DiDiChok

Like Gecko123, I couldn't identify the source of the skin irritants, but I did find something that stopped the problems of eczema, rashes and so on happening.  What I now do is always to apply "barrier cream" to exposed skin while working in the garden, on machinery and when using liquid products of any kind.  Besides stopping oily substances being absorbed It also seems to reduce residues sticking to your skin from items being handled.  There are quite a few different kinds of this cream which is usually available in DIY and hardware type shops, and so you will need to choose the right one for you.  I have not experienced any problems since I started using the cream and I find that it is much easier to get clean when I have finished handling items.  Another benefit seems to be a major reduction in the roughness of the skin on my hands as the cream is moisturising.  The tubs and spray barrier cream are quite cheap and seem to last a long time.  The cream seems to disappear after being applied and doesn't wear off for quite a while, a bit like sun cream does but without the stickiness.  You should try it and then you'll hardly have any worry about what you're touching.

I hope you do better than I did at day 88 on my Non Imm O visa.  The front desk & then the IO at Jomtien told me I couldn't extend, put a refusal stamp in the passport saying "Application for extension of stay is not approved", took my ฿1,900 and only gave me only another seven days.  I had to do a straightforward border run to get another 30 days.  Apparently, if I'd either simply turned up at the airport or got a Tourist visa instead it would have gone through, but because I tried to do it properly I was refused.

I still say that the good thing about Thailand is that there are so many rules to choose from, but you never know which ones apply today.

What I do every time I go to an ATM is to ask for ฿x,900 instead of a round ฿x,000 so that I get change.  For example, I ask for ฿2,900 and get 2 x ฿1,000, 1 x ฿500 & 4 x ฿100 so that I have plenty of change.  I have never understood why nobody else seems to do this because it seems so obvious to me.  If I find an ATM that has no thousands, I usually withdraw ฿10,000 to try to get hold of a stack of five hundreds.  As I mostly never carry much cash around in Thailand, I seem to visit the ATMs much more regularly than in Farangland and always seem to have change when others haven't.  I have noticed recently that whereas ATMs in Thailand used to have a limit of 20 notes when churning out cash, it seems to have been upped to 30 because I find that am now able ask for ฿19,900 and get it.

Following Government requests to the Banks in the UK, I'm finding that some ATMs there have now started handing out £5 notes in much the same way rather than just doling out £20 and £10 notes.  The downside is that most of it is now pieces of plastic covered in animal fat, but don't get me started on that one . . .

Yes, I've won loads of times.  As people have said, local shop for small prizes and they want about ฿80 commission on a ฿2,000 prize as it saves you going to Bangkok to claim it.  For big prizes, go to Bangkok.  I only ever send a Thai to get the money from a shop though, as I assume the shops just won't deal with a farang.

Quite honestly, it's not really worth playing as the odds are so low that really it's just a tax on the poor.  But a dream is a dream so maybe that's why they don't tell you the odds and spoil everything.

Further to my comments about the taxes I had to pay on my two shipments of trainers, I've now got photocopies of the documentation headed "Notification to collect international postal items" on which is information written in English and Thai.

Interestingly, it says on there "Subject to customs law, valued per each consignment over ฿1,500 must pay import duty and tax and the customs officers have the right to open such package".  Maybe that is why many items do not attract charges.

I think that the OP didn't do too badly.  In the Thai family that I know there's a few who have big feet, and I'm talking UK size 13 which is continental 47.  So I ordered four pairs of trainers of the right size for them for delivery in the UK.  I thought it would make a nice present for them.

Then I sent the trainers from the UK to Thailand in two separate parcels of two pairs each (weight around 3 Kg each) for £32 per parcel.  The total value of the two pairs of trainers in each parcel was around £150 so totalling £300.  They were addressed in Thai and English to a Thai person to an address near Chiang Mai.  I couldn't combine everything into one parcel because of the way the items arrived in the UK.

