Bunter

We used Ocean Dental Center in Jomtien.. Its quite near the Immigration on Soi 5 or opposite Kiss and the Rompho Markets.

We received quality care on our first visit and the dentist (owner) was recommended to us by someone who had poor service elsewhere.

What can happen in cases such as yours is you receive spam that was not actually from Thai Visa and you take action to block it when in fact the scammer had used the Thai Visa address to mask their own.

I made a similar mistake in blocking certain spam emails where in fact my name sat visually on top of theirs.

After I blocked those emails I ended up getting no emails as I had in fact blocked emails being sent to me.

What I do now is just delete spam emails that are from my name, it's often a good idea to hover over the From address to see who the sender really is.

The solution is to clear all the blocks you have added and start again to carefully re-build your spam and blocked list. Hope that makes sense.

I understand it was tried from Karon to Patong but the guy that started the service had some "bad luck".

Was not a 'baht bus' more like the regular local (cattle) bus. And the driver had the 'bad luck' to drive the route on the first day and was beaten almost to death by the taxi/tuk tuk thugs.

Yep that sure is bad luck!

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The taxi and tuk tuk issues in Phuket is the main reason we have chosen to holiday elsewhere.

I am very pleased when I leave having avoided the scams.

Shuttle bus service from the airport and local taxi with fair price negotiate to get back to the airport. The rest of the time we use the local buses avoiding the local scams.

Pattaya on the other hand has a great baht bus service and a similar system would work on the entire west coast of Phuket.

I understand it was tried from Karon to Patong but the guy that started the service had some "bad luck".

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At Tesco there is a good muesli dry fruit mix 1kg for 185 baht. Bought it a couple of weeks ago.

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You could try Smith Residences...

Dr Nit at Phuket Dental almost opposite the Royal Phuket Hotel.

He will be the Dentist who will do the work as well. Great dentist and very honest.

http://phuketdental.com/

Cheers Trevor

Thanks Jomtien 2649.

Are you living there now... Ie living the dream?

One bedroom I presume?

Cheers Bunter

Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

I own a condo in foreign name in View Taley 2 in Jomtien 101 sqm it is a great view and location. Let me know if your interested

Which block are you in View Talay 2 and which way does it face?

I prefer A block as its closer to the road and the pool gets much better shade?

.

Great to see another living his dream.

Some of us have circumstances that mean we are just visitors to Thailand.

We have now been basing in Jomtien more often as you can get good access to everything while avoiding the mad rush and the other complexities of Pattaya - in the main town area or Patong in sometimes going to Phuket.

Phuket still gets a drop-in when we need dental work however as the dentist there gives 5 year warranty on crowns and other work as well.

This year we will rent again in View Talay 2A for two months - close to the main road so baht bus at your door for Pattaya and good facilities/shops in house and a great pool that enjoys good shade periods during, a swim in the pool and a good feed in house always appeals to us.

Up the road a little the baht bus also runs to Tesco and the beach, markets and other bars are within easy walking distance.

If you haven’t looked there it is worth a look.

Good choice of smart phone. Lots of apps Ex for foreign exchange details, maps with me, cloudmagic email program, tripit to manage travel, my fitness Pal, vsco camera for better photos of the family, smart profile to return to normal settings after your child has fiddled, Dashlane to manage your profile across all devices, Skype of course, VoIP account, Contafer to manage your money once again across all devices, alarm plus millennium, wifi file transfer, flight radar, Bloomberg tablet, Tapatalk, instant heart rate, newspapers from your favourite countries, clean master, apps for any sport event you are interested in, health and medical Apps, city guides for where ever you go, runtastic a few different apps, google sky, Shipmate, keep, and the list goes on.

Hope that helps you get started on the path to enjoying the tablet.

Cheers Trevor

Hi Diddl if you have a smart phone - I use an android and use "Maps With Me" free but you can do much more with the paid version at $5.99 and this works without 3g or wifi. You cvan down;load any country maps you need and it may just get you out of trouble cheaply.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapswithme.maps&hl=en

I have recently used in Australia Thailand Malaysia Singapore and Vietnam and all good. The best feaure is that it provides stand alone GPS features without 3g.

Cheers Bunter

In Australia I recently received an item after 58 days. The seller had already refunded me but as the item was received in good condition, I contacted the seller and paid the money back.

They rely on small profit margins and the continued success gives us all the opportunity to buy product at good prices.

I am commonly getting gear between 30 and 43 days now .. its too long but beyond the sellers control as it can be seen on the label the posted date was as stated.

Lodging a dispute in the resolution centre at PayPal enables the purchaser to give more time for the parcel to arrive or to come to an arrangement with the seller.

