saanya

Most terrorist attacks are made/sponsored by the U.S. or Israel, whether domestic or international. All one would have to do is keep on eye on Mossad/CIA/FBI agents and their whereabouts. The bomb would lead back to one of those criminal agencies...

tidbit of history:

http://www.serendipity.li/cia.html

Your avatar says it all comrade.

So, nothing to say about the contents of the link he gave? Just an aside about his avatar, and a totally unsubtle effort to paint him as a commie? Go on, do your best, refute the message on the serendipity website.

Quick someone get another website that refutes serendipity so we don't have to think and state our own positions in our own words.

Try growing a brain. You don't know history so quit acting like you do. And while you're at it, are you saying you know of a better government, country, culture?

You'd better be from New Zealand or Tuva if you plan on convincing me.

why only American warning , any other embassies sent their warning ? soundds strange !

Good embassy service?

Not really, it's the Americans who are the world's bad guys.

That's just plain stupid, and wrong. Do you get points for ankle-biting back in your fabulous home country?

What country are you from anyways?

Normally I would just buy here but I already have 3 or 4 machines. The one I want to ship has been packaged carefully already for international shipment.

What's the cheapest method to ship it?

I looked on the US Postal Service website's price calculator and they want $340+. About 1/3 of what this system is worth.

Is DHL or UPS better in terms of cost? And for that cost, they are they worse at actually delivering it on time or in acceptable condition? (You get what you pay for).

It's packed with a nice flat screen that's normally about $250. And a high-end Juniper Router that's worth another $720. The total weight should be about 60 pounds or less.

Saanya

just came from singapore they do not issue double entry tv anymore only singles

rick

ah ok, good to know.

Unfortunately we didn't have time to register the wedding/ do the amphur marriage.

Lost not 1, but 2 of my relatives out of country after the wedding, and that sort of took up the bandwidth we may well have applied to getting our papers sorted. (like going to BKK and getting the embassy affidavit, returning, doing amphur wedding).

This was during a time when for 5 years running, various associates of mine had been doing back to back to back visa runs to Laos, so we didn't feel the squeeze until the rules suddenly changed. -but that's all hindsight at this stage.

Now it's more a matter of just buying time somehow, -only 2 days left on the existing stamp.

I have looked at the pinned thread, but a lot of these reports are pretty old.

Latest Reports Of Getting A Visa In The Region

If I've had a TR, single entry, then an ED visa 2+ years, then a double entry TR, what's the best option given all the changes in the last few weeks to get another visa?

I am married to a Thai, but we have yet to do all our paperwork for an "Non-O",and are now regretting it big time.

If I can get just one more TR visa, that will give enough time for me to handle the "Non-O".

What embassy should I go to?

Am bringing Thai wife w/ signed letter asking for just one more visa.

-saanya

so about when did you do this?

I have been here since 2008, on ED visa, then a Tourist Double Entry.

How long had you been in Thailand prior?

-saanya

Let's try this over in the Visa forum.

ah thanks a lot, sorry about that. should I repost or has it been moved?

Hi,

In speaking with immigration information desk staff in Thailand in Udon, they mentioned the embassy staff in Laos had been changed. Is this true?

He also mentioned that the rules changed and they no longer issue back to back tourist visas.

But when we pressed him on details for other visa types, he didn't reveal the in depth details until we revealed them.

For marriage, he said 400,000 baht, in the bank. When we said the exception was an affidavit from the US Embassy, he admitted that was possible too.

So it's not like he was hiding anything, but he wasn't revealing much either. Yet he had all the details about staff changes.

He also said the best place to get another tourist visa would be Singapore. (that one made me laugh a bit, but hey, -is he right?).

Most I'd like to know if anyone's been to Laos Immigration in the last week or so and can report if there are changes. If so, what were they?

-saanya

Why on earth would they not want to connect to neighbouring countries networks?

because if invaded it would be too easy for the enemy to ship all the munitions everywhere they'd like.

I flew into Thailand years ago on an economy ticket 1 way, and I had a business class return ticket going the other way. I think they were both on Korea Air.

My travel agent at the time taught me a trick. To fulfill the requirement showing a return trip, just buy a business class ticket, as they are often 100% refundable. Ok, maybe a $100 cancellation fee.

