bra

I truly like the concept of street vendors as it is what makes the old Asia character (plus it's convenient). I esp like food street vendors. However, if only the Thais had any foresight and planning, then the walkways would be far larger (like in Cambodia, Vietnam, etc) and everyone would be just fine. Problem is also that there is already little space, and Thais have a natural propensity of constrict space as much as possible. They can't stand an open space and must put something there.

It isn't only the street vendors but the stores and homes along the Sois and even some of the larger streets build out onto the sidewalk as if it is theirs. I can't speak for everywhere but would assume it is probably the similar laws in most places such as in the the US in terms of the area in front of your shop or home (sidewalk or just adjacent to the street) is often yours but that really means you are simply responsible for maintaining it but you can't build on it or obstruct it. When you walk down some of the sois that don't have sidewalks take a closer look and you can see the area where there should be a sidewalk but people have built walls or even extended their shop or home. The line is often easy to see because it is different construction and there will always be a couple property owners who didn't build out and you get a very short distance for walking. Now add some street vendors and it is not only a nightmare for walking but also driving on the small sois. I think my biggest complaint of Bangkok and most of Thailand is the lack of concern for pedestrian traffic. Not only does the government not enforce keeping sidewalks clear but they often are big offenders of using up side walk space. The vendors themselves don't bother me and I think it would be sad to see them go but then again in places like Sukumvit they could limit vendors to one side of a particular sidewalk and not have bottlenecks of pedestrians where there is only one walking lane with vendors on each side of you.

I agree just have the stalls on one side only would be a big help. The sidewalks/footpaths in Soi Nana at night are now almost impossible to use, and the entrance to Nana plaza is blocked by someone with a big stall selling food. If there is ever a fire inside the plaza it would be a disaster for everyone trying to evacuate - I presume there is only one way in or out. I would not go in there now.

The other problem with beer being poured into a glass, is that the Thais wash the glasses in a type of soap that flattens the beer.

I won't accept beer in anything other than the bottle. Put it in front of me and let me glug it from the bottle.

My life started from the nipple, then the rubber nipple on the milk bottle, so I was brought up knowing how to handle bottles........and nipples.

It's nothing to do with the soap (or as I would suspect, the lack thereof) but more to do with pouring beer into a wet glass. Some beers need an icy cold glass, some don't but pretty much ALL beers mandate a dry glass or else you get the typical glass of stale horsepiss.

Yep, I stand corrected.

I was always under the impression that soap was the main cause of the problem so it was better to wash beer glasses in fresh, clean water. In fact, many modern day beer glass washers use only fresh water.

At home I always washed beer glasses by scrubbing them under running water by hand, with no soap. They are then air dried. I thought that any soap residue on the glass caused the beer to flatten.

I was only half right.

I did some quick Google research and as you correctly point out, the essential part of cleaning a beer glass for re-use is to allow it to become totally dry and cool.

I agree about the dry and preferably cold glass to get a good head on a glass of beer - taught to me by my Grandfather. But it also then depends on how the beer is poured - one quick motion, starting with the glass on a 45 degree angle, increasing to the vertical by the time the glass is full. Of course no ice.

But after the first 2 glasses - ice, not so clean warm glass etc and who cares??

In Malaysia its the same, though a couple of variations I have seen: Complain about flat beer? Waiter grabs a nearby spoon and gives it a good stir, or tops up the beer with warm soda water.

In Chinese restaurants in Brunei (alcohol banned), your beer will come out of a tea pot into a porcelain Chinese tea cup - hard to get a good head but once again after a few who cares?

Just keep smiling and give a tip.

I live on an Australian pension but in my opinion I would not advise Mum to get her pension sent across to a Thai bank account.

(1) She would be losing control as to what conversion rate she gets. I believe the NAB gives the best rate whereas I would not trust the Commonwealth Bank to give a proper rate.

(2) She would get her payments a week or two later by having them sent over.

(3) If or when she decides to shift back to Aus she does not have to do anything.

She should leave her pension be paid into an Aus bank, but also have internet banking on the account. I draw money directly from my Aus bank via an ATM, but it is handy to have a Thai bank also such that you don't have too much cash floating around here in Thailand.

