jayenram

I wonder how much money was spent on making 'African Queen'? One of Bogies best, IMO.

Our local immigration office for obtaining visa extensions is 50 km south of Surin. The Cambodian border is a further 20 km south. So in this case, the 'wasted' time is the time taken to travel 40 km, approximately 30 minutes.

I'm also at a loss to comprehend why the cost of food and beer should be more than any other, normal, day.

I leave and re-enter Thailand frequently without passport or visa. At Chong Mek (east of Ubon) you can cross over - there is an interesting market on the Laos side selling Lao silk and all sorts of stuff. You just pay the border guard on the Laos side a few baht!

It's a similar situation at the Chong Chom border crossing into Kampuchea except that the Khmer immigration wish to hold your passport and the cost is more than a "few baht"

An American stops a Brit on Sukhumvit and asks "Can you tell me where the Grand Palace is at?"

Don't you know that it is incorrect English grammar to end a sentence with a preposition?" the Brit replies.

"Ok, can you tell me where the Grand Palace is at, ######?"

for some poeple like me, its all about convenient, if they are affraid to pay the 900Bht extra, i guest they shouldn't be here.

1-2hr at the immigration, half or full day running across border

Being 'afraid' has nothing to do with it. It's a question of economics. Also obtaining a 30 day tourist visa at Chong Chom takes the equivalent time as obtaining a 30 day extension at Kab Cheong. In addition, the former permits importation of duty free goods, i.e. more savings.

I suppose that my avatar could be considered sexually related. A few pints of beer Chang has got me into a lot of trouble in the past.

I have a friend who generally spends two, three month stints in Thailand every year. Prior to the hike in visa prices, he would obtain a two month tourist visa from Australia and then spend Bht 500.00 to extend said visa by 30 days. Since the price increases, he now finds it cheaper to leave the country (Cambodia) and return obtaining a 30 day tourist visa for his final month.

The economics of this are: prior to the visa price increase, the Thai immigration made Bht 500.00 for the extension. Following the visa price increase (in his case), the Khmers make Bht 1,000 (for the Cambodia visa) and the Thai’s loose Bht 500.00. He saves Bht 900.00 less the cost of travelling 40 kms further.

So who is loosing out?

I find it unbelievable that the "The Life of Brian" doesn't appear on any lists. It's the only movie I've been content to watch time and time again (probably up to 30 by now).

The last time I was in the British Embassy (albeit some time ago) there was a 12 week waiting list for interviews. This has most likely changed now but I would be suprised if she would get an interview on the same day of application.

If you drive a car with a Thai red number plate (new car) you are not allowed to drive it in the evening or in the night. The regulations mentions a fine of 1,000 or 2,000 Baht.

I was given an 'exercise' book with my red plate and told that I must record any travel outside the province, prior the trip. I was not told that I shouldn't drive at night but I've heard others have been told this.

There's many beautiful chinese ladies in Malaysia. I agree that once out of Shanghai, there are not that many in China.

Still, give me Thai every time!

Done SVB    

He didn't mean me! Or did he?

Regarding drawing money in small amounts:

ATM machines in Thailand invariably give out cash in 1 thousand Bht notes, e.g. a request for Bht 5,000 receives 5 x Bht 1,000 notes. Many smaller stores/shops rarely have change for a Bht 1,000 note therefore the Thais tend to request smaller sums. For example, if a Thai wanted Bht 2,000 he/she may make 4 requests of Bht 500 thereby receiving 20 x Bht 100 notes, much easier to change.

I have plowed through the posts on this subject but still have a few questions concerning the “fake” entry stamps.

Are the stamps literally counterfeit, i.e. manufactured illegally? Or are they legitimate stamps that have been stolen from immigration? What about the Malaysian or Myanmar entry/exit stamps?

What happens to the immigration half of the TM card?

If the passport is “lost”, surely to obtain a new one you would need a police report to present to the embassy. In obtaining the police report, don’t the authorities check with immigration, particularly during the current crackdown?

Sorry if I’ve missed the answers to any of these questions.

In my limited experience, I reckon a "farang bum" is the same as a "thai bum" only a helluva lot fatter.

::

Wondering if their is an expats club in the North East eg Udon Thani/ Nong Bua......?

There's an expat club in Surin. We meet every day, drink beer and talk nonsense.

I live quite comfortably and I don't spend more than 100-200 baht per day on all expenses.

Bht 200 may just cover half my beer bill.

And my sympathies are with you MaiChai and Jayenram

Thanks for your sympathies but I'm OK. I built my house some 2 metres above the flood plain and drive a 4 x 4 so I'm not directly affected.

However, before the local authority commence building drainage systems, surely they should consider where the systems are going to discharge. In an area as flat as Issarn, whatever you pump just comes straight back at you!

I've been driving in Thailand for 4 years on a british licence (the old paper one). I've been stopped by police on 2 or 3 occasions and they were not unhappy with the licence. I've had one insurance claim and although the assessor had to first check with his head office on the validity of my licence, the claim was quickly settled.

Maybe I've been lucky.

Since obtaining my retirement visa, I have reported every 90 days. However, an American friend never reports and has never received a reprimand or fine. I don't understand.

Hi Jayenram,

Presumably you are aware that the

90 day reporting is only necassary

if you have actually been IN the Kingdom

for 90 days since your last arrival.

Maybe your friend travels out of the Country regularly?

In any case I agree with all that Richard Hall says.

Roger

I agree wholeheartedly with Richard that keeping within the regulations is the best way, particularly as my local immigration office is only 50 km away.

BTW, my friend does not leave the country at all during the year.

C'est la vie!

You know you've been in T'land to long, when:

- You wear your crash helmet back to front and perched on top of your head

- You get your wife, 3 kids, pooch in the front basket and laundry on your moped and then do a Uey to go back and pick up mae-yai as well

- You wear your helmet as far as the intersection with the cop, then take it off as soon as he's outta sight

Plachon:

You are obviously living/staying in Issarn because that is *so* spot on!

Does anyone know the legal minimum age for driving a motorcyle?

It's apparently around 8 or 9 in Issarn, although the local constabulary don't seem to bother checking.