Billmont

You could use the combination of money in the bank and income that totals at least 800k baht option to apply for an extension based upon retirement. The money only has to be in the bank on the date of application.

I fully respect your knowledge and also your excellent advice which I have noted over a long time. While in this case you are fully correct according to the law but I know of a few cases where the Immigration Officer demands the cash proportion be seasoned for 3 months as if it were for the full amount of 800,000. This happened in the past few weeks here in Korat. Fortunately the person in question had sufficient amount seasoned but the I.O. went through the bank book with his calculator to remove recent debits and credits and the amount required was over by 50.00, a very close call. It seems more and more I. Offices are demanding seasoning on the combination method. This is very difficult as how to argue with an I.O. even when you know

that according to the law seasoning is not required. Hopefully some Embassies will take this matter up with the relevant authority so clear instruction can be given to all I.Offices. Kind regards, Billmont

Malaysian Airways? How much are you being paid to fly with them?

Statistics! After arriving at Heathrow (London UK) sometime ago the pilot announced " The safest part of your journey is now over. Please take care if you use dangerous travel by a car or even worse by walking" Try telling that to the families of Malaysian airlines of recent times!

And these are only the ones that actually die ON the road. Well,---- what will the authorities do about it? Nothing but pious words as usual. The police just watch for the opportunity to make money, not safety.

Regretably you are so correct. The numerous road blocks do nothing for road safety and are the the equilivent of UK speed cameras, revenue collectors official and unofficial respectively.

I am on holiday in Pattaya at present and was very disappointed to see vendors stalls on the beach road promenade over the New Year. I was here in September as I really enjoyed walking the promenade. However this time the stalls were so close between the beach side and the road it was often dificult to walk especially when people were browsing goods. This was first done a few years ago as a temporary measure to help vendors in Bangkok effected by flooding but now it seems to occur each year. I did notice that the deck chair areas seem to be more regulated so some good is being done.

Hi, My wife raised a calf from a few days old after a truck accident that killed the mother and another calf about a month old ran away and could not be found. The calf had a few day of mothers milk which probably helped but nobody wanted to raise the calf as they said they usually died. We bought powdered milk, bottles etc and my wife sterilized each time after use as one would do with a baby, water was always boiled and allowed to cool and well mixed with the milk powder. The calfs bottom was always clean, as the mother would do and when the calf got the runs we got medication from a vets and my wife injected. There was some worrying times like when it got bloated due to food getting to early into the wrong stomach and we had to drench and most information we got from the internet. After a few weeks the other calf was found and was extremely thin and weak and again offered to my wife so she took care of the two calves and were good company for each other. We also bought solid food and a salt lick and the two calves thrived but it was initially very time consuming feeding by bottle several times a day. After a few months the two claves were stunningly healthy and fat and were given grass and baby corn leaves in addition in solid cattle food. My wife received many offers and a very good price but refused to sell. After about one year she gave both to her parents who had helped with cutting grass etc. After about 18 months they were sold for the fine price of THB 76,000 and our investment of just over THB 30,000 in milk and food etc was returned which is all we wanted, actually her parents gave her THB 40,000 and her parents got the THB 36,000 and everybody was happy. Both were males and the younger one was becoming quite agressive which was the reason that were sold at that time. Recently MIL got a female calve which was orphaned and following what my wife did has reared her to another healthy young calf. Well worth doing and quite rewarding.

Yes, had the same problem, my wife kept telling me we had a leak as the cupboard was wet. I checked found nothing but when we had a visitor and went to serve a G & T the cans were empty with no visible signs of how they leaked. I took them back from where we bought them, (FreshMart) not for a refund, no chance of that anyway and they returned them to the supplier then to Such..... you know who and we did get feedback, no refund of course but a polite thank you for letting them know. They said a fault in the sealing at the bottom and have now redesigned the can, taller and smaller in diameter. Got some of the new design ones and so far so good, they only leak from the top when next to a large Gin.

Funny why some dreams turn into nightmares. A young guy, back in the UK, used to come into our local and tell us about this young girl who wanted it just about continually, every which way you can! After a few weeks he said he had enough and just wanted to go out for a good curry but she just wanted bed. In the end he chose the curry and said it was fantastic for a while but a curry is still the winner and makes no demands. I must say at my age even a good curry two or three times a week is getting too much!

Well I don't know and I am neither a troll or from Siberia. A sensible question as far as I am concerned and no need for a "smart reply" from perhaps a person who is not so smart. I know what paradimethallaminalobenzaledhide is but does that make me more clever than someone who has never heard of it. No!

Many of us have lived in Thailand for a number of years, as I have, but only visit Pattaya once or perhaps twice per year so some respect please for us who would like a sensible answer to a sensible question.

