ajarnmarc

Thanks for sharing the video. Great to see happy times...

14 hours ago, HarrySeaman said:

Yes, DHL is ripping you off. 

 

The way to stop it is to get your items through the mail.  Read what it says in the link below and you will see that up to 1500 Bt is duty free.

 

Thai Customs - IMPORTING POSTAL ITEMS

 

If your vitamins are coming from the USA then next time order from iHERB.  They ship to Thailand for a minimum cost and I have never had to pay duty.

I have also ordered several items through iHerb, 

without any issues.

Once you get going with iHerb they will start to send you via e-mails coupons to keep you coming back for more of the products they provide, which in my experience has all been very good.

I always avoid DHL, FEDEX, UPS on my shipments, 

since they find it their own personal duty to charge over the top duties, 

plus any and all charges they can tack on along the way.

If DHL remains admit about this outrageous charge, 

I would let the package go, as it doesn't appear to be worth the duty charge in this case.

At least they won't be able to benefit from the pocket money they are banking on you paying them.

It's not like they are going to enjoy consuming the vitamins, so it will most likely go in the trash, 

but at least the money won't land in their deep pockets.

Thank you for the update, always good to know what the actual experiences are at each of these Royal Thai Consulates, since they can change...

7 hours ago, Chang_paarp said:

How do the "ignorant foreign" tourists, and informed Thai tourists get to these places if not with the assistance of Thai tourist operators? 

 

Maybe, just maybe the emphasis is on the wrong part of the equation.

Very true...at least we can now see how they refer to tourism " ignorant foreigners".

No mention about the tons of garbage I've personally seen dumped from the ferries each day, 

while traveling from Donsak to Samui on the last ferry of the day, 

The Thai staff transfer all the trash bags from all the ferries used throughout the day, 

onto the last ferry running that evening,

which they then proceed to dump each bag overboard on the trip.

We don't even need to get started on all the cooking oil dumped into the sea from the restaurants hanging over the water in Hua Hin...

These examples are clearly a sign of ignorance...

I realize it's their country, 

so I just SMH.

12 hours ago, mercman24 said:

just a quickie on tyre pressures, i had a slow puncture on my scooter last week had it checked by 3 tyre bays, not one had a pressure gauge. must have been 50 psi in there, steering wandering all over the road, every bump like riding on a solid tyre (which it was ) so my take on it, they just guess tyre pressures,

I have often experienced the same situation when visiting the tire shops. 

None of the personnel have a tire gauge.

I am sure there are shops that do,

though they are rare and far inbetween,

but for the most part they don't see a use for one.

2 hours ago, Happyman58 said:

Reform the cops wow  I have one reform that should be enforced Make the cops do their job Is that asking to much? The committee will hand over the police force their suggestions lots of smiles from the police commissioner he will hand it to his secretary  she will hand it to the office staff and it will be used as toilet paper that afternoon

nice post...I needed good fun humor for the day,

and this filled the spot.

I'm still laughing as I write this.

Cheers

1 hour ago, Enoon said:

 

 

The population have been taught to crawl, kneel and press their palms together in prayer and deference.

 

That is all the State, whose prime concern is the well being of a particular section of the "Body Politic" (a section blinkered, unimaginative and most of all...self-interested), requires of them.

 

The well being of the "Body Public" is of secondary consideration.  And then only when it may have a bearing upon the well being of that "particular section".

 

The public can do as much damage to itself as it wants.

 

A very different outlook to Western social policy.

 

Didn't you want to get away from the "Nanny" State?

 

 

 

 

 

My first impression on this country upon arriving was it was ran by the people.

I liked not having to look over my shoulder each time I wanted to make a turn where I normally wouldn't be allowed, to park where I could, not where I was required to.

To enjoy a cold beer on the beach,

open for all to see if they wished.

For bars & restaurants to stay open until the customers were gone.

As a child I enjoyed riding in the back of my parents vehicle,

safe or not, I enjoyed the open air.

When people complain or express their opinions on this forum,

it's often stated that if they don't like it, 

go back to where they came from...yes?

I've never made such a statement, 

again let people be who they wish to be,

say what they will...

Now let the citizens of this country decide for themselves what they wish, 

how they care to travel; live.

It's their country after all.

All we expats can do is enjoy the freedoms which drew us here to begin with, 

and try to protect ourselves with auto cameras; thank goodness for technology, 

auto / health insurance,

and most of all be responsible for ourselves.

Rather than trying to draw a line in the sand,

each time something transpires which we fail to see the logic in, 

or don't necessarily agree with,

it might be better to go with the flow, 

so we can enjoy whatever it is that this country has to offer?

