prism

peat

Don't know if they have one, but if you ever travel with infants they are a godsend. Last February, I traveled from LAX to BKK with 4 month old twins and we had a plane change at Taipei. What a nice surprise when we found they had added a couple of nursing rooms at the Taipei airport. They had hot drinkable water and even free disposable diapers. There are some airports in Europe that have them so maybe it's a good idea that's spreading.

Dual citizenship is a sticky issue;

US allows and recognizes it.

But Thailand does not. When 18, he/she must declare in Thailand.

But our daughter has a Thai Passport too so it will be moot as long as one does not speak about it.

Not quite correct.

Under Thai Law a person with Dual Nationality MAY choose at age 18 which Nationality to accept, i.e. there is no compulsion, if you wish to keep both Nationalities you simply do not make a choice.

My daughter was born in Thailand and has held Dual Nationality (British and Thai) ever since, complete with Thai I.D. Card and Passport, she is now 24 and regularly travels to and from Thailand using the 2 Passports; the Thai Passport when entering and leaving Thailand, the British Passport entering and leaving U.K..

Never a problem - and literally thousand of Thais have Dual Nationality, including many from the "top 100" families here so there is virtually no chance that the situation will change.

The only possible drawback in keeping Thai citizenship for a male is that at 18, if he is Resident in Thailand, he will be subject to the Thai Army Draft lottery.

Patrick

It took me almost three months to get an appointment for our twins. Once there it took us about 15 minutes to complete the process since we had all our documents in order.

I was told that if the male Dual National serves in the ROTC, they will be exempt from having to join the Thai Army and this doesn't conflict against the US restrictions on it's citizens serving in a foreign military.

Stay close to the airport as possible. It's gets scary east of the 405 freeway but the hotels are cheaper out there. Most of the hotels by LAX have a shuttle service. There is a travelodge near the airport but it's still around $80 night.

Bring your own currency--US dollars, I presume. They are readily changeable at almost every corner bank kiosk. You can also use your ATM card to withdraw money as you need it. Charge as many purchases in major stores and hotels to your credit card, as you get a better rate when it is charged to your account than you get at a bank when changing money.

You might think twice before using a credit card from a US bank. There are two exchange rates for the US dollar to Thai baht, the onshore and the offshore exchange rate. Most credit cards use an offshore exchange rate service such as Forex which is about 10% lower then the onshore exchange rate plus the credit card bank might add on a extra charge for that service, usually 3%. Might want to check with your credit card company first.

Other than that, good advice from Shepsel.

Any ideas how the license bit works, I would not be to keen on having to hire a boatman every time I take the boat out.

Can you get the license here in Pattaya, can you get a foreign license converted to Thai?

Wish I could be of more help with this one but you might check with the Marine Department nearby the Bali Hai pier, they speak some English or check with a speed boat dealer. I've heard if you already have one from your home country you can convert to Thai but I could be wrong.

Any speed boat owners here? Thinking of getting one but would like to know what the deal is.

Can you drive it yourself, need to get a license? How do you get one?

Whats the costs, yearly tax, parking/storage?

I used to own a speedboat for awhile. First, you need a license to drive it, if you don't, you should hire a licensed boatman to drive it for you. You can buy one at a dealership, some are good, some are real crooks or from a private party. The engine and drive train are by far the most expensive part of the boat and parts are not cheap. These speed boats can use an amazing amount of fuel so remember to include that in your budget.

You can store it at the Bali Hai pier area for around 2,600 baht per month depending on the size of the boat. You can store it elsewhere for less but you'll have to pay approx 300 baht for a tractor to take the boat in and out for you at the boat slip each time you use it.

Ownership transfer fee was 4000 baht as of a year ago and there is a nominal yearly fee. Insurance is not bad.

Not worth buying unless you plan to use it often or you have some money to throw around on expensive toys.

loburi3 thats true...

I should have started an new thread... the 90 day report is for my girlfriend :-) she is Thai but here on NZ passport (one year visa).

:-)

Make sure she has a re-entry permit if she crosses the border and this won't substitute the 90 day reporting requirement.

The only downside to flying Taiwanese airlines is having to spend your layover in the horrible Taiwanese airport if you're headed from Asia to the U.S. Absolutely nothing is there. It sucks.

A year ago, I would've agreed with you having flown through TPE numerous times. Had a layover there last December I was pleasantly surprised, they've renovated the China Airlines terminal and added many more shops and some more places to eat through out the airport, including a Subway and a Star bucks. It sure beats LAX.

Same with my connection. I have 1024 Goldcyber Service (!) with TOT and, for the last two days, I have received the notice "Server Not Found" most of the time. After a second or third retry, access to the site succeeds. Maybe the problem is associated with the on-going repairs to the damaged cable damage off Taiwan. Who knows!!

I have the exact same problem here. TOT has told me in the past that all the repairs should be done by 30th, January...NOT!

can anybody tell me if laser hair removal can be done in pattaya,and how much it would be.

