Archie Pelago

Interesting thread.

I have had a couple of experiences with the police in Phuket - including getting a fine for not wearing a helmet on one of my first trips here which was quite justified (no, not a bribe, went to the station and paid a fine)

Have always worn a helmet since (as I should), and although I have been pulled over - I have not been asked for any bribes or encountered any problems.

Perspective is a wonderful thing. I got back from several weeks in Bali for a work trip.

On one day, my colleague and I were pulled over 3 times at different locations in the space of 45 minutes.

Had to pay a bribe at the first stop. At the second, I managed to escape while my colleague again had to pay a bribe - and at the third stop we'd had quite enough of the corruption and made our feelings known to the constabulary. On this last stop, he listened to our story of being pulled over and fleeced twice already, and allowed us to go.

Compared to the systemic and blatant corruption in Bali, I would take Phuket traffic police any day...

Hullo Tapster

Not the Central Festival Branch.

It was the Tilok Centre branch - one street North of Robinsons on Chanacharoen Road, right in Phuket Town.

Link for map here: http://kmap.kasikornbank.com/emap2/?hl=en&img=kb&mapid=bnk399

If you use the Services link on Kasikorn's website - http://www.kasikornbank.com/EN/ServicesChannel/SearchServiceChannel/Pages/ServiceChannelsSearch.aspx

Check "Branches" and then select Phuket for the province and Mueang Phuket for the district.

Hope this helps, again no guarantees but its worth shopping around. Have a good story about why you need one on a tourist visa in case they query it. And probably best not to walk in in thongs/flipflops and singlet, they do react better when you're reasonably dressed from what I have seen

Finally - try and get the plain Kasikorn ATM card. They seem to have run out both times I opened accounts. I am now the proud owner of both Hello Kitty and Doraemon debit cards...!

Very much a hit and miss affair, but it can be done.

I opened a bank account with Kasikorn in Phuket several months ago with a tourist visa. Was knocked back by the branch inside the main Tesco Lotus centre on the bypass road.

Went into Phuket Town instead to the branch near Robinsons and they opened an account for me.

I also have another Kasikorn account opened in Bangkok last year (Sukhumvit Soi 6 sub-branch) with a tourist visa - a friend came with me as a referral.

In both cases I asked for a senior staff member (and ended up talking to the branch manager in Bangkok). I explained that I actually work in a neighbouring country to Thailand but spend most of the time away from work in Bangkok and Phuket.

Kasikorn has turned out to be an excellent choice - their product is good, and I can use the debit card in EFTPOS machines throughout Thailand and overseas for visa POS transactions.

For online credit card needs (such as booking hotels and airline tickets) - I use the K-web Shopping card which is a virtual visa card.

This has raised a question - has anyone here had experience in applying for a second (concurrent) British passport from Phuket?

Can the local honorary consul assist with this in Phuket?

Any advice appreciated - might as well follow this up before they reduce services on 1st November.

This was the easiest visa process iv ever been through, turn up with my passport no waiting , passport picture, photocopy of passport, and outward bound flight booking ( which can be cancled) and the visa fee of 120usd.

No questions asked, picked up 2 days later. no wait

Will be visiting this consulate again in 6 months for my next visa

"outward bound flight booking ( which can be cancled)"

Always a great idea to post ways to circumvent the visa or Immigrations requirements (and then act amazed when the loopholes are suddenly closed ... while complaining about the rules always being changed)

Actually this was good advice. What about those of us who plan to exit via a land border crossing (or in my case over the Ranong border by boat to Kawthoung in Myanmar) when we leave Thailand?

We still have to show a ticket when applying for the visa, and this post reminded me to do that.

I have no intention to overstay in Thailand, but unfortunately the only way is to get an onward air ticket and cancel it later.

No worries Ping. Appreciate the reply.

I got a passport renewal about a month ago - had to go to the embassy in BKK (you have to go personally for the interview). Took the application form that I'd done through the DFAT website and was in and out in 15 minutes. Passport posted to me and already in my hands. Bottom line, I don't think LC can help you with this. Read the DFAT (Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade) website for detailed information on the process.

Not sure if you clicked on the link I provided in the OP - it is the instructions on how to apply for a passport in Phuket.

I have also received an email from the embassy consular section in Bangkok in the past 2 weeks confirming that I can indeed apply for my renewal in Phuket; in fact they advised me to do it in Phuket instead of going up to Bangkok.

Adult applicants seeking to renew a valid, undamaged Australian passport may apply in person at the office of the Honorary Consul Phuket.

from http://www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/Consular_P2_2.html

OP: Why not call consular services at the Embassy on 02 344 6300 & ask them to put you through

Already did. They referred me back to the numbers on the link I posted above for his office at Chava.

That's why I posted here, to see if someone could offer first hand advice.

I've found the telephone numbers for Larry Cunningham, but haven't been able to get through. Keep getting disconnected through the automated switchboard.

Has anyone got a confirmed email address they can PM me please?

I need to make an urgent appointment to see him while I am in Phuket.

Also has anyone done an application for renewal in Phuket recently?

I read on the consular page that a deposit needs to be made to the Embassy Standard Chartered account in Sathorn - is there a Standard Chartered branch anywhere in Phuket?