After 18 years, I'm still trying to figure out what that is?

For now I know/ think it's better than what my nanny state has to offer, 

so I remain here until something better comes along, 

isn't that all we can do...?

Happy Holiday everyone, 

enjoy.

7 hours ago, Jap Pumkin said:

Here is a better video on E Cigs. A heart Surgeon in Canada

has opened his own vape shop.

 

 

Thank you for providing this video link. I can say for myself, that the day I started vaping, I have never smoked a tobacco cigarette since. It was that easy for me. I smoked a pack every two days; sometimes more, if I had a few beers. Yet now, I don't vape in public, only @ home, and I'm more than willing to wait until I return home for the soothing pleasure that vaping the many selections I have in flavors of vape juice. I can't say if I smoke more now with vaping, as it's more of a pleasure, enjoyment of relaxing with my mod, and enjoying a flavorful smoke. I often wonder how I got by on just a single brand of tobacco cigarettes, when I find myself changing often with the vaping flavors that are available? I have also found that lowering my nicotine levels from a tobacco cigarette wasn't an issue either. As a normal cigarette ranges from 12 - 18mg, and I'm anywhere from 3- 9mg all depending on what flavor I'm using on that given day, without any issues or care about the mg level.

On a side note, there is a learning curve with vaping, like how to save money by making my own coils, and changing out the cotton in the coils, but I also find that since I can easily smoke the entire day without changing the cotton in my coil, that speaks volumes to me, with regards to the cleanliness with compared to tobacco cigarettes, where the filter is toast after just one cigarette, and yet this small piece of cotton between the coils can last the entire day. I have my coils, which I made with by just wrapping it around a screwdriver, last for weeks at a time, by just burning off the vape juice buildup inbetween cotton changes. Even though it took me some time to learn how to build my coils and properly stuff the right amount of cotton between the coils, I had the time, since I wasn't smoking tobacco any more, and my kids luv me more for it. 

The now remind me daily how good my room smells with vape juice compared to when I smoke tobacco. They usually get the flavor scent correctly, even though I don't smell the odor as strong as when I first starting using vape juice, I now just get the flavor enjoyment, while the people around me get the pleasure of not smelling tobacco burning. Breath is also fresher too, from vaping, so that's a plus for me as well.

Penang isn't likely to process any visa after you've received a red stamp, 

as the stamp is there for a reason,

and Penang isn't going to just look past that, 

and issue their own.

Penang handles their visas by the official requirements, 

they just do their business professionally, 

and don't choose to translate those requirements however they see fit, 

or feel upon any given day, as some other consulates might do.

The excessively loud mufflers is all thats an issue really,

and unfortunately it seems to be the new fade lately.

Especially so with the motorcycles.

All the other modifications are just directed as a hobby, 

one might consider.

Which is a constructive way for the youth to spend their free time, 

and money...

I'm a bit surprised they haven't banned smoking @ National Parks too.

Bigger fines, and longer jail terms too...

After all, we have to keep those parks beautiful yes?

That's what the quality tourists come to Thailand to see, 

according to TAT.

When it's all said and done,

and the laws are enforced, 

that restrict all the things people enjoyed about the freedoms of Thailand... 

The tourist have long left,

with no plans to return,

then the Thai's can blame the tourist for all that's changed.

The long term expats can already feel,

see the hate coming from various directions within the country.

As some Thai's realize how much their beloved country is changing, 

in a much more restrictive,

controlling way,

while failing to truly provide any improvements to the safety of the citizens within.

SMH

Pattaya just needs to learn more Chinese language, 

and then all will be well again...

Their minds think alike, 

so they have much in common, 

just takes time on how to communicate their common way of thinking, 

between each-other.

Where is it that motorcycles have the right away against a vehicle?

One would hope that to be the case but...

When I see vehicles driving down a two lane road, 

they take up as much of the road as possible, 

making the motorcycle hug the curb just to get past in the opposite direction.

Vehicle giving only the smallest amount of space or in some case non at all for motorcycles to pass safely, instead of staying on the left side of the road as would be the case if two vehicles were approaching each other in the same situation.

Doesn't seem to be any consideration for people driving as one person posted, 

a small motorcycle on a road with a large truck.

Side note though,

this Mazda is a mid size pickup, 

not a full size F-150 ect.

If everyone came to a complete stop before turning left into a parking lot, 

you'd have people standing on their horns,

which would also cause issues, 

as we know how the Thai's hate to hear the sound of a horn blowing on them.

Though I have yet to witness anyone coming to a complete stop,

before making a left turn as was posted by Peterw42 to be a thai practice.

