Lifer

Current news seems to indicate only holiday for flooded provinces. Everything working normal hours up in CM so far. They are trying to get people off the streets and out of flooded areas. It is also hard for those in flooded areas to get around, and to work.

There's not a Thai female out there that doesn't want something from you, married or single. If the place she wants to go is a public place, go and you will find out pretty quick. If not the first day, future days! If you are prepared for it, go and have fun.

There has been 3 different threads in the last 10 days all asking the same query........a simple click to page 2 would give an obvious answer.

If I told you that I was flying with TG to Hat Yai on Nov 7 who would you suggest I contact for updated info? (Which obviously between now and then will change)

Sorry, I don't find your unwarranted sarcasm helpful. There are 3 threads on page 2 asking about trains to other destinations. The SRT website has no obvious link to news (which would be precisely what I'm looking for) and the one page of news quoted on the 3rd thread is in Thai.

I totally agree. Seems like a long unnecessary reply for someone that doesn't know the answer. TV full of them! Good luck with trying to find out.

We send money to wife's family every month. Wife walks into Post Office and pays them, and a very small fee. Family go into local post office and collect the money. No muss, no fuss. Fees practically nothing. You have post office receipt to show transfer. Hope it works for you.

Beautiful cool weather now. No rain and rivers back to normal. Our flooding starts earlier than Bangkok to to run off from North. Only problem now is that our family must go to Bangkok in early Dec for 2 days, so keeping our fingers crossed. Come on up to Chiangmai!

I am on ToT in Phuket 6mb line..problem with Dns server yesterday and today..works sometimes 15 min on and off??

But yesterday evening working perfect?

Hope i can finish this post before it goes off again.lol

I had a similar problem for almost a year in CM. TOT was at fault on their lines part of time. Rain was a problem. Finally TOT came out twice and checked the lines to the house, then ask to come in. He checked lines inside for me. Most of the problem was the line inside the house. House was new 14 years ago, but due to corrosion, etc had deteriorated. Replaced total line from house box outside to the jack. Never had a problem since. For years off and on problems. New line was installed by a non TOT technician for 1000 baht total. Worth looking at for those who have consistent problems. My opinion is that too much blame is placed on TOT for problems. Never occurred to us to check line in the house. Good luck.

I'm a low tech user and don't know if your problem is a server problem. I have TOT 6MeG, which gets 5.2 Meg. I run one off of DSL and one in the room next to it running on wireless. The one running wireless always says the signal is excellent or good, but seems to run a bit slower, and with a slight delay in response. Sometimes in the evening or busy times, the wireless computer is unable to download Youtube clips or streamed programs, but the one connected direct to the modem can. Probably not a lot of help, but thought I would give you my information in case it might help you figure out what's going on.

Another week most of the country will be fine.

Don't count on it. It is going to take weeks, if not months, for the country and it seems Bangkok, to recover. The water damage to buildings and streets alone, not counting the immeasurable suffering by the people.

Haven't most of you learned years ago that Thailand is dysfunctional? Centuries of psychoanalysis will not help. Things will go on during the year as usual until the next disaster or flood. God help Thailand.

I had mine done by Professor Kannika at Rajavej two years ago, it was an OK experience.

I understand at Ram you get a CD of the endoscopy as well, not sure if Rajavej have started doing it.

Edit: Dr. Kannika Phornphutkul, Professor Emeritus and the vice president of Rajavej Hospital.

Had lower done at Ram. Did not get CD. Maybe I broke the machine. They did take a lot of films and the price was very reasonable. My Thai wife had her stomach scoped and colon test done with 7 polyps removed at Sirpat. The Dr was excellent and spoke perfect English. He claimed the two tests were the most reasonable in town. The price was quite low, but excellent work.

My reservation at Immigration worked out perfectly although they did mention that one needs to say exactly what kind of visa one is extending (retirement, business, marriage)and that if one books a spot online they should have someone at Immigration check their documents before the official appointment to save time.

How to make that happen remains unclear, but hopefully it will be more apparent by next year.