I have an account at BKB but it was hard to open as they wanted you to have lived here for 2 years before opening it. Also I have internet banking on my Thai account as well. That way I very rarely have to physically go to the bank counter.

If you are worried about the 150B foreign bank fee at the ATM then the EON Bank (Japanese I believe) does not charge it.

As far as showing immigration her income, simply print off a statement from her Australian Bank, along with her pension statement from Centrelink. Once she has the magic stamp at the embassy, that is all she requires (plus money in the bank to top it up to 65,000).

I reckon you are the brave one having your Mother & Wife living in the same house. (in my opinion a recipe for disaster!).

Thanks for the info. Fortunately my wife works in another province so she's just back on weekends:) We also intend to extend part of the house for my mum to live in, so she doesn't have to go up the stairs. I've not tried it, but what is the maximum withdrawal you can make on the OZ bank account here at the ATM? I guess 150 baht is not too bad on a 20,000 baht withdrawal. I doubt she will need to take more than that a month to live here.

I recently opened a Bangkok Bank account with no conditions (all that I had was 30 day visa issued on arrival), with a deposit of 5,000 THB. I did have to get a certified copy of my passport ID page from the Australian Embassy - cost 1500 THB, done while you wait. As well as a bank book I was issued on the spot with a BKK Bank Visa ATM card (not a credit card).

I make on line TT transfers from my WESTPAC Australian Bank account to my BKK Bank account and also to my GF's account. Cost $A 20 for WESTPAC plus 150 THB at the BKK Bank, delivery normally within 24 hours. You can send up to $A 10,000 a day, however I recommend that you have a lower limit based on expected use in case someone breaks into your account and taking up to your daily limit before you know it. This has happened to me some time ago with another Australian Bank but it was refunded by the Bank with no problems.

I use my WESTPAC MasterCard for ATM withdrawls at most ATMs in Thailand. This is limited to $A1000 per day (as it is in Australia), so you can take up to about THB 25,000 per day (note the THB is gaining in value every day as if you don't know it !) The ATM fee is THB 150, plus WESTPAC fees of about $A10 per transaction.

I hope that it all works out OK.

Sorry I meant to add that you will need an SMS code sent from WESTPAC verify the TT transfer. I use my Australian Mobile in Australia and in Thailand (roams on DTAC or TRUE), or my Thai Mobile (AIS), and the SMS is received within 5 seconds even in my GF's home village near Nong Khai. The code is required for "Pay Anyone" transactions, including airline tickets etc.

I live on an Australian pension but in my opinion I would not advise Mum to get her pension sent across to a Thai bank account.

(1) She would be losing control as to what conversion rate she gets. I believe the NAB gives the best rate whereas I would not trust the Commonwealth Bank to give a proper rate.

(2) She would get her payments a week or two later by having them sent over.

(3) If or when she decides to shift back to Aus she does not have to do anything.

She should leave her pension be paid into an Aus bank, but also have internet banking on the account. I draw money directly from my Aus bank via an ATM, but it is handy to have a Thai bank also such that you don't have too much cash floating around here in Thailand.

I have an account at BKB but it was hard to open as they wanted you to have lived here for 2 years before opening it. Also I have internet banking on my Thai account as well. That way I very rarely have to physically go to the bank counter.

If you are worried about the 150B foreign bank fee at the ATM then the EON Bank (Japanese I believe) does not charge it.

As far as showing immigration her income, simply print off a statement from her Australian Bank, along with her pension statement from Centrelink. Once she has the magic stamp at the embassy, that is all she requires (plus money in the bank to top it up to 65,000).

I reckon you are the brave one having your Mother & Wife living in the same house. (in my opinion a recipe for disaster!).

Thanks for the info. Fortunately my wife works in another province so she's just back on weekends:) We also intend to extend part of the house for my mum to live in, so she doesn't have to go up the stairs. I've not tried it, but what is the maximum withdrawal you can make on the OZ bank account here at the ATM? I guess 150 baht is not too bad on a 20,000 baht withdrawal. I doubt she will need to take more than that a month to live here.

I recently opened a Bangkok Bank account with no conditions (all that I had was 30 day visa issued on arrival), with a deposit of 5,000 THB. I did have to get a certified copy of my passport ID page from the Australian Embassy - cost 1500 THB, done while you wait. As well as a bank book I was issued on the spot with a BKK Bank Visa ATM card (not a credit card).

