Bert Jones

7-11's are full of tight Chinese and Indians!

I did mine at 45 days recently.

I often wonder how the shops in the plazas stay open, yes there are plenty of people milling around, but they're not exactly weighed down with bags full to the brim of goodies...all the pricey shops are empty - I've never seen a shopper in ripoff Crocs for example. Most teens are happy with their fake Adidas trainers and tops!

I pity the poor Thai farmers who have invested all they have to produce palm oil, lets hope the government compensates them...and hope is all they have!

Sorry Peter, "as they will look for your Vietnam visa when checking in" who will? My British passport allows a 15 day stay without any visa.

Quick question if I may...I need a visa to visit Vietnam on my Irish passport. Can I arrive by air from Thailand and present my British passport?

My understanding is that for the consequent extensions, you can apply 45 days in advance.

I applied for my Non O at Phnom Penh. I provided details of my private pension only and a criminal record check. That was all. I did my extension at CM with a letter from the Irish embassy. That was 3 years ago so things may have changed...but I would say, based on my experience, PP would be the place to apply.

Mike Bell "Why would any foreign company set up in Thailand?  They immediately yield 51% of it to the locals.  It's the same with the house buying scam perpetuated here by lawyers and auditors.  You never own more than 49% of your own home."

Is that true?

I know of a 25 year old who got her parents to sign their family home over to the banks in order to get a student loan. They failed to pay back the student loan and the bank took the home. Evil.

I've quit the condo I rented in Chiang Mai and have moved permanently to Chiang Rai...yep, I'm cutting my cloth because my £ is so weak. I can't be alone, I would guess many Farangs are cutting their expenditure. Multiply my example by 50,000 Farangs and there's your problem Thailand, if the £ gets much lower, I'll be off in search of better value...in another country.

I'm hoping Thailand will have a free trade agreement with the UK once Brexit is out the way...I want to buy a new Mini...at present, it'll cost me £54k from Bangkok Mini...only 26k in UK.

I can always add to the balance. It's a real bummer doing this though...30k in a UK tracker fund could net me £1200 divi plus any capitol appreciation...but that's life I guess.

3 minutes ago, david555 said:

as long the rate is keeping it 800 K baht value during the time of pre & after seasoning + the 400K seasoning  remaining months...  possible maybe , but how you go to anticipate on that ?

I will simply transfer £30k...I'm hoping they pay a little interest on it...

That's great to know Joe...I'll pop to bkk bank next week and try and open a sterling account - I already have a current/savings account so this should be straight forward.

3 hours ago, Tayaout said:

Why put the exact amount if the price fluctuate? It's a little bit like those who send 65K baht and complain they got rejected because the bank charge 500 baht fees. People complain about the exchange rate. I am simply pointing out that you don't need to exchange your money. 

So just to be clear  - you are saying I can transfer from the UK a sum equivalent to 800000baht into a sterling account (Bangkok bank) and immigration will accept this as proof of income provided it has seasoned ?

Tourism seems to be booming...at least in Chiang Rai and Mai...lots of Farangs milling around both cities and clogging up my favourite fooddy places. Thailand is still a hell of a lot cheaper than London, where I lived for 16 years. I hope the baht gets stronger...might send some of the sexpats packing and deter sex tourists from coming!

I was at the white temple in Chiang Rai yesterday...it was packed with tourists, mostly European...and Chiang Mai is busy too, lots of foreigners walking around... 

The Thai king is worth £24 billion. He's one of the wealthiest people in the world. He also has his own bank! The control mechanisms in place by the Thai hierarchy are working just fine, ...the brain washing begins where it does in every society - the school system.  The Thai people need to wake up!

18 hours ago, lkv said:

Then, when they go back home from their drinking session, god forbid they are in Phuket, a taxi will cost them more than in their home country. Western home country, that is.

I recently visited a friend in Phuket, ...I walked to Patong from Karen beach, took about 1hr 20mins, I enjoy walking and needed the exercise...Had a few beers with pal and as it was getting late, decided to get a taxi back...The taxi driver wanted 850baht, for a 20 minute ride...I fumed, - in London, it wouldn't come to more than £8 for the same journey (black cab might be the same though), after a prolonged remonstration we settled at 600baht...still way too much...and that's the big issue, it's not a question of not affording it...it's just way too expensive, there's nothing special about Patong and travellers won't wear it!

Had he been wearing his helmet...wouldn't have a key stuck in his head!

Demand for the Thai baht comes not only from tourists who obviously need it...but from foreign businesses, especially the Chinese who need billions of baht to buy further business footholds in Thailand. Once the steam comes out, the BoT will begin to sell off their huge foreign currency reserves...its a win - win for the wealthy Thais.

Thanks Murraynz, ... its just that the Thai baht is strong against the Dong - and I have Thai bhat in cash. I won't be going until maybe next February so all could change exchange wise...I'm just googling on how to obtain a 6 month visa on arrival - looks quite straight forward, unless I'm on a scamming site...any experience ?