cdohrman

Try Nokia Here, works like Google Maps, including real-life traffic information and re-routing. https://wego.here.com/

Works on iPhone & Android 

They will have Street View support soon as well, as the Nokia camera cars are already touring the countryside.

As it loads offline maps, means you can use everything even without an Internet connection or local SIM card in your phone.

Navigator is a very free and useful alternative with off-line maps but no traffic info and street view  support, but is doing a great job on any Android phone, with or without SIM card. 

knowing that Cambodians have to pay 100s of USDs to 'pay' for a Cambodian passport (and they can only get it in 'expensive' Phnom Penh), it will take a long time till they will be back (officially). However, I guess, after some protests by the big construction companies and their customers who pay miln's of THB for their property, there will be soon a Thai solution to that when we do not hear of it anymore. 

according to the land tax value assessment last year, Omkoi is the cheapest place to buy/rent property in Thailand. I was there last year on a motorcycle trip and yes, it is stunning beautiful there, has a good number of expats living there and life looks truly healthy, beside, it gets nicely fresh during the winter time. No A/C needed, but maybe a gas water heater. Chiang Mai is not too far away and offers everything one needs to buy once in a while. Nice place I would consider to stay.

Let us know what your summary is of all the replies.

" Lady Kai was mentally unstable. She cannot control her emotions but she doesn't realize it" hmm sounds like many people around this region having the same disease, especially in the many soap operas on TV.

So I doubt all 15 on the queue today would have been seen by noon, least the question be asked about why they're limiting the quota to just 20 tickets per day.

There were two Japanese people ahead of us on line. One had a one-day overstay, so took a little longer, but not much. The number two applicant took less than 15 minutes. It took the Immigration officer about 20 minutes to process my application and my wife's, then another five-eight minutes to get us both photographed and have the information entered into the ledger books. Four of us in under an hour. So I guess you're correct. That would only be 12 people by noon. Three would have to come back after lunch.

My question is; why is there just one Immigration officer processing the paper work? There was one officer at each desk, processing 90-day reports, tourist visa extensions, and re-entry permits. Certainly Chiang Mai has more than four Immigration officers stationed here.

The others are working off the applications coming in through 'agents' at the back door for a handsome extra charge.

Definitely a good idea and will hopefully have the desired effects on drivers, however a look here: https://goo.gl/74YMcH reveals that somebody 'imitated' from somewhere, can not say, this is a Thai 'innovation', but then, in their 'innocent ignorance', that is how the nation makes everybody proud to be part of it; In the spirit of the new thainess and old xenophobia.

ordered plenty of items at Alibaba, had never a problem, all arrived within ca 2 - 4 weeks, never had any issues with customs or any other 'fees'. However, never ordered anything bigger than a shoe carton. Would really not know why I would order a chair at Alibaba, when there are plenty of furniture shops at least in and around the bigger cities in Thailand. That can only ask for trouble.

Must correct myself, I ordered only at AliExpress, not Alibaba. No Problem with Aliexpress, what is the B2C child of B2B e-Commerce platform Alibaba

ordered plenty of items at Alibaba, had never a problem, all arrived within ca 2 - 4 weeks, never had any issues with customs or any other 'fees'. However, never ordered anything bigger than a shoe carton. Would really not know why I would order a chair at Alibaba, when there are plenty of furniture shops at least in and around the bigger cities in Thailand. That can only ask for trouble.

1.) for 400K you do not get a car AND a bike.

2.) My wife bought a Mitsubishi Mirage with manual gear, and while I had my concerns at the beginning (I drive a Pajero Sport) I must say, this car is a lot of fun, extreme agile, surprisingly spacy inside, the manual gear is really well proportioned, surprising accelerations below 100 km/h and I had no problem to use it once to go upcountry with, exceeding speeds of 150 km/h. The only downside I feel, it can be a bit noisy on higher speeds ( 120 km/h or so) and well, yes, you must feel comfortable with shifting gears manually.

3.) There are some nice mid-size bikes now available in Thailand (after they all get now 'assembled' in Thailand). Check out the Suzuki V-Storm, most balanced Thai made touring bike. Then there is the Versys, well, while looking good, I do not think it is such a great bike, and finally you get a brand new Honda 500 CBR XT (adventure touring version) for 220.000 THB, a price tag that is simply unbeatable for a brand new home made bike that every village black smith can fix. Those who drive it, are very happy with it and maybe the perfect 'lower budget' touring and town bike for Thailand. (I'm having two BMWs and while really great and fun, they are expensive as they are both imported (Heavy import/luxury tax), however, there are some models now Thai-assembled and more affordable but all over 400K).

