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Six Month Tourist Visa for Thailand
Six Month Tourist Visa for Thailand cmbadmin

The Six Month Tourist Visa for Thailand might soon become a reality. The Visa will cost 5000 baht and allow multiply entries and may soon be followed by a 12 month Tourist Visa.

The Minister for Tourism, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has given the go ahead for the proposal early August 2015. It is expected to come into effect within 60 days of cabinet approval and publication.  BUT! This Visa has been talked about and speculated upon for many years and in particular in the last 6 months.

Current Status of 6 Month Tourist Visa:  Not yet Available

Citizens from over 30 countries can currently enter the kingdom without a visa for up to 30 days, but some nationalities are required to pay around 1,000 Baht for a single entry 30 day visa.  The new 6 month Tourist Visa is expected to be available for all countries at a cost of 5,000 baht (but as of yet this is speculation)

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What does the 6 Month Tourist Visa mean for Digital Nomads?

Talk among Digital Nomads about a special Nomad Visa has been rife for the last year or so. Nomad communities will insist that they contribute to the Thai economy and how the country should make things easier for them – being able to live and work here.  The reality is this Visa has been created for the growing number of Chinese tourists, in an attempt to have them come multiply times to Thailand and increase their spending.  Compared to the Chinese Tourist, the contribution of a few Digital Nomads is insignificant.  While this Visa will allow people to come and set up a base in Thailand with the ability to spend a few weeks to a month or so out of the country – you will still be classified as a Tourist.

This means, limited access to opening a Thai Bank Account, an inability to get a Thai Drivers license and all the usual lack of advantages of being in the Tourist Status. It will still be illegal for you to openly work here in Thailand

The Good News

It will make using Thailand (especially Chiang Mai) a base for your South Asia travels.  You will be able to secure a 6 month lease on a condo (making for cheaper living with a kitchen), obtain a Bank Account and really have time to commit to your projects with the ability to exit the country and return.

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What does the 6 Month Tourist Visa mean for Retirees?

This is great news for people wanting to retire in Thailand.  Six months will give you the ability to travel around the country and spend a month or so in each of the locations you are considering.  You will be able to obtain a Bank Account, and have it ready for the required Funds (800,000 Baht) for the last two months required to obtain a Non O Retirement Visa.

This gives you the ability now to come and visit and make sure you really want to live here in Thailand and the time to make it happen from within the country.

Final Thoughts

At the moment all that has happened is the Prime Minister has approved the idea of this Tourist Visa.  It still needs to be passed through the system and made into Law.  Then it is expected within 60 days of this happening, the Visa will be available. No amount of publicity or blog posts or newspaper articles telling what we ‘hope’ will happen makes it a reality.  Check back to this article every now and again to see the status of progress at the top.  This will be updated as events unfold towards the reality of the Six Month Tourist Visa.

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What Should I Pack? A Nomad Guide
What Should I Pack? A Nomad Guide cmbadmin

What should I pack? A guide for the Digital Nomad

Deciding what to bring with you is the hardest part of going Nomad, and I know this handbook caters to a wide variety of people from young Millennials to retiring Baby Boomers. I am going to cover the bones; your travel necessities.

Do not worry about forgetting anything, and do not become overly obsessed with your packing list. Despite my own previous fascination with scouring the web for Digital Nomad packing lists, the truth is that most “must-have” travel accessories aren’t, and you could survive just as easily and affordable if you were born yesterday and sent to Thailand without anything but the clothes on your back and your passport.

I’ve been able to travel with nothing but a carry on for years, and I still re-evaluate my belongings before every relocation in a vain attempt to reduce the load.

Those wheeled suitcases don’t bode well in Southeast Asia due to high pedestrian traffic and uneven, obstacle-course like “sidewalks”. Using bulky suitcases obligate you to find a place to check-in right after your arrival, whereas a good backpack will allow you to rove around town and settle in before deciding where to hang your head for the night.

The key to remember is to disregard anything you do not need when you want to move somewhere. Less is more, and spending less on “stuff” (aka “filler”) will free up hard earned cash for select, authentic, quality items that will last longer, can be repaired, carry a lifetime warranty, leave a lasting impression, etc.

As mentioned previously, 7-Eleven carries just about every toiletry, personal care, or hygiene item you may need while in Thailand so I only included items you need during transit in this list.

And if you’re going to bring any “refillable” items –a best example being a razor– don’t. A lot of the products available back home are different from those in Thailand and may not be compatible.

