dalmatian

NICE... but I have adusted to Thai food.. I know sad..

This is certainly not a thread I want to be notified about it id wasting my time. Proves my point that it appears overides happen even though I don't want any notifications.

Now if somebody tells me I have notifications on then also do me a great favour and turm them off.

I applied for my daughters' passport at Trendy building on 19 August, got a call today to say that her passport is ready for pick up.

Great stuff, handing in to being ready 12 days, I am very impressed.

As per Albion above make sure you make colour copies of 'every' page of your child's Thai passport. In fact colour is a word not to forget. If the original document is in colour then only a colour copy will be accepted. I got copies at 10 baht a copy on the ground floor, forgot the name of the place but as you walk into the building it is to the far right at the back, big company. I was also grabbed by a guy who refused to tell me how much until I pulled away and then said 20 baht, ok next! The UK passport office offer colour copies at 25 baht.

Just requiring a bit of advice.

From what I can understand of the guidance notes the signing of the declaration on the application form (section 9) needs to be done by my girlfriend (Thai) as we are not married. It looks to me from the notes that I do not have parental responsibility (even though I am the father) to be able to sign the declaration. Can anybody confirm this, my daughter is 4 months old, the passport will be for her.

Secondly, when attending the application centre with the form and docs can both my girlfriend and I enter the application processing centre or is only one person allowed in, if so even though I didn't sign the declaration can I pass over the documentation, it will be my cc that is paying for it all. My daughter is only 4 months so I see from these pages that she need not attend although I will probably have the gfs sister holding her outside the office.

Any thoughts/experiences would be appreciated.

Was at the Pattaya gym an hour ago and as some have said the gym is still closed. The sign outside is shown below. (Click to enlarge)

As you can see the notice is now out of date. A Thai lady with husband who was there had spoken to their call centre in Bangkok on 027893222 (haven't checked to see if this is existing number or new number) . She was advised that the gym would be opening next week. How up to date that info is I don't know but it does not bode well for those who wish to return to exercising in their preferred gym any time soon.

As someone who worked in customer service for 35 years I can only comment that CAWOW and their customer services department have done nothing to instill confidence in any possible new recruits by remaining quiet until today on their website about the problems with their gyms. A total lack of decent communication has been displayed by management. Whether or not they open up again I would think they have alienated some possible newbies to a gym that I have been happy to be a member of.

I am hopeful that my membership will continue with their Pattaya location.

I have decided to leave it until after our return to the UK. There is not a medical reason to have to do it now and there is also the possibility that should there be any negative reaction through infection etc we don't have the luxury of too much time to get it sorted. No it is on the back burner. It would probably stress me out that it might just give UK Immigration a reason to detain her for further interview etc. I am also worried about Thai immigration giving her grief at Swampy.

All in all better to leave it till later. Much appreciate your replies.

Sounds to me like a hit and miss situation. I am sure that if she arrived in UK and her finger prints were the same then after a few questions she would/could be allowed in but I am not willing to take the chance.

Maybe I could email the UK Border Agency in Bangkok but I am not sure that they would reply or they would refer me to their outsource company VFS. I am sure they would be helpful but I am sure they could not give me a sure fire answer on the subject. Maybe best to err on the cautious side............

As long as you have internet banking I would think the answer is on your own website once signed on.

I am with Nationwide and it is absolutely clear as to the method used (SWIFT) and details required. Unfortunately it is still 25 pounds but much cheaper than the 2% they charge per transaction at an ATM. Of course beneficial for large amounts only. My transfer took less than 24 hours from filling in the form online to seeing it in my Kasikorn Bank account. The rate used is the telex transfer rate which is again better than the cash or travelers cheque rate.

I am sure your bank will offer a similar service. I am actually in Pattaya so action online was only real option. Of course if you are in UK then easy to go into bank.

Wife just informed me she got hers

Well done, sure that is a load off your mind.

I picked up the decision for my girlfriend and when opening the envelope I expected a piece of paper with the decision on it, none there. I then looked at the passport and couldn't see anything, again thought she hadn't got it. It was only when I looked at her passport again and noticed the visa with UK Visa written on it that I knew she had been granted a visa. It looked just like her information page in the passport, not much difference, my heart missed a few beats.

