@Chris *****

Chiang Mai isn't in lockdown and Scoot was flying into CNX. Flights schedules are limited and there is no sealed transit through BKK. Best option would be do the first night in BKK, then take a flight day 2.

The easiest is as people mention the tourist visa which is 60 days, plus one 30 day extension. if you really enjoy it a more permanent option, you could look at a Non O, get 90 days to start. Then get a year extension based on retirement. Check to see if your country does an income verification letter which means you don't have to open an account.

You need to be on a specific flight, booked on one ticket that is sealed route.

This was posted in another group:

"Transit Bangkok to Phuket

🇹🇭 Thai News Reports: Special Sealed Route from Bangkok to Phuket for international travellers taking part in the Phuket Sandbox will start from 1st February 2022.

Passengers can visit the website for more details about flight schedules.

@Subzero **********

it was flights only but things are changing or have very recently changed so not 100% sure.

@Kristen *******

Also Canadian and over 50. We entered in October on 90 day Non O. We did the one year extension based on retirement, with me as a trailing spouse. As Canadians you don't have to season 800K THB in an account, you can get an income verification letter from the local Canadian Embassy or Consulate. You need to provide your summary page from you last tax return which must show earnings of over 65K THB/month. You can download the form from CRA.

Not sure if that's possible in your situation based on your spouse being from Hong Kong. Should probably work for you though. I believe (?)you can do a trailing spouse with the 800K THB deposit but you'd need to confirm that.

We were told that in order to do a trailing spouse we both had to enter on a Non O, so we applied before coming to Thailand.

We dealt with the Vancouver Consulate and they were very helpful. PM if you have any questions.

@Jo *********

I agree. The covid extensions have been a great assistance to many people in various situations. We also benefited from them last year and appreciated the governments offering them. I admit, I did find it a bit stressful not knowing if they'd be renewed. Luckily we've been able to get our Non O 50+ extension arranged so no longer necessary. Unfortunately not the case for many.

Check the insurance wording and see if it allows for re-entry. If it's one of the Thai ones I think it becomes invalid when you exit.

Hopefully I missed something but Laos will require you to be vaxxed as do most of the closer countries. You'll be looking at 5 to 14 days of quarantine not including your return. When I looked the other day the UK is one of the places with no quarantine just need an additional test.

Join Farangs Stranded Abroad Group and search for Greg Lange. He is part of a group that helps with this, lots of information in that group

Unfortunately you'll be looking at minimum 5 - 10 days quarantine to a close county. You'll also have your 10 days AQ on return. Surprisingly the UK could be an option... got this from the link below.

Not fully vaccinated – from 11 February

If you do not qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, you will need to:

show proof of a negative COVID-19 test – test to be taken in the 2 days before you travel to England

book and pay for a COVID-19 PCR test – to be taken after you arrive in England

complete a passenger locator form before you travel to England

You will need to book the PCR test before you travel.

You will not need to quarantine, unless the result of the PCR test is positive.

@Conny *******

We found this link, public handbook no 5.