As busy as they are at CM Immigration, can't imagine them taking the time to go thru your docs. The officer that does ours is pretty fast at getting them organized. I think the key is is check latest info on line from TV, then have your docs all lined up in a folder so you can hand them to her as she needs them. It goes pretty fast. Two copies of everything, including map and pictures for marriage extension. Not sure about retirement extension.

I think they could use a room for customers twice the size as the one they enclosed. Your practically standing on others feet while your waiting to get your name called when there are no seats to get out of the way.

Once you have gone thru the process you will have your docs down pat. Just watch TV for changes.

Again, you have to shop around and talk with the legal offices in person and see what may of them tell you and then make a decision. My opinion is that you have some really good documentary evidence or you will not get the settlement you want. Good research ahead may pay off for you. Good luck.

Shop around. Are you moving here or just a tourist staying for a while. I opened my first bank account and was not working, so no work permit. Registered marriage after opening account. Whatever your reason talk to the manager of the branches, but try to find a branch where they speak English. Some of the superstore branches don't have regular personnel that are fluent in English, which is a problem sometimes when you need information.

I know a lot of people who have opened up K-Bank accounts with a small deposit so they can apply for the online bank card that acts like a credit card, but actually takes money out of your account like a debit card. Perseverance wins in Thailand, at least most of the time.

I transfer money inside the SCB bank using my US Credit Union debit card direct into my SCB bank account, then use SCB debit card to withdraw. Bangkok and SCB do not have a limit. limited it is set by your bank or credit union. Pay CU 1% fee and transfer $3000 at a time. Works really great and no 150 Baht fee at machine to withdraw.

If you need more than your limit I believe you can email your bank and get it changed for a transfer. Good Luck.

What is the reaction at Tops and 7-11 when you heave a load on those coins on the counter to pay for a purchase?

I've always "fed them back into the system" by making a point of using them at the same stores that give them to me, but I've never tried to unload more than 10 at a time. So, what happens then?

I know the assist Mgr at Hangdong Big C. I ask her about it one time and she didn't seem to want to take them, but I think in small bags of 100 coins they might. In US we bag them in rollers and take them to the bank. Easy uh. She tried to tell me about going to some bank here in town I did not recognize and exchange them, but didn't say anything about commission.

Temple donation is good Idea (come to think of it) since we are always making donations to the meditation center here.

In the US there is now CoinStar which is a big business... Dump all your coins into a machine and it counts them for you. A receipt will print out and then you take that receipt to a cashier who will them hand you folding money..... Of course the use of the machine and this process costs you something like 10%, if I recall......

...Sounds like someone wears some big arse boots.......

Haven't been home to US in 14 years. Probably after all this time culture shock would set in. I've seen coin counting machines in banks along time ago. They may have them here somewhere. I think they out to do away with them at the stores. Round up or down. That's what AAFES did in Germany many years ago. It averages out, and no pennies, to carry around or tube. Amazing technology and increasing fast. I have often wondered why immigration can't just computerize the long term information instead of making married folks turn in two sets of all docs. I guess that's too much work.

What is the reaction at Tops and 7-11 when you heave a load on those coins on the counter to pay for a purchase?

I've always "fed them back into the system" by making a point of using them at the same stores that give them to me, but I've never tried to unload more than 10 at a time. So, what happens then?

I know the assist Mgr at Hangdong Big C. I ask her about it one time and she didn't seem to want to take them, but I think in small bags of 100 coins they might. In US we bag them in rollers and take them to the bank. Easy uh. She tried to tell me about going to some bank here in town I did not recognize and exchange them, but didn't say anything about commission.

Temple donation is good Idea (come to think of it) since we are always making donations to the meditation center here.

Question.

I have my 1 year under review, and am due to go pick up my visa (have it put in the passport) once done.

Do I make another appointment for this, or do you just hand in the passport and come back in the afternoon without queuing ??

My first extension up here and my last office was never this busy, they were rude and unpleasant, but you always saw someone within a few minutes. So am confused the best way to operate.

No, go to the first window after entering the room and tell the officer what you are there for. I handed mine in and took a seat. 40 minutes later I had the passport back. After handing in, the kids at the information window will receive it back and call your name. Takes a while depending on how busy.

