JustAnotherFarang

Personally I will also look at Brother, Brother has a excellent printer the Brother HL-2040 which does 20 pages/min. and cost around 4300 Baht. This is a single side printer, but you would be able to manual feed the paper for the backside printing.

The good part of Brother is that the supplies are a bit cheaper then the once used in a HP printer, of course if you live in a small Isan town with one and a half computer shop who only sells HP your Brother supplies could be more expensive.

I looked at the Brother too and was impressed until I realised that you have to replace the drum on this machine as well as the toner..........thats why the toner is a little cheaper, because you end up paying more per page when you factor in the drum which is not cheap.......so the HP model at the equivalent price is superior according to the reviews I read

I am going to look into the Fuji model recommended here but if neccesary I will pay more than 3000-4000 bht o ensure lower running costs..........any suggestions for around 5000-7000 bht ???

Thanks

JAF

Hi guys

My pioneer internal DVD RW drive on my notebook is not reading or writing anymore. When it was reading erractically I foolishly tried to clean the head with a sable paint brush........... now it wont access any cds or dvds......... the computer shop tried to clean it with a cotton bud and a cleaning cd and then gave up but I feel I would like to get it fixed if possible.............. any suggestions, I am not in BKK but I can always send it to be fixed if neccesary

Also, I want to buy a good workhorse laser printer which can print both sides of paper, with sufficient ram for a few graphics and one does not not consume consumables at an alarmimg rate. Looked at the HP 1020 for around 5000 bht which does eat toner rather quickly, not too sure if it prints both sides of the paper though, would be willing to pay more if it means I get that much more............ any other suggestions please

Thanks for you time and advice

JAF

change to TOT if you can, more bandwidth as they TT&T only rent a limited amount of space from TOT. Too many customers and not enough bandwidth means they are always stealing from Peter to give some to Paul so to speak..........

JAF

As I mentioned before Jared, I had TT&T for 3 months and it was great for 1 month and then went right downhill to the point that even if I connected, nothing was downloaded...........

I spoke to a TT&T technician who was honest enough to admit that they blocked most p2p traffic, especially in the day and even at night because TT&T lease a very small amount of bandwidth from TOT and then cram as many of their customers into the pipeline.

Of course, TT&T will always tell you that its the same problem for everyone, everywhere, it simply isnt true, they have little bandwidth but they are greedy and overfill it naive customers. Having used both services I can say without a doubt that TOT have a far superior allocation of bandwidth and allow p2p 24hrs a day, full speed at night, everynight and thats for the cheapo 512k package at 799bht

Just my observations but I would suggest contacting TOT and asking if you can switch phonelines, they did it all fro free when I told them I already had TT&T

Good luck, happy d/l

JAF

I also use Limewire Pro and disagree with the poster who said the free version was as good......it simply isnt, but with the free version it simple to obtain the professional version.

The reason why I use Limewire Pro is because you can check each file with Bitzi to see if it is genuine........saves hours when you can avoid d/l ing duff and dodgy files

JAF

There is not much of a difference between pro and free limewire. In general users should research more on limewire settings as many believe that setting at a higher download speed eg adsl claiming to be T1 would make a difference, however it is the opposite. Also the limewire pro for free on limewire (ripped) contains some file that lets people upload without showing on your limewire control panel....beware!

On a lighter note .... Merry Xmas to free p2p...lol

Pro is superior than the free version and of course, if you use Bitzi, you can find a genuine copy of Limewire Pro to download.............no virii, spyware, nothing. Bitzi even gives you the clickable link so that Limewire can download it for you straight away, check it out

a little logic goes a long way sometimes

JAF

I was with TT & T for awhile, dreadful after the first month........now I use TOT and its far superior. Slows down when the kids come home but picks right up again later in the evening. Not sure which package but its 799 bht per month.

I also use Limewire Pro and disagree with the poster who said the free version was as good......it simply isnt, but with the free version it simple to obtain the professional version.

The reason why I use Limewire Pro is because you can check each file with Bitzi to see if it is genuine........saves hours when you can avoid d/l ing duff and dodgy files

JAF

I was with TT & T for awhile, dreadful after the first month........now I use TOT and its far superior. Slows down when the kids come home but picks right up again later in the evening. Not sure which package but its 799 bht per month.

I also use Limewire Pro and disagree with the poster who said the free version was as good......it simply isnt, but with the free version it simple to obtain the professional version.

The reason why I use Limewire Pro is because you can check each file with Bitzi to see if it is genuine........saves hours when you can avoid d/l ing duff and dodgy files

JAF

I want to quit smoking, its a 20 a day habit and its really getting me down. I need more than willpower and i was interested in nicotine patches but the price i was quoted was incredibly expensive at 1500bht for 7 days supply...........thas 6000 bht per month and you still need willpower on top............

