Bluetiger

This whole charade is enough to make a cat laugh. It makes the US legal system almost look respectable....?

I wonder if when these drugs are disposed of, does anyone do a recount? Gut feeling is there are a few missing.

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Lopburi gets my vote for dirtiest. A virtual monkey feces minefield. Throw is the pigeon poop, the Thai heat and enjoy the aroma!

Surely the city officials can train the monkeys to clean up after themselves or come up with proactive measures to reduce/limit the filth.... Oh wait, I forgot, this is Thailand.

Cleanest... Really? Still looking...

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Your good to go. I'm in Bangkok now. No worries. Yes, you will encounter some traffic issues. Plan ahead and stay away from the main protest areas. That being said, I had no issues around Siam center. Noisy but safe. No issues either in around the Grand palace/Wat Pho, etc... Go to Amorosa's for sunset...Wat Arun just across the Chao Phraya. Enjoy!

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Question 1) Thai murders, thiefs, and rapists are all bad. < Do you agree? ....um, yes!

Question 2) Now take the afore mentioned and give him 500 million baht and he's an upstanding Hi-So Thai. Correct?

I'm particulary fond of the Nigerian scam where they pose as a rep from Fed Ex or UPS. You recieve an email stating your pkg was undeliverable. A response is requested and whatever info they need to rip you off. Cant see how this could possibly fly as 1)... How in the he!! did you get my email if ur a rep from Fed Ex or UPS. It sure as he!! would not be on the airbill. 2) The airbill numbers can be referenced on the shipper websites. Cant see how anyone could fall for this. I've never played along but just might next time around.

Actually those "speed humps" are intended to provide an easier way for wheel chair users to cross Beach Road. Now all you wise guys can have fun with that twist of reality.

Lets hope the wheelchair drivers dont speed.... The council might decide to install vertical speedbumps.

It would be great if some Expat(s) opened a bar constucted like a Catholic church and named it "The Hicthing Post". Specials on Johnnie Walker all night! RIP CH

Weigh the attendants head on the scale. I bet the weight/cranial capacity is less than the normal desired weight/capacity.

No worries! Just get your Thai friend to carry the blow torch and crowbar.

Most properly run volunteer programs know all about the visa and work permit issues. So do a lot of the dodgy ones as well as it is an excellent cash cow for people. So the remark that these organizations do not is not true.

Whether or not they are truly a helping organization.....that is another matter all together.

To the OP, I do hope you enjoy your experience....but just a note that if you have paid money to do so...your volunteer experience is lining the pocket of an individual, not neccesarily helping the country, people or what ever it is they do (some, very few programs excluded from this opinion)

Right you are. Plenty of volunteer orgs out their that require you to pay to volunteer. Some of them most certainly are not on the "up & up". The org I'm associating myself with has been operating for over 35 years. No cash paid up front to volunteer, private room & three meals per day. Volunteer 5 1/2 days per week.

Note: Some orgs that do require cash from volunteers are still doing good work. It's not uncommon to request money to cover some of the costs to house you, feed you, buy supplies, etc... I know it seems like an uneven trade but its the reward in trying to make a difference that matters, not the money.

Thank you all. I'm good. I knew long before the post that a work permit would be required. No worries, The NGO is well established. They know what their doing. I was just surprised at receiving the type "B" visa from the Thai consulate. I was expecting the type "O". One thing is for sure... their is alot of mis-information out their and alot of visa reg changes.

Will follow-up should I come across any related material. Everyone have a drink...

Okay... I'm the recipient of a Mult entry non-Im type "B" visa. < Was expecting a type "O" visa as I'll be doing voluteer work.

Can anyone confirm changes on the visa type required as of Dec 2013 for volunteers?

Was told that all volunteers are now required to get a type "B" visa.

Anyone have experience/updates/concerns cooking with Poo?

A plethora of cooking classes in BKK. Poo offers 3 courses at a fair price.

Located in the Klong Toey slum near Benjasiri Park.

Its affordable with great reviews. Location not the best, thus my inquiry.

Thank you

* Serious responses preferred but certainly fire away on your "POO" related comments * HA!

FYI...

Who can claim VAT refunds?

- A non Thai visitor who has been in Thailand less than 180 days in a calendar year.
- A non Thai visitor who is not a crew member of an airline.
- A non Thai visitor who departs Thailand by air from an International airport.
How do you claim a VAT refund?
- A VAT refund will only apply if the goods purchased are taken out of Thailand within 60 days of purchase.
-The goods must be purchased from participating shops that display a "VAT Refund For Tourists" sign.
- On any one day, the goods purchased from an individual participating shop must not be less than 2,000 Baht including VAT, and the total amount claiming for refund must not be less than 5,000 Baht, including VAT.
- When you purchase the goods, ask the sales assistant to complete a VAT refund form, known as the P.P.10, and attach the original tax invoices to that form. Each P.P.10 must show a value of 2,000 Baht or more.
- You will need to know the method or refund you would prefer, and input that onto the P.P.10 form.
- You will need to show your passport to the sales assistant when you purchase the goods, to allow her to fill in the above mentioned form.
- When you are requesting the refund, the goods must be inspected by customs officers prior to check in. Show these customs officers the P.P.10 and tax invoices.
How will the refund be paid?
- If the refund does not exceed 10,000 Baht then you can have the refund made by cash (Thai Baht), draft, or a credit to your credit card.
- If the refund total does exceed 10,000 Baht then, refunds will be made by either draft or a credit to your credit card.
Are there any fees?
- If you request a cash refund a fee of 100 Baht will apply.
- For a draft refund a 100 Baht fee plus, the draft issuing fee at the rate charged by banks and postage fees.
- For credit card refunds, a 100 Baht fee plus money transfer fee at the rates charged by banks.

If you have any further questions on VAT refunds, please contact the VAT refund office at Bangkok International Airport, (Tel: 02-535 6576-79), or VAT Refund for Tourist Office (Revenue Department) Tel :02- 272 9387-8 or 02-272 8195-8.

Happy shopping! See also: Shopping in Bangkok and Currency Converter and Money Tips

Thai Airways has been suffering miserably for years on their long haul routes. Coupled with the ever increasing numbers of LCC's regionally, they'll be hard pressed to produce a noteworthy profit come next Q.

Solution: Try again to eat up more shares of Nok Air (49% & holding), Launch Thai Smile < Good move actually! Better yet... Explore the idea of reducing those FAT CAT salaries/bonuses in house. Free up some dough to secure your position long term and more importantly, your younger employees future. Just a thought

Happy Birthday to his majesty the king. Best wishes.

Lovely! Interesting none the less. How can they ignore the big Russian elephant in the room? Funny.

AND...Thank you SIMPLE1 for the piece on "Investigating the grey areas of the Chinese communities in SE Asia"

I just devoured it. < Very good!

Thank you...

Ubonjoe... Right, I may wait another month. Should provide a bit more flexibility abroad if no Mult entry visa is possible.

Pauln... Yes. All good. I will need a work permit. No worries. Only concerned over border crossings prior to volunteering.

Thank you... I hit the consulate next week. I have all my paperwork ready to go. Just trying to get some answers ahead of time. Wish me luck! Aloha

I'll be volunteering in Thailand for 6 months come April 2014 (American/52). I will be flying into Thailand late January as I want to travel to a few countries prior to volunteering (3 wks/3 different countries, using Bangkok as a base ).

Is it possible to obtain a Mult-entry non-im visa given the afore mentioned?

Likewise... Any issues forseen regarding my early arrival in Thailand as a vol on either the Mult/Single entry visa?

Thank you.... Hoping to avoid as many roadblocks as possible.