Ajarn

Hope you'll survive okay... It's been a law since 1972...

The deposit varies, since the plates belong to the dealer. I paid 1000 baht deposit.

The red plates also have a reg book which must be kept n the vehicle. Under the law, as I've been told, you are restricted to your province and can only drive during the day....

Saying all that, I drove to Bangkok, and even got pulled over by the cops- for making an illegal turn. The cop never said a word about the red plates registered in Chiang Mai. TiT.

As for driving with no plates on a new vehicle, my dealer also offered that option, and I see many new vehicles w/out plates... I'd assume the same rules apply as for the red plate... Never heard of anyone being hassled

tell that to the average civil servant who by retirement can only expect to earn pehaps 20,000 per month (starting wage is 8000 if you have a masters).

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Last year a student of ours planned to study abroad. No problem until her visa application was knocked back by The British Embassy. Reason: father is a civil servant and only earns 22000 baht/month. Reality: she was given a new BMW for her 21st and family live in a mansion - I guess he just saved realllly hard or 'won' the money in an Australian casino. Oh yeh, he works in the local planning office.

Yep, with a masters you might only earn 8000 baht when you start; but I know an engineering associate professor at government university who seems to have as much time away from his 'day' job as he wants to work on (very) lucrative engineering contracts away from the uni.

Obviously not all, but I feel quite a few, Thais have discovered ways to supplement their official salaries. Official salaries can't really be used as a bench mark to judge farang salaries.

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I must agree. In my 16 years of working with Thais, most everyone it seems is hustling and manouvering to get a piece of whatever pie there is... A fair number civil servants do quite well, by anyone's standard.

From what I was told in CM, Immigration has the option of giving up to 90 days extension each time for those with less than the required amount, but receiving even a minimal pension, disability, etc... (10,000 baht was the amount in my example) Something on-going and verifiable, they said.

There are a lot of good guys supporting families on Thai money terms, but getting by okay, and often a real part of their community, too... I hope the Immigration takes a softer look here...

Oh, and unless your friends are police of higher rank than the Immigration guys, their only influence is likely to be to make you feel more relaxed...

Good Luck

Sport is supposed to be INSTEAD of war, not a preclude to it... Why can't people find something worthwhile to fight about?

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I'm still trying to think of something...

I finally organized my DVD's and am offering them to TV members in CM on a free loan basis for 48 hours. Max. 2 DVD's at a time. Must be returned in same condition, or you buy it at my cost

A few may still be in the wrong category...

