mkawish

'Ms. PromPong'

just does not know his place....

fortunately for him.... if he were to petition to the Chinese....

he would more likely be spitted on unceremoniously by the red guards....

A misfit scum is a scum is a scum....

mkawish, I like your culinary report on Chinese delicacies in Hat Yai !

Never hear of "bear paws" before... The rest sounds yummy. Will see and try...

OK, I am off now, as I will travel tomorrow. Will report on how the trip went, when I am back. Should be next week.

Wish me "bon voyage" !

Bon Voyage.... Have a Grand Time all around....

Probably no work permit.

But surely she doesn't need one, the very idea, expecting diplomats to work for a living !

I am reminded of an event that took some years ago when a Brit entertainer, maybe Peter Ustinov, visited the US. One of the questions to be completed on the visa entry form handed out by cabin staff was the ridiculous question 'Do you at at any time during your visit intended to perform or assist in any activity that may lead to the overthrow of the US Government?' He answered 'Sole reason for visit." It took him 4 hours to get through Immigration.

Quite funny, for a nation that was itself born, out of a (successful) revolution !

But kudos to the Ambassador, for her amusing tweet, showing her humanity & sense-of-humour !

Surely, she was so annoyed, that she tweeted. But diplomatically tone it down.

I'll say she was lucky the officer did not suspect her to carry bogus diplomatic passport. and it kinda strange that she had no one to receive her at the airport.

There were appropriate personnel awaiting her arrival.

If and when it is deemed a security risk, the Thai immigration officers won't even have the slightest chance of even seeing her dip passport....

And if needed and warranted.... she would be on the flight but she and co would appear otherwise or not at all on the manifest....

Give her some credit.... she is the best and most appropriate for Thailand and Southeast Asia at this moment.

You ought to consider yourself fortunate....

Many of those advertised deeded plots....

actually contain fraudulent sig., stamps, verification, authorization.... etc

atm machine that reads modern chip....

would show a gold colored chip on the keypunch panel....

bkk banks and others do offer customers a choice of....

having a chipped or non-chipped atm cards, or both....

we have both chip embedded cards and the plain ones for convenience....

many atm machines still do not accept chip embedded cards....

Can't possibly have such a raunchy magazine publicly displayed in the proper society of Thailand! Sex with 12 year-olds in the Thai only brothels are fine however! It seems the Thai men, or whatever they are, are only interested in little "girlies!" Leave the real women to us farang! We'll take good care of them!

This project is really simple to finalize....

It all depends on who is sitting at the head of the table....

Surely, no one needs any advice from anyone around here....

I just wonder....

how could you guys discuss "shirts" and/or "suits".... without discussing textures and quality of materials of what you want....

It is really amazing.... in Thaivisaland....

I used to get a Thai massage from any shop I passed whenever I felt the urge to relieve joint pain.

Now however I dont get Thai massages anywhere,purely as I am not so sure having my bones twisted all over the place does them any good and I know my knees cant take it .

Someone once told me that normally there is only one qualified person per shop who then passes on his/her skills to others who go to work there and to be honest I believe that .I am sure there must be people who have come out of these places worse off then when they went in.

I only have the oil massage now which is so relaxing an therapeutic and well worth having if your as I am in the AGED bracket.

Ditto-age 63. I took the medium massage and had to say stop once when doing the left hamstring. The gal was worried for all her treatment I might hurt. 2 years ago took the hard one and never said I quit on anyone of the twists, etc-more of a macho thing, I guess. Honestly, maybe more than want people wanted to know, been in Thailand about 2 weeks and only had 1 bowel movement and after the massage-twice in 1 day. Wife explained the problem to the girl. Sure worked what she did. The folks at the Phayao hospital are licenced and no hanky panky. Very professional and very good at what they do. After the workout yesterday, felt like <deleted>? Felt to worn out. Today, lots of energy-must have been those 2 bowel movements?

Life is good again, bro.

You really ought to take much much better care of yourself.... at 63

two weeks without.... what?

Probably just needed an accounting on the porn videos she had shoplifted from kingpower duty free on her way to immigration...

Thailand has an amazing variety of temples.....in America we take pilgrimages to look-alike Super Walmart's to get everything we need.

How about the Smithsonian Institute or all the other great museums in the U.S?

A lot of rejects wash up in Thailand who couldn't make it back home. but I still like it here anyway.

Ditto.... ditto.... ditto.... and I am presumably one of those misfits too....