I didn't know what paradimethallaminalobenzaledhide is but wikipedia says " para-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde is an organic compound containing amine and aldehyde moieties which is used in Ehrlich's reagent for determination of hydrazine and Kovac's reagent for microbiology's indole test. Here is the wikipedia link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Para-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde so some more of us will know . It is beyond me and i still don't know/understand but i do know where the darkside is and how difficult it can be getting back home to the darkside at 3.00 in the morning .

Thanks to Petercool I now know where the Darkside is, I often wondered about this and will test my new knowledge when in Pattaya next week, first time for almost two years due to health problems but well on the mend by a (not so pleasant) lifestyle change. No doubt will undo some of the good on the "Brightside but that's life. I am impressed with your use of Wikipedia but put into more simple terms it is also called a Hydrazine Reagent used for the chemical testing of boiler water to determine the oxygen content, too much oxygen leads to corrosion to the boiler internals. One of my learned friends used to say he also knew long words such as Marmalade and Wheelbarrow. Those were the days, young, college and little responsibility, and almost 50 years have passed and I can still remember some useless words from those days but sometimes cant remember why I went to the kitchen so poured myself a Scotch instead! Cheers!

I am English, Cornish actually, and would prefer if Scotland remained within the union. However I would not waste any time trying to convince them to vote No.

It's their decision and we will both survive the consequences of a Yes vote, but a rocky path for both if Scotland decides to leave, however I believe that Scotland has more to lose in the long run if they become independent. Only time will tell and often a divorce is not as good as first thought, however it can be the best move. At this moment in time flip a coin!

You need to show your embassy 65,000 going into an account somewhere not in Thailand. The Embassy gives you a letter for Immigration, you need a copy of a bank statement showing the funds being deposited, from whoever from one account to another works with me....
 
Do not give the original copy of the letter to a consulate to get your visa all they need is a copy of the bank statement showing the funds going in...
 
May I suggest after 40 years coming here and 5 years living here that you choose another destination.
 
From  a Third World Man

I have been using the annual income method for the past 4 years and the British Embassy have never asked me for a bank statement. I just get a letter from by solicitor stating my rental income, he holds the original leases. This has always been sufficient, the last two years I have applied to the Embassy by post and received the required letter in about a week to 10 days. I always carry certified copies of the leases as proof if required but the Embassy or Immigration (Korat) have never requested further proof. I hope this helps.

They used to suspend it for up to 3 months but we pay monthly. On our return we would visit the local office in Korat and it would be back on within a few hours.

Ain't you over the top

This appears correct my wife asked a person who speaks and write Laos and she said it means "over the top".

I asked that same question for years..... but she never did.... so I finally just left .... sorry, I just couldn't help myself.....

Good humour!

I have frozen both Camemburt and Brie and when thawed out in the fridge both have been fine, difficult to tell that it had been frozen. I leave in the freezer in the Uk and return most years and take out enough for a week or so each time I am running low. I usually buy whole rounds from a Cash and Carry when on special or reduced so too much to consume before it is over ripe. Like most things put poor quality in the freezer you will take out poor quality. Put in frying steak and you dont get out fillet. If it is tough, then it was tough when it went in, the freezer is not to blame. I have heard many excuses that this or the other does not freeze well, usually not true. Make sure every thing is well wrapped and sealed, I have a vacpack machine which certainly helps but otherwise clingflim and a sealed container works just as well. If leaving for even a few days put several ice cubes around the freezer. If they are melted then you have had a power cut and can check with neighbours how long the power had been off. Usually an unopened freezer will maintain frozen food for up to 24 hours but ice will melt after a few hours so do the usual checks with anything you take out and ensure it it is well cooked if it passes the smell an appearance test.

I obtain my annual extension this way each year. I get a letter from my solicitor giving breif details of the leases and the rental income. I present this letter to the British Embassy by post and they issue the required letter for immigration. works fine. I do carry hard copies of the leases just in case but have not been asked to show them by either the Embassy or the Immigration.

UK interest rates have only one way to go and that is up and that will strengthen the pound in the long term. The pound should not be under estimated as the economy is also improving. It is difficult to predict how the Baht will react over the next 12 months because the political situation will not be resolved any time soon. in the meantime the ROE between GBP and THB will fluctuate so be ready to act when the rate is favourable. I recently changed at 54.27 by TT. I am now looking for the next high even though I have many months reserve after my last change.

You are correct, the Pound is very strong currently and its strength has surprised most people - you are also correct that UK interest rates can sensibly only go in one direction, that's because they are already very close to rock bottom hence the only way is up. But some questions for you to consider:

Given that the Pound is unusually strong, how helpful will it be for the recovery/exports/deficit if it becomes even stronger?