My phone is 09-851-4676 or contact via [email protected] if interested

DVD - MOVIES - MUSICAL

1 RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN : BOXED SET: CAROUSEL

2 RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN : BOXED SET: OKLAHOMA

3 RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN : BOXED SET: SOUTH PACIFIC

4 RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN : BOXED SET: STATE FAIR

5 RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN : BOXED SET:

6 RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN : BOXED SET: THE SOUND OF MUSIC

7 THE SOUND OF MUSIC

DVD - MOVIES- COMEDY

2 BABES IN TOYLAND

3 BOB HOPE : THE ROAD SHOW SERIES : ROAD TO MOROCCO

4 BOB HOPE : THE ROAD SHOW SERIES : ROAD TO SINGAPORE

5 BOB HOPE : THE ROAD SHOW SERIES : ROAD TO UTOPIA

6 BOB HOPE : THE ROAD SHOW SERIES : ROAD TO ZANZIBAR

8 IT'S A MAD, MAD,MAD,MAD WORLD

9 LAUREL & HARDY

10 LIFE WITH FATHER

11 LOVE LAUGH AT ANDY HARDY

12 MA & PA KETTLE : VOLUME 2

13 MAD ABOUT YOU

14 MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

15 MY MAN GODFREY

16 REEFER MADNESS

17 THE LITTLE PRINCESS

18 THE WIZARD OF OZ

19 THIS IS THE ARMY

20 TOPPER RETURNS

21 UP IN SMOKE

22 WHAT'S UP DOC?

DVD - MOVIES - DRAMA

1 20TH CENTURY EPICS: BOXED SET : BEN-HUR

2 20TH CENTURY EPICS: BOXED SET : DOCTOR ZHIVAGO

3 20TH CENTURY EPICS: BOXED SET : GONE WITH THE WIND

4 ALFRED HITCHCOCK: SABOTAGE

5 CARY GRANT : THE SIGNATURE COLLECTION : DESTINATION TOKYO

6 CARY GRANT : THE SIGNATURE COLLECTION : MR. BLANDINGS BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE

7 CARY GRANT : THE SIGNATURE COLLECTION : MY FAVORITE WIFE

8 CARY GRANT : THE SIGNATURE COLLECTION : NIGHT AND DAY

9 CARY GRANT : THE SIGNATURE COLLECTION : THE BACHELOR AND THE BOBBY-SOXER

10 CARY GRANT COLLECTION : FATHER GOOSE

11 CARY GRANT COLLECTION : INDISCREET

12 CARY GRANT COLLECTION : OPERATION PETTICOAT

13 CARY GRANT COLLECTION : THAT TOUCH OF MINK

14 CARY GRANT COLLECTION : THE GRASS IS GREENER

15 CASABLANCA

16 DEER HUNTER, THE

17 DIRTY HARRY SERIES, THE : BOXED SET : DIRTY HARRY

18 DIRTY HARRY SERIES, THE : BOXED SET : MAGNUM FORCE

19 DIRTY HARRY SERIES, THE : BOXED SET : SUDDEN IMPACT

20 DIRTY HARRY SERIES, THE : BOXED SET : THE DEAD POOL

21 DIRTY HARRY SERIES, THE : BOXED SET : THE ENFORCER

22 DON JOHNSON : HARRAD EXPERIMENT

23 DRAGNET

24 GODFATHER, THE : BOXED SET: DVD COLLECTION

25 GODFATHER, THE : BOXED SET: DVD COLLECTION BONUS MATERIALS

26 GODFATHER, THE : BOXED SET: PART II DVD COLLECTION

27 GODFATHER, THE : BOXED SET: PART III DVD COLLECTION

28 GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER

29 IN COUNTRY

30 IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

31 JAMES CAGNEY : TRIPLE FEATURE MOVIE MARATHON

32 MIDNIGHT EXPRESS

33 MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON

34 REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE

35 SHERLOCK HOLMES : FEATURE FILM COLLECTION

36 SHERLOCK HOLMES : LEGENDARY MOVIES

37 SHERLOCK HOLMES : T.V. CLASSICS

38 SIDNEY POITIER : BOXED SET : FOR LOVE OF IVY

39 SIDNEY POITIER : BOXED SET : IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT

40 SIDNEY POITIER : BOXED SET : LILIES OF THE FIELD

41 SIDNEY POITIER : BOXED SET : THE ORGANIZATION

42 SIDNEY POITIER : BOXED SET : THEY CALL ME MISTER TIBBS

43 SOYLENT GREEN

44 THE ADVENTURES &lt;deleted&gt; MANCHU

45 THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT

46 THE WILD ONE

47 THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY

48 TO CATCH A THIEF

49 AMERICAN GRAFFITI

50 COOLEY HIGH

DVD - MOVIES - ADVENTURE/SCIENCE FICTION

1 007 : DR. NO

2 007 : GOLDEN EYE

3 007 : GOLDFINGER

4 007 : LICENCE TO KILL

5 007 : THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN

