gezginrocker

Why is PL on the bad list? I have always heard great things about them.

Immigration found out that some Koreans from Silom branch were working illegaly. Since then, PL is blacklisted. Immigration is punishing all PL students, whether they attend classes or not. This is madness.

Probably the school will give the rest to the immigration officials for "VIP service". Currently, getting an extension in Bangkok and Pattaya is very problematic. Most schools require extra money to give to the immigration officials. Otherwise, they give only 15 days or 1 month extensions. Chiang Mai is still the same though, 3 months for 1900.

I'm Turkish, and about 5 years ago a Turkish friend who lives in Thailand told me that there was a Kurdish guy who was like a mafia boss in Samui. He told me that he murdered the owner of a big hotel, but wasn't arrested because he was in partnership with the Samui police chief.

If that story was true, maybe it has something to do with this guy. Maybe the guy who was shot was him, or maybe he was one of the mafia soldiers working for this guy.

Unfortunately Thailand attracts criminals from everywhere, and there is also a particular amount of Turkey citizens involved in criminal activities.

I talked to my school, and asked what can be done since everyone is getting 1 months or less. They told me that if I pay 3500 baht, I'll get 2,5 months extension at Chaeng Wattana with no questions asked. I think this is similiar to 5000 baht "VIP service" at Pattaya.

This ED visa nonsense has really got out of hand, this is pure madness.

Today I talked to a Chinese girl who has a Canadian passport in my class. She went to Chaneng Wattana and got 21 days for her first ever ED extension. Yes, not 1 month but 21 days, I don't know how is that possible. She told me that she went to the first station, told the name of school and they stamped her passport without asking or saying anything at all.

Btw, today a person from the front desk at my school told me that now everything has returned to normal at Chaeng Wattana & now they are issuing 3 month extensions again. I hope that is true. Can anyone confirm that?

Yes ..because they want more foreigners and their money :-)

No, they only want rich foreigners. They have been making it difficult for foreigners to stay in Thailand long term, and I find it really hard to believe they will give a tourist visa for 3000 baht for a year.

The people who have been to the immigration, can you guys please write down the questions they ask? I'll go to the immigration end of February for my first ever ED extension and I'm really worried. So I'd like to be fully prepared.

The questions I assume they ask are:

-What is your name/surname?

-Where are you from?

-How long have you been here?

-What is your job?

-How old are you?

-Where do you live?

Anything else?

Thanks a lot.

I'm on my first ED visa & I'll apply for my first extension at Chaeng Wattana end of February. Although I attend my classes, after hearing all those horror stories I'm really worried.

Can experienced members please give examples of the questions they ask at immigration? I have more then a month, and I want to be prepared.

Also, should I learn how to write my name? We haven't learned a single letter at school yet, but if they are asking, I'll do my best trying to learn it.

Thanks

The title says "mystery death", but the original linked article does not contain the word "mystery" at all. That article, and all other news articles says death was because of "natural causes".

What is TVF news posters trying to do? There is already a large bunch of morons insisting on calling this beautiful place "death island". Are you people trying to make them happy?

Go, part time TVF part time crime solvers, another "mystery" death that for you! Although the mother says cause of death is natural, please discuss the possible causes of death for another useless 100 pages. After all, your lifes are so empty that you only find satisfaction in solving "murder" mysteries at "Death Island".

This article makes false claims. New York City alone well exceeds 50 million tourists per year dwarfing Thailand's 16 million. How could Time Magazine state that Bangkok was "the most visited city n the world?"

The majority of Thailand's tourists are sex trade primaries. This is a dark never discussed secret of Thailand. Without sex trade, Thailand would be nowhere on the tourist map.

You are saying that, because most probably you are a sexpat as well.

Hundreds of thousands of people are coming to this country each year to visit beautiful tropical islands, learn diving or rock climbing, do trekking etc. There is amazing food, amazing fruits, amazing culture, lots to learn. This is one of the most beautiful countries in the world offering something for everyone, every age group and every class. So Thailand will always be on the tourist map, with sex trade or not.

For example Philippines also has sex trade but it is not big on the tourist map, and there is a reason for that. Room prices are much higher, facilities are limited, food is terrible, it is much more dangerous there etc. Sex tourism is not enough for a large tourism industry.

Probably you never get out of Pattaya or Nana, so you are not aware of those things, I just wanted to remind you though.

