ianf

When i had quite a few items shipped over here 7 years ago, i was advised not to put anything new into the crates, if it looked new, i had to scratch it and make it look used.

Anyone know of a good shipping agent???????

My wife and I came back to Thailand (from England) last year and, like you, shipped a 20ft container. My wife was a returning post-grad student so in theory we could bring back household contents free of charge but we had a fair amount of stuff so took the precaution of paying an agent to clear everything for us (I think it cost 25,000 baht) and to arrange delivery (which obviously enough cost extra). The agent made it clear to us that paying him meant that there was no possibility of incurring any additional duties so I assume a fair chunk of the fee went to customs officials. When the container turned up it had not been opened since it had been sealed in England so I could have been importing rocket launchers for all customs knew.

Thanks for this post. I have sent you a message.

Meanwhile our cicrcumstances are: My wife is Thai and has lived here for three years so we are going out on a marriage visa. She has only spent five weeks in Thailand in the last year.

Under another heading I asked if people knew about removal companies. I am moving to Thailand complete with all our possessions and we are therefore shipping a 20ft container. I am an avid cyclist and so is my son (aged 9). There will be about 16 bicycles all of which are used by us - training, track bikes and so on. Loads of books, cycling tools, spare wheels, dvds, 500 cds and so on. Has anyone any REAL experience of doing this? My wife is Thai so it will all go under her name and we are not averse to paying some taxation, but we are averse to being ripped off! Neither do we want to lose stuff. Any advice will be welcomed.

I've read a few places that the facilities at 700 year stadium are open to the public for a fee. Does anyone go there? What kind of facilities are there? How much does it cost?

I'm most interested in finding a basketball court.

For a family it costs 1,000 baht but there are a few facilities that you'd still have to pay a discounted fee. The office is located on the northern side of the ring road in the complex. They're helpful and have some English skills as some of the folks there were Olympic athletes for the country...

Is that where the velodrome is? I went to the office to see if I could use the velodrome and nobody seemed to know. Any information would be warmly received.

Ianf,

Just go ahead and use it! I've do so quite a few times. Seems the thing to do when nobody stops you...

Thank you. But it was all locked up and gated when we saw it!

Ian

I am in town looking for a 4 or 5 bedroom place. would like a bit of a yard too.

I know there good deals to be had in the surrounding areas, but 4 and 5 room are hard to find and I need a little help.

I won't be able to check back to this topic often because I will depend on internet cafe's till I find a place for my computer. Just post details or PM me and I will check as much as I can.

Thanks

Hi, i currently have lots of houses in Chiang mai,

Can you please let me know what kind of budget you are thinking of.

Id be glad to help

For sale or to rent? If sale, we are looking for approx 6 bedroom around Chiang Mai to buy. Any good websites that don't rip off farangs?

An Aussie friend of mine invited the 2 ladies from the JWs into his house. Sat them down on his sofa, and sat between them. "Now then ladies what shall we talk about?" He said while at the same time putting an arm around each of their shoulders. He was never pestered again.

Strange that, because JW rules are NEVER to go into a house on the first call. They only go in once they start doing bible studies with the householder or their family. Trust me, my mother and whole family are JW's - I got out when I was 13 (47 years ago) and have never been tempted with their brand of utter nonsense. How can intelligent people believe this stuff? Not only that, their messages or teachings have been far from consistent and as the expectations of their audience changes so does their message. I wouldn't call them nasty or anything like that - just misguided and easily led. My nephew and his wife had a terrible time with them and so did my ex-brother in law. Thankfully they are out of it and my nephew hides from his family in my 2nd home in France. When I rejected the religion at the age of 13, I was confronted by the local hierarchy, threatened, pushed around and so on. Terrifying for a kid, but I never wavered. There are interesting websites on this religion..................just keep away from them, they find it hard to take 'no' for an answer!

RE: the NEVER above, I have seen JW's enter a house on the first occassion and take a seat....I especially know this was true because the house had just been built & the owner was NOT a JW & certainly did not want them there.....he thought they were there on business & they were seated for a couple of minutes until he realised his mistake. I have also had them enter my YARD.

I guess they are relaxing their rules a bit! I have a niece, incredibly beautiful girl, who is a full time JW preacher in Bolivia of all places. She told me that she always goes 'witnessing' in groups as safety is a huge consideration. I once had a JW call on me in Northants and she was just utterly stunning - probably the most sexy woman I've ever seen. But she wouldn't come in!!!

