PMZ

I have lived in Bangkok long-term, but have spent a large amount of time in Manila and the Phils.

Above comments all true, food better here (local food anyway).

English language and cultural similarities better in Phils.

Personal security issues exist in much of the Phils, whereas that does not occur here in most cases.

Visa's said to be easier there.

Personally, for me, it would be Thailand, without a doubt.

3 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

No you will not be able to get one.

Many thanks Joe, much appreciated.

I will have to wait for the British Embassy process I guess.

Hello Joe

Thanks for the info, saved me a trip.

A visit to Chaeng Wattana and three weeks wait are both painful. I cannot get an appointment at the British Embassy for the next three weeks either!

My situation is:

• Have lived iun Thailand for many year under Work Permit and then Retirement Extension, which expired in October.
• I am now living and working in Singapore, but my family is here in BKK
• When I come here now, I enter under a Visa Exemption Waiver
• I need to sell my car, dealer needs a Certificate of Residency
• I have an apartment contract, in my name, where my family live

Question: At Chaeng Wattana, am I likely to get a CoR when I am on a 30 Visa Exemption?

Hi

I want to sell my car and need a Cert of Residence.

Am I able to do that tomorrow at Lad Phrao Immig office?

Many thanks

42 minutes ago, dotpoom said:

I somehow knew the word  "scum - - - "  would crop up when I read this story. 

   This is a word I rarely ever heard used before coming Thailand (I come from Western Europe). It appears to me it is used by peoples from one particular nation on a regular basis.

    At home, if a person used this word, most people within earshot would physically cringe with disgust. When I see it written down it appears even worse. ......I can assure readers that I am no "shrinking violet"...and have been pulled up on more than one occasion myself for using the "F" word. But the word I'm referring to, for me, is in a completely different category. It''s on a par with calling a lady by the "C" word.

    For me, it says more about the person using it ....than it does about the person it is aimed at.

I believe that you have misunderstood this word and it's origins. To compare it to the F or C word is totally wrong.

While not a very sophisticated word, it is legitimately used to describe an person of poor character.

The Cambridge Dictionary states:    a very unpleasant person who has done something dishonest or unacceptable

The origins come from the Sugar refining industry:

As for the first use of “scumbag,” this was not, as is popularly stated, a condom.  Rather, in 1812, Abraham Rees compiled 45 volumes of an encyclopedia entitled, simply, Rees’s Encyclopedia. In the 34th volume, dedicated to the arts, sciences, and literature, Rees referred to a scumbag in relation to a straining bag when refining sugar:

ThaiExpat TV https://member.thaiexpat.tv/cart.php

Great service. Not sure if there Premium package includes F1, but they have a partner (Sport 360 I think) which can provide it.

Overall, this excellent service will cost less than TrueVisions and you don't have to tolerate their endless repeat advertising.

4 hours ago, MikeyIdea said:

 

I actually don't agree with that. Thailand has spent a lot of money to improve infrastructure in this area and Bangkok has come far when it comes to drainage. Bangkok is better than most other very large cities in the tropics where monsoon rains are a part of life

 

Take Sukhumvit on a very bad day and compare

The early 80's and before that and flooding could go waist high

The late 80's and flooding could go mid-thigh

The late 90's and flooding was down to possibly a bit higher than knee-high

We almost never more than 30-40 cm nowadays

 

That is impressive improvement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 hours ago, puipuitom said:

When the Bangkokians are finally going to spolve their flood problem ? They already steel a large part of the revenues earned in the Central, to enrich Bangkok, but solving infrastructure problems ? NEVER.

I agree with Mikeyidea, it has got better over the years and what's more, Bangkok is built barely above sea-level, so in any location in the world, such places and susceptible to flooding, it's a simple fact.

I am still owed +400,000 THB from a deposit on a house and I moved out four years ago, there was no damage and I completed the contract term.

I am still fighting it, now though the Consumer Protection Board at Chaeng Wattana. They will certainly take your case up for you, but you need to go in person to register the complaint. Take every piece of paper you have ever had in your life.

Many Thai landlords feel it is 'their right' to keep the deposit and will just tie you up in lies and or silence.

Good luck, hope you get at least some back.

2 hours ago, Gweiloman said:

Due to most of Hwy 7 being off limits to bikes (unless you can get on the frontage road which is a challenge in itself), this is probably now the quickest route

https://goo.gl/maps/a719NEhu8c72

 

Hwy 3 unfortunately goes through quite a lot of towns but there are certain sections where you can open up. 

 

If not in a rush, you could do this route

https://goo.gl/maps/2VNVQzT8Sex

I did your first route (https://goo.gl/maps/a719NEhu8c72) last weekend, from Ramkamhaeng down as far as Bang Saen. It took me just over an hour.

It was a relatively east route and simple to follow.

All the research I did before the trip suggests this is the best route.

My understanding is that for the day following the expiry, there is allowed leniency, and that nothing will happen.

One really needs the expert view of UbonJoe to clarify. Maybe he will see this thread soon.

At worst, it will be a 500 THB fine and a stamp, but you will not have problems reentering the Kingdom or obtaining a Visa in a Thai Consulate elsewhere.

The new rules are not aimed at someone who is 9 hours overdue, they are aimed at those 9 weeks, 9 months or 9 years overdue, and there are many!

