JAS21

63 baht to hand carry the item, stand in line and wait and return to the office is a small price to pay for the delivery service.

You seriously think think that the messenger 'post boy' only takes one letter at a time.

...BTW, what do you pay to get to Immigration? Not by taxi I hope. #62 bus is the cheapest I'd bet, depending on where you're coming from, and how far you have to go to get to a bus stop. Me, I'd have to drive about 60 km to get into the Sukumvit area where there's lots of free parking, then Skytrain to the Asoke Subway station, underground to Sathorn, walk in the weather what ever it may be up to the #62 bus stop.... Then I'd have to get back to my car and head home. Reckon the yellow tambien ban is cheaper.

I'd pay the baht 100.

Actually we parked in BNH as had an appointment there, then got a taxi to Immigration. Then had a meal in Baan Khanitha & Gallery which we walked to. I can recommend it, the food is good and its pleasent there. Then strolled back to BNH. Before anyone comments about the free parking, we had to go back to see someone else there.

Maybe do simular in a few weeks time, when you are retired you can do what you like. Clearly for most the 63Baht is good value and they are correct. This just pissed me off maybe it shouldn't have done, if she had said would you like to tip the messanger for posting then no problem but to demand a tip, to me is different. It might cost me many times more to collect the letter, but I don't care, we will do a bit of shopping and have a meal..give golf a miss for a day.

63 baht to hand carry the item, stand in line and wait and return to the office is a small price to pay for the delivery service.

Yes but if they post ten at a time..the order book looked pretty full to me. I paid the 100Baht last time I wanted a letter. Yes I know that my embassy charges about twenty five pounds for a simular letter. I don't have a problem tipping people and appreciate that the messanger probably only gets 250Baht a day wage. However 60+ baht for a few minutes work is in my view over the top. Looks like many have different views.

What was the result of the stress test, apart from almost killing you?

Inconclusive.

Speaking from experiance the only sure way is an angiogram, however I was at BNH yesterday and found out they have a CT Angiography machine. If I understand correctly if produces the same or better information. You go in a CT Scanner type machine for 30 minutes so they said. Might be worth getting opinion from someone else. Normal price 17500Baht

Thats trouble waiting to happen!!!!

Don't even think about doing it yourself........call the exterminater man

Yes they called him...many dead wasps all over the village roads..still some in the nest though..nest needs spraying again and again maybe

So I go to BK Immigration and whilst there go to Room 207 or about that number and supply necessary paperwork and complete the form for the Certification of Residence letter...this letter is free.

So I say can you post it to me please, expecting to be asked for the postage..she says only by EMS...her reason for not doing normal postage was..well I didn't understand it.. So I say ok then thats 37Baht...she says no 100 baht...I ask what happens to the other 63 baht...she says I give it to the helper for posting. Nice little earner for them...looking at the book they do quite as few each week... actually I was getting one 'just in case'. So I can pick it up in three weeks....anyone ever given them a stamped adddressed envelope and got the certificate back that way.

Below is a picture of a wasp nest on a friend of mines house. Think its wasps anyway, as they are mainly black with a bit of yellow.

They are now starting to get into the house..only one at present actually.

Anyone know who can get rid of these. The house is on the border of Bangkok and Nonthaburi.

Thanks

How do TV-Members cover their living-costs ?

Ah..see that I am in the most popular section of voting.

So Company pension...worked in the ESI all my life..well until 50 anyway

Rent out a couple of houses in the UK

Some money in off shore banks

Almost nil shares..cashed them in to help buy house over here three years ago

Looking forward to OAP

So was fortunate with financial planning. Most months am in credit.

Can't complain, looking forward to seeing my days out here.

Does anyone know if Magnesium Chloride is available in Thailand. My wife phoned a large pharmacy and they said that they had never heard of it

Thanks

For those of you who don't know the cheap August prices are still available for Sept at most of the courses. We have just played the Royal Hau Hin for 800Baht and Springfield for 999Baht...800 if you have a certain credit card. I think that springfield is the best course that we have played so far over here. My caddie at the Royal spoke really good english, infact she had been acaddie for twenty years and did know the greens well.

Have been told by my wife that next August we go and stay in the area for two weeks!!

I bought a new 2008 Honda Accord a few months ago and I'm having all sort of problems. I've taken the car into service several times, but they are not doing things right. Rattles are coming back, they forgot a few screws when re-mounting my armrest, I'm still waiting for someone to show me how to connect my iPod to the car - which was the killer feature when I bought this car. I could try another dealership and hope for better luck, but this isn't the first time that I'm having issues in Thailand.

The service industry is not on par with what I'm used to back in the west. Perhaps I should not expect the same level of service because this is Thailand after all, but I would like to hear some tips or suggestions to get the best of it.

Back in the west I would probably resort into asking for a manager or yelling a little. But I don't think this would work in Thailand. Often the managers don't have any incentives to do something about the situation.

