Geordie59

Banning for "life" is a little excessive. The Japanese guy "a long time Bangkok resident" must have pull to get this kind of response. The Thai taxi authorities should call a strike to support their colleagues. A heavy fine and suspension would have been sufficient. If a lifetime ban is called for in any case it should be three strikes you're out not two.

Excuses, excuses. These people have had enough warnings. And they are only banned from Swampy, not driving a taxi so what is the problem.

Well there may be a problem enforcing the airport ban.

The issue with unrepentant durian in the past been linked to cost. The first durian that make it to the market fetch a higher price whether they are ripe or not. Obviously if they are not ripe customers are not happy and this does tarnish the image to some extent. And we all know how Thais like to think they are highly regarded overseas.

Now if everyone had their guns with them I am sure we could have got at least 1 survivor out of this situation.....

Well that is how most Americans I know would think.

And he will probably get more punishment for posing as a cop than for kidnapping or rape.

If that had been BP you can be sure they would have been told to fix it years ago, no matter what the cost.

Buy then Taylor Energy was probably and American company with friends in high places.

I trust nobody will believe this statistic.

Maybe Songkran does fill a few hotel rooms and put some bums on restaurant seats but other than that I don't see people spending much money.

I know I have saved thousands of Bhat this week over my normal spending.

Regardless of the usual bickering about statistics on here one thing that can not be disputed is that the number, whatever it really is, is far too high.

A lot of sad families around now that should be having fun!

Expat - ESCAPE

Something I unfortunately did not do this year.

Hi guys. I am flying down from Udon to Bkk.

Then on to Philippines but still looking at the best options.

So far it seems Tiger to Singapore and then to is the best option if I can get the 8 hours and 55 minute deal.

Still looking for a wingman to accompany me as well.

I have been to Angeles 19 times over the years. But due to time and other issues have not been back since 2008.[/quote

Bangkok to Angeles

Try Bangkok to Manila on Kuwait Airlines (about 7k baht.return)

Or Cebu Pacific air ( sometimes with promotional price as cheap as 3k baht return)

From manila you can take a bus (about 600 pesos or less)

Google manila to angeles by bus , and you'll find various options with details .Angeles can be a lot of fun.Have a gr8 trip

First thing is even if you buy one way tickets you need to have a ticket out of the country when you check in at Bangkok. I know most countries have that rule but PI is one that enforces it all the time.

Since there are no flights direct from Bangkok to Clark these days I would seriously look at going with a major airline into Manila. For the convenience, timings, no add ons for food, baggage, using a credit card etc it can be well worth it.

Airport pick up from Manila to your hotel in AC is currently around PHP 3000 if you arrange it with the hotel in advance. Safer, simpler and cheaper that trying to cut a deal at the airport.

Taking the public bus is OK if you fly Cebu Pacific as you arrive early enough in the morning to beat the traffic. That said I don't need the hastle so would still get picked up by my hotel.

If you haven't been since 2008 you will see many changes, most not for the better. That said it can still be a great place for a short visit especially as you will already know your way around.

As a farang it is hard to find a motorbike taxi in Pattaya for under THB 40 for even the shortest trips.

Why in the name of common sense would anyone take a motorbike taxi when the baht bus does the job for 10 THB! or better yet, just walk.....?

Bhat busses arte good if you go along their route. Otherwise a motorbike taxi is usually cheaper.

I don't think the issue of being drunk or not is particularly relevant.

If he murdered the guy he should pay the full price as allowed under Thai law.

It should be displayed in the front window, get a clear non sticky cover when you get your new tax disk.

They know because of the large date on the sticker and the color, it changes each year.

On a motor bike?

I made a promise to myself to never again stay in Pattaya for Songkran after the 9 day farce last year. I guess it might be OK in Koh Mak or similar places.
I'm off to Canbodia or The Philippines.

i will be paid 1.6 million baht on the 25th of this month can i still apply for 1 year extension of stay as the money will only go in on the 25th that is my last day of work.

sorry forgot to mention I'm english 42years old no saving will only have what company pays i would like to stay because i love my wife and children and i am currently looking for other employment .

thanks in advance

The money must be seasoned for 60 days, so you could first apply for a 60 day extension and at the end of that apply for a 1 year extension of stay.

THB 1.6 million may sound like quite a lot but it doesn't last long in Thailand when you have a wife and 2 kids to support if you want a reasonable living standard.

You don't say if are being laid off from the offshore industry. If you work offshore now you will know it is harder now than it has been for years to get a job offshore due to the current oil price.

Using the money to move your family back to the UK, even if only until you find new employment isn't an option you'd consider???

And Heathrow above Schipol. Who would have thought it?
Not anyone who uses the places, unless of course you live in SE England.

I've been rejected by taxis many times, I think it's their right to do so. Yes it can be annoying, but why should they be forced to take people against their own discretion? After all it may be a public access service but it is provided by a private party.

No, it's not their right, it's against the law. Simple as that.

Then the law is dumb.

A taxi should have the right to refuse a passenger in many circumstances, but not for refusal to use the meter. eg the passenger wants to go from Pattaya to Bangkok when he only has 30 minutes of his shift left, the passenger is drunk, smelly or obnoxious etc etc

Why have an embassy at all? What possible help can they give a uk citizen anyway except say don't return home there's no jobs. The British Empire has turned into little britain. No wonder they're are so many British expats living over here, here we're treated better.Great Britain should be renamed and ambassador Mark Kent does renewing your passport take 9 weeks compared to 4 years ago when it only took 11 days to receive a new passport. What a turn around for UK expats. Maybe the real reason we don't want to go home is that we're ashamed to. What has happened to our Empire?

Ouch!

As someone who had to get circumcised in my mid 20s I can only say that in the long run the dad would be doing him a big favour by getting it done now.
Even better would be in the first few months after birth.

If the boy says no, it is no, after all it is his body.

The father is an ass and a bully and needs an old fashioned attitude adjustment.

The boy will hate him for that for the rest of his life.

The insensitive judge is upholding the law in a black and white manner, there are grey areas where the answer lays.

In response to your 1st comment - would you apple the same reasoning to him brushing his teeth?

DTAC in Pattaya - went to the DTAC stall in Central Festival, didn't even look at my passport. Less than 5 mins.

Stupid poll Why do I care I live in Thailand now,

Maybe because when you are old and decrepit you might need the benefits an EU country will give you.

I have HSBC a premier accounts in Manila and KLM. The RM in Manila is useless and I hardly ever use the accounts there. The RM in KL is very good and I have made a lot of money from investments there over the years.

For those commenting on the costs of transferring between HSBC accounts I suggest you use Global View, it is free and instant.

I am pretty sure it is less the bank and more the RM that makes the difference in people's good or bad experiences so changing to City Bank for example would still be a gamble.

As for the Monet laundering / terrorism claims - we all know it about taxation.