gharknes

well those boys did not mess around on that job did they ?

smashed there skulls with a blunt object ?

bit bloody drastic i think.

would of been nice just to thai them up.

sick

Trying to get an investment visa in Thailand

Information

I am purchasing two condos in view tolay 6. To be honest I really purchased them to get the investment visa as I am 36 and have decided to leave the UK. Not wishing to do the visa runs. Though I do have a Non Immigrant O visa.

I have a house here in a company name, and income from investments made in Europe. In total I have set up a life in Thailand. Do not work here and only bring money into the Thai ecomony

Have the money to cover the cost of both condos in a thai bank. Money sent form the UK. Have all the paper work from all banks involved

7th September 2006

Arrive at the visa office, The officer tells me I can use the receipts for any payments from the View Tolay and the rest must be in the Krung Thai Bank Savings Account. Between the bank and the View Tolay I must have 3,000,000 bht or more

7th September go to my other bank and draw out the balance to make 3,000,000. Get a letter from the bank to say that the funds came from abroad. Take the cashier cheque to the Krung Thai Bank. Open a new account. Because it is the afternoon, the Krung Thai staff are unable to put the cheque funds into my book and tell me I have to come back in the morning before 11:30am.

8th September go back to the Krung Thai bank and deposit the cheque, update the book and then make the journey from Pattaya Klang to Soi 5 Jomtien (Immigration)

8th September. Arrive at Immigrations with paper work, bank book, bank letter from Thailand, bank letter from England, view tolay papers, photo copies and immigration form filled out twice.

They tell me I have the wrong type of Bank account, they do not wont the account I have. I explain that the account is a savings account and I have opened the account that I was explained to me the day before. No good they say.

12th September I go back to the Krung Thai bank and explain that the bank account is the wrong one and I need to open a new account. We open a fixed account. Move the money from the savings account into the new Fixed rate account. Pays interest of 4.75%

13th Setember arrive at the immigration office 9:15am wait inline after pressing number 7 on the auto system. Armed with duplicate photo copies of passport, visa, letter from the bank in England, letter from the TMB, Reciepts from View tolay, bank book from TMB, bank book fixed account Krung Thai. The Amount of payments to the View Tolay on receipt + amount in fixed rate account = 3,000,000 bht. Wait for 2 hours to be called to desk 7. When I sit down the officer tells me the receipts I have for the View Tolay condos are the wrong type so cannot take this amount into account. He then instructs me to go to View tolay office and get new receipts. I figure there is no way that the staff at View Tolay office will have any idea of what I am talking about. I ask the officer is I go back to the Krung Thai bank and deposit an amount to take the balance in the fixed rate account to 3,000,000 bht, would he give me the investment visa. Yes he says.

13th September 11:30am I leave the immigration office, the rain is that bad that the whole of sio 5 is a flooded river. I wait patiently for a farang to leave the office who has a car so I can hopefully continue on my quest with out getting drenched and drowned. Eventually, I hitch a lift from a kind gentleman from Germany. He is kind enough to take me direct to the TMB second road. Fight my way through the work site below and arrive on the 1st floor. Take out enough money to top up the Krung Thai bank to excess of 3,000,000 and leave the bank heading towards Pattaya Klang and the Krung Thai bank. Deposit the money, get a new letter. Then a bht bus to walking street. Hitch a second bht bus to soi 5 immigration from south Pattaya remembering the river I had left earlier and paid 100bht to be dropped at the door. Firstly I go into the photo copy shop next door and get two new compies of the bank book and new bank letter. Attach them to the two sets of files.

Once again in I go to immigration. Select a ticket for desk 7. Wait yet another 30-40 minutes. The officer then calls my number. I produce all the documents and finally at 3:30pm on the 13th September 2006 and 1900bht later (plus 130bht in photo copies 200-300bht in taxis, 600bht for bank letters, 1200bht for photos) I get a new stamp in my passport. The new stamp states

Pattaya Immigration Office Application For Extension Of Stay Is Under Consideration. I am then told to report back on the 10th October to find out If I can have the new Investment Visa or not.