What to do to get things done right? How to get them to care and help you out?

I've had the same problem with BMW, due to a spillage, of fish water, the front carpet had to come out. It was an insurance claim. Also some routine maintence required. Five times I went to the garage to see how things were progressing. One time they had cleaned the carpet and it was drying in the sun. I sniffed it and could still smell fish...my wife told the guy..he said..sorry mate I smoke so cant smell. Went to see my car..it was covered in bird mess. Opened the car and the fish smell was terrible. My wife transulated to the service manager my thoughts...He agreed to personally supervise the work and asked for another chance and for me not to write to the dealer principle.

When I went to pick the car up it still smelled, anyway we have got rid of the smell with buckets of vinegar left in the car overnight and then coffee to absorbe that smell. Even so I found that the service book had not been completed...brake fluid change. then I had to wait more than twenty minutes to pay for some other small item. I will never set foot in that garage again...fortunately they have three branches...a letter is on its way to the dealer principle. For interest dealership is Europa Cars (Thonburi) in Kwaeng Bangplat. the other brances are better but traffic is bad in that area.

They just don't care and thai owners seem to accept such bad service.

It maybe the merc dealer next time,

That's awful, whether accidental or not.

Could you have your maid help build some bridges between you and the workers ? (Their fault or not, this may be worthwhile.) Oh, but perhaps that's a stupid idea. I don't know.

I am so sorry about your dog and hope she will be well. Do let us know here.

Looking from the other side of the fence, I live on quite a nice housing area. However a few dog owners let their dogs roam all day long, others let them out early in the morning..result dog mess on the road and pavements. The Village Management have asked dog owners not to be so thoughtless but they ignore it...do you by any chance know what poison was used.

Got some little buttons on the monitor? If so, try playing with them 

Those little buttons are magic..thanks

Just recently my on my daughters computer, XP installed , a blue square with USER MODE H:48.4kHz V:60Hz has started flashing in the middle of the screen...seems to be no way to stop it or move it. Idears please.

At present we are staying, only because its cheap, at the Grand Pacific Hotel and Spa. Its the only 5* in Cha-Am. We are paying less than we paid a few months ago when it opened (look at their web site). We have come to Hau Hin to play some golf..most courses here charge 800baht this month.

Looks good indeed, found price starting 3644B/night for montain view at asiarooms.com, you don't mention how much you pay though.

I stayed at 4* Montien Pattaya last week for 2800B/night, never saw the place for less than 3800B.

I always book online after first looking around and comparing.

But I see price quotes are HIGH as of Nov 1st, higher than any thing I ever saw.

I regularly stay at Sofitel Raja Khon Kaen, paid 1800 3 years ago, 2000 2 years ago, 2500 last year, 2850 this Januari , November 2008 prices begin at 4000!

At that price they will not see me next January.

Paid 3400Baht for the two of us including breakfast and one dim sum lunch..if thats how you spell it, for every two nights stay. Their web site is sovereignresortandspa.com We booked the Mountain View but they gave us the sea view. I can highly recommend this hotel. However they did charge me 600Baht for wifi internet access for 24Hrs. I was desperate for it and didn't want to risk the free wifi which is available down the beach road. This hotel is 5* and we will come back for a third stay in a few months time. Choice at breakfast is excellent, in fact we spent about one and a half hours in there eating and reading the morning papers. Then off to play golf.

I just wonder if it is wise to book a hotel on the internet. If there are indeed 70% less tourists and with the political situation many hotels must be half empty. but the prices on the websites are the same as always.

is it advisable to just walk in to a hotel and may be getting a good deal?

your oppinion or experience is appreciated

thaisabai

ok we live here.

At present we are staying, only because its cheap, at the Grand Pacific Hotel and Spa. Its the only 5* in Cha-Am. We are paying less than we paid a few months ago when it opened (look at their web site). We have come to Hau Hin to play some golf..most courses here charge 800baht this month.

At breakfast yesterday there was only one other couple. I know that the hotel is less than 10% full, maybe much less and they said many had cancelled. From people we have met whilst playing golf here, Chaing Mai is the same and so is Hau Hin.

Why don't you phone the hotels direct...have you looked at asiareservations.net. We actually booked via the hotels Bangkok office. Its is a fantastic hotel in our view much better than other 5*s in Hau Hin such as Sofitel.

I know a couple of you guys are members of Muang Ake Golf Club. What is the best weekday to play? In other words which day would be the quitest?

Monday is sports day and I think 500baht plus caddy, its fairly quite however sometimes the course is close for a competition. Also you can't play until 9am on a Monday.

Wednesday is very quite..dont know why. Infact most week days are quite in the mornings. I wouldn't play Vista its short and anyway I dont like it. Maybe good idea to avoid playing in the morning if it has been raining hard, course takes a while for the fairways to dry.

