bangkok19

Better than being woken up (in a short-time hotel) by the banging on the door (time's up) and finding your wallet, watch (and your girl) GONE!

16 hours ago, Sparktrader said:

It fell to 18.5/19 baht before

 

Its been under 60c us before

 

Low due soon

I was getting Bt18 for the AUD in 1989, then Bt34 for the AUD in 1997.

I got 25.5 late July (this year).

I think using the word "collapse" is somewhat exaggerated.

We were warned months ago that the 2022/23 financial year would be very volatile...  Putin's War hasn't helped! 

It is IMPOSSIBLE to speak to a human at the THAI Sydney Office.

(it's also closed for person to person business).

They failed to reply to 2 email queries I had so I emailed the Chiang Mai TG Office and got an immediate response...  whether it was the downtown office or the Airport, I don't know.

My query was whether THAI are resuming BKK-CNX flights before December as I'm not a fan of Thai Smile.  On the actual Thai International Website if you're booking a BKK-CNX flight and click (class) "Business" you get an error message and blank screen.

Pretty unprofessional with the high season coming! 

I returned to Sydney on TG last month and found them okay...  they're certainly TRYING.   I swore years ago I'd never ever fly QANTAS again.

I really hope EMIRATES resume the Christchurch/Sydney/BKK/Dubai route later this year, as quoted on this Forum. Great service on the ground and in the air.

I guess the requirements vary from country to country, consulate to consulate. 

I did my 60 day tourist visa last June online and they only asked for Covid health insurance policy, bank statement, copy of passport bio page, application form and copy of ticket. 

I WAS expecting to have to supply proof of residence/accom and a copy of my driver's license but not required. 

Anyway, with the emailed approval they gave me a Ref. number to write on the "original" application form.. 

I brought that and my passport with my pic to the Sydney Consulate. 

Picked up Passport w/visa 3 days later. 

You're obviously a "glass half empty" person. 

I went with LMG for my wife's OA Visa. I got directed to it from the Thai Consulate's links as one of several (preferred?) Thai Insurers.

Even though I took out the Policy back in June, I'd do it again (with them)  

for a 1 year visa under whatever are the current conditions at the time.

It was hassle free, as well as the cheapest, and got us the Visa.

I'm specifically talking E-Visa applications online, and not "in person" at Immigration Office.

Their specialty seems to be for long stay visa and they're probably doing hundreds every week.

Methinks that if the Government (Immigration) is getting their 'cut' from an Insurance Company that they recommend, then when they see the Insurance Policy (submitted by the Visa applicant) with the LMG logo they don't really examine the numbers.

I haven't heard (on this Forum) of any applicants getting knocked back by the Thai Consulate for having a WRONG LMG Policy! 

For myself, I never get 1 year visa's, so I prefer to use the Company (at home) that I have my Private Health Cover with.  I get Travel Insurance with them covering JUST health (no cancellations or theft ins.)..  that makes it cheaper PLUS I get another 15% off for already being a member.   My cancellations, theft etc Ins. is partially covered by the Platinum Mastercard I buy my tickets with.

I'm over 65 y.o. and I'm surprised that the Insurance Company (here at home) ask fairly basic questions about my medical history. 

This probably doesn't help the O.P. however it's my take on Health Insurance, and definitely a pain in the butt when you get quoted different amounts for the requirements! 

They have weird media rules here ..   TV and newspapers can show a grisly murder scene, but they can't show the handcuffs on the 'perp'.

Social media - no rules!

If the sitting for long periods is your main concern..  fly business class for the extra leg room so that you can elevate your leg(s),  and preferably on an Emirates A380 so that you can stand up (for longer periods) at the "bar".

You don't have to drink alcohol..  just some 'calf raises' and 'conversation'.

You'll be amazed how quickly the time will fly.  

There's 3 or 4 between Asoke and 23...  it's a bit dark in that area and methinks probably a waste of time.

Loved Asoke corner late 90's/early 2000's.  Bars on that corner block as well as lining the sidewalk.

Many drunken conversations were conducted whilst urin##ing in the horng nahm at the Shell garage.  I remember getting an infection (in my hand) from the length of barbed wire I raised (at the entrance to the driveway) whilst rushing to the horng nahm.

