fester

Here is some free Bangkok maps online:

http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/bangkok....in.html

Taxi the last bit:

http://www.thaivisa.com/307.0.html

You will propably find agents in Kota Bahru, just ask at any hotel for the "Visa man".

As you will propably get only single or double entry in Malaysia, it's enough if the passport is valid for 6-12 months.

18 months validity is usually required for multiple one year visas.

Whoops, it was the Provincial Office Building , the enormous one just on the W side of town. Definitely not the bridge office.

How long queueing, waiting was that? A quick stamp or several hours waiting?

Train fares increase today

The cost of first and second-class fares on express and air-conditioned trains rises today for travel on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with state rail promising a better service.

SRT governor Chitsanti Dhanasobhon said the surcharge per passenger was 20 baht on average. The old charge ranged from 40 to 140 baht on rapid, express and air-conditioned trains.

The higher surcharges would apply only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until May, when they would become general, he said. The cost of third-class tickets would not rise.

He expected the increase would lift revenue by 800,000-900,000 baht daily. In return, the SRT would improve its carriages, catering and general service for passengers.

(Bangkok Post March 11, 2003)

Roger and Lopburi are right. There IS a grandfather clause for farangs holding yearly extensions from immigration since 1998.

If they have stayed so long, they need only to show the lower amount.

But the Immigration minds change quickly sometimes, so better double check the current rules at your local immigration office. See below:

Related link

Here is a link for those retireds who has been here for a while:

http://www.ethailand.com/article....ree=246

Updated info regarding:

Effect of the Treaty on U.S. Citizens and Green Card Holders Who are Residents of Thailand

Uploaded on our webiste at:

http://www.thaivisa.com/592.0.html

Bapak, hello and welcome to Thailand Expat Forum.

Can't you call them in Sydney and let us all know if it's still possible to get multi's there. I have heard that they don't issue multi's anymore..

Please enlighten us all! Thanks in advance!

Another 'nationalist' feature announced today is the educational department requirement that Thai numerals/script be used in all school classes. Not over helpful in a country that relies so greatly on tourism to generate foreign income.

Schools told to use Thai numerals and Buddhist calendar

Sirikul Bunnag

In an attempt to counter Western influences and preserve cultural identity, the Education Ministry has ordered all schools to use Thai numerical figures and the Buddhist Era calendar when teaching the national curriculum.

All agencies under the ministry's control would also be required to use the traditional numerals and calendar in official letters, said education deputy permanent secretary Savitri Suwansathit.

``Thai numerical figures are part of the national identity,'' Ms Savitri said. ``The ministry must play a role in preserving them and promoting their use among students, before they forget what they look like.''

The Curriculum and Instruction Development Department would ensure schools use Thai numerals during all lessons given in Thai language, from first to final grades, to counter Western influences, she said.

Pranee Prabripoo, of the Thai Language Institute, welcomed the move.

``It's time to take seriously the way in which we teach Thai students,'' she said. ``The use of technology such as calculators and computers has encouraged students to abandon Thai numerals. They have become influenced by Western culture.''

Ms Pranee said the trend took off three years ago, when exhibition organisers began adopting the Christian calendar to name events such as Education Fair 2000 and IT 2000, in what she labelled ``the cultural invasion.''

The Education Ministry shared its concerns about the national identity with the Culture Ministry, as well as the House committee on religion, culture and arts.

Culture Ministry official Sucharit Buapim said learning and practising how to write Thai numerals could help students increase their concentration and improve their handwriting.

Unfortunately, though, many students graduated without being able to write Thai numerals as they were not used in universities, he said.

--

Bangkok Post, March 10, 2003

The Nation writes about Thai nationalism today.

"Fire Of Thai Nationalism Burning Out Of Control"

http://www.thaivisa.com/index.php?514&backPID=10&tt_news=188

Are Thais only thinking about themselves?

Is the article wrong?

Why you don't call the Thai consul in Hull and ask if you can send your application there. He will propably give you a one yaer multiple entry. The small Thai consulates are the most generous.

The big embassies and consulates can be hopeless, if you don't have extremeley good paperwork, and even then they seems to be living in onother world, sometimes.

Did she get the day pass from the Thai Amphur district office, huh? Sure?

You mean that she got it from the Immigration at the bridge??

Please expand!

Up again!

Seems to work again now after some strange sounds from the TV speaker, and an abrupt DStv set top box restart following a download of some sort.

I can now enjoy my CNN with attached "UBS Blue Screen Of Death" and accompanied musac. I hate censur!

Will be looking for a decent sattellite a la STAR-TV asap.

Is that STAR-TV, or? Does your satellite provider have a home page? Do you have a list of all channels?

FYI, UBC have been down for 24 hours now. Anybody here have the same problem?

The most annoying thing is the *music* played under these unprofessional breaks. Hysteric Elevator Musac!

Why they don't play some plugs for upcoming films from the film channels instead? Such materal is delivered to UBC free of charge !! And these spots are cut in 30, 60, 90 seconds or whatever suitable.

For your info, both CNN, BBC and CNBC Asia are sending out a special "break" signal when it is break, so it's no need for some Thai employee to sit and fetch the commercials with a red button. That signal can easily trig a recorded track.

UBC is simply unprofessional! And too expensive, but there is no choice. TiT.

Many expats have health insurances with Blue Cross in Bangkok. A bit expensive, but works fine.

http://www.bupathailand.com/

And Thailand sealed it's border with Burma (Myanmar).

http://www.thaivisa.com/index.php?514&backPID=10&tt_news=182

Malaysia and Laos border to follow??

Roger, I believe your visa says "Non-Immigrant" and NOT

"Non-resident", becuase there is no such visa.

I further believe that you alredy have paid income tax on your pension abroad.

This tax issue has been discussed before in the forum, here is the thread:

http://forum.thaivisa.com/cgi-bin/ikonboar...ct=ST;f=1;t=401

.

Roger and Lopburi are right. There IS a grandfather clause for farangs holding yearly extensions from immigration since 1998.

If they have stayed so long, they need only to show the lower amount.

But the Immigration minds change quickly sometimes, so better double check the current rules at your local immigration office. See below:

Related link

I found the Thai Consul in Brisbane on the 'net:

http://www.thaiconsulate.org

email: [email protected]

Write a polite email to the Consul-General Bill and he can help.

Or contact the Candian Emabssy in Bangkok regarding the formalities.

More info on Thaivisa.com web site - marriage

Any beach will do