Lastly, carry a nylon dry bag in case you need to carry smelly items or get caught in the rain (or a Songkran soaker parade) and keep all of your papers in an easily accessible place, separate from other belongings.

So let’s recap these packing rules:

  • Only use a carry-on, never check your luggage
  • Don’t carry items you rarely use and can acquire on the ground for cheap (ie. raincoat, basic medicines)
  • Carry a nylon water-proof bag to protect specific items from getting wet

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1) Backpack

I selected two backpacks for this line item, however I only use (and am in love with) the first option.

The second option is presented because it looks like a great product, and was actually developed by Nomads, for Nomads through a Kickstarter campaign some years ago.

Option 1: Osprey Farpoint 70
http://www.ospreypacks.com

The Osprey Farpoint 70 is a little large for my needs, and I keep it 2/3 full at all times, except for when I visit home. That 1/3 of space will be great for gifts for nieces and nephews.

This pack meets several key requirements I think all of you may need to consider when making your backpack purchase(s).

Clamshell opening

The Osprey Farpoint’s ability to open “clam shell” style allows for non-linear access to your items. Simply put, no first-in-first-out nonsense, digging through your bag at inconvenient times, etc. You can open part of the bag, or you can peel back the entire top flap of the bag for equal access to objects anywhere within it.

Detachable Day Pack

The Osprey Farpoint also comes with a detachable day pack which I use every day, only using the larger portion of the pack for relocations.

The day pack will fit a laptop (from a Mac Air to a bulky Lenovo), assorted electronics, journals, maps, books, change of clothes, shoes, etc.

You can also detach the day pack from the face of the Osprey Farpoint and strap it to the front of your body while still being connected to the central pack on your back. This is great for crowded areas when you don’t want your laptop packed out of your peripheral vision.

Warranty

Osprey packs a lifetime warranty with each of its backpack models, which to me, says a lot. It’s one less thing to worry about. They sell Osprey bags at Maya Mall in Chiang Mai, too. It’s quite likely you could arrange a swap in an emergency if you call Osprey directly. If not, ship it back and they’ll replace it.

Great Carry On

Technically, the 70 litre Osprey Farpoint shouldn’t be an acceptable carry on. Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone. However, I’ve been able to get away with it on every flight I’ve taken this bag on in over 2 years. The reason? It can transform into a duffel bag.

All of the bulky straps and be tucked away easily behind a giant flap that is hidden at the bottom of the bag. Once the straps are out of the way and you use the side handle with the flap side out, the bag appears much more streamlined and fits easily into the overhead compartment.

Your only obstacle is weight, but I’ve also been lucky in that my bag has never been weighed, and I can squeeze it into the metal cage used to determine carry-on size allowance. The trick is to act like the bag is really light and hide your wincing!

If you’re concerned about not being able to pull off using the Farpoint 70 as a carry-on, you and I could both easily get away with using a Farpoint 55.

Option 2: Minaal Carry On
http://www.minaal.com

A bag I do not use, but one I respect. The Minaal 35 litre pack is engineered to be the ultimate carry on and also looks a little more “flash packer” –meaning it’s easy on the eyes is a high quality pack.

It too is a clamshell bag, allows you to zip away straps, fits all major airline carry-on dimensions, and also comes with a slide-on rain cover. Electronics stored within it are also housed in a suspended sleeve, so not matter which way it hits the ground, your gear won’t pay the ultimate price.

No day pack though, so for now, I will stick with my Osprey.

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2) Paperwork

I keep all of my important documents inside a wallet inside a waterproof toiletry style bag. If I required any medications, I’d keep them there with copies made of their prescriptions, too.

Worth mention is that I have two wallets; one for all of my needs on the road, and a light-weight standard wallet for when I go out.

My larger wallet is a “#balla” wallet, also designed by Nomads for Nomads. It can easily store a number of cards, currencies, passport and you can store your Departure Card without folding it.

The #balla wallet is now called the Baller wallet, and you can pick one up at http://ballerleather.com

Some items I keep together in my documents bag include;

  • Boarding pass
  • Passport
  • Copies: Passport, cards, ID, itinerary
  • Thailand Departure card
  • Cash in 2 or 3 different currencies (lately Kip, USD, and Thai baht)
  • SIM cards for every country I visit
  • Extra passport photos
  • Bank cards and credit cards Subway tokens for when in Bangkok
  • ID from home country such as Driver’s License, Health Card, etc.

