Jowels

Thanks for the quick replies.

The 2nd passport option certainly seems the way to go. I'd appreciate any further information you could give.

I reside in Thailand, but work in the mining industry on a 24-18 fly-in fly-out roster. I will shortly need to renew my UK passport, and now they are processed via Hong Kong, I'm told it usually takes 4 weeks.

Aside from returning to the UK, does anyone know a quicker method of obtaining a new passport? I am never in Thailand, or any other country for 4 weeks, and if I can't find a quicker method, it will cause me considerable difficulties.

Have just spoken with my wife. She has a small shop in Niphat Uthit 4 in Hat Yai, close to the JB Hotel. Last night she had 1.5m of water, but now it's all gone and the nearby roads are clear. She's only 30m from a large klong in one of the areas that was worst hit in the floods of 2000. Hopefully other areas in the city are also clear.

I've been in Thailand for the past 6 months on a multiple entry tourist visa. My visa expires on the 5th June, but I'm not due to leave Thailand until the 8th. As I'm close to the Malaysia can I do a quick border run to get a 15-day visa exempt entry, or is this not possible when you're on a tourist visa? I know I can get a 30-day extension at the local immigration office, but a border run would take me less than an hour and enable me to but some duty free wine!

I work as a private contractor for a mining company. I'm paid on a daily rate and am not entitled to sick leave. I would like to take out an insurance policy for loss of earnings in case I fall sick for an extended period. The policy would need to reimburse me circa 100,000 baht per month. Is this type of policy available in Thailand?

Hi Dan. I'm pleased to report everything went well. My son is in remarkably good spirits, and he should be discharged later this morning.

I was very impressed with all the surgical staff at Songklanagarind hospital. They took excellent care of my son, and ensured their most experienced pediatric anesthesiologist put my son 'under'. The operation was performed by a Dr. Surasak Sangkhathat. He doesn't have a particularly good bedside manner, but he graduated from Japan's (not Australia's) most respected medical university, and he is supposed to be one of southern Thailand's top pediatric surgeons. If your son's lump does require surgery, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Songklanagarind.

Sheryl - Thanks for your excellent reply. My son is going to have the surgery at the medical hospital at Prince of Songkla University. I have spoken with the head anesthesiologist there this morning and his replies have put my mind at rest a little. Although, they don't have any specialized pediatric anesthesiologists, he has experience with over 2,000 toddlers himself, and he has agreed to anesthetize my son. I don't know specifics about his medical training, but he spoke with a very American accent, which could only have been obtained by spending considerable time there. The surgeon who will perform the operation studied in Australia, and according to other doctors, is the most highly qualified pediatric surgeon in the area. Although, I'm not expecting it to be a pleasurable experience, the hospital are prepared to waive their usual rule that only one parent can accompany the child while they are anesthetized, so at least the little fella will have the comfort of two familiar faces.

I will try to make some further inquiries regarding the surgeon and anesthesiologist's qualifications, and will also find out if they operate a private medical practice.

Thanks again for your assistance.

Shortly after he was born my son was found to have a small lump in his left arm. A tissue biopsy ruled out cancer and left hemangioma as the most likely cause. Since this can disappear on its own the consultant decided to delay surgery, but it's now 12 months later and the mass has doubled in size. As a result the consultant has now recommended surgery to remove it.

The operation is scheduled for the 18th Feb. Initially I was all for it, but after performing some google searches on pediatric anesthesia in Thailand, I've become a little anxious. It appears the number of adverse effects in pediatrics is quite high, particularly the number of serious complications, such as cardiac arrest. More worryingly, it seems a significant proportions of these are caused by human error and equipment malfunction.

The hospital where the surgery will be performed does have a good reputation. In fact we were referred there by the two most expensive private hospitals in the area (Songkhla). I intend making an appointment to discuss my concerns with the anesthetist, however, I know little about this area and their answers probably won't mean much to me. Which leads to my question, have any ThaiVisa parents been in a similar situation, and what was their impression of the medical services their child received?

Any advice/suggestions would be gratefully received.

I just called the British Embassy and they told me that there ia an arrangement with the Thai Immigration.

IF YOU HAVE A CONFIRMED TICKET OUT OF THAILAND FROM 26th ONWARDS, YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED FOR OVERSTAY.

Reading this prompted me to email the embassy for confirmation. Here's a copy of their reply:

Thank you for your e-mail. Our information, from the Immigration Commissioner's office, is that any traveller leaving Thailand will not be charged for overstay when they are eventually able to leave, provided that they do have proof that they were due to travel from 26 November onwards.