So how can i find and buy these cheaper. I hear in the UK the doctor gives them for free but I have been ex pat for 6 years now and have lost touch with all and sundry in thew UK

Any suggestions guys and gals

JAF

That stay can be extended at an immigration with a family income of 40k baht per month (3 month record required for application). If unable to immediately stay on extension a multi entry non immigrant O visa valid for one year of unlimited entry/exit is normally available in home country and some local Consulates (Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are presently good prospects). The 90 day limit is for entry without visa so even a tourist visa should help to avoid that restriction.

If you travel to Singapore, you only need a copy of your marriage certificate at the thai embassy and 220 singapore dollars which is about 5,300 bht

Its a breeze, need any info then pm me

JAF

Has your lady been to her village amphur and obtained a letter stating she is free to marry. IE Not married already. I know we had to show this , plus her house registration book and ID Card.

Another oversight, I must be losing it

Does it have to be her vilage amphore, we are a long long way from there and that would be an impossile trip to make in the alloted time that we have

JAF

Cheers for the advice so far guys

I did not realise, rather stupidly, that I would have to wait until the next day to receive my Statutory Declaration notorisation from the UK embassy, so obviously I cannot do everything in 1 day

My problem is that I have work obligations tomorrow in the South where I am visting right now and will not be able to travel to BKK until early Friday morning around 5-6am which should put me pretty near the front of the queue. If I submit my application on Friday, will I feasibly be able to get the notorisation from the embassy on Monday, obtain a translation, then off to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pay extra for same day service and then go and get married at the nearest amphore ???

And then finally, jet off to Singapore at 7.05am Tuesday ????

Thanks

JAF

It would be very difficult, and possibly impossible as the forms and translations have to go to an office in Chaeng Whattana to get an official endorsement.

If your wife is staying in Bangkok, I know that some translation / legal services will do everything for you including registering the marraige at the Ampour. Then the two Marraige licenses can be returned to your wife a few days later.

Can I assume you will be having the party on Jan 1 ?

Congratluations also.

Oh

I was led to believe this would be a relatively simple albeit arduous one day task when talking to other members of the group who have done it, and I quote

"Pay your embassy for a stat dec to say that you are single and can marry here. Cost up to your embassy. Translate that document into thai 500 THB. Get doccument stamped from foreign affairs 400 THB Register marriage at amphur FREE ( if you dont have 2 wittnesses, you will have to pay 2 Amphur staff members 100 THB each to be a wittness )" by AussieStyle

"you get the piece of paper from the Embassy that you typed in the first place .... take that piece of paper to a translation agency and turn it into the Thai language, a quick trip to the MFA for an official .Gov stamp, then off to the Amphur of your choice.... there is a good one just around the corner from the MFA in Chang Wattana, really nice people. Hey presto...... married" by Thaddeus

I should hasten to add that I am British, living in BKK and never married before. I already have the statutory declaration form filled in ready to be notarised by the British Embassy on Monday morning. The translation of that form will I assume be done quickly and then off the the M F A and pay the 800 bht for same day service. Then around the corner to the Amphur in Chaeng Wattana to get married and receive my certiicate..........Am I missing anything out

So where does the delay occur. I realise that the British embassy and the M F A are quite a way apart, how long would it take by taxi.........

Please advise what I should do, I have already booked my flights and I am a little panic stricken to realise that I might not be able to achive all the goals in time for my flight to Singapore on Tuesday

Thanks

JAF

PS, No agencies please, I have already been burnt by one, prefer to do this myself.

Hi Guys

Will be travelling to Singapore on Tuesday morning to obtain a multi entry immigrant o marriage visa on Tuesday morning which leaves me just one day on Monday to get everything else sorted.

I will need to visit the UK embassy Monday morning to fill out a declaration form and have it stamped, then off to the translation office (which apparently is just around the corner), then to the Ministry of Foreign affairs across and then go and get married a the nearest amphur to obtain the marriage certificate which I will need for the Thai embassy in Singapore

Is it possible to get this all done in one day or will I be cutting it fine. I will be first in the queue or near as dammit at the UK embassy, how long will it take to get everything done pls

Cheers for your advice

JAF

Return of passport would be afternoon so you could not make a "morning" departure is that is what you are asking - but you should have plenty of time to make a number of afternoon or evening flights.

I did not realise I would be able to receive my passport back so quickly. So if I get into the Embassy before 12.00 midday, what time can I go and collect it in the afternoon ??