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3) Toiletries

Many long-distance flights (on Etihad, for instance) will provide you with sleep masks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and so on. This list is for anyone who doesn’t want to chance it;

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Eye mask
  • Inflatable neck pillow
  • Cologne
  • Anti-perspirant
  • Condoms
  • Gravol (for stomach issues or as a sleep aid)
  • Electric beard trimmer (which I tossed after 6 months in favor of a beard)
  • Earplugs
  • Travel towel (microfiber)
  • Nail clippers (once had to leave them behind at airport security)

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4) Electronics

Smart phones free up a lot of space. Travelers can eliminate additional items like a portable WIFI hotspot, MP3 player, and video player with a good smart phone.

Ensure that your smart phone is unlocked to work with any carrier and can tether its data connection to your laptop by cable or wirelessly via WIFI or Bluetooth.

It is now legal to be able to unlock your smartphone in the USA. Unlocking means allowing the phone to work with any carrier, “jail breaking” is something else entirely.

When I came to Thailand, my carrier had a steep cancellation fee so I gave my phone away to a friend and had them resume my contract. I picked up a used phone in Bangkok at MBK, but you can pick one up anywhere. They sell cheap burners at 7-Eleven, although smart phones and all other electronics are generally the same price in Thailand as they are back home.

  • Smart phone (Get your phone unlocked by your carrier in advance!)
  • Mac Air
  • External hard drive
  • USB stick
  • Portable speaker with built-in battery (also available at 7-Eleven)
  • Kindle ebook reader
  • Earphones
  • GoPro camera with watertight case
  • USB rechargeable battery pack

Special Note for Udemy Instructors, Podcasters, and other Media Producers: While there are a handful of recording studios in Chiang Mai, it might be best to pack your own additional recording gear or tablet you use as a teleprompter.

A coworking space called Coffee Monster does have a mic and a recording room that you can use, just add your laptop. I’ll get to Coffee Monster, later.

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5) Clothes

In hindsight, I learned that when it comes to clothing you could arrive with two sets of clothing and pick up the rest on arrival for the most part. Dress shirts can be custom made for cheap, and t-shirts, flip-flops, shorts, swim shorts, etc can all be purchased after you settle in on a need-to-wear basis.

However if winging it was your thing, you wouldn’t be reading this travel guide! Today, this is what I carry;

1 pair of socks
2 pairs of shorts
1 pair swim shorts for the pool or working out
1 pair pants to travel in
1 pair dress pants
5 t-shirts
1 dress shirt
3 pairs of underwear
1 leather belt
1 medium weight sweater

I strongly suggest that anything that is normally cotton –make it Merino wool. Merino wool pulls moisture away from the body in ways cotton never could, it reduces or eliminates odours naturally, regulates temperature (warms you in cold, cools you in heat), and it retains its shape much better than cotton. Merino is also stain and UV resistant, so it ages gracefully. Anything you purchase in Merino wool will outlive its cotton competitor by many, many times.

So that means Merino wool is ideal for t-shirts, socks, and underwear. Some popular Merino brands include Icebreaker, ExOfficio, Patagonia, and Ibex.

For stylish pants, I strongly recommend Bluffs by Bluffworks for similar reasons as Merino wool products. They are incredibly durable, wrinkle-free even after being balled up in a bag for 2 weeks, quick-drying, machine washable, and very breathable which makes them ideal for warmer climates. If you choose to only bring one pair of pants, these are ideal for work or pleasure.

You can find your pair of Bluffs here: http://shop.bluffworks.com

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5) Other Stuff

  • Notebooks
  • Pen
  • Pencil
  • Colored pencils
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Water canteen (for water refill stations)

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6) Footwear

I brought shoes with me, however I picked up my sandals in Pai. There’s a really great street vendor that sells flip-flops in Pai that are made completely out of comfortable yet durable rubber. Just about every vendor sells flip-flops, so you could likely skip packing them initially.

I now own three pairs of footwear;

Blundstone boots for travel or inclement weather
Jogging shoes that double as “water shoes”
Quality rubber flip-flop sandals

I love my Blundstone boots because they come with a two-year extended manufacturer’s warranty and they slip on without laces that can wear and break. The road is long and dirty; these boots are easily cleaned and more comfortable than a pair of Doc Martens.
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How to get Cheap Insurance in Thailand
How to get Cheap Insurance in Thailand cmbadmin

If your staying or living in Thailand, and require medical treatment, the last thing you want is the Hospital insisting on cash because your overseas Insurance agent can not communicate in Thai. Same thing applies with a motorcycle that gets lost or damaged.   If you make the mistake of using International Insurance policies, when it comes  to making claim you won’t have the benefit of a local Insurance agent by your side, working on your behalf.