6 007 : THE SPY WHO LOVED ME

7 007 : TOMORROW NEVER DIES

8 AFRICAN QUEEN, THE

9 ANDROMEDA STRAIN, THE

10 BUCK ROGERS

11 CHARLIE CHAN, THE : CHANTHOLOGY : CHARLIE CHAN IN SECRET SERVICE

12 CHARLIE CHAN, THE : CHANTHOLOGY : MEETING AT MIDNIGHT

13 CHARLIE CHAN, THE : CHANTHOLOGY : THE CHINESE CAT

14 CHARLIE CHAN, THE : CHANTHOLOGY : THE JADE MASK

15 CHARLIE CHAN, THE : CHANTHOLOGY : THE SCARLET CLUE

16 CHARLIE CHAN, THE : CHANTHOLOGY : THE SHANGHAI COBRA

17 CLEOPATRA

18 DANIEL BOONE

19 DAVY CROCKETT : 2 MOVIE SET

20 EARTH VS. FLYING SAUCERS

21 EASY RIDER

22 FLASH GORDON

23 FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE

24 GREAT ESCAPE, THE

25 HARRY POTTER: AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

26 INDIANA JONES: MOVIE COLLECTION BOXED SET: and the LAST CRUSADE

27 INDIANA JONES: MOVIE COLLECTION BOXED SET: and the RAIDERS of the LOST ARK

28 INDIANA JONES: MOVIE COLLECTION BOXED SET: and the TEMPLE OF DOOM

29 INDIANA JONES: MOVIE COLLECTION BOXED SET: BONUS MATERIAL

30 INVISIBLE INVADERS/ JOURNEY TO THE SEVENTH PLANET

31 IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE

32 JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH

33 LEGENDARY PIRATE MOVIES

34 LOST HORIZON

35 MOBY DICK

36 PHANTOM PLANET, THE

37 ROBIN HOOD, THE ADVENTURE OF

38 SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON

39 THE BRAIN FROM PLANET AROUS

40 THE DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE

41 THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL

42 THE DAY THE SKY EXPLODED

43 THE PIEO PIPER OF HAMELIN

44 THE SNOWS OF KILIMANJARO

45 THEM

46 WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE

47 ZORRO, THE MARK OF

DVD - MOVIES - WESTERN

1 CLAYTON MOORE: COLLECTOR'S EDITION: The legend of the Lone Ranger

2 FAR COUNTRY, THE

3 GENE AUTRY SHOW, THE

4 HANG 'EM HIGH

5 HOP A LONG CASSIDY: call of the prairie/ heart of the west

6 HOP A LONG CASSIDY: hill of old wyoming/ north of the rio grande

7 HOP A LONG CASSIDY: hop-a-long cassidy/ bar 20 rides again

8 HOP A LONG CASSIDY: hopalong rides again/ heart of arizona

9 HOP A LONG CASSIDY: three on the trail/ hopalong cassidy returns

10JOHN WAYNE : MCLINTOCK !

11JOHN WAYNE : RIDERS OF DESTINY/ THE SAGEBRUSH TRAIL

12JOHN WAYNE: COLLECTION / 1. FLYING TIGERS

13JOHN WAYNE: COLLECTION / 2. SANDS OF TWO JIMA

14JOHN WAYNE: COLLECTION / 3. THE FIGHTING KENTUCKIAN

15JOHN WAYNE: COLLECTION / 4. IN OLD CALIFORNIA

16JOHN WAYNE: COLLECTION / 5. RIO GRANDE

17LONE RANGER, THE

18LONE RANGER, THE : BOXED SET

19LONE RANGER, THE : VOLUME 1

20ROY ROGERS COLLECTION: days of jesse jame, king of the cowboy, roll on texas

21ROY ROGERS COLLECTION: hollywood favorites: vol.1

22ROY ROGERS COLLECTION: hollywood favorites: vol.2

23THE MAN WITH NO NAME: TRILOGY BOXED SET: A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS

24THE MAN WITH NO NAME: TRILOGY BOXED SET: FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE

25THE MAN WITH NO NAME: TRILOGY BOXED SET: GOOD, BAD, UGLY

26WESTERN CLASSICS: rough riders round-up, young bill hickok, my pal trigger

27WINCHESTER'73

DVD - T.V. - WESTERN

1 1950's T.V.'s GREATEST WESTERNS

2 ANNIE OAKLEY : 50th anniversary edition-volume 1

3 ANNIE OAKLEY : T.V. Collection

4 BONANZA : DESERT JUSTICE/ BADGE WITHOUT HONOR

5 BONANZA : EPISODES 8 HOURS

6 BONANZA : SET : THE LAST TROPHY

7 BONANZA : SET : THE SPANISH GRANT

8 BONANZA : SET: DARK STAR

9 BONANZA : SET: THE FEAR MERCHANTS

10 BONANZA : THE BLOOD LINE

11 BONANZA : THE LAST VIKING & BREED OF VIOLENCE

12 HAVE GUN-WILL TRAVEL: season 1 boxed set

13 LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE: season 5 boxed set

14 LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE: the premiere movie

15 "LONE RANGER, THE & CISCO KID, THE"