I make on line TT transfers from my WESTPAC Australian Bank account to my BKK Bank account and also to my GF's account. Cost $A 20 for WESTPAC plus 150 THB at the BKK Bank, delivery normally within 24 hours. You can send up to $A 10,000 a day, however I recommend that you have a lower limit based on expected use in case someone breaks into your account and taking up to your daily limit before you know it. This has happened to me some time ago with another Australian Bank but it was refunded by the Bank with no problems.

I use my WESTPAC MasterCard for ATM withdrawls at most ATMs in Thailand. This is limited to $A1000 per day (as it is in Australia), so you can take up to about THB 25,000 per day (note the THB is gaining in value every day as if you don't know it !) The ATM fee is THB 150, plus WESTPAC fees of about $A10 per transaction.

I hope that it all works out OK.

Having been part of the Air Trafiiic Control Master Planning of the the then new Hong Kong International Airport, and the implementation of ATC facilities and operation for Kuala Lumpur International Airport here are my comments:

If you are concerned about ATC safety and efficiency then dont be. Aerothai provide these serices in Thailand and are safe and efficient, and are one of the best Air Traffic Services providers in the region.

As far as the passenger terminal design and efficiency are concerned (speaking only as a passenger) , Changi and Incheon are better, but BKK is not too bad. The only significant design problem is the space after leaving the customs area and exiting the terminalo - far too congested.

I agree about the name - almost unprouncable by farangs. Why not just call it Bangkok International Airport? Thats what Don Muang was called.

The only other gripe I have is that aircraft still park at remote stands (those where you need a bus to get to the terminal), even after Air Asia and others had moved to DMK. On a recent TG flight from Kuala Lumpur arriving at 2 PM on a Saturday afternoon, we parked at a remote stand, and all poassengers including the elderly, small children, pregnant ladies etc had to use stairs - and a B777 300 is a long way above the ground. This procedure was not only inconvenient but was dangerous for some passengers. To make things worse, I counted 13 vacant stands at the terminal building where aerobridges could have been used - and these were only the ones I could see from the bus. This could be a TG problem - but it needs fixing no matter who is responsible.

The other consideration is designing the terminal building to look good from the outside. This started with Denver, where the roof was made to look like snowy mountains. BKK tries too look like - what? Who gives a hoot what it looks like from the outside - its what happens inside that counts. Changi looks like a big box but wo cares. Remember its the passenger or taxpayer who ultimately pays for expensive and unneceassary over design.

Otherwise BKK is not too bad but not too good either compared with the others. It works OK is the best that can be said.

I've always had problems with their website. So just gave up and fly with other airlines. Do they still operate domestic flights from the international airport? This would surely be a convenience when coming to and leaving Thailand, and would be the main reason I'd try them again in the future.

Thai Air still operate from BKK - only Air Asia, Nok air and other low cost carriers moved to DMK. The web site for both domestic and international flights is good until I try to pay with my Australian Credit Card and then its a matter of luck. Sometimes I give up and make a phone reservation which costs one or two hunderd THB more for domestic flights. Almost all the flights with TG have been OK -acceptable service, fand food. Though they still sometimes use remote parking stands at BKK involving bus transfer when there are numerous contact (with aerobridges) stands free.

My GF often uses Nok Air from DMK to Udon Thani. Books by phone then nips round to the 7-11, pays and gets an eticket printout. simple, quick and fares cheaper.

I make most international flights with Singapore airlines and their web site is good and few hassels, and you get the full price straight up. Qantas and Virgin Australia also have efficient sites, with up front prices. The Garuda site is unusual to say the least - same goes for EVA. Cathay is fine.

The idea of banning substances contained in cigarettes expressed in readers comments above really appeals to me. Certainly it would be a world first in the campaigns against smoking cigarettes. However such an approach would be very difficult to police. Perhaps better to enforce existing laws against smoking in enclosed spaces or even reinforcing that law to 'No Smoking in Public'.

If some people want to ruin their health by smoking, contary to all medical advice round the world, then by all means try every reasonable means to help them give up. If in the end they decide to continue, then I guess there is no way of stopping them - they are after all addicted.