A word of warning, no one speaks much english there unless you are lucky to find a player who does. If the first hole is busy or there is a slow group you might be able to start at hole nine, or infact any hole if you ask.

We usually play Mon Wed Fri in the mornings, Wed and Fri we usually play about 7am. My wife, a friend and me. If you are concerned at all come and join us. However this week we are in Hau Hin taking advantage of the 800Baht rounds (played Royal Hau Hin today) and the cheap hotel deals.

i for one hope it dont happen .i pay a fortune for my niece to get her education,will be calling her to tell her not to ,or i might just pull her allowance ,and she can go home to a paddy field

A very short sighted view. These are the people that in the future will vote. Fortunately for Thailand they have a mind of their own and won't vote for the party who gives them the most money. ie the most corrupt.

I have seen it stated on this forum 'my wife votes for whoever gives her the most money'. Why do people 'buy votes'..because they know that they will get it back many times over from backhanders. And who are the loosers?

It seems that only the educated understand this. Even if these future voters accept money they will have the sence to vote with their brains. Not like some areas of Thailand! No one has ever offered my wife money for her vote..they know that she would take it and then vote for whoever she wants..........

I'm in the UK and using Rebtel (rebtel.com) I can call a thai mobile for 2p a minute and the line has always been really good.

maybe you should try telesavers.co.uk , its half the price that you are paying at present.

With work commitment pushing and the alarm feature not working in my mobile!!!!!!!!! I missed my 21st of August 90 meeting with local immigration staff.....

What the deal now in Chiangmai......... wait 'till December and do a runner through immigration and hope for the best.

Are the penalty's 500 per day which is no small penny if I head there now?

Do you know that there is a free 90 calculator on this site...it loads everytime that you start you computer...surley that will remind you

Hi, 

I am from Chiangmai and use TT&T. When I upgraded from one Meg to two recently I was asked to bring my router to their office to have the password and user name changed. Probably same reason for your case.

The speed now is almost twice as fast as before.

I was on TOTs cheapest package until last Friday. I got TOT to agree to let me try 1Mb over the weekend. She told me to change my username after 5pm. Forgot how to do it so I phoned them and pressed 9...for english. Some guy talked me through it in about 5 mins...funny thing though..he tried three different passwords before it would let me in.

My speed is faster has just shown 827/408 on speedtest.net...almost four times faster than before. Strange thing is if I load www.google.co.th it load almost instantaniously.

I'm looking for business class flights from the UK to Bangkok. Where's the best priced place to purchase these from ?

Any recommendations as to which airlines, routes or travel agents to use ? Obviously I want the best price and I prefer flights that depart in the evening or late at night.

I'm not too bothered if I need to make a connection in Europe or the Middle East, I won't travel via Dubai though due to their over zealous drug policies so Emirates is out.

I can fly out of Birmingham or London.

We have flown that route a lot by EVA Business Class..its got another name, so be careful what you ask for. Everything really good except the shell seats..they don't go completely flat so you tend to slide down. Lounges t each end are quite good..no complaints.

you could try westeasttravel.co.uk for a price we always used them before coming here to retire.

I have the Eva freq. flyer card, and if the price of the elite seat isn't too much higher..and you have enough miles, it's worth paying extra, because maybe you can use the miles to upgrade to 1st class ticket at the airport.

I think that you will find that EVA don't have first class...LHR to BK... They have business class and its ok although the 'shell seats' don't completely go flat. Everything else is ok..

Evergreen, although its got a new name now, have seating arrangement 2-4-2 across the aircraft. We always used to use westeasttravel.co.uk as a booking agent. Worth a try.

As far as I know, if the place you are selling is your sole residence / property you don't have to pay capital gains tax. It is assumed that if you are selling up you will be buying another place to live. If people had to pay CGT every time they moved it would kill the property market. If , on the other hand , you have more than one property, tax will be due. This is what I was told by my soliciter when I did the same thing.

Um..this thread is about someone who is non resident..your solicitor is correct for someone who lives in the UK.

I am in the process of selling a Property in London that I bought 9 years ago for 310,000 - It has been rented for the last 8 years as i have been living in Thailand - Any UK Tax due from the sale proceeds , selling for 500,000 so profit /gain 190,000 sterling .

All depends on your UK Tax status--i.e. are you a non-resident for Tax purposes? If so, no CGT. If not, then yes you are liable--any expenses accrued during past 9 years, redecorating, maintaining, repairing etc... are all CGT deductible.

Get an accountant.

I don't think that is the point..I pay uk tax on my pension and rental income..however I am classed as..not resident and not normally resident and as such can sell property that I own in the Uk without paying CGT and of course invest off shore eg channel isles and no tax on the interest. However if I become resident again within five years..I need to pay!!

If you want confirmation there is a UK web site taxiationweb.co.uk where you can ask questions for free. You do however need to know your tax status. Good idea to post what they say here.