16 "LONE RANGER, THE : THE LAST EPISODES"

17 "RIFLEMAN, THE : boxed set # 1"

18 "RIFLEMAN, THE : boxed set # 2"

19 WAGON TRAIN

DVD - T.V. - COMEDY

1 1950'S T.V. GREATEST COMEDIES : Jack Benny program...

2 1950'S T.V. GREATEST COMEDIES : make room for daddy...

3 1950'S T.V. GREATEST COMEDIES : our miss brooks...

4 ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW : 16 EPISODES

5 ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW : SPECIAL EDITION

6 ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW : THE BEST OF

7 ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW : THE COMPLETE 1ST SEASON:disc1-4

8 "ANNA NICOLE SHOW, THE"

9 "BURNS AND ALLEN SHOW & BLONDIE, THE"

10 "CAROL BURNETT SHOW, THE : SHOW STOPPERS"

11 "DICK VAN DYKE SHOW, THE"

12 FRASIER : THE COMPLETE 1ST SEASON ON DVD

13 FRIENDS : SEASON 2

14 GILLIGAN'S ISLAND : RESCUE FROM GILLIGAN'S ISLAND

15 GILLIGAN'S ISLAND : THE COMPLETE 1TH SEASON

16 GOOD TIMES : SEASON 1

17 "HONEYMOONERS, THE : HOLIDAY CLASSICS"

18 "HOWDY DOODY SHOW, THE"

19 I LOVE LUCY : VOLUME 1

20 I LOVE LUCY : VOLUME 2

21 I LOVE LUCY : VOLUME 3

22 I LOVE LUCY : VOLUME 4

23 I LOVE LUCY : VOLUME 5

24 I LOVE LUCY : VOLUME 6

25 "JEFFERSONS, THE : SEASON 2"

26 JOHNNY CARSON: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION

27 "JUDY GARLAND SHOW, THE"

28 MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY: THE COMPLETE 5TH SEASON

29 MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE : SEASON 1

30 "MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW, THE : the complete 1st season"

31 MASH : SEASON 2 COLLECTOR'S EDITION

32 "MONKEES, THE : OUR FAVORITE EPISODES"

33 MY FAVORITE MARTIAN

34 MY LITTLE MARGIE : COLLECTION # 1

35 "OSBOURNES, THE : 1ST SEASON"

36 "OSBOURNES, THE : 2 ND SEASON"

37 "OSBOURNES, THE : 2 ND SEASON1/2 "

38 "OZZIE AND HARRIET, THE ADVENTURE OF : DISC 1"

39 PETTICOAT JUNCTION

40 "REAL MCCOYS, THE : 4 EPISODES # 1"

41 "REAL MCCOYS, THE : 4 EPISODES # 2"

42 SANFORD AND SUN : 1ST SEASON

43 "SIMPLE LIFE, THE : ROAD TRIP"

44 "SIMPLE LIFE, THE : THEY ARE RICH. THE ARE SEXY."

45 SOAP : THE COMPETE 1ST SEASON

46 THAT GIRL : VOLUME 1

47 TOPPER : 6 COMPLETE T.V. SHOWS

48 TWIN PEAKS : 1ST SEASON

48 YOU BET YOUR LIFE : T.V. FAVORITES

49 YOU BET YOUR LIFE Best of

50 1950'S T.V.'S GREATEST SHOWS : Jacky Benny program

51 1950'S T.V.'S GREATEST SHOWS : Our miss Brooks

52 1950'S T.V.'S GREATEST SHOWS : Ozzie and Harriet

DVD - T.V. - DRAMA

1 "AVENGERS, THE : '68 SET 2"

2 BARETTA : SEASON 1

3 COLUMBO: THE COMPLETE 1ST SEASON

4 COMBAT : SEASON 1

5 DALLAS : THE COMPLETE 1ST & 2ND SEASONS

6 DRAGNET & RACKET SQUAD

7 "GREATEST '70S COP SHOW, THE"

8 I SPY : BOX SET # 1

9 I SPY : BOX SET # 3

10 "I SPY : TAG, SO COLDY SWEET."

