Gone

I might be wrong but I wouldn't think many people have their numbers however I would suggest just asking any Baht Bus Driver yourself if they can do it. When in doubt in Thailand ask the Motorbike Taxi's and believe me you will be surprised how much they can be of help in ANY instance.

Also many of the High priced hotels have personal vans that take customers where they want to go and normally they speak English half decent. As one of the drivers if he can do a private pick-up for you if he has the time. If not he will know someone.

Don't want to make my own brine or pickle anything.

Yes, it's a gadget you install in your car which as the name implies allows you to take calls without taking your hands off the wheel.

There are many different models with different features but the basics is a speaker and a microphone installed somewhere on/in the dashboard. Bluetooth is a form of wireless connection that detects your mobile as you enter the car, so it automatically takes over as you enter the car, and disconnects as you exit.

Some of the more clever ones can "cooperate" with your car stereo so that if you get a call it automatically mutes music and use the car stereos speakers for the phone.

Cool. Not that it matters but are they legal as in the 2000 baht fines you can get for using a mobile while driving? I realize one would never get caught but just curious.

For me I just use the earphones that came with my iPhone and have them in my ears and can auto-answer. Same thing if you are listening to music it mutes the tunes while you are talking. Good for a motorbike too if you are expecting an important call.

What is all this "goods & service" crap? I have only seen this posted in the Pattaya forum and never anywhere else in Thailand. Also it seems to have just started in the past year. This is a complete scam. I myself have never seen it but I don't actually eat out much. Tax is included in LOS.

Having been "nickeled and dime'd" to death in Thailand over the years I think that if I do run into a place that presents me with a bill and has an extra xxx baht for goods and service fee that I would probably just deduct the amount from the bill, pay only for the items I have had and walk away leaving no tip at all and feeling sorry for the staff who works there. If the owner tried to argue with me I would show him what "losing face" is ALL about.

Talk about total ignorance. Many restaurants charge a 10% "service charge" here and in Bangkok. Sometimes they offer the price as "net", but it is still included in the price. A lot of the better restaurants charge this. Fuji is an example of one and I'd bet that every branch (100's) in Thailand will charge it.

I'd like to see you walking out of a restaurant without paying it - that's ridiculous. You'll end up down at the police station. The service charge will be indicated on the menu.

You should get out more or try eating somewhere other than roadside diners.

Been getting out now for 11 years strait and I do mostly my own cooking so why would I need to "get out more?"

Total ignorance? Like I say I have NEVER seen a bill that shows: Food & drinks = xxx baht then below it says service fees xx baht. I would pay for the food and drinks and give the waiter/waitress a tip and THATS ALL.

Most diners where I do eat are on a road so what are you on about?

Can someone scan and post one of these bills with the extra "goods and service" fees?

I don't eat at "HiSo" restaurants because I am not HiSo. Why would I want to eat at a place that ads these extra charges? I could most likely get better quality of the same food at a small Thai stall that actually needs the money and yes I am happy to support these places because I like people who work for a living instead of snatching gold necklaces etc.

Maybe you are rich and spend 4 weeks per year here but I live here so no I'm not rich.

Mans best friend.....until he starts crapping all over the pavement and beach. Until he bites your ankle and gives you Rabies. Until he runs out on the road and makes you fall off your bike. Until he runs out in front of a car and makes you swerve and kill your self or others.....They are great to have around to protect your property...but a bloody annoyance at 0300 barking at bugger all waking up the entire neighbourhood..

Until a mad pack of them eat 37 small children in a particular area do not expect the locals to do anything about them, other than take them to a temple...

I like dogs. But not Thai dogs or Thai Soi dogs. I have had some bad encounters walking/biking around with them suddenly going for me. So far not bitten but close calls. Never make eye contact when there is a pack of them. Pretend they do not exist and they ignore you. Eye contact and walking into their territory is a recipe for trouble.

As for a solution....I have no idea........

True what you say however TIT and we chose to live under these conditions

Phil excuse my ignorance but what is a "blue tooth hands-free" unit for a car? Something to do with your mobile phone I assume?

Darrel: They would have the same shelf life as the English muffins in Foodland mate.

I think you will find that muffins can have a longer shelf-life as they can sell them packed in a modified atmosphere (nitrogen usually). Dont think it works so well with crumpets.