My girlfriend applied for a visitor visa on 04 May, she received notification that decision had been made after 9 business days on the 17 May. They did change their expectation to 3 weeks and advised that at certain times of year the wait may be up to their turn around time of the 21 days.

I do agree that the wait is agony but getting the decision was like getting my A level results, nearly passed out with the stress!

Ok this is a question that may not give me the right answer but I will try anyway.

My Thai girlfriend was successful in getting a visitor visa for the UK. Really happy about this and we will be going for about 5-6 weeks end of July.

Before she got the visa I told her that if she was unsuccessful we will have a holiday in Hua Hin, if she was successful she could have a new nose (poor girl can't keep those 3D glasses on in the cinema). Ok she got the visa but obviously having had her biometrics taken could having a new nose cause her to be refused entry into the UK. The nose job won't be major, just a bit more bridge but if at all she can be refused then this procedure can wait until after she returns from the UK. I in no way want to cause problems but is the biometrics mainly to do with fingerprints and not the face etc!.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Must admit I think the maxim 'If it looks to good to be true ...' applies here! Out of interest their website promoting the Thai end doesn't mention any TAT licence number that I can see, and similarly their UK website doesn't have any ATOL or ABTA licence numbers either, all of which I believe are mandatory to act as a travel agent here and in the UK. At least they were when I ran a travel business in Phuket in the 90's!

I have a very funny feeling this is a scam, I could be wrong but I will wait and see.

You might want to check this out after knowing who the owner is http://www.crimenet....ams.phtml?id=56 & http://www.westernad...ike/478315.aspx

i make no comment other than to point out the line of business that Encenada Beach Resort Marketing Services was involved in ................(the crimenet link)

Exactly. Its not rocket science is it? So why is this company still trading? With the backing of the local media here in Pattaya. Even though the proprietor of the leading media outlet here in Pattaya is also a leading light in the volunteer police, whilst at the same time actively promoting this obvious scam.For his own financial gain. I cant think of anywhere else in the world where this would be allowed to happen. Unbelievable. He obviously is untouchable.

This has been highlighted on other forums. It shocks me that no in depth checking has been done by the Pattaya police or other media outlets. It sounds like a scam and probably is a scam. It is aimed at tourists, not Thai residents or expats. It wants money from people who will shortly be leaving the country, what a wonderful way to make money. The thing is that Pattaya Tourism will be the worse for it as it will be a case of nevergetmebacktopattayaagain.com. Having worked in the airline business no one company representing one city could do a deal with so many airlines at that rate. Most airlines will want the credit for any deals and will advertise on their own websites. Really smells like a rat yet I can see it carrying on for a long time before somebody in authority wakes up and smells the coffee. By then Khun K will be well away from Pattaya.

Surely there is somebody on this forum who can make the checks................or knows the right contacts to prevent this carrying on should it prove to be a scam.

GMAC

A Google search came up with this page, several contact numbers which might help if no-one comes up with anything else.

Thanks GMAC, you are a saviour. The office numbers were out of date but luckily Robert (the main man) has not changed his mobile. I am in contact now and all will be fixed shortly. Thanks again. The power of this forum is "smoking'

Hi Dalmation,

Now that you have had the Solar System for some time, do you think it was a worthwhile investment. I hear different views (form people who do not have solar heating funny enough). I have just finished construction of my house and was wondering if to replace my two rather large electric storage heaters with a solar system. Why didn't I do it when the house was being built, well the construction company found it hard enough to construct to the drawings that they had without changing anything, so thought it better to get it finished (12 months late) and worry about changing anything later.

Probably take about 100 years to get the money back but thought that it may be worth it just for the fun of it. A prejudiced view would be welcome

Cheers

Oink

For me I like the solar system, cost me 50000 baht 7/8 years ago. Only gone wrong once before and fixed pretty quick. The only thing I needed to change was the outside pump installed by the house builder, it's sepcification was for pumping water only to a height of 20 feet. Even though I am in a bungalow style house the solar system is about 30 feet up so needed to change the outside pump with a spec for pushing water up to 40 feet. Fine now.

I also changed my pipes for the hot water from those blue things to lagged copper pipes (I believe it's copper, red sheathing).