Buy a biz class ticket, get to Thailand, and about a month before your "exit flight", call and cancel it. A refund should take place in about 2 weeks or so. If you used a credit card, it would be credited back into same card.

I called the airline a lot to get the real answer, "do I need a return flight or not?", no real answer. So I played it safe and followed his advice.

So when I got to the counter to exit my home country, and got the expected "were sorry sir, but you cannot board this flight", Bam, -I whipped out the business ticket, and off I went. A did as advised and got my money back as expected.

Now that there's word in another forum topic Stricter Tourist Visa Requirements I need to put this option out therefor others and ask my own question to be up to date on this:

• How long in advance will an airline allow advanced purchase of a business class ticket?
• What online air fare booking might work best?

I ask because if you are going for a single entry Tourist visa on a visa run (Ranong or Vientaine)you should be fine, 60-90 days seems possible, but am not sure exactly.

I am really interested in finding out how long in case someone wants to get a Double Entry,like from Laos. I have at least 6 different friends who are all doing this type of visa already, and even though I have warned them about staying on TR visas for too long, -might as well have some "airline booking" advice handy.

Know any airlines? Korean Air?

We could call them but am sure many of you here already know about this and which airlines or websites to or travel agents (not roadside tour shops but real travel agents who can spell and have more than IQ -4) use for booking.

So asking about longest advance period, and specific Internet links or phone#'s. My guess is a real travel agent in one's home country is far more dependable, and they are willing to compete against online firms.

-saanya

Thai passport cost 1,000 baht. For an extra 35 baht they will send it to her home by EMS. Takes about 4 working days, same day service might be availeble.

OK that's pretty straightforward about the passport, we'll contact the office in Kon Kaen and ask if there's a way to do it in Udon or not.

As far as the Thai day/night pass for her will just have to wait out others (who have a Thai spouse) in the forum who have done the day pass thing.

The main question about that is about how many days in advance she might have to get that if there's no time to do a passport in KK.

-saanya

OK, we called the office while there was time left about the overnight border pass [for Thais] and got a critical bit of info -the Border Pass is different from a Temporary Border Pass.

The Border Pass [for Thais] allows 3 days 2 nights, and it's time begins upon crossing the border. She and others were under the impression that if a border pass was bought on a Tuesday, and they left Wednesday AM, they would "lose a night" (Tuesday) and only have one night left. No, it begins upon crossing. (as it should be).

It can be purchased in advance, it doesn't "have to be used the next day". Looking to get the exact amount of time it's good for.

Thanks to spieke :jap: :jap: :jap: for the info on the Udon Thani passport office [for Thais], we are in Udon at the moment and will go there Monday for her. There's a program about "e-passports" but the English video doesn't have any sound. Here's the Thai one: E-passport

There's some confusion about "renewing/extending" a Thai passport she and I ran across, once we actually translate and understand the specific requirement we'll post here so the subject is complete as a forum item of value in current context August 2011.

-saanya

Thai passport cost 1,000 baht. For an extra 35 baht they will send it to her home by EMS. Takes about 4 working days, same day service might be availeble.

OK that's pretty straightforward about the passport, we'll contact the office in Kon Kaen and ask if there's a way to do it in Udon or not.

As far as the Thai day/night pass for her will just have to wait out others (who have a Thai spouse) in the forum who have done the day pass thing.

The main question about that is about how many days in advance she might have to get that if there's no time to do a passport in KK.

-saanya

Hi,

My wife is a native of Nong Khai (city) andlives quite close to Freedom Bridge.

We have been talking about going to Vientiane and staying overnight, and then going to some other places in Laos.

She understands how to get a "day pass" -is it true that she needs a Thai passport to stay overnight in Vientaine?

It makes sense that she would have to do this, -if so, how fast can a Thai usually obtain a Thai passport?

Can this be done in Udon Thani for a expedited fee at a government office?

-saanya

Good to see this thread had the desired effect . . . i.e. panicking the dumbed down masses.

The link - http://www.mfa.go.th...01.php?&id=2815 refers only to the applications at the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh. SOmething that must have accidentally been missed out in the original 'news' report.

The MFA is just making it harder for people to get long visas from neighbouring countries. Same as they did for Non Imm visas a few years ago. Anyone with some common sense knows that the rules wont be enforced in a western country, and even if they were, they come with a handy, face saving get out - the applicant can submit a letter to say why they cant provide the correct docs.

