silver sea

So with this METV once you have it!

You can stay for 6 months, enter and re enter as often as you like but must leave every 60 days?

Do we know if the 60 days can be extended by 30 days like old TV? Thus would make it similar to old multi 60 day TV albeit can only be obtained in home country.

Cheers

Who says you can stay only for 6 months? The visa is valid for 6 months so if you enter the 3rd time before the expiry & extend for 30 days at Chaeng Wattana after those 2 months are expiring, you will get about 9 months before needing to get a new visa. In essence it would be similar to the old 3 entry tourist visa which you could get hardly anywhere except a few lucky cities around the world.

What does ubonjoe think of bb1's point please? Could you effectively stay 9 months like the old triple entry visa?

I have been coming to Thailand since January 2012. So far, I have been given a one 30 day visa exempt stamp; 1 single entry visa (stayed 3 months) and 3 triple entry visas (stayed a total of 9 months each time).

I obtained the 4 visas listed above from the Royal Thai Embassy (RTE) in London. I have never had a problem with Immigration in activating my first entry, on arrival at Bangkok airport; or in obtaining extensions from my local immigration office (Koh Samui); or in activating my second and third entries at Khuan Don on the Malaysian border.

I returned to the UK in mid June, this year, to enjoy the summer there for three months. In mid September, I applied in person at the RTE in London for another triple entry visa (my 4th). The Thai lady at the counter, who received and accepted my completed application form, started talking to me in broken English. She seemed to be saying that Immigration in Thailand would only allow me to stay 6 months; that I could extend the first entry of 60 days by a further 30 days as usual; and I could activate the second entry and extend it by another 30 days. However, Immigration would not allow me to activate the third entry on my visa; 6 months would be all I would be allowed. She made no mention of the METV.

I did not argue the point with her, as I was having trouble understanding what she was saying. I smiled and nodded, handed over the application form, the photos and cash of £75 for a triple entry (£25 per entry)

I returned the next morning. I was half expecting them, on the basis of what she had told me, to be granted only a double entry visa, and that they would hand back the £25 for the third entry which they had not granted. But no, there it was in my passport, a brand new sticker for a triple entry visa.

Nothing was said to me when I arrived at Bangkok airport. The officials were scrutinising the passports very closely, and asking questions and if they were not satisfied, calling over a supervisor. Two or three Farangs were taken to one side for further questioning. When I handed over my passport, there were no problems at all, and I got it back more or less straight away. I wasn't even asked how long I was intending to stay in the Kingdom.

I shall shortly be applying for my 30 day extension on my first entry at my local immigration office. My "border bounce" to activate the second entry will be in mid December.

According to the visa sticker in my passport I have to activate the third entry no later than 13th March 2016, which is the usual 6 month cut off point. By then, of course, the rules will be clearer about whether the METV replaces double and triple entries, or whether it will run along side the old system, as an alternative. The RTE London website has not yet been updated to give any information about METVs; it is still giving the fees for single, double and triple entries.

As we all know, the Embassies and Consulates are part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whilst permission to enter, 30 day extensions and activation of the second and third entries are decisions, which continue to be made by a separate government department, Immigration. Just like in the UK, the phrase, "joined up government" is no more than a sound bite, and has no basis in reality.

I suspect that no firm decision has yet been made, and that, at least for the time being, the two systems will operate side by side. It may be, as others on ThaiVisa have pointed out, that those government officials who want the METV to replace double and triple entries have not yet taken into account the financial implications that such a decision may have for Embassies and Consulates, which rely on the visa fees to supplement their running costs.

Two of my friends are planning to build a riverside development of two house of seven bedrooms.

They are looking for an architect/project manager based in the City of Surat Thani. Is there a database or website, which they can consult to obtain quotes please?

Also, if anyone can recommend, from personal experience, a firm to contact, then that would be helpful too.

Thank you for your help.

I rented a bike from a lady owner oncethe exhaust pipe crackedi suspected she knew this but can't prove a damn thing so i sucked it up.i was shitting myself at the repair shop but the guy welded it together really well and charged me a 100B. This thai guy was called Johnhis garage is on lamai ring road.between the petrol station at the Lamai night market and the wat at the turning.

Yes I have used that garage too, and would be happy to use them again. It was too far away to reach with my flat tyre though.

I would be more than happy to pay 200 baht anywhere in the Kingdom.

It's a supply and demand thing,as you say your not going to trudge 3 kms to the next shop for the sake of 50 baht are you.

I can only imagine how deflated your friend may of felt due to the inflated price.

Yes that is my feeling too. The next garage may quote a higher price.

Chaweng seems to be more expensive generally than Lamai, which is why I am interested to know what other people pay, and where, on the island.

Did that include the cost of the tube?

My Farang landlord, who speaks fluent Thai and has a Thai wife, seemed to think that he would have paid 80-100 THB.

Out of interest, how much do you guys pay a repair shop to replace the inner tube when you get a flat tyre on an automatic scooter/motorbike?