For anyone who has lived in Thailand for a while, and has faced the task of attempting to get something done with a Thai business or company (or Hospital) – the benefits of having an English and Thai speaking person who knows how to deal with them needs no sales pitch.  Finding an Insurance agent who can do this for you is the difficult task

In a Nutshell

In a Nutshell

  • Insurance is Cheaper in Thailand
  • Local Agents work hard on your behalf
  • Home and Contents Insurance
  • Accident Insurance
  • Health Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Travel Insurance

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thumbs upChiang Mai Buddy Advantage
Our main focus at Chiang Mai Buddy is to source local Thai Business that are either experienced with Western values (and speak English) or is owned by a westerner.  We have done the same with Insurance and found an English speaking agent who not only has access to several Insurance companies (including a couple of international Institutions) to request quotes.  She is also popular among the Burmese working here because she put’s a customers budget and economic assets as a priority.  In other words she is skilled at finding the lowest quotes available.

Types of Expat Insurances that are a must have

1) Life Insurance (~ 10,000 Baht)

If you are a long term resident of Thailand and have married a Thai person (or are a retired couple) Life insurance protects the people who are financially dependent on you. If your spouse, children or other loved ones are likely to face financial hardship if you died, life insurance should be high on your list of required insurance policies.

For most people in the western world Life Insurance is something that is really only needed for the first 25 years of marriage or of your children’s life.  Usually by the end of this time, your kids have left the nest and are earning on their own, and you have made substantiation payments on your house and have savings that your spouse can manage in the event of your death.  But once you come to Thailand, especially if you have married again and settled into a family situation, you are aware that your spouse is usually totally dependent on your financial resources.

Thailand Insurers have developed a range of life insurance products that are designed to protect policy holders and provide future financial security. The added benefit of a Life Insurance policy is that you can attach various other modules to your policy including

A) Life Protection Insurance helps you build financial security for your family. Benefits will help reduce the financial burden arising through unexpected events; the policy reserves a lump sum payment for your family should such an event occur; a great way to express your responsibility, love and care to your family!

B) Medical Coverage

Hospital & Surgical Benefit
Provides reimbursement for medical expenses in case of hospitalization in a licensed hospital as an in-patient (IPD). In addition to life coverage from your basic life insurance policy, planning for medical expenditure is essential to keep you and your family well-protected against possible sicknesses. With Hospital and Surgical module, you are insured to receive prompt and quality medical care should sickness strike. Available up to 80 years old.

Hospital Stay Benefit
Hospital Benefits module provides daily cash benefit to compensate for loss of income in the event of being in business.  A full year of compensation is available

C) Accident Coverage Death by natural causes is one thing, but this is Thailand!  The accident module includes a death by accident and can be either a lump sum, or a death benefit.  Oddly the payout at times of festivals like Songkrang (where death rates are higher by accident) is doubled.

2) Accident Insurance (From 2000 Baht)

Perhaps one of the more important Insurance policies to have (and anytime you drive in a car or motorcycle you are reminded that this is a good idea) is the standard Accident Insurance.  Accident insurance covers you for medical expenses and cash payments for any disability that might incur.  One of the key benefits of having local Thai Insurance for this, is that your agent (at least the one Chiang Mai Buddy uses) will be notified at the time of your accident and personally go to the hospital to immediately take control of what the hospital does and does not do with your treatment.

For example, As with many country’s your blood alcohol level play a part in making any insurance null & void.  A good agent working on your behalf will talk to the Police Officer reporting the accident and request that the hospital staff do not take any blood samples until the next day.  One of the many benefits of obtaining Insurance in Thailand.

A typical Policy will include:

A) Accidental Death
B) Dismemberment: Loss of use of body parts, including limbs cut below the wrist or ankle,
C) Permanent Disability: Impairment preventing you from functioning normally. Permanent Disability is divided into 2 types: Total Temporary Disability and Temporary Permanent Disability.

Common  Modules available to add to your Accident Insurance Policy

D) Family Care Giver: Monthly Family Care Giver is a care benefits or alimony, compensated monthly to a family member. Family members including spouse, children and parents of the insured person. In case of accident where benefits I or II are compensated, the company will make monthly payments to the family member for up to 60 months.
E) Monthly Living Benefit:  Monthly Living Benefit is compensation paid monthly to the insured person on the basis of the dismemberment, loss of sight or Total Permanent Disability.
F) Hospital Cash: Hospital Cash provides coverage in case the insured person is injured through accident and needs medical treatment at hospital.