This is true...the page is from the Thai embassy in Cambodia's website (not the Thai MFA in Bangkok) and some of the provisions pertain to Cambodians nationals applying for tourist visas for Thailand. (like the copy of the ID card). As I have never reviewed this site before, I don't know if the airline/hotel reservation requirements are new or have always been there but ignored. One would have to check other local embassy/consulate sites in some other countries to see if this is a new policy from Bangkok or only particular to the Cambodian embassy.

If you then check the MFA's website for tourist visa issuance, while they mention the entry/exit flight ticket requirement (which has always been there but unenforced...at least for "desirable" tourists) the hotel reservation stuff is not listed. Therefore, likely it's just a local Cambo policy.

Interesting.

Lopburi? Mario2008? Could you make light of this? Is this just to do with Cambodia?

Or is the Thai Embassy in Cambodia simply the first to heed the order and revise their website?

From what I understood:

Only land crossings WITHOUT a prior visa will now get you 15 days. If you arrive via the air to an airport you still get your 30 days.

On the plus side, you can now obtain a 90 visa, with no limits. Meaning you can get as many 90 visas you want. You wont have to be out of the country for 6 months before the next visa. I guess they just want you to get a regular visa.

As for the hotel booking, I think that is pretty simple. Put down any guest house you normally stay in, or if you have residency your address, or friends address.

Please correct me if I'm wrong!!!

What's the 90 day Visa you are referring to? In country exiting out on land & returningon land? (Nong Khai / Vientaine / Nong Khai) (Ranong / Myanmar / Ranong)

Or from out-of-country coming in via airport?

-saanya

election posturing... after he wins the votes from Thais he'll be back to taking bribes from farangs who want land.

Is it a Thai dog or import?

Dog is from Yala province, Monkey is from Bangkok, Space Alien is from a rural exoplanet made of gold.

I am actually curious about this, -not because I'm mystified by the system, or disgruntled or in any way disaffected or even jaded.

I just felt like it was a somewhat legitimate question because I actually asked a bunch of Thai friends and it triggered a huge amount of comic response, which then started to reveal some interesting cultural concepts in general.

basically the Dog was #1, if for no better reason that he barks a warning when he sees any of the other three. that's worth something. : )

Two of the friends had actually lived and worked in the US, -so the question applied there as well as anywhere else in the world. And it's purely in fun, -no one was trying to make anyone feel bad, -all all agreed it's tough to stay anywhere long unless you are rich.

I cant believe someone would ask if the border is open at weekends. And you cannot get a visa in one/same day with agent at vientianne,

KKK,

My Tai wife grew up in Nong Khai and was relaying her own experiences. Thais have to get a same-day pass, and to get the pass you have to go to the local municipality office, which is of course closed on weekends. They don't allow next-day or weekend passes.

Thus, Thais cannot easily cross like we can. Odd eh?

So while it might be hard to think someone would ask a question like that, I did it more to refute my Thai wife's superstitions with regard to me being able to cross.

Sometimes locals here have such a different experience of things, they even have to go through separate lines, etc. So unless they have Thai passports, it's very different, and hard to fathom the rights and habits us farangs have or don't have.

The question originated because I wanted to bring her with.

I would only ship the hard drive.

The rest can be purchased very cheap.

As you say it's a Dell, nothing inside, apart from the data, will be worth very much.

Normally I'd agree with you Sarahsbloke, I detest DELL machines more than most, -but this is a sick gamer box with some insane hardware inside. I bought it used only because I had seen it in action previously, -and yeah I thought the same thing about the components inside this machine until I cracked it open. To try and build that here is going to cost way over $600-800 or even more so why bother when I could top it with something I already have and can get shipped for less. (my specs for a machine that would almost match up to what I already own are below). It's mostly the RAM that's the cost difference.

Nonetheless, -Sarahsbloke you make a good point.

DELL is famous, for those who don't know, for manufacturing hardware that you can only upgrade by purchasing from DELL, -not even one part inside seems possible to change or upgrade without involving them or a reseller. They are also annoying to service, -especially DELL servers. So, essentially, they are junk or well on their path to being junk as soon as even one part fails. Michael Dell was probably trying to accomplish with hardware, what Bill Gates had accomplished with software.