11 "I SPY : TAG, YOU'RE IT."

12 KUNG &lt;deleted&gt; : THE COMPLETE 1ST SEASON

13 LAW & ORDER : THE 1ST YEAR

14 MAGNUM P.I. : THE COMPLETE 1ST SEASON

15 "OUTER LIMITS, THE : ORIGINAL SERIES "

16 S.W.A.T. : THE COMPLETE 1ST SEASON

17 "SOPRANOS, THE : THE COMPLETE 1ST SEASON"

18 STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES VOLUME 1

19 STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES VOLUME 2

20 STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES VOLUME 3

We've just been stung by the Customs duty on a DHL shipment from the UK. The duty was 20% of the value of the shipment and then there was an additional 7% VAT on the  value after duty. So, the total tax was around 28%... First time we've had to pay to get our Christmas presents!

We've also had boxes go missing when coming via the Post Office. I tell people to send anything that looks valuable to my office address - never had a box lost to that address. Now, I'm also going to tell them to undervalue the shipment if they're sending it by DHL to reduce the duty we get stung for... 

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Unless there is an invoice attached, my experience is that customs makes their own value, independent of what the sender writes. I'm sure they're aware of the various tricks... I use to get some home-recorded videos sent to me, and the customs charge was always more than the value of the $2 tapes...

TiT

Wolfie, my own experience is that stuff that through DHL, et all, is much more likely to get caught up in customs fees.... 90% of the stuff going through the PO come straight to my house without any charges....

From what I've heard and read, a lot depends on where you live as to whether your mail has problems. I get many packages each year, mostly DVD's, and I've never had any problems with my local PO, bar one missing package a couple of years ago.

DVD's and CD's, when I've had to pay, were charged at a rate of 30% at Customs

I might suggest EMS as one way to go...

Congrats. I'm a month away

Okay, I wrote an old friend in Hat Yai who does tours across the border, and this is his reply. For me, I'd trust this to be the real truth...

Hey Larry,

Nice to talk to you again, as to the report, the law is:

you need the drivers licence translated into English

or Malay of course and the registration papers as well.

Now: if you have a "natural flavour" - they will not enforce

it all the time - unless you have to buy insurance (I have yearly

insurance that is much cheaper - because I go there more often).

As said before - this enforcement is since the beginning of this

year - and it is likewise on the Thai side - the Malays have to bring

proof that the vehicle they bring - is legally theirs - or they are entitled

to drive it!

And: there's no need for a International Licence - the Thai authorities

can (are able to) translate (accepted in MA and SIN) for I guess 100 -

or 150 baht max - had a friend that had to do - as I still use my Thai Licence

alone. You can get that in the Land Transport Offices.

Again - I can do because I have yearly Insurance and don't have to go to

the Insurance Office, I drive straight through and then no hassle.

If you have no insurance and have to queue up (sorry : LINE UP) at the

Insurance office - then you're in their hands and they will ask what the law

officially wants - - and you have to oblige - because after crossing - you

have to register the Insurance again - and there is where they start the

questions.

The cheapest is to get the insurance direct in Malaysia (if you plan for

several visits) - and then is all settled !

Otherwise you're to bring translation of DL and Car/M'cycle papers.

Sorry Larry, the good old times where you could cross with the

Thai Insurance and Registration - have definitely gone!

Cheers

If you fellas are trying to convince us NOT to move to CM, you're doing a helluva job.

Ajarn, was it not you who wrote somewhere that the field burnings etc. start mid-December and escalate rapidly into February -- consequently December remains a relatively "clean" month w.r.t. pollution?  My apology if it infact was not you.

Yes, I mentioned a day or two ago that I saw an official starting fires along the road and that the fields in the area look ripe for burning, too. And added that on the day I referred to, the heavy smoke was mostly vehicle-related, I felt.

