texanaust

Thank you Elviajero for the clarification.  So when the time comes, we apply for a single entry Non Imm O and then apply in Thailand for the extension of stay based on retirement.  That makes more sense and it is good to know that the family can piggy back on my permission.  Now I just need to wait until I turn 50!  

As I understand, once I turn 50 I can apply for a retirement visa (800K in the bank, etc, etc).  What about my wife and daughter (both non-Thai) who will be under 50?  Can I get the same type of visa for them as dependents or will the Thai authorities require tourist visas and/or some other category?  My wife turns 50 about 11 months later, so I am trying to figure out the best options for all of us.  Thanks.

2 hours ago, siam2007 said:

the topic is going astray somehow here - the main point was: Is it true that FROM NOW ON, multiple-entry Visas (except METV) can only be issued by embassies and NOT honorary consulats any longer ? And is this the case in ALL countries ?

any very recent first hand experiences ?

It definitely true for the USA.  I have called around and there are also messages posted on some of the hon consulate websites.  I have also heard this is true for Australia.

New Orleans is now out.  According to their office no Honorary Consulate is allowed to issue Non-Imm multis or METVs now.  Everything has to go through Washington DC.

I am a little confused by Thai Elites website.  If I want a Five year visa for myself, my wife and one daughter (3 people total) what is the cheapest option and what would be the total price?  Thank you in advance.  

In the last few days, I have observed a noticable decline in the number of chairs and umbrellas on the beach along Jomtien Beach Rd (Southern End). There are now sandy gaps between vendors in certain areas and some vendors this morning were taking umbrellas away in their pickups. Has someone cracked down on these businesses or am I imagining these new sandy gaps? Less Russians too.

Ok, voted for you. Now I expect a new restaurant review in the southern Jomtien beach area!

http://www.thelimopattaya.com/index.php?lay=show&ac=article&Id=470026

I recommend The Limo Pattaya, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Pattaya to Bangkok Airport or vice versa, 1200 Baht

Have used these people for 3 years but today they quoted me 1500bt from Bangkok to Pattaya when it used to be 1200bt.

I called Eve up and she said the price of petrol had gone up so they raised the price.

I told her to cancel the car as I would rather get the 124bt bus from Ekkami than pay a 20% increase overnight.

Their price to the airport is still the same. I always thought their price to Bangkok being the same as the airport was not going to last. Petrol prices have dropped, maybe she means gas.

Well I've always paid 10baht. Only once did the driver scream at me at Central wanting 20baht. I solved the issue by purchasing a car so now I no longer have to deal with these people...

There were one way signs posted yesterday afternoon at the corner of beach and chiapruek. This morning they were gone and traffic is two-way as normal. Maybe they changed their minds?

Will Chaiyapruek Rd become one-way? If so, what happens to everyone on Jomtien Beach Rd south of this point?

Usually they only make Jomtien beach road one way between the Hanimum statue and Chaiyapruek road. They usually make it going North only. I assume that's their plan again.

Usually? You mean they have done this before? Also, is it north or southbound and what happens to the baht buses? Not that it matters much to me, but people at Jomtien 2nd road taking baht buses are not going to like having to loop around via Chaiyapruek to get into Pattaya (or viceversa depending on the direction).

There are new signs around Jomtien in english saying the authorities are trialing one way traffic starting Nov 12th. What roads exactly do they have in mind? The signs are on Chaiyaphruek and Kanchana around second rd. Maybe other places as well.

Where exactly did they remove beach chairs from Jomtien Beach? If anything there are more chairs and umbrellas here than ever. Down the south end, they practically erect them in the water! As for the trash issue, there clearly needs to be an education campaign of some sort as the thais just don't seem to get it, but thats not going to happen...

I used PK Air on Thepprasit Rd... 081-1777437 038-300913

These are not the correct numbers for PK air. I called both and they could not understand me, then I had a thai call and she said both are wrong numbers. The correct number is 038300913 and the person does speak English.

I cant see much difference between the 038300913 that you gave and the 038-300913 that LukDod mentioned.

Sorry, I must have dialed the number wrong (4 times...). Anyway, we had them out today and they serviced our units very efficiently. 3 units, 1 needed gas for a total of 1100thb. 3 guys including a very nice thai-part german young man who could speak english (and german).

I may need a new unit in the near future. Does anyone know if advertised prices (for example Numchai) include installation for split systems? If not, what sort of price is fair for a remove and install job?

Thanks.

I used PK Air on Thepprasit Rd... 081-1777437 038-300913

I'd called them last week. They initially scheduled me for Monday (Apr-5), but later phoned

as Monday is a holiday and rescheduled for today (Apr-7). The office called before my app't

time to make sure I would be home and the techs (4) arrived on time.