However the rules/laws of where you can smoke need extending and reinforcement. In my country it is not permitted to smoke anywhere where food or drink are consumed, indoors or out. This is enforced, and no bars or restaurants have gone broke because of these laws.

I find in Thailand that there are some restaurants and bars with segregated areas, but the non smokers are kept inside, whilst the smokers enjoy the outdoors, best sea views etc.

It appears that Europeans and Chinese are the main offenders who want to smoke nearly everywhere. Whats happened to 5000 years of civilisation???

Malaysian get married in Thailand according to religious rites. This does not mean they go to Thailand to marry a Thai. Getting married for second or more wives are stringent with groom having to proof that he can afford such marriage and with permission from fist wife.

That's true in Malaysia & Indonesia & most of the Muslim world. However the Malay wife may

never know about the Thai wife because the man married her in Thailand and not in Malaysia.

It happens all the time in the Thai-Mal bordering provinces....I know many Thai ladies married

to Malay men and they know that the Malay wife knows nothing about the Thai wife.

Up until 1903 the northern present day Malaysia states of Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Trengganu were part of "Siam" , but were ceded to British Malaya by Rama V to prevent the British Colonial powers from taking more of Siam. Transfer of land to British Burma, and to French Indo China was also done for the same reason, however the majority of Siam remained Siamese. Clever work by Rama V.

So crossing the southern Thai border by Malaisian Moslim men to marry Thia Moslem women has its roots in history. In Malaysia it is legal for a moslim man to have 4 wives, however there are strict rules (in theory) abour taking the second and subsequent wives. This is only permitted if the first wife can no longer bear children, and she must give her approval for her husband to take other wives. She must be treated with respect by the other wives and acknowledged as first wife. The same applies to the second and third wives. Now in practice these rules (like in any religion) are "bent " to allow men to get younger wives. In Western Socities we just get a mistress/s or divorce wife number 1 (or 2 or 3 etc).

The practice yof having more legal wives has its roots in history, as due to wars gthe number of men decreasrd, and to keep the population going a man could have more wives and keep breeding.

Incidents and accidents

• 30 June 1967 - Thai Airways International Flight 601, a Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle III with registration HS-TGI, crashed into the sea while on approach to Kai Tak Airport in a typhoon. 24 out of the 80 passengers and crew on board were killed.
  
• 25 December 1967 - A Thai Airways International Douglas DC-3 with registration HS-TDH crashed at Chiang Mai Airport, killing 4 out of 31 passengers and crew on the flight.^[34]
  
• 10 May 1973 - A Douglas DC-8-33 with registration HS-TGU overran the runway on landing at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. There was 1 fatality out of 100 passengers and 10 crew on board.^[35]
  
• 27 April 1980 - Thai Airways Flight 231, a Hawker Siddeley HS 748, crashed after entering a severe thunderstorm on approach to Khon Kaen Airport. 44 of the 53 people on board were killed.^[36]
  
• 10 November 1990 – Flight 306, an Airbus A300-600 flying from Yangon to Don Muang International Airport was the target of an attempted hijacking by individuals demanding to be taken to Kolkata.^[37]
  
• 31 July 1992 – Flight 311, an Airbus A310-300 hit the side of a hill 23 miles north of Kathmandu while descending toward Tribhuvan International Airport from Bangkok. All 113 on board (99 passengers and 14 crew) died. The accident was caused by technical failures, a lack of radar equipment at Tribhuvan International Airport.^[38][39]
  
• 11 December 1998 – Flight 261, an A310-200, bound for Surat Thani from Bangkok, crashed into a rice paddy about two miles from Surat Thani airport during its third landing attempt in heavy rain; 102 of 143 on board were killed.^[40]
  
• 3 March 2001 – Thai Airways International Flight 114, a Boeing 737-400 with registration HS-TDC, bound for Chiang Mai from Bangkok, was destroyed by an explosion of the center wing tank resulting from ignition of the flammable fuel/air mixture in the tank while the aircraft was being serviced at the gate in Bangkok. The source of the ignition energy for the explosion could not be determined with certainty, but the most likely source was an explosion originating at the center wing tank pump as a result of running the pump in the presence of metal shavings and a fuel/air mixture. One crew member was killed.^[41]
  

