Hugh Jarse

You mean with confessing the same kind of confession that was extracted from that self proclaimed American pedophile which was flown back first class only to figure out that he was not even in the country?

The problem with confessions is, especially in Thailand, that they hardly bear any weight. Half the poor inside prisons have confessed to a crime they did not or not commit on their own. The justice system is so flawed that you would ask Hun Sen to repair it. Without a lawyer present people get sentenced to life or worse. Have a look at how many times a Prime Minister, Minister of Justice or other hi-rake appears on TV and promises to catch someone within the next week. They always catch someone... not necessarily the one who did it. Besides if you have no money and appear in court you have two possibilities. Fighting the case, which you will lose due to lack of funds, or confessing which will half your sentence. Got the point?

You need to write a play or screenpay about this as it would make riveting viewing as well as shame the current legal system and its failings.

Don't worry about it, the paperwork will take 50 years..... By that time maybe the Thai's will have grasped the benefits of maintenance....???? AND perhaps, solar powered energy, so cheap if only import tax were not so high!

At last word there was to be a Memorial Service for Lou on the 14th. I should be able to get the info on where and what time, and then post tomorrow afternoon or evening.

Still no particulars on his passing.

LOu suffered massive head wounds following a collision with an 18 wheel lorry. He and passengers (both recovering now and out of hospital ) were returning from Pitsanulok in a brand new Pick-up truck, when the incident occured.

He was a lovely and most amiable man, knowledgeable of world and local affairs, modest and always a delight to be with as he was such a great/brilliant conversationalist, witty and a practical joker. He was a giant in more ways than one and possessed that rare quality of making everybody feel important including the downtrodden , doing menial jobs for low pay and little recognition.

This wise owl will be dearly missed and not be forgotten. RIP. A memorial service ,yet to be confirmed , is likely to be on the 21st Nov. 2009

Now we have another expat to add to the list. I did not know this man but his name was Barry and was apparently known around the Thapae Gate area. He was from Canada . The word I had was that he was found dead in a guest house around Thapae Gate.

Barry from Canada. If anyone has any more information, please add it, as I'm sure there are friends and accquaintances out there who would like to give their final respects

G

In the 19th century Thailand was not yet 100% united behind the Chakri dynasty. The country was still tied to a strong local patron-client social structure that was at odds with a unified central government. As a means to cajole the local lords (caos) to accept sovereignty from Bangkok without rebelling, the throne in Bangkok handed out to ruling families titled names akin to the feudal titles in Europe, a Thai version of a Duchy. Thus the ruling families in the larger muangs were given names such as Na Chiang Mai, Na Ayuttaya, etc. Since these families were landed aristocracy, they continue to be powerful families within the broader society. Although now enough time has passed that not all that bear the name are of such high status and some of the fruit has fallen far from the tree. But in general it notes that the great great grandparents were local rulers.

Do you have a source(s) for this posting?

Here another tip: Check the computers from the policemen involved in the crackdown too, the tip is not even anonymous (only losers do so). But if you are using software that is stolen, why pay the middleman? Either pay the developer or pay nothing get it from a torrent site.

Or simply download Open Office software , which is compatible with MS Office'stuff and it is free. More tha adequate for most PC's and businesses www.openoffice.com

In my case (underlined). When the banks here started the 150 baht per transaction charge the normally smooth withdrawal of funds at the ATMs (using foreign cards) seemed to change and I began to have great difficulty in drawing over 10,000 baht per day. On one or two occasions I was allowed to withdraw up close to my 300 pound per day limit, but mostly I got the message "Transaction invalid, please contact your bank".

My Uk bank assured me that my daily limit applied anywhere in the world. The local banks told me their machines were working correctly and to contact my UK bank. In the end I had to admit defeat and started withdrawing my money over the counter, which is a pain for me and the bank's staff. I've heard that some banks refuse to do this because of the work involved, but my bank, Siam Commercial still does.

At the moment, I'm in the process of organising an account with Currency Direct in anticipation of SC stopping over the counter withdrawals. This way I'll be able to make transfers from the UK without having to pay the bank transfer charge.

