sammym

This is a random but true story. 

I was on holiday with my girlfriend in Koh Samui, staying at Ark Bar. Was a bit jetlagged and couldn't sleep. I had a couple of beers and decided to go for a walk. Ended up going along the beach and then around the lake. 

A lady boy tried offering me services. I told them politely I wasn't interested and was going back to my girlfriend. They got a bit more pushy so I told them firmly I wasn't interested in anyone and certainly not a man in drag. I was a bit rude in fairness. 

About 10 minutes later a bike comes past me and something comes flying past my head. Along with the same ladyboy who shouted something along the lines of 'don't make fun of ladyboy'. It was my wallet minus the cash. I lost about £50 in my money but was happy to have the wallet, credit cards and my army ID/driving licence back. I wouldn't have wanted to have explained I got it robbed by a transexual when I was back at work. 

Since then whenever I'm on holiday I don't carry important stuff in my wallet when I'm out and about. Just one card and some cash. Maybe my driving licence if I think I might need it. 

Just to answer some general comments about snipers etc. 

Firstly if you deploy that tactic you run loads of risks: 

1. Missing and causing him to panic and start killing people. 

2. Hitting and not killing him causing the same as 1.

3. Hitting a hostage not only killing the hostage but also causing 1 again. 

Forget about the movies. Anyone who has ever used a rifle will know that hitting a moving target is far from simple. And no sniper or sharp shooter I've ever met would put his hand up in this situation at this point. 

You'd also never aim for a 'headshot'. It's too small a target. Combine this with him probably having a ballistic helmet makes is beyond absurd. You aim for the chest area as it has the ability to put someone down and is also a larger target. Again he has ballistic body armour I'd guess so the chances of that working are diminished as well. 

The priority will be to get innocent people out safely. And to do that the best option is to wait. If he falls asleep the situation changes but even then you wouldn't have some sharp shooter doing something for a couple of hundred metres away. 

Thanks again. 

I think I have everything that is required. 

I will go with low expectations and if it all goes well be pleasantly surprised. 

40 minutes ago, onera1961 said:

Yes, e-ticket is valid 

 

Nobody requires a boarding pass for applying for a tourist visa

 

How do you come up with this number? You may be asked to show 20K baht cash (or equivalent in foreign currency) when entering Thailand. 

Many thanks. 

I got to that figure my skim reading the website and seeing 20k only. I did seem like a high barrier to entry. 20k Baht is much easier. I have about 8k Baht in cash from my last visit and a couple of hundred US dollars in Cash. I can withdraw some more cash if really required to prove I have enough money. 

I shall use the e-ticket and see what they say. If they want they can always check with the travel agency. And worst case I have to enter on a 30-day exemption. 

Hello - I'd like to ask some advice from you experienced folks. Thanks in advance for any advice or assistance given. 

I'd like to apply for a 60 day tourist visa in Hanoi Vietnam. 

However, I am running into difficulty with 'proving' my return flights. I have a reservation with Emirates to the UK 54 days after I wish to enter Thailand. However my only proof of this is: Invoice showing flights from the travel company, an e ticket showing the flight from the travel agency, and a booking confirmation itinerary from the travel agency. 

I know I could get the 30 day visa free and extend. However, this does not give me the flexibility I want. I may go home sooner if I want, similarly I may change my flight to later if there is no work for me immediately (I am a self-employed contractor).

Crucially I do not have a boarding pass or a ticket from the Airline yet. This is because I cannot get this until 72 hours before my flight. I am therefore unsure how I go about proving my flight. I cannot see the Thai authorities accepting a third party invoice for a flight back home. However I do not know a lot about this. 

Also in terms of showing funds - I understand I need to prove I have £20k. This isn't really a problem - but no single account has more than £8k in it. I spread my money around in investments etc. So would they be happy with my showing them a collection of ISA statments, and a current account? My current account has about £6k in it. But I was planning on using my credit card anyway as I get a far superior exchange rate and no fees. 

Again thanks in advance for any advice given. I have zero intention of working or breaking any rules. But this process is worrying my slightly. If I get it wrong I will simply get the 30 days - but I would be much happier with a 60-day tourist Visa. 

Regards

Sam 

8 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

I did a little test the other day, what was best out of Clarity, Transferwise or £ bank transfer to Kasikorn and Clarity was the winner. You'll need to find a friendly bank and branch. Kasikorns max was 20,000 baht last time i used them

I'll try - worst case scenario they say no. And then I'll just pay some ATM fees. I'm certainly not spending my holiday going around desperately trying to find a bank that will play ball so I can save £4/5. 

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

Yes Clarity is the best, better than transferring cash. I always withdraw cash inside. Key thing for you is transfer to your Clarity account the same day so you don't pay interest

Absolutely. I have a halifax current account and will pay it off each day I use it. My partner also has this card as a backup in case one goes down. Halifax no longer let you tell them you are going abroad. Previously I've had no problem with preloading the card with 2/3k GBP when I've had trips. But I've heard this is becoming frowned upon so I'll just pay it off as I use it. 

