tamesisfwp

AIDS wipes out your immune system so the body is wide open to all infections including the common cold, influenza and Tuberculosis. Add to this the squalid living quarters and bad diet of most illegal immigrants and you have the perfect formula for a fast spreading disease to take hold. Only an aggressive inoculation programme can reverse the infection pattern which is most unlikely given the illegal status of the sufferer or exposed.

This is a real tragedy which needs a big hearted approach from the host nation to cure. Is this likely in Thailand?

I have now made a few transactions but three to Thailand and one out of.

In February 2012 I asked my UK bank to send 2k gbp to my gf's account at BKK Bank. It took several days and I was charged 25gbp by my uk bank and then weeks later stung with correspondent bank charges of another 43gbp. Ouch.

Then, in anticipation of coming there and staying for a long time, I used BKK bank London facility to transfer overnight to the gf's bank. It took 4 days and althought the bank charge was as stated (15gbp) the rate transacted was usurous. MY capital sum was seriously dented.

On arriving in BKK early in October I raced to BKK bank Sukhumvit to open my own account with atm card and then went online to my uk bank to transfer money to my shiny new account. Fortunately I had the foresight to bring some cash with me as again it took days and days to arrive. Again the forex rate was awful despite having instructed to change it in BKK and not London. Iwas certainly outside the range for the day published by BKK bank. Have you ever tried getting an explanation out of a BKk Bank clerk? I decided smashing my head against a wall was more life enhancing. I have never seem a transaction slip despite asking on endless occasions.

Because my courting trip was not very successful I kept my options open by transferring back to the UK my surplus cash of about 2k gbp, leaving a notional amount above the minimum to keep the account open. The procedure was straight forward, no questions asked and the fees explained to me. On arriving home i checked and found yet another large hole in my funds transferred. Again I should have found the wall.

BTW I patched up the misunderstanding with the gf - basically she wanted to spend all my money on fripperies and I wanted to do useful things with it - and have since sent school fees by transfer and got ripped off again.

In early March I intend going back with a one year multiple entry visa and staying as long as I want. I propose to relocate 3 to 5k gbp to my BKK bank account but am happy to do a back to back to see if i can save on near 10% disappearing each time. Anyone up for a back to back? The timing can be flexible from now and can be done in slices if anyone wants. Of course implicit trust must be mutually assured.

Best wishes all

Stephen

I stayed in Nakhon Phanom for near two months with days in BKK at either end for some acclimatization and shopping during August and September 2012. I took a visa run to Thaekhek over the Friendship Bridge in a Lao bus laden beyond the gills with branded juices in boxes and on re-entry late afternoon was granted my extension but was dated as from the day and thereby miscounted my days.

When I asked the Immigration offfice in NP for an extension the officer kindly told me to declare my overstay of 3 days at the airport on departure. She told me the fine would be 500 Baht a day and was easier than paying 1900 Baht for 7 days there or going back over the bridge with all the associated Lao entry costs of gbp25/usd35.

On presentation at the airport I offered my passport and 1500 Baht to the officer in the box and he took me to an alcove where a desk was set up to process my fine. They printed out lots of forms all of which I had to sign (I read them first) and then took my money. My passport has been stamped and the 3 days overstay noted and the fine paid. All done with a smile and a chat about favourite football teams (bloody wrong shaped ball but it kept everyone onside) before being released to enjoy my flight home.

Clearly yet another Farang tax.

Best wishes all

Airline: Jet Airways

Ticket Price:gbp575 return

How Purchased: Bucket Shop and e-ticket emailed

Dates:8 Aug and return 4 Oct

Class of Service: Economy

Route: LHW – BKK & Return

Aircraft Type:777 and 737-800

Seat Configuration: 3/4/3 and 3/3

Stopover City (If any):Mumbai

Check-in Location (good or bad?): LHW excellent BKK excellent

Immigration (good or bad?): BKK nightmare 0ver 1 hour wait

Excess Bag Fees (if any):generous allowance so none

Lounges Used: None

Limo Service Provided: None

In-flight Entertainment: Back of seat TV with extensive & up to date films

In-flight Cabin Service : excellent – reminded of Panam Clipper Club

Seat Comfort: comfortable and generous legroom

Food Quality: extensive selection and scrummy

On Time Performance: on time on all legs

Comments: This was a surprisingly classy airline with spot on service. My semi-invalid status was spotted at LHW and I was put through the express lane. On board seated as requested and dietary need very well served on all legs. Mumbai continues to be a complete mess and the security (lack of) beyond a joke. Would be my preferred airline but for the Mumbai factor.