An Aussie friend of mine invited the 2 ladies from the JWs into his house. Sat them down on his sofa, and sat between them. "Now then ladies what shall we talk about?" He said while at the same time putting an arm around each of their shoulders. He was never pestered again.

Strange that, because JW rules are NEVER to go into a house on the first call. They only go in once they start doing bible studies with the householder or their family. Trust me, my mother and whole family are JW's - I got out when I was 13 (47 years ago) and have never been tempted with their brand of utter nonsense. How can intelligent people believe this stuff? Not only that, their messages or teachings have been far from consistent and as the expectations of their audience changes so does their message. I wouldn't call them nasty or anything like that - just misguided and easily led. My nephew and his wife had a terrible time with them and so did my ex-brother in law. Thankfully they are out of it and my nephew hides from his family in my 2nd home in France. When I rejected the religion at the age of 13, I was confronted by the local hierarchy, threatened, pushed around and so on. Terrifying for a kid, but I never wavered. There are interesting websites on this religion..................just keep away from them, they find it hard to take 'no' for an answer!

Has anyone got experience of moving to Thailand, with furniture, loads of books, lots of bicycles, CDs, high quality glasses and china and the wife's mountain of clothes (Just joking). All the usual bits but in my case complicated with the cycle stuff due to the fact that my son and I are racing cyclists. Who are the best people to use? Any experiences out there? Thanks

Ian its Benzine. Gasahol is a 10%ethanol mix and E20 is 20% ethanol. Do not use E20 unless the fuel sticker or handbook says so. personally i would not use it in any vehicle.

Allan

In the UK we have Diesel (same word in Thailand) and unleaded petrol; What is the equivalent of unleaded petrol in Thailand?

In Thailand there is :

Benzine

Gasohol

Diesel

E20

What are these and how do they compare to UK?

No matter where you are limit night time riding. Too much alcohol out there.

Wear a helmet always and have your own insurance info on your body. Plus write down several local and intl contact numbers and carry them in your wallet. Just in case you are unconcious. Believe it or not, there are plenty of good samaritans out there who will come to your aid.

Now that is good advice.

Get advice, i think i might get that list together today I've been riding 20-30 per day with nothing on my except for my Australian Drivers license.

Like the original poster I am moving to Thailand. We are going to Hang Dong, Chiang Mai. In the UK I still ride 200-300km a week and my habit will not change in Thailand. However, I am interested in using the Chiang Mai velodrome (How?), and trying to get kids on bikes so that my 9-year old can continue with his cycling. In the UK the Go Ride scheme has been hugely successful over the years of bringing kids into the sport and one reason why we had so much success at Beijing. I want to make contact with as many cyclists inThailand as possible. I am not interested in 20k rides unless it is done with youngsters - or touring rides with cameras. I am talking Roadie and Trackie cycling here or training with Triathletes. The other possibility is organising Time Trials (16k, 40k) which would be great for t riathletes to use as training. Feedback please!

Anyone know of any road bike races for 2008/09? I've tried the hel_l out of searching for em on the net but no luck. I know thaimtb.com has a thread for races, but only see them in thai, unfortunately not at the thai reading stage yet.. and I think they are mostly mtb races anyway. I saw the cup in Hua Hin (november/decemer?)looks like it has a road race as well, but again, couldn't read the details though. Anyone have any info?

Also, a long shot, but if anyone is in the chanthburi/klaeng/rayong area and wants to join up for a ride let me know.

There's a 5 day road race this week in Chiang Rai, 15-19 October. Each stage is 90-110km. This won't help much since all the info is in Thai: http://www.thaicycling.or.th/

There's also a one day race at Angkor Wat in Cambodia on 6 Dec. All info in English: http://www.villagefocus.org/angkor_marathon/

If you're ever up in Chiang Mai and want to go for a ride, let me know.

Hi: I am moving to Chiang Mai about April this year. I have been a racing cyclist (road and track and time trials) for many years and my 9 year old also races (2nd in a cyclo cross today). Very keen to meet other cyclists in Chiang Mai and also keen on finding out what is going on cycling wise.

Hi, I'm looking for some advice.

I'm a keen cyclist and need to update my wardrobe amongst other things and am finding it a little difficult.

Can anyone please recommend a shop in Bangkok or anywhere closer to Kanchanaburi that sells quality cycling clothing.

