richard_smith237

I am interested in getting Insurance for my watches etc.

• 5 expensive watches.

• Cameras.

• Laptops.

• Golf Clubs plus other sporting equipment.

• Wine collection.

• TV

I’d be interested for cover for the above against accidental damage, theft, fire etc.

I only am interested in contents insurance, not house insurance etc. The quote form on Thai Visa does not suit my questions.

Does anyone have any idea who provides insurance for these items, and a rough idea of how much coverage is…

Thanks for the answers Damian....

I gather you use AIS ? is that with GPRS to roam the internet ? what is the contract like ? (i.e. Cost / hours online / speed etc)

Can anyone tell me - I have Itunes on my computer twinned with my IPod... is it simple to load the same music on an IPhone ?

I am realising how out of date with technology I am...

I’ve just found out that my girlfriend has bought me an iPhone for Christmas (she bought it Hawaii) I am assuming its one of the later ones (post 44 serial number) with the currently software that can’t be hacked (I’m away at the moment and cant check myself).

I know nothing about cracking them or any software. DamainMavis’ comments have made me think about this. When someone finds a shop in MBK, Pan Thip or Fortune that can crack the later version can they post it here?

Any idea how much the guys charge to crack the phone ?

What does bricked mean ? (crashed / locked ?)

Also, how good is the touch screen for sending sms etc?

I looked at the dopod HTC but as I’m so used to buttons I decided against it, my girl friend has an LG chocolate and I hated the feel of the (touch sensitive) buttons. What is the predictive text capacity like?

I’ve heard that the cracked phones still have problems and need re-cracking at MBK etc… this could be too much hassle for a phone. For those who have one in Thailand, any hassles ?

Ok - So I crossed a Politically un-correct line. But all the PC stuff is sometimes a little overbearing and makes me claustrophobic and I snap…

My girlie and I have discussions regarding such trivial matters as ‘Why are LV (Louis Vuitton) handbags so important ?’ , ‘Angelina Jolies adoption of baby Zahara’, ‘human trafficking’, ‘levels of human consciousness and self awareness’ and back to ‘food’ and ‘did you shower’…..

She gets very sensitive about the handbag issue !

When today we were talking and for what ever reason the topic of ‘babies’ came up, I suggested that why have a child when there are so many, wouldn’t it be a wonderful kind thing to do, to give a child who has no parents a chance… and on…

To make my point clearer, I used the Angelina Jolie example…

I even suggested it could be fashionable to adopt an African child (I know I know, I was starting to snap and get silly !)…

I then suggested what a wonderful idea it would be, to adopt and African child, we could paint the LV symbol on him/her in gold to make and even more fashionable look…

Now, of course I was never serious and understand the implications and potential cause of racial slur and harm it can cause. I know it was wrong to suggest such a thing, I was never serious and although very ‘un-PC’ it’s just part of the ‘shock’ effect in some types of humor (i.e. the episode of The Office where they have the fire alarm and can’t get the lady in the wheelchair down the fire exit steps so the leave her there – excruciatingly painful and so funny at the same time because we know its not real)

Anyway, onward and upward….

I’ve seen girls with the LV pattern on their finger nails. And, Real or otherwise LV handbags appear to be on every other 20-40 y/o woman in any shopping mall in Bangkok. It seems that there is an obsession with expensive handbags that I can only akin to guys and watches and their cars. If someone accuses me of having expensive watches and cars, that its materialism and a form of showing off, after the quality arguments etc I’d have to agree. However, surely a handbag is just a handbag ? it seems a little obvious almost like walking around with a 30,000 B wad of cash on their hand just to show they’ve got it. These hideous brown bags with LV plastered all over them can’t be that attractive can they?

So… Now she is not speaking to me because I’ve offended her and her liking of LV !

I thought the LV part of what I said would have been the least of my troubles !

The real joke is on me now though. She bought me a shockingly brown LV wallet for my Birthday and I have to use it now.

I have my ideas for answers to this question, which is that in such a recently developed westernized society money speaks and establishes a quick hierarchy… However I am still wondering… what is it with those damned handbags? And what is it with the way so many women thrust them around as if the quality of the bag is somehow indicative of the quality of the person?

(Rant over, apologies – comments welcomed !)