I think there is something a little sick somewhere when people want to see the tragedy that is befalling the good people of Thailand. Homes lost, people drown, economy damaged, etc. etc. You can get your eyes full on the Thai TV channels.

Just confirms my belief that most farangs in Chiang Mai are total tight <deleted>.....

Maybe, but they're still HIS coins.

It's nice to read many of your replies because you seem to use common sense and respectful answers. It seems like one can't post a genuine request for helpful answers without receiving a lot of crap. Bravo for all those who genuinely try to help others.

Next person making crude insults about another country will lose their posting rights. Please return to the topic.

Thank you for saying that. It's badly needed on this site! Thanks.

Not to mention how a little help will be remembered when it comes to trade deals, business and other assistance that may be needed. These things are more of an investment than an expenditure.

It's also what countries do for other countries that are in need.

True. Also a lot of aid gets donated by individuals, businesses, and philanthropists to aid relief agencies and the American Red cross. The military units then arrange to get the aid to the needed disaster. The US has always been there for other countries in need. Just don't understand the unnecessary country bashing that takes place on TV, no matter the country.

My My, After all the terse comments about the US not providing help on TV, I see the above news. I would bet there is a strong chance Britain will help too, as well as other western/ European countries. Case in point!

It's funny that the minute the opportunity to bash another country appears, people come out of the woodwork. As for American humanitarian aid, the U.S. is one of the first countries that come in to help, but the bashing never stops.

I agree with this post. What is the Thai Government really doing. Yes, the sacrifices of the Army and military are being used including police and such. I see no real evidence of the Thai elite and wealthy doing much to help the average Thai flooded out of their homes with aid or humanitarian help. The bags of groceries being donated to the flood effort are being dropped in the baskets by other citizens making many times less.

Singapore plans infrastructure 5 years ahead. Thailand floods some every year to some extent. Where is the effort put into place around the country during the dryer years when they know it is just a matter of time before the bad floods come.

As for honesty and corruption, I just read this morning of gangs stealing peoples belongings in some of the flooded areas while the owners are defenseless. (as reported by victims) One of the major news papers reported village heads skimming money from the Government before giving money to the farmers.

I think its time to blame other countries for problems in Thailand.

Sorry...To stop blaming other countries for problems in Thailand.

Why should America provide financial aid to corrupt governments who fail to adequately plan and execute relief for their own citizens? It's not like Thailand lacked the resources or forewarned climate knowledge.

I also agree, the U.K. should be giving them money. It seems like most Brits on here still believe the British Empire is still around so they can get busy aiding their "colony" with some cold hard pounds then.

It's funny that the minute the opportunity to bash another country appears, people come out of the woodwork. As for American humanitarian aid, the U.S. is one of the first countries that come in to help, but the bashing never stops.

I agree with this post. What is the Thai Government really doing. Yes, the sacrifices of the Army and military are being used including police and such. I see no real evidence of the Thai elite and wealthy doing much to help the average Thai flooded out of their homes with aid or humanitarian help. The bags of groceries being donated to the flood effort are being dropped in the baskets by other citizens making many times less.

Singapore plans infrastructure 5 years ahead. Thailand floods some every year to some extent. Where is the effort put into place around the country during the dryer years when they know it is just a matter of time before the bad floods come.

As for honesty and corruption, I just read this morning of gangs stealing peoples belongings in some of the flooded areas while the owners are defenseless. (as reported by victims) One of the major news papers reported village heads skimming money from the Government before giving money to the farmers.

I think its time to blame other countries for problems in Thailand.

Don't worry about it. Just show your Email printout with queue code on it. I used the system when it wasn't working right and didn't have any evidence of an appointment. Showed up, they called our name, explained that the system did not give me a queue number or anything to print out. No problem. They have your names in their system and on a print out. The officer called our names, showed us her printout and said is this you? Where's your printout? The program did not give us one to print out. Oh, Ok, Have a seat!

Just be on time. You can explain then, no need to make an extra trip in.