jayenram

Anyone else got wrong charged?

It's been tried on a few occasions. However, most of my regular haunts in this town are now aware that I am originally from Yorkshire (similar folks to the Scots but without their generosity).

As the temperature here (North East) has dropped substantially recently all the Thais are now wearing coats, particularly mo-sai riders. So whether they were wearing yellow shirts underneath was difficult to determine.

Me and my famely will go to Surin in January, we been booked into Surin Majestetic with the help of Farrangconnection, but I've been thinking a little about it since we got a little child with us, would it be better to rent a apartment, and is it possible to rent apartments close to the center of the city. It look like we are going to stay in Surin for 4 weeks. If so it need to have real madrasses and not the backbreaking thai style and some cooking oppertuneties. Sorry for the creative english, been to lazy to learn it proper.

You'd be pushed to find a decent ruby in Surin

I had an excellent ruby last weekend. Coriander chicken with hard boiled eggs, Bombay potatoes and aromatic yellow rice. Although the Thais considered it a bit spicy.

Had to make it myself, of course.

I believe this guy is currently in Samui:

http://www.alanthebuilder.com/builder/

Maybe worth checking with him.

Bye the way when I got my car license renewal I was told it was only for one year and when I questioned it she agreed it should be more and gave me SIX years not the 5 I was expecting!

I believe if you check the date of expiry of the licence, you may find that it's 5 years from the date of issue PLUS the period to your next birthday, e.g. if your birthday is on 8th January and you apply for your 5 year licence on 10th January, you will likely obtain a licence for 5 years and 363/4 days.

HI again jayenram

I test drove a '3' yesterday and see that the Surin dealer has got a Hi-rider round the back for test-drives. You may want to try it out. Its near to home and I see them showing off a new white one outside dealership. That looks good

Dave

I was offered a test drive in it when I was there. I was tempted but I realised that if I did, I'd find out how much smoother and quieter it is than my old bone-shaker. Then I'd really be tempted.

Rinrada

Joined: 2002-11-29

Member No.: 13

Yes, the numbers definitely went herewire early on:

Jayenram - Joined 2002-11-27 - Member No: 123

4. If you have a valid DL from your country then you dont have to go through testing process. You can get it without testing. My DL from my country was expired just 3 months back and I had to go through testing process.

Dont know about where you are but on Phuket you need an international drivers permit and it has to be current to get it converted to a Thai one, they will not accept simple home country licenses and wont accept those bought online international drivers licenses.

Admittedly, I obtained my initial 1 year 'temporary' licence some time ago, but my still valid UK driving licence (without photograph) was sufficient to satisfy the requirements to obtain a Thai driving licence with only the need to pass a colour blindness test.

I got my driving license recently in Bangkok. I found there are some wrong info on net. I got letter of residence from embassy, which was not required. Here is the procedure that I went through.

You do not state which type of visa you are holding. This fact is important.

1. You need a passport and work permit (if any). If you have WP then you dont need any letter from embassy. Otherwise you need letter.

This requirement may be relevant in Bangkok, but in the North East here, a "form" from immigration is required which needs input from the owner of your dwelling. There is no need for an Embassy letter.

2. No photographs are required.

Again, this may only be relevant in Bangkok and larger cities. I am assuming that the photographs were taken digitally in the Licence Office. Photographs are required else how could they incorporate one into your licence?

3. Doctor's certified is required. Without this you cannot make a DL.

4. If you have a valid DL from your country then you dont have to go through testing process. You can get it without testing. My DL from my country was expired just 3 months back and I had to go through testing process.

5. If you have to go through testing process then you have to attend a briefing in Thai or you can choose to watch a video in English.

6. After watching video you have to go through a written test which is in English, Thai, Chinese and Japanese (if the staff is correct)

7. After passing written test you have to go for driving test. You can rent the vehicle there and go for the test.

8. After driving test you have to go back and get your license.

9. Car license would cost you 205 baht for 1 year and they give you a Temporary Car license at first.

In the North East, the temporary car licence costs Bht 105.

I heard that after one year they give you full license, i.e. not temporary.

Anyone has differing information?

Note: You do not mention a colour blindness test nor a reaction test. Was it required to take such tests?

Mac

I have not been very active on the forum for the last few days, but after having heard from the F*t G*t about the situation, I want to say that I'm very, very sorry that your relationship with Bee has ended like this. Of all the rocky relationships I've seen and still see, I never considered that yours was one of them.

I'm not going to attempt to give any advice as I don't believe I have the knowledge or experience, but I sincerely hope that you are able to sort it out one way or another to the benefit of yourself and your daughter.

Keep your chin up, Big Man.

Y

Maybe this is why the vast majority of m/cyc riders in LOS don't have licenses, as they know it will cost them 55 baht for a card that is worthless?

I agree that the licence issued after a farcical test is effectively worthless but considering the "fine" of Bht 200.00 for driving without a licence, Bht 55.00 is money well spent, IMO.

The national parks have been hit and miss about giving reduced prices to farangs with a Thai DL. I couldn't get reduced price at Doi Inthanon Park, but I didn't care. However, I suspect the National Parks will soon issue new guidelines that will not give such a discount.

I recently visited Phnom Rung with my in-laws. The entry price was Bht 40.00 period! No dual pricing.

I don't think that a tourist visa will get you one... I could be wrong.

As far as I am aware and on the assumption that the rules haven't changed, a foreigner needs a non-immigrant visa to obtain a Thai driving licence (most provinces anyway). With a tourist visa (depending on the type) and a 12 month multi-entry visa, you will need to leave the kingdom every 3 months. An International Driving Permit (and in some cases, a home country licence) permits you to drive in Thailand for up to three months from the date of entry.

