JCauto

This doesn't make sense - it's 500 Ha of scrubland for Gawd's sake. How much effort would that take for setup and administration?

Fact is, this is an internal Thai dispute more than an international dispute.

Probably JCauto less effort than its already taken to dispute it.

And if you mean by an "internal Thai dispute" that it was reignited when Thaksin arranged with his buddy Hun sen to attack Thailand after his reds had been cleared out of BKK then I would have to agree with you but only up to a point as Cambodia was and still is involved.

The first part is debatable.

Your second contention is just bizarre. It doesn't mesh with any reality that I'm aware of. Thanks to FarangTalk for pointing out the obvious.

^{Nope it isn't international law that's needed its international co-operation and common sense.}

^{The temple and adjoining disputed land should be made into a joint owned and administered tourist area.}

^{It should be replanted (once the land mines are cleared) and the local people who have lived in the area should be given duel citizenship and employed to work in the area.}

^{Access and promotion could be from both sides and initial costs and eventual revenue shared.}

^{A considerable boost to people on both sides of the border and no loss of face to either side.}

^{Only a show of co-operation and friendship.}

^{However as long as Hun sen has advise from the present source no way it could happen.}

This doesn't make sense - it's 500 Ha of scrubland for Gawd's sake. How much effort would that take for setup and administration?

Fact is, this is an internal Thai dispute more than an international dispute.

A sensible article, however I wonder why they used square meters? It's something to inflame rather than inform.

When does one use square meters as a unit of measurement except in highly built up areas like Bangkok? And even there, it's Wah that's used. For the rural scrubland out there, the proper unit would be Rai. And, FYI, we're talking about 156 Rai. That alone illustrates how ridiculous this whole saga is. If it were for sale and not on the border and therefore a wedge issue for the most radical Yellow Shirts, it would cost about $5,000.

Having been an expat in Cambodia, Laos, and now, Thailand (for the second time), I'd say that I'd challenge the basic premise. I haven't ever seen or participated in sneering at, looking down on or otherwise ignoring Thai visa runners. Probably the main reason is that I simply seldom encounter them. I know that where I drink there really aren't very many tourists who show up, it's almost entirely an expatriate crowd of people who live and work in Laos. The places in the centre of town I suppose have a much much higher proportion of tourists to expat residents. Are you sure it wasn't the better heeled visa runners looking down on the poorer ones? Or were you in a predominately French bar?

I think the one instance where I would agree with the premise is when you get the classic Pattaya prowler in full flower turning up in places like Phnom Penh and Vientiane, often with a skanky ho on their arm. No, I don't go out of my way to socialize with the wifebeater/tattoo/skank brigade. Is that being snobbish?

What a load of BS! According to Yamaha a new jet ski is between $9k to $16K USD. http://www.yamahawaverunners.com

The owner of the jet ski that was wrecked in the accident with the yacht asked initially for ฿300,000 and settled for ฿100,000, which is almost $30,000 USD. Still a scam and always a scam, now justified by the head of the tourist police. Just as the over the top taxi and tuk tuk fares have been legitimized by the local government. But I also read that Bangkok is sending a team to take a look at all coastal property titles here. Hopefully some big heads will roll, but somehow I doubt it if the past is any indication of the future greed and corruption.

I believe you've added a zero...it's closer to $3,000. But a ripoff no doubt.

While I have no doubt there are problems, I think perhaps there is not enough nuance in the understanding of this situation. Having once upon a time been a cabbie in the West, allow me to raise two issues.

1. The biggest problem of scammers, to me, are the guys who park on the sois and simply won't use the meter but instead focus on hassling passers-by into their cars, at which point even if they said they would use the meter, they won't, or will continuously whine about the cost of gas and why you should give them 100 baht more. The guys who are on the road being flagged or who are at the taxi rank at the airport always use the meter in my experience. (Caveat - I speak reasonable Thai so am less likely to be the target of a savvy scammer).

2. Taxi drivers most often refuse to give rides during shift change. Unfortunately, this often occurs during rush hours around 5 PM, when more people are trying to get cabs. The reason you're being refused is that the cabbie needs to get to his dropoff point so the next driver can start his shift. If you take him away from there, he's going to be late and get docked a fine by the cab owner, or have to compensate the next guy who is renting his cab if he's the owner.

So these points need to be kept in mind, to my mind. If you don't mind.

Might want to check about how healthy soy is, side-effects accumulating. Just speaking frfom family experience and health food news,

Yeah, unfortunately my mother is also allergic to soy. Hence the need for the lactose-free. Always wondered why it wasn't more widely available here given the supposed intolerance of many Asians to lactose.

Somewhat related question...anyone know where you can get lactose-free milk in Chiang Mai? Me old Mum came out for a surprise visit, and she needs it.

Thanks for the very useful responses. Will keep this in the back pocket for another day, think we're going to go the 1,900 baht visa extension for 7 days route this time.

GPS works the same everywhere, just depends on whether you have good signal. If you're in a deep valley with lots of forest, signal will be less clear but with a newer model Garmin GPS you'll still have good position. The important thing is whether the GPS has a good and up-to-date map in it to refer to. The Garmin dealer for Thailand sells one, but you'd have to find out whether it's already in the GPS the rental company provides. I understand it's available from EagleGPS in Panthip Plaza downtown for around 2,000 baht according to GT-Rider.

So how did that work out? I'm in the same situation, would like to extend some Cambodian visas for my wife's family and don't want to make a run for the border. Would much appreciate knowing how that worked out and where and what you did.

Sorry I can't help.

Having run it close to the 14 days we agreed that that was long enough and she went home on time.

I had checked at Jomtien and it was as said, another 7 days for 1900 Baht.

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Thanks. I think I'm going to take the 1,900 baht option, it's cheaper in terms of time and cost than going through the hassle as the girls wouldn't be able to do it on their own.

Yes , Cambodians with passport can get 7 day extension and pay thb1900.-.

Overstay is thb500.-/day.

They can do a regular visa run, every 14days, but , as they no need Cambodia visa, pay only transport n service fee. Should be around thb700.- if go with a company.

Thanks for that.

I did think about taking her to the border myself (not minibus) to get 14 days, but the fuel and time/stress of the trip etc make 1900 Baht a more attractive option.

I only need another 7 days, so taking one out to get it doesn't make much sense to me.

7 x 500 Baht overstay would still be a better option than taking a day out, but I don't want to risk causing her any problems and 1900 Baht is the better option on that score too.

Now to find out if you're right.

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So how did that work out? I'm in the same situation, would like to extend some Cambodian visas for my wife's family and don't want to make a run for the border. Would much appreciate knowing how that worked out and where and what you did.

Hi All - new to the forum, and to Chiang Mai although I've been in the region for 23 years and in Thailand for 3 and a half of those way back when. I'm trying to sort a tricky visa situation with some Cambodian relatives so Laos is the only option. Was hoping there might be a place I could drive to, get over and back and return to Chiang Mai in a day (may be wishful thinking but...). Appreciate any ideas, advice or experience. Cheers.