Dont know from where the above was sourced, but the causes of the 31 July 1992 crash at Kathmandu are not correct. The aircraft had a flap problem on the approach which is on a track close to north, and a missed approach was initiated. Due to the significant terrain in the vicinity of the airport, this procedure involved a 270 deg turn to the right then track to the west climbing to 11,500 ft. But instead the crew allowed the aircraft to continue the turn back to the original near north track. The flight crashed at 11,500 ft into an almost vertical cliff 16,000 ft at 300 kts - obviously no survivors. There were problems in communications on the flight deck, with ATC and the flaps. If radar had been installed the tracking mistake would have been detected.

However I was part of an Australian Aid survey team in Nepal in 1989, and we looked for radar sites but due to the terrain none could be found. Radar is line of sight coverage - and terrain will block the signals. There are now different technologies for airspace surveillance which can be used for airports loke Kathmandu - and are already installed at Innsbruck Austria , Juneau Alaska, sevaeral airports in Colarado and Queenstown NZ to name a few. Also modern aircraft have enhanced navigation systems facilitating safe approaches in mountanious areas.

I fly frequently with Thai domestically and internationally, economy and business classes and have very few complaints. I agree with another poster with aviation experience that its amazing how some of your contributors jump immediately to some amazing conclusions on crimes, road accidents and and other items based on early news reports. As an ex Air Safety Investigator I strongly recommend that you find some RELIABLE facts before going to print. Newspapers are not good sources for facts.

...what a shame.....

....I know it seems deceptively easy to drive a bike in Thailand....but one has to consider the mindlessness of most drivers...

You are not wrong but this accident didn't involve other drivers - it involved (as do many motorcycle accidents in Pattaya) the mindlessness of someone who shouldn't have been on that bike.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa ap

Late last year there was publicity in Australia about the death passenger in a bike V bike accident in Samui. One TV current affairs program ran with it a couple of times, as the passenger who died was a young girl presenter who worked for the TV channel. Her boyfriend survived, although like her he was not wearing a helmet. He was on TV tearfully blaming the other bike rider (Thai), the Thai Police - everyone except taking some of the responsibility himself. Its almost inconceivable that an Australian would ride a bike without a helmet - the laws there are strict and policed and its part of the culture. You even need a helmet to ride a push bike. What makes tourists in Thailand and other Asian countries deliberately endanger themselves? Holiday? The locals dont? Bucking the laws because you can?

Well the people who wrote the laws did it for a very good reason - proved by the number of deaths involving non helmet wearing riders. My world wide travel insurance does NOT cover me for riding bikes in Bali (its even worse there) not that I intend to. The last time I rode was as a young lad rounding up sheep (slowly) with the occasional dog as a passenger - even then I always wore a helmet. The dog jumped off if things looked bad.

But condolences to the family of that poor girl in Pattaya - and may the lessons be learnt by others.

and jetstar...i flighted from australia to bali..and they forced me to buy a return ticket(sooo expensive how can they call theirselves low cost) even if i had a reservation...it was illegal..but i had no choice..because they told me "take this or we ban you"

Can you elaborate on how an airline can force you to buy any sort of ticket - one way, or return?

As a sidenote, if you look at the Qantas website to book a flight originating in Thailand, the headline price does not includes taxes, fuel surcharges etc. <deleted>

Because it is not required by law in Thailand to include taxes etc in their advertising, it is required by law in Australia.

EXACTLY! Australian Consumer law is to protect the consumer, not the company.

If misleading advertising shows a price which does not include all the surcharges, fuel tax, environment tax, departure tax, then that company is liable to be fined. AirAsia got off rather cheaply. I've yet to find one of these "99 baht" flights.

For too long now airlines have been adding (later in the pricing) a fuel surcharge. Its OK for options like food and a pillow to be added later its the customers choice, but as the aircraft wont fly without fuel it should be included in the quoted price. What else will they try - surcharges if the cost of engine oil or hydraulic fluid increases??

In Australia ALL fares, hotel rates, retail goods in fact anything that is sold must show the full price straight up. The taxes, fees, surcharges etc can be listed if the retailer wants to do so.

