rmacee

I don't do 'revolving door' visa runs but occasional travel overland to Thailand ..so whatever they do i hope they change the rules and provide a proper/valid visa (30 days for all) for those arriving overland to the country as a tourist I.e. not in the country within the last 4/6 weeks or period to be agreed.

Spot on .. Kuta (Bali) is probably one of the worse places I've ever visited ...

And .. Mayamar is up there in my top 3 ..

That's the spirit...!

Of course despite all ranting of the naysayers, the anti coupists, the foreign government pussycats who say Thailand should be avoided at all costs the fact remains that as long as you keep your wits about you like anywhere else Thailand IS still the 'most desirable place to visit in SE Asia' and not just for those who think all roads lead to Pattaya.

+

But as I posted earlier in the thread South-East Asia is a shit-hole comprising of various countries with military and communist governments, and most of the rest violent and/or muslim, that no tourist in their right mind would want to visit. Bali and Singapore are about the best picks, and Singapore is way too expensive.

And Bali has been invaded by drunk Aussies and their brats and Eurotrash ecstasy party animals - it was going downhill over 20 years ago! My choice is Burma and Vietnam!

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

So pleased the Philippines was mentioned - as it is better than all of them.

Good - every Tom, Dick and undesirable Harry won't be heading there.

While this thread is active ..quick question..or two

Irish passport but living in the UK for over 40 years so all income is from within the UK .. So will UK embassy 'handle' a confirmation of earnings request?

Second option put the 800k in myBangkok bank account next time back in Thai ..

Q. Can I apply for retirement visa within Thai?

"the busy Chong Jom crossing into Cambodia"

Think he means Chong Chom and it is never busy ...Just Thais doing a casino 'run' ..

The whole system is <deleted> ..I travel half way across the world and land cross from Malaysia to Thai and get 15 days .. Some G7 farang (or illegal worker or criminal ...) can have have his breakfast in Krabi or wherever and then do a 'revolving door' visa run, same day, and get 30 days .. ludicrous beyond belief ..

Good practice to ask are u happy with the charge and if u want 10k bt they ask are u are you happy with what that represents in your 'own' currency.

My fix is Citibank Soi21 ..got an UK ACCOUNT take funds out (Thai bt) and pay into BB in Surin ..All transactions no charge ..

Also ...go on youtube ..many 'how to' videos for Note 3 ...work you way thru them and you will learn all you need to know ..

sorry ..just noticed this point has been covered ...

Have a Note 3 since November ..amazing phone if you can use it ..neighbour bought one and spent a lot of time helping her get familiar with the extensive features and still not using the S pen ..try and find someone who has one and knows how to use it. I coyld never go back to a 'normal' phone. The S pen adds a whole new demension to a Smartphone ..

Sorry double send :-(

The same reason now I want to go back to the Philippines.. friendly, not too many tourists, great scenery and beaches.. A bit like what Thai was like 15/20 years back..

15/20 years on the Thais still have no interest in speaking or encouraging the ability to speak English.

To add... The Philippines is what Thailand has lost and more..

Everyone speak English, radio, TV, Newspapers, movies in English. And, having rented a car and driven around Luzon it is the friendliness country in the world. Prettier girls.. :-)

Only challenge is where to live and it is remote with the occasional typhoon to keep it lively..

Good read.. Well written summary of where you are right now. Staying in a foreign country is like marriage.. Unless you work at it it will get dull and boring and suddenly you think 'the grass is greener' elsewhere.

A lot of the points you make are a good reflection of where Thai is right now.. The 'fun easygoing' factor has disappeared and the arrival of the Internet and mobile technology and the arrival of tourists from the Eastern European (including Russia), Indians, Chinese, Koreans, Middle East etc has and continues to change what Thailand WAS all about..

That's life.. so take your pick.. guess a lot of guys just go home..or in your case move on... All the best

Not really interested in the components of a price - like a part of Starbucks pricing is a patent to avoid paying tax etc. - Thailand, Philippines, UK etc

"What I see is what I pay"

Been there on a number of occasions.. Seriously don't like the place.. A mix of Malaysians, Chinese and Indians. A right mix of unfriendly nationals..

Been Muslim the beer is expensive and the final mega annoyance is their ripoff / dishonest pricing..

You see prices like 25++ etc. Was in a bar and fancied a Guinness - saw a price 20rg but the bill was nearer 25 with taxes and service charge.. Ever Starbucks don't display final price... Awful place

That's the same in New York and other US states that have a sales tax. Shops want to show their prices and show that the extras are government taxes and nothing to do with them. It's a good way for people tolearn how much their governments steal money from them.

Been there on a number of occasions.. Seriously don't like the place.. A mix of Malaysians, Chinese and Indians. A right mix of unfriendly nationals..

Been Muslim the beer is expensive and the final mega annoyance is their ripoff / dishonest pricing..

You see prices like 25++ etc. Was in a bar and fancied a Guinness - saw a price 20rg but the bill was nearer 25 with taxes and service charge.. Ever Starbucks don't display final price... Awful place

For those of you from UK or Europe.. AA is just another Ryanair.. Misleading prices and just waiting for them to charge to go to the toilet... The last time I was going to use them they were charging over £21 for an emergency exit seat.. One way!!!

For those of you from UK or Europe.. AA is just another Ryanair.. Misleading prices and just waiting for them to charge to go to the toilet...

For those of you from UK or Europe.. AA is just another Ryanair.. Misleading prices and just waiting for them to charge to go to the toilet...

Watched the rugby last night.. I was amazed how good the transmission was in HD .. Never dropped out... and I'm in Surin.. Very impressive.. Laptop with HDMI cable into the TV..5*

And... Police costs

One point that needs to be made aware to tourists is that, without a motor bike licence, their travel insurance will not cover them should they be in an accident.

They will claim 'you put yourself at risk' and this is not covered..

Living 'in the stick'.. 3' problems:

1. Language - very little if no english just built a new Robinson's - no English. Tesco last night.. no English

2. Facilities - cinema in new Robinson's - no films in original language... as no one will go if in English

3. Choice of food hopeless..

Keeping to my 30 days visa to give me a reason to leave for a few weeks and back again..

Not married no children.. long term relationship.. has it a future??

Driving about you would think the economy is booming.. endless new cars either with no plate or red plate .. and a serious number of BMWs..

Was in a the in Ubon for a few night .. first night parked outside was a white Porsche and last night a BMW Z4 on a red plate ...

Also in Ubon a new Robinson's Plaza ... would be a show piece anywhere in the Uk ...

Anyway my view of the world ...

Minimum of 100k bt fine and deported with minimum of 5 year expulsion...