When I did buy the crumpets in foodland they were in the freezer right beside the muffins. I don't think crumpets would need a shelf life here in Pattaya with all the crumpet loving Brits etc.

It's the same with KD (Kraft Dinner), Foodland got the old original boxes in a couple of times and they were gone in 1 day.

How about "Beetroots" ? Foodland has the diced kind but does anyone know where to buy the sliced ones in the brine?

Come to think of it, Cheetos ?

I think the food is the only thing I miss about being back home or in another farangatized country. lol

What is all this "goods & service" crap? I have only seen this posted in the Pattaya forum and never anywhere else in Thailand. Also it seems to have just started in the past year. This is a complete scam. I myself have never seen it but I don't actually eat out much. Tax is included in LOS.

Having been "nickeled and dime'd" to death in Thailand over the years I think that if I do run into a place that presents me with a bill and has an extra xxx baht for goods and service fee that I would probably just deduct the amount from the bill, pay only for the items I have had and walk away leaving no tip at all and feeling sorry for the staff who works there. If the owner tried to argue with me I would show him what "losing face" is ALL about.

To the person who posted "can't you act like a non-farang at least sometimes?" I have to say that I AM farang and always will be here. I hate these farangs that act like they are Thai and:

1. Drive around with side-cars on their bikes
   
2. Have a dog perched on the handle bars of their bikes
   
3. Drive their cars/trucks like the Thais do (dangerously)
   
4. No helmets
   
5. Drive on the sidewalks in a traffic jam
   

We ARE farangs and come from civilized countries so why not show them a little of what we have in us and hopefully one century it might wear off on them.

If you have a valid Thai driver's liscense, it will be valid not matter what type of visa you have, even visa exempt.

This is a wise man. He is right. It has nothing to do with visa etc. Also as the next poster stated that "Renewing it might be a problem" you are only assuming and do NOT know. I will confirm that to renew it is NO problems what so ever. Even if your visa has gone back down to a Tourist visa with only 4 days left.

Why would you want to remain in? Take your stuff and run like helll.

Ahhhhhhh I read your ad again and regarding being good for shopping etc. do you mean one of those "side-cars?" If yes then I am sorry I miss-understood. If you don't them i;m still curious.

What is a Motorcycle storage box? I know there are storage units now in Pattaya that have small spaces for storage but I have never heard of a storage box (and with brackets?)

Jesus ch%$#@

I must be stupid. Ok now I know what you mean. The small boxes that go on the back of the bike for putting things in. OK ok sorry. Try going directly to the Fino shop and see what they say mate.

dam_n I know I have a bad cold and I'm taking medication but it's only cough syrup. Can I really be that stoned not to have got it the first time? hahahaha

Villa do them, but I don't know if they are exactly the same as what you want. I love the crumpets you get in the UK too, the ones in Villa are very similar to these but NOT the same unfortunately.

haha same same but different? Could you elaborate? I like the UK style.

arai na !!!!

I don't understand what visa the OP is on if someone can explain? If her husband is on a retirement visa how does this give her a 1 years visa where reporting every 90 days is needed? Or is she also on her own retirement visa? I am just not getting this post sorry and would like to know as I also have a retirement visa but if I have a dependent (wife) how can she stay under my visa?

Maybe a solution is to learn how to make them yourself, assuming that the ingredients are readily available. I cannot offer a recipe unfortunately but there must be loads on the net. Happy eating!

Good idea actually but I just don't have the cooking facilities now in my apt.

Darrel: They would have the same shelf life as the English muffins in Foodland mate.

Silly but a year ago I was in Foodland and as usual I bought some English Muffins and to my surprise right beside them were some Crumpets so of course I bought some. I have never seen anywhere since that sells them Does anyone know where to get some?

i did the same few months back... although i had a delay due to some idiot posted here say you did not require a medical cert.. not true

I never needed a Medical Cert. When in Thailand do as the OP did and always go in with a forest worth of paperwork and save yourself the hassles. We all know Government offices here love paper so......

I am just back from 3 weeks in Pattaya and I had my daily massage, either foot or traditional Thai or oil massage. I could easily name you 5 different places, from Pattaya Klang to near Walking street to Jomtien, where all girls will provide you on request with their official certificate of education, whether Wat Pho or other... and all shops will NOT provide ANY additional services but ONLY massage.