I assume that, as usual, there is the Farang price and the correct price and that Chaweng is more expensive than Llama ... or may be not.

To start the ball rolling, I got charged 150 THB in Lamai. It was by the garage that is in the street that runs from the One Way Pub on the Ring Road down to the Beach Road, where the Outback Bar is.

I know of someone who was charged 200 THB in Chaweng.

As I see it, they've got you by the 'short and curlies' if you have a flat tyre, and so there is no room for negotiation; you can't take your custom elsewhere if you think their price is too high.

Who thinks up all those stupid headlines?

Quippy headlines are a very old journalistic tradition, don't you know?

Great tradition back in the UK. Two examples from the Sun newspaper.

(for those unfamiliar with British slang: nob (nobby) = c*ck; Bobby. = cop; PC = police constable; WPC = female version). In the second example, "Caley" is the nickname the Sun used for the winning team, Inverness Caledonian Thistle

With reference to my post above, I should have added that the shop is owned by farang. Although they are not English speakers, they look in their 60s and were probably rockers in their youth so they should of course know all about the Rolling Stones and "Sethis Fection"

"http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2012/nov/05/rolling-stones-perform-satisfaction-video"

The photo below was taken last May, shortly after it had opened. The massage shop is in Lamai. It is halfway down the road, which has the One Way Pub at the top end, on the Ring Road, and the Outback Bar, on the Beach Road, at the bottom end.

It offers "Sethis Fection", but, sadly, this does not appear to be 'guaranteed'. However, as the sign says, this is a "Classic".

I buy organic virgin coconut oil from the Sunday market in Lamai. I pay 600 THB for a litre, although it comes in a plastic, rather than a glass, container.

A number of stalls sell coconut oil. Another brand is 650 THB a litre.

If you want to have a look, then next Sunday enter the Beach Road by the McDonald's sign. Walk down the left hand side of the stalls. About half way down, before you reach the crossroads (or intersection) with Walking Street, on your right, you'll see the stall.

Below is a photograph of the litre bottle to help you find the correct stall.

I think that the quality is good, but just buy a small quantity to check for yourself. Alternatively, have a look at the other stalls offering coconut oil and maybe buy from them instead. Up to you.

I take a spoonful of coconut oil as soon as I wake up in the morning, so that it is on an empty stomach and is at least one hour before I eat.

I also use it each morning to clean the toxins from my mouth. This is called "oil pulling" i.e. you're 'pulling' the toxins from your teeth, gums and tongue. If you want to try this, then before you start the first time, look at the colour of your tongue, and notice the difference a week later. Your tongue will be a much more healthy pink colour and your teeth will be whiter. Of course, progress depends on your gradually adopting a more healthy lifestyle!?

For a good article about oil pulling, click HERE.

For a good article about the health benefits of coconut oil generally, click HERE

Is oil pulling really just an urban myth? So that you can make an informed decision, this is what snipes.com says, click HERE

Thank you meatboy for the extra information. Very helpful. I know plenty of long term expats where I live who know where to buy things at the cheapest prices.

Hello meatboy

Thank you for the advice. This is useful and important information for anyone in the future, who may be researching this question through the Thaivisa search engine.

You are right, we must be honest. I have no wish to get into trouble with the. DWP or to be prosecuted for fraud.

I can apply for a new exemption certificate on my return to the UK next June. If they refuse to give me one, because of my long absences from the UK, then I can buy the Levothyroxine in Thailand. I understand from earlier comments that I would not need a prescription and the tablets are inexpensive.

I am lucky to be in good general health and so have only ever used the exemption certificate in relation to the

Levothyroxine. I have much to be grateful for.

Thank you for taking the trouble to post.

Thank you Sheryl and meatboy for your comments.

I have now been able to track down the answer. I am posting it here for completeness and for future reference to help anyone who may, at a later date, do a search of past ThaiVisa posts on the same point.

Apparently, the NHS writes to you a month before the expiry of the 5 year period. They ask you to complete and sign another FP92A and to ask your GP to countersign it and then to post it back to the NHS.

In my case, the 5 year period expires in January 2016, and so the NHHS will write to me next December. I fly to Thhailand next Tuesday, and will not be returning to the UK until next June. Yesterday, therefore, I completed and signed a fresh FP92A, and have left the undated form at my doctor's surgery. They have kindly agreed to hold onto the form until next December/January and will then arrange for my doctor to sign and date both the. Form and my signature. My new exemption certificate/card should, therefore, be waiting for me on my return to the UK.

Levothyroxine is extremely inexpensive in Thailand, would cost you next to nothing here and requires no prescription.

Can't advise re the forms for the NHS.

Thank you Sheryl for your advice.

The exemption certificate covers not only my hypothyroidism, but any other medical conditions or ailments that I may develop in the future, even if it's only a one-off prescription for antibiotics. It's a very generous scheme. At present, I am very healthy, but I am keen to keep the exemtion certificate if I can.