(Edit: LV is Louis Vuitton)

Of the last 3 weeks I’ve had to send many bills back (approx 10), four of which for corrections of over 1000 baht. Two of those places were night clubs, the other two places were restaurants.

In one of the restaurants I’d taken 2 bottles of wine, only opened one but was charged corkage for both - Understandable mistake on the bill. In the same restaurant, after making our orders I was told that mine was not available, so I reordered but my original order remained on the bill along with the new order - Again understandable. I had to send the bill back twice for these corrections.

In a club I was charged for 1 bottle of whiskey, 15 sodas, 7 cokes, 3 Ice. This seemed excessive so I asked for a list of the ‘Chits’ I’d signed… the real tally was 1 whiskey, 7 soda’s 4 cokes and 2 ice. This bill was corrected immediately without question but also needed two corrections before I was satisfied.

Where as I think these could have been genuine mistakes and give the benefit of doubt to the staff, my girlfriend points out that it’s a common attempt at fleecing someone. It’s not specifically aimed at westerners or foreigners, many of my Thai friends also have very similar comments and are careful when paying bills or handling money.

Its common, the sad thing is that it’s also accepted as the norm. Watch Thai’s in the restaurants, they’re all double checking their bills and in the clubs the bill seems to automatically be passed onto the most sober or organized one for checking and correcting…

The thing to do is to just try to make a habit of checking the bills and not be embarrassed that you may be being un-polite by doing so.

I thought this kind of stuff never happened to me and I’d kind of switched off to it until I was advised to get into the habit of checking every bill. It’s quite amazing how many ‘mistakes’ are made that add an extra 30 B, 50 B, 100 B to the bill. These mistakes are never less than the true bill… uncanny that ! This is no big deal financially, but in principle it’s irritating, 30 B, 50 B, 100 B is the thin end of the wedge, I can attest that attempts to overcharge 1000 B are not uncommon - its just another thing to watch out for.

keep on your bashing and brand my point as "silly", still two wrongs don't make one right - overreacted!

Two shot, one in serious condition, one dead!

Very sorry for them!

Can't believe it, even it was "self defense", we got one dead!

Very amazing that a big part of the "audience" condones this, it's lynch-justice!

I agree with you. I can't believe there are so many barbarians here.

That guy should have went for the second and fourth finger on his left hand with his own left hand. Uses his right hand and try to grab hold of the guys hair, about 300 to 500 hundred pieces. Then uses his right foot to kick at the right knee from the inner side of the legs. This is going to cause a full grown man to fall. But make sure if it is a 250 lbs man, you have to use 88.5 lbs of force. Whilst a thai man most probably only weigh 150 lbs, using that amount of force is going to hurt his knee or even worse cause permanent damage. So 68.72 lbs of force is what I reckon.

Now once he is on the ground, uses his body weight to control him. Again a french guy I guess would weigh more than 180 lbs so DO NOT lie all over him! HE MIGHT SUFFOCATE! WARNING!

Now this guy is under control, it is time you think how you are going to get your cell phone and call the police. Try to negotiate to the thai guy using all the skills you have as you did asking the wife to marry you.

Nowadays people are so brutal!

Meemaithai..

You forgot to mention that in advance of this happening the vicitm should have seen the local fortune teller who would have foreseen this tragedy... Then he could have gone to a class run by law enforcement officers to lean such skills. Both he and his wife should have also gone to bullet dodging classes…

While samuian is busy preaching to the masses about right, wrong & versus from scripture dreamed up thousands of years ago, I would dearly love to know what he (?) would do in a life or death, me or the other guy situation or what he would do if his wife & child were (visually appparent) murdered in front of him.

Please enlighten the board...

The world as we know it might appear to fall within a certain framework, however, when that framework falls to pieces, whether it be on a personal, micro or macro level - you can't just stand there winging - "Ohh its so wrong, it is just not fair." A person has to get up and do something. Run, fight, protect, revenge, whimp out, whatever - however, do not complain that it shouldn't happen. It does & frequently. Protect yourselves & those with meaning to your life.

Soundman.

Soundman - Not sure how well you can protect yourself, looks like your little girl can get the better of you.. Took one in the groin? (Your avatar photo).

I like the framework speech and agree that its ‘bang on’…

I too would be interested to learn of what course of action would be taken by our preacher Samuian?

Two wrongs don’t make a right…. Please get real..… If the law told you to jump off the bridge.. would you ?....