I'm sure I've said worse things 

Hey, I don't get it; if November thru' March is the "gorgeous" season for CM (as per the guide books and northerners) and you fellows are already complaining  in December, what the heck is going on?

So let me ask you this -- CM MUST have some magical qualities that taken together, totally dwarf this huge pollution negative; mind sharing this with us undecided unfortunates?

Regards

Harmonica

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Yeah, some days are like that. We all need a good whine now and again, na?

Life is what you make it in most places, right? That's the magic here. The freedom and opportunity to live any life you choose if you have the money and huutspa. That's my general take on things here. I feel FAR more freedom here than I ever felt in America. I'm not slamming America, but Thailand simply feels like Home for me now, and I feel more in control of my life now than at anytime or anyplace else in my life... I'm somone who likes to learn about people, and living here has taught me a lot about myself and life. I still continue to love to learn, and there's always something new to excite me at every turn. Chiang Mai people are great. Your experience may be different

If I'm nuts, I guess I'm cool with that. My heart's in the right place, and that's all I want to care about.

Hey, the smoke sucks. Nobody likes it, but I don't let it control my life but for those few moments of annoyance... I sense that anyone who is relatively sane here likely has the same SOP... There's a lot to get annoyed about here if you start looking

For a number of reasons I moved down to Surat and what a good move it was.

It is very clean here, sea breezes from both ways.

I can ride or walk around here, come home and not a black face to be seen.

Chiang Mai has become a dirty town I'm afraid.

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I'd rather take my chances in Chiang Mai than be around the blind and clueless drivers Surat is infamous for... Most of my closest calls have been in Surat..

.... Isn't the general med cert just to show that you don't have any communicable disease? Any experience to suggest a possible problem, RDN? ....

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No - nothing to suggest a problem regarding the med certificate. It's just that it is the one thing that could stop a lot of retirees from living out their days in Thailand. I know at the moment it is easy to get one, but it is a little more than just stating you don't have/never had those nasty diseases. My doctor did actually check my heart with a stethoscope and looked at my throat. (The second time I didn't even see him, but still got the certificate ). But if they were to make it a real requirement with stricter conditions, it could mean that a lot of people would have to return "home" to die. It would also, of course, stop a lot of people trying to retire here in the first place.

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RDN, my gut feeling is, if they're quite happy to give continual 90 day extensions to those unable to travel due to poor health, then I wouldn't feel a concern about staying here. Even if someone's health sucks, what would be the problem for Thailand? I can't think of any.

Not to mention that they are now talking about promoting Thailand as a place to come for cheaper long term health care for old and disabled folks....

But I certainly would like to hear any experiences from folks to suggest real cause for concern. I have already planned my cremation ceremony at a beautiful spot near Mae Tang, and I wouldn't want to have to change my plans now..

From what I know there are a few things you need, your registration book translated into English, the vehicle in your name or a letter from the owner giving you permission to take it across the border, and the number plate translated into English, for example if you have Tor Tahaan then you would replace it with 'T'.

You purchase insurance at the border from the Malaysian side. Cant remember what else is needed!

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Did you actually have to go through all that with a car? All that stuff about translating your reg book and license plate sounds like something that may be on the books, but doesn't occur in real life when entering Malaysia. Thousand of cars cross that border every day without doing any such thing, in my experience... If your car has Thai insurance, you don't need to buy it again for Malaysia... As I said, they only looked for my insurance sticker, and didn't ask for anything else going into Malaysia. Granted, the last time was a couple of years ago, but I'd be shocked to hear confirmation that they've changed so much to require all the stuff you mentioned just to travel in Malaysia as a tourist...

I just called another friend who went to Penang in his car last month... Same experience as I reported earlier.

First it's five year driving licences (great move) and now it's five year visas. I won't hold my breath on this one as it has been proposed several times already. Let's have some more details George, as they come to hand. Cost being the main one Pro-rata on the one year visa would place it around 37.000 Baht

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Errrrr...... One Year Non-Imm extension is 1,900 Baht x 5 = 9,500

How'd you reach 37,000?