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

I have a UK Halifax Clarity Credit card, withdrawals are at the cards exchange rate im my case Mastercard rate with 0% commission. You can go inside and withdraw, most I've done is 100,000 baht. Machine max is usually 30k

 

 

Exactly the card I want to use. 

I tried last time I was in Thailand for a lower amount (about 20k) and was told to go to the little counter outside. But I've previously had good experiences with higher amounts. 

If there are no fees and I get the Mastercard rate I'll be very happy. 

Cheers

I'm coming on holiday. I used to be able to withdraw 40/50k baht from banks using my credit card. Which saved having to use 2 or more ATM's and there was no fee. I'm flying over next week with my partner and we will need around 200k baht  

Is this still the case? 

Also if the exchange rate set by the bank or the credit card company?

Cheers

Sam 

So - to ask a really simple question. 

To get this residency certificate can I simply rock up with my booking for a hotel and ask for one? 

I don't mind paying a 'fee' but can't be doing with wasting multiple hours of my holiday. 

With regards to medical certificate. I'm assuming any hospital/clinic can offer this? Again I'm willing to pay 'premium' for a quick service whilst knowing I'm in a tourist location. 

1 hour ago, LeoTex said:

Not sure what the requirements are in Vietnam.

 

My understanding is that they care nothing about my UK licence, nor my IDP. However if I have a valid licence from a country in Asean country I'm good to go. 

To be totally honest - the legality of being stopped is not a concern for me. I can afford the relatively small roadside 'fine'. It's more if I fell of a bike and needed my travel insuracne to pay out. 

Cheers - my UK licence has: car, unrestricted motorbike, rigid truck and articulated truck. However I have zero interest in driving a truck in thailand (or the UK for that matter). And only really want the motorbike licence. 

So to confirm: I need to get a booking from my accommodation (or do they issue a letter for this?) and then go to the immigration office to get a certificate. But some immigration offices are not too keen on giving these out. 

I want to get a two year thai motorbike licence. 

I have a UK licence and an IDP. 

I think... I need a medical cert, a residency certificate, a few hours and about 2000 baht. 

However - I don't live in Thailand. I holiday in Thailand 2/3 times a year. And I want a Thai motorbike licence as then I can ride in Vietnam legally with my insurance valid. With my UK licence I can't. 

However how does one get a residency certificate? I'm happy to pay a reasonable fee to get this. But I'll be staying in hotel on holiday. I'll be in Samui if that makes a difference. 

Sorry if this seems a basic question - but google is very confused about if you can ever get one using a tourist visa on entry. But I think you can. 

Thanks to everyone who has replied. I popped to the post office near my work at lunchtime and am now the proud owner of an IDP. Cost me slightly more as I needed to use the booth to get passport photos. The process is very quick and painless and takes about 5 minutes. 

I'm also looking up the process of getting the Thai license. For no other real reason as I'd love the novelty factor of being able to say I've got one. I also visit a couple of times a year. I won't do it if it's costly or takes a lot of time. 

But I don't live in Thailand. I just go on holiday there twice a year. 

I've been googling and it's not clear. I'm thinking for the sake of £5.50 I might just get one as I can't be doing spending time trying to argue with a police man on holiday. And I'd probably just give them 500baht to enjoy my day - which doesn't help anyone trying to do it the right way like I am now. 

Coming back to Thailand for another lovely holiday in a month. Last time I got pulled and had to pay a small fine in cash with no receipt in Chang Mai. So I came home and realized I loved riding a bike and would get proper training and be legal. So I now have a full UK license for both cars and motorbikes. 

How my understanding is that the international driving permit is to convert it to English. So do I need one for Thailand or is my UK license enough? 

Googling throws up different answers - so I'm asking the experts on here. 

i am sure you sleep there right 4 beds Dorm, shared bathroom 90 b

555555555+

Even if I did, what difference would it make to you? I prefer to judge people by their personality rather than their bank balance.

I've never claimed to be rich or poor in this thread. As it happens when working at home I earn a reasonable salary. That doesn't mean I should conform to your view of how to spend my time and money.

As it happens I'm not in a dorm - but I sort of wish I was, for the social factor. I enjoy meeting new people. I had no problems sleeping around other people in the army. But as I'm here with my partner and I'm carrying a lot of fairly expensive equipment so it makes more sense to stay in a private room and meet people in the bar.

Yo sammy are you in chiang mai now? We should go get some beers and food....actually i know this dope northern thai food spot hidden away in my hood near cmu....pm me if you wanna kick it.

Yes mate. I'll send a message now. We are having a chill day today just relaxing at the place we are staying. Lying on a sofa thinking about a beer. At the bar here it's 60 Baht (Julies guest house). If CMU means chang mai university - we don't have a bike today, after 6 days and riding to and from Pai my bum needed a rest, but would be definately happy to meet up for some beers .

Edit - it says I can't send you a message. You could add me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/sammort

Sam

See, you are now doing EXACTLY the same as the video....?