I understand the procedure from the website (before anyone tells me to read the instructions) - the reason I wish to clarify is that I am in an unusual situation of having an additional concurrent passport which was issued under the old system - and the online automated form process will not accept my renewal.

Would appreciate any feedback from recent applicants here on the island, and any useful info about getting to Chava etc.

Cheers

Archie

Good info, thanks.

Can you tell us whether you already had any previous tourist visa entries in your passport, and what nationality you are?

Are the applications forms available for download?

And can you confirm the new address/location of the embassy?

Cheers

In jet operation I think the tower would be responsible for ensuring no animals. In Australia you often get animals like kangaroos on small country runways but these carry small aircraft and the roos usually move if they are buzzed.

The kangaroos carry small aircraft?

Some are pretty big and they are strong.

Great comeback Harrry. Touche.

In jet operation I think the tower would be responsible for ensuring no animals. In Australia you often get animals like kangaroos on small country runways but these carry small aircraft and the roos usually move if they are buzzed.

The kangaroos carry small aircraft?

Why does saying Thai Chinese sound racist? It's just like saying Italian American or Asian American

Sent from my HTC HD2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Why do you feel the need to bring race into it in the first place?

Why not just say there was some guy that got angry at you for trying to push on to the train?

OP, next time try removing the following words from your topic title:

"Thai" + "Chinese"

This will achieve 3 things:

1. Topic Title still makes perfect sense

2. Topic still remains pointless

and (bonus for you)

3. You will come off looking like less of a narrow minded racist

Have used KBV visa run several times. Really depends on the driver on the day.

As others mentioned above - you can have the safest driver in the world, but some other idiot will come around a blind corner the other way on the wrong side of the road.

So KBV visa run if you need to do it.

Also at this time of year do the Andaman Club run rather than Kawthoung. If the weather is rough, the Andaman Club ferries are a better bet than the wooden boat from Saphan Pla over to the Kawthoung jetty and back. Plus you get to skip the amazing aromas of Saphan Pla

Personally, as you state it, I think it is not a good thing.

I will be landing at Swampy around 07am and the next flight out to Udon Thani goes at 13.00 (Thai smile, ex-Thai)

Next Nok Air out of DM goes around 10.00 and Air Asia aroud 11.00. Switching airports with two bags 20kgs+ is no feast, requires a taxi at cost of 500B with all the hassle.

If ALL flights would leave from Swampy all would be fine, but they aren't.

And Swampy is NOT overloaded, that is just an AOT plot to enable running two airports (more monye coming in) and avoiding the cost for expansion at Swampy.

I did book a promotion ticket on Thai-Smile at a cost of 950B return but will not use the return and save the 500B taxi transfer and hassle. Simply get my luggage, walk upstairs two floors and check in a Thai. Since I have 6 hours to loose because of these idiots who reopened DM I might get in town with the rail link. But I am NOT pleased.

Wow, that is quite rant.

Anything to support the statement about Swampy not being overloaded, and it just being an AOT plot? Would be interested to read something like that.

Interesting thread.

So, as an update, what's the best box wine available in Thailand ?

Mar Y Sol....For me, this beats all others in taste and price for the Sauvignon Blanc. Red is good too.

10 baht

Check this out............

That looks like he is in Freemantle WA?

Fremantle (one 'e') - yes it is.

That is just between Jus Burgers and the Sail and Anchor pub, in the alley where the Freo Markets are..

Seen that guy often.

Never seen him in Thailand though.

I found out he comes from Fremantle i have had many a redback in the Sail and Anchor but last time i was there i was disappointed to discover they dont sell it anymore .

Redback - that was an awesome beer (wheat beer from memory). Was a huge fan of it when I was younger. Also Dogbolter.

Had many good nights in the Sail and Anchor while living in Freo. Staggering distance to get home too which was a plus.

Entirely possible we enjoyed a drink together Jocko in the Sail and Anchor some time in the past (although we didn't know it at the time!)

10 baht

Check this out............

That looks like he is in Freemantle WA?

Fremantle (one 'e') - yes it is.

That is just between Jus Burgers and the Sail and Anchor pub, in the alley where the Freo Markets are..

Seen that guy often.

Never seen him in Thailand though.

Thanks for the replies - still no luck.

If anyone spots them in a night market or street corner - please let me know if you don't mind the trouble!

Cheers

Archie

Went online and got the Sampoerna Mild posted to me here..............arrived ok and nothing to pay this end!!

Can you please advise the company you ordered these from?

I'll see if they also supply Gudang Garams.

Can you remember how long it took to arrive?

Cheers

Hello all,

Looking to source a decent windscreen/windshield mount for an ipad mini to use on long car trip next month.

Based in Phuket but can order from Bangkok or have a friend buy from there and send down.

Any recommendations appreciated.

If anyone has experiences/advice on using an ipad mini for navigation/GPS would also love to hear from you.

Cheers

Espinete. If you web checkin you don't have to q.

Not true. I always use the web check in service, but there are still times I have had to queue up (for a long time) along with everyone else who used web check in - in order to check baggage.

Yes, it's at The Stoned Crab Pub and the art tends to flow from a tap.

Sorry have no idea what The Stoned Crab pub is.

Can you elaborate more please?