But luckily whomever designed and built this thing had it together. An odd exception in the world of DELL machines. Normally when I encounter a DELL, I will do my best to help it into the trash bins of a computer disposal service.

This one's got extremely high end audio & video hardware installed, and quite a bit of RAM for a normal PC, and running Linux flawlessly, -otherwise it would have been sold by now on craigslist in the US.

If I lived in Bangkok, I would have built something by simply walking into and out of Pantip shopping center. I have two dead towers sitting here, and if I feel like returning to the days of custom PC builds, I will, but I tire of the steep rates up here in Issan for hardware -perhaps mail order from BKK is the best option.

Anyone know a good computer parts supplier in Thailand? Not just any supplier, -a good one. Anyone can google search. -like if you have already been using one, and know they are solid, I'd like to get a Tyan Thuder (or later spec) board, 4GB Hynix or Micron or similar RAM, 2 AMD-64 bit dual or quad core CPU's, dual Broadcomm GB NICs, 3Ware RAID controller, Seagate or similar drives, and a solid nVidia or ATI video card suitable enough to play Counterstrike while ripping DVDs at the same time.

-saanya

Well the power supply should not need to be changed as they all have a 120v/220v switch on the back and have for years or now have a multifunction transformer designed to adapt to all power inputs.

Not sure how much the case is an issue either and may actually provide more protection for the internals if it gets slammed around and if so THEN just have it torn down and replaced here should that happen, that would be my suggestion.

I brought my computer on the flight over and stored it in the overhead originally packed in it's original box and no problems with customs just told them it was 2 years old which was true and for personal use only, didn't pay a single baht customs waved on through..

Thanks Warp Speed, -That's the kind of response I was hoping to scroll past, -nice feature that little switch.

I have my friend mailing it express in US Post that's $45 per 5 pounds so it shouldn't be too bad, I'd be happy even if it was $200 because the system is a screamer and has proven itself far more capable than what I see here that would require building from the ground up.

I agree, the power supply switch in the back on a system such as this is key, -I forgot about that and am glad all of you mentioned it.

My goal is simple at this point, -if it arrives rather intact, I will actually spend the $ on *even more RAM*, perhaps doubling or quadrupling it. As for HD, I would be surprised if it survived the trip, SATA drives are pretty weak in general. So that'll be a good excuse to get something big.

I shipped over an IBM Laptop previously and it's lasted years. I like the good hardware from the US, -not to say the hardware here isn't good, but as an systems engineer I am sort of past the days of building home-made machines or buying into lower-end systems that don't scale well unless it's server hardware.

Otherwise I would have cared enough to park the hard drive in the first place.

Hopefully the red, black, brown or tan ants don't take a liking to it when it does arrive, -that would be a true victory in itself.

-Notice how the NBA games are on, but not listed in the truevisions program guide or online through any kind of search of the truevisions site?

The games are running in past tense on D103 with the Gold Package -anyone know how to catch the live games?

I keep seeing ads running on D103 "Live and Exclusive".

-I'd like to see Kobe get tomahawk dunked on by Earl Boykins.

-saanya

Hi,

My friend is gettingready to send my carefully packaged DELL XPS computer tower to Thailand. I don't expect the HD to be happy with this, as he probably doesn't know about parking HD's the techie way, but he did package the machine in a computer box.

Is there any issue with Customs or anything with regard to this? It's an older machine, but just figured I would ask.

saanya

Please refer to http://www.thaivisa.com/ web page for all visa information including consulates , types of visas , requirements and an extensive lists of helpful information as required.

Also , google.com can provide further information if needed.

I would not recommend using a freelance agent to obtain a visa.

Tourist Visas are free until March 31.

There was a notice posted on the embassy wall early this week and I believe the cost mentioned was ( 1000 baht ) for a single entry & ( 2000 baht ) for a double entry .. this may need confirmation.

So OK, that's 2 bits of info, -so if one goes this week, -is the cost for the visa and the cost for entry different, -or was the note you saw posted on the embassy wall in reference to "after March 31?".

Either way, thanks for the info... Very useful.

My guess is if anyone trusts a freelance agent, they may very well end up with a fake stamp or much much worse. Not worth it at all.

It's suggested that perhaps the *only* person ever handling your passport beside yourself is the Immigration Officer at the desk in front of you.