I am particularly interested in bib-shorts and shirts in team colours.

Thanks for reading, Andy.

Pro Bike in Bangkok, also a giant dealer (where?) and a nice Specialised just off Sukhumvit (3??)

Apart from that, not a lot.

I am a British national married to a Thai national and currently living in the UK. I have a 9-year old son (half thai) who lives with me. My wife is his stepmother. We are planning on moving within three months to Thailand and we have a house in Chiang Mai. My son will go to an international school. That's the background. One reason to go back to Thailand is that my wife wishes to finish her masters degree at Chiang Mai University.

Looking at the onerous rules for obtaining a retirement visa in the UK I am somewhat apprehensive:

1. Clearance from Scotland Yard that I don't have a criminal record? Is that really possible to obtain?

2. Letter from the doctor to say I have no contagious diseases. Easy

3. Money in a Thai Bank. My wife has a Thai bank account but so far I have found it impossible to open one as I do not have a work permit, they tell me. HBOS has a branch, as do HSBC, in Chiang Mai - do these overseas banks count? The amount of money is not a problem as we are lucky enough to have more than most. Extremely luck in fact *(no not a lottery win!!!!!) So we've got the cash but can't prove income (there is none since the credit crunch).

4. Loads of forms and stuff.

Is it easier to have a visa due to my wife's Thai nationality? What about the kid (though I understand if he is in school, that's meant to be easy)?

Do I go in on a 90 (60?) day visa and then apply for non-immigrant either wife or retirement?

Is it best to use Siam legal or someone to handle the whole thing for me?

Any help here would be gratefully received.

I have no sympathy at all for the banks

i have little sympathy for the banks too , but those who need loans have nowhere else to go ..... the original poster said that the only way he could survive was by borrowing from a bank..... and businesses that offer jobs and opportunities rely on banks for financing.

the more bad debts they have on loans , then the more regular people will suffer as loans become harder to obtain.

the selfish and irresponsible behaviour of the original poster will , in its small way , affect all those who need the services that banks can offer.

remember , it was your money , and my money , that the banks loaned to this joker in his time of need.

a bad risk is a bad risk , whether it be a 6000 pound loan to an irresponsible chancer who cant be found , or a 6 million pound loan to a hedge fund manager , so why is it all right to cheer on the chancer but crucify the hedge fund manager. they both squander our money.

it is the public who will suffer when they default.

There have been some eloquent replies here regarding a small bank debt. In theory, just in theory, what if the debt was larger, say £150,000 and it was owed to the Inland Revenue? What would happen then as far as chasing in Thailand goes?

I've read a few places that the facilities at 700 year stadium are open to the public for a fee. Does anyone go there? What kind of facilities are there? How much does it cost?

I'm most interested in finding a basketball court.

For a family it costs 1,000 baht but there are a few facilities that you'd still have to pay a discounted fee. The office is located on the northern side of the ring road in the complex. They're helpful and have some English skills as some of the folks there were Olympic athletes for the country...

Is that where the velodrome is? I went to the office to see if I could use the velodrome and nobody seemed to know. Any information would be warmly received.

Ok, cool.

Will need to ask wifey's permission. Redoing the kitchen at home right now and since the contractor said no problem , assured us on the quality of his work and materials, etc, we are expecting delays and cost over runs.

So in your opinion, I dont need suspensions etc? How about weight of the bike?

Most of my riding will be around the suk area and down the san seab.

btw, I am a small guy 175cm 73kgs.

Weight - about 14kgs

Suitable for your height

I cycled the route last Sunday morning - video is here - Mr Hippo's ride

24km is less than an hour's ride. Is there anyone riding, say 100-120km in the Chiang Mai area?

a 21 inch frame is not suitable for his stated height. 18 inch max.

Hi Rubik,

My Thai wife and I moved here 12years ago from the UK, and I made one condition about the family, and that was that I would take care of her daughter and her mother ( father passed on) and that is all, and it has worked out fine, not that it suited the (hangers on) family, but I didn't care and have never regretted our move, I love the place.

Good luck to you and yours when you move out here.

I'm another possible retiree. Fortunately I am in a very strong financial position (for Thailand) but its a bit more difficult long term for us in the UK. I am married to a lovely Thai lady who wants to do her masters in Chiang Mai Uni and we have a 9-year-old son. The one draw back is that he (like me) is a racing cyclist and the opportunities for him are virtually non-existant in Thailand whereas in the UK he has a lot of coaching and the sport is getting huge here. Does anyone know what happens with the tax that is/will be owed in the UK? Would I still have to cough up?

