wildside

Hi, did you buy the phoneone m506? Please let me know what you think of the phone as i'm interested in buying the same one. What are the pros and cons, thanks!

They told me in the TOT-Office Rayong the international connection is only supported with the 1 MB line, it would not help (don't get faster) if I upgrade to 1,5 or 2 MB line. Is this true?

Eugengeri Hi, I am in Rayong too. How is the speed of your 1 MB line? Is it fast and consistent?

I had my 13 inch Lcd screen replaced for 1000. plus 200. Baht labor. Many quoted me exorbitant prices like 5000. up until I found this shop but it is in Rayong, Laemthong Mall. Yours is 15 inch, may cost a little more or not I don't know. They do it there and then, about an hour and it's done. The shop is on the 2nd floor, don't know the name but I believe it is next to the shop where they sell software cd's etc. The owner is long haired hippie type of look, ha. If you are interested I can get the name of the shop for you since I pass by the place often.

I've got a TOT phone line, and I've had TT&T for a while (first HiNet, then Maxnet). I'm fed up with TT&T's traffic shaping and general speed problems, so I've decided to give TOT a try. I'll wait to cancel TT&T until I am sure TOT works better.

Thing is, when I signed up with TT&T, all I had to do was pay money at the office and take a modem home with me. I set it up myself, based on instructions (called if I had questions) and that was it.

TOT, in my area, wants to send a man over to the house to see if my line can be connected to their service (I think). I live less than a kilometer from the local office (hopefully also the ADSL hub), so I'm not sure why they can't just send me home with a modem. If there is a problem I could call or bring it back. The upside, hopefully, is that they will spot any problems in the phone wiring that might slow down my connection, but it seems odd that they would insist on doing it this way. I don't particularly want some guy sitting down in my office to configure the modem for me when I can do that myself.

Upcountry hi, I am thinking of doing the same changing over to TOT from Maxnet. Can you post your take on the speed of ToT in comparison to Maxnet. Is it better and faster? Thanks!

As always, I had gone to Immigration Office first and got a year visa extension. My expired WP was supposed to be extended to the same date as my new visa but.... Thus these past 2 weeks I have not the permit to work, making my visit to the Police asap a required step.

Ludosiam, did you have to turn in your old work permit and wait 2-4 weeks before actually getting your new WP book?

Hi, by some mistake of my employer the papers for renewal of my work permit were incomplete. When we needed the signature of the big boss for the needed document he had already gone on leave, tough luck! So now my WP has expired.

We are going to the Labor Department next week and apply for a new WP.

1. What are the procedures to cancelling or returning an old WP? It has been 2 weeks now.

2. The only option now is just to start over again and file a new WP application, right?

3. Do I still have to submit my last year's tax return?

4. Will I also need to go to the Police to pay fine and get a receipt for continuing work, as in my case? A friend of mine said he had to do this when he too failed to renew.

Lessons learned for next time. I appreciate any information and answers to my questions. Thanks!

Thanks guys, appreciate the input. Anyone has say on question 2?

My son who is now 20 years of age has to do a visa run. He had before a Non-Immigrant type O visa which was extended yearly since he was 15. He would like to stay a month or 2 more with me here in Thailand before flying off to Vietnam to continue his study there.

Ok, I have a couple of questions.

1. Since he had Non-O visa before, he has a fresh 3 X 30 days visa on arrival which he should be able to get on his planned border runs. Is this correct?

2. If in the situation, he decides to study here in Thailand instead I have heard that VoA can be changed to Education visa in Suan Phlu Immigration office. Is this true? Has anyone actually tried or done this? I was told the Immigration here will just need all the necessary documents (from the School) translated in Thai language.

Looking forward to hear any reply or info anyone here can give, thanks!

Hi, I have a job which affords me yearly visa extension. For the past 3 years, I have included my 2 teenage children as dependents and they get the same year visa extension as myself. My employer has been very helpful on providing the necessary paperwork.

Well, my son has recently turned 20 years of age and I am not sure if he is still eligible to be included as a dependent next time/year. Is he? What is the legal age in Thailand immigration law where a foreigner cannot be considered a minor or dependent anymore? Does anyone here know the official policy on this? Maybe you have known of someone in the same situation before and you can share with me the outcome. Thanks a lot!