I rarely, if ever see Thai's come to a complete stop even when they are entering a main road, 

even if there's a stop sign,

they just enter at will, 

assuming that others will see them, 

and allow them to enter into the ongoing traffic.

Now with the issue of the use of indicators, 

one could state they were used, 

but since the turn was so slight, 

they were easily released by the steering wheel, 

when it the vehicle steering was straightened, 

after realizing they had been struck by a motorcycle.

So it's hard to tell for sure if the indicator was used or not from the video footage.

8 hours ago, AhFarangJa said:

Did you know it was illegal ???? I certainly didn't, and as usual, nearly every bike I see has them down !!!!

I had no idea this was an issue either, 

nor why it would be an issue?

Now we have to hope we keep our foot pegs in good working order, 

for a family of daily riders can pop them up & down throughout the day, 

when taking hops around town.

I remember when the cops would stop me for driving during the day with my headlights on, 

considering that to be an issue.

Now that the headlights are always on when the motor is running, 

they've moved on the autos,

having this an issue,

yet on the newer vehicles that too,

has the headlights on when the vehicle is running,

though those are running lights,

best to make that clear, 

before some wise person tries to correct me on the technicality. 

Moral of the story, forget the real safety issues, 

like all the motorcycles driving without any mirrors, 

or the kiddie helmets made of plastic thinner than the cereal bowl the kids ate breakfast out of, 

or driving in the opposite direction of traffic,

nor all the drivers racing around that are under the legal age to drive (15). 

Chase people down on issues that no one would know about, 

nor consider any risk to anyone else on the road, 

after all if the pegs down has someway of causing anyone bodily damage, 

then the obvious solution would be not to be that close to a moving motorcycle, 

if that's even possible?

As the tail pipe sticks out just as far a the foot pegs.

SMH

6 hours ago, BritTim said:

Unfortunately, @Yonisch elected to confuse the issue by inserting a completely off topic post into the thread.

 

What @Yonisch was saying is that there was a problem extending his permission to stay in Thailand at Chaeng Wattana immigration using the income method. If he chooses to open a new thread that addresses his issue, maybe we will be able to discover the reason for the problem (perhaps, failure to get the right piece of paper from his embassy?)

 

Just ignore his post which has nothing to do with visa applications of any kind in Hong Kong.

 

Thank you for the update. 

I wasn't aware from the post made by Yonisch that he was trying to do an extension at local immigration in Chaeng Wattana, which of course will require the 400k.

Has anyone been successful by just showing a letter from their own Embassy stating they are retired with a minimum income of 40k a month or was more details required i.e. letter from bank, printout of bank transactions ect.?

3 hours ago, Yonisch said:

I just tried to extend my non o single entry visa ( for a year that is) at the government complex but they said I had to have 400K and that proof of income of 40k doesn't exist... (based on thai child only, not married). Gave me 60 days but ugh..

I'm not familiar with any of the Consultants giving Non - O single entry for more than 90 days, 

based on child or marriage, without proof of the 400k.

Thank you for the update on the situation @ Hong Kong, as it sounds like it's not as good as Penang;

if they only issued you 60 days in HK. 

In my view the 90 days works out fine,

as the 1 year you was applying for,

would of still required you to do a boarder run every 90 days yes?

If HK has issued it?

In my case if I obtain 90 days,

then I can still go to the local immigration and get an extension at the end of the 90 days,

for 60 more days after I pay 1,900 bht,

and that's less than a boarder run. 

Therefore I only need to actually leave the country every 5 months, 

for a new visa.

It would be interesting to hear / read if anyone has done the 40k monthly income successfully, 

to obtain the 1 year Non - O based on child i.e. dependent, 

and what form of proof that took at any of the nearby Consultants?

It's good to read that people like this are apprehended.

Good to know that the daughter felt safe to contact her parents, 

and report what was occurring @ her Aunties...

All we can do as parents is try to stay close to our children, 

and support them in a positive way, 

so they can feel safe to communicate when evil influences cross their paths, 

as there are so many venues which children can be exposed to these days, 

without the parents having any idea what's going on.

Hopefully all of the teens are back home safely.

21 hours ago, Here It Is said:

Thanks for clarity.

 

What I would say is that your average Thai buyer knows no better, i.e. purchasing from iStudio, which appears to be about as close as it gets to an Apple store.

 

Saying that, at least Thais have the option of purchasing on the Apple Thailand website.  Not sure what level of protection that provides but surely a step up from iStudio.

Would avoid iStudio at all cost.

Terrible service, and the staff is somehow even worse than their service on repairs...

