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I am a UK passport holder – My last Visa (history) is 3 years on a retirement on OA extension and now on a Double tourist visa (from Vientiane).

I want to go back to Vientiane to get the same double entry tourist visa (that is ending soon)..

Will this be acceptable - since it's a back2back application?

Just also to add ( and commend you )

Despite using this crossing for 15 years, flying into Hat Yai and now as a resident. I never knew there was a Songthaew service from the airport. So you did very well to find the blue truck.

I will add, that the clocktower is known as 'plazaa' or 'talad plaza' rather than the clocktower.

I'm guessing from your report, that the songthaew calls into the clocktower and then heads off to the bus station. After a ride from the airport, you would be itching to get off here, rather than continue all the way to the bus station. Then you can walk to the van station as I mentioned - it might save you an hour.

If you want a more luxurious ride, we now have a blue/yellow taxi service in Hat Yai although It doesnt stop you being assaulted by the touts on the way out of arrivals. There isn't a regular pickup point, but you could wait for one to arrive. Although they have meters, they won't use them and ask for around 300B to a downtown hotel.

In the past, before the company existed, you would be looking to pay somewhere between 500-1000B.

Taxis can be booked in advance, I will post the number in time, and should be booked a couple of days in advance.

Another method of transport when you arrive at the border - there is a moto taxi service that will run the loop and return you to the bus station. 15 years back it was 40B, now it's somewhere around 100B which i think is a little too much, but they will wait at the duty free shop, and also accompany you, show there ID card so you can get double the duty free allowance.

I would also post a warning, if you are on a multi-entry ( as always ) check your stamp, The staff are very slack - I have had times when they ignored my 12 month multi visa and stamped 30 days.

Wow - thank You for keep on giving - Love the extra dimensions and clarity - Its these extra bits that makes the difference between wondering and knowing a plan is workable - The issue for me was the process of entering the town and understanding a way to define my navigation options - But by giving this extra info centered around the specific area of the clock tower (with the extra clarification of naming convention) this allows me understand more than I did before - I saw many reference to 'Plazza' in blog posts, but I had no idea what the reference was about and since Google maps will not provide meaningful logistics for such a generic term - Hence only now can I put the connection together - Great work!

Pedang Besar is a good border. Me and my colleagues in Songkhla use this border to activate our multiple-entry 1-year non-immigrant B visas. Other borders worth visiting are Ban Wang Prachan in Satun and the border in Nathawee, Songkhla.

I went to Pedang Besar, Sunday gone, to get a stamp in my new passport; my visa was in my recently expired passport. It took a bit of head-scratching on their part but they were very friendly and going through to Malaysia/entering back into Thailand was a doddle.

However, don't make the mistake of going to Danok (Sadao). They are the most rotten, corrupt, criminal bureaucrats I've come across in Thailand.

I had all the necessary paperwork to legally enter Thailand (visa aforementioned plus work permit) so their mafia office staff took to insulting me and trying to shake me down for my money. I vow never to go there gain.

Good extra data - Ban Wang Prachan Satun and Nathawee, Songkhla as options - Great food for thought.

Good report ..

It's usual to have the local workers slide their papers in front of you, and they do love to count the stamps.

You had some good advice or luck, there are queues in both directions at Sadao.

The fastest way to the border would probably be the mini van, this starts at a soi not far from the clock tower.

Stand on the plaza, keep the clock behind you and keep on walking. Take the second soi on your right ( you will see a big eagle above a sports shop ). Walk down 20 meters and look to the right.

The can leaves from here and heads to the bus station to pick up more passengers. If you start from the minivan station you get the pick of the seats and not shoe horned into the middle seat at the back.

You were also lucky, the last van leaves at 6.00-ish. I got stuck once and ended up in dannock once.

Good solid actionable data here - Great contribution!