Ok I know the law doesn’t or wouldn’t say that – But I hope my point gets across, coming out with the sayings our parents may have used for generations while stopping us from petting fighting with our siblings is hardly applicable in this case….

Murder and attempted murder is wrong. Reacting to it is understandable. Agreeing with someone in principle; who has lost self control and drowned someone in a fight for their life after their wife has just been shot in the head, twice… doesn’t seem such an evil thing to me.

The brutality of this attack is simply shocking. I have difficulty understanding how any person could do such a thing. I have always understood Thailand to be rife with crime, but very rarely in the manner of a physical Threat. I think this was a case of returning home and surprising the robber / attacker… Or was he there waiting ?

With all the wars and violence around I feel proud that one of the good guys reacted so strongly in such a situation. I hope this story spreads like wild fire and acts as food for thought for potential robbers and attackers.

I imagine that such desperation does not occur in times of logical thought.

I have no sympathy for the attacker, he was removed from the human race before he has the opportunity or faces the desperation to do the same again.

Before this event my sympathies may have been with a poor guy desperately in dept, but that is only out of hindsight with the knowledge of what happened. But it’s too late now. Who knows what each of us may do in times of such desperation. However, taking that big step is something I’m sure most would never consider.

I sincerely hope the victim, and his wife make a full recovery and live a happy future bringing up their new born child.

Some laws exist and you hope you never have to cross them. Some moral lines exist and you hope you never have to step over the boundary. But those boundaries are not fixed in stone. We do not live in a world of absolute right and absolute wrong. Rather we live in a grey area where the normal goodness of people rarely forces us to push those laws and boundaries. This is an example of one of those boundaries not just being pushed but stepped over so convincingly and righteously that it’s the understandable thing to do. Being an understandable thing to do, doesn’t make it right, but the victim was not the one making the choices, he was protecting his life. I think everyone would agree, the Victim did no wrong.

As far as some of the more stupid ‘righteous’ comments go on this thread. Are they the people who would watch their loved one being beaten up, raped or harmed in anyway and not react because they believe ‘”Thou shalt not kill” – Or am I misinterpreting some point here? This has to be sarcastic right ? Or a troll comment as someone’s post suggested. I can’t believe that someone could be so blind to reality that they could expect someone to have logical calm thought when something such as this is happening. Yes its an open forum, and opinions should be welcomed from all sources.. I’ve never insulted other TV members… BUT… Some people lack such a concept of reality the word moron truly applies to them.. you know who you are…

(Edit for typo)

Addition – I don’t think anyone is saying the murder is correct. Its never the right thing to do. But IMHO in this case it wasn’t so wrong !

Well Said.

I’ve been driving here for approximately 6 years.

Police do pull me over, only when I have broken a traffic law. I pay small tea money (which I am happy to simply out of convenience). Or, they just let me go after attempting to explain what I did wrong as its often not so clear cut due to the rules being different at different junctions and from area to area. I’ve never felt unjustly treated.

I’ve had a crash, which I claimed it was the other drivers fault. He claimed it was my fault. I only had a UK license at the time and was not required to show an international permit. Insurance dealt with the costs without issue. After discussion at the police station it was agreed that we were responsible for our own vehicles. Although I still maintain it was the other driver who was at fault, it wasn’t clear cut. The Police were very fair, polite and daftly I still value the experience as it has given me confidence in the fairness of the system. It turned out that the other driver had no insurance and that I went against the normal flow of normal behavior by refusing to accept blame, the police agreed that I was well within my rights. They even chastised the other driver for changing his story to much and trying to manipulate the situation to his advantage (which is primarily why I was so determined not to accept fault after learning that normally when a driver has no insurance the one with insurance will accept blame).

In my experience and those of my friends, westerners driving around Thailand (Bangkok anyway) are dealt with as any other driver would be.

I have no experience either first or second hand of unfair treatment and as such can only assume that comments suggesting otherwise on this thread are incorrect fears of those who enjoy harboring negative views. It would be interesting to read of first hand accounts identifying otherwise.

As I understand it, if in the event of a crash.

Call the insurance and wait for the police, be polite. Both turn up quite quickly. The police spray the road with white paint. If possible, take photo’s to assist with any discussion of blame.

