planemad

Worgeordie - Best advice I have seen on this thread. However, please don't use the plastic diver and sunken wreck in your tank!

I use Firefox, so, simply highlight the Thai text you want to translate, right click and select "Google Translate for Firefox".

Kwasaki - That may be what they say, however, in my experiance, it has never been delayed more than 1 day in more than 2 years.

Very occasionally my UK Gov pension is delayed by one day, usually due to Thai bank holidays. Three working days is all it normally takes (Via CitiBank).

I think the above comments have pretty much nailed the identity of this flower, many thanks again for all the responses. Just out of interest, I stumbled upon plantnet.org which found the plant immediately, and sure enough:
Hippeastrum puniceum (Lam.) Voss - Amaryllidaceae - Barbados lily OR
Hippeastrum striatum (Lam.) H.E.Moore – Amaryllidaceae - Striped Barbados lily, take your choice.
So, thanks again.

Thanks to everyone who responded, some good information. I do have plans to move the bulbs to large container(s) as I currently have 3 pots with one still in bloom.

I have been given a number of these flowers. They grow from an onion like bulb whilst the stem and leaves resemble those of a daffodil. The flower as you can see is Orange, but I believe there are other colours available. My plants have been growing in shaded surrounds and have been blooming for about 6 weeks. I would like any information that might help me to grow these plants.

Another legend from my youth passes away, so sad to hear. I would also mention that the Queen of the Nurburgring, Sabine Schmitz has just passed away. She became known to the British public through the Top Gear show, but she was far more than that. Over 30,000 laps of the ring and so full of life, character and cheeky humour. Another cancer victim. RIP both of you.

Seems that this has stumped everyone. After much research, it appears that the Latin name is Gmelina philippensis, Gmelina elliptica, or Gmelina villosa. Common names include Hedgehog, Parrot's Beak and Ching-chai. I found it through the Thai name ต้นช้องแมว which translates simply as Cypress.

It originates from Malaysia, India and the Philippine Islands. It is described as “An extraordinary round shrub with pendant branches, large long leaves and exotic flowers comprised of yellow blossoms which emerge at the end of a tube-like structure of overlapping bracts. The flower resembles parrot's beak. Large yellow pod contains 1 seed. Sow seed in standard potting mix with good drainage. Grow in full light, water freely and feed once a month”.

Additionally, it appears to have some medicinal value. The juice of the fruit is applied to eczema of the feet. It is also used as a leech repellent. The fruit, pounded with lime, is applied as a poultice to the throat as a remedy for coughs.

The extract of the roots is used internally as a stimulant, resolvent, and in treating diseases of the joints and nerves.

The juice of the roots is used as a purgative and in treating fatigue.

An extract of the leaves is used externally as a stimulant, resolvent, and in treating diseases of the joints and nerve.

It has made a fast growing and quite interesting addition to our garden area. maybe members could find this locally if they like the uniqueness of this plant – hope this helps.

Hello All, I recently spotted a rather unusual plant at our local nursery and decided to get one for our garden. The problem is I have no idea what it is called so cannot find information regarding it's care and maintenance. The nursery plant stood about 2.5 m tall and the tendrils hanging from it were about 30cm long. So,  can anyone identify it by an English, Latin or Thai name so that I can learn how to best look after this shrub, bush or small tree. Many thanks. 

Seems that banks are open today, on line exchange rate just published for K bank and SCB. I assume the rest are also working.

My military pension is due on the 13th of each month, then allow 3 working days to reach my Thai bank. So, as the 13th Feb was a Thursday, I was expecting the money on Monday (this is the usual time frame), however, this month it arrived a day late, no problems, but it does not stop the mind wondering "what if......"?

Allane, some time ago, maybe 2 years, I withdrew 30K from the account (before the current restrictions), later I replaced that money. Now it shows in my bank book the sum, minus the 30k, and another entry with the 30K, ergo, 2 entries amounting to 800k + but split accordingly. Confuses the hell out of me, but.......

Looking for advice and guidance regards financial requirements for annual retirement visa (this is not my first extension).  Let me explain my situation, I have a K account which pays interest, however, depending upon the interest rate on the day of deposit, the account shows (in my case) two sums, the total of which is above 800k. Sing Buri questioned it once but allowed it, but my reporting location has recently changed to Chai Nat where they seem less understanding and see it as two separate figures. I am not convinced that the bank letter confirming the total amount will be acceptable to them.  

In order to head off any problems when my annual report becomes due, I need to find an early solution

Maybe I should withdraw all the cash then re-deposit it back into the account, this way it will show a single interest rate and therefore a single total, above the 800k requirement. Does this seem logical?

I am a however a little concerned that should I use this method, my account would show a drop below 400k, so maybe if I withdraw 400k + in two separate transactions, therefore two events leaving the account above 400k but both with the same interest  rates, would this cause even more problems? Basically, what is the easiest way in which consolidate the account to provide a single total? My local bank seems unable to provide an answer.

What are the actual guidelines for an account in which to money for the visa is acceptable to immigration as I cannot find details within TV.

Any advice would be gratefully accepted

Just been to renew my retirement visa at Sing Buri and informed that from the end of this month (July), anyone in the Chai Nat catchment area are to use the new office in Chai Nat. Googling "Chai Nat Immigration" shows the office situated just behind the county offices (Big building with large blue roof - anyone familiar with the town will know where I am referring to).

On a personal note, whilst Chai Nat is almost on my doorstep and will be so convenient to use, the personnel, first at Lop Buri and later, Sing Buri, have always been efficient, well mannered and friendly! They helped me through my first visa application and became like friends, chatty and just good people. It is therefore almost bitter sweet that we now have a new office which is so much closer to home, but I will genuinely miss them. Actually, whilst in the office, some others who will also be affected by the change asked if they could continue to use Sing Buri - sadly not! 

Rather what I thought, but no harm in checking. Thanks for the replies.

Hi, everyone, pretty simple question, my annual retirement visa is due for renewal, the date of which is a Friday, not very convenient for me, would prefer to go on Monday, so, does the 7 days after and 10 days before window apply to this extension?

When I moved to Thailand, I shipped 2 large chests full of tools. I don't recall labeling them as anything other than what they were, no problems though I think my wife paid a smallish fee to get the items shipped to our address.

The router will not be a problem, Thailand and Australia use similar voltages. Hand planes by the way are very expensive over here and should be retained.

Good luck!  

I also went to Tesco yesterday, no bags of any description at the check-out, however, I needed potatoes and the veg section have cut the size of their bags by about half, so used three bags when one would have been enough. I know, I should have brought my own bags, but how many stop to think "Oh, no bag day at Tesco, must bring my own"?

Thanks for the reply Ubonjoe, info already passed on. Great help.

 A friend has booked to come to CM next year, but seems to have been poorly advised by the travel agent. He intends staying in CM and the period of his stay which is for 35 days. So, if he arrives at BKK with a return dated 35 days in advance, will he be refused entry? How easy and at what cost would a 60 day visa from the UK be, and, assuming he will be allowed into the Kingdom, will he be able to do a "visa run" through Mai Sot in order to extend his legitimate stay? I am aware he can get a 30 day extension from Immigration, but (to return to the original question), will he have problems at arrivals in BKK. Many thanks for taking the time to view this request and look forward to the advice which I can pass onward.

I have been looking for a similar alternative. Turnips are not swede and the taste is quite different, so, after a session with Google, I discovered that Daikon radish is a possible substitute. I did try it in a stew and was pleasantly surprised with the resulting flavour. Give it a try, they are cheap and easily available.

Many thanks, I will give it a go!

Planemad