JAF

Hi guys

I tried posting this in a Singaporean expat forum but received no replies, so I was hoping that someone could offer me some advice here instead.........at least I kow everyone is alive and kicking in here.........

I will be travelling to Singapore in the next week or two from Thailand so that I can obtain a multi entry visa to live in Thailand.

I shall be visiting the Thai Embassy on Orchard Road with my wife to submit my application and will return the next day to get my documents. We are hoping there is somewhere within that proximity where we can sleep the night, cheap and cheerful lodgings acceptable but if it is a case of pay a little more for comfort we will take that as well, before we return to Thailand the next day.......Its a whirlwind tour

I am hoping we will only have to stay one night. Will it be possible to hand in my passport and application on a Monday before 12.00 midday, return the following day, as earliest as possible to pick it up and still have time to make it to the airport and return to BKK that day or will I have to stay another evening to make a morning departure ??

Whilst we are there we want to do a bit of shopping, we are bargain hunters not big spenders, I like computer stuff and my wife is looking for beauty products,, clothes handbags etc. Any suggestions greatly welcomed as we are first timer visitors

Thanks

JAF

Thanks guys for your help. I am going to go to Singapore after registering my marriage and hope all will go well.

I will probably travel with Air Asia (unless anyone has any other recommendations) flying from BKK to Singapore but I am hoping it is possible I can then get another flight in Singapore to go to either Phuket or Surat Thani airports as I live in the South and dont want to have to travel overnight on the bus from BKK to get back home to my bed

Is it possible ?

Also looking for cheap guesthouses or hotels to stay in whilst I am in Singapore, probably just one night, any recommendations please

Thanks

JAF

Hi guys

I was stamped back into Thailand today at Ranong Immigration, 30 day border pass which they marked in yellow pen and placed a number 2 alongside. From what I can gather this means I cannot make another border run here and will have to leave the country and go to a consulate/embassy in a neighbouring country

As mentioned previously, I am already married, hadnt registered it previously but I will have to go and register it at the British embassy this month in BKK and then I want to apply for the multi entry immigrant o visa which would give me 12 months stay albeit I will have to leave the country every 3 months

I have some questions that I hope you guys can help me out with

1 Can somebody provide me with the best places to go to take care of all the business of registering my marriage. I know I need to fill in a standard declaration form of intent to marry which is already done but where do I go from the UK Embassy in BKK to get it translated ? I guess I will then jump in a cab and go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pay 800 bht for same day service and then find the nearest amphor to marry..........where is nearest and best please

2 I will need to fly to Malaysia/Singapore. So which is best place to go to, I hear Singapore is best because they dont want so much documentation (i dont have 400,000 or 40,000 bht per month), but they just want my wifes id card and house registration, marriage certificate, my passport and a fee, can anyone prove a walkthru for either the Malaysian and Singaporean Thai Embassies and what exactly will be required

3 If and when I obtain the multiple entry visa..........is it possible that I can just go to Burma every 3 months to fulfil my visa requirements..........maybe just do a border run through Hat Yai or do I have to return to the embassies again in Malaysia ??

The whole thing has got me very jittery.....I have about 5-6 pages of border stamps so far, worried they might penalise me for this in some way.........so any help and advice is appreciated guys

Thanks for your time and attention

JAF

PS Looking for special airfares as well for the end of this month to either embassy, any ideas how much it will cost and where can I book the flight ??

Well for sure its a scam because after chatting to the guy on the phone he says he will only refund 3000 bht because he sent me the form you can download off the internet and incidentally had the wrong personal details on it and for "his expertise and knowledge" which is laughable as he would not answer any of our questions regarding the steps he intended to take.

I still want to register my marriage and will do it myself in due course as it is not complicated but beware bogus companies like //edit and poster warned// in Hat Yai who offer hope and hike up the charges and refuse a refund when nothing has yet been done.

JAF

Just wanted to add that I just received my 1 year non-imm "O" from KL, based on my marriage to a Thai national. App submitted Thursday and received back on Friday with no fuss at all (except an awfully long line). Fee was 500 RM (about 5200 baht).

was there any problems regarding savings or proof of income ??

dont mind long queues if it ll works well

JAF

Hi guys

I am in a similiar boat to most, living on back to back 30 day runs to Burma, working as a teacher without a work permit and although I am married many years ago to my thai wife, we never got around to registering it..........dagnamit

So with the new visa restrictions and the lack of transparency as to what might happen in the coming months we have been scrambling around for solutions and thought we had got one sorted, dont want to risk back to back consular visits only to find I have been denied for one reason or another and then stuck in that country away from nmy wife and job..... sure you guys know the feeling.