Hi

Since I've came to Thailand, I'm using my Visa credit card (which was issued in my home country) for shopping, restaurants, supermarkets, electronics etc. Bu I have doubt if this is a smart thing or not, because of the exchange rates at my local bank.

At another topic, I have read this:

"Just go into the bank with your passport & foreign credit/debit card & ask for a cash advance on your credit card. The trick is that the sum being requested must be higher than the ATM's usual maximum advance (THB 20,000?). The bank does the paperwork, gets the authorisation, copies your passport (which you also sign) and the bank give you the cash. Best thing is that there's no fees! Not a single Baht & you get personalised service as part if the deal."

So my question is, should I get a cash advance with my credit card like this and pay my expenses in cash, or should I continue using my credit card? Which one is better?

Thanks

Wow, I haven't checked this topic all day and there are already 3 pages. I wasn't expecting that much debate over this issue.

With these top loader WM.

I think you wash the clothes first then put in the drying drum.

?, do you put the water on while its spinning to get rid of the soap.

My thai mates said NO.the soap will go by the spinning action.

Well, the machines are coin operated and everything is automated. I insert coins, put the clothes and the detergant and then come back 50 minutes later, that's it really.

Hi,

I'm living in a condo in Bkk and we have 2 top loader washing machines. I've used them both but they don't properly clean the clothes, stains don't disappear at all. I suspect this is because the machine is not using hot water. In the west, front loader machines with hot water are popular. Here, top loaders with cold water. And I don't think they are doing a proper job.

Since I can't buy a new machine, do you have any tips on how to have properly cleaned clothes? Maybe detergant advice or something like that?

Thanks

In addition to the message above, I've also mapped most of those condos on OpenStreetMap. You can see them here: http://thaimap.osm-tools.org/?zoom=17&lat=13.7176&lon=100.59484&layers=00B0T

Thanks to dddave, I'm living at The Contemp now & I'm quite happy. But I wanted to share the info about places that I found while I was looking for a room, in case it helps someone.

Pridi Banomyong (Suk 71)

At Soi 2 there is a place called Happy Place. It was full when I checked it, but I think it is quite cheap.

At Soi 14 there is Mee Suwan Tower, again it was recommended by dddave. The place is quite old, but the room rates are starting from 5500 and there is a big pool. They don't rent TV or Fridge.

Again at Soi 14 there is a really modern place called K-House 71. Rates are starting from 6900 baht for 1 year contract or 7200 baht for 6 months. Wi-fi is free but TV and fridge are 700 baht each. The place was full when I checked.

At Soi 16 there is Asean Tower. This is also quite an old place and rates are starting from 6000 baht. They also don't rent TV or Fridge.

At Soi 21 there is Pornpirun Place. It has been renovated and quite decent. Rates are starting from 7000 baht for minimum 6 month contract. Wi-fi is free, but it says 600 baht for TV and fridge. I don't know if it is the total price or for each.

Again at Soi 21 there is V.I.P.Mansion. The place is quite old but cheap. Rates are starting from 4500 baht for 1 year contract, 5000 for 6 months or 5500 for 3 months.

On Nut (Suk 77)

At Soi 8 there is Golden On Nut. Rates start from 7000 baht. TV, fridge and wi-fi are 500 baht each.

Between Soi 19-21 there is Krongthong Mansion, which is a very modern place. Rates start from 6500 baht for 1 year contract, 7000 for 6 months and 7700 for 3 months. TV, fridge, wi-fi not included.

Suk 81

KV Mansion is really modern and very close to the BTS. Rates are starting from 8000 baht. They are giving free Tv for 6 months contract and TV+Fridge for 1 year.

Your Space Apartment starts from 8000 baht. Fridge and TV 700 baht each, wi-fi 500 baht.

Pornpanasap Residence starts from 8000 baht.

This recent topic is very useful for knowing what to expect at immigration:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/786846-60-not-90-days-for-ed-extensions/

Wow, after reading all those, I'm pretty scared now. I'm only on my 2nd week of study, and it's pretty difficult even now. We are only having 4 hours per week and looks like it won't be enough for the immigration exam. And because I'm a 38 year old Turkish national (considered middle-east, which is bad in Thailand), I'm sure I'll face extra discrimination at immigration.

Do you have any recommendations on have to prepare for the exam? For example, should I try to learn the alphabet on my own during my free time? If I should, are there any good books or web sites for this out there? Any constructive advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

He is a troll, don't bother replying.