jimmi

I successfully registered my Thailand Plus app.  The reference number was the 6 digit number they emailed you to access the COE website to check on your COE Application or to access your COE on the website.  The Code number was the number printed on the top left of you COE.  

I am just about to start the process my for entry into Thailand and get a tourist visa.  I just want to be clear, I should apply for the visa first, before I apply for the COE, correct.  I plan on arriving early to mid March.  Do I need to show booking for ASQ hotel and Insurance for visa or just flight to Bangkok?  I did a test run on the COE site and it asked to upload my passport (expected that), next it asked to upload my Covid Insurance.  I plan to get my Visa thru Thai Consulate in L.A. USA.

Thank you all for the great advice. Does anyone one else have any recommendations for clean guesthouses, or even what area to stay at? It does not look like there is much around the bus station area. Is there anything by the river front area? What area do you suggest lookin at?

Thanks for the info.

Steve, how full was the bus? Did you have any problems getting a tuk tuk? I am going on Wednesday. I chose the middle of the week, hopefully, there will not be too many people. That's the plan anyway. I have already printed out the Laos (for the visa on arrival) and Thai visa forms. I will be ready with all paperwork fill out (except for the arrival departure card).

The Avalon does not sound too bad. Any other recommendations would be appreciated.

MJCM, good plan, I will watch for the bus and try to get on fast.

Thanks for the info Steve, I will look in to it. I was also going to try Lin's cafe. Reviews say they are most helpful. I will ask them about guesthouses, as I still have no idea where to stay.

Thanks Ubonjoe. Is this the bus that comes from the mukdahan bus station? Would it be better to go to the bus station and get the bus from there?

In a few days I will be taking a mini bus to Mukdahan. The driver will drop me off directly at the Mukdahan-Savannakhet bridge at about 0830. Does anyone know the current times for the bus going across the bridge? Arriving at 0830 at the bridge, I should have plenty of time to make it to the Thai Consulate.

Also, If anyone has a recommendation for a cheap but clean guesthouse, please let me know.

Thank you

Thank you for the responses. I am not sure if it makes me feel better that other schools are doing this. I agree with Jako, very dubious behavior. If the school plans for a special event, an outing or special treats, I am more than happy to pay my fair share. Two days ago when I went to get my boy from school, I heard the teacher tell my son to "remind" me about the money. He then promptly asked me for money for the teacher. I said no. The teacher may mean well, but I feel there is the opportunity to not correctly document all deposits.

I would like to ask some of the other parents out there where your school did this, what did your child eventually do with the money. Did they take the money out or did the school or class insist it be used for other reasons?

My four year old boy started school this year. The teacher has asked the kids to bring 5 Baht to school everyday and give it to her. She said, she keeps track of the money and keeps it for the kids. I did this for a while, but found it to be a little strange. I was a little concerned about where the money was going or what they plan to do with it. The teacher showed me the book that she keeps track of the money for each child. They have tried to explain this to me, my Thai family members, and said this is what they do. This seems to be a kind of bank account the class or school does for the kids. This is a new concept for me, as this is a school not a bank. Is this a common thing for thai schools to do? Has anyone else done or run into this. Can someone explain what they do with the money? I have stopped giving my child money until I understand what they are doing. If this is some kind of bank account, I think it would be better to put the money in a real bank. What are they doing?

Great info Ubonjoe, thank you!

I would like to cross the new friendship bridge at Nakhon Phanom into Laos. Is there a bus service that crosses the bridge? If there is, how often does it run and when is the first run for the day?

I would like to replace the original speakers in my fortuner. I am currently not in Thailand. Can anyone please tell my what size spekers are in the front and rear doors? I want to buy speakers where I am at now and take them home to Thailand.

I am looking for a swimming pool supply shop in Udon Thani. I need a water test kit and chemicals. Any info and contact info would be greatly appreciated.

I need to stay 3 or 4 days in poipet. Can someone recommend a clean hotel that is not a casino in poipet?

I will be driving from Trat to Hat Lek in about a week. Along highway 3/318 are there any check points. If so how many check points. Do the police at these check points give falangs any problems. A Thai friend in Isaan told me not to go there as these check points are a real problem. When I ask for more info from him, he could not give any more details. What's the story on these check points?

Thanks Steve73, that is good advice.

Thank you JusMe and Changian for the reply. That's a start anyone else? With so few replies, am I looking in the wrong place for a quiet beach bungalow?

I am looking for a beach bungalow between Trat and Hat Lek. I am looking for one that is right on the beach. The more quiet and secluded the better. Does not have to have a restaurant or bar, but a restaurant would be a plus. I will be driving my own car so transportation is not a problem. My budget is 3,000 – 4,000 baht per night, but cheaper is better. All I want to do is sit in a chair on the beach, under an umbrella or tree, drink a few beers, and watch my boys play in the sand. A quiet family vacation. Anyone know of such a place? Mostly looking for a place on the mainland and not on Koh Chang, but willing to consider Koh Chang if the bungalow is very good. Thanks!

I am looking for stores in bangkok that sells camping equipment. Good quality equipment.

I could not get in ether. I wonder how many guests are non U.S. Citizens?

I for one would like to hear what they have to say. Listen to what they have to say an make my own decisions. I live too far away to attend. I hope some one form here will go and give us the highlights after.

Do to circumstances beyond my control, I need to fly into Thailand without a visa. When I arrive do I go straight to the immigration desk and get my 30 days entry, or do I need to go to the visa on arrival desk first?

Yes Totster! Please post the menu. I live about an hour away. I think it would be great to drive up, stay a day in Mukdahan and rent a room there. I would need two rooms. How many rooms are available? Sounds like a place I need to look in to. Any more info. would be great.

Clausewitz,

What you want to do is very easy . You need the blue book for your car . You also need a couple of photocopies of the first page of your blue book . It is relly nice to have your own car/transportaion to go where you want, when you want. Check out the thread "driving to Kampot" on page 2 of this forum. They give a nice detailed decription on how to do it, easy.

dmax,

I have never had a problem with my car. Use common sense where you park your car, and use a steering wheel lock (anti theft device). Having a car there is definitely the way to go IMHO.

The road going from Hat Lek to Sihanoukville is much better now and a good drive. Be careful driving though. There is much more driving hazards, cows children, chikens, crazy Cambodian drivers all in the road. Driver a little slower than you do in thailand, and drive defensively, you should be fine.

Good Luck!

If they are legally married I would think her first step would be to contact his embassy. They should be able to tell her what rights she does, or does not have. At the very least they could point her in the right direction. Good luck.