The Exchange Tower building across the road was just finished being built and we'd sit at one of the sidewalk bars and comment on the one light that was always turned on up at the 5th floor...  a security guard.  

Always in conversation at those sidewalk bars (early mornings) we'd always call the Exchange Tower the DAILY PLANET BUILDING.

I remember a girl who setup a bar along there by the name of Noona. She lived in Soi 22 and sadly a few years later she died from a stomach problem.

Every time I walk past INDULGE these days I always think of her pushing her trolley of bar stools/drinks etc to her position (to set up) on the sidewalk at that spot. 

Then there was Noi, with the large n*ms who had a bar in the back of her pickup parked in 23 right where Jasmine Court driveway is now.

I find the upstairs level of the BKK BANK Bangkapi branch most helpful.

This is the Cards/Passbook/Foreign transaction section.

Replacement card was not a problem, that particular account is with this branch.

The girl offered me water, the visit wasn't rushed but relaxed and friendly,

I would have loved to have seen her without her mask on.

I've had many experiences at the Exchange Tower branch as well, all successful however the room is small and always crowded and kinda rushed but convenient.

My local branch in a Big C (upcountry) has closed down...   I'm wondering if this is becoming a trend?  

November to late Feb....  best time of the year IMO.

The heat in Sukhothai these past few months has been oppressive.

I forgot to bring with me my rubber 'condom' beer holder, when drinking those tinnies of Heineken outdoors, they lose their chill in minutes  >  warm beer! Forced to drink indoors in the A/C until sunset.

I haven't seen those rubber 'condom' beer holders in Big C or the markets...... 

Microsurgery on his meat & veges...

Surely a rubber band would've been the safer option!

On 9/30/2022 at 9:53 AM, YorkshireTyke said:

My intention was to lay it directly on to the existing tiles so there is a solid flat surface to begin with. Any pitfalls to this?

 

My area is around 41 SQM according to my measurements and laminate including fitting and underlay is around 1,000 per SQM depending on brand, colour etc

Adhesives these days are pretty good..  although I was warned against putting laminate or vinyl over my existing sealed Cork Tiles.. apparently they would have come unstuck over a short period...   so I ripped them (and the underlay masonite out).

Perhaps a bit of "Dr Google" research is required, if not already...

On 9/30/2022 at 9:22 AM, scubascuba3 said:

How do you allow for expansion and contraction of original floorboards?

From what the flooring people tell me, in the case of the vinyl , the 'base' comprising of the sheets of masonite act as a 'buffer' between the floorboards and the vinyl covering (as well as smoothing out any defects in the floorboards).

If I had chosen Laminate flooring (with thin rubber underlay)..  the regulations stipulated that they would have to protrude 5mm under the kick plate and any vertical (to the floor)  panels of my new kitchen with a 1 mm (minimal contact) gap. 

17 hours ago, PJ71 said:

Not from what i've seen.

One thing I've noticed with the wearing of masks, there are a lot more attractive women on the Skytrain. ????

I'd love to call Chiang Mai (at present) the 'new normal' due to the lack of Chinese tourists.

Unfortunately, with so many closed business's the locals are hurting because of the lack of..

My favourite Hotel, bars and restaurants are still open so all my needs are catered for.

There seem to be many Euro familes in town, and during the daytime, they're out of town on the tours leaving the downtown and moat areas very quiet.

The Tapae Gate area the exception... during the daytime there always seem to be outdoor meetings, parades and even protests made up of Thai's.  They're obviously not dispersing and spending the big bucks in the local area...   they just get bussed out when they've finished. 

Bangkok is definitely not the way it was before however, it's hastily heading in the right direction..  hopefully the current refurbishments will be complete before the high season. 

I'm assuming you're removing the (ceramic) tiles yourself so that they have bare floorboards to start on.

I'm at present getting vinyl planks installed in my brand new kitchen. They look like fake timber which is what I want.  The first thing they do is staple/glue sheets of masonite to the floorboards then glue the vinyl on top of that. For a small kitchen it's costing me AUD$1,550.