In the event of injury, there are bigger worries than financial. Although this does become a grey area when the greater good of someone’s health; regardless of who is at fault, becomes compromised by their capacity to cover the costs of medical treatment. Theoretically 1st class insurance covers the medical treatment of all occupants of the Vehicle however I’m not sure how this relates to third parties say on a motorbike for example.

My worry is (as has nearly happened on many occasions) that if a motorbike driver completely at fault drives into me. To keep this question black and white, say for example I was stationary at traffic lights. If the motorbike driver was injured and if his bike was damaged, would I be expected to cover his medical and repair costs ? I believe this is where things become quite ‘grey’…

Do feel for you oenophiles out there. I have a friend who likes a decent glass of wine every once and a while so on the way back from my last visa run to Penang, I bought a bottle of Aussie Penfolds cabernet savignon at airport duty free (Penang that is) and it came out to about US$ 35. I was in Villa Pattaya recently and checked out the price of the SAME bottle of wine...price...B4000+ !! My calculation had it at US$ 123.00!!! Ouch

Yep – the tax on wine here is outrageous. Its rather frustrating that (as I assume it is) the high tax on imported items is to aid with the sales of local items. But this in no way encourages to the local items to compete on a level playing field. And with products such as wine the geography (soil) and climate make it quite impossible to compete at a high level.

I come and go regularly and pick up a bottle at duty free whenever returning. My girlfriend travels a lot and does the same thing.

The Penfolds at duty free: Bin 407 at Bkk duty free is B1000 (in Villa its B4800 / In Auz its about B700). Bin 389 at Bkk duty free is B1500 (in Villa its B4200 / in Auz its about B800). The duty free even sells Bin 707 and Grange which are expensive but if you really wanted one its offers a huge saving (the Grange I believe is about B11,000ish at duty free, I saw it in the wine shop in Paragon for B49,000, although I’m not sure of vintage. I can only assume that it will acquire dust at that price !)

I have e-mailed wine merchants around Bangkok, and using the Penfolds as an example enquired how much it would cost if I ordered in volume, i.e. 24 and 48 bottles. However, I was told uniformly that they will not import to order, we can only buy what they already import. This seemed to me to be a bit of a lazy ‘don’t want to deal with it’ kind of reply.

In short, I have reasoned with myself that attempting to buy half decent wine in Thailand is just not possible, and I’ll be sticking to duty free wine and the B300-500 corkage charge at the restraints. Another point here is the price of wine in the restraints also, using the same examples; I’ve seen Penfolds Bin 407 in restaurant menus from B7000 up…. ouch !

Possible good news (if there is any and if I am correct with my understanding) is that with trade agreements, the taxation on Australian wine (I don’t think this will happen yet with wines from other regions) will be taxed less over the coming years, further information on this can be found on the internet.

Chon geaw…

I had a smaller sportier car and loved it. However most other cars on the road were either the slightly larger saloon / sedan type, or much larger 4x4 Fortuners, or pick up etc... and no one gives way.

I bought a much bigger car (Not a Hummer and not a Fortuner !) about a year ago and for a year I had both cars and drove which ever one I preferred to on that day (while at the same time reluctantly trying to sell the smaller one as I had no need for 2 cars). I noticed the difference of driving the two different cars immediately. While driving the larger car a lot more people gave way without my having to be forceful. However, returning to the smaller car was sometimes potentially dangerous, after getting used to people giving way, no other car would (the exception to the observation here was young girls in a Yaris / Jazz / Vios; while on mobile phone, they never give way to anyone !)

My simple conclusion, as someone who has had a large car and a smaller car at the same time, driving regularly around town (Bkk), is that the bigger your car the more trouble free the driving is and the more polite more of other road users seem to appear.

My guess at the reasoning for this is that at a subconscious level people may associate the size with say a greater impeding doom if in the event of a collision and hence initially give way on some subconscious level … The flip side of this of course is the bus drivers who dangerously refuse to give way to anything. I’m bigger they’ll have to stop for me !… (and Fortuner drivers, as another post in the motoring section has suggested… sorry Fortuner drivers)

Mr Plum,

I doff my hat sir. What an excellent post.

I’ve read this post out of interest, however without commenting as I have not wished to fuel the ‘extremists’ who seem unable to understand the view point of another without being able to see their own limitations.

I for one understand the OP and hope he can find the ‘right one’; who for me, would be one who stops me looking at others… however, while waiting for ‘lightening to strike’ I’ll trot on gently through life trying to maintain my self respect and positive outlook.