Amazing Thailand, 4 days of running around to be told I may or maynot get a visa. Even though I have followed all the rules, have the correct funds, can prove the origin of the money. Have all the paper work etc. If this is how difficult it is to be legal here, even with money and time. What will it be like for many of the other farangs that stay here on a lower income. You wait many of your long time friends here will fanish from the smiley face town of Pattaya to return to their former homes. Enough though they have enough to live here, just not enough for the new rules.

These new changes in Thailand spell trouble for all Farangs regardless of wealth.

I dont regret investing money here, but feal cheated by a country that wont let me stay long term to enjoy it. A visa run once every three months is a little harsh for anyone who is legal and invested good money. On my next forced visa run, I really will start looking at Cambodia. From what I have been told SIHANOUKVILLE is the place to be. Maybe I will see you all there.

looks like all for nothing as they are discontinuing investment visa's 1st Oct, desk 7 most likely new this the whole time

WOW. Any guinea pigs out there?

I'd like to try it, anything has got to better than Maxnet

Yes. Where, indeed, were Thailand's 'finest'?

I won't speculate on who was in the wrong concerning this particular late night dispute, but as a matter of course, the local constabularly should surely have responded to this violent assault on a foreigner in the tourist town of Pattaya.

Where were they?

Why didn't they turn up at the hospital considering the seriousness of the injuries?

Sounds like the boys in brown are showing due deference - AGAIN - to the powers that be and their vicious bully boys.

T.I.T.

I'm sick of reading stuuf like this, it seems that Thai men are basically cowards, they can't fight one on one, the guy splashed water ???????, they had planks and sticks, obviously ready to pick on someone, more than likely motorbike taxi drivers (lets bouycott them), I thought thai's where honourable, so this was four on to one, 16 of us should go down and beat the crap out of these cowardly phuckers

where can I get the full channel listing for Sophon cable, if someone has it handy perhaps they could PM it to me

cheers

after reading the various post here would I be correct in assuming this does not effect multiple entry type O visa, I leave for the UK next month to renew my visa after being here for 14 months, this is all a little confusing, I did border runs every 90 days because I had too, I rent a property here and own a motor vehicle and other stuff, I don't work, I live with my GF

Wanna live here get a VISA

Otherwise go home.

How simple is that?

Or be an illegal.

Same as any country where you're not a national.

Cannot see the angst.

Thailand could care less about the illegals here spending their money, and I'd guess the illegals (VISA run junkies) are the chepskates anyway, don't own any land etc.

boo hoo, they are cracking down.

Get a life chaps, or a VISA.

so what makes everyone think it's ok to a visa run on a Non IM type O, that is not the purpose of a type O either, this is also bending the rules.. At the end of the day retirement or full residency are the only true legal ways to stay in Thailand.

Go around at dark places at night with gold around your neck and you ask for it.

Som nam nah.

are you for real, it's a beach front for gods sake, sorry but any other country and it's a romantic walk by the sea with the moon adding to the ambience.........well too bad someone just shot me in the head for a 100 quid neckless.............................you people need to really get real, we need to start puting pessure on the authorities to start and do something before this holiday paradise becomes a place where nobody wants to come..........................right now to me it is a shit hole and a dangerous one at that

it is the ignorance of people here with investments that don't want to believe what they are seeing every day, believe it and do something about it instead of trying to ignore it.............

Are you for real? Have you ever been to Rio? You don't even need to show your gold there to be mugged!

Rio would not be a place I would want to go along with a few other places round the world................penny dropped yet

Oh and not to forget this one http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82448

Go around at dark places at night with gold around your neck and you ask for it.

Som nam nah.

are you for real, it's a beach front for gods sake, sorry but any other country and it's a romantic walk by the sea with the moon adding to the ambience.........well too bad someone just shot me in the head for a 100 quid neckless.............................you people need to really get real, we need to start puting pessure on the authorities to start and do something before this holiday paradise becomes a place where nobody wants to come..........................right now to me it is a shit hole and a dangerous one at that

it is the ignorance of people here with investments that don't want to believe what they are seeing every day, believe it and do something about it instead of trying to ignore it.............

