I also have no sympathy for the Samui taxi drivers. Always used Navigo until that stopped. Would charge and acceptable Baht 200 from where we live to the centre of Bangrak. The alternative became Grab but they wanted Baht 400 for the same journey. Needless to say we don't use them. There are still as few private taxi drivers around who charge sensible prices, but few and far between so if you find one, you tend to keep quiet about him/her!

My 90 day report was due on 19th September. I did it on-line on the  Saturday 12th September which is within the allowed tolerance. Came back approved on Monday 14th with a reporting date in December which shows they do not pay much attention  to the detail as my visa requires extension on 22nd October. The reporting date is therefore irrelevant as I must extend the visa first.

Came back to Samui by Seatran last week after ten days away. Cursory temperature check as we drove onto the ferry and nothing more. 

1 hour ago, Neeranam said:

If you are married , pay 1900 baht and get 1 year. 

Except in Samui where they charge 20-25,000 Baht.. Pay it or not get your visa.

Report due on 15th April so downloaded the Immigration App and all seemed well until it asked for GPS location at which point it kept going back to the beginning and I had to start all over again, and again, and again!. Gave up on that and tried the web application which was in fact surprisingly easy. Apart from asking me for my flight number on arrival in 2014! Took a reasonable guess and it accepted it. Now showing as Pending - will wait and see!

Jirabhorn N. <[email protected]> 

Office next to Bangkok Bank Town Centre - Sribinacha

Court Approved translator

It is not just budget airlines. Bangkok Air, who are hardly budget, have seen their share price drop by about 50% since their Public Offering.

http://kosamuiproperties.com/properties/?cat=residential-rentals 

or call me on 081 741 6443 [email protected] 

I know many contractors but they, understandably, are reluctant to take on the small repair jobs we need from time to time.

Does anyone know a handyman in the Bophut area please who is prepared to take on these small jobs?

This taken looking out to the south above Tong Krut.

Yes he has just emailed me as he has just twigged it is a hoax.

I have a seller due to come to Thailand this week to attend the Land Office re the sale of his property.

Today he informs me  that as of 1st April, French Nationals need a visa to enter Thailand and he does not have enough time to get one before he us due to fly on Wednesday.

He is of French-Arabic decent  - he thinks maybe that is the issue. Has anyone else come across or heard of this?

See the attached document

Cruise Ships Visiting Koh Samui 2018.pdf

A lot of sites are now using Brightcove for their video streams.

Many web site using Brightcove will not play the video. Eg Daily Express UK

Error Code: MEDIA_ERR_UNKNOWN

Session ID: 2017-12-23:5a6403a6b0b2fcf838e7a144 Player ID: vjs_video_3

That is true for Chrome, ,Firefox, Opera and Edge.

Trying to access Brightcove web site I get on all browsers - anyone have ideas how to deal with this

Your connection is not private

Attackers might be trying to steal your information from support.brightcove.com (for example, passwords, messages, or credit cards). Learn more

NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID

Automatically send some system information and page content to Google to help detect dangerous apps and sites. Privacy policy

I usually go to Bangkok Hospital as they have all the facilities for most issues. Yes they are more expensive but sometimes it is worth it. Also having all your medical records in one place has distinct advantages. Having been here for 17 years my records with them go back to not long after they first opened so they can track my results over time. In particular I have a border line reading on my kidney function which would cause consternation if taken in isolation except they are able to go back several years and can see that the reading is constant and, whilst it needs to be monitored, is not in need of urgent treatment. I also like Dr Ravi the heart specialist there. Extremely thorough and I have two clients who have had him carry out serious operations and they are both alive and well several years later. There is a limit to what they can do here, so serious treatment like the two cases of heart surgery I referred to had to be carried out in Bangkok.

I have tried other hospitals. I tried Thai Inter for a full medical (as a cheaper alternative to Bangkok Hospital) but they had to refer me to either Bangkok Hospital or Nathon for ultra-sound as they do not have the equipment. The sight of the examining doctor with pebble glasses hardly able to read his own notes (eyes 3 inches from the desk) hardly filled me with confidence. Won't do that again!

Bandon is fine for your Work Permit. 10 minutes in and out. Having said that, a good few years ago I had a nasty accident and with no say in the matter was taken to Bandon, which at the time did not have a good reputation, but I have to say I cannot fault the treatment I had there. Rooms were very basic and food - enough said we ordered from the restaurant across the road! But the medical care and nursing were first class. I see recently they have completely modernised their reception which is a step in the right direction.

I do agree though that for minor issues the Pharmacies are a very good starting point. For anything ENT related, Dr Ning in Lamai cannot, in my opinion, be beaten.

Would have been slightly more impressive if they had shown a photo of the correct ship. The ship they showed was  the " Silver Shadow" which was in at the same time. Photo here of them both with "Costa Victoria" on the left

1). How many UK citizens are resident in A) Thailand, Indonesia and C) Vietnam.

FOI_0588-17_-_Letter.pdf

Can I arrange this through a Samui flower shop or does anyone know of a reliable one in Pattaya?

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

My most recent True Visions bill is the same it has been for a long time.

I get it and the other True bills by email. And  pay them online using their IService site.

I would do that usually but a) they have not been sending the bills by  email and b. the Post here on Samui is abysmal these days and bills regularly arrive after the due date 

Thai or Korean?

Went to pay my monthly bill - 2,005.75.

new bill 2,146.15

I asked why and was told that they now added 7% VAT.

I said the 2,005.75 already included VAT and showed her last months bill.

1,874.53 + 131.22 = 2005 75.

So without saying anything True have now decided that 2,005.75 is the net plus VAT 140.15 = 2,146.15

The arrogance of these companies is unbelievable.

Need to find a way that my wife can watch her Korean soaps (which apparently are so much better than the Thai soaps) and then cancel True.

2 hours ago, samuijimmy said:

My bills, from 3bb  come through email... and even a phone text on due date even if it has been paid....

Perhaps check if that is an option for places that bills every month ...

Yes I do that with 3BB, AIS and True but TOT will not do that, CAT will but you have to call each time you expect a bill. It is often bills to my clients which get lost.

I agree that the delivery guy is friendly but he only delivers what he is given.

Today I received a bill due for payment on 21st March. Luckily I knew it was due and could deal with it then without the bill.

A second one received today was due for payment on 11th April - this I did not know about so will have to deal with that now.

Really frustrating because we know that complaining will make no difference.