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Gaz...I was just going by the cost of a one year non immigrant "B" application fee, currently around 7500 baht (A$250) which in five years comes to 37500 baht, and non extendable in Thailand, except for a short period.

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Where did you get the idea a "B" visa couldn't be extended except for a short time? I've been getting extensions on the same "B" visa now for a couple of years already....

.... they still won't accept my application until next month, instead giving me 90 day extensions based on my crappy health...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Have you any worries about getting the "retirement" visa considering your health?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I haven't been given any reason to be concerned yet... Immigration folks, who know my situation well, just talk in an assumptive manner, saying to me that I'll get my retirement extension next month. Isn't the general med cert just to show that you don't have any communicable disease? Any experience to suggest a possible problem, RDN?

The med cert that I've been presenting for extensions is a bit more extensive because it has to outline the reasons why I can't physically return to my country wthout someone traveling with me -the basis for extension. In my case, that stems from the fact that I must travel in a wheelchair and I need some help with dressing and carrying things because I'm paralyzed on my left side...

everything that could be said is already said, but let me add a couple of points:

1) the fact that you can get as many women as you want and sex in thailand doesn't doe anything to your feeling of lonelyness. Ever heard of loneliness in a croud of people?

It can be that Iam wrong because I'm a woman looking at matters from my point of view, but when you are homesick or feeling down and troubled you need something more. You need pampering, tender loving care, someone that really speaks your language and knows what you mean, someone that listens and cares. That pulls you out of your bed to the bathroom to the table to have some food to go for a walk, etc.

Do you really find it in the bars? are those ladies mature and really caring?

Maybe, you know beter than me.

2)I notice in this site that quite some foreigners commit suicide, and Thailand isn't the only country where it happens.

People go away from home in search of happiness, but they forget the probleem is within them and not in the place they live.

Happiness and harmony came from inside. Learning to deal with yourself and your weaknesses wil help solve the problems.

You can go to Thailand, but do it as a holiday, because the confrontation with another completely different world can put a lot of  pressure on you. It is easier to handle if it's for a short time.

Why I write this?

because I know it from own experience and because depression isn't something one talks easly about, but therapie and family and friends help a lot. And of course medecines. I have a normal life and do intellectual work. And next month I go to Thailand for 3 weeks holiday. It's a little scary but I want to do it.  Life is just what you make out of it. Don't you agree?

Maybe someone in this site (male, female, couple, etc. you only need to be a nice persoon) likes to drop me a line with suggestions about places to see of even to meet somewhere for a drink next month in thailand

take care

anamore

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Excellent post.

She's right about coming here expecting Thailand to be your panacea. Many others have tried and failed- and some even have worsened their conditions.

To be a survivor here, one needs to have their head on straight and be able to deal with the inherrent stresses here by healthy means, not more self-destructive means. This place is like a candy store. You can do ANYTHING your heart desires here, given enough money... Many can't seem to control or limit themselves, and start to spiral down- anyone who's been around here for a few years can think of numerous personal examples, I'm sure.

Clinical Depression is not the same as Clinical Psychosis, so as long as you're able to stay in the rational here and now, there's no reason to think that moving anywhere will, in itself, be dangerous to you or someone else. But, prepare yourself for the basic stress that comes from moving into a very foreign culture and way of life. It's likely that much of your depression comes from not dealing well with stress, so you internalize it.... Doing that here for too long will likely drive you deeper into depression. What are you going to do differently here when those issues occur (as they always will) ?

Be serious with yourself, and don't 'escape' to Thailand. Nobody has ever really succeeded at escaping from themselves..

I think he's referring to a multi O,not a B, as you wont be working.

To clarify, both of my visas from Colorado are Type "B", so that's why I said that... These didn't require any letters or other documentation. Just the money, application, passport two photos, self -addressed stamped envelope.. Turn around time was about one week.

It doesn't seem to make a difference with the retirement visa whether you're coming on an O or B, as far as I can tell. Maybe someone has a different experiernce....

In any case, call Dawn and tell her what's up. She has always been very helpfull and straight-forward with info...