Key is to watch your back at all times - lil paranoia at times can keep you safe. Granted beach rd at that time in the morning isnt the smartest thing to do but give the lad benefit of the doubt prob didnt know better and was pissed.

it is nothing to do with knowing better, this is supposed to be a holiday resort it won't be for much longer if this stuff continues, I am right now considering the purchase of something to protect myself and anyone with me...........why should i be doing this in pattaya, it is getting beyond belief, the authorities need to clamp down on this now, that means preventing the crime not trying to solve it after it happens...........it is getting worse, all you nay sayers that talk about pattaya bashing need a reality check.......oh yes you are safe in your little housing estate no problem..........go out for a night and in pattaya city and see how safe you feel.

I have posted this before and since then it has just gotten worse, when you seemingly live in a holiday resort where someone is willing to shoot you dead for a cheap piece of jewellery there has to be something wrong, hardly the big attraction for tourists ..is it.

If you plan a stroll on Beach Road at 3.45am: take a pointed stick; because you will be attacked and robbed if you are alone. That I can guarantee 100%.

Would I take a stroll around Moss Side in Manchester at 3.45 am: No: Because it is a Carribean slum full of drug taking yardie vermin, who will beat me to death with their gym exercised biceps and fists.

Would I take a stroll along Beach Road, Pattaya at 3.45 am: No: Because it is awash with ladymen thieves and Thai male robbers and bandits who have had a part-time training in gym-style Thai boxing, and have absolutely no scruples in beating a fellow human being to death, or else stabbing him/her in the abdomen and/or shooting him/her dead witha pistol/revolver.

Time to educate these tourist fools.

what a tit.....a typical 'know it all'.........why dont you start the ball rolling in educating these 'fools' instead of mocking possibly inecent holiday makers....oh and he declined the pro's advance's....i expect that makes him gay as well does it.....

Touch a raw nerve did I ben01? Have you been mugged at 0345 in the morning whilst wearing a thousand dollar gold chain on the streets of Pattaya or Bristol?

I shall not 'start the ball rolling' because a fool cannot be protected from his folly. If you attempt to do so, you will not only arouse his animosity but also you will be attempting to deprive him of whatever benefit he is capable of deriving from experience.

I think the main problem here is that beach road is an open tourist area, areas you would not go in other cities in other countries are of the beaten track, the police need to start being more proactive, go to beach road, take names and addresses of people loitering around keep doing it until these young thugs get the message and move on, do this in all high profile touristy areas, bali high pier is another one, nice place day or night ...............it will soon clean things up and ultimately lock a few up, the police will also get an idea of who is where doing what.

Hello

I am considering the purchase of a villa at Majestic residence, does anyone have an opinion on this development?

Would View Talay or Jomtiens Park Villas be a better value propostion.

Any other recommendations? Budget 11m.

And thanks in advance for any replies.

i sell my 2 bedroom hause in vieuw talay villa for 8.500.000 bath

on company name

give 3 for it, that's about the right market value, don't care what you paid

and to the OP, where ever you buy check they are not building a motorway at the bottom of the garden, seems a few are sites are in the shit, no wonder that land was so cheap

no harm to th rest of you but I'd far rather have a young lady do the cleaning around my home and possibly live-in than have some old lady

up to me up to him up to you.......don't be so critical folks

I don't think the OP has recieved a decent reply yet apart from calling it weird ????

You can pay your own national insurance class 3 contributions at the inland revenue national insurance contributions office benton park view newcastle upon tyne ne981zz england. There web site is www.hmrc.gov.uk I would check on how many years you have as they will be changing the law in july 2007. If you have 30 years contributions then you will have enough for your state pension and you will not have to pay anymore as they dont give refunds. I hope that information is of any help.

I started work on the 30/08/76 and stopped on the 30/03/2004 so I need to contribute for another 2 years approx for 30 years then.

