AndyMoss

yes, loads

a lot of the hotels will let you use their pools, for a fee

some are very nice and not over-priced

Top North Guesthouse is even cheaper, and no need for aircon, for sure

loads of places anyway, all over, all cheap

my Thai wife and I are staying in Kuala Lumpur. All the girls in bars we go to assume that she is "working", including any Thai girls.

we dont mind, she just chats to them and they realise their mistake. They are often rather sweet about it

Thai seems to be the only airline with regular schedules that they try to keep to. The others often just change times without much care for passengers. So I dont mind to pay a bit more to feel less stressed.

Hi all,

I am going to pattaya on fri. I have a small metal plate in my head from a previous wound i received.

I have a stopover in Tokyo. I anticipate to set off their metal detectors with my plate, what is the best way to explain this to them as I may be a little zoned or inebriated as I get very nervous flying. 

I have an x-ray of my skull, maybe i should put this in my back-back and show them.

Any of you guys share the same problem 

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it's a big problem. Every time I go through the detector gates the beeps start up. Waving the wand does not help. Last time they made me sit on the rolling bag table and sent me through, to check me 100%

not very nice, made me embarrassed

Chiangmai

reasons:

1. northern thai guys are my type (with those sweet northern accents.. umm!)

2. riverside bar

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not so near the beach though!!!

I don't drink much beer but many of my friends do and they have asked this question so I'm turning it over to you..............

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Beer seems expensive compared to Thai whiskey, but the advantage is....that you can drink it

Run one of 'em over and take their boots off 'em for a cheap alternative

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yep, find a cop with your size and offer him 100B

it works for traffic offences, so why not boots

Hello, I've read through the threads about this issue of using American appliances in Thailand.  (Curses, why do we have to do everything different?!)  Looks like I would have been better off just buying an espresso machine here.  But, here it is, and I tried using it with my cheap 'travel converter' that I got in the states, and it didn't work.  Seems the pump cant get enough pressure.  (It sounds like it's running a little slow, and very weakly.)

I did a bit of research on the net on my travel converter, and found comments like this:  "These units are NOT transformers, but are partial-angle-conducting thyristors that generate lots of high-voltage spikes and non-sinusoidal waveforms. The peak voltages are NOT reduced from 240V, only the power cycle. These converters are only to be used on resistive loads that don't care about the nasty output, like hair dryers, etc. Don't use them on your laptop either."

So, I'm guessing the pump in my espresso machine does not like this 'nasty' power output, and that my beloved espresso maker, might, just might work if I go down to Panthip of some electronics store, and buy a true 240v-120v step down transformer with the proper power rating.  But of course this leaves the 50hz issue, and uncertainty in my mind.  Will the pump run with a 'clean' 120V/50hz ac current?

So, I want to know if anybody out there has experience with this issue, or any wise words of advise.  The instuction for the machine (starbucks barista) are mute on this issue, but I intend to call them tonight (though I expect them to say they don't recommend using it outside the US).

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dont worry, there are plenty of good coffee shops nowadays!!

Hi Guys

I have been coming to Thailand for some 20 years and have a Thai National G/f who has been to England a few times.

My question (1) is apart from Hong Kong and Singapore can anyone advise please what other Countries we can visit together without the hassle of having to get her an entry visa - She has a Thai passport and I have a UK one

My question (2) can anyone recommend a Bangkok based ' Visa business' who would be able to walk my G/f through the process of getting a Tourist Visa (liaising with me in the UK) for places such as Dubai and Aus - two places that I would like to visit with her.

I hope that you will be able to assist with the above;

KInd regards

johnb

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you can visit any of the ASEAN countries. I am in Malaysia at present with my Thai wife, she got a one month visa at the airport.

it is a nuisance, every time we go to Europe we need a Schengen visa, but that is the cost of a Thai wife!!

I married my thai wife 17 years ago and we have just moved to Phuket.

She has a thai passport with my family name on it but her ID card still has her maiden name.

To buy land they ask for a thai mariage certificate (we were married abroad) to change her ID card.

Is this just a translation they want or do we have to get married again.?  Can the british embassy help and are there any consular services here in Phuket or do I have to go to bangkok?

Anyone been down this road? Advice please.

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To buy land she does not need to show her passport, just her ID card. She does not need a passport to buy land, so she does not have to show it. If she wants to buy the land in your name, then you have to jump through all the redtape hoops, it's true.

It is a regulation that, if she has changed her passport to your family name, then she should also change her ID card. That is noted in the passport when the change was made. However, it is better not to do that if you can avoid it. There will be occasions when the officials will ask about this e.g. when you renew your passport, but you can just say you have not yet done it. No time etc.

So, the best way is for her to buy the land in her old name