I am also not sure, how much you know about "real" Thai massage? It is a healing therapy and acupressure with palms and fingers is an integral part of that kind of massage. And also, you should not think that small girls can not provide enough pressure for that. With their body weigth, they can apply enough pressure also for very muscular men.

If however, you are looking more for flowing pressure over your body, then you need to tell them / show them if you don't speak Thai and that can mostly be found when you ask for an oil massage. But again, this is not any more the traditional Thai massage with healing elements of acupressure.

I personally find the traditional Thai massage very helpful for my back and my shoulders (eliminating the calcification of my shoulder blades from my office work), but also can't do it every day, so I switch between Thai and Oil massage to get both the healing and the relaxation effects of the massages.

Should you need any adresses, PM me and I will provide you with locations where I think you can find what you want.

Spot on. If the OP is looking for "Traditional Thai Massage" then he is missing the point: TRADITIONAL.

Sorry to say this but I feel the people who posted that they don't get any extra smiles or service on their next return seem to be tipping for gain. If you want to tip someone just do it because you want to and NOT so YOU gain from your next visit.

When I first came to Thailand I had read in the Lonely Planet Book etc. that tipping was not necessary however when I got here i just couldn't help it, when I got good service I showed my appreciation by giving a tip even if I never planned to come back to the place. It got a smile at that moment and a friendly gesture and that is good enough for me.

Also if you figure the hours these people put in for the small salary they get, if you have a few extra bob then why not help them out?

I would say love it or leave it.

When I first got here 11 years ago there was a mass murder of the soi dogs on Koh Samet. They literally killed thousands and had them all piled up and burned. This blew me away as I was still under the feeling of entering a cool Buddhist dominated country.

When I asked my future ex wife how Buddhists could kill dogs like this her reply was "they don't like."

In the 11 years I have been here I have to say that I have NEVER had a problem with the soi dogs. I normally find one that i like outside where ever I'm staying and give him/her my scraps.

I don't mean to rain on your parade son but Mr. Lopburi3 was right about your No. 1

2) True it is needed to apply for a CC however most banks only give visitors a CC if they have been at the same job for 3 years and without having left Thailand during this time.

3) Just because a person has a WP it does not mean he can buy a gun. As said in a recent topic regarding gun sales etc. there are many factors involved when buying/registering a gun. Factors such as: where you live, why you require a gun, have you taken a safe gun handling course, will the police YOU need to see allow it and in some cases the "poo yai" head villager may even have a say in it.

a few positive things are:

1) You can buy a car or motorbike on a payment plan.

2) It helps when getting a mobile phone plan on a monthly payment plan.

3) Hmmmm I just can't think of any more right now sorry.

Out of ALL these people you know how many have complained or gone to the Tourist Police? How about the gal with the shoes, did she complain? this is why I always have my iPhone ready to video and tale pictures of the BIB.

It might have been a useful story if the writer had researched enough to let us know how the police solved the crime so easily. It was also noteworthy that the victim's mother didn't "comply" with her son's request to transfer the ransom money. Why did his mother think that a dire call so as this would be a "prank?" What's going on here? This story raises more issues than answers. Look like this "gang who couldn't shoot straight" bunch of architects didn't have a good contingency plan if the ransom wasn't paid.

Another question would be how did the kidnappers hope to get away with it even if it had been transferred into a "bank account?" Who owned the bank account? Why would a mother sign off on a news story quoting her as not believing the truth of her son's dire situation and thus not complying with the demand? What kind of parent would react in this manner, and therefore provoke the crooks into murdering her son? The story states that the victim was alive at the time of drowning with a bag over his head. Quite horrible.

So if your son went missing and some kids called you the next day telling you to deposit 2 million baht into an account you would do it? Even though you didn't have the money? Wow where do you live mate? haha

is there a background check and license required for a 22? i just need one around the house to shoot rodents. i see them sold at all the markets and malls. i am in Isaan. thanks.

I know most markets in Isaan DO sell rodents but I have never seen a 22 for sale in any. Why would you want to shoot "rodents" at 30 baht per bullet anyways when you can buy them at the market a LOT cheaper?

You might want to post in the Isaan forum for better results.