Cheers Bunter

I suffered as you have described and as with many others found after suffering for 6 months found that manipulation cured me immediately and I can now treat myself when ever it recurs.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vertigo/DS00534

It's simple to treat yourself just hold each position until the dizziness ceases. You could be sick during this.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m8-OiFzjW_U&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dm8-OiFzjW_U

Good luck.. You don't need a doctor unless this doesn't help.

Just to outline the senselessness in all of this. A few years ago a chap arrived from Patong in a taxi to pick me up from the Little Mermaid in Karon and we were opposite the taxi stand.

Yep .. you guessed it the taxi couldn't take us back but had to drive back empty as the Karon taxi has to do that job. Then that taxi drives back empty ... I have no sympathy for the taxi drivers in Phuket they are their own worst enemies.

I guess he accepted the outcome for fear of retribution.

My month in Phuket will soon be over and as usual I pride myself in not using a taxi or a tuk tuk. I have negotiated a fare to the Airport of 800 baht, lucky to get that but i guess from the figures available it is too high. When arriving we joined the mini bus queue and in the early day that works well at 200 pp and we avoided the taxis as well. Of course the required stop at a tourist agent occurred... oh well!

Last year we stayed for two months and did the same but had no choice once and paid 200 baht to move within Kata. The usual plan show the board with the maximum price shown or some computer generated sheet.

We have successfully used the local bus service and feel that should be expanded to run not just to Phuket Town but up and down the coastal road as well. Now that would really be a game changer.

Will this scam affect tourism in Phuket - and we first visited in 1991?

It will in my case its too hard to get around here in Phuket so my next Thai holiday is in Jomtien again 10 baht buses to move about and you know where you stand.

I got a new phone and it has a Micro SIM instead of the regular sized SIM. Has anyone transferred from a regular to a micro SIM? Can I keep the same Number? Do all the contacts etc on the SIM transfer across?

Thanks

Buy a cutter yourself and then you just cut it and keep the offcut so you can put the sim into a normal phone should you need to.

After cutting you may need to debur the edges

There will be phone shops who can do the job for you. If your travelling and changing sims reasonably often it's advantageous to have your own.

So the answer is Yes... You can keep your existing number.

I can understand why so many properties are listed and sit on the books for years.

During my recent stay in Jomtien I contacted several agents with queries regarding the status. . Ownership foreign or to view a property but didn't get to see one through those agents.

So I have advertised in Thai Visa classifieds to buy a condo in View Talay. It's nice to look at the listings but if you can't get an inspection and an opportunity to make an offer your property remains just another listing.

View Talay 2A is preferred but 5 considered...looking for a motivated and enthusiastic vendor of a high floor condo in foreign name.

No agents thanks. The agent who contacted me after I left Thailand has sent me his listings. I will continue to communicate with Mark.

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I often know how far and where I want to go when in Pattaya or Phuket but have no idea what the flagfall is or how much it should be per kilometre.

If these figure were published it would go long way to establishing the real price for a trip and then you could give tip if you are treated fairly.

In Vietnam some companies are known to be honest and use their meters - so you have no qualms using their taxis.

Malaysia and Thailand - don't bother - use a bus at least you pay a fair price!

Can I fly from BKK to Malaysia and come back the same day and still get the extra 30 days.... or do I have to stay till the date changes??

Hi Dipolar, yes you can, but i see you need 62 days in total for your holiday - would it not be better to stay a day or so in KL use Star Shuttle to go into China Town area costs MR8 one way and MR 12 the other.

That way you wont be overstaying when you finally go home. Hotels are very cheap in there. Mayview Glory is an example.

We often stay in Phuket for a few weeks then just fly via KL to Bangkok same day and get another 30 days. Its a fraction more expensive doing this than applying for the 2/3 month Visa.

Cheers Bunter

IMO its the tourist Visa of only thirty days (for some countries at least) without having to apply and pay for a 3 month Visa (that really only is a two month Visa) is the greatest impediment to encouraging the real tourists, retirees etc to stay longer.

I find the trip back to Malaysia and the welcome received there is enough encouragement to take a longer break in that country.

A 3 month tourist Visa would make a big difference (even if it meant validating your ability to sustain yourself in the Kingdom) would change the tourist numbers as many would stay longer rather than head off to other countries rather than spending their time and money in Thailand.

My next trip includes two weeks in Thailand, 4 weeks in Vietnam (yes a Visa is needed $70 pp) and 3 weeks in Malaysia. My preference would be to spend alll my time in Thailand with my Australian wife.