Can anyone give me some information on this, I've been told that if I register as an Expat in Thailand that they will notify the UK National insurance Dept and my stamp will be paid up while I'm living in Thailand, is this true and what are the risks pitfalls if any ?

just wondering what the alternatives are.....yes I can get a taxi from pattaya but are there easy alternatives ?

Oh and travel date is mid October return early Nov so not sure which airport new/old I hope the pilot knows.

well if I was a big store and had invested loads of money in a partial finnished site I'd be on my way to court with a law suit.........I wonder how they would respond to that one ?

| Program Name: | DVD Decrypter |

|==================================|

| Author: | LIGHTNING UK! |

|==================================|

Supported Command Line Switches:

(You can get a basic version of this list via 'DVDDecrypter.exe /?')

/MODE <IFO | FILE | ISOREAD | ISOWRITE>

Used to tell the program which 'Mode' to open up in.

/SRC <Drive Letter | SCSI Address> | "<File Name>"

Used to select the source drive or filename.

Drive Letter or SCSI Address applies to IFO, FILE and ISOREAD modes.

File Name applies to ISOWRITE mode.

Examples: /SRC J:

/SRC 1:0:0

/SRC "C:\DVDIMAGE.ISO"

/DEST "<Folder | File Name>" | <Drive Letter | SCSI Address>

Used to select the destination folder, filename or drive.

Folder applies to IFO and File modes.

File Name applies to ISOREAD mode.

Drive Letter or SCSI Address applies to ISOWRITE mode.

Examples: /DEST "C:\DVD 1\VIDEO_TS\"

/DEST "C:\DVDIMAGE.ISO"

/DEST J:

/DEST 1:0:0

You can use [DISC_LABEL] within the path to have the program insert the disc's volume label.

Examples: /DEST "C:\[DISC_LABEL]\VIDEO_TS\"

/DEST "C:\[DISC_LABEL].ISO"

/VTS <VTS Number>

Used to tell the program which VTS should be selected by default.

Applies to IFO mode only

Required when /PGC is specified

Example: /VTS 1

/PGC <PGC Number>

Used to tell the program which PGC should be selected by default.

Applies to IFO mode only

Required when /VTS is specified

Example: /PGC 1

/ANGLE <Angle Number>

Used to tell the program which PGC should be selected by default.

Applies to IFO mode only

Example: /ANGLE 1

/DIRECT <Stream Number> <...>

Used to tell the program which streams should be processed using the 'Direct Stream Copy' method.

Applies to IFO and File modes.

'*' and '?' wildcards can be used.

Examples: /DIRECT 0x80 0xE0

/DIRECT 0x8? 0x?0

/DIRECT *

/DEMUX <Stream Number> <...>

Used to tell the program which streams should be processed using the 'Demux' method.

Applies to IFO and File modes.

'*' and '?' wildcards can be used.

Examples: /DEMUX 0x80 0xE0

/DEMUX 0x8? 0x?0

/DEMUX *

/RAW <Stream Number> <...>

Used to tell the program which streams should be processed using the 'Raw' method.

Applies to IFO and File modes.

'*' and '?' wildcards can be used.

Examples: /RAW 0x80 0xE0

/RAW 0x8? 0x?0

/RAW *

/START

Used to start the decryption process automatically when the program has finished initialising.

Basically, it just presses the 'Decrypt' / 'Write' button for you!

/CLOSE

Used to close the program when the decryption process has finished.

Basically, it just presses the 'Close' button for you!

/VERIFY <YES | NO>

Used to make the program verify a disc is readable after it has been written in ISO Write mode.

Basically, it just checks (or unchecks!) the 'Verify after write' box for you!

/SHUTDOWN

Used to shutdown the computer when the program has finished burning in ISO Write mode.

Basically, it just checks the 'Shutdown computer when done' box for you!

/OVERWRITE <YES | NO>

Used to force the program to either overwrite all existing files, or never overwrite them.

/ERASE

Used to automatically erase / format / overwrite media in ISO Write mode.

/SPEED <Write Speed>

Used to change the value of the 'Write Speed' drop down list.

The parameter must match the value within the drop down list exactly.