491969567.078271.mp4

491969567.078271.mp4

I agree with others here, Wolfgang has done the right thing, already gaining far more negative exposure for the restaurant, in a calm manner.

It also appears that the Police are doing the right thing, they have confirmed the poor look and horrid smell and have sent the lobster to be analysed by the Public Health Office and Consumer Protection Department.

Great job Wolfgang, well done.

The o/p forgot to mention dress code. When I was there I witnessed another foreigner smartly dressed and in knee length Columbia casual trousers in the hottest month of April. He was sent out of the physical test class and told to only come back when wearing long trousers in order to pass the test. Long pants (temple style) are apparently available free from a counter there as well. All rather childish imho, but rules is rules even when they aren't posted clearly if at all.

* Another thing I wonder, if applying for DL with a WP that lists only the company address, does the new DL have this on it and since the WP may expire and company address be invalid before five years, how does that work in the end? I only ever applied with yellow house book, so I would be interested on the WP method.

Hi

Is the long trousers a new rule?

I have processed at least four licences there, the most recent was late 2015 and I have always worn shorts.

Thanks

Why on earth did they not search the LB at the hotel? Why wait until they are at the Police Station and then, why on earth would you let a suspect go to the bathroom in the middle of a search. Crazy processing of a suspect.

No surprise whatsoever,always empty,ridiculously overpriced for a beer it's not rocket science is it?Probably run on the expert marketing strategy so prevalent in Thailand that the emptier you are the more you charge for a beer,just to make up the shortfall TiT!

I am a regular at CheckInn99 and I can assure you that you are very wrong about the pricing and the volume of customers.

The beers and wines there are in most cases, cheaper than other bars. Plus you get music and good service to boot...

The place is virtually full, seven nights per week.

The food is great.

The band is great and high in entertainment value.

Why not cut the cord with Netflix and cable and get Kodi. Totally free. Every movie and tv show from USA and UK. TOTALLY FREE. Commercial free and no ads. Watching YouTube videos will show you how to set it up. I originally had it on my laptop and connected the laptop to the TV to watch it but now have a smart tv and bought something called Mimix ( like Apple or Roku ) with Kodi pre loaded. Simple and easy to use.

The Mimix box sounds like a good option.

Where can those be purchased in Bangkok?

Thanks

I dumped TrueVisions six months ago and I too am so happy to have done that. Rubbish content, constant repeats, annoying advertising, auto-volume increase during adverts, overpriced, poor service.

I now use ExpatTV, to get access to virtually every UK channel, all programs for the past seven days.

Great service from these guys, as a Brit, content is exactly what I want and a fraction of the price of True. Only F1 is missing for me, but they have a partner deal with 360TV that brings all the sport.

I was stopped late one evening this week just South of the River in Bangkok, at a roadblock set-up.

I was on my motorbike, BiB asked to see my Licence, gave him my Thai Licence, he checked dates and ID etc and I was allowed on my way.

Refreshingly simple and above-board.

As mentioned by Mickmick, the Land Transport Office at Bang Chak is the place to do this.

You will need your Insurance document (I believe)

You will need the Bike papers

You will need the emissions inspection cert if more than five years old (get that from the stations that show the yellow 'cog' sign on a blue background. 100 Baht or so.

Takes 10 mins to complete.

There is a drive through section on the left as you arrive at the main building. This is just for road tax, cars and bikes. No need to go the main Licence building.

Sad for him; lucky for passengers. Why are people always "pronounced" dead?

It comes from one of the definitions of the verb 'pronounce', which is: 'to declare something officially, formally or authoritatively'.

OP, if you need help and support through the car buying process and / or the Thai Driving Licence process, you can contact www.bangkokvisitors.com

I have used them many times for Driving Licence process (they will attend with you and help speed up the crazy process).

They also helped a lady I know buy a car etc.

Lovely pics, nicely set and artistically shot. Not my own choice for pre-marital pics, but each to their own.

I see nothing 'raunchy' in these at all.

Shocking how unwilling and hesitant people were to get involved and help restrain the attacker, considering the victim had already done a good job of partially restraining the attackers arm.

Please may I have my thread back!

My question was:

I am licenced for a car and a motorcycle in the UK.

If I take the Thai multi-choice test, eyesight and reflex tests, will my new licence include car and motorcycle categories?

Informed comments welcomed.

It seems that:

• Both licences are separate, i.e. they are not just categories on the same piece of paper/plastic.

• I can apply for both licences in one visit, taking the same tests (where necessary)

  and

• I will need two complete sets of application forms and supporting documents

Are there any more opinions out there?

Hello.

I have had many Thai Driving Licences, originating from my UK Licence.

You will need a certificate of Residence from the UK Embassy of from Thai Immigration.

You will need a certified translation of your UK Licence (that was the requirement when I did mine anyway).

I have never needed a medical cert, but some people seem to have needed that.

The Thai Licences are separate, one for car and one for bike. You can apply at the same time, two sets of docs necessary.

You (it seems to vary by office, it seems, but in the Bangkok Sukhumvit office for sure) you will need to sit through a one hour Thai language video, take the colour test and the depth of field test, and sit the multiple choice computer based test. Strangely you have to do the computer test twice, one for car and one for bike licence.

You will be issues with one year licences. At the end of the year, you apply again and will get 5 year licences.

In case you want support during the process, I have used these people to attend the Licence centre with me for translation and process support: www.bangkokvisitors.com