When the parcels arrived in Thailand, I got quite a shock as only a pile of paperwork was sent to the destination address.  Payment of ฿2,737 was demanded on each parcel, making a whopping  ฿5,474 in all.  The official paperwork valued a parcel at ฿7,000 with import duty of ฿2,100 and VAT of ฿637 to reach the ฿2,737 figure.  Then someone had to go to the local office to collect the parcels and to pay up.  This extra £60 per parcel came as a bit of a shock and I have to say that I won't be sending anything this way in future!

So it looks like there's import duty of 30% and then VAT of 9% too that's got to be paid in Thailand on top of whatever you paid for the goods in the first place.  Rather an expensive set of presents!  :-(

Hmm, having dual nationality when applying for Government jobs is a no-no and unless there are very exceptional circumstances it would disqualify you immediately.  This is because you cannot serve two masters and a Government wants to know that you only serve their interests.  I'd think that if the OP has dual nationality, he will automatically be excluded from military service.  In any case, there's always enough volunteers who want to go in the Thai services and they're used to weeding out katoey and nuisances anyway in such a way that nobody loses face - You couldn't have someone who stops in the middle of a fight because of a broken nail . . .  I dare say I'll get castigated for stereotyping now!

I do realise that mathematics is not one of most peoples' highest ability, but a helpful trick about the exchange rate is that when changing say £1,000 a ฿1 increase in the exchange rate gets you another ฿1,000 and vice versa.

So at ฿40/£1 then £1,000 nets you ฿40,000 and ฿41/£1 nets you ฿41,000.  For £20,000 then the figures for those exchange rates would be ฿800,000 and ฿820,000 which you should be able to do in your head.

This works for US$ and € too - try it & see.  I find it really handy when comparing rates.  For US$20,000 then the figures for ฿33/US$1 & ฿34/US$1 would be ฿660,000 and ฿680,000.

To see the current exchange rates available in Thailand and variations in exchange types, go to this web site:  https://daytodaydata.net/

Hmm, in the UK the zigzags also mean no overtaking in the zigzag area and that it's an offence to do so besides other requirements.  See here on page 122:  https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/519129/know-your-traffic-signs.pdf

I do realise that we're taking about Thailand here, but to me much of Thailand's road traffic signs seem to be derived from European and UK sources.

Driving schools in Thailand sometimes have a book available to get you ready for the Thai test.  I've looked through my copy but it hasn't got any information about zigzag markings in it as it is from 2015.  What would be really useful would be if someone could point us to a URL for Thai road signs.  I won't hold my breath waiting for the details though . . .

I think the answer is simple. Get a live-in lady-boy. More terrifying to intruders than a rottweiler besides having a louder bark.

As it happens, I do read the two emails from ThaiVisa every day and I do spend an inordinate amount of time on the internet. So it's not asleep that I've been, it's at home but nobody in! I don't know how, but I did miss this and the outrageous fee increase that goes with it. I can only think that there couldn't have been many links in the emails to bring it to my attention.

Thanks to 'jspill' for the link to the main discussion, which I am reading with interest.

I usually get my visas from the Birmingham Consulate in the UK. This year, I was surprised by the additional requirements (documentation) listed on the application form. I am unaware of anyone bringing this up before so I've attached the documentation from the B'ham web site for you to read. Web site: http://www.thailand-visa.com/

Is this a new policy and did you know about it?

B-Cons_Thai-Visa-Application-form.pdf

Firstly, let me emphasise that I am not an expert on Nationality, the variations and possibilities available and any resulting implications acquired as a result, such as tax status. You need a lawyer for that.

The terminology issues raised by "sawadee1947" should serve as a warning to all and I'm sorry that I upset him. I advise people to think very carefully before acquiring another nationality as you may be breaking open a hornet's nest of unintended consequences. For instance, country 'B' may not let you in if you have a stamp in your passport from country 'A', with whom they have fallen out. Also, you may be disqualified from Government jobs because dual loyalties are frowned on. I know for certain that this applies to Thailand and to the UK.