I rent a condo and wanted both AC units cleaned and if necessary recharged.

The owner bought the condo 12-years ago and once the AC techs began cleaning

the units, it was quickly evident they have _never_ previously been cleaned!

The techs must have washed over a kilo of dirt & dust out of the units!! They were filthy!!

They also topped off a small amount of the gas/freon needed in one unit... and didn't charge me.

The job took them 2-hours...and the bill was 800-Bt (400-Bt ea unit). When they gave me the bill

I also gave them a few extra Baht, for their excellent work, though they didn't ask for a tip.

II was impressed with the service...

These are not the correct numbers for PK air. I called both and they could not understand me, then I had a thai call and she said both are wrong numbers. The correct number is 038300913 and the person does speak English.

Bangkok food is Thai food and Isaan food is not?

Of course most major hotels are too internationally oriented to serve real Thai food.

A nice, relatively new, place is JeeJuk3 (first is on Pattaya Nua, second on the beach near Cholchan hotel). JeeJuk 3 is, when coming over Sukhumvit from Pattaya, just before Rong Po on the left hand side. Just before or just past, can't remember exactly, some pedestrian bridge.

Mum Aroi also never a bad choice as is SudTangRak on Jomtien beach road (south end)

What are the nearest sois to Mum Aroi and SudTangRak on Jomtien Beach Road? Thanks.

Thanks for the photos jingthing. This place looks good and great for us living near chiapruk. Do you know if they serve alcohol and what are the prices like? Great review!

I've owned a place at the Metro for about two years now. Its a well run place overall and I would not be put off by it being older. To be honest, the building is better built than most of the cheap places going up around it. Plus you have more space than most of the new places. As for baht buses, you can always pick one up right out front going to Pattaya. Returning is a different story-80% of the time they dump you at Chiapruk Rd. I consider it good exercise! Anyway, if you have any specific questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

As for the land next door, it is owned by the person who built the Metro. He just renovated one of the entire upper floors for himself. As far as I know, he has no plans to develop either side at the moment.

I want to get a teak breeze door installed over my existing door at my condo. The management offered to quote their guy and gave me a price of 12,600bht. That includes the frame, new door, installation, staining and door locks. Does that seem to be a fair price? The door and frame are 4,600 and 1,000 respectively. The rest is labor, staining and door locks. Any advice would be appreciated!

For the new guy, some easy hints. First decide which direction you want to go, then get on a bus heading that way, dont discuss anything with the driver, and always get on a BBus that already has someone else on it, so there is no possibility of the driver accusing you of "chartering". Only get on the ones that are active, (on the road making stops, not just sitting there) If it turns the wrong way just pay up, and get on the next one. When you are done, no talk, just give your 10Bt, and go.

Yep, but getting on south of Chiapruk on Jomtien Beach road means that very often you are the first person to board the baht bus. In any case, I try to heed this advice as much as possible.

The Lotus Mattress at Homepro is a Marshall II, 20,000baht after discount at Homepro. You can also get the same price at Chic Republic (good selection). I have not decided what to purchase yet. There are some very nice Sealy Mattresses at Index. They run (after the usual bargaining) 58K and 78K for the top of the line and second to top. It was unfortunate that I laid on the two Sealys at Index as they made the Lotus look very much inferior.

Does anyone know if the mattress brand LOTUS is any good? I have just tried all the recommended places and the most comfortable mattress is one at Homepro. The salesperson says its a Thai brand made from American materials (pocket springs, etc). This mattress is still pretty expensive, but less than the Sealy and Serta ones and it has the advantage of being softer.

The other day I jumped on a Baht Bus pretty far down Jomtien Beach Rd, almost at the Sigma Hotel. The bus remained empty almost to Thapphraya Rd when it stopped for a Russian couple and their child. They initially waved him off, but then approached the cab and talked to him. After that they jumped in and off we went. Instead of going into Pattaya, the bus turned and went to the Big Buddha. Since I'm fairly new to baht buses, I stayed on and decided to see what would happen. Well, he dropped the Russians off (they paid him 200bht) and then drove like a madman down the hill and back into Pattaya. Before my stop, he picked up two Thais. I jumped off at the school and walked up to pay him my 10baht. He gave me a positively dirty look, refused my money and then shooed me off.

So what gives? Was he being sorry for taking a charter, pissed off because I stayed onboard or was I bad luck that he didn't get any other passengers? I'm new to Baht buses so I don't know if there is any etiquette in this situation...

I was thinking Homepro, but I'll give the others a look too. Latex is too hot for me-I had to return the one I bought from Costco. Of course returning in Thailand is wishful thinking, so I'll have to pick very carefully. I know Homepro delivers for free, but will they walk it up 28 floors for the "free delivery?" I doubt the lift will fit a King.