Interesting that people wanted chairman for censure debate only a person(s) from opposition. Between the lines, that can tell how many of Thais believe to ruling party and their coalition.

A misunderstanding on your part I think. The chairman is k. Chai as usual (it's his function in parliament). What people like is k. Chalerm to lead the censure debate for PTP, the opposition. Can't blame them, k. Mingkwan (PTP MP, selected by the opposition to lead) is not really an inspiring speaker where as k. Chalerm is always good for fireworks and some fun.

Excuse me, in case you missed it....

MingKwan is personally approved by Tuxsin, while Dr. Chalerm was licking his wound, presumably because Tuxsin, the true OWNER of the PTP, refused to endorse him to lead PTP....

Do you know if MingKwan and/or family members have any family relationships with Tuxsin...?

If decide to lodge in HaadYai....

First choice--Central Novelta โรงแรม เช็นทราน, Lee Garden Plaza (across from Central). There are other less expensive hotels around the tourist areas costing from 350 to 600, whereas Central would cost around 1,400 and Lee--1,100 respectively. Or you might opt for Pink Lady, also very closeby Central, consists of night entertainment and other single person vices....

Enjoy....

You have anticipated my next question : the hotel in Hat Yai ! What would I do without you ? ....

Yes, I will stay one night in Hat Yai before leaving by VIP bus towards the north. By the way, I have changed my programme: I will not go to Phuket, but decided to spend a few days in Krabi instead, before flying back to Bangkok. Of course, that does not change anything to the visa run issue.

OK, back to the hotel. I could not find any 'Central Novelta'. Did you mean the Novotel Centara ? That seems to be the best hotel in Hat Yai. I like the idea of the Pink Lady. But I think that I will really need a good night sleep after the visa run...

In fact, before reading you, I was considering either the New Season Hotel (they quoted me 1,000 THB per night), the Golden Crown Plaza (950 THB), or the Diamond Plaza (890 THB). Well, if you have any feedback on any of these hotels, don't hesitate ....

In addition, since you seem to know Hat Yai quite well, would you have a suggestion for a good Chinese restaurant where to have dinner ?

There used to be a very good and famous Chinese Restaurant in HaadYai called.... Hai-Wai-Tien located at the Third NeePhutOouThit Road. The cost per one round table is around 9,000 THB to accommodate 8 persons.

Currently, there is a simple and plain Chinese Restaurant at the Second NeePhutOouThit Road where, if you like, you ought to try what the local Chinese would call Mee-Bay-Thong (Bay-Thong Noodle). You could order the dish with running gravy mixed with meat of your choice, such as, Shrimps, Chicken, Beef or seafood mixed et cetera, as you please. It is something like Mama with extraordinary gravy.... It costs about 80 THB per plate....

Another international Chinese dish is called Goi-See-Mee composes of yellow noodle, long and stringy.... also served with gravy mixed with pieces of chicken. Goi, in HongKong Chinese/Cantanese means chicken. It is also around 80 THB or so.

Presumably, you are not into exotic Chinese cuisine such as Shark fin or Abalone and stuff, or bear paws delicacies.... so won't point you into that direction....

Another interesting hoopla Chinese medicinal side dish is called Swallow Saliva.... it is exactly what the name implies.... saliva from Swallow or similar species.... There are several shops offering such side dish around Novotel Centara, Lee Garden Plaza. It is served both hot or cold, with or without ice. Most shops offering such dish would mix the contents up with jello, so as to lessen the cost. A kilo of first harvest authentic bird nest would cost around 12,000 THB The mixture stuff served by those shops would cost you around 100 THB per small cup.... What do you think, appetizing?

Bon Appetit ....

And if you have extra four hours or so, you could break journey at TRANG on your way to Krabi which ought to be spelled like KraBee. Trang has several interesting spots, such as Cave where you would sit in a row boat peddled inside a cave accessible only by small canoe. Another interesting hot spot is the hot water underground mineral spring in GunTung (กันตัง) about 20 min into a mountain side, to soak away your body pains and such.... It is truly rejuvenating, also speaking from personal experience as well....

I guess the number will be about the same. If they are Thai citizens and Austrralian citizens, then they will be the same people, whichever order you count them in.

The difference is that Australia is a nation built by immigrants at the expense of the indigenous culture, while Thailand seeks to retain its culture by discouraging immigration.