I would be curious if there are as many market makers and liquidity in the market here. Also I would love to see the volume of automated trading in Thailand. Perhaps these markets are just not that liquid. I'll take a look today I work for a finance company, see if I can get some details off the terminal

The stock market seems quite violative here

The problem with the Thai stock market for me is not the volatility - all stock markets are volatile, but over the longer term equities consistently outperform other asset classes such as bonds, commodities and property. In my opinion the problem is that many SET-listed companies are not run for the benefit of all shareholders. Often there is a founding family behind the scenes, or a large percentage of the shares is held by a single entities (or group of entities). That leads me to conclude that the best way to access the market is through quality active management.

One of the best active managers in this market is Aberdeen. I prefer to keep my investments offshore, and I hold Aberdeen New Thai, an investment trust listed on the London Stock Exchange. However, within Thailand (and denominated in Thai Baht) is Aberdeen Siam Leaders (fund). Over the last calendar 5 years it has returned 43.07%, 8.54%, 52.84%, -5.61%, 16.20% in Baht. Not too shabby.

Source: http://tools.morningstarthailand.com/th/snapshot/snapshot.aspx?tab=1&Id=F000000QWJ&ClientFund=0&BaseCurrencyId=THB&CurrencyId=THB&LanguageId=th-TH

I only pick this fund as an example. There are others out there with similar performance.

Anyway, I wouldn't be too quick to write off the Thai stock market as an investment for at least part of your money.

This is a good insight -"many SET-listed companies are not run for the benefit of all shareholders".

Many times I have wondered looking at Thai SET why it is more difficult to rationalise share prices as compared to western markets - I liked your post since it seems to point to something that shows why traditional rules do not exist in Thai share pricing.

The bottom line is that you are suggesting that Thai company shareholders are not exerting pressure to maximise performance and gain value. .

I may be making a big jump here when I ask this question, but - Why is there no / little investor pressure points actively closing and correcting value gaps for Thai companies?

Obviously in many other markets - when a value gap is correctly identified - Then this information would be enough to awaken the company to respond with a defense or alignment to value

Why this is not happening in Thailand?

1. Are there legal barriers that prohibits shareholders in holding the company they invested unaccountable?

2. Is there a cultural issue in Thailand that prohibits its shareholders from asking for accountability?

3. Is there just a lack of understanding what constitutes a gap - in order to actually question a company strategic / operational delivery?

4. A feedback loop structurally does not exist and hence shareholders can not find a way to create pressure for change?

It is probably an impossible request - But would be good to hear your views

Good Call - And could be a cause for both volatility and un-accountability if low Liquidity and few market makers - It will be interesting to see the outcome from your finding.

you dont need to go to the bus station on the forward leg. the padang bus stops at the clock tower.

if you catch the padang bus from the bus station it then goes to clocktower before going to padang. hence you have wasted at least an hour.

there are/were also minibus going from clocktower vicinity to sadao if not also padang. catch the padang bus and minibus on the same side of the road that the airport songthaew drops you off at clocktower

Good feedback - Extra excellent value information - Worth knowing - Good Stuff!

I went and I am now back - Here is report on most of the logistics http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/798935-report-border-inout-stamp-tourist-visa-via-padang-besar/

The stock market seems quite violative here

The problem with the Thai stock market for me is not the volatility - all stock markets are volatile, but over the longer term equities consistently outperform other asset classes such as bonds, commodities and property. In my opinion the problem is that many SET-listed companies are not run for the benefit of all shareholders. Often there is a founding family behind the scenes, or a large percentage of the shares is held by a single entities (or group of entities). That leads me to conclude that the best way to access the market is through quality active management.

One of the best active managers in this market is Aberdeen. I prefer to keep my investments offshore, and I hold Aberdeen New Thai, an investment trust listed on the London Stock Exchange. However, within Thailand (and denominated in Thai Baht) is Aberdeen Siam Leaders (fund). Over the last calendar 5 years it has returned 43.07%, 8.54%, 52.84%, -5.61%, 16.20% in Baht. Not too shabby.