Firstly, what a moody, frumpy, stroppy woman at the Vietnamese embassy.

Sounds like the same woman who was working there last year. She's probably caused a few people to scrap their trips to Vietnam for her rudeness alone. She's right up there with the Thai embassy staff in Phnom Penh and the immigration officers at LAX. I'll definitely be using a travel agent to get the visa for my next trip to Vietnam.

Lets suggest to her... "Smile, you should be happy you're not in Vietnam"

the relationship started on a financial basis. However what about secretaries etc who also make themselves ‘more available’ ?

The question raised here is about financial differences and the potential for financial influence on the heart of the less well off females…

Someone else said – you can only make your own mind up, as everyone different, I don’t think its too difficult to see that if its too good to be true then generally it is… (flip side of this, is that too good to be true is great fun up to the point that the ‘to be true’ part comes along).

I have met a number of ‘Occupational Farang hunters’ when out and about and I can only think that any potential relationships can only be spawned from an initial ‘career choice’….

I’m sure I’ve missed out because of this, but I’ve been very happy with the great ladies I have a pleasure of a past with in both the UK and over here.

The culture here is in a sense very similar to the west in the 50’s and 60’s (I’m guessing, I too young to know !).. men pay for things, its chivalry even if the door is forgotten ! Those not used to that will always see money as an issue, although, there are limits !

Isn’t this subject so wide that no rules can be applied? only good instinct and common sense can apply surely?.

And in that last sentence the answer may lie after all, where does good instinct and common sense go after x amount of Chang’s, Singha’s or what ever the poison is ?

lol

"I weally want to get that wacky wabbit"...

If he was Thai, wouldn't he have said...

"I Leally want to get that Lacky Labbit"...

This might apply to more than one subject… Mod’s can decide where to locate it….

The motoring part:

I got pulled over by the jollies today; the first time in about 4 years or so…

I didn’t think I was in the wrong, so I argued my case, firmly and politely with a few ‘ai-yaaa’s’ and ‘oh-hoooorrr’s’ for my own personal entertainment…

After 5 or so minutes of ‘polite disagreement, which the h the policeman radioing back to confirm that I had indeed made a mistake (my car is not easily mistaken with others), paper and pencil came out, diagrams were drawn … I laughed, when I realized that perhaps I had made a simple traffic violation (which is a little difficult to explain without another diagram !)…

It cost me 100B, as I am off to Vietnam tomorrow and don’t have time to pay the fine through the official channels.

The police man was polite, attempted to speak English, smiled and was quite friendly to the point of being helpful !!..I left the scene after a handshake feeling amused and not even slightly as though I had been taken advantage of as a westerner (as is often the fears / points I often read about in many threads in TV).

Travel Part:

Firstly, what a moody, frumpy, stroppy woman at the Vietnamese embassy.

I didn’t think much of the majority of the treatment towards foreigners when I was in Vietnam previously. When I checked into my hotel (I cant remember the name but it was about US$100 per night and a decent looking hotel) I was told that we had to have two rooms because we were not married !!!!... (My girlfriend is Thai, a flight attendant, and stays at that hotel frequently), naturally I was furious and spoke with Management who told us that we had to book as a couple in advance (this might have something to do with preventing the hotel from getting into trouble with their local fuzz if guests bring a girlie back for the evening). In the end one room was ok. (we had to chose that hotel because my Girlfriend has to stay where her airline tells her).

My trip to the embassy was a brief reminder of what I’ll face again. This is generally a feeling of irritation because for what ever reasons I get the impression that there is almost an air of arrogance and superiority from those Vietnamese I’ve had the displeasure to come across in the past. There seems to be a reluctance to help out, of course, this is not always the case. My experience has already told me to be ‘thicker skinned this time round’…

I’m tempted not to go there, but I’m meeting my girlfriend who is flying in from Auz, I’ve not seen her for 4 weeks and I don’t want to let her down.

Thai Part:

This is a good reminder for me of how good things are in Thailand.

Yes, things maybe changing slightly – but it remains a wonderful country to be in.

For all its misgivings, people generally are much friendlier, and more polite and helpful than else where in Asia I have worked or travel to frequently.

Familiarity breeds contempt, and after long spells anywhere the little irritations, frustrations and annoyances creep in. When that happens, go to Vietnam and come back happy to be in Thailand again !

