BKKGuitar

While reluctant to post, I have had no luck searching the forums. I am looking for a gym in Pattaya, preferably one with a pool and a squash court, but willing to compromise. Any recommendations/evaluations appreciated.

TMS

Saw what looked like a good one while crossing from Big C over to Beach Road. I think it's on the first floor of the big hotel shaped like a boat... lots of machines, big, everything looked new from the outside..

Maybe I have missed something here. But how long is the minimun lenght of contract, and will there be a maximum?

Is there any noise in the flat?

Is the internet reliable?

Thank you.

My lease ends Feb. 16, 2007 so minimum length of contract would be a little less than 5 months. After Feb. 16 it converts to a month-by-month, so tenant could stay as long as (s)he wants.

No neighbor noise. Quiet building. A little street noise when the patio door is open.

Internet is reliable, i haven't had any problems, never been disconnected yet. It's an adsl modem with a True account.

Stopped in JTG just now. They report bus today went as planned, no problems, and that tomorrow and further buses going as planned. Say they're using the "big" border crossing Poi Pet, and that the "small" ones (Siam Reap and ?) are all closed.

Just phoned ThaiVisaRun company, their bus is going tomorrow, I guess JG will go as well.

whats the phone number of Jack golf? anyone?

02-251-1946, 09-665-7000

Cheers for the feedback. Just phoned Jack golf and they are still leaving as usual at 7.00. Did ask about the coup, but not sure if my question really registered. Think I will hold on till Friday.

Thanks again

Roger

We're in the same boat here: fiance's visa is up tomorrow. I'll wait for the smoke to clear today then call or stop by Jack's Golf in the afternoon, and post whatever i learn here.

Take over my lease (my lease ends Feb. 16, 2007). Saranjai Mansion, Sukhumwit Soi 6.

1-bedroom apartment, 7th floor, fully furnished, small patio, short walk to Nana BTS, has high-speed internet, cable TV, and direct phone line already set up. Pool, gym, shops, restaurant, parking.

B16,000/month, and Saranjai Mansion will want a two-month security deposit.

Move in anytime between now and October 16. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants a 1-BR in this area but doesn't want the normal 12-month contract!

Frank

06 140 2129

Apologies in advance for yet another thread on this subject!

Visa run stamp: April 17

(departed Thailand; out of country for less than 90 days)

Airport arrival stamp: August 10

Visa run stamp: September 8

Planned last visa run: October 7

Planning to leave Thailand end of October. Now I'm worrying that I might not get back into Thailand after the October 7 visa run. For me (and others, too, probably), it all depends on whether that airport arrival stamp counts. Has Sunbelt or anyone else seen anything on this? I saw something in a previous thread but can't find it now... Thanks!

Also: would it be a bad idea to head down to Immigration tomorrow to ask questions, seeing as how a LOT of other farangs might have the same idea? Has anyone been down there recently and were the crowds thick?

The average cheap backpacker who stays on here for a year spends more in a week than the average thai family makes in a month.

So how much you reckon an average backpacker spends in a year?

Maybe things have changed nowadays but when I was backpacking in the 70's I basically hit the road without money or credit card and lived on hand-outs, the odd job and food leftover in garbage cans. I was indeed a poverty packer

The typical backpacker is a rich kid, spending his/her parents' money--don't be fooled by the dreadlocks and tattoos, they have some serious financing. If you're not from a wealthy family, you *don't even think* of travelling the world. I think many of them are pretending to be like you were when you were travelling.

OK so there is just too much information to weed through here, can anyone tell me...

Do the new 'rules' start from October 1st onwards? In other words, I have been here for four months already and I am due to go to the border on Friday, so obviously I will be OK that time. When October comes around and I go again, will that count as stamp number 1 and I will have 90 days from that stamp, as long as I dont leave the country in that time.

OR would you suggest that I go to an embassy and get a multiple entry visa for longer this month?

Any help is appreciated!

As I understand it: yes, the clock begins Oct. 1. At least I hope so, since i'm in the same boat: already have a couple stamps in my passport.

And it won't be 90 days, it'll be sixty if you're already in Thailand on October 1, since you'll have 2 stamps already by the end of October. One way to add a little time to your stay in Thailand would be to do your visa run on Oct. 1 (instead of whenever it normally would have been in October), then you'll until the end of November to stay.

Either way, seems to me that all the visa runners will be out of Thailand by the end of November.

News from the new regulation:

This is coming from the Chief of Immigration.