I would like my son to continue living with me here in Thailand. At present, he is studying online which does not entitle him to student visa. I guess, an option would be just to enroll him in a Thai school. Anyway, I appreciate any input or information you guys may have. Cheers!

I have a job here in Thailand and get my yearly visa extension without any problem. I have a daughter 20 yo and son almost 22 now. They both have also been geting extensions through my job in the past couple of years. But just yesterday when I appplied for extension, they did not approve for my son. The reason they said is that he is 21 years of age.

Ok, well my son has been offered a job recently which he is now inclined to accept.

The problem is his visa is up this May 1st. We figure he has 2 options, one is to go for a quick border run and get a one month visa on arrival. Later when he gets the request letter and papers from the school, he can apply for non-B.

The second option and my question is if he instead overstay like 5 days, besides paying the fine will he lose the non-O visa that he has or had? Can he apply for 1 year extension with the same non-O visa even if he had overstayed? The company owners willing to hire my son said they can provide the papers necessary within a few days as they are accustomed to the process.

We will of course prefer the second option if it is indeed possible. That is my question, is it? Thanks!

Thank you Bonsaimax! My new workplace is in the same province as the old one so hopefully the Labour Office will act favorably & just renew my existing WP. You're likely right on the 7 days though when my school & I questioned the LO guys on this, they at both occasions said 15 days. I even quoted to them the 7 days rule written on the back of the WP book. So, I am a bit unsure on the issue. Anyway, can't be too safe so we will apply for the change of location within the 7 days time frame and Songkran week at that.

I have a work permit which will expire this May 1st. My contract with my old teaching job will be formally terminated on April 12. The school has already given me the release paper (form 10). According to the Labour Office I have 15 days from cessation date to return the WP book. Another school is going to hire me and my new contract will start this May 1st also. Therefore we would just like to extend my present WP book and just change the location or place of work. Is this possible? It would definitely save us a lot of paperwork if we can do this and not have to start over. I'll appreciate your advise or any experience you can share along this line. Thanks!

I feel for you & am sorry that you are in this present unfortunate predicament. The best I can say is to look ahead now & forward to likely a different prospect and hopefully better future somewhere else than if you would return to LOS. As much as you love Thailand like many of us do, it certainly is not going to be the same if you lose your freedom to enjoy not only the country but also the company of your loved ones. It is not the end of the world if you have to live elsewhere and I would say anywhere is better than jail.

I have made stupid mistakes as well and found the next step is most crucial in determining happiness and success after a sad debacle, so ponder well my friend. If you decide to take a risk returning to LOS, I would advise that you do all the preparations possible both legally and financially beforehand to avoid prosecution. If you decide not to return, then you have the freedom to explore and experience other countries, culture and people where maybe you and your wife can live happily ever, after Thailand. It's not the end of the road but just a bend. Wish you well in any case!

Due to unavoidable reasons, the school I teach for did not get to renew my work permit on time. It expired last May 20. A new wp application is now in the works.

I do have a few questions on this.

1. I am back to square one, right & do have to apply for a completely new work permit? Or could there be any chance still of renewal?

2. Do I have to turn in my expired wp to the labour office or can I just keep it for souvenir without any consequence?

3. Another school wants to hire me part-time. Can I just add this work on the same permit once it is issued for the first school? What are the differences in the procedure, if any?

I'll be looking forward to receiving any comments and advise any of you can offer me. They'll sure help me in ascertaining my status and options. Thanks a ton!!!

Thanks guys! Do appreciate all ur comments & guess what, I received the long awaited document a couple of days ago & already got my year extension. Whew!

Each of your replies on the topic was truly valued & appreciated. Sure something new will come up so till then.

Thx Dr_Pat_Pong! It is a new & interesting thought!

Do u mean if I cross a border, quickly out & in, that upon re-entry into Thailand, the Immig will give me 90 days auto? What type of visa will this be, carryover from my present  non-immig O visa or is just upon arrival visa? Can I extend this visa to 1 year?

It's great to receive helpful feedback from you guys! As u now may know I am hoping to avoid a long trip out & starting back at square one, if possible.

Thanks George for the advise! I'll head to Immo & give it my best shot. Hopefully they will too.

Much thanks & more power!