I'm a little paranoid about posting on these boards because of all the would-be comics, smart alecs and downright nasty so and so's that hover around here. For their benefit, I've underlined 'In my case".

My UK bank/building society allows £300 per day , but I am unable to withdraw more than 10,000 baht per day, c. £196 at present from a Thai ATM. Why, I wonder? Are there any Thai bank employees reading who can throw light on this?

PS Bank of Ayuthea (Yellow ATM's) still not charging the 150 baht fee for foreign issued ATM debit cards

What immigration office did you go to Syd as that seems like a very harsh decision to me?

Any chance of going higher up?

Failing that how about a trip to KL for a multi entry, much cheaper than going home to blighty.

Yes, you must report this to the minister responsible cc it also to the PM's office. Clearly a dullard /space cadet misread your visa and what an inconvenience for you. Good luck. What a bunch of incompetents and what makes this example so bad is nobody could correct the error.

Here is a good list of bike shops in Chiang Mai:

http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycl...shops-t633.html

Good luck,

Chris

Thanks for this link ,will be checking some of these places out. Can you recommend a shop that specialises in BMW. I am looking for one of their little 650 trails bikes in particulat.

Thanks.

I can't help but wonder if those who no problems had "legal" copies of XP and those who had problems didn't ?

You may have hit the nail on the head here as I too had no problems. Too many folks using dodgy software and then screaming Ya boo .

I leave Heathrow tomorrow for 2 weeks in Cha Am, is this going to affect my holiday at all?

Thanks

It wont affect your holiday in any way. Enjoy it, the rain the storms and the lightning shows and dont take the local press (newspapers) at all seriously.don't forget to tip the waiters/esses and put 20 baht under your pilows for room services.

You can do your extension during the last 30 days of any 90 dat entry. It appears that you are almost there now.

You will need to have 800K baht in the bank for 60 days or 65K baht income or a combination of the 2 totaling 800K baht.

Are you sure that you need all of this if a foreigner is married to a Thai?

The only reason her ILR might be revoked is if there was proof that she gained it by deception, but proving that it was not her intention, at the time of the application, to remain with her husband is virtually impossible. Mere suspicion is not enough.

What a wonderful rule I ponder to think which jackass made that one up

It's very sad to know that many people from foreign lands will stoop so low to get an ILR. The Home office would know the official figures but the general public will never know the the full extent of this sham marriage fiasco. By cross correlating divorce dates with ILR's one will see the true intent of many a group.

In my case I worked out that my Thai wife married me for an ILR. I divorced her before her time was up so she could not get one. A few months after the divorce was settled she had already got herself another British husband. These girls are ruthless, cold, calculating and not very nice people.

Betrayal of trust is a very disgusting thing and unfortunately there is no law to stop it.

micky44 OK we do not know anything about this relationship but I think it's quite obvious what this particular ladies intention is.

mego You will have to except that the time you spent with your Thai wife was a complete lie, something quite difficult to swallow

Don't generalise until you know both sides of the story. What kind of hostel? A battered wives hostel?

I recalled a similar case of a relatively, well educated Thai wife who married a Brit, and he made her life hel_l. She had to go to Women's Aid and get help there as he was punching her and she was fearful of him.

You dont get hostel accmodation and state benefits that easy, if you do there is likely to be good reason.

With that amount I would ::

1.

open a NAtionwide Flex account as this card carries no currency loading and there are one or 2 banks that wont charge you £3 per withdrawal (ie Bank of Ayuthea, Yellow ATM logo s)

2. Take £200 and /or £500 denomination travs, chqs. as you will only pay about 60p commision per cheque and £50 or so in cash as emergency funding,

I dont think any Thai bank will allow you to open an account unless you have a visa other than a Visitors visa.

Good luck and enjoy your stay .

I have just been in to the Thai Embassy in London to check out their 'Menu' board to see whether they are still issuing Non Imm. O Multiple entry visas for 2 years. They do not issue these anymore but do offer a 3 year validity one YES 3 YEARS (for me on the basis of marriage to a Thai). Christmas has come early for me and the cost is the same ::£200. If you do have to return to UK consider this option.

