@Sylvia *******

it’s a while since I’ve been to Portugal but went regularly for 20 years. Wasn’t aware of dual pricing in the hotels, cafes and restaurants I frequented back then.

The essential change is that instead of a 12 month ‘one off’ Personal Accident Insurance policy Bangkok Bank now insist upon us taking out their Life Insurance. There is security value for your partner in so doing. Wife has a couple of friends whose Farang husbands turned alcoholic, drank their savings, incurred hospital bills then died leaving them unable to pay for their funerals. My wife has taken out Life Insurance upon myself with Thai Life.

@Greg *******

On face value it appears Vancouver have ‘steered’ the applicant by asking how long he intends to stay and then using his response as justification to change visa type. Two possible reasons; 1) Inexperienced staff, 2) They were going to reject his application so were ‘generous’ in issuing an alternative visa.

Adnan Khairi I agree there is always such a possibility!

@Henrik ****

Fortunately, in the real World, banks and credit card companies protect us from companies/organisations who take our money and fail to deliver the product (or service). Recent report where an applicant’s bank asked the Thai Embassy for an explanation of their actions? The Embassy didn’t respond. Therefore, bank authorised chargeback.

Clearly Vancouver is at fault. The visa they issued is not the one you applied for. A chargeback on your debit/credit card will result in cancellation of the incorrectly issued tourist visa.

@Greg *******

Agree that a visa agent could ‘troubleshoot’. After two failed applications, spending further time and money on a third personal application would more than likely be pointless.

@Julien ********

Top comment Julien! At this point, it’s probably the only way forward.

@James *******

Good questions as always James! It’s important that the applicant answers these at this point. I too suspect some subtle trickery (leading questions) here.

Only your travel insurance company could answer that. Cover is usually limited to a certain number of days per trip. Important to take it out before you leave home and, ideally, immediately upon booking flights/hotels to cover you for cancellation in case of accident or illness prior to departure.