yep, was aware of that trick (thanks for the reminder) and am posting this comment to get it done. I had cleaned history and cookies some time ago, hadn't made a new post, so lost the ability to be signed in upon visiting the site. Still, no reason not to have the same feature when coming to this site and I don't understand the reluctance of the boss to use it as no doubt the software supports it. Oh well, no big deal, only occasionally a minor annoyance.

While you are at it, please consider adding a "remember me" button or some such thing so some people don't have to log in every time one visits the site. Almost all websites have that feature and I have to believe it's fairly standard to add it with whatever software this site is using.

I too have never been able to get the online deal to work and would like the answer to that question. Does one insert the issue date of one's last extension or the issue date of the very first Non-O that one received? If somebody knows for sure, please advise (if you're guessing, please stifle yourself). My latest extension was issued in April of 2019 whereas my Non-O was issued in February of 2009. For those who have had new passports since the original Non-O was issued, the issue date of your first Non-O will be listed near the beginning of your newest passport within what we typically call the "transfer" stamps. I have to do my 90-day report next week and, if I figure out how to do the online deal (or app deal), I'll try that; otherwise, off in the mail it goes as usual.

Sorry, I disagree. The new rules apply to those issued an 0-A visa in their home country after October 31, 2019. There's no basis to suggest the rules will be applied retroactively. There is one dicey area perhaps....those who obtained an 0-A visa before November 1st, 2019, but first entered Thailand after October 31, 2019.. Because of the language in the police order, that one area is a bit confusing although I'd bet 5 baht that the only criteria will be the actual issue date of the 0-A visa (but time will tell if I lose that 5 baht). But regardless of that workout, the new rules (unless and until changed) shouldn't affect anybody who's in Thailand prior to the beginning of next month.

The bottom line is that the new health insurance regulations do not affect anyone presently in Thailand. And, unless they add new rules making the requirement applicable to other groups, the requirement is easily avoidable (simply come in on a Non-O or Tourist Visa ....or even a simple 30-day exemption....and convert to a retirement extension in country). The real problem for a few (those obtaining 0-A visas in the future in their home countries) is that they are limited to buying the "long stay" insurance from the approved list of Thai insurance companies. Based on my review of those (the few sites one can switch the language to English and actually make sense of it) is that only one of the 9-12 companies is offering the long-stay insurance to people over 70 (but only if you've had coverage with that particular company since you were 70 or before); other than that possibility, it would appear that nobody over 70 is ever going to be able to obtain an 0-A visa after October 31st.

It'll take a while. I had to fill out a TM6 card two nights ago when flying into Chiangmai from Seoul. That's actually easy as hell and shouldn't be a bother to anybody (what the heck else do you have to do while on a long flight?). The new fingerprinting deal is a minor bit of hassle....and, frankly, one would think that they'd wipe off the scanners every time somebody slaps their four right fingers, four left fingers, and then their two thumbs on the glass scanner. I'm not a germaphobe but I can't help but think that it's a bit unsanitary. As for the TM30, I suppose it depends on where you live in Thailand as to how much of a hassle it is. Plus some people don't understand the difference between filing an original TM30 and updating it. Here in Chiangmai, they do require the original filing for your residence and it's actually relatively easy to do once you have the correct documents (in a landlord situation, one needs a copy of the landlord's Thai ID and either a copy of the landlord's deed and/or tabien baan). As for updating here in Chiangmai, it is currently required only upon re-entering the country (travelling and staying within country doesn't require any updating) and it's extremely easy as you simply present your passport. And it's fast (I updated yesterday morning and was in and out in about 4 minutes).

Your understanding is the same as mine. While I don't know if it is available in Thailand as yet, there's an alternative (called Cologuard) in which you send a stool sample in for analysis and, supposedly, it actually is more precise in detecting all kinds of issues (especially various types of cancers). The benefits are obvious - none of the night before preparations or cost (in US, Medicare pays for all of it) - but it's not recommended for people who have had prior issues (discovery of questionable polyps, etc.) and, also, if the analysis does show an issue, then an actual colonoscopy is usually the next step. And the Cologuard is recommended for every three years. I had one colonoscopy about 12 years ago (luckily, no issues) and did the Cologuard deal last summer while in the US. Two more years and I'll do it again. I attended a funeral in June for the wife of a friend who died from complications from her first colonoscopy 3 weeks earlier. Those kind of fatal complications don't happen often from a colonoscopy procedure but, like most medical procedures, it's not risk-free.

And I was thinking it was maybe "cuckoo birds!" Ya gotta love the Tinglish pronunciations.