By the way I flushed the phone down the toilet in a bar, I was answering a call when in the bog and with 1 hand not free attempted 'a one handed place behind the ear action' then shake a few times at which point the phone left my ear and went down with the flushing action. Not smart and funny at time but still a load of phone numbers I can not retrieve.......Had some good numbers in there as well..

I am in possession of Solason Solar Panel Heating system, it is a good system and rarely goes wrong until the other day. I have had the system nearly 8 years and the only previous problem was the pump staying on even when hot water turned off. The problem then was a sensor on the roof, I think I have same problem so am trying to get hold of the company maintenance team. My problem is that a couple of months I accidentally flushed my old phone down the toilet and it had all my numbers on it. As much as I have built up most of my phone book again I don't have a number for Solason that is valid. I phoned the number on the guarantee but does not get answered.

Reason for topic to find out if anybody else out there has Solason and if so do you have their maintenance team phone contact. I believe they are based out of Bangkok but I was told they come to Pattaya once a week to answer calls for customers problems. Would appreciate any contact details.

At worst I could call another company who have a similar system and I am sure they may be able to assist me with my problem but want to try to get hold of Solason first. Thanks in advance guys....

I'm sorry, but I fail to see the connection between being a great drinker and to be in a hurry.

I am sure there are many of you out there who after arrival prefer to get quickly to your hotel, drop your bags and head for the first bar rather than relaxing, taking a shower and getting tarted up for the night out. I am just not that desperate for a drink so that is why I am not in a hurry. Sorry thought the comment spoke for itself but thanks for the info anyway.

Thanks for all the info, the meter taxi sounds like the best bet as I don't fancy stopping off and being co-erced into buying something I don't need. I have my hotel booked already and looking forward to my time on the island.

Arriving in Phuket soon and staying in Patong. Saw it mentioned that taxis are available but what is the average cost for the ride. Some say 500, some 550, do they ever put their meter on or should I just haggle the best price.

Also I am arriving around midday time, will I have any problems getting a taxi i.e are there plenty available or will I need to wait. Also is it a smart step to go upstairs and try to jump in one dropping off at departures or is that a no no!

I heard there is also a van, this sounds like a good idea as the time of arrival gives me plenty of time to get to my resort and relax. I'm not a great drinker so not really in a hurry. Again what is the cost and are they easily available, do they hang around till they are full etc.

Any advice welcomed.

Haven't been switched off thank god but the late fee charge was applied automatically when I presented my meter read bill. The bill for the late charge was printed out together with the receipt when the electric bill was run through their machine. 5 days overdue, never happened before. I will see how I can pay in advance if I know I will be away when the bill is due.

It does appear to be a new charge as I have paid late before and never charged a baht more than the total bill. Maybe something to do with the fact I have my meter read and a print out is issued at the house.

Cheers for info.

Sorry is this about the need to sit down or an annoyance with taking your belt off. Sounds like the latter.

Total waste of space on this board for this drivel. It's called security and happens everywhere.

I would suggest you leave your belt at home next time and buy a decent sized pair of trousers that fit. Must have been a bloody laugh for everybody seeing you with your trousers round your ankles, the only chair I would have needed was to sit on just to calm down from the fits of laughter.

Got a bit of a shock, went to pay my Electric Bill in Pattaya and got charged extra 107 baht for late payment. Now this is the first time I have been charged for late payment in 5 years.

Normally pay my bill within the time given on the bill but due the need to visit my daughter in Philippines between 24 September and 4 October I only got around to pay my bill this week. The bill was put in my post box on 25th September and showed a date of 25Sep to 04 Oct to pay. I thought this was the date to pay in any establishment except the electric board offices on Pattaya Klang. I have paid late before due to travels etc and never been hit with late payment fee. Not happy as basically they allow you 10 days to pay or be hit with 100 baht late payment fee (plus VAT). I asked why and the lady just said "Farang Late".

I even once went to the Electric corporation offices on the day the bill was issued to be told come back tomorrow, can not pay on date of issue of bill. This is all bloody annoying.