5.) 85% of fatal accidents in Thailand are involving motorcycles (I guess mainly motor scooters, driven by drunk drivers (or simply day dreaming drivers) without helmet or any other protection), means, simply add the additional level of lateral awareness that one needs in Thailand. In general, I find the traffic is quite gentle in Thailand, it is only that often drivers are not really concentrating on driving but on all other more important fun things while driving, like picking up the phone/cap/cup/whatever from the bottom of the car, being on the mobile phone for hours or texting, facial make-up or do not considering motorcycles as equally important traffic participants and feel seriously threatening challenged if a motorcycle overtakes them on the express way (at speeds north of 140km/h) what is clearly a total face loss in front of everybody and the world and the blood starts boiling in seconds and foam starts emerging between the lips and they start chasing you in the attempt to push you down the trench. (Happens also with smaller bikes with young Thai drivers if they see a foreigner overtakes them with a bigger bike, what can not be allowed)

let us know what your conclusion is

In case you have a work permit, or even better a PR status in Singapore, you can apply for a home loan in Singapore for Thai properties under your name with UOB Singapore. The collateral will be hold with UOB Thailand. Quite attractive interest rates if you keep the repayment period below 5 years.

Otherwise, any of the big Thai local banks will offer your wife (and only your wife) a home loan. Interest rates varies, depending on the 'credit worthiness assessment' of the bank on the official income status of your wife. Interest rates will be unreasonable/unacceptable high (only for the most desperate or naive or stupid ones) if you do not show proof of a regular employment income, etc. I'm not aware, that foreigners can apply for a home loan for their own property at any Thai bank.

bought an ASUS Zenpad 7 some weeks ago, delivery was very fast (next day) and it is the real thing for a price I could not see anywhere else, including shipping by courier. Btw, great deal for a dual SIM phone tablet with SD card adapter. Works great, great for you tube and the usual day to day stuff. Great battery strength as well

I'm having a Non-Immigrant type O visa issued in Singapore based on my marriage to my Thai wife and my PR status in Singapore and I'm flying almost on a weekly base in or out of Thailand without a reentry permit, and get every time on arrival a 90 days visa stamp. I'm doing this for years now and had not one time any issues and not one question, even if enter on the land borders when I'm on my motorbike trips to Cambodia an Laos. However, I never needed an 'in country' extension after 90 days, so can not comment on this.

 

 

The accident would not have happened (to a Thai) if you have stayed where you are from, hence it can not be the Thai's causal fault.

Often claimed on this forum, but not true.

 

Steven, yes and no, I personally never had experienced problems like that, in fact, the only accident I had was settled by the Thai party promptly (a lower ceiling part ripped off my roof luggage rack at a car park of a major mall in Bangkok), however, I have witnessed a friend  'donating' for the damage of the Thai party after asked by police to be 'compassionate' and understandable towards the situation of the farmer motorcycle driver and his family after he drove with the motorcycle in his truck (and left a deep scratch on the door .. of the truck) with some small damages to the motorbike, I think handle was broken and front tire had a knack. So, yes, better to be double carefully when driving, stay polite and friendly .... and show compassion.

Here some answers:

1. do we need a carnet de passage to bring an indian registered  bike to thailand. Thailand does not ask for a carnet de passage when entering Thailand.

2. how long am i allowed to drive a "foreign" bike in thailand? Any foreign vehicle can stay without any additional paperwork one month in Thailand, You need to pay a penalty if your vehicle 'overstays' at the Thai custom point at exit.

3. any ideas on the insurance issue in Thailand? A simple Thai vehicle Insurance can normally be purchased at point of entry. Mae Sot should have such Insurance agency, but better you check. The insurance is valid for at least one month (up to a year). It covers third party damage up to a certain (relative small) amount but this is the best you get in Thailand. If you are getting involved in a (small) accident as a foreigner(your fault or not), better you settle the matter in cash immediately and evaporate as quick as possible. If it is a bigger deal, don't get silly and think you have all rights of a fair deal in Thailand, be prepared to settle it quick (in favor for the Thai Party) even if you think it is not fair. (The general logic will be: The accident would not have happened (to a Thai) if you have stayed where you are from, hence it can not be the Thai's causal fault.)