I've driven across in two places.. Their only concern was my insurance, which they just glanced at the sticker on my car... Didn't get asked to show anything else. No sweat. I don't know the legailty of a Thai DL in Malaysia, though.

Coming back to Thailand, you'll be asked to get out of your car and fill out a smple form with your car ID and how many passengers...

At least that's what it was like...

Don't forget that Malaysian cops DO enforce the driving laws...

As for 'harder job,' sriracha, if making decorations for Happy Fluffy Dance Day, going to a few more meetings, and teaching (usually) half the class load of the average farang English teacher is more difficult, then yes, their job is more difficult.  

I would continue to stand by my assessment after seeing both groups at work and considering such factors as student load, hours in classroom, and classroom conditions. There is certainly a tremendous diversity of situations both of these groups teach in, so I can see that others may have formed a different opinion based upon their individual observations.

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I can't remember even one situation in a Prathom or Mathayom school where I felt that the Thai teachers didn't have a harder job, more responsibility and more inherrent stress than any farang teacher in that school. There may be exceptions, but I'd say not many....

One son, Sonthaya, is Minister of Tourism, another son is also an MP...

ABC TV in Aus, reported that Thailand was the most violent place in S.E.A. due to extra judicial killing of drug dealers and persons killed in custody since January and the murders of locals by Islamic seperatists.

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Has Malaysia had much trouble as of late? I remember reading that these militants wanted to take both southern Thailand and northern Malaysia and create an islamic state from it.

cv

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If there were, you likely wouldn't be reading about it in Malaysian newspapers.... Thailand possibly gets the rep because of it's status as among the most 'free' press, thus more of this stuff gets reported to the public... I'd say Indonesia is way ahead of Thailand in extra-judicial killings, according to my experiences there some years ago, and continuing reports from friends still living there... But, with all such news suppressed, it's tough to judge. I certainly feel safer in Thailand than I would in Cambodia, Lao, Burma, Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam....

Probably wouldn't have mattered in this case. but I was advised to sit on the left side, since so many collisions happen while passing, and the worst damage is often on the right side from the collision with the oncoming vehicle...

One truck driver told me a run from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, they have to bring with them from their company at least minimum of 5,000 baht, because the police do pull them over and the truckers have to pay them bribe money to keep going or they get tickets.

Unless he's running very illegal, I'd say that's a bit of a stretch- cetainly not the norm among truck drivers on that route. 5,000 baht would likely be far more than their entire profit for that trip if they're an independent or even fpr many companies. Some years ago, one of the Thai news stations had video of drivers routinly tossing 20 baht notes out the window when they slowed down for the largest checkpoint near Tak. One driver was quoted as saying the 20 baht got them through without being stopped, unless there was some obvious infraction visible as they're passing by...

Up until fairly recently, the Highway police sold stickers to truckers under the table, signaling a free pass at most check points along the CM/Bkk route, and other routes, too. Forgotten the price exactly, but 20,000 baht per year somehow sticks in my mind...

One does not wai the immediate Royal family. That is a bow or curtsy situation. Protocol Officer / ThaiVisa

Yep, check the TV news channels at 8 pm every night, and when the Royals move among the masses, those standing are all wai'ing, and those sitting either giving a wai or prostrating themselves...

Different story for formal audiences, though. Like George said.

I haven't seen them around Mai Sai lately, but sometimes you'll find these absolutely delicious oranges around the markets... They are quite big, with an extra thick skin that is super easy to peel. Quite orange, no green. They say they're from Burma, and they ask 20 baht per kilo. Even when I've seen them around, they still seem a rare find...

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Are those the chinese oranges reported in the press recently,

with the chemicals to make them really orange................

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I don't think so, because I've only seen them being sold in small quanities in Mae Sai, and I've never seen these in Chiang Saen, where all the Chinese stuff is off-loaded and some sold along the docks...

Is the coloring dangerous? I haven't heard anything lately, but I think this coloring has also been done in the States... ?

Thanks for the head's up Astral. I will enquire further on the origin when I run across them again. I'm heading up to Mae Sai/Chiang Saen next week for NY gift fruit shopping, so I'll report back if I've gained any ground on my current clueless state...