Many countries insist that if you hold one of their passports that you use it when entering and leaving their country. Thailand doesn't seem to insist on this unlike the UK. After all, you shouldn't need a visa to visit your own country!

In reply to to "macahoom" and his " once you sign the form" question, I was referring to entries that need to be made on form FB1A of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 & 1986. This form is the one used to register a foreign birth in the republic of Ireland using a birth certificate from another country. The form is the first step towards becoming an Irish citizen and should only be signed if you intend to proceed.

I think that I seem to have misled "mike234" about dual citizenship when I mentioned America as an example. Once you have citizenship of a country of course you can apply or reapply for citizenship elsewhere if their law allows it. However, getting citizenship of that country may involve giving up citizenship of somewhere or everywhere else first. The workaround is the revoke and reacquire process. My point was that the Irish have been clever and so hold on to you and let you hold on to their nationality. America wanted me to give up the UK nationality but in the end I decided to drop my application because I could see that once the IRS gets hold of you they squeeze every pip of information and money out of you that they can.

Well if the 'friend' has a father, mother, grandfather or grandmother who was born in Ireland (Eire or southern Ireland to be precise), then he or she can claim Irish nationality and therefore EU residency too. It doesn't matter where the applicant was born. I think you must have been born before 2004 or something as the door has now been shut to those born after that date. Doing this was very popular with UK journalists during UDI in the Ian Smith regime in Rhodesia as at the time he didn't let anyone with a UK passport into the country. Those who could wave an Irish Passport of course, were able to get in. Many countries have Irish populations and usually smile on Irish passports.

You simply have to produce a full copy your birth certificate (BC) and then those of your father/mother and their marriage certificate (and the same for grandparents if necessary). Then your birth can be registered in Ireland once you sign the form, and the follow on is a passport and everything that goes with it. You don't have to live in Ireland or have worked there or even have an Irish address. Of course, the connected relative must have had an Irish BC which can be problematical as the Register Office in Dublin got burnt down in 1922 during the riots for independence. However, the tracing service is very good and they usually come up with a full BC at a very reasonable standard cost plus as many copies as you want. Sometimes, the BC is a document that the relative never possessed as passports and so on weren't as important in those far off days.

Interestingly, for other countries that demand you resign citizenship of your former country (e.g. America) before taking up theirs, Ireland will also give you a letter to say that they have rescinded their nationality but it automatically gets reinstated immediately afterwards! The UK will also give you a letter and allow you to reinstate UK nationality, but will only do that once on your say so and there are loads of forms to be filled in and procedures to be followed. You also need to be careful of some countries that will confiscate your passports from countries other than the one you entered on if they find them on you. Stupid and expensive to get replacements, but as we know you can't beat the system and have to work with it.

There are those whose hobby is to collect passports like confetti and I once met one person who had fifteen nationalities. He did have the same date of birth on them all and the total cost caused me to have a sharp intake of breath. But that's a hobby for you.

Well 'Faz', using IM Translator here: http://imtranslator.net/translation/thai/to-english/translation/ and putting in the Thai, I get this:

"A day in the bakamnot allowed the Department's request for information does not match."

Google's version seems better to me. I think that's Google 1, IMT 0 if you see my previous posts.

While the Immigration Officer's Thai may be suspect and having bought (and wasted my money on) several translators that are less than ideal, can you tell me where you got your translation? So far, it seems that nobody wants to say.

I love a good puzzle! I'm only just starting to learn Thai and the image 'Klauskunkel' gave is rather hard to read, because it isn't quite clear enough to read. I have trouble discerning the difference between 'ข', 'ช' and 'ฃ' as I am sure you will too. But what I have done is to type the phrase in, which took me some time! So I hope this forum accepts Thai letters.

So, putting the Thai วันดรบกำหนดอนุญาตไม่ตรงกับข้อมูลของแผนกขออยู่ต่อ into Google Translate here: https://translate.google.co.uk/ it gives this:

Dr. Brian Day allowable limit does not match the information on the department's request.