Anyhow, malaysian friend of a friend turned me on to this guy //edit// whose company name is //edit// - Marriage registration and visa service based in Hat Yai and he said that he could arrange everything. My malaysian friend got a marriage visa and a work/business permit for 20,000 bht...... and he wasnt even married and he didnt even have a business...........it was all just on paper.

I doubted he could do the same for me as I figured it was easier for Malays and Thai embassies to do business but my friends friend assured me that he (JT Tranlation) could take care of it for me. So my wife contacted him and explained that I was doing the burma run every month and he said that he could help me to do my marriage visa, just send a copy of my passport, my wifes passport/id card, 2 photocopies of friends passports as guarantors and he would take care of everything else.........

My wife asked for more details and he said that I would be able to stay in Thailand for 1 year but that I would have to go to Penang etc etc every 3 months. My wife told him that we dont have the requisite 400,000 or the legally obtained 40,000 bht per month but the guy said not to worry as he could help us..........when asked how he replied, dont worry I can do it......... We assumed he knew something we didnt.........a loophole per se

He said the fee was 12,000 bht and after receiving our documents we would pay 6000 bht and when everything was ready, we would go to Hat Yai to collect our marriage visa documents, register our marriage at the local amphur with him (in Hat Yai which is not our local for sure) and then I would go to Malaysia and apply for the Non Immigrant visa. We sent our documents that day and after confirmation, deposited 6000 bht into his account

Several times in our further phone conversations we have asked him how he can circumnavigate the rule of 40,000 or 400,000 and we never got a satisfactory answer, only that he could take care of it but in the last day or two we have gotten cold feet and contacted him again and to our surprise it seems he is telling us it will cost 12,000 bht just to get our marriage visa................what ?? Eerything else is step by step and that he cannot help us with the new restrictions concerning savings and income

Can anyone offer me some clear advice here......... Does it really cost 12,000 bht just to register our marriage legally and bear in mind this does not include the UK consular feeof 1,950 bht for stamping our piece of paper that he has sent us (a crummy photocopy with incorrect spelling of my personal details. Surely I could have done all this myself for a whole lot less with a trip to my embassy..........what is the exact procedure and how much would it cost for me....... or an agency to do normally

When asked about refunding our intial 6000, he offered 3000 bht because of translation he said he did..........we have only sent our details and received a piece of paper with incorrect details on it !!! so he has now gone away to reconsider what we should pay for his 2 phonecalls, 2 pieces of paper with incorrect details and the cost of posting it to us, my wife suggested 200 bht and I certainly concur as it seems to be a complete rip off

Cheers for your advice guys

JAF

PS what conceivable benefit is there if I dont have 400,000 bht or 40,000 bht per month obtained legally here and have a marriage visa.........seems pointless to me as I am still in the same boat as everyone else, going to burma or penang hoping they give me what I want

Hi,

You can take Text and Talk or another course or two, right in Chiang Mai.

Do not expect to get a work permit until you've been working at a school for a while. Technically, that means that you and the school are both breaking Thai law, but they don't care. I did it for two years.

You can get a job in or around CMai for about 20 to 25K, probably.

I neve knew you could get a work permit without a degree. I have a friend who works in a school for nearly 2 years and he has been led to believe that he cannot get a wp and must tell people he is working voluntarily

How does he go about getting a wp Peace Blondie

JAF

Hi all

What books would you recommend for teaching grammar to thai kids aged 6-10 years old who have a pretty good grasp of English speaking but have not really been introduced to the grammar rules

Something interesting and progressive would be cool, especially if it encourages play/game ideas as they love to compete against each other

Thanks

JAF

I have Opera Beta and the PC Wizard does not show the passwords stored in it. Can you change the passport after you access the router or do you need to enter it again? Mine is at home so never bothered to change from default.

No, you have to enter in the old password again and then a new password.

I have gone and forgotten my Router password and the only way I can access it is if I use Operas magic wand which remembered the password. But it will not show me the password so how can I recover it

Thanks for your help

JAF

Hi there.

download this program which does system checks (freeware) pc wizard 2006 then you run it . afterwards you open the sidebar "configuration" and tick on the passwords logo (keys) . This will list all the passwords stored on your pc.

hope that helps,

rcm

Nope, it shows nothing at all. I will try reinstalling it and reetting my computer to see if that makes a difference as I would expect it to show some of my other passwords too

JAF

I have gone and forgotten my Router password and the only way I can access it is if I use Operas magic wand which remembered the password. But it will not show me the password so how can I recover it

Thanks for your help

JAF