The recovery at present is built almost entirely on consumer spending, how will increased rates impact that?

Europe is the UK's major trading partner and it is currently threatened by deflation, will that not potentially have a negative impact on UK economics and the Pound?

******

Billmont

There are many arguements for and against a stronger pound, it mainly depends on which side of the coin you prefer! There is no doubt that interest rates are a major factor and an increase is seen much closer when trigger points are reached for such items as as unemployment and inflation. Recently the Bank of England had to react and make a statement that reaching these trigger points will not necessarily cause an rate increase. This was necessary to dampen Sterlings rise in anticipation of a rate increase. Due to the poor state of the EEC the UK had to look elsewhere to sell and in this they have been quite successful, the BRIC countries for e.g. but the EEC is still very important. Higher interest rates will not necessarily dampen consumer spending, housing takes on a life of its own and consumer spending was much higher when interest rates were sky high. When a currency is strong and exports become expensive manufacturers look at ways to reduce costs and become more efficient so it is not all bad news. However in the end the strength of a currency depends on the the strength or weakness of of other majors and impossible to determine with any near accuracy even by so called experts, even those here on TV. I revert to my original post and repeat that timing a trade can make a significant difference as currencies fluctuate. I always try to have a good reserve of both THB and GBP here in Thailand and when I spot a good rate I change even if I do not need additional THB at that time but for sure I will in the future.

UK interest rates have only one way to go and that is up and that will strengthen the pound in the long term. The pound should not be under estimated as the economy is also improving. It is difficult to predict how the Baht will react over the next 12 months because the political situation will not be resolved any time soon. in the meantime the ROE between GBP and THB will fluctuate so be ready to act when the rate is favourable. I recently changed at 54.27 by TT. I am now looking for the next high even though I have many months reserve after my last change.

I've taken a set of chef's knives through with no problem.

I've also brought chefs knives into Thailand, two sets, each on a separate occasion, one as a present. No problem at Bangkok International airport.

1. The zoo is quite nice. Google maps coordinates (simply copy and past them into google maps): 14.850268,102.074833

2. They also have a petrified wood museum, quite close to the zoo, but just like the zoo it's not in town. Coordinates: 14.85801,102.027012

3. Phimai historical part is definitely worth seeing. You can take a bus to Phimai from the main bus station in Korat which isn't that far from the mall. It's about 30 clicks from Korat to Phimai. Coordinates: Phimai 15.221086,102.493835

Bus station in Korat: 14.98911,102.094687

4. There's a place called Sai Ngam that features a mangrove cove that's a thousand years old, if I remember correctly. You can walk underneeath the trees and check out the awesome aerial roots which have turned into additional trunks. The entire cove is one organism. It's on the way to Khon Khaen. Coordinates: 15.226376,102.504189

5. About 50 clicks in direction of Bangkok is an ancient (1000+ year old) reclining Buddha statue in a temple called Wat Dhammmarachraksemaram. The village it's in is called Sung Noen. Coordinates: 14.917013,101.79423

6. In Korat you will find a tiny temple called Wat Phayap a.k.a. cave temple which's walls and ceilings are decorated with crystals and stalagmites/stalactites. Coordinates: 14.978534,102.099315

7. In regards to national parks there's Khao Yai national park (you can take a bus to Pak Chong and then rent a scooter in Pak Chong and drive to the park yourself. If you really want to explore this park you will need a vehicle. The fee for the scooters is 300/day. You can rent them in the park as well, but they're more expensive). Coordinates of the scooter rental place: 14.70289,101.412392

Then there's Wang Nam Khiao. I've been there only once during an English camp and have no idea what's there that's worth seeing. Wikipedia might be able to tell you. Coordinates: 14.70289,101.412392

Then there's a park that's adjacent of Khao Yai called Thaplan. You can book trekking tours there. They have a 4 day-tour. You will hike 2 days into the jungle to a place where there's 3 over 100 meter long fossilized dinosaur footsteps in the rock next to a creek. I'm not sure if you can book the tour in the park. The best way would probably to google it. Coordinates:

14.252404,102.086134

8. Also on the way to Khon Khaen is a 900+ year old temple ruin called Prasat Phanom Wan. You can search for that on google maps. It's about 20 clicks from Korat. You could do that together with Sai Ngam. Coordinates: 15.025095,102.193653

9. 134 clicks east of Korat are two ancient temple ruins worth seeing. They're a few clicks apart from each other. The first one (closer to Korat and up on a hill with a great view on clear days) is called Phanom Rung Historical Park. Coordinates: 14.531703,102.940412

The second one is called Mueang Tam. It's 141 clicks from Korat. Coordinates: 14.496119,102.98245

10. Korat has a park that's open until 8 pm or so. If jogging or inline skating is your thing then that's the place to do it. There's a lake in the middle and the track around it is just over 3 km long. Coordinates of the park entrance: 14.963438,102.090103

11. On the way from Korat to Bangkok is a cave called Khao Chan-Ngam which features prehistoric cave paintings. It's more an overhang than a cave, though, but the place is really nice!! It's about 60 clicks from Korat. Coordinates: 14.814705,101.595318 There's a temple there, too, called Wat Khao Chan Ngam.