All of us somehow learn how to pronounce letters before we even attend school, sort of a muscle/mouth/breathing control that seems to get locked in and oftentimes is very difficult or impossible to change once we're older. Say the "v" sound and you'll notice how you automatically form that sound without even thinking about it. Given Thai has no "v" sound in their alphabet, it's generally impossible for Thais to pronounce. David becomes "Dawit" (the Thai "d" at the end of a word or syllable is pronounced like a "t") and, of course, tv becomes "tee wee." As for the "b's" in Bob, the Thai alphabet has a "b" (บ) which sounds exactly like an English "b" at the beginning of a word or syllable but it's always pronounced like a "p" at the end of a word or syllable; thus, I am forever "Bop" here. That same anomaly is why you oftentimes see "crab" both pronounced and written in Thai menus as "crap." Like Joshhb, I simply have never been able to pronounce the "ng" (ง)Thai consonant which is the initial consonant for Thai words such as snake (ngoo) or money (ngern). I've tried for almost 20 years to pronounce it right but just can't seem to do it. Whenever I do try to pronounce that damn consonant, usually Thais either badly attempt to hide a laugh at my attempt or, after a short tee hee, they actually try to help me pronounce it (without any real success so far).

I don't have any idea or memory as to what happened with Kjun. Perhaps asked the administrator (whoever that was) that supposedly banned him? Back to the thread topic, I have no problem gaining access to the site by logging in each time I visit; however, being a lazy ass, I do appreciate the sites (e.g., Gaybutton's site and Sawatdee) that keep you logged in so long as you've hit the "remember me" feature that most sites/message boards have. Could you possible add that feature here (I've asked before but you didn't respond)? [I've tried the suggestion mentioned by Anddy but it didn't work for me]

No, I don't think it does (I just logged in with Firefox). What you're seeing is a separate "save password" function internal to the Firefox browser. Michael, is it really that hard to add a "remember me" function on this board (like almost all the other message boards have)?

Nor do I. If there truly is one of those options anywhere, would appreciate somebody indicating where it is located.

Agree about the foolishness part. And feel sympathetic toward those who can't afford reasonable coverage (or have so many pre-existing conditions that having health insurance which excludes pre-existing conditions is pretty much a waste of time and money). As to the alleged new medical insurance requirement: (1) Since the new policy wasn't announced until after you renewed last Friday, not surprising that the Immigration officer didn't say anything about it. (2) Ubonjoe (typically very accurate) indicates the new medical insurance requirement at the moment (things could change) only applies to those applying for an 0-A visa in their home country (which, of course, is the only place you can get an 0-A visa based on retirement).

Once you do investigate, the US embassy/consulate will be notified by the hospital and/or police of any US citizen death. The embassy/consulate will want to take possession of your passport and they would typically prepare a death certificate that would work in the US (e.g., if you have an IRA there, there'll need to be an official (US) death certificate for anyone to access it). And your remains for disposition will be released once the cops, embassy/consulate, and hospital approve the release. But as long as you have a valid Will as you note (leaving your Vietamese assets to your partner and providing other necessary appointments and powers, then your partner can short-circuit the embassy's/consulate's next-of-kin search by showing them that document (they will, of course, want to see one in English or a certified translation of one that is in another language). With that Will, the release by the embassy/consulate should promptly occur. Presuming there is no issue of foul play or delay because of a autopsy request by the cops, the cops will give the okay. And once your partner pays the hospital bills, your good to go (so to speak).

Bob, nobody is trying to argue with you. Perhaps you might explain just how your partner is going to handle disposition of your remains (which, no doubt, will end up in a hospital morgue) without a release from the embassy/consulate (along with police release and payment of the hospital charges) and without a valid Will that gives your partner authority to make those decisions.

Here is the url to the US Embassy website section which deals with the death of a US citizen in Vietnam: https://vn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/death-of-a-u-s-citizen/ This section doesn't even mention personal property of a deceased so I'm wondering if you might provide a link to any other section that states or even suggests that embassy personnel would take possession of, store, and/or transport any property of a deceased US citizen. Again, absent a secret death and burial (one without a police report or involvement of a hospital) of a US citizen, the embassy will be notified. Standard procedure and that's when the embassy will start their "next-of-kin" search for notification of the death and issuance of a death certificate for use back in the states.

Absent some secret burial or cremation, the US embassy/consulate will most definitely be promptly notified of your demise. You can, however, avoid the embassy/consulate's "next-of-kin" search by having your partner show up with a valid Will that appoints him as executor and the person who has power to make cremation/burial arrangements. Without that valid Will, your partner will have zero say in the process. And, no, the embassy/consulate people will have nothing to do with your personal belongings (they will not take possession of any belongings other than your passport).

I've always used prepaid (AIS) and think it's incredibly cheap. Recently (I was at the AIS shop for some other issue), I switched to a six-month paid-in-advance data package which was 20-30% cheaper than the prior monthly data cost of about 200 baht per month and also provided another gig or two of data (I don't need a lot of gigs as I'm usually home and the True wifi we have here is rather speedy).

I've no suggestions as I have no problem logging in anymore and, lo and behold, clicking on the bookmark brings me directly to the forum. Cool.

A rather incredible comment but, in spite of that, I wouldn't wish him on your country. I still consider Trump's election to be an indictment of the US education system. [post-election studies do reflect an almost perfect bell curve with respect to the education level of the voters (i.e., as the education level went up, his support went to near zero)]

A bit confused as to why you're asking that question (given you obviously know how to re-size photos as you had some kind of photo editor on your prior pc). Your chromebook laptop does have a basic image editor (look in the Files app) but other apps have to be available somewhere.