jagfx

Yep, been caught out in a similar situation many years ago.  Do a prisoner run in the Northern Territory in a Police van from Katherine to Darwin and overtook a road train (50m long truck) where we eventually pulled up at a half way point to check on our aboriginal prisoners. They told me that they had seen a human arm hanging out of one of the road train's trailers.  So I went down to the road and waited for this truck to come along, thinking this is going to be interesting as this was a major speed unlimited highway and he was going to come around a bend before seeing me standing in the middle of no where, and it takes a while for these things to pull up.  No problems though, even though I had to walk about 400m to reach the driver.  It was a practical joke on his part as it was a dummy arm that he just left hanging out of one of his cattle trailers.  We came to the conclusion it probably wasn't the smartest thing to do and he agreed to remove it and he was on his way.  Laughs all round.

merlen,

Not sure, but there may be some info for you in the this blog post I saved from a couple of years back.  Things do change though...

http://bangkok.com/magazine/11-alternative-rooftop-bars.html#

Every year is going to be the same or similar.  That is the age we live in, with so much celebrity in the last 120 years or so and with the media and internet being a huge part of everyone's life.  A lot on that list were at a decent age (some weren't).  Just to put it in perspective, Kirk Douglas just turned 100 a few days back, and he is probably the oldest celebrity that I can think of right at this moment. So he was born in 1916.  There are a hell of a lot of people born later that would be in their 70s, 80s and 90s that are knocking on the pearly gates.  But not Keith Richards......

Now I know what those red flags were for I saw every now and then in my year living in HH.  There were a few drownings whilst I was there, and it was certainly surprising on our move to Da Nang, Vietnam to see actual Lifeguards patrolling the beach in large numbers.  Not sure if they can actually swim or not but they take the job half serious and there is plenty of whistle blowing.  Just think of the parking attendants at Market Village.  They even have designated swimming areas etc...

After living in Hua Hin for just over a year, we moved to Da Nang in Vietnam.  Been here for about 7mths now.  The only thing I miss about Thailand (other than friends) is the food.  You can't beat Thai food!  But everything else here is way much better.  The Vietnamese are highly motivated and are real go-getters  Super friendly also and the expat community also seems to get on better here.  It is very cheap to live and the infrastructure is surprisingly good.  Probably another thing we miss is the availability of a 7/11 on every corner.  Vietnam appears to be a poorer country, and without going out into the sticks, I can't really comment on what it's like in other parts of the country.  Da Nang is also about 1 million population with bucket loads of construction and very few Russians.  Not sure who they are building for as there doesn't appear to be any great influx of tourists at any particular time of the year.  This was obvious in LOS, but not here in Vietnam.  Having only visited Cambodia as a tourist, it is hard to give an opinion one way or the other.  But as my wife is a bit of a princess, she did state no way in hell would she ever move to Cambodia.  The infrastructure was lacking and nothing seems that modern.  I can see the attraction of Cambodia though as the people seemed friendly enough, albeit probably just as poor as the Vietnamese.  From my experience also, the locals in Cambodia seemed to bitch a fair bit about their govt, which is something the Vietnamese rarely seem to do.  I guess you could criticize all 3x country's govts in some way.  Would I go back to live in LOS?  Maybe, but unlikely.  Will we stay in Vietnam?  Highly likely.  Cheers.

The headline may be a little deceiving as these types of jellyfish are generally not responsible for fatal attacks. They are basically the same as the Bluebottle jellyfish which will give you a real nasty sting. They are not the Box jellyfish, or Stingers as they are sometimes called, that are found in northern Oz. These suckers can kill you. Now having said that, there has been a couple of Box jellyfish related deaths in Koh Samui in the last couple of years, so they appear to be in Thai waters.

With regards to Hua Hin, not sure what type are there. Walking along the beach, I came across plenty of huge blubbery type ones but they don't have much in the way of tentacles. But I have seen some quite savage injuries from jellyfish stings in Hua Hin waters, so not sure if they are caused by the same ones washed up on the beach. I guess the govt has to correctly identify which ones are in what waters and advise accordingly. I'll swim in the same water as Bluebottles, but I'd be staying clear of waters that had Box Jellyfish loitering. Just not worth the risk...

This a terrible place for pedestrians to cross the road. There is a crossing as such but not very well marked. As it is right out the front of HH's busiest shopping mall, the area is super busy with buses, taxis, tuk tuks, minivans, bike taxis etc. There are Market Village traffic controllers in the area and sometimes they will assist pedestrians (farangs) half way across the road to the traffic island, which is a danger in itself, with the local bike taxis completing u-turns there through the barriers. The attraction on the other side is more taxis, baht bus and minivan stops. Also that is where the beach and several hotels are situated. Sure, there is a pedestrian overpass about 300m to the north, but in the HH heat, walking up there, over and back is a fair slog at times. This only makes for a good shady spot for BIB to set up their checkpoints. About 500m south, there is an actual pedestrian crossing right outside Bangkok Hospital, with traffic lights that sometimes work. Problem is, a lot of locals think that they don't have to stop at a red light here as they think they are private traffic lights owned by the hospital. I am serious as I've heard it direct from several Thais. So you have this long straight wide road that is basically a racetrack right through the centre of town. I'm surprised there are not more serious accidents there. I saw quite a few near misses in my time there, so it is certainly a black spot. RIP to the latest victim.