The quote for laminate was AUD$2,600 (rubber underlay extra).

Both are waterproof, and after all my visits to the showrooms, they both look very similar. 

Here in Oz there are regulations when laying flooring on bare floorboards.

You must allow for expansion and contraction of the original floorboards so that when you fix a covering to the bare floorboards it can't butt up hard against fixed (kitchen) cabinets or skirting.  The seller/installers here, give you all the options to suit the regulations (as opposed to leaving a gap between flooring and cabinets).

I was going to attempt the job myself but for AUD$1,550 I can get a 'professional' to do the job properly to compliment my brand new kitchen.

On 9/26/2022 at 5:01 PM, darrenr said:

Did you have to send your passport to the Sydney consulate ?

After receiving the approval and Ref. No. from the Consulate.....

 I went in to the Consulate and gave it to them in person.  No appointment, just rock in and take a number...  then wait for it to be called.

I handed them the Application Form with the Reference No. (they emailed me) written at the top ..  also my photo stapled on top LH corner plus my Passport.

Picked up the new visa/Passport after 2 business days.

It must cost these "counterfeiters" a lot of money to produce these fake products..  and if they're selling them 'just under' the price of the real thing to make their product appear more attractive, then they must have a very small profit margin.

I guess it takes a lot of money to make money.

I'm just curious as to how much it would cost them to produce a product that could 'pass' as Lubricant...  unless it is of course recycled lubricant.

Already happening along Loi Kroh, CNX.

As long as the Roller Shutters are down by 12.15am and the volume knob is at the 9 o'clock position!

Does that mean they'll resume flying the Domestic routes?

Was wondering if all those planes 'parked up' along the Swampy taxi-ways will ever get used again. 

Their budget carrier, Thai Smile, seems to be a good money spinner for THAI...  they're not so much the 'budget' carrier at the moment, the BKK/CNX flights always full.   Bangkok Air cheaper (if you can get a seat).

BRAKE FAILURE  -  Failure to apply the brakes.

19 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

You don't have to tell me I got Dengue in Sukhothai where I live and almost died.

 

The doctor said I was lucky because I had contracted Dengue2 the worse strain apparently but he said one good thing is you have immunity because you survived. ????

 

I would say it was the most nastiest virus experienced I have ever had in my life. 

 

I spend half my (Sukhothai) time on the farm, and in the suburbs  (Ban Gloo-ay).

I never have a problem with mozzies on the farm but other family members do,

however, in the suburbs they continually go for my arms and ankles,  especially near dark areas indoors, or near pot plants...  especially at the moment, with bodies of water lying around after all the rain.

My BEST mosquito repellent is my (Bvlgari) Cologne..  Instead of a squirt on my neck, I squirt a fine spray on both (bare) arms and on my ankles.

I'm then "mosquito free" and I smell pretty!

I applied for my tourist visa online to the Sydney Consulate. I got approval the following day. 

I wasn't asked for Health Insurance document and wasn't asked for proof of accommodation nor was I asked for proof of Sydney residence i.e. copy of drivers license. 

It certainly was a simple procedure compared to previous applications. 

I did have to show proof of vaccination though at the TG check in at Sydney Airport

I thought it was something we were used to!

I just walk away from the 'refusing' taxi driver and hail the next one.

I actually had a win once...   got in a taxi from Swampy to go to Sukhumvit Soi 19 during the '2014 Blockade'...  driver quoted me 500 Baht which I accepted because I knew of the traffic schmozzle we were going to encounter when we got closer to downtown e.g. Asoke Intersection closed.

Tollway was as slow as...  He got off and ended up on Petchburi Rd and turned left into Sukhumvit Soi 3.

He kept the meter running (for whatever reason) and as we turned left from Soi 3 to take the zig zag back way to Soi 19 the meter was showing 560 Baht...  the driver was getting quite angry...  at the last part of the backway between Soi's 15 and 19 he drove down the wrong side of the Soi then got stuck facing oncoming traffic!   Meter was showing well over 600.

I slipped him the 500 note (we agreed on) and disembarked with my small bag...  laughing all the way to the Honey Hotel.