Regards,

Neill James

Vice-Consul

British Embassy, Bangkok

14 Wireless Road

Lumpini

Pathumwan

Bangkok 10330

I trust it's ok to copy and past the email here.

I spent a frustrating evening looking for information on that site last night. Unlike the other Thai banks there's not much English language content on the Krungthai bank site.

Based on what you've read, it seems the staff we spoke to were misinformed. I visited SCB this morning and the assistant there mentioned the maximum rate you could pay on their variable rate mortgages was currently 'capped' (sp?) at 12.5%. I'll keep looking and if I find any better deals, I'll post the details here.

Thanks so much for your help.

But even with variable interest rate...there should be a cap also

That's what I was hoping, but I've looked into variable interest rate loans at Bangkok Bank and Krung Thai Bank and according to their mortgage staff there isn't a 'cap' system in Thailand. If anyone knows a Thai bank that does offer it, I would appreciate the info.

Thanks to the other two posters for their replies.

The missus is seriously considering buying a new home. She'll be able to pay approx 50% up-front, but she'll also need a mortgage circa 2,500,000 baht. Bangkok Bank fix the mortgage for the first two years at 5.75% & 6.5%, but after that she'll have to take her chances on a variable rate. This currently stands at 7.5%.

Since, many mambers have a good grasp of the economic situation in Thailand, I would like to know where you see Thai interest rates heading? Up or down?

^ I would check what ths situation is like in Trang as the water-level there is very high and schools have been ordered to close all week. I'm based in Hat Yai. The water level has receded considerably, but we're supposed to get heavy rain between the 21-23. Good luck with your journey. Weather permitting, I'm driving to Phuket on the 24th. Could you let me know how you get on? Also, what's the weather like in Phuket at the moment? I don't imagine I'll be getting much of a sun-tan

Sincere thanks to all the curry enthusiasts who have taken the trouble to respond. I'll be in Phuket later this month and will try the Red Chilli, Kharnasutra and Ali Baba's. I'll post a review here and let you know what I think.

In reply to a previous poster, the best curry I've had in BKK was at the Rembrandt hotel's Rang Mahal restaurant. Althpugh it's not cheap, it's widely regaded as the top Indian restaurant in Bangers. It's located in Suk Soi 18.

Most of the Indian restaurants I've tried in Thailand have been bitterly disappointing. Does anyone know a decent curry house anywhere on Phuket?

^ Thanks again mate. Actually the kind folks at soidog.org have come up trumps. They've recommended the Green Garden Bungalow complex, which is about a 5-10 minute walk from Patong beach. They've got vacancies over Xmas, so my holiday's been saved! Cheers :-)

Sincere thanks to both of you. I've sent the folks at soidog.org (at first I thought this was a wind-up) an email so hopefully they'll come up with something.

Kiwi/Thai, I can confirm the Evason have a dog-friendly policy. Unfortunately I'm looking for somewhere over the Xmas period, and their cheapest studio rooms are 10k plus. That's a hefty chunk of change and well out of my price range. I'm hoping to find something between 1,500-4,000 baht.

If I can't find somewhere I'll probably cancel my holiday, so any other suggestions would be very welcome.

I suspect this is a long-shot, but would anybody happen to know of a dog-friendly hotel in Phuket? Somewhere in Patong would be ideal, but info on hotels anywhere on the island would be greatly appreciated.

UNIVERSITY INITIATIONS: Clampdown on hazing

Adul Wiriyavejjakul, rector of Maha Sarakham University, said “If you stop the kids from singing and dancing, what would they enter university for?”

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmmm...nice quote from a university rector

On the subject of roundabouts. Does anyone know the correct procedure for joining one in Thailand? I would have assumed you give way to people already on it, however observations of Thais driving in Hat Yai suggests the opposite.

I must have a twisted sense of humour 'cos I find your post very very funny

Sorry!

You two wanna watch yourselves or you'll get a slap from Ken's famous foreskin!

^ I would be very surprised if you can have JD's.

According to the website the drinks deal runs between 9 and 12. Would you be kind enough to clarify? I'm in Hat Yai (you may remember me from another forum. Does a VCD with "....and then, and then, and then......." ring any bells?).

I've got several nightlife loving friends living in the Suriwongse area and I may be able to help you drum up some business.

Is anywhere in Bangers stocking Easter Eggs?