Note: It would be prudent to confirm that your permit or licence is acceptable to your insurance provider prior to venturing upon the road.

I'm thinking of visiting my embassy for a proof of residence and then apply for a Thai driving licence. Do i really need a Thai driving licence when i've a International Driving Permit and i dont stay for more than 6 months? I heard that the National parks have stopped giving local rates to foreigners w thai driving licence. So what's the incentive?

You don't mention the type of visa that you obtain to enter Thailand. The visa type makes a difference.

My mate (who also lives local to us) has a new BT-50. Been in it many times and seems a good car for the money,drives well and is comfortable. He says same but adds a proviso that If he had more money he would go for a Vigo. He may be just saying that to me cos I'm 'stumping up' the cash for said alternative (extra 30% in top!!)

The main reason that I was asking is that I've had a Mazda Fighter 4x4 2,500 turbo for the last 7+ years (100,000 km) and had virtually no problems (not of my own making) with it. But it is getting a bit long in the tooth so I was contemplating changing it. Shelling out an extra 30% (?) for a Vigo is against my Yorkshire nature.

Quote

'Archa Beer' wins Gold Medal in global competition

Archa Beer, another quality product in the stable of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (ThaiBev), won over more than 20 judges to claim the coveted Gold Medal in European Lager Division at the 2007 Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA), ThaiBev Director & Executive Vice President, Mr. Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, said.

Mr. Thapana revealed that AIBA is the world’s second biggest beer competition that is globally recognized. This year, a record 941 beers were entered by 189 companies from 39 countries.

Several famous beer brewing countries in America and Europe each submit hundreds of beer at the AIBA competition, which has been in existence over the past 14 years. On April 19th, a panel of expert judges announced the names of the winners, including Gold Medal awardee, Thailand’s Archa Beer, which was cited for being “an outstanding beer that displays the correct balance of taste, aroma and appearance appropriate for the style and excellent technical merit”.

Mr. Thapana added that “the significant growth of Archa Beer over the past six months or so could now be explained by this AIBA Gold Medal award which attests to the beer’s excellent taste.”

“This year, Archa Beer was the only Thai beer to have received a Gold Medal. Back in 1998, Chang Classic was the first Thai beer to win this award, making Thai Beverage PLC the only Thai brewer to have won AIBA Gold Medals – not just one, but two medals for our two outstanding beers,” Mr. Thapana concluded.

I was in the Mazda garage to have my truck serviced and I noticed they have brought out a "new" BT-50 model similar to the Toyota Prerunner, i.e. 2 wheel drive but the same chassis/body as the 4 x 4.

The engine is smaller than the Toyota with a 2,500 cc turbo and it has the Mazda/Ford type "4 door" configuration. Overall it looked quite good for a quoted price (without discount) of bht 590,000.00.

Has anyone any experience of this model (good and/or bad)?

IMHO all the beer brewed in Thailand are bloody awful. So I buy the cheapest (Archa) or Chang Draught for special.

My sentiments precisely!

Archa, from Thai Beverage. Archa has been selling for three years and costs Bt100 for five bottles.

-- The Nation 2007-11-10

I'm not sure where "The Nation" is buying it's Archa from but I'd sure be interested in finding out!

Up until 2 weeks ago, I was paying Bht 250.00 a case (wholesale) but it has just risen to Bht 275.00.

I like the Laab (in particular Laab Gai) but my favourite is FG's special Tom Yam (I call it mine but it's hers really)

Yorky's Special Tom Yam

I remember in the UK that we had what was known as "The Glass's Guide to New and Used Car Prices" (maybe they still have it). Does anyone have any idea if there is a similar guide in Thailand?

In my experience, septic tanks are designed somewhat similar to the sketch below.

Two sealed tanks (with access points in the lid) 'separate' the liquids from the solids and allow the liquids to discharge into an excavated pit filled with gravel (the soakaway). This could alternatively be a trench. Eventually the two sealed tanks will require emptying.

However, in my limited experience in Thailand I've noticed that a high proportion of Thais in rural Thailand have a single cess pit which also acts as a very crude soakaway. A cess pit should be sealed and emptied when it becomes full. However, those here tend to be constructed of concrete rings on bare earth. The rings are neither sealed together nor are the lifting holes sealed so the water is able to 'seep' away. Again, a heavy build up of solids will eventually need 'removing'.

(Note: The outlets from the septic tanks should be slightly lower than the inlets to prevent 'back-up'. Also the pipes should be 'laid to falls' between the tanks and to the soakaway' As a rule of thumb for self cleaning velocity, 4" diameter pipes at 1:40; 6" diameter pipes at 1:60. All tanks should be vented from above water level to prevent build up of explosive gasses.)

IMO there is not much to chose between the pick-ups that are widely available in Thailand.

Initially, the type of pick-up depends upon to what use it is to be put. Four wheel drive is only necessary if you are intending to go off-road or if the roads that you intend to use are liable to be difficult during the rainy season. If you like the height of the four wheel drive vehicles but don't need the 4 x 4 then the Toyota Prerunner is a good choice.

Manual 'v' automatic is a question of preference but I'm not sure how many 'standard' pick-ups are (or can be) fitted with automatic transmission.

Happy Birthday me owd mucker!

"I understand that you need to have at least Bht 1,000.00 in the bank for them to issue an ATM. So there you go!"

Who is them? Are you suggesting that you know what you're talking about?

I thought it was clear that "them" were the bank employees. How much do you need to have in the bank for an ATM to be issued?