Good shot I say. Being an ex Police TRG Sniper in Oz, we shot out to a max of 300 metres. Way different to military, that shoot out to 1000+ metres. The difference being that once a Police Officer takes a shot, then generally the situation is done and dusted. If a military sniper takes the shot, then they also have to have an exit plan as a world of heat could be coming their way. With the rifles we had, I'd be confident of shooting the hand that the perp is holding the pistol with out to about 200 metres max. Especially if that photo published is an accurate account of the scenario at the time. But having said all that, we weren't permitted to take shots like that. It is one shot, one kill for all Oz TRG type units, with a head shot being the preferred option. So I'd be curious as to know the range the Thai Police took their shot from, what type of rifle and their actual policy on this stuff. But in the end, a good shot as far as I am concerned as no further loss of life, and even though this bloke is killer, a Police Officer doesn't need a kill on his conscious either. And for everyone who thinks it is an easy job pulling the trigger and taking a life, you have no idea...

As sickening as this attack was, keep in mind that this sort of stuff happens all over the world. It is not just Thailand. I think some members here are getting carried away with the punishment to be dished out to the offenders. Another poster laid out the Thai law with regards to assault, so here we are only looking at bodily harm with possible aggravating circumstances, including intoxication, number of offenders and maybe victim's age etc. Unless one of the victim's has a permanent injury as a result, then I wouldn't imagine there would be too much jail time for these grubs. Don't get me wrong, even though there is a possibility that the victim/s may have somehow provoked the offenders, what happened to them is inexcusable.

Tourism in Thailand will suffer as a result as that video is circulating the world and it is very damning evidence. I'm sure that both TAT and the Govt will be secretly fuming over this incident. Especially as it has happened in Hua Hin, the King's home, which I would consider a safe city. I have just left there after living there for just over a year and rarely saw a problem in the town area, even late at night after most have had a skinful. I know there are a lot of members here that think that Thais dislike farangs, but I just didn't get that impression. There are always going to be issues with foreigners living or visiting any country, including cultural and language barriers. What happened to this British family was horrendous and I wish them a speedy recovery. Hopefully the offenders will get exactly what they deserve...

The wife and I have been visitors (never lived there) to Bali on a regular basis since about 1987 with our last trip in late 2015. And that will be our last due to several reasons. I guess the main one is that Bali seems to have lost its charm. We are Aussies and can bogan with the best, but there were just way too many Aussies in the Kuta, Legian and Seminyak areas for our liking. We were living in Thailand at the time, but not Phuket, even though we have been there previously.

The traffic in Bali is becoming ridiculous and the driving there is becoming worse, probably due to frustration. Other than huge resorts and the like going up, the infrastructure hasn't really improved that much over the years. The beaches themselves are much cleaner, until you go into the surf, then you will notice rubbish everywhere. The food is bland and lacking compared to LOS and depending on your taste buds, this may be an issue for you. I have also experienced more aggro from locals in Bali than I have in LOS, and I am a fairly laid back and polite person. This was especially the case when shopping and saying 'no' (politely) to silly prices.

With regards to the religion there, even though Muslims are by far the minority, they are slowly getting a foothold there. Jakarta tolerates Bali because it is a cash cow for them and they understand and seem to appreciate tourism. But like a lot of Asian countries, it appears to be rife with corruption on all levels and continuously moving the goal posts so as expats don't get too comfortable. At the end of the day, both places have their pros and cons, just anywhere else on the planet, and I guess it all comes down to what the individual prefers. If you like surfing, then Bali, but if you like good food, then Phuket. Are there other options though??

And just so you know how the wife's application panned out, we attended our local Immigration Office with all of our paperwork, but the application was declined as we didn't have our original Marriage certificate. We actually lost this a few years back but we had a few certified copies of it (from a Justice of the Peace in Oz) which we've used for various applications etc. Told we would have to go to the Aussie Embassy in BKK and arrange correct certification. But they did offer to process the application then and there for an extra 2,000 baht. Wife a bit peeved with the sudden reversal for a price, and as we are moving to Vietnam next month, she decided against their generous offer. She is now over in Vietnam with our son who had to leave the country anyway. They will both return on 30 day visa exempt entries, where we will then leave LOS within that 30 days. The reason for her application was just as a bit of insurance in case we decided we didn't like Vietnam and wanted to return before my Extension expired. Thanks for the help anyway guys. Cheers.

Okay, I must be missing something here. I've been flying in and out of Oz fairly regularly over the last few years from Thailand, Indonesia and PNG, and have taken duty free alcohol on board with me in both directions. I have never had an issue at either a foreign check point, and definitely no issue at Oz airports. I may have been lucky to date, but man it seems like a strange rule considering how it is not an issue at all taking duty free alcohol out of Oz as a part of your carry on. Well, at least I know now and will change my way of purchasing duty free from now on.