This is something that may or may not eventuate but I business associate is interested in buying a hotel in Bangkok.

He is a Dubai local (very rich or coarse) and is looking to invest outside of the UAE now that there is a dark clowd over the real estate development market here.

He knows Thailand, he takes his family there twice a year and loves the place.

If this comes off, I have been offered a position managing the business. (I have no hotel experience but how hard can it be?)

Basically, what are the rules concerning foriegners buying businesses?

I have a Thai wife, could she be our local partner?

We will be in Thailand in December and we will be seeing a lawyer but it would be great to get an outline of the rules.

Thaks guys

I absolutely can't believe the spelling in this post. Is there no literacy left? Where are these people educated? Sorry but this is pretty bad.

I don't see slowing the expansion of the Big Box stores as a shame .... in the USA theyhave been fighting this battle against WalMart for years!

However WalMart would move into some areas killing the little specialty stores <hardware, plumbing, etc etc> and after those stores were gone and their sales didn't meet projections they woul close the big box store ... leaving the community with nothing!

What you dont understand and the big difference between what is going on here and the Walmart analogy is the fact that you can buy any of the products that Walmart sells at the mom and pop places.

Many mom and pop stores here do not sell refrigerated meats and poultry personally I dont like to buy my beef off a table with a woman swinging a stick and a plastic bag......... as a result I drive 70 km to the nearest Lotus.

We have only one mom and pop place and they have plastered the community with signs urging people and goverenment to stop the building of a nearby Lotus. This mom and pop store treat most customers like crap never a smile very poor selection and pricing.

A nearby Lotus would do a lot to raise my family's standard of living.

It may well be that the Supermarket Giants grow because people support them. But that is a fallacious argument. The correct statement is that people shop there because they have no choice. None whatsoever.

~I cant believe it

I cant believe that their actually taking ANY notice of the poor people who are protesting against these giants.

I cant believe that people on this forum can actually think any thing else than BRILLIANT

I cant believe that one person actually said "I feel sorry for the stores that are half erected" I tell you what mate, no need to feel sorry for them cause the only people who stand to make any money fro them are already doing ok with big flashy cars and houses that most Thais dont even know exist.

Has anyone been to korat, The mall has opened there and absolutely ripped the heart and soul out of the city. here you used to see buzzing street, every other shop has now closed down. Markets, smaller shopping arcades etc etc have all closed down to give way to the town killer. The mall is even worse here than in America, families think of going to the mall as a good day out, in fact that and the zoo are the only two days that people have the imagination to go to in korat and I bet you there's no one that goes to the zoo more than twice.

But the saddest thing is that we can do nothing about this, no one gives a sh!t about poor families who loose their business to these monsters because of money. The giants make more money and that is all anyone cares about. Just how far will people go? Maybe one day people will actually be prepared to give up their smiles for money, who knows how crazy this world could get ;-)

What a brilliant rant Isaanbrit. I have found a soul brother.

Before the automobile was invented there were numerous horse breeders, carriage makers, and blacksmiths in every town. When the automobile came along no one was crying about those lost jobs......lost forever. It's called progress and change. Change is constant; learn to adapt or get left behind. In fact, we're entering an age where a big percentage of the working class have to be re-trained/re-educated more often during their working lives.

Large corporate stores are the best for the majority of people. The equation is simple. Buy in bulk cheaper and sell cheaper. Walmart makes billions but they do so on a very small percentage markup. This is great for the consumers. I've found that most of the people who rail against the big corporations normally haven't accomplished much in their lives and need someone (or something) to blame. Just my opinion.

I guess we could go back to 2 cans and a length of string.......

Well , I am one of those people who rails against the corporate supermarkets and I am the owner of a successful publishing company with 16 staff. I am also a racing cyclist with an impressive list of successes behind me. So I am no a non-achiever. Indeed, speaking to other business owners/leaders at a recent meeting of the UK Institute of Directors, the general consensus was that Tesco is an appalling organisation, corporate bullies, who dominate and control the UK food market. When I first saw them in Thailand I was incredibly sad because they will end up doing the same in Thailand as they have in the UK.