3) Property Insurance
House 2M = ~4,000 Baht, 16M = ~16,000 Baht,  Car from 6,000 Baht

Same same throughout the world, people want to ensure they are protected from damage and loss to their home and contents, which can include (or Insure separately) your Vehicle. Your home isn’t just any residence. It is a special place that reflects your individuality, your lifestyle preferences and passion. While replacing your household property is relatively inexpensive in Thailand – so too is the cost of Insurance for this.

Like any Home and Contents Insurance, there are many options from the standard Fire protection to All risk coverage options. In is important to note that almost every condo or house lease agreement makes a requirement that this type of insurance is the responsibility of the tenant.  Typical Policies will cover ….

  1. Loss or damage of jewelry and watch as a result of burglary, robbery and gang robbery
  2. Exclusive extension to covered charcoal, bicycle, water pump, air conditioner ,compressor, and satellite
  3. Temporary accommodation and storage
  4. Theft, burglary and robbery
  5. Personal liability

4) Travel Insurance ~1,400 Baht for 60 days

Another policy offered around the world that tends to be cheaper to obtain while in Thailand (especially if you are traveling to other Asian countries).  Travel Insurance is determined by the amount of your valuables and the duration of your travel, and like most policies includes property with module add on’s for medical and accident coverage.

Travel insurance protects you from change or cancellation of flights (no cost to you to get accommodation and another ticket), offers a lump cash if your baggage is lost – and covers you for accidents and misadventures while aboard.

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Obtaining Insurance Price Quotes

Now days people prefer to do their price shopping for quotes online, and Insurance companies make this easy for you by offering to give free quotes.  Although ‘free’ usually means many followup calls and emails from the company as your information goes into their database. I know personally what an annoying experience this is, as I am still called monthly on my Las Vegas phone number (obtained with magicjack, a voice over internet system) for an online Insurance quote I requested in 2005.  The Indian company that the Insurance company uses to harass me, do not delete my number, and the Insurance company says this is beyond their control. The calls keep coming, I am accused of lying about living in Thailand and not needing American Insurance and I am disconnected when I asked to have my number removed.

For those that want to risk this happening (although I am sure it will be Thai speaking people calling you) some of the major Insurance companies websites (in English) are listed below.

Lifestyle Insurance
AIG
AIA
AXA

Difficulties giving a quote for Insurance

Insurance is one of those things that have a hundred different variables.  How much do you want to be covered for? How old are you? How long is the Policy for? Do you want to have added modules of extended coverage etc.

insurance quotes chiang mai

As I am writing this blog now, I have half a dozen brochures from our own Insurance agent all with tables of coverage and cost wondering how on earth I can make this simple and give you the reader an idea of the price.  The image above is the first page of 2 (6 tables) for the options available for Accident Coverage from one of several companies our agent can obtain an Insurance plan from. Our agent deals with 4 or 5 Thai based companies and 3 International Insurance names.

Insurance agent chiang mai

Chiang Mai Buddy getting Insurance with a Local Agent

thumbs upChiang Mai Buddy Advantage
Obtaining information about insurance is often complex and difficult. Sure online you are given just a few options, and with a few mouse clicks you are all done. You will clearly not have the range of options (and therefore lower prices) that can be obtained by a custom plan – nor will you have an agent who lives in Chiang Mai who knows how to deal with the various companies who your insurance plan will be paying.
We have found an amazing Insurance Agent, and we are more than happy to arrange an appointment for our customers

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Summary

Insurance is one of those necessary thing in life that when you are hard pressed economically tend to get avoided or put on the back burner.  Luckily we are in Thailand, and like so many aspects of living here, the cost of getting Insurance is drastically cheaper than from overseas.  In addition as many Expats know, the amount of work that many Thai Businesses do for you for free or for a tiny fee – makes getting insurance an affordable and easy process.

The real difficultly comes from finding an English speaking Insurance agent that will do this for you.  Many people will use high priced western businesses that act as a middle person on your behalf.  The fee they charge to provide this service for you is almost half what your Insurance Premiums turn out to be, but often since the policies and prices are in Thai, you are never quite sure what you are paying for insurance and what is the middle mans commission.

We at Chiang Mai Buddy also act as a middle man, connection service for Insurance (as well as many other services).    If you would like us to do this, just give us a call on the phone or make an appointment to give us an idea of what you would like and we will pass this information on to our agent.

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