My hate now is hotels in Asia and elsewhere which ++ or +++ taxes, service charge (what's that mean?) etc etc. On some hotel web sites the prices are shown for the" room rate" and only late in the booking process are these +++ shown and added. Show the full price FIRST should be required.

The requirement for funds is 2 months not 3 so maybe you can qualify? If not the best place to obtain a multi entry non immigrant O visa is Savannakhet (which is a lot closer). They do not have any financial requirement currently and will only require the normal marriage certificate and wife ID card/home register copies signed by her.

KL would require show of at least 100k in a bank account under current policy. There is a recent reporting pinned item at top of forum in the pinned topics folder.

Correct

NB The money does not have to be in baht nor in Thailand .

I have successfully done twice witha print out showing my Australian bank staement.

It did have well in excess of the minimum

Good luck

If you go KL they ahnd out form at the 0830 gate opening,allow 2 hours

Once in consul take a ticket(both parts) one lday was quite snooty that their machine had only issued half a queueu ticket,but took my docs I can honestly say the only thing closely examined was the loot 550 rinngit only

Readt 230pm next day just too late to get a flight here so allow a few nights in KL

MH/TG at 1715 via Phuket

MH 1805 direct

TG 2110 direct on SAT,MON, WED and THU.

Probably some Air Asia too.

They are not Air Stewardess - this term went out at least 30 years ago. They are Flight Attendants. Their main job is not to serve the coffee, its safety and to help you get out in one bit if something goes wrong, Third anyone who reveals their thoughts good or bad on social media is asking for trouble. You don't really know who will read it and worst thing its there forever. There will be a large number of young people who will be very embarrassed when they grow up and see what they wrote or the photos they sent in their mad youth. Luckily most of the stupid things that I wrote or did in my mad youth were not recorded.

I agree with a previous poster to put aside for at least one day what some think is wrong with Thailand and reflect on what is right. The plusses far outweigh the minuses. The biggest plus is His Majesty the King, and I send respectful Birthday Greetings from the land of OZ

Long live the King!!

I will be there on 1 DEC with partner thank you.

Sorry I cant make it now - stuck in OZ! yuk. I hope you all have a great time!!

For those of you who thought the move of the Low cost Carriers from BKK to DMK would mean no more remote stand parking and busses to the terminal well think again. On Saturday 17th NOV I arrived on TG416 from Kuala Lumpur on a B777-300, and much to my surprise we parked at a remote stand near the domestic apron. I was even more surprised when on the bus trip to the terminal I counted 14 aerobridge stands in the International Apron area with NO parked aircraft. So I think that the decision to use the remote stand was all TG's, and not related to AOT limitations. Now TG are either completely inefficient, or wont pay extra to use the aerobridges, in which case they are a low cost carrier and should charge cheaper fares accordingly. Most likely they parked the aircraft there because it suited them for maintenance or other purposes.

Whatever motivation they had it completely disregarded any thoughts of passenger service, comfort and safety. The aircraft was almost full, with the usual number of very young children and elderly folk with limited mobility. Now its a long way down the stairs from a 777, and many passengers had difficulty in using the stairs, then had to stand on crowded busses for the ride to the terminal. I saw 3 wheelchair passengers get on in KL, and these would need to be lowered on mechanical lifts to the ground.

To my mind TG had no good excuse to use this remote stand when numerous areobridges were free. Its typical of some legacy carriers to do what suits them and not their PAYING passengers. Well TG, there are other carriers on this route which offer competitive fares - and you done see them using remote stands. I see that TG had another recent loss and its not surprising.

Pity about this airline as it has the potential to be very good - newer aircraft, good seating, convenient schedules and mostly good staff. But TG, start putting the passengers first or they will put you last.

A few words of caution from a boring old fart. Please make sure that you know the difference between infatuation and love. In your first post the references to high levels of excitement, cant be without each other for a minute, hanging on every word is infatuation not love - I went through this a couple of times too in my youth. Although the former is a very powerful feeling it lasts about 6 months at the most - then just good (or sometimes bad) friends. So my advice is don't get married, even for the sake of making the visa easier to get - which it wont for some time in any case. Take a good hard look at yourself and your GF and think a few years ahead if you can. A marriage which fails will be bad for both of you and your families.