Examples: /SPEED MAX

/SPEED 1x

/SPEED 2.4x (or 2,4x depending on regional settings)

/SPLIT <NONE | AUTO | CELLID | VOBID | CHAPTER | FILE | LAYER | 1GB>

Used to tell the program when to split the programs output.

Only applies to IFO and FILE modes.

IFO mode supports the following options:

NONE, AUTO, CELLID, VOBID, CHAPTER, LAYER, 1GB.

FILE mode supports the following options:

NONE, AUTO, CELLID, VOBID, FILE.

/NAMING <PGC> <ANGLE> (Append PGC and/or ANGLE information to file names)

Used to tell the program to append PGC and/or ANGLE information to the file names when saving.

Only applies to IFO mode.

/FILES <MOVIE> <ALL> "<File Name>" "<...>"

Used to tell the program which file to select / deselect.

Only applies to FILE mode.

The '*' wildcard is supported. (ie. VTS*.VOB, VTS_01*.VOB, VTS_01_1.*, *.VOB)

Note: Only 1 can be used per file name. (ie. VTS*.* WILL NOT WORK!!)

Putting a '-' before a file name means it will be deselected instead of selected.

Examples: /FILES MOVIE

/FILES MOVIE VIDEO_TS.*

/FILES VTS_01*

/FILES VTS* -*0.VOB

/FILES ALL -*.BUP -*0.VOB

/FILES MOVIE "VIDEO_TS.IFO" "VIDEO_TS.VOB"

/FILES ALL "-VIDEO_TS.VOB"

THE END

What is DVD Shrink?

DVD Shrink is software to backup DVD discs. You can use this software in conjunction with DVD burning software of your choice, to make a backup copy of any DVD video disc.

DVD Shrink will also burn your backup DVD, if you have installed the latest version of Nero. You can download a demo version of Nero here. If you already possess alternative burning software and prefer to stick with it, then you can still use DVD Shrink. The output from DVD Shrink can be saved as files on your hard drive, or as an ISO disc image on your hard drive, which you can then burn with software of your choice.

DVD Shrink is free software. You should never pay for DVD Shrink. Please refer to the License Agreement.

Why use DVD Shrink?

Most DVDs are designed to prevent you from making copies.

The first preventative measure is encryption. Commercial DVD titles are often encrypted, which prevents you from either copying them to your hard drive, or if you manage to do so, being able to play the resulting files. DVD Shrink overcomes this problem with built-in decryption algorithms, which means you can use DVD Shrink to backup a DVD directly, without requiring any other software.

The next problem is not so easy. Most DVD video titles are simply too large to fit, without modification, onto a single recordable DVD-R disk. DVD Shrink overcomes this problem by compressing or "shrinking" the data from your original DVD. The latest DVD Shrink 3.2 contains state-of-the-art compression algorithms, rivalling those found in the best commercial softwares.

DVD Shrink also allows you to re-author your DVD. You can make your own compilation from one or more source DVDs, or select only the parts of a DVD which you intend to view, thus preserving more space on your backup for the highest quality viewing.

Last but not least, why use DVD Shrink? Because DVD Shrink is free!

The LAN at my work is a total mess - there's been no centralised budgeting for IT so everyone has 'done their own thing' and now we have a veritable zoo of 20 PCs and laptops ranging from the ancient to the modern, running everything from Windows 98 and up. There is no file server, just a couple of hubs/switches and a lot of 'home wiring' running all over the place (including out windows and through the fish pond over which the 2-story building is built). There are 14 printers because the concept of sharing funding or cooperating is beyond the capacity of the staff, who up until now, have been fully in 'control' of their own IT purchases (IT'S MINE!!!).

In short, it is a LAN designed by Satan.

I would like to try and start sorting out the mess (we have a new boss who will make it possible). Things I would like to do are:

1. Develop a plan for rebuilding the LAN so that it is no longer a dogs breakfast, and reduce the amount of time we spend fixing things.

2. Set up a file server and decent backup facility so that staff can start sharing files and stop losing years of work when their hard drives crash. It would be nice to have a shared calendar.