You are now telling people (in words) the same as Sammy did in his video blog...what's the difference?

The difference is he's letting us know that he knew about this first.

That's all this business is about. It's not about saving money or time - it's about a slightly pathetic desire to show how clever you are in 'beating the system'.

Within 25 seconds (and nearly the first time thing I said) was: "I'd read online". I wasn't letting anyone know I knew about this first...

A more apt description would be: "Sammy claimed he'd read online how to do something, so recorded him trying to do it and put it online to show others incase they wanted to try it. I don't agree with what he did because it circumvented the system put in place to help/assist travellers like him".

I wasn't talking about you.

Apologies Read that all wrong on my phone.

This thread is now hilarious.

The OP describes an old "trick" which has happened for years at Dom Muang and then Swampy. I have been doing it for at least 11 years.

At both places, just go up to the 4th floor DEPARTURES (sorry, did I say ARRIVALS above? My mistake)

and pick up a taxi who is dropping people off. At Don Muang, go to the doors near the Taurus Coffee Bar at the far end.

The police, the security and the taxis all know what is happening. There is some sort of mini-mafia affair.

At Swampy, there was an effort to make one-way gates to stop this practice, but you can sidle through or jump the gates. Taxi drivers are happy to help you pass your bags over.

True, it's not the money. You can wait up to an hour in the "real" taxi rank and then pay your 50b extra if you want to.

Even when you do this 4th floor hop, you can still insist on meter (and you pay the two tolls into the city). If he does not accept your proposal for "meter", he must either sit and wait on the 4th floor (where he can get moved on if he waits around, despite the mini-mafia) OR he must drive down to the public queue and wait---or he drives back to BKK empty.

Many Thais also use this 4th floor taxi trick. Few Thais needing cabs will queue for 45 minutes in the public rank.

Sorry to disappoint anyone who thinks they have discovered a new thing.

Eddy

See, you are now doing EXACTLY the same as the video....?

You are now telling people (in words) the same as Sammy did in his video blog...what's the difference?

The difference is he's letting us know that he knew about this first.

That's all this business is about. It's not about saving money or time - it's about a slightly pathetic desire to show how clever you are in 'beating the system'.

Within 25 seconds (and nearly the first time thing I said) was: "I'd read online". I wasn't letting anyone know I knew about this first...

A more apt description would be: "Sammy claimed he'd read online how to do something, so recorded him trying to do it and put it online to show others incase they wanted to try it. I don't agree with what he did because it circumvented the system put in place to help/assist travellers like him".

It's not the issue of trying to save the 50bt that's my issue

It's the way the op does it & films it!!

We all know you can barter in LOS but the op tried to give it 'large' by thinking he knew the way of LOS where in fact, and he doesn't realise it, he's embarrassed himself & his female friend by the way he did it. He thought his 'teaching video' was a tool for others to follow but I think it's had the opposite effect as who would want to go that way! Yes, I'm sure over time we've all had a laugh with a taxi driver but the way he thought he knew everything tells me he knows little about LOS and needs to wind his neck in & listen & learn a bit.

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I filmed it because I didn't know how to get there and thought others might be in the same position. I also filmed how to locate a particular part on a car years ago. Some people found that useful, around 20k people have watched it. For a mechanic specialised in that vehicle it would not be useful - for someone who is more experienced in travelling in Thailand my newer video won't help.

I don't think it's me who is claiming to be the expert on all things Thai... I'm just having a good time enjoying the country.

Alt where in the video was I trying to scam the taxi driver? I simply said we would pay the metered fare and would not pay a premium... As I've said I chose to give him a tip (can't remember how much, I rounded it up and think it was between 30-40 baht). At home do you pay random amounts added on as not to scam people?

I flew with the cheapest airline as I usually do. Air China - cost me about £330 return. On flights I take a few prescribed diazepam and fall asleep so it makes no difference to me. If I was a millionaire I might see if differently. But that's just a personal preference.

One thing though - what is the obsession with receipts from taxis for security reasons? When you get in a tuk tuk or other taxi do you get a receipt before travelling? That's a genuine question. Apart from when travelling for work I've never asked for receipts or been given one. And if someone was going to attack or rob you I'd assume they would take the receipt anyway.

I meant scamming the system, not the taxi driver. I don't mind paying the 50 baht airport fee as it's an efficient (imho) system... certainly better than it used to be.

I don't take tuk tuks, except once when I first arrived in BKK as they are fun at night.

For yours (and for anyone else reading), I always take a pic of the taxi I get, without exception. I've never needed to use it, thankfully. Either i'm lucky, or the taxi driver reckons it's not worth trying to rip me off.

From what has been said the new system is efficient and works well. I was comparing it to June when I came and had a long queue. If that is no longer the case then people have less incentive to do what I did. So the system is working. Very few people will do this to save £1. So I applaud them for fixing what was a crappy system.

I actually think your last sentence is good advice. Especially for young/solo/female travellers in strange/foreign places. I'll add that to my video in the 'about' tab - or if I can work out how I'll add it in the video.