geisha

Will going to another HSBC bank help, or calling them ?

Why wouldn’t you CC work ? I use mine all over the world, my bank knows where I am. Of course you must have money in your account. If next month your card is not valid you can’t use it anymore. I also don’t know how you can have *farang* rates and Thai rates ? Was this over the internet ? Generally the rates are all black and white. Why would you give your CC to someone else to use ?  If he was a walk in client they might have lowered their rates that day because of low occupancy, for example. Strange behavior.

Central shopping malls have many kinds. Sports shops too.

The beach front restaurants seem to be doing ok in Jomtien. The bars are nearly empty. The restaurants on Thappraya are very quiet. Indian By Nature, generally full ish , have two girls outside giving out flyers, looks quiet inside. Maybe they have priced themselves out of the current market ?  I also think a lot of people come into Jomtien from Pattaya for the evening now. And of course the Bangkok gang on the weekends to flee the pollution, maybe more and more, although the pollution is very high here too. The night market is quieter with the Chinese absence, tho the beach games competition across the road seems to attract quite a crowd. I think next week it will be much quieter.

How come  he didn’t find the thing for 3 years ?

What are the risks inside an airplane ? You always hear of the circulated air, and also the freezing conditions that contribute to catching a bad cold . But what are the risks when a virus like this one is concerned ? Thanks.

Just back from Suvarnabhumi which was particularly quiet, 5 till 7 pm. Through immigration in 5 mins and saw very little Chinese, if they were Chinese ! Saw a few full tour buses in Pattaya tho. 

This highlights the terrible prospects of kids growing up in Thailand without support. I honestly think it’s disgustingly cruel to abandon your kids and disappear off the scene. I would try and contact the ex husbands family and start there.

I don’t think that ignoring Thailand’s monstrous problems is going to work this time round. The authorities can say what they want, they won’t stop the the havoc being spread. The whole country and it’s once beautiful beaches are polluted. 

Heat , pollution and the damned birds that attack people stops me going to Lumpinî  too often.

What does it say about a country when only the street walkers/bar girls and ladyboys speak a smattering of English ? The average knowledge of Thai students is incredibly low. I was told by Thai friends in Bangkok years ago that you could get your kids higher grades if the money was right. Similar to India.The poor people in Thailand are oppressed and have no future. I see more and more homeless families on the streets, and more drunks/drugged than ever before !  Shame.

At least they’ll feel right at home here with the soaring air pollution. Even jomtien is unbreathable !

Mobile phones in work should be illegal. In case of emergency the person should call the reception, office , house phone. ( as far as this is possible of course).

Question. why do they take prints of the two hands?

My favorite bar was in the Agate in the complex of Jomtien walking street , as it’s called . The Fantasy bar, famous for the fabulous collection of old cognacs, whiskys and every alcohol under the sun. They did very good cocktails, had a decent crowd, lots of foreign couples , as this wasn’t a bar girl hangout. As a lady, I felt quite at ease there, chatting to the waitresses, many having been there for years. Air con inside, terrace out. Yes, a strange place to have a bar like this considering the neighboring ones maybe. The owner was getting on, fromNorway I think. Yes, I’ll miss them. I wonder what happened for them to close, anyone in the know? 

Thailand has priced itself out of the tourist market. Plus the ridiculously high baht. I fear the golden days are long gone.

I like view Talay 1 and 2. Thinking of renting there myself, tho I only need a nice studio. Market next door, Tesco not far. Foodmart 5 mins away. Near the baht bus route. Quiet area for sleeping . I’m not sure of prices. Nice pool. C D’ale looks good too. The problem I have is finding a place tastefully furnished. Some are awful, and some so depressing old fashioned. Don’t think you get your average drunk raver in those two condos . 

Oh dear, seems I have opened a can of worms ! I agree with everyone. But, if the “ online” SETV we have to apply for in France, didn’t entail us having to travel 1000 km and probably a hotel overnight , then there would be thousands of french arriving with paid visas. ! Just another difficulty for tourists. Not that it applies to my friends, I’ve fully explained the necessary procedure. 
Think this thread should be closed now. Happy new year.

KhunBENQ, thanks , I’ve sent them the available cheap one way flights and explained , also how to get to the IO in Samui and the docs. It all seems easy when you are used to this, I do it all the time ( properly) but can be confusing for 1 st timers. Cheers !

Yes, thanks all. I’ve given them a few cheap choices for a one way out. Of course it’s silly not to have realised, they saw no visa needed and didn’t look further. It’s their 1 st visit to Thailand. Of course they have return tickets to France. It’s just that Swiss air won’t change their dates and I don’t want them to be confronted by a nasty IO on their return , don’t say it doesn’t happen, it does. I’ve explained the extension procedures so they’ll have to go to Samui to do that. I’m hoping as genuine tourists they won’t be asked for a Notification of address slip ? They’ll be in a hotel on Koh Phan Gan. Quite a fuss for 4 days overstay. 

Hi, friends of mine have booked a holiday in Koh Pang Gan  , arriving Thailand the 11 th January, leaving the 13 th February.  They’ve  only just realised that they’re over 30 days visa exempt by 4 days ! ( yes , I know). 

It’s too late to do a visa online and pick up from Paris. They are in CANNES, and cannot get a day off even if it was certain. 
Will 4 days mean a nasty reception at Suvarnabhumi when they leave ? I know a day or 2 is tolerated .

or should they go to Koh Samui for a day and do an extension there at immigration, seeing that there is no IO on Koh Pang Gan ???? Can they do it a week/10 days before the 30 day limit ?
They are a French couple , 54 yrs, and first visit to Thailand. 
Will it be a problem not having a visa at check in Nice, can they say they’re doing an extension if asked ?
Thanks for your help with this first time mistake !

happy new year all.