Source: http://tools.morningstarthailand.com/th/snapshot/snapshot.aspx?tab=1&Id=F000000QWJ&ClientFund=0&BaseCurrencyId=THB&CurrencyId=THB&LanguageId=th-TH

I only pick this fund as an example. There are others out there with similar performance.

Anyway, I wouldn't be too quick to write off the Thai stock market as an investment for at least part of your money.

This is a good insight -"many SET-listed companies are not run for the benefit of all shareholders".

Many times I have wondered looking at Thai SET why it is more difficult to rationalise share prices as compared to western markets - I liked your post since it seems to point to something that shows why traditional rules do not exist in Thai share pricing.

The bottom line is that you are suggesting that Thai company shareholders are not exerting pressure to maximise performance and gain value. .

I may be making a big jump here when I ask this question, but - Why is there no / little investor pressure points actively closing and correcting value gaps for Thai companies?

Obviously in many other markets - when a value gap is correctly identified - Then this information would be enough to awaken the company to respond with a defense or alignment to value

Why this is not happening in Thailand?

1. Are there legal barriers that prohibits shareholders in holding the company they invested unaccountable?

2. Is there a cultural issue in Thailand that prohibits its shareholders from asking for accountability?

3. Is there just a lack of understanding what constitutes a gap - in order to actually question a company strategic / operational delivery?

4. A feedback loop structurally does not exist and hence shareholders can not find a way to create pressure for change?

It is probably an impossible request - But would be good to hear your views

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Hence going to Padang Basar - There is not the same problem ?

Maybe some bad reports. None from crossing by train or other places. At the end of the day is not like you're trying to enter Fort Knox, if you have a valid visa or even if visa exempt you will be allowed.

I think you will have better luck at Padang Baser/ I don't recall any bad reports for there.

I've used Pedang Basar many , many times since 2009 and never had a problem,

Thanks Guys - You gave me some good info - And I appreciate you doing this.

Good Info Guys.

So its going to be: Airport to the bus station - Bus to Padang Basar - Walk few hundred meters between the crossing points - Call into the duty free for half price whisky - Exit Thai immigration point - Get bus directly over the road (I had to wait forever for one three years ago) back to Hat Yai bus station - Songthew from bus station to Airport,

- I would take the train to PB, but they are few of them and they are always running late.

Thanks again for the input!

OK - That makes sense - Its a reputation thing i.e There is not a constant clear thing that will happen always - It happens sometimes.....So going this route will not !00% result in having to stay over - Its a percentage chance it might happen - Yes - Am I getting this right?

Hence its not really useful knowing what's the problem - Rather its more useful knowing the percentage that this happens - 1% = Fair risk worth taking - 95% = Probably not a risk worth taking.

I do not expect anyone to know the answer to this percentage. I am just talking out loud - wondering how to reach the best decision - So as to maximize my probability of in/out success.

Does anyone have a - lets throw bricks at the moon - type of feeling for this?

Is not like they people is left outside forever. They are just hassled to an extent. All what you may have to do is keep Bt 200 in passport. Up to you if you are OK with this approach or not.

OK - Thanks for that - So is it just happening at Sadao - Is this correct?

Hence going to Padang Basar - There is not the same problem ?

I might be heading to Dannok soon to meet a friend and thought also that such 'border' towns are usually ea$y to get things done?

Sadao / Dannok has a poor reputation of being corrupt abusive. It doesn't happen all the time, but it happens. You can search the forum to read the many reports.

OK - That makes sense - Its a reputation thing i.e There is not a constant clear thing that will happen always - It happens sometimes.....So going this route will not !00% result in having to stay over - Its a percentage chance it might happen - Yes - Am I getting this right?

Hence its not really useful knowing what's the problem - Rather its more useful knowing the percentage that this happens - 1% = Fair risk worth taking - 95% = Probably not a risk worth taking.