Any help?

I have a suggestion. Don't use Google Translate. Maybe in another 5 years is might be better, but at the moment it's seriously lacking.

Well, OK, but I did quite a bit of work using a dictionary too. So rather than leaving me hanging in the air as to what you think is the correct translation, please could you let everybody know what you think the Thai says? I want to get better at translating.

Otherwise, you're just whinging about a tool. If you had a more correct translation then we can tell Google and their translations will be better in future.

I love a good puzzle! I'm only just starting to learn Thai and the image 'Klauskunkel' gave is rather hard to read, because it isn't quite clear enough to read. I have trouble discerning the difference between 'ข', 'ช' and 'ฃ' as I am sure you will too. But what I have done is to type the phrase in, which took me some time! So I hope this forum accepts Thai letters.

So, putting the Thai วันดรบกำหนดอนุญาตไม่ตรงกับข้อมูลของแผนกขออยู่ต่อ into Google Translate here: https://translate.google.co.uk/ it gives this:

Dr. Brian Day allowable limit does not match the information on the department's request.

Any help?

nzexpat said: Single entry NON O VISAS and multi - entry O/A visas are easily obtained by those who qualify and are over 50.............

I say: I wish you'd tell that to the Consulates and the Embassy. I had 'non imm O' visas for years (not based on retirement) as I retired at 56 on a very good pension. But three years ago reluctance to issue one started setting in and last year when I was 64 it was extremely difficult. That's what we're all complaining about and you're ignoring.

I wanted the 'O' to renew Thai driving licences for five years - but that was another bag of worms that's all sorted out for me now. The good thing about the rules in Thailand is that there are so many rules to choose from.

I agree with those who have tried to get a non-imm O visa in England without being in receipt of the state pension - the anwser is "No" nowadays never mind what is supposed to be written in law. What I couldn't understand was their attitude to other income.

I receive a local government pension that's not only over four times the state pension but also index-linked no matter where I live. "Oh no, that's no good" they said, you've got to be receiving the state pension. Further, investments in property and income from non-pension sources was also discounted.

I just wish HMRC (our IRS, for you Yanks) would have the same short sighted attitude !!!

Another dish you'll really like is "Kai yat sai muu" which is a Thai omelette in a triangle shape. It's filled (in this case "Muu") with pork, vegetables and a drop of gravy, is very tasty and comes with boiled rice. I think there was a conspiracy to keep this hidden from me as it took me a few years to discover it. It's not at all spicy and all the Thais know how to make it. I also fall back on the deep fried pork as a previous poster mentioned, although that can be a bit spicy. Failing that, it's the good old "Khao phat gai, kai dhow" of egg fried rice with chicken and a few vegetables and spring onion stalks, topped with a Thai style fried egg. You could always ask for "sweet and sour chicken" although it's not really Thai.

Personally, I like something a little bit spicy now and then and a "Larb muu" or "Kapow gai" fits the bill without being too hot. For farang tastes all you have to avoid is anything that's sour like the dreaded and foul smelling "Pappaya pok pok". Considering that the Thais eat all kinds of spicy things, just get any one of them to try mint sauce and watch them screw their face up in the same was that we do when we've eaten a chilli.

What most people complain about Thai food is that the Thais simply refuse to take the bones and gristle out of dishes, and leave bits of chilli in. We're not used to having to pick our way through the food on the plate. Some Thais do eat all the chilli, but not many. I think it's left in as a joke for us farang to burn our mouths on!

I wouldn't live in Nakula for all the tea in China (if there's any left there). You can taste the pollution in the air from the oil refinery the other side of the bay and it gives you headaches and can't possibly be good for anyone. Why anyone wants to live there is beyond me.

For the older fellas, send in the "Fast Action Response Team" . . .

Yes, medical certificate valid for 30 days. I just changed my 1 year for a five year licence in Pattaya. The stop test machine had broken so we simply didn't need to do that test, just the colour and paddles one! Car and motorcycle ฿1,060 for the DLT.