12. Also in direction of Bangkok from the Khao Chan-Ngam cave is a gigantic white marble buddha statue located on a mountainside. It's clearly visible from the main road. The temple it belongs to is called Wat Thep Phitak Punnaram. Coordinates: 14.616278,101.26545

Wow! What an informative post! I will print off and save in my car for when we want to go out for the day. Many thanks.

Just out of interest, why do you want to stay next to the Mall, do you intend to spend every day shopping???

Surely you would be better staying nearer the nightlife if you intend going out at night that is.

HL

Sounds like you've never been to Korat. ;-) There's is no nightlife. Of course there's some bars, some of the falang operated, and there's quite a few good restaurants, but other than that it's dead at night.

Could you name and describe these good restaurants as I am always looking for somewhere new to dine. I find that the best food is in The Mall but gets boring after a while. Many thanks in advance.

Solution to get BeIn TV

Call truevisions 027252525, they will only activate the new HD channels for those that call.

They say mine will be done in 3 hours. Stupid but TIT.

Please let us know the channel number when you get it.

163 is now operating but it says Fox Sports

Am confused

Channel 159, it works fine now... Why do we have to call first???

Hi piewarmer, Many thanks for your very helpful post. I got my wife to phone as she is the one resistered with Truevision and after the promised 3 hours channel 159 up and running in time to watch the France v Italy game. They informed my wife that beIN is part of another company and require subscriber details before connecting and when you phone you have to give this permission. This is the reason why it is not connected automatically.Very low key information re beIN from true and without the info from piewarmer I would not have this additional free channel. Many thanks again.

I had a fully trained German Shepherd guard dog, trained to work on a lead. I used to take him to long walks each day about 4 miles out into country lanes where I used to let him off and throw a ball for him to chase and bring back. As soon as I saw another dog some distance away I would put him on the lead as he was agressive to others dogs, male and female. He began to get into the habit of not returning when I called him when he found a smell of interest. I had to run to put the lead on him before the other dog got close. I contacted the dog trainer and he recommeded the "Training Collar". The one I got had a beep as well as the shock treatment. The main reason for my dog not returning when called was that he just did not hear as he was just comsumed with the smell or if he did hear he found the smell much more interesting. I first used the beep and when he looked up he realised I was calling him and he returned. On two, only two occasions after he ignored the bleep he received a slight jolt. After that I had to use the beep less and less and eventually it was not necessary to use the collar at all. On rare occasions he ignored me I would put the collar on but I never even had to use the bleep, he immedialy returned when I called. My much loved German Shepherd is now in Doggy Heaven.

Now to my Brother-in-law dog who lives next door. He is a Thai 57 type dog who the BIL found abandoned at a market and brought him home several years ago. He is super intelligent, faithfully, good house dog but his one failing is he loves to chase cars and motorbikes. We do not know how old he is but he runs like a two year old and is a professional car/bike chaser. He deftly avoids all attemps by bike riders to kick him and must feel he always wins. He comes into our house (gated) for a quiet sleep and then asked to go out. If we are outside, mainly my wife, he returns proudly to us after chasing another vehicle away and people think he is our dog and give us a hard stare. He is protecting our houses and so far he has done a good job as we have not been attacked or burgled by a car or motorbike. I brought my Training Collar back from the UK with the sole purpose of stopping this dog from chasing vehicles. I wife went out side and sat at the local eatery with family and as usual the dog sat with them fitted with the training collar looking at the road waiting for the next vehicle to invade our private area which by the way is tarmacked so vehicles can sometimes travel quite fast. Cars and motorbikes went past, the dog did not move. Next day the same.

Took the collar off and he chases vehicles as if he is possessed. Put the collar on and he does not move. He has never had a zap from us and I doubt he ever had previous experience with such a collar. I do not want to leave the collar on full time as it might get lost and or damaged and in any case we will not see if he chases if we are not there. He has won and still chases like mad. However if we are around and shout at him he immediately stops but nobody else bothers.

So these training collars can have success or failures and the purpose of this post is purely to give you my experience of using them.

The term 'Chinese Whispers' didn't come about by accident.

I trust what I see, and take a bag of salt with everything else.

....and in the UK "The chattering classes"