Tofer

16 minutes ago, merijn said:

Welcome to Thailand ....... Get used to it.

That would be my dearest wish, but I'm afraid I'm a bit long in the tooth to change so drastically.

Even after 36 years visiting / living here, it still frustrates me.

On 11/22/2018 at 11:29 PM, fforest1 said:

If you cant see there are very strange things going on behind the scenes..Not much I can do....Thai Immigration policies should apply to ALL embassies..And if that were the case...Thai immigration could just say WE WILL NO ACCEPT INCOME VERIFICATION LETTERS FROM A-N-Y COUNTRY....

 

They could knock out all 194 countries in a day...

But this is not happening is it?

You embassy is only doing what they were told to do...

Your logic is sound, but don't try applying that to the machinations of the Thai government departments, particularly Immigration.

Not being a fluent Thai speaker, is there actually any word in Thai for logic and common sense?

Sorry, got out of the bed the wrong side this morning.

What's in God's name is so bl..dy difficult in issuing a clear direction / guidance note from the Immigration department clarifying the exact requirements for visa extensions countrywide.

These people purport to be so clever, but cannot get the simplest of tasks straight. Or is big jokes declaration to clean up Immigration corruption just a load of hot air...

As others have said, restrict her access to funds, and very importantly, lock away your home title deeds, car registration documents etc to avoid the temptation to borrow against them.

I knew a chap who's wife gambled away their entire fortune including the house.

Good luck and I hope she curtails her habit soon.

In the middle of the gulf on a sailboat! 

I will never forget my sailing trip to the Med. from Langkawi, in particular the night watches crossing the open Indian Ocean. Total peace and tranquility with not a sound to disturb your thoughts, aside from the wind in the sails, unpolluted skies full of stars. I could wax lyrically all night, but I guess you get the picture.

4 hours ago, weegee said:

Amazing....no one enjoys mowing the law and keeping their Place, Garden, Tidy.....but I do.

So does my wife, I'm blessed

4 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Golf, swimming, reading, listening to music, learning Thai from my GF. Bum-watching in the malls and elsewhere, which is still permitted by said GF. Better viewing in Myanmar, though.

Trying to be nice to people on TV, which at times can be difficult.

As the Thais say "ahan ta" - food for the eyes!

9 hours ago, fruitman said:

Yes farang LOVE to sit on concrete stools between loads of chinese ....it's their dream when on holiday ????...maybe a soidog comes to sniff your leg, maybe annoying salespeople come to interrupt your conversation...it's all exactly what farang like ????

You forgot the exciting adventures to clean up the rubbish on the streets / beaches (yes, I know there are no beaches in CM).

As has been noted, different IO's can have different procedures however, in Krabi the letter is produced by IO for free in 10 mins.  No need for a pre-prepared letter.

3 hours ago, evadgib said:

'Sending it back until we get the right vote' would render UK a laughing stock & make general elections etc a thing of the past. Wee Jimmy Cranky & Co would have a field day ????

Exactly, these politicians really p..s me off, making political mileage out of a sticky / difficult situation. It's about time the Corbyns, the Sturgens and the brexiteer (Rottweiler) politicians started making constructive contributions rather than off hand criticism.

Whatever TM's failings, she at least had the guts to take it on when everyone else ran for the hills, Cameron, Farage et all.

8 hours ago, Katia said:

Does that mean it would cost me less if I weigh less than you do?  Because I have a feeling it would be "overweight costs more, thin doesn't get you a discount."  I mean, if we're going to get this nitpicky, I should at least get extra weight for my carry-on or something until I meet the weight of the "average" person they'd probably be charging me for...

As you know it doesn't work like that. If you feel cheated, give a thought to all those families who have to pay full fare for a child once it reaches 2 years old. The rule is you occupy a seat you pay for it.

As for carry on luggage, it was recently explained to me that the 7kg. weight limit is for health and safety of the cabin crew who may be required to assist in handling said luggage.

The airlines should instigate a maximum size / weight ruling per seat, and if a passenger exceeds that they should be required to pay for and occupy 2 or more seats. It is not acceptable to disadvantage and encroach on the space of adjacent passengers who have paid the fare for their seat also.

Or perhaps they should provide special seats for morbidly obese passengers at a premium price.

Introduce a sizing box similar to that for hand luggage and weighing scales.

On one occasion I tried to ask for my excess baggage to be waived on the basis of my wife's small stature compared to other passengers who were clearly obese, suffice to say it didn't wash. 555

When I go shopping in the likes of Home Pro I always ask what the weight capacity is before I try out any chairs, as often they are limited to 80kg. 

16 hours ago, KSwr7UDHyn said:

If you had to make a guesstimate of how much more expensive Krabi is than, say, Samui, what would you figure?  

 

It's always hard to get a gauge because people have different baselines.  When I lived in Bangkok, everywhere else seemed cheaper ????  But I'm sure someone from Pattaya might find Samui's prices eye-popping.  

I honestly couldn't say.

I have found building on the island of Lanta to be considerably more expensive than the mainland, materials between 15-50% more, and readymix concrete double. Labour is limited also. Authorities are over zealous in their fee charging. 