1.Retirement Visa extension. If you have a foreign married spouse who is a dependent they will be able to get this dependent visa now. ( change of what has been happing the last couple weeks)

2.Retirement visa extension: If you have children under 20. They will no longer be able to get a dependent visa based on you having an extension of stay on retirement. They want these kids to get it based on education so they go to school.

3..Investment Visa extension: Will no longer be available after Oct 1st for new applicants on 3 million Baht.

4. Investment visa extension. For existing extension of stay holders of 3 million Baht, we are now being told this will now be grandfathered in and they will be able to get the extension forever as long as they renew. (Yes I know reversal from several hours ago but the government is aware that people bought condos before on this scheme and now will allow it.)

5.Now the news for frequent visitors: We have checked this upwards and backwards all day and it has been confirmed by a copy of the new regulation we have. If you have a visa on arrival more than three times in six months, you cannot come into Thailand without a visa from an Embassy/Consulate. When you enter Thailand, even if you are here just 1 hour, this counts as 30 days. If you come back 6 weeks later for 2 days, this again is 30 days. If you arrive a month later for 4 days, still counts as 30 days. When you leave, you cannot enter Thailand for 3.5 months without coming back with a visa. The reason is to force people who are supposed to have work permits to do so and pay tax.

Another example; you arrive for a week, this counts as 30 days, One month later 3 days and its 30 days, two months later and its for a two week period, still another 30 days. You can reenter Thailand in 6 weeks without having a visa.

6.On extension of stay based support of a Thai national (Marriage visa), before if you applied for this extension of stay, you would get a 30 day consideration stamp. Once you return in 30 days you would get the one year extension. Now it will be the same as an extension of stay based on business with the norm of three 30 day consideration stamps. Immigration will go out and check to see if it’s a real marriage or a sham before issuing the one year.

7.On an extension of stay based on being a Monk. No dependents will be allowed to get an extension of stay based on being a dependent.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Thanks much for this information! I'm wondering how this affects those of us (visa runners) who have signed apartment contracts. Will we be released from our contracts early & security deposits returned....?

Would appreciate your thoughts on this.

Immigration confirms the end of border runs from October 1, 2006

Thailand tightens visa rules for tourists to cut illegal workers

BANGKOK: -- Thailand will tighten entry regulations for tourists in a bid to crack down on illegal foreign workers, the Immigration Bureau said.... must leave the kingdom for at least 90 days[/b] before being permitted to re-enter Thailand, Suwat said.

--forbes.com 2006-09-10

Does anyone have info on whether this will affect persons who entered before October 1?

Anyone with experience on this? If I move out of my apartment one or two weeks before the end of my rental contract, can I expect to get my two months deposit back? My last month in the apartment will be fully paid for. I'm talking about the two months deposit I gave up when I first moved in the apartment. The apartment I rented last year refused to give my one month deposit back, citing my moving out a week before the contract ended.

I'm hearing that many places will keep the deposit, quoting some ridiculous rule/regulation that states they can't return the deposit. IF they do this, what kind of recourse do I have? I'm stressing over this. I would ask the office about this, but might not get an honest answer.

If Mods remove the name of the complex, please PM me if you've had experience with this! Thanks

Wondering if anyone has used this group to get some experience or to "test the waters" before committing to teaching ESL here in Thailand... They advertise regularly in a couple papers here in BKK. They say they're near the Ploenchit BTS station.

Dont like them, dont use them.

Simple solution, buy a car, public transport or walk.

Screaming out things wont change much apart from you having to watch your back even more

I don't like them, and I don't use them. But who is "screaming out things"?? Jesus, you guys... I (like most other posters) did not post to ask for advice on how to deal with these guys--i know what my options are. We post to share experiences and thoughts on life here. So lighten up, and try to see what the poster is saying. Bangkok is an intense place to live, and we have intense experiences here, good and bad. This forum is wonderful for sharing, and for venting, too. When you and the first two responders to my post take this holy, professorial tone you ruin the whole process!

I use tuk tuks almost daily to get from my condo to the BTS station, takes about 5 minutes in the tuk tuk. It's always 20 Baht flat rate, no questions asked and never any problems. And, if you have 2 or more people, cheaper than getting a motorcycle taxi at 10 Baht each, but you get the luxury of a proper seat and a roof over yiour head!