I do not expect anyone to know the answer to this percentage. I am just talking out loud - wondering how to reach the best decision - So as to maximize my probability of in/out success.

Does anyone have a - lets throw bricks at the moon - type of feeling for this?

Really? - OldSailor35 - I saw a response post from UbonJoe (master of the universe for all things visa related) saying Sadao were refusing exit on Thai side unless prepared to stay one night in Malaysia - Malaysian side imposed requirement.

Malaysia doesn't impose anything. Thais may want Bt 200 or so, but only sometime. Avoid Sadao / Dannok if possible at all.

Thanks - I am however also trying to read between the lines - What is the problem with Sadao?

And would this same problem be widespread - Hence Pedang Basar would be the same?

There was a recent report of a person wanting to do OA visa entry that was given the run around at Sadao when he tried to re-enter the country because they were saying he had to stay outside the country for the night. He manged to enter the country but only by going to 3 different officers before they let him in.

There have been several reports of this happening.

The best thing to do would be to use a different crossing.

Thanks UbonJoe

Were these reports only happening in Sadao?

Or

Did you also hear that it was happening at... - Padang Basar? - Langkawi?

I have got a non imm 'O'. last visa run i took the "Easy Way" mini bus from Samui to Sadao and back same day. No problems for me.

Really? - OldSailor35 - I saw a response post from UbonJoe (master of the universe for all things visa related) saying Sadao were refusing exit on Thai side unless prepared to stay one night in Malaysia - Malaysian side imposed requirement.

Plot thickens - good to hear there might be a way to do what you managed to do and get out/in same day.....Anyone else had same (or different) experience as OldSailor35?

I have a pre-booked a return flight Bangkok/Hat Tai (time and date is set for return) on the premise I could go to Malaysia border Sadao and turn straight around come back to Thailand - same day for my return flight.

1. I am reading that Sadao requires one night stay in Malaysia - is this correct?

2. If so - is this the same situation at Padang Basar or are they doing things differently?

3. If there is no change at Parang Basar - What about if taking a ferry at Saturn to Langkawi - stepping off the ferry at Langkawi and turning straight around back to Saturn?

You can get a 2 entry tourist visa in Laos. You can get as many as 3 of them back to back.

There is not rule saying you have to go home to get another one.

If you have resigned already you extension of stay is no longer valid. It ends on the date you stop working.

Is that right - 3 Back to back double entry visas?

1. So just to confirm - After the first double entry - There is no requirement to leave Thailand and return with say a visa exempt - Before making the second back to back application?

2. And after you have done these three back to back double tourist visas - Is there any way to reset that rule - i.e So you can begin the three back to back double tourist count again?

If you are looking for traditional stocks with dividends, but seeking to establish exposure to gold prices, the stocks of companies engaged in the extraction of the precious metal may be a opportunity. Gold miner stocks tend to exhibit a strong correlation to spot gold prices, and often trade as a leveraged play on the underlying commodity.

There are a number of publicly-traded gold exploration and mining companies headquartered and traded around the world. Some of the best-known companies include:

• Barrick Gold (ABX)
  
• Goldcorp (GG)
  
• Newmont Mining (NEM)
  
• Eldorado Gold (EGO)
  
• Gold Fields Limited (GFI)
  

If you are using server technology for document access and retrieval than you will get served well with Google drive - Its exactly right for that application

see the video - They are showing mobile applications of drive, butits just the same and even simpler on desktop

-

You have no given a lot of detail about exact needs and so its difficult to identify if there is something that the current spend of 20K is giving you other than retrieval and storage.

Simply go to and login (if you have a Google account already - just requires a click - By going to home page on chrome browser and click on funny square box top right of browser and see all services as short cut apps - select google drive.