If you are not aware of this fee then please make sure you pay your bills on time, just another way of the big companies making money in times of hardship. I will try to make sure I pay my bills on time in future but as we all know that is not always possible. I am a single retiree and don't always have someone to pay my bills if I am away.

Just got back from my trip up to Khon Kaen and Udon. Hired a Vios which was perfect for the roads.

For those who are interested I took route 36 out of Pattaya but instead of taking the express 7 I carried on to the 331 which took me to Phanom Sarakham which then joined the 304. On to Korat joining where the merges into route 2 which I took through to Kon Kaen.

Trip took 6.5 hours with a couple of stops.

Got stopped 2 times and each time had 100 baht in hand. Did not want to carry on mundane conversations so showed corner of note which on both occasions was duly eyed by our friendly policeman. I actually was quite excited as it kind of made my trip more interesting especially when one of them told me my wife was beautiful. Funny thing was my wife was not in the car! Did get stopped a third time but was just a road block and got waved through.

Stayed at Pullman Sofitel Khon Kaen, excellent hotel, beautiful rooms with a great 'underground' restaurant bar including a micro-brewery.

2nd day drove to Udon Thani. Stayed at the Centara Hotel and Convention Centre. Bit jaded but notices pinned up in lifts say they expect to finish renovation of all rooms and guest areas before end of 2009. Did not see much renovation going on but hotel was comfortable. Good breakfast and very comfortable beds. Paid 1300 baht per night including brekky, booked through r24.org.

3rd day took trip to Nong khai with a detour along the 211 as far as Sangkhom. Had a great day along the Mekong river. Enjoyed eating at a riverside restaurant in Nong Khai before going back to Udon for another night. Ate at the Irish Clock which did a superb Steak and Kidney pudding, don't see many of them around Thailand. It was homecooked and I thoroughly recommend it.

4th day was spend going onto Phang Khon on route 22 out of Udon. Stopped at the companions family home before going onto Sakon Nakhon and then onto route 213 through some lovely wooded areas and down to Kalasin before carrying on again to Khon Kaen. Another night spent at the Pullman Sofitel. Watched my companion get up with the band and knock out a local favourite much to the delight of a pretty receptive audience. A few mugs of the white and dark german beers certainly added to the experience.

5th day spend driving back to Pattaya and not getting stopped which helped in getting me back in 6 hours. Overall a great trip, travelled in excess of 1800 kilometers. The roads in Isaan certainly are, for the most, a joy to drive on. It was most noticeable how friendly the locals (including the police) were, certainly not something that I think Pattaya is renowned for. I could certainly see myself staying up in that part of the world. Hope to go back again soon but for now I will have my memories of a lovely part of Thailand.

Thanks all for the info guys although the comments below worry me, perhaps we are just talking a couple of 100 baht hopefully:

Watch out for the cops, they love farangs driving. They will be looking for hand outs. have your girl act asleep when stopped and you dont understand Thai. Sometimes this works. Hold out as long as you can not to pay. I have been stopped and they just say they need money for coffee, others will make up things.

Does this happen when the girl is driving as well or just when us 'poor farangs' are at the wheel?

Limit you can take out: $20,000.

That will do, cheers

The Federal limit is still $10k, I presume, although that might not apply here at all - it is real cowboy country there,

so take a couple hundred - you can open a bank a/c there easily - HSBC in Makati - with debit/credit/ATM cards

all in about 30 minutes. I know some real good folks there if you need.

Bubba

I want to change Thai baht as I have too much here at the moment. I have a UK account and have used ATM's in Angeles before but I am trying to avoid taking more sterling out of the UK than I need to. Would rather change Thai baht up at the bank here. I might at some stage move out of Thailand to Philippines so just interested how much I can take with me this trip as a maximum.

The $10K limit, sorry but that is here in Thailand, not too much worried about limits in Philippines.

Might be going to Philippines for a few months so need to take some cash. I would like to know if there is a limit in the amount of pounds sterling or dollars that I can buy at any one time. I have bought dollars before at the airport and in banks in Pattaya but only 5/600 dollars at a time. To save me going to a bank over a number of days does anybody known the maximum amount I can buy at one time or whether there is a limit to the amount I can take out with me.

I suppose I could just ask the bank but hope there are some experts on this matter on the forum.