4. any other things i haven't considered... Best you check out the GT-Rider web site especially for details of the paper forms etc. Please be aware, there had been efforts made some years ago to import REs to Thailand and initially there existed an import license for (parts have been imported and assembled in Thailand and REs have been sold with official registration papers), however, due to some dark conflicts of business interests of the parties (and others) involved, this collapsed and the import (and registration) license was revoked. Hence there will be no RE service in Thailand, even if there must be some with legal papers on the roads. However, there is a lively RE community and dealership in Singapore and Malaysia, with all spare parts on stock. Easier to bring them from Singapore or Malaysia (within ASEAN) then from outside/India.

The reason why so many official events needs to be cancelled is also, because travel insurances will not work anymore in Thailand under the current situation. It is understandable, that no company wants to risk to put employees, sent on an official trip to Thailand, in danger, not be be insured in case something is happening.

I'm working currently on the assumption, things will get worse (at least for any democratic or legislative framework) before it gets better. The last coupe 8 years ago took more then 1 1/2 years before democratic principles had been restored with some lousy amendments on the constitutions and political wick-work (that consequently steered to the events over the last six months, including this coupe). This current coup leader will not be better and announced already he will take all time needed for the needed reforms in economy, society and politics, what also can mean it might even oversee the end of the natural reign of the current monarch. And then, all cards are back on the table to get shuffled again. Who knows what then will happen.

I crossed several times via Poipet with my car (2003 - 2010) or motor cycle (2013-2014) into Cambodia. Fact is, an ASEAN Agreement states, that any driving licence issued in one ASEAN country is valid in all ASEAN countries. Well, so far, so good the official papers. We also know that police in many ASEAN countries are hardly interested to read (and / or to understand) anything, especially if it is against their interest to make some extra money, to get on with life and family. Same goes for Cambodia. However, to be fair, as Cambodia only not too long ago introduced official driving licences and many, if not most, Cambodians do not carry a driving licence, Police do not see it as a major issue. Same goes for the border crossing, I was never in my 19 years driving in Cambodia asked for a driving licence. I only showed/used it one time in 2008 as I crossed with my Thai registered car into Cambodia and Custom officers stopped me and asked for all kind of Import papers, which had from PP. However, as they felt still not comfortable, I showed them my Khmer driving licence and suddenly all problems had been solved.

Now you might want to know how to get a Khmer driving licence: Very easy, go to Lucky Lucky motorbike rental service, at 413Eo Monivong Boulevard http://yp.com.kh/listings/kh8826-lucky-lucky-motorcycles-shop with your national driving licence and for xx$ you will get your Cambodian Driving licence few days later.

In short, nobody ever asked me for a driving licence, even if police stopped me sometimes simply asking for money (no reasoning, simply pay), and if you feel you need it, you get a Khmer driving licence in PP.

Enjoy driving in Cambodia.

73? Some might call them political parties, others might call them Chiefdoms.

I think the word you're looking for is fiefdoms.

Or is it thiefdoms?

Thiefdoms, definitely.

Oh by the way, once upon a time there was something called the "Weimar-Republic" in Germany (Some 30 parties putting-up a similar show as we have the privilege to witness in Thailand today..)

But then, an expat from Austria came along and then there was only 1 party left.

Cheers.

A simple introduction of a 5% minimum vote barrier to get elected into parlament would solve this many party issue.

Sent from my HTC One using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Dose a bear shit in woods? of course they stole it from the Khmer, the Khmer sort of

stole it from the people of ancient India, where all this Buddha business originated to start

with...

Angkor Wat had relatively little to do with Buddhism, beside a short period during the Jayavarman VII reign, it was mainly build following Hindu believe, and yes, the Hindu religion came with traders from India and spread all over South East Asia except The Philippines. Bali (and eastern Java) is a living example of the Hinduism that ruled most parts at that time. Buddhism became state religion much later after the Thais beaten up the Khmer at Angkor Wat and the subsequent decline of the Khmer Empire. I guess the Thai king saw the rich and big city of Angkor Wat (up to 1 Million people) at that time and realised that there was something to learn (and to take) from the Khmers and took whatever he saw of cultural value including (the legend says) 1000 of Apsara dancers, plenty of gold and bronze statues (obvious), the language but most important the refined concept of the God-King and all the myths that comes with it and as we know it till today. Beside, up to today there are plenty of words and location names based on the original Khmer expression all around eastern Thailand and Bangkok.

But then, there are plenty of Scandinavian, German and French words in the English language and I do not expect a bow of the Brits to their Eastern 'influencers'. I guess it is the way how cultural evolution works, take the best and rewrite the history books claiming it is your inherited national greatness. Makes everybody feel good and superior, doesn't it. .... Well, I guess there is little American can claim.