20 Baht???!! Where is that? On Sukhumwit they'll charge B100 or more just to go down the block, and if noone is stupid enough to pay, they'll sit there all day waiting for the one guy who will pay, instead of being busy and giving people a fair deal. And while they're sitting there they'll look for tourists to scam. That's why I hate them. If I came across ones like you described, i'd have a completely different view of them! The ones on Sukh are the scum of the earth: lying and cheating tourists all day and night... It's a mystery to me why they're allowed to operate.

hi lads,

spare me the ribbing and advice, i know, i know...!

but any reputable places to buy an engagement ring?

genuine diamond, quality etc.

not interested in the chinese gold shops (cheats!) and while tiffany's has the guarantee and trustworthyness they are way overpriced.

so any help appreciated...

thanks

We got a nice engagement ring last year, from Jubilee at Emporium Mall, actually. You would think Emporium would be over-priced, but it was good price and an interesting design. We also looked at jewelry stores in Central World Plaza and the hotel arcade adjoining Gaysorn, saw good ones with OK prices at both spots...

Hope that helps!

I hate those Thuk-Thuk drivers, I'm sorry. Instead of offering a reasonable fare and being busy providing a needed service, those a-holes sit and scam all day, waiting for the newcomer, the drunk, the neurologically-challenged... to make the big killing on one fare. I really don't get why they are allowed to continue operating. That goes as well for the "taxi" drivers who linger outside tourist points, for the foreigners who don't have the sense to go out on the sidewalk and get a meter taxi.

I've been experimenting with various one-liners, since i feel compelled to show them my feelings. Lately I've been saying "Yar go hok..." ("Don't lie.") in response to the usual ("20 baht one hour!") This seems to anger them. On Soi 11 recently, near Ambassador Hotel, i walked by the gang of taxi scuzzbags and responded "You not taxi driver." They shouted obscenities (including "You f#ck!") at me as i continued down the street. Is this good for tourism?

They are weeds in my garden. A pox on all Thuk-Thuk drivers and non-meter taxis!

Hi,

I'm in Sukhumvit 49. It's 3br apt with 2 bathrooms, 180sqm., Pool, quiet area, old apt. i'm sharing with my friend. Only 2 girls in apt, got 1 room free right now. We'd like to have someone for short term to share. It' 7300b + 3000b utility (approx). Maid comes 2 times a week and do only cleaning apt.

If you interested then pls contact me on [email protected]. Female only!

Put "Female Only" on the description line of your post, then you won't be wasting people's time reading your post. It'll just take you 10 seconds...

..... a way of selling fat, skin, gristle,emulsified bone,and offal.

You say that like it's a bad thing!

I get annoyed with two teacher's sites where a lot of the posters are 'teachers' cannot spell and use bad grammar. I am not perfect but I do expext fellow 'teachers' to have a better command of English than 7 year olds. If you teach a subject than you should have a good working knowledge of it.

maybe some of the errors you're describing are typos or just a lack of attention to detail when teachers want to get their voice heard in a discussion forum. Oh, look I didn't capitalise the 'm' in maybe at the start of this sentence.

Mr. Hippo.

You made a spelling error and a grammatical error in the above (by not putting a comma between the conditional and result clauses of your 'If' sentence). Nobody cares except you.

Take it easy and chill out buddy.

I'm agreeing here. I don't get all this sniping at people who aren't using *perfect* English (especially in informal forums like this one), when the average Thai student is struggling with the simplest of English useage...

Greetings,

Has anyone been to the Royal Thai Embassy in New York to apply for non-immigrant visa lately? Are they issuing multiple-entry, or only single entry? And can visa be obtained by mail, without going to the embassy?

Thanks peops!

Greetings,

If this applies to you and you had it to do over again, what would you have packed and brought to Thailand with you when you came for that teaching job (and with an eye to eventually giving private lessons)? For example, software, a special reference book, teaching journal, some kind of great teaching materials not available there, white shirts, small cassette player/recorder, a stick...

I've lived in BKK already, so I know most things are available for purchase there, but just in case...

Thanks much!

i'm interested in shipping some books in from amazon to my address in thailand.

ive looked on asia books,but they only have a small selection of the topic i'm interested in.

does anybody have any experience of shipping in books to thailand?

will i likely to be hit with customs duty on new books?

If you mean ordering books that you want, just order them through Kinokuniya. If u have that ISBN or whatever that is, just give it to them and they order it. Of course, whether they ever arrive or not is another story. I ordered three and none arrived...

In the example you gave it sounds almost certainly like a name.. คุณหญิง is a title, so it should be followed by a name.

Can you give some other examples of its use in the book?

I'm looking through the book, and it seems every instance of "ramphai" has "khun ying" before it, so i think you're right. i didn't know that "khun ying" is a title, i only knew that "ying" referred generally to "female", and that "khun" is polite preceeding particle...

now that i've looked up "khun ying" in my Becker dictionary, I see how it is used: "you, she, her, higher caste person, title placed before first name..."

Thanks a lot! It's wonderful to have this forum for support.