English speaking staff on hand, no need, 

was the statement I got from the ladyboy behind the counter, 

as they asked if I had a boyfriend / girlfriend that I could bring to the store to explain what I needed to have done to my iPad mini?

Even though I displayed the screen was broken, 

staff felt if was beneath them to explain or try to explain what was required for the repair.

Had a mate mistakenly take his computer in for repair,

was informed @ the time of drop-off, 

it would take only two weeks to repair,

and in the end it took four months.

Staffs response to repeated visits to obtain the repaired computers..

."what do you want me to do, 

I'm not the one repairing it, I told you maybe it will arrive this week". 

So they were able to speak English when they chose to, but as normal, 

only when their back was against the wall, and they needed to defend themselves, 

for their misinformed statements previously @ time of dropping off the computer, 

or the several visits which ensued.

Most Thai's are convinced that when they need to do their household shopping Makkro is the place. I've researched all the items I normally buy at other stores and they always beat out Makkro prices. The other stores also offer shopping bags, and the items are better displayed to boot. Local shop owners know how to market their items, by giving less effort on presentation, and the locals believe it's to save cost, which the owners can pass on to the consumers, but in reality it's any but that. 

Then their the shops that actually want the consumers to remove their shoes,

to enter the business store, 

for that reason alone, I move on. 

For me Tops, and Lazada are easiest way to compare prices and usually save money in the process. 

Tops store, even has an app which reads bar codes, so I can easily compare prices in any store, 

with the Tops app bar code reader to see if the other store is cheaper or not?

If the other store isn't cheaper, then I can place the items on Tops in my shopping cart, 

and have it delivered, usually by the time I get home, as any order made before 13:00 are delivered the same day, free of charge...

Can't beat home delivery, saves time and gas, not to mention the rude workers in the store,

that just push past the customers if they are in the way,

while the labor is trying to stock shelves...

Thank you for this update on the process for Hong Kong. 

My wife has family living there, so we've been wanting to process my non-o under dependent (children), 

through HK for some time, just don't know what they require when compared to Penang consulate?

Has any one done this type of Visa there?

Be interested in knowing if they are as straight forward about the 90 days non-o as penang is?

Then we can take advantage of the location and let the kids see the family while dad processes the visa.

Would be a win, win for everyone traveling in my group, if it can work out hassle free...?

Penang is just, copy of passport, photo, copy of birth certificate, copy of tabien, copy of mothers ID card, 

and pay the fee. Good for another 90 days, with 60 days extension @ local immigration, so I only need to make the trip every 5 months, and since I'm getting an extension on the 90 day mark, it's just the same as reporting every 90 days to immigration, I just have to pay the 1,900 bht for the extension.

Works for now, until I can get the 800,000 bht together, to process through the retirement non-o; 

hopefully in the future...

6 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

When you pre-book an UBER you are provided with a 'Window'... Thus, if you booked an UBER for 11:15am UBER will have provided you with a 15 minute 'Window' (anything from 11:00-11:15 to 11:15-11:30am)

UBER show up in that 15 minute Window and wait 5 mins before cancelling the ride if you are a no show or uncontactable after 5 mins. 

In this case it seems that the driver was dead set on getting out of their quickly.

The no-number plate is a new one for me, in any country the number-plate always shows once a ride has been confirmed. 

I'm also surprised you couldn't check your drives arrival progress on the App which always shows the drivers location once a ride has been accepted. 

 

With regards to arriving at the Thai Embassy late - If the doors for applications close at 11:30am and you aimed to leave your hotel at 11:15am you are clearly leaving it too late and only have yourself to hold responsible for not planning in a little contingency time. 

 

As far as UBERs claim of 5RM... you can file a complaint with them of an unfair charge, you can tell them you were waiting for the UBER to turn up and the driver never contacted you and you couldn't locate him or find his license number on the App.

 

I have been late a couple of times and the driver has left already - I can understand this otherwise people would be expecting the drivers to wait much longer and ultimately start taking liberties with the service. 

 

Equally so, I've cancelled drivers and been charged 50 baht, contested the charge and had it removed. Contesting the charge in the app is a very simple process and UBER always seem to remove it without question. 

 

Just what I needed...a different perspective. 

Thank you for your time, 

with this constructive response.

Now I have to figure out how to set up credit card payment, 

and get the driver his / her money for my errors.

I can now see and agree where all they were; on my side.

Again, thanks to this well communicated response; 

highlighting the features which are available, 

that would of helped me avoid this.

I'm clearly a novice user,

as Uber isn't available where I live. 

I can now see how I had gotten used to the prompt service,

and simply relied on it all going perfectly as it had in my past experiences, 

therefore limited my timeline for any issues which might of presented...