Cheers Bunter

Hello.. i am 46 years of age have been living here 8 years in January,i have been on Non "O" visa for 6 of these years... I do not work here and probably over 100 thai people or more can clarify this. I know some very key figures on the island. from Police, MP's,Council, Government,Resort owners,shop Owners and staff,Friends,all of these know that i do not work. I am also single,meaning no thai wife or thai girlfriends,i mix with Fa-rang girls,i do not own property,just rent all year round. I was in business made £ what i consider enough. I never set up pensions as i never wanted or needed to plan around this,but was granted my 1st Non "O" on showing them some bank accounts that had a large sum of money. I also opened a thai bank account and started off putting i think was 450,000 baht in and left in there but could use as my expenses. I am MADE to fly home every 15 months to the UK to apply again,and over the last several years pay i think £135 show letter of Guarantor and some bank accounts. On entry i am granted 90 days and then am FORCED to do a border crossing,for me the famous Ranong trip is my most frequent,where after my 4-5 mins on Burma soil i return back in to Thailand and granted another 90 days. (So KIND) yeah right!!

Ok it could be worse..... But my my what is all this about???? I have proved by showing them in the UK that i have ££ to stay 1 year,they have seen it black and white... So WHY! do i then have to exit every 90 days,they have seen it,more than enough to last well over the year,and years!! this is why they granted it.. But NO i have to make that horrible journey for what? Who gains from this? Yes Burma do because i give them $10,the Burma boat drivers of course are happy,but what do Thailand gain from this other than gaining tax on fuel that i put in the car. If they asked for £300-£400 name a price instead of the £135 i would pay it..So instantly Thailand makes money..Ok it's sorry for Burma,but this is a thai visa site,it is THAILAND for all it's wrongs that go on here,i still love this country,and yes i even love their complete lack of really knowing what is going on. Correct it's not normal,their way of thinking to me is NOT normal,but that is why i am here,i do not want to live a NORMAL life!! I am not one of the big spenders here,just living a simple life,because this is what i want,but i have brought large motor bikes,as pictured a car that cost me at the time just under 1,000,000 baht and 3 weeks ago just spent 50,000 baht on a new scooter. My old visa was expiring in June 2011 so UK time it had to be again,this trip gets no change from £1000,probably more i do not count. On going to my visa office with bank statements in hand letter of Guarantor GUESS WHAT?? they were going to refuse me!!!!! things have changed and i need to be 50!! What a (i could swear here) joke it is... All the money i have spent here because i love the place i live, YES i love THAILAND and they do not want me,because i am not 50 and i i did not want to plan my future around a pension plan. I DO NOT NEED A BLOODY PENSION!! I only got my new one because of pleading with them,telling them do they realize just what i have been through planes expense,my UK expense,the hassle,and more importantly why was not informed. It did get granted but was told that i would not get another one next year unless the visa rules change. So yes Thailand may loose yet another person who loves Thailand has spent probably something like 6-7 Million baht and it's goodbye jason.. I know i said i love Thailand for lets say not being Normal,but this is just plain DUMB!! Thai visa i hope you are listening,change your rules for the people who can prove they have the money and time and wish to spend it in this Country. Put more controls on people that can not show ££ and if they are after the people who are working here,do something about it,round them up,there are plenty i know i can find so why can't they!! I am already forward planning this ridiculous situation by gathering my thai bank statements of proof of expenses and maybe even getting a petition for all the people i know here to sign to clarify my position. Number two in command of Police on my island who is a friend will be the 1st name on it. WAKE up Thailand!! no people here,no people coming, with a19 million target(HO HO) unless you change things you will need 19 Million + 1

Great Post Jason - you do love Thailand and spend thousands to stay and enjoy the life in LOS.

We are like you would love to have greater flexibilty to stay in Thailand. This trip we (my Australian wife and I) went to Phuket for 3 weeks, then transited through KL and then had another 4 weeks in Pattaya.

We would have stayed in LOS longer but then we went back to Malaysia on the 30th day.

As you said "who wins" in our case its Air Asia and the Malaysian economy ..... WHO LOSES Thailand of course but they just dont get it!

If you can prove through bank account details that you have sufficient wealth to support yourself, we should be made welcome in the Kingdom.

Bunter

As 65 year old Australian Farangs we would stay for longer with a decent length free visa, now its simpler just to stay 30 days and go to Malaysia when we have worn out our welcome.

For certain categories of citizens who can prove their income can support them overseas should be invited to spend more money in Thailand.

The current policy and the scam 3 month visa is just not worth the trouble.

Easier to stay longer in Malaysia - thats where we are now - the hotel here gets my A$600 for two weeks that would otherwise would have been spent in Thailand - our 30 Days ended 30 Oct - so off we go to Malaysia where we are welcome for 3 months.

Bunter

The only way tourism will come back is if the government lowers the baht like the dollar, euro and pound did the last 2 years.. A retour flight from Europe cost already 40,000 baht and then getting 40-41 baht for 1 euro makes the holiday to expensive, same for dollar and pound.

Also would be a good idea to get rid of the racket of charging Bht150 for using a foreign ATM card

Good News .... AEON bank does not charge the B150 but there in not that many ATMs - none at the airport, one in Pattaya etc check it out!

Bunter