Now - Go to this document - On my personal Google drive - I am sharing this with you to show you how docs can be shared with anyone you wish - employees and customers

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MT5YUcXUGsvp6uckAlyZJ3AidGdpT5hbI-UZ3cvksnM/edit?usp=sharing

The issue to consider is if you can get away with a personal account or a business (Googl calls these business App) account - either way the cost is marginal to get access for your staff i.e business account $5 per employee per month - Only for those that needs access.

https://www.google.com/intx/en_sg/work/apps/business/products/drive/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=japac-smb-apps-bkws-th-en&utm_content=gafb&utm_term=google%20drive&gclid=CLiBsOmwiMMCFQW0jgodpHoACw&gclsrc=ds

Google do have a call centre (for business) see the link - and they will talk you through your needs and show you how to use drive and if its going to do the job.

Good luck

I am using a Surface Pro 3 i7 256GB that bought from Hong Kong last September. two reasons - i) don't wait for IT City long booking queue if it is available on shelf somewhere; ii) it is cheaper ( forget actual number ). very happy with the Surface Pro3 performance so far, EXCEPT :

there are many manufacturing defects with the Surface Pro3. luckily mine is not over-heated, but it starts to BLEND into a curved screen, about 3mm+ along its length. warranty is NOT valid here in Microsoft Thailand.

not an issue entering Thailand with only one Surface Pro3, put some data in it and it considered as personal use. not travel with another laptop. Surface Pro3 packaging is not foldable.

Good Call - Useful real information - The heat I have heard from others can be a bit worrying - seems to happen on the processing you would expect with video HD playback and rendering etc - The info about the edge of screen is new info to me - Others have mentioned the pen input become unresponsive in that area - So i can image the edge issue could be frustrating for apps with edge close side panel selections.

Good feedback on the foldability of the packaging - I was contemplating this as a possibility (now not - because of your insight). Worth considering since I will be entering back to Thailand by ferry and other peoples experience seem to indicate a more relaxed attitude than what occurs at airport controls - I will asses on way out (using ferry) the chances of getting the packaging back without problems, but on the whole feel I need to dispose of the box to be entirely safe.

I think if you can save 7,000 baht on a Surface Pro from Malaysia then do it. But how much does it cost to travel, stay in a hotel and then return to Thailand? I'm not saying that cost is not worth it. It would be a great excuse to go to Malaysia but you might use up your expected savings on your travel expenses.

I love the specs of the Surface Pro 3. If I had the money I would buy one too. I also understand how you feel about waiting for the Surface Pro 4. When i was looking for a tablet I had sights set on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition. I had to wait for months before it came to Thailand. I'm definitely happy with my choice but would love to be able to by a Surface Pro 3 or 4.

He is going anyway... so he's saving money! It would not be saving money if he would go to Malaysia just for the computer. I did this two years ago when I had to be in Butterworth for a Thai visum. Buying my Canonprinter there saved me about 8000 Baht...

The Galaxy Note 10.1 is an outstanding tablet. If I was looking for an Android tablet, this would be my number one choice as well. But the past weeks I'm doing a research on the internet for Windows tablets and there are some Chinese products which cost half as much and can run Android and Windows 8.1! My favourite so far: The Teclast X98 air ii, runs both systems, costs around 7000 Baht! Look for it on Youtube, you will be amazed. Of course, Surface 3 is a high quality product... but for what I want to do with my tablet, this one will do...

Yikes - Great post

The Teclast X98 air ii has been completely off my radar - It looks really good for the price - Slight niggle since I edit image and video I couldn't see any pen stylus options, but at this low cost would be worth the compromise of using an external wacom tablet input - Fantastic screen spec (same spec as iPad) - The 3G from reviewers seem to have refresh rate issues and camera (right way up) - also needs a separate new win 8 licence and so the ii (not the 3G) seems like the best choice (as you recommended).

Bottom line: At this price I can see myself buying this now and using it as an easy to carry device for local bus journeys reading PDF's and viewing video how to's i.e essentially it can be used as a lightweight smaller form factor media device, rather than a device for larger projects - I like it.