3. Set up wireless internet access that is cleanly separated from the LAN - we don't like visitors plugging into our file system because they tend to be computer illiterate and horribly virus-ridden.

4. If possible, it would be nice to have some sort of centralised administration of our staff's computers to prevent them (say) disabling their anti-virus sofware to 'download their mail faster' or installing malware.

5. Long term goal is we would like a VPN with tight security, as our staff travel a lot.

I'm not a computer guy and haven't set up a network before so I could use a bit of help with this stuff (we do have a computer guy who has no concern at all about security or reliability, and who refuses to plan or write anything down). It's going to take a while to sort out so I'll throw questions up in stages I guess:

* In view of the above is it necessary to try and standardise the OS we use in the office (this might cost us a few of the older PCs and laptops but they also seem to cause the most problems). If so, is it worth hanging out for Vista or is XP the safest bet for the next few years? Is volume licensing a good idea?

* How can we centrally administer / lock down our staff's PCs so they can't mess around with them?

* What is the best option for running a file server (given that our PCs / staff are all Windoze). Our 'computer guy' insists that it should run on Linux - but is it feasible / sensible to mix it with a network of windows desktops?

* Any special software needed to run a file server? Our computer guy keeps waving around some freeware thing he found called webdrive but is this really the kind of mainstream non-dodgy solution I'm looking for? What do 'normal' people use?

Thanks for enlightening the ignorant.

My first question would be budget, everything you have mentioned is a basic IT environment which most companies should have as an Initial building block, I worked for a large global company in their IT department working Global projects, the basic stuff is just deployment of Microsoft Office with outlook etc, a managed Lan and someone that can support it probably on a full time basis for a few monhs then part time, you can have everything you ask for provided you have the budget.

Doesn't the IPSTAR box include some extra LAN ports?

Just run a lan cable from the box to your laptop.

Faster and more reliable than Wireless.

My Ipstar box has a USB port and no other ports. I have no idea what I could plug into the USB.

you can set you desktop as a server/shared connection and either create a Cabled Lan or Wireless Lan, you can plug your laptop directly into you PC if it has a Lan/ethernet connection.

You will see an option in XP networks for allowing other computers to connect using "this" connection....share it.

A little off-topic - But Seasider 2 on Soi Chaiyapoon is great for Full english dinners..

Lamb & mint sauce, Pork Chops, Roast beef & yorkshire pudding, fish n chips, chicken dinner ect. Prices all UNDER 150 baht..

Breakfasts are also 75 baht but quite small (2 sausages, bacon, fried potatoes, 2 eggs, 2 toast with tea or coffee)... Been going there for 5 years now...Prices are good, and the dinners are the best (some ingredients brought straight over from england)..

where is this exactly, can't find it on the city map.

Oh and the Butchers arms on soi Baukeow does great food......including breakfast and roasts, the owner Barry is a great guy and has been here a long time.......try it.

I used to prefer spirits from beer but in Pattaya drinking spirits can be very dangerous. Several times I have had terrible hangovers, lasting for days, after only 1-2 gin tonics.

Sometimes you can even tell by the taste of the spirit that it's bad.

Are the bar owners buying these cheap spirits to make a few bath more or are they unknowingly getting these from the suppliers?

Hard to believe that bar owners don't get any feedback about this so they can change supplier if they unknowingly are getting this poison. It's not really in their interest to poison the costumers or have the cosumers drinking beer when shorts go down quicker for a better profit.

Anyone knows whats going on, is there a bootleg spirits racket in Pattaya?

I'd be interested to know the symptoms of your hangover, what are you actually suffering from ?

Lots of good info

the problem here is that if die you cannot post an answer to the OP question, is your Thai wife entitled to a widows pension, nothing is certain until the money is in the bank.

Quite simple really !

Unemployed = No work ... No Money

Inactive Post = Work ... No money

Naka.

I heard a story yesterday about a cop in pattayaland 2 performing some very strange behavior to get money from 2 English guys, I won't go into the details, it happened on Monday