SC

I think you accidentally made my point. Thais can become Australian citizens much easier than Australians can become Thai citizens. And yes, the Thais don't want us here-longer than 30 days

The US, Canada, UK, Australia do a far better job of integrating naturalized citizens. Unless your face is asian, you'll never be truly accepted in Thailand.

I am not sure, why there are so many assume that the Thai don't want them....?

Perhaps, next time, you could be more specific in terms of why you think the Thai does not want us, farang, here?

As far as our group is concerned, the Thai love us.... adore us.... and follow us.... mainly because we treat them as human beings with similar human rights and dignities.... to start off....

Why is there such a huge difference in terms of perception and acceptance....?

What is it that the Thai would accept....?

What is it that the Thai would not accept....?

Perhaps, the above two questions would help many of us to re-evaluate ourselves....

in terms of.... do the Thai detest us as a human being or do they detest our attitudes and some of our mannerisms... so to speak? :jap:

I dunno. 16 years here. Married for 10. It just became home. Felt comfortable. Something I can't real put my finger on. Although a stable, normal, family life with nary a problem or cross word spoken must go some way towards it.

You are so very fortunate and blessed....

I am much envious.... :jap:

#2: How to go from Hat Yai airport to the Malaysia border? Any bus? Or do I need to take a taxi? Price I should expect to pay?

Thai airways has a minivan service which runs as and when planes arrive. If you contact Thai airways at Had Yai they will give the details. Cost circa THB80 and will leave u in town. They may drop u at the bus station. Local non a/c bus to boarder every 30mins, circa THB40 or take a mini van.

#4: Same question than #2 for the Malaysia border to Hat Yai city?

When u arrive back to Thai soil, cross over the road and wait at the obvious bus shelter or where u see Thai people waiting -- Just hail a mini van or if u want to travel with the locals, the bus as it passes

That's good feedback ! In fact, I think that I have seen those Thai Airways minivans in operation in other provincial towns. I will ask when I arrive. I will fly to Hat Yai with Orient Thai, but I guess it does not matter.

I've also read somewhere that the place in Hat Yai where to find the minivans going to the border (either Sadao or Padang Besar) is near the Clock Tower, on Phetkasem Rd. Can anyone familiar with Hat Yai confirm ?

The clock tower is about the same distance from HDY airport to HaadYai city.

The clock tower is situated in front of the new Fresh Market, TarLardMai, and is on the road to SongKhla.

There are several destination minivans to various places.... including ParDaeng BaySar and DarnNork, SarDao....

It is cheaper.... but it won't be as comfortable, especially if you are 6 feet or taller....

If anyone travels cheap.... that is the way to go.... Enjoy....

Thanks again, mkawish. And to you too, phuket Mike, for bringing the alternative through the Padang Besar checkpoint (this is apparently the correct spelling, it means 'large field' in Malaysia language). :jap:

Done some more research, and I found 2 interesting forum threads, including one in ThaiVisa, which mention Padang Besar as a possible alternative to Sadao. Reason mentioned is that PB is less crowded. In addition, the distance between the Thai and Malaysian checkpoints is 500 m at PB, while it is about 1 km at Sadao.

http://www.thaivisa....aipadang-besar/

http://www.lonelypla...hreadID=1881090

Looking at the map, it looks like the distance to these 2 checkpoints from Hat Yai is the same. However, PB seems to be on a secondary road, while Sadao is on the the main road which gives access to the North-South Malaysian highway. That could explain why less people at PB.

The more I think at it, the more I feel like going to Hat Yai city first after landing at the airport (my plane is supposed to arrive at Hat Yai at 12:30pm), drop my bags at the hotel. And then, do the visa run to either checkpoint and back to Hat Yai. Distance from Hat Yai to either checkpoint is 60 km (one way). Is it reasonable to say that 3 hours should be enough to complete the whole visa run ?

mkawish, do you actually live in Hat Yai ?

If decide to lodge in HaadYai....

First choice--Central Novelta โรงแรม เช็นทราน, Lee Garden Plaza (across from Central). There are other less expensive hotels around the tourist areas costing from 350 to 600, whereas Central would cost around 1,400 and Lee--1,100 respectively. Or you might opt for Pink Lady, also very closeby Central, consists of night entertainment and other single person vices....

Enjoy....