I'm not sure if the Canberra Embassy would be an option for you if you wanted to avoid Sydney. My wife and son (both Aussies visiting Brisbane area at the time) recently did their Non O and Tourist visas via snail mail to Canberra. Not a problem.

Same problem for me re distance. I'm O Neg but in Hua Hin. I have given blood before at HH Hospital but that was for a local expat. Happy to donate if they can transport it.

A lot of these viruses and malware tend to prevent you running any anti-virus software you have already loaded, or even prevent you from downloading any new anti-virus software. So it can get a little frustrating and those without any tech knowledge may do more harm than good when fiddling around in Safe mode etc. One thing I have used a few times is called RKill. Seems to do the trick when the above problems arise and once it has cleared the issues, you can then generally run your normal anti-virus software to help clean things up. RKill is free and there is plenty of info on it if you just Google it. For a paid virus protection software I use ESET Smart Security and never really had a problem since installing it. Cheers.

I know the OP was after a gaming console but why not trying a few games on a laptop or PC if you have either. There are plenty of online games available. A lot has changed in 30 years, especially where you can now play live online with and against anyone in the world. It can be addictive as I have a 21 year old son currently living with me and he is trying to break into the pro ranks with the game LOL. Even if the OP went down the console route, I'm sure he could pick up an older version a bit cheaper just to see if it really is his thing before splurging on the latest and greatest...

It is the admitted until date, so we'll work off that date, 30/45 days before then. Hua Hin are pretty friendly so if we turn up with her application on the day we do our son's extension, they may just accept it. If not, then so be it. Thanks for the help guys.

And just a follow up question with regards to the wife's application. Can she apply anytime for the conversion before her Non O expires? The reason i ask this is, is that we have to go into Immigration in a few days as my son has to extend his Tourist Visa for another 30 days so I was thinking it may be possible to knock over the wife's application at the same time to save a 2nd trip, but her Non O Visa doesn't expire until the 27th Feb, which is still some time away. Thanks.

Thanks elviajero for clarifying all the terminology. Always helps when you attend Immigration and that you know what you are talking about right from the get go. It all makes sense to us all now. Cheers.

It is so nice to see how people are cheering for their own enslavement by completely redicolous government decissions.

1. A helmet has nothing at all to do with road safety ! [it is for personal safety]

2. A helmet does nothing about reckless driving

3. A helmet will not avoid any accident at all

4. Wearing a "non safe helmet", like probably 90% of all helmets in Thailand are, is highly dangerous !!!

So what are you all cheering for ?

If somebody wants to wear a helmet so be it ... it is a personal decission !!!

[but only for people who like to be responsible for themselves ...]

I am wearing a helmet when I chose to ... and so can anybody else !

Slaves need to be ordered what is good for them.

People who like to be slaves will cheer for the slave masters to enforce more slave rules ... brainwashing par excellence !!!

I can sort of see where you are coming from, but I don't necessarily agree. This is especially for the people without a choice ie wife and kids that get lumbered on to the family scooter. Then there are the issues of others that may be affected by your decision not to wear a helmet. Examples may include the burden of others that have to look after you/cover your medical bills whilst you are in a coma from serious head injuries as a result, or the life long trauma of

possibly another person involved in an accident with you, especially if you had died of head injuries that a helmet may have prevented. I know, it is cool and liberating not to wear a helmet, but also may be a little selfish...

Thanks Eclipse. Very detailed explanation and very clear on what is required. Your help is appreciated. Cheers.

Thanks Eclipse. Tried the 'pop along and ask them' before regarding other matters, and probably walked away from there more confused than when I went. The old lost in translation scenario. But I hear you.

Thanks for the advice also. Can you also advise exactly what sort of visa she would be applying for when filling out the TM7, or is it just an extension of her current Non O? Thanks.

Hey guys,

Can't seem to find the answer to my question after searching around here, hence the new topic. I am currently living in Thailand on an Extension of Stay based on retirement (Australian). My Aussie wife recently obtained a Non Immigrant O visa in Australia which is valid for 3 months (expires 27th Feb). This was obtained on the grounds that she would be my dependent whilst living here in Thailand. We are now both back living in Hua Hin.

Just wondering what the process is for her to change this over to a dependent type situation. Obviously it will require a visit to our local Immigration Office, but just wondering about the whole process, including what forms etc are required and cost involved. I'm under the impression that once this is done, she will then just be in sync with my Extension of Stay which is valid until late Sept 2016.

And just further to this, will she to be able to apply for a Multi Entry Permit at the same time? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

There are certainly warning signs that there may be financial problems looming, especially with the Chinese issues. Not sure what the RBS's agenda is here, maybe they got caught with their pants down in '08, or they are going to come out with some new recession proof financial product in the next few weeks, and starting the scare campaign early. Who knows. I'm certainly not looking to buy anything other than maybe SJB (Google it) or possibly looking at a long term position on oil which is near historic lows. Both long term buys though. Interesting times ahead and I do hope that the RBS is wrong with their outlook...