I am aware that I can buy Levothyroxine in Thailand, but I would prefer to keep to one brand, rather than using one brand in Thailand, and another in the UK.

i had one but when i left the uk.i had to return it,the form part 2 what address do you put? and who's.is uit.

Hello meatboy,

Thank you for your comment.

I still own a small flat in the UK. I do not rent it out while I am away, so post, including any that might come from the NHS, will accumulate on the carpet under the letterbox until my return next June. I am not registered as domiciled abroad, so each month I continue to pay council tax on my flat and also income tax. I am happy to continue paying into the system even though I am not there for most of the year.

Out of interest, how long did you have the exemption certificate for? If it was for more than 5 years, how did you go about renewing it please?

About 4.5 years ago, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). I have to take Levothyroxine each day. As I shall need to do this for the rest of my life I am entitled to a medical exemption card/certificate, which means that I do not have to pay the UK NHS prescription charges.

The card is dated from 4th January 2011, and will expire on 3rd January 2016.

Next Tuesday, 15th September, I fly back to Thailand and will not return to the UK until June 2016. I have been living in Thailand for long periods for a number of years now. I do this with the full knowledge of my family doctor (GP). Each time I return to the UK, he checks the health of my prostate and thyroid with the usual blood tests.

When I saw him last week, I asked him about the renewal of my exemption certificate. He was not sure, but did say that, strictly speaking, I was not entitled to the exemption if I am out of the UK for long periods e.g. 9 months as in my case. He understands though that Thailand is good for my general health, and while I am away, I am not costing the NHS anything. He is always happy to give me a prescription to obtain 9 months supply of the Levothyroxine from my local chemist/ pharmacy.

When I originally applied for the exemption I completed form FP92A (see photo below). My GP suggested that I complete a fresh FP92A and to leave it with the Surgery staff. He would then sign it off and post it in say December this year.

I am happy to do this, but thought I would post a question on this Forum first:

Does anyone else have experience of renewing their exemtion card/certificate, please? Do you complete FP92A [see photo below], or do you have to wait until the NHS sends you a different numbered form?

Even though I can't really see the problem about my being away from the UK for long periods, I have no wish to alert the NHS to my absence unnecessarily.

Thank you for any advice that you can give.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota dentist whose killing of Cecil the lion sparked a global backlash emerged for an interview in which he disputed some accounts of the hunt, expressed agitation at the animosity directed at those close to him and said he would be back at work within days.

So he thinks that it's safe for him to return to work?! Hahaha

ah, yes. The romantic Yorkshireman - click HERE

These three ladies probably had Ryanair in mind when they sang this

Many years ago Thatcher worked out the way to win a UK election. She identified the area with the greatest population - London and the South East - and tailored her policies to benefit this region to the detriment of the rest of the country, which is still suffering to this day. It's therefore not surprising to see many people, particularly in the North, thinking that they have more in common with Edinburgh than London.

Interestingly enough, Thaksin - not a great thinker himself, but very adept at adapting others' ideas for his own benefit - has in the past used the same tactic to ensure election in Thailand, by targeting the North and North East in the same way. Now if Isaan would only secede from Thailand and join their natural comrades in Laos, many of this country's problems would be solved.

But Thatcher was over 30 years ago! Times change. Click HERE

I am posting this comment from Koh Samui, and this particular link has not been blocked.

I appreciate that I am not answering your very specific question. However, long term, my comment below may be of interest.

I use this method for keeping my teeth and tongue healthy: click HERE.

I am sure that Everton, Liverpool, Man U and Man City will be only too happy to play in the Scottish Premier League.

You can go on day 2.

The form is TM8 and can be downloaded here: http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/tm8.doc But you can simply ask for it at immigration.

You will need copy of your passport and pass photo.

Thank you for your quick reply! While you were posting, I was editing my OP, as further questions were coming to mind.

Your thoughts on those questions too will be appreciated.

Thank you.

How far ahead can you get the re-entry permit please?

Using a hypothetical example:

Day 1: enter Thailand on a 60 day visa

Day 2: decide to go to Laos on Day 45 of my visa for 5 days.

Can I go to my local immigration office (Koh Samui) on Day 2 to get the permit, or do I have to wait until nearer the time e.g. Day 40?

Or does each local immigration have its own rules about when you can apply?

Does the application form have an official name/number or do I simply ask for a re-entry permit form?

Does the permit, once granted, specify the amount of time I can be out of the country e.g. leaving on Day 45 and coming back Day 50? Supposing my plans change, and I want to come back on Day 52, or Day 48, instead?

How much does it cost? 1900 THB?

Is the permit a stamp in my passport, or is it like the Departure card, something separate, which has been stapled on to one of the pages in my passport?

I have no immediate plans to do this but I am intending to bookmark this thread for future reference.

Thank you for your help.

[sNIPPED]

The article has not been blocked. It's worth reading and it's a great tribute to a fine man, by someone who knows him well.

Get well soon, Greavsie.