I’ve read a lot of threads and opinions of people who are fed up with Thailand and are considering a move to Malaysia or Vietnam… If I am permitted, In my opinion none of the S.E. Asian countries can compete with Thailand, I hope the visa regulations relax for many of the ‘Decent’ folk who bring something beneficial to Thailand.

(Apologies in advance... This thread benefits no one with anything other and subtle entertainment and perhaps persuades a little second thought before some people post !)

I’ve been Reading a lot of posts this morning, by a lot of different people and I’ve been thoroughly entertained, frustrated, momentarily shocked, slapped with disbelief…

It occurred to me today that amongst a lot of criticism of Thailand, are the people who self incriminate their own intellect and common sense and tar themselves with the same idiotic brush as those they are trying to criticize.

We have the Darwin awards for those stupid enough to remove themselves from the gene pool with idiotic acts..

Should we have a TV Darwin awards, for those who completely misinterpret the level of their own common sense and void the point of a post by being stupid enough to get themselves in that situation in the first place ??

Favorites are:

> Driving drunk and criticizing the following fines.

> Meeting the girl of your dreams, half your age, on the internet or within a few months of meeting her.

> What to do, Visa over stayers.

Add more……. (Mods: can we name guilty posters ?)

Reading a lot of posts by a lot of different people. It occurred to me today that amongst a lot of criticism of Thailand, are people who self incriminate their own intellect and common sense and tar themselves with the same idiotic brush as those they are trying to criticize….

We have the Darwin awards for those stupid enough to remove themselves from the gene pool with idiotic acts..

Should we have a TV Darwin awards, for those who completely void the point of a post by being stupid enough to get themselves in that situation in the first place ??

Favorites are:

> Driving drunk and criticizing fines.

> Meeting the girl of your dreams, half your age, on the internet or within a few months of meeting her

> What to do, Visa overstayers.

Maybe this is for a new thread. But maybe a good thread to start... …Can we add the names of guilty the parties ?

I am wondering if anyone on the Forum has any experience purchasing wine from an wine import company in Bangkok.

My girlfriend travels to Australia on a regular basis, each time bringing back a couple of good bottles of Auzzie Red, i.e. Penfolds Bin 407 / Bin 389. In Australia, these wines cost approximately 800 baht per bottle. Villa Market sells the same wine for 4800 and 4000 baht respectively.

I enjoy a decent bottle of plonk with dinner and often take my own and pay corkage (normally 300 to 500 baht per bottle) when I eat out at a decent restaurant (at least 2 times per week).

My question is these...

a) Does anyone know of the likely cost if I was to purchase 24 bottles from a Bangkok wine dealer, or have them import it for me ? I'm not interested to deal with the import myself.

Also, I've done a google search and e-mailed a couple of places and await their reply. Does anyone had any experience of good wine dealers in Bangkok ? (with websites ?).

c) A friend is getting married, this may be useful for him, purchasing a few hundred bottles and saving rather a lot. I believe the hotel where the reception is being held is not going to charge corkage.

Thanks…

What is happening with Samui ? is it just an office opening there to attract further members or anything else ?

Are there any TE members out there disappointed with the program or wish they had not purchased the card ?

I for one am very happy and satisfied. I’ve just been reading threads about airport taxi scams, immigration cues and am so thankful I had the good sense to purchase one.

We have lost the Thai Airways Gold Card, but that was only a 2 year privilege anyway.

I estimate Thai Elite Card will pay for itself after 5 years or so average use (as explained on other TE threads).

If the card lasts another 4 years or so, I’m happy, if not then I probably lost some money and the investment was not as wise as I thought. And, yes, I think it’s an investment because if it lasts 10 years I would stand to save a lot.

But what price can I put on not worrying about Visa’s ?

TE members have the money and have the need, it’s a valuable service – I hope it lasts, but I worry about that less than I worried before when I was concerned if I can get another tourist visa, or had to plan a visa run with constantly changing regulations.

Oh, and now I get free golf, free massage, 1 min immigration, free airport transfer… No, I have no complaints whatsoever.