Bangkok Pattaya Hospital has a program but it's expensive.

Is there a free or cheap way to send money to a Thai account from the US? What about Depositing a private check into a Account also?

Probably the best way to send money into Thailand is to have your US bank wire the funds to your Thai bank account. Your US bank will charge you a nominal fee for this, maybe around $30.00. I never been charged for this service by a Thai bank. You'll be able to get the required paperwork from the Thai bank for proof of the source of funds if you should desire to buy a condo or obtain a visa if you follow this route. Make sure you have the funds transfered in US dollars for the best exchange rate.

I want to study Thai language in Pattaya. Can you recommend me any lessons or a teacher?

Now can only speak on elementary level (my gf teachs me). I want to improve my skills and learn how to read goddamn Thai letters.

You might want to check out AUA Language school. They are located by the dolphin roundabout on North Pattaya road. They offer classes in both speaking and writing Thai language. Here's their link.: http://www.auathailand.org/auaaddress.asp

Interesting to note that the gangs like Bangkok Bank cards. My be1st card must have been faked or copied because almost 55,000 Baht worth of charges were made on my account while my be1st card was in my possession. They didn't need a pin number since the card can also be treated as a credit card (VISA) and transactions only require a signature. I've made a police report and approached bangkok Bank. So far no reimbursment and little response. Looks like you have no protection from fraudulent use of a Be 1st card.

Be 1st card - BEWARE!

I thought you are required to register and submit your membership card with your name and picture on it to work out at Tony's Gym.

They don't know who he is?, hummm...

I'm a strong advocate of having Amity companies. In fact, I have three Amity Treaty companies and feel Amity is worth its weight in gold. I simply cannot find one good reason NOT to have Amity.

www.sunbeltasia.com

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Is it still true that such company cannot own land or buildings?

I like "1010"...

Lucifers is a cool place to hang out with a great band, not really a disco tho. XZYTE is the best disco and the one that the girls love to go to. If you don't want to pay the cover at XZYTE (200 baht for farangs includes one drink, free for Thai's) then there's Hollywood which always gets packed. Bring your earplugs!.

The police are clamping down on the bars closing at 2AM but the Karaoke joints seem to go on all night. Hook up with a Thai girl she'll know where to party all night.

Pattaya is still sanook di

Maxisreal,

It's a long file, 5 pages. If you have a dial up connection like I do, you'll have to wait a few minutes even after the window message indicates "done". Then it should come up.

It's worth the wait.

I, myself made the big move from the states to LOS having sold the house and all before coming here. It was a huge move but there's a big difference between me and Smile, I'm single so if I crash and burn, I'm not taking a spouse and kids down with me. In his initial post, he asked about obtaining a long term visa investing 3 mil to 10 mil. For yourself, I'm assuming he's under 50 YO, you can deposit 3 mil into a one year fixed savings account at a Thai bank. Bangkok bank pays a whopping %1 interest . Then apply for a Non Imig at a Thai embassy or consulate. You'll likely get a single entry so you'll have to upgrade that to a one year in Thailand. Not all consulates will go for it and I'm not sure about the UK. The consulate in Penang was very resistant and picky about your documentations when I applied so I'd advise going to a reputable lawyer that specializes in visas. Buying a house or condominium for 3 mil won't qualify you. He's not married to his spouse so maybe his spouse will have to open a bank account too.

Sunbelt is a good resource for buying or starting or own business and setting up a company so you can obtain a WP. Obtaining a work permit might be the best way for him to go to get his family here. He might think about marriage too.

Good luck!

Like to know more about having to pay taxes in Thailand on money brought in, anybody have any more info?

Good question, Groundpounder. I believe you need a non im visa to avoid the steep tariffs on the electronics, i.e. computers, TVs etc.. I could be wrong.

Stewart

The drug that IndoSiam is refering to is called GHB, not GBH. Pretty serious stuff tho, especially if you mix it with alcohol.

Just returned from Penang and I found it quite boring. I stayed at the Hotel Hong Ping on Chulia street for 59 ringit per night (apprx 600 baht). Rooms were clean enough and had a TV, aircond and private bath. It's 4 blocks from Penang road. I found that the Hotel grand continental was somewhat old and tired. Rooms there are around 105 Ringit.

Just a reminder; you must pay for your visas at the consulate in ringits, not baht. The guard there will exchange your bahts into ringits for you but you won't get a good exchange rate.

I've flown out of the US to BKK on a one way ticket and no visa. The airline had a fit at the check in, but a supervisor came out and made me sign a form releasing them of responsibility and that I acknowledge that I may be required to buy a return ticket and that I have the means to do so upon arrival into BKK. I know of another person that went through the same thing with another airline. I've never been asked to show a return ticket upon arrival at BKK.

I'm not one to press my luck, so I've never done that again.

You other "people" have NO IDEA what unfortunate circumstances led to my "FORCED" overstay!

For 1.5 years???