Sorry if Ive hijacked this topic, didnt want to start new one on a very similar topic.

....Ok so heres my question just to confuse things futher

I came to thailand last year on a non immigrant mutliple O visa - based on visiting firends, family etc issued at hull (Im from the UK)

Feb 09 i got a non immigrant B visa from penang, this expires in Nov 09.

Now in Nov 09 my visa expires, but i am no longer working for the company I got this for, so want to go back on a non O multiple when i need to get a new visa.

I was hoping I could get this from penang...do u think I should be ok, since I have only ever had 1 TV before and 1 non B? Also if i can get my new visa here, I dont need to show details of my financial situation do I, as I want the visa based on visiting ? or am I wrong.

I have emailed the consulates in malaysia, and also thought Id try Hull..but thats to see if I have to go back to the UK for the visa but suprise suprise no reply

No embassy in Asia will give you an non-O without being marreid to a Thai or having Thai children. Your best bet is Either going to Europe or Australia to get a new visa, based on visiting family and friends.

Are you on a non-B multple or on an extension of stay from immigration? if you are on an extension of stay from immigration you have to leave the country the same day your emploment ends.

AEON, UOB and GSB ATMs (Government Savings Bank) do not have the 150 bt service charge

Are there any banks in Chiang Mai not charging foreign ATM transaction fees?

Neither was Bank of Ayuthyea (the yellow bank) when I last used them 10 days ago.

The point is that am early bird on airport in Istanbul heading to Krung Thep - well am sure there is a lot of us - but walking around six and half hours in airport is not my kind of favored waste of time

So is there any one who has been useing his/hers time and founded maybe something how to spend that time on premises.

Eaten and drinking is not on option and with their prices - huh

Travelling in the end of August, thank you in advance

HI can anyone help me out I am trying to find a good hotel for a short stay of 2-3 days in Bangkok. It will be for me and my wife plus our 2 young children, both are around 2yrs old.

Can anyone recommend any hotels. All I can find on the web as being family friendly are the mega expensive ones like four seasons!

I am keen to hear from anyone with experience of a hotel in Bangkok with their family. Your help woul dbe much appreciated.

The Atlanta Hotel at the end of Soi 2 Sukhumvit is very child friendly, has a super Coffee shop, internet, travel shop a fairly decent pool, writers bureaus, and a travel shop.It is not rated (ie no stars) but well worth a stay

It is hostile to prostitutes, sex tourists ,catamites and anti social behaviour. Yobs get thrown out but they love families. Khun Roger is the gentleman to talk to ref. bookings. Dont just turn up as they usually have full occupancy. About £15 a night for an air con room on the 1st floor. I have stayed there many times with my wife and 2 young children. Let me know how you got on.

HI,

anyone has a nice CENTRAL guest house to reccomend for a budget of 350 baht max for a single room with bathroom?

Thanks

Try The Atlanta on Sukhuvit Soi 2 (Far end) German art deco, pool ,library, writers desk, internet and a superb selection of vegetarian foods.

Very popular, so phone first. 02 252 6069, 1650

H

G'day,

Are there any alternative roads to get there without going past that one-lane mayhem that is Hang Dong market?

I am starting my journey at Big C super highway.

Or what times of the day would that that one-lane road be especially bad?

Thanks

Matt

Agree that road is hellish, especially early mornings and from 2pm onwards. At weekends, it induces ulcers! Whenever I used to go that way I involuntarily began singing the Chris Rea song :: 'The Road to hel_l'. Must be one of the the worst bottlenecks in the province.

At the Big C junction carry on the CNX- Hang Dong road 'til you get to the Samoeng junction, turn right here and then proceed to the next major juction, turn left at the lights and you are then on the Canal road ;which is paralell to the road from hel_l.

This is a good road and relatively quiet except during the busy mornings rush and school runs. Proceed for c.3-4 miles 'til you get to a tyre shop on your left, turn left here and at the end of this road you will see a sign for Carrefoure.If you miss the tyre shop no worries , just carry on 'til you see a sign for San Patong(one of the best markets in the Province) turn left here. and at the next major junction (the Hang Dong -CNX road chuck a left). You are then returning to Chiang Mai and the Carrefoure is on your right which means doing a U turn.