From a shopping point of view my only reference is the purchase of a kayak in Samui which was actually cheaper than anywhere else I had enquired. I perceived there to be a reasonable competition for business in Samui, whereas in Lanta, and even Krabi, you'll pay what they ask!

To be fair, I researched the cost of building on the island before we bought the land, and was happy to proceed. What I didn't do was compare the cost of building / living on the mainland. At the end of the day we found our piece of paradise on the seafront for a very reasonable price, and the rest is incidental.

Aside from costs you should consider very carefully your requirements of culture and entertainment of which there is very little around Krabi region, but the countryside and coastline are spectacular.

Koh Lanta has engaged in a programme of new roads around the whole island and they will leave those in Samui a poor relation. One ferry crossing has already been replaced with a bridge and the other is muted to be going the same way. Development is strictly controlled, motorised water sports and beach vendors are banned, all positives IMO. Shame about the ferry, if it happens, which I find to be a novel experience, and only 20 mins crossing at B100 for a car.

I would seriously suggest you make a list of what you need / want and visit both places to establish how your criteria fairs.

Good luck with your decision. If you make it to Lanta pm me and we can meet up.

13 hours ago, PoorSucker said:

As a resident you can get a resident card that will cut the cost, personally I don't mind the trip via Surat airport, I'm not in a hurry.

Just as well!

16 hours ago, neeray said:

It sounds to me like you've already sorted this out for yourself. I think your good lady has got it right ..... Krabi.

From what I read on this forum and elsewhere, Samui sounds a bit too commercialized and touristic. And not as easy to travel from as Krabi.

Your future sounds great. Good luck.

Totally agree. 

Of course it depends what your budget is. Krabi is not cheap and where I live in Koh Lanta is even more expensive. Then again, you get what you pay for, unspoilt paradise, aside from the usual Thai foibles.

Samui is way too commercialised and difficult to access.

Not that I am recommending visiting Pattaya, but one of the best NYE's I spent was at a Vietnamese restaurant on top of the Pratumnak Hill condominium. The buffet meal was very good and the 360 degree views of Pattaya and Jomtien fireworks was amazing.

Book early as they are very popular.

They made a special effort as my wife was feeling ill, they made cow tom for her and allowed me a bottle of wine in lieu of her meal ticket. Excellent service IMO, but not cheap!

On 11/11/2018 at 7:31 PM, EbhB said:

We have filed the TM-30s, and 

I am bringing the last ones with me.

 

Should have copy if ID somewhere too, the past couple of times she has sent me an explanation - but I kept both on my phone only... Might get it printed here in Dubai before boarding!

 

Should add that I just turned half a century old, and have had some permanent benefit going - perhaps I should even get that printed...

 

But quite likely I will be stamped through, not been in the country more than perhaps 120-30 days, with only one extension.

 

So, as I read your answer, being engaged is totally OK with them, but its proof they want if they start probing?

If you're over 50 why don't you simply enter on a non O visa and apply for a retirement extension?

No need to complicate the issue with fiancé and / or marriage intentions.

On 11/10/2018 at 11:42 AM, sharktooth said:

My job at 10 was putting out the fires in cars my dad was welding underneath. He couldn’t be bothered removing the carpets.

Brings back memories of when I helped my Dad in his shoe repair shop on a Saturday. I would stamp the bags with the shop name using a rubber stamp and ink pad.

I dreaded the visit across the road to the barber shop who was called Mr Savage, I jest not, the name put the fear of God in me.

Slighty off topic, but related - I was told by DWP that the tax office would now collect NI contributions together with my self assessment tax liability. To date this has not happened. I have full contributions but assumed I am still liable for the business rate as we have ongoing letting property income, and my wife is still well short of the requisite years contributions for a full pension.

I am aware the tax office do not recognise our letting income as a 'business' for tax purposes, i.e. business deduction allowances, but we always paid NI on the old system by standing order to the DWP.

Why on earth they had to change the old system which worked like clockwork I will never understand.

I will, of course, send them a message asking about this, but wondered if anyone had any information to shed light on this situation? Forewarned is forearmed.

I never forget a Thai lady's comment about a particularly hairy lad she was with in the Banana Disco, back in the old days when it was in front of the Safari hotel on Patong beach road, I digress. She insisted on dancing with me and my partner and when I asked why, she replied he's like a monkey! 

So I guess it's true that Thai women don't like hairy bodies.

On 11/4/2018 at 7:47 PM, PerkinsCuthbert said:

The loathsome face furniture is in fashion again. Is that so strange? Did you never wear loons as a young man, or winklepickers, or tie-dyed t-shirts, or pierce your ear lobes or wear a mullet? Or use your beard for straining soup, like the incomparable Viv's brother:

 

 

Nope, never!

Though I must confess I had longish hair and wore platform shoes in the early seventies.

Never have and never would have a beard, tash, tattoo or body piercing of any description.

On 11/4/2018 at 3:55 PM, worgeordie said:

That is not me,!  just incase anyone thinks it is.

regards worgeordie

Come on then, let's have a look.....

Having a bath in a tin tub in front of the fire, hoping to be first in it!

Splashing around in the same tin tub in the back yard on a sunny day.

8 hours ago, Vacuum said:

Women knew their place.

The right ones still do in Thailand!

Although mine got a bit too westernised after 17 years in UK...????