But if you are positive that you can have a good future together then I hope you can get your visa and take her to Australia to see if she likes it. The Embassy will be realistic in its decisions - so wait and show real proof of a long relationship and that they can be reasonably confident she will return to Thailand.

On using teenage text language I think you are overdoing it. I went to school in Australia with children and young adults from many non English speaking countries and they all learned to speak and write English (well Australian at least!).

I hope it all works out for the best for both of you.

I will be there on 1 DEC with partner thank you.

I love Thailand and almost everything about it - including my Thai GF. But BKK, Pattaya and Patong are NOT the places for a family holiday. I have been disgusted to see parents dragging their hot crying exhausted small children along the Sukhumvit Road stalls,and to have them sitting/sleeping in bars in Patong at midnight. There are some great places in Thailand for family holidays - the travel agents in foreign countries should be educated accordingly. As far as lady boys are concerned I have no problems with them, and have enjoyed watching them in clean singing and dancing shows. My Thai GF warned me long ago not to say anything or look at them sideways - they are after all men and can react with aggression.

If you want to avoid the delays fly business or first and you get in the fast track lanes both in and out. Or if you are still working and are a citizen of one of the APEC countries (basically those round the Pacific rim including SE and East Asia, Eastern Pacific (US, Canada, Central and South America, AUS and NZ ) you can get an APEC Business traveller card which includes a visa for those countries where you may need one (no need for a visa application every time) and also fast track at most airports even traveling economy class. The card costs $A200 (not sure about other countries) for 3 years but you can save by not having to pay visa fees.You get 90 days in Thailand on arrival. In the US and Canada you can get in fast tracks but still have to go through the on line and card process. The place I use the card most is my own country, Australia, where the queues can be as bad as anywhere and there are no "cute" immigration staff!

Like any other big city BKK has its good and bad. When its good (and thats most of the time) its great. When its bad its terrible. But I think nearly all of us who post are farangs and Thais who live here may have very different opinions. Anyway I love it, and as a friend and resident here said "this is the best screwed up city in the world"

Adding to the responses so far (all good) I confirm that you do not have to live together prior to making the application. My son was living in Australia and his Italian partner in London because of work requirements and it all went OK. They did have a joint bank account, and my wife and I (both Australians) also provided a sworn statement confirming their long term relationship - this can help if you can get one either from family or someone of good standing. Being married does not help that much as you still have to go through a similar procedure (to stop marriages of convenience being accepted). My son and his partner are still not married and she has been in Australia for 11 years and has both Australian and Italian citizenship. Their 2 children can also get Italian citizenship and I think the same applies for the UK. This is a big help later on in visiting and working in Euro countries. I hope you are successful and enjoy your life in Australia if this is what you want.

To meet the Malaysian Immigration requirements you need to have a flight booked out of Malaysia before you go there, unless you have a long term Malaysian visa or work permit (which you dont have).If you dont have a return ticket the airline can refuse to check you in at BKK. So you need a return ticket.

Slightly off topic but I have used the express to/from Makkasan many times and I agree the train is fast, cheap, clean and provides a good service - until arrival at Makkasan where there are very few taxis and those that are there want a small Thai fortune to go anywhere. Being a regular visitor I usually bargain a more reasonable fare but first time visitors are at their mercy. So the alternative is to use the MRT at Petchaburi which is very inconvenient to access, and if you have large bags going through the security (ineffective anyway) and getting on and off in peak hours is very difficult. The MRT is a very good commuter service but not suitable to be an airport connection in busy periods. This is not Thai bashing as the same problems occur at other locations (Singapore, Hong Kong, KL, Brisbane, Sydney etc). The train link is a very good idea but needs more spent on it as per some other comments - lets hope they can generate enough money to make improvements.

Business class fares can be up to 4 or 5 times the cost of economy fares - first class even more. If you pay that much you deserve a fast track line. I have flown for day meetings from KL or Singapore to BKK for day meetings on the first flight and back on an evening flight and you cant do that if you have to wait 2+ hours in the queue. Good airlines pay immigration a fee for processing their first and business passengerss - more money faster service. This applies at UK, Australian, and Malaysian airports (and perhaps others as well?) not just Thailand.

However I agree that the processing should improve for all - 30 minutes at the most should be the aim.