Questions:

1. Where in Thailand (or even better) Bangkok can this be bought - Or is this only via Alibaba Express?

2. The air ii - comes installed with Windows 8.1 - can this be right? (If the price is 7K - I am assuming it will be a Win 8.1 - non registered)

Thanks for a great Post!

The Surface Pro 4 is about to be released.

True, but market estimates are suggesting Pro 4 will be targeting an August 2015 US launch (No actual launch dates have been confirmed by Microsoft) - SE Asia was around 3 months latter for pro 3 last launch - Hence (nearly) 12 months wait time - And this is waiting for a product that might not be a step change - other than its form factor (Surface mini and 15 inch version).

I did think about the possibilities of Pro 4, but the question is not when to buy, but rather more about where i.e Malaysia would still be the same question I posed - Why not buy in Malaysia rather than Thailand whichever version of the surface being bought?

Don't forget Windows 10 is due out next year. I don't know if the date has been announced, but maybe your message hints at it. My guess is the Pro 4 release would coincide.

If you're going to buy in Malaysia do it in a larger city. I wouldn't expect much in a remote place like Langkawi. Penang has a few IT malls, direct ferry link from Langkawi (or at least was, last I looked).

When I lived in Malaysia I would buy accessories for my peculiar phone (now antiquated) from Hong Kong. Never had to deal with customs, duty etc. Nearly everyone travels with a laptop these days, but if customs notices you have several they will definitely be curious.

That thing about having it delivered to your hotel before you get there: You may get to the hotel and be told there is no package, never arrived. You contact the vendor, he says it was shipped and has the delivery proof and you will be charged. Good luck with that.

Some good points made in your post:

There is a specific Microsoft authorised dealer on Langkawi I am going to buy from - And pricing seems less negotiable on the surface products and hence going to Penang might not save a lot (I have made contact with a dealer however there just in case).

Its a pain ditching the packaging since its good to keep the manuals and other bits and pieces in and remembering where they are and even increases the resale value with original box - so not sure if I might chance keeping the packaging.

Windows 10 is a good point - However I always try and stay one version behind - since they software vendors are always running late on their support and usually you have to upgrade your existing software from them to be fully compatible - I am running Adobe creative suite and various other video and image animation design applications and some are still not fully compatible with current windows, hence the wait on Win 10 is not high priority.

The Surface Pro 4 is about to be released.

True, but market estimates are suggesting Pro 4 will be targeting an August 2015 US launch (No actual launch dates have been confirmed by Microsoft) - SE Asia was around 3 months latter for pro 3 last launch - Hence (nearly) 12 months wait time - And this is waiting for a product that might not be a step change - other than its form factor (Surface mini and 15 inch version).

I did think about the possibilities of Pro 4, but the question is not when to buy, but rather more about where i.e Malaysia would still be the same question I posed - Why not buy in Malaysia rather than Thailand whichever version of the surface being bought?

I am going to Malaysia next month and I am in the market for a new Microsoft surface pro 3 and in Malaysia its 5,000 RM = approx 47k THB

Core i7-4650U (1.7GHz, 4MB L3 cache) - 8GB - 256GB

Lazada - Malaysia

Microsoft launch official price - Malaysia

And same unit in Thailand:is 100 baht short of 54K THB - i.e It is 7K THB (£140 or $220) cheaper in Malaysia

Banana Store - Thailand

IT-City Store - Thailand

Am I missing something here - Since there is a large difference in RRP price - Is there any reason not to buy in Malaysia?

There seems to be a microsoft store even on the island of Langkawi, which is where I am heading (but not yet got confirmation back from the store that they will have stock of the surface for when I visit) - PollyCall Store

I am also trying to get Lazada Malaysia to deliver to my hotel a few days before arriving and still awaiting a response back from them to identify if this is possible.

Possibly there might be an issue with import tax at customs and may need to dis guard the original packaging for the surface and claim I entered the country with the item or warranty cover in country, however outside this - For a big tick item purchase like this what is the reason not to buy from Malaysia.