Colward

There are a few possibilities.

Ensure that the screen for the connection shows some signal bars down the bottom left. If not and especially if using Windows 7 reinstall the software from the aircard (the aircard should show up as a USB drive), I have to regularly reinstall the software on my windows 7 laptop. If using a Windows 7 machine do a restart if not already done, as sometimes will hang up if updates partially installed.

Second option is most of the aircards have a really dinky internal aerial, the one I use has a connector for an external aerial which would boost the signal strength to the device. I have never seen anyone advertising an external aerials, but they should be available.

Option three is look at getting a better aircard with an external aerial already installed. Have a look at http://www.thaiaircard.com/ for example. I have seen similar type aircards in Telewiz in Pantip, so should be available elswhere.

Best of luck

I have a Garmin 265 bought in Australia and have added in Thailand maps on an SD card with no problems. This is the reverse of what you wish to do, however indicates it is possible to swap countries fairly easily.

It automatically selects the correct map but takes about 5 minutes to synchonise with satellites when swapping countries. You can check what maps are installed on mine, and it shows both internal and on SD card maps.

Previous post is a bit old. Any resent updates on if you can get a post paid plan with AIS without a work permit?

I do not think you can get one with DTAC either. On DTAC link mentioned at the top nothing about a work permit, the fine print at the bottom however does mention a work permit.

I've been driving here on my foreign license for years and never bothered to get a Thai one. Yes, even my insurance policy covers, since the "fine print" only states that you must be driving on a valid licence from any country. But I thought maybe I should be a good citizen and go get a Thai one.

Two quick questions:

- are work permits accepted as proof of residence, or do you also need the embassy letter?

- regarding the peripheral vision test, must one have perfect peripheral vision in both eyes? I have loss of some peripheral vision in one eye and I'm not sure whether that would fail my eye test.

I'd be doing mine at the Chatuchak main office.

I got mine the other day in On Nut. I had copies of all pages of my work permit which after I signed every page they were happy with. Also need passport front, visa and departure card copied. I had an Australian and international licence, not interested in the Australian but happy with the international. Same deal here sign every page of the copies. Also a driving medical from a doctor somewhere. Cost 205 Baht, and 3 hours.

The peripheral vision test is a bit strange and I have never seen anything like it before. You sit on a stool with you nose pressed up against the machine. The examiner is watching your eyes and you have to look straight ahead at a yellow sticker. They then have red, yellow nad green lights on either side which you have to correctly identify the colour of. I failed the first time and got told to continue with all the other tests, passed all those OK so back for the test again but nice friendly examiner. No problems.

The GF could not understand why everyone else was watching videos and taking tests etc and I did not have to, I am pretty sure it was because of work permit and international licence, but could be wrong as TIT and that explanation is a bit to logical.

Costs nothing but a 30 baht for the medical cert and a bit of time so give it a go.

There are numerous oils and gas fields in Thailand. Offshore there are something like 200+ platforms, though most are smaller unmanned facilities. Onshore I am aware of fields in Khon Kaen area, Wichian Buri area and the Sirikit field in Lan Krabu. There are refineries in Bangkok, Laem Chabang (near Pattaya) and Mapthaput (near Rayong). There are shore bases for support of the offshore fields at Sattahip and Songkhla. Note Songkhla in in the Southern area and is in close poximity to the areas of unrest (bombings, shootings, beheadings etc) though as far as I know there as never actually been any problems in Songkhla itself. There are probably more facilities than I said, just those are the ones I am aware of.

A few of the manpower agencies involved in the O&G industry in Thailand are Brunel, JST and Fircroft. A lot of the expats in Thailand work through agencies who take care of the work permits, tax etc etc.

The other way is to convince the company you work for to open a branch office in Thailand.

There is something strange going on with visas at the moment. Normally in June I get a letter from employer and then get a Cat B visa at home, then work through to getting a the rest of the stamps while at work during June/July.

This year urgent request to send copy of work permit and passport in before 2nd of May! When I go into the one stop centre in Bangkok to get the formal paperwork I also have to do an interview with an immigration official. The interview was done in Thai and answered on my behalf by the visa agent.

When I get my paperwork back it is endorsed till 23rd June, which is the expiry date of the original visa/permit. Basically no idea what is going on, just that it is different this year. TIT.

May be a good idea to check with an agent or someone in the know whether it still necessary to do the out of country thing. Based on my experience maybe not.

Col