Besides, a pevious majority shareholder, the daughter of Sir Jack Cohen, Tesco's founder, is one of the most corrupt people ever seen in recent UK politics. She was a proven liar and cheat which to me says everything about this evil, yes evil, organisation. If I was in charge of the UK, I'd stop Tesco's continued expansion into other areas and control the way they treat suppliers and customers.

They are masters of double pricing and the development of psychological tricks in their market place. I hate them.

I agree with thai government, (well done) these multinationals has knock it off.

We have to remember that the multinationals brings poverty not wealth.

Well said Astor, but we appear to be in the minority around here.

Chatted with Icey on MSN until I realised was running late for my visa run trip. Dived in shower, water doesn't work.... threw buckets of cold water over me instead. Answered call from narky visa run lady telling me to hurry or they'd leave me behind.

Jumped in the car raced out into the darkness and answered call from narky visa run lady saying bus has left without me. Race off into the darkness to catch fleeing bus up the highway. Manage to jump on at a service station where driver was waiting for me.

Reach Ranong at 11.15am, get stamped out and race for departing boat. A gorgeous French guy gave me a gorgeous, sunny smile. Bay is a bit choppy, I begin to feel queasy. Lay down for a snooze and we are in Myanmar before I know it. Am surrounded by Burmese wharf boys who remember me from last trip in August. Two of them have a punch up!

Back at Thai immigration in Ranong, gorgeous French guy comes over for a chat. I discover he lives on Phuket and is not a tourist. Lend my favourite purple pen to a young Brit guy. He naver gave it back. Bus heads out to Phuket. I sleep most of the way. Arrive back Phuket at 7pm. Gorgeous French guy asked me to join him for a drink.

On the way to meet gorgeous French guy am almost killed by a runaway car. It crossed in front of me from other side of highway and plummets down a 20ft embankment taking the power lines with it. Stop my car and race back to peer over embankment. Car is down there, smashed with headlights on but no movement from inside.

Frantically flag down traffic. Cars keep driving by. Finally a few cars slow and the drivers follow me to the side of embankment.Calls are made to police and ambulance. There is no way down, and  power lines cover the scene. Rescue team needed urgently. Large crowd of onlookers gather. I ascertain there were several witnesses to the accident.

Finally, I can leave. The rendezvous with gorgeous French guy seems lost. I went anyway. There was a band playing, I sat to listen. Gorgeous French guy appeared. He'd been waiting for me but had to leave. He took my telephone number. I went shopping. A friend called and we met for dinner. Arrived home at 11.30 pm. Pretty tired now. What a day!!! 

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Wow! Your day included power failures, bus chases, sea voyages, international travel, fist fights, theft, romance, runaway cars, near death, exotic rendezvous, shopping and late supper.

Everyone elses days fade into insignifigance!

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Woke up at 7.10 did the usual washing, shaving, pissing. Woke my 6-year-old son. Took him down for breakfast, had mine. Took him upstairs for wash and teeth and stuff. Got him his school clothes, got him dressed. Dressed myself. Left home. Dropped him off at school. Went to the office. Checked email. Said Hi to the team and then went to town.

This included visit to the jewellers (wow! fantastic valuation on some old jewellery(); Off to the bank, paid mon ey into French account, ordered Thai Baht and travellers cheques, removed large wadge of cash.

Went to Thai restaurant in Bicester, UK. Had green curry whilst ringing Thai gf in BKK; Went back to office. Sorted out some personal paperwork; Drove back to son's school. Picked him up. Bought him home. Argued with housekeeper. Spent an hour on MSN talking with Thai fiance. Then spent an hour training on the indoor cycle turbo trainer. Showered. Chaged and Went to staff Christmas Party. Bored. Came home early and here I am online.

But only 8 days before I return to los

Clearly, it would be better to have both but you don't seem to have time to sort that one out. Unless another member can give you a definite answer, I would suggest that you 'phone or email the Embassy pdq. I suppose a sensible view would be that, to marry the second time you would have to be divorced! But that's only a sensible answer.

All may not be lost for December if you don't get it sorted out in time. It's the amphur that will need the freedom to marry declaration for the legal marriage. If you plan the full monty of a traditional Thai wedding, you could still do that. In fact, if it's organised the may be deep trouble if you postponed it!

Good luck in every respect! 

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Presumably if I do not tell them about previous marriages and produce my most recent divorce certificate everything will be OK?