What is really sad is Cambodia was the only country in the area that could effect Thailand and their growth and ability to maintain a strong baht and it appeared they were willing to let Thailand go ahead and make their strong play for economic power in Asia. Thailand has now with the help of some recent rallies that are related to the Cambodia issue placed itself in a position where economic growth will slow and the baht is about to take a beating. To bad I was hoping for saner minds to keep prosperity in place. Looks like India will do well from all this though.

The only part that I personally wish that would materialize, out off everything you rambled on, is...

the baht is about to take a beating....

Contrary to your hope and prayer....

numerous others would welcome.... the beating of the baht.... to perhaps 75 baht to 1 euro.... :jap:

In all seriousness.... it requires the changing of the guards--the current Thai govt.... to bring the fraudsters, the PM, the ministers, the heads of all govt divisions and all others involved in deceptive and fraudulent practices.... to face justices UNDER THE LAWS....

then if found guilty.... confiscation of all properties involved.... and imposition of long prison terms.... for every guilty individual.... starting from the PM on down....

This is a measure to bring Thailand to guaranteed future of prosperity for all farmers and working classes alike, reds or yellows or blues....

May it come to pass soon.... and let the bath strengthens itself.... which it will.... whence then Thailand will more equally distribute its wealth among all categories of her citizen.... A Walter Mitty long shot dream.... perhaps.... :jap:

You really ought to turn ASTV off and look at other news sources. As for clearing out the current government to get rid of corruption, I think we've been here before as 18 coups suggest, and when does it ever lead to clean government? I almost wish the PAD leadership was in charge so they could be shot at from all angles whilst trying to clear the streets of protesters.

Steely Dan....

I never figure.... there is another farang here.... who would see eye to eye with the majority of those Thai polled several months ago that....

if they, those Thai polled, could live a comfortable life.... they do not mind corruption among the govt officials....

I always thought that since most of us are from a little more advanced countries, such as, Aussie, Euro, England and US.... that we would detest deceptive and fraudulent practices.... in any place and by any one.... including ourselves....

Steely Dan.... you ought to look at yourself a little closer.... are you really personally in favor of.... seeing and allowing and accepting deception and fraud.... happening under your nose....? regardless of geographical location.... whether....

it is happening in our own household, our neighborhood, our community or our country....

Steely Dan, really, would you just turn your eyes elsewhere whence something improper happening.... or

are you one of those who always think that.... well it has nothing to do with me.... why bother?

Well, inasmuch as I am not your keeper or otherwise.... You surely do have the right to choose who you wanna be....

whether in your own country or here in Thailand....

Really, as far as I am concerned.... if a person can not, nor will not, stand up for what is right.... he/she really is truly less than a human.... sorry.... :jap:

But then.... who am I.... to say anything about anything that has anything to do with anybody else.... except my own lowly self....

kdc1899

What is you motive?

If you can be more open and definitive about your intentions et al, there are many here who can help you attain what you need.

However, if you are just trying to do something behind your other Thai significant, then that is another story....

I was also reading of the health benefits of coconut oil and went off to buy some. Sorry, no hab. No hab anywhere I've looked in Phuket. The coconut shortage here has taken out the coconut oil stocks. There is palm oil which would seem to have many of the benefits of coconut oil. Any feedback on using palm oil?

I had not heard the South had a coconut shortage! Weird. Though I don't think that's why the extra virgin, organic coconut oil is so expensive.

We're looking for the raw, countryside-made variety, liquid or solid, and still haven't found any.

See Dr. Mercola: http://www.huffingto...s_b_821453.html

Palm oil, from oil palms not coconut palms, has always been the cheapest oil here. It's very refined at high temperatures. B-A-D! Real unrefined palm oil is reddish and murky. Refined palm oil is often the principal oil in highly processed foods.

Soybean oil is arguably worse, usually solvent-extracted with hexane and heat! I have never seen organic, cold-pressed soy oil.

The most natural we've seen is organic rice bran oil. Often refined at high heat and/or solvent-extracted, too, though the technology is improving for extraction. Our family oil of choice after olive.

Incidentally, I've noticed an awful lot of the olive oils sold here are really olive pomace oil. I wouldn't trust this one at all! It is the oil most often labelled, "Not for human consumption". The product of second- or third-pressings (no virgins around here!) with no temperature controls and then solvent-extracted. It doesn't smell or taste good. Avoid this one!

I have as yet to encounter olive oil that is labelled NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION....

As everyone knows, olive oil is not at all inexpensive whether in Euro, USD or THB....