I don’t feel elite that I have the card, just satisfied I have it. Although after reading the threads of those who ‘bash’ the TE card, I’m happy I’m not in the same immigration cues at the airport listening to their complaints, I’m happy I’m not at the same immigration office extending my visa while having to listen to their complaints, I’m happy I’m not playing on the same 400 baht per round golf course having to listen to their complaints, happy I’m not next to them while they are getting irate at taxi drivers at the airport…

Come to think of it, perhaps I do feel a little Elite, and it’s nice once in a while.

Dear Readers,

today received a short letter of KTC Krungthai Card Public Company Ltd. which told me I do not get a VISA Credit Card.

They did not give me any explanation for their rejection. This was reason enough to call their service department. But I shouldn't

have done that because it was a massive frustration again the only explanation was; "it is not allowed for them to tell me the reason for their rejection".

I was thinking about myself: Have I ever been a wrongdoer regarding my Baht-Account? No, I never have done somthing like that, I never ever was in the red zone of my account. My brain kept me very busy to find the right reason. Don't I have enough income or maybe enough mony in my account. No, that can't be the reason because my monthly income is approximetly 55 k and in my account is far above 500 K. Maybe that's it: I am a Farang that is the reason!

Does anyone know which Thai Bank is willing issuing Credit Cards to farangs?

I am waiting for your help and comments.

Many thanks for everybody who is able to help me.

With out a work permit I think its rather difficult bordering on impossible. I assume it has something to do with traceability and being a flight risk.

Banks do issue Mastercard Electron, which works as a debit card drawing money directly from your account and can be used much in the same way as a credit card, although I’m not sure of the limitations.

Also, I am not sure of this but will post anyway. I am of the understanding here that Banks do put the onus of responsibility for credit card fraud on the card holder, this could prove highly expensive with the high incidence of fraud in the region. Western Banks take this responsibility themselves.

In Response to the Ops question:

I’ve had a few cars here and now drive a MkIII Range Rover I personally like it because I can use the Mercedes SLK next to me as an ashtray at the traffic lights, especially after Miss Khun Nai or Mr PooYai have tried to Run Mr Kee-nock farang off his Honda wave for lowering the countries image. Oh, but I don’t like Rolex’s try a Frank Muller watch, it helps Balance the chip on ones shoulder against ‘inferior farang’.

OK – Seriously then….I know people will comment that the RR is too big but its not, it really is the easiest car I’ve driven in Bangkok. Very comfortable, with ease driving about town, parking, and on the express ways and country roads, it’s quite fast too but it also gulps fuel.

Other Options:

Alfa Romeo Brera – Beautiful car.

Any Porsche.

New Nissan Skyline (if / when it comes out in the states).

Bently GT continental.

BMW M6 / M5

Mercedes AMG models i.e. CL / SL / ML

I've been there a few times this year - Best part about Bangladesh is hearing the words "cabin crew, doors to automatic"...(on departure).

Bur really, it’s not such a terrible airport especially considering its location. If you don’t have to go through immigration then you don’t have many worries. The problems occur when it’s busy, the cues get rather large and listening to the immigration officials shouting across to each other can be quite amusing. Normally I am not one to rush too hard to get off the plane - but at Dhaka airport getting off ASAP and getting to the front of immigrations lines is highly recommended. If the immigration lines are too full you can also try the diplomatic channel, its cheeky, and an embarrassing refusal is always a possibility.

There is a bar upstairs near the business lounges.

It would also be wise to check with the embassy in your country (a week before departure) and check that there is no national strike on your arrival day.

The national strikes are called 'Hartals' and are basically politically triggered riots, not safe.

I'm planning to buy a Ronix wakeboard and a guy told me about a shop called X-Square or something like that, in Siam Square. Does anybody know about that shop and where it is exactly ?

Thanks.

Yom

Its on the 4th Floor in Siam Centre next to one of the exits / entrances to the car park at the rear.

For Sale: 920,000 baht (1.86 Mil New).

Purchased Sept '05 Alfa Romeo 156 Selespeed (2000cc).

Registered June '06.

12,500 km, 1 owner (English).

Full Service history.

Red Exterior / Black leather interior.

Multifunction steering wheel, stereo controls, paddle gear shift.

Gears: Full Automatic / Tiptronic / Manual Paddle shift.

17" Original Alfa GTV alloys / Sports Pack Exterior.

No crashes, breakdowns etc.

Reason for sale. I have two cars and only need one of them.

Please contact: [email protected]

Or phone: 0890402045 (may not answer due to being overseas at work).