It is worth the extra few miles as the supermarket is rarely crowded, good selections and friendly staff ,who alas dont speak English .

(Shame on the senior management of Carrefour, for their poor training of staff)

Agreed that it sounds like he got a Non-Immigrant O visa instead of an O-A.

I understand that in Britain, consulates cannot issue O-A visas; only the Embassy in London can. In the USA, consulates *can* issue O-A visas. What's the situation in Australia? If Australian consulates cannot issue an O-A that would explain why the fellow got a plain Non-Immigrant O visa.

Thanks ,that is very helpful information. When I visited the London embassy in Nov.2008, I saw , on their useful 'Menu of Visa's Board'(to the right of the appliations window), that there was a 2 year Non Imm O visa for £200. quid) . Rather than park 400k (if married to a Thai), or 800k Baht in a Thai bank this would seem a good option for those who are considering long term/permant residency and dont want to entrust such a sum with a Thai bank. Do any of the readers here know if the 2 year option is stil on the menu?

The financial requirements are.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM);

(2) The applicant is 50 years of age or over;

(3) Proof of income of not less than Baht 65,000 per month; or

(4) Account deposit with a bank in Thailand of not less than

800,000 Baht as shown in the bank account for the past 3 months at the filing date of the application. For the first year, the applicant should have that amount in his bank account for not less than 60 days or

(5) Annual income plus bank account deposit totaling not less

than Baht 800,000 as of the filing date of application

I have been told that if you are married to a Thai national the deposit is 400k.Also,

that the bank account must be in the applicants name only. Bank deposits in joint accounts are not acceptable any more. The latter has caused a lot of hassle-and outrag- from foreigners who have trusted their spouses sufficiently to hold a joint account. Any one know why this proviso was introduced ;on Thaksin's watch I believe?

///Edit: off topic. There is nothing in the OP to suggest that the person being talked about is married to a Thai national. - Maestro

This is still Thailand and no matter what you are found guilty of, he still has enough cash to buy anything he wants; including his freedom. We should never forget that.

WRONG! Thaksin is not a very rich guy compared to other business people here in Thailand.

Now the entire world will watch that legal procedure arround Thaksin and an "elephant can't be covered with a lotus leaf" !

/edit typing error

Who are you trying to kid? 'not a very rich guy! Ha Ha!

He was reported to have spent c.$1.5 billion on a private jet just last month.

JUST who are these business people people you are comparing him too. Is there an equivalent of the Forbes listing here in Thailand or do you have other sources? Seriously.

I flew Eva from London a few years ago. It was okay, but in-flight entertainment was very limited: a few TVs in the aisle kind of entertainment. I much prefer the middle eastern airlines, but then I like a couple of hours stopover halfway to relieve the boredom...

I have been back and forth from London with EVA for over 10 years and would rate them very highly. I have always had good entertainment with individual screens to view. Once I flew with ETHIAD who were the pits in terms of shoddy service and agressive stewardesses.The staff were poorly trained and did not like dealing with young children. EVA stand out in my judgement even if you have to travel 'Bear-pit' class !

Thx sumrit, will check that option out!

ANd while you are about it get yourself the 2 year validity multple entry Non IM. O visa .The Thai embassy will do this for you with just a sight of your marriage lines.A bargain at £200 quid and it saves so much hassle sould you wish to stay in Thailand for a while and not deposit a large amount in a Thai bank.

I did not have a look there yet, that is a great suggestion. Is AUA far from the city center?

Agree with an earlier post that Nimanhaeman is a good place, but at the opposite end to the Amari Rincome junction. There is a dance school and a Japanese restaurant with a huge parking area. It is also near the Canal Rd and contrary to another contributor is out of town and therefore popular with many new residents who dont go near the polluted centres.Many ex pats use bicycles also to get about.

Good luck I am looking for a course to undertake so pm me or contact [email protected] with details of your courses.