An ordinary litre for around 1,300 THB....? I must be mistaken, right?

What is really sad is Cambodia was the only country in the area that could effect Thailand and their growth and ability to maintain a strong baht and it appeared they were willing to let Thailand go ahead and make their strong play for economic power in Asia. Thailand has now with the help of some recent rallies that are related to the Cambodia issue placed itself in a position where economic growth will slow and the baht is about to take a beating. To bad I was hoping for saner minds to keep prosperity in place. Looks like India will do well from all this though.

The only part that I personally wish that would materialize, out off everything you rambled on, is...

the baht is about to take a beating....

Contrary to your hope and prayer....

numerous others would welcome.... the beating of the baht.... to perhaps 75 baht to 1 euro.... :jap:

In all seriousness.... it requires the changing of the guards--the current Thai govt.... to bring the fraudsters, the PM, the ministers, the heads of all govt divisions and all others involved in deceptive and fraudulent practices.... to face justices UNDER THE LAWS....

then if found guilty.... confiscation of all properties involved.... and imposition of long prison terms.... for every guilty individual.... starting from the PM on down....

This is a measure to bring Thailand to guaranteed future of prosperity for all farmers and working classes alike, reds or yellows or blues....

May it come to pass soon.... and let the bath strengthens itself.... which it will.... whence then Thailand will more equally distribute its wealth among all categories of her citizen.... A Walter Mitty long shot dream.... perhaps.... :jap:

It shouldn't be to difficult to find out how they went missing. Who has recently purchased a house, or a nice expensive car??

jb1

The general did.

All his assistants did.

All their me-ah noi.... also did.

They also began to purchase expensive wine from abroad.... too....

OK, so who did it....?

I have always used the Pegan Basar (unsure of spelling) crossing not Sadao.

Many times in the past I used to pre-arrange for a driver from HY airport to take me to the border, this was a all-in package from an agent in Phuket. He would always take me through the border (stopping first to fill in exit/entry cards, last time the Malaysians didn't use them just swiped my passport, but this seems to change).

You can walk between the two although it is a fair walk with no pavement, I did the first time lol. A motorbike to take you across costs 60 baht and is excellent because you bypass most of the queues, and is very quick.

As for bus services, I have never used them but there a service between the border and Hat Yai, not sure about airport to border, doubtful. If I were you and have booked a ticket from an agent in BKK I would ask if they can arrange a taxi to the border, I know you may think this would be expensive but it's then hassle free, he will be waiting for you with your name on a sign, the guy that I used to take me drove a Volvo, spoke good English.

The duty free shop between borders at Pegan Basar is also pretty good for booze, the driver I used always stopped there (he got commission), but the prices where still good.

I don't do this now as I live in Trang and always drive myself to the border, but still take a motorbike taxi, because it's so easy.

I believe the correct border town name is... ParDung Baysar, the way a Thai would pronounce, a small town that the Malaysian and Thai railways use as a border crossing point with immigration posts from both countries available during most day light hour....

There are currently many farang living around the southern part of Thailand but most are just way too laid back and relaxed.... to be too concerned about anything and everything that does not directly concern them or their significant others.... L O L :jap:

You can understand that right.... rightly or wrongly....?

Most are here.... to just relax.... and do.... practically everything that would interest their inner most desires....

Speaking from past experiences....

Embassies have several million or more reasons to deny any one even a visitor visa....

than to approve one....

If you want to be a little more certain that you or your significant other application for visitor visa stands a slightly better chance of being approved.... you'd better work backward....

Such as getting your personal congressional friends or senators to supply introductory invitation.... but then how many of us could afford that kind of luxury.... really....

The success rate was 100%.... but then there were only 2 such applications during the last four years....

Don't skimp fellow....

Use a qualified atty.... to avoid subsequent implication and complication....

Thaivisa is not exactly a place to seek sort of legal advices, but we all will happily give anyone legal counsel free of charge.... to entangle up and tie up and use up.... all your hard earned savings....

Don't try to skimp, many things will come to haunt you or blackmail you.... if or when you become successful....

Speaking from several others' personal experiences.... involving multimillion usd projects in PhiPhi and Phuket....

Pay in full up front.... and enjoy the hopeful assurance that nothing illegal will tarnish your investment.... at the end of the rainbow.... Good luck....

Lastly, remember.... to be successful in Asia, you definitely need more than hard work and money on your part.... Just a free advice for potential future investor....