khaepmu

I went to Ko Phayam a few years ago during the so called rainy season. It didn't rain at all. On the way to the island from Ranong the boat broke down and we had to wait for a repairman who eventually arrived and fixed the engine. Much of the available accommodation was boarded up and closed because it was low season. We found a place to stay and it was OK but nothing special and over priced I thought.  Very limited selection of food and expensive compared to  similar places on the mainland. The first night we wondered down a narrow road along the beach and came to a bar/ restaurant. We sat down at a dirty table on a dirt floor and ordered some food . We ordered a BBQ fish for 600 Baht. When we turned the fish over to eat the other half the other half was missing. We then sat at the bar and the bartender, a very friendly and accommodating man, asked if we wanted a joint with our beers. I am not an imbiber but my acquaintance was elated when shown a  cigar sized joint. Within an hour the bar stated to fill up with most customers smoking dope. Good music and atmosphere. We did the same the second night. Overall, I was not at all impressed with the island. It sounded like it would be an exotic adventure but it was far from it. I didn't think the beaches were anything special either. The two acquaintances I was travelling with thought differently and would like to return. Overall, I was disappointed and have been to much nicer beaches in Thailand and in some cases more secluded.

I am wondering if you can apply for a retirement extension while on a tourist visa or just before your Non-B and work permit expire. 

I attempted using the Bangkok Bank money transfer once but was unsuccessful. The one where you transfer money from your US bank to the Bangkok Bank branch in New York which in turns transfers the money to your Bangkok Bank account in Thailand. My US bank requires that I send the two amounts that they initially transfer (test amount) which is something like 15 cents or 12 cents. I have to go online to my US bank's website and  fill in two boxes with the two test amounts and then add them together and fill in a third box which is the sum of the two tests amount that were transferred. I tried using this service once. After  the transfer was made, I called Bangkok Bank to find out the test amounts and they told me what they were in Thai baht but I said I need the amount in US dollars. They told me but they were not the same amounts as what my bank said and the transfer was not made. I thought I might have made a typo (very possible) or maybe there is a currency exchange rate problem. I am going to try it gain this week. It seems to be the most convenient way to make transfers. 

What I normally do though, and it works rather well and is not expensive,  is write a check to myself on a check from my checking account with my US bank. I do this at Siam Commercial Bank. A check for about $9,500 Us dollars, written to myself,  cost about 500 Baht. The problem is it usually takes about 4-5 weeks for the money to be deposited into my Siam Commercial Bank account. I don't mind the wait. I have been doing this for  a few years. I asked the bank guy who helps the teller fill out the forms needed to make the transaction if this type of transfer is a common practice, he said it was especially with retirees and other long term residents. You get a detailed receipt with your check number, the amount,  exchange rate, your address in Thailand, date of transaction, singed and stamped.

I met an Australian who is involved with local Thai wines producers. He suspects that many of the so called fruit wines imported into Thailand aren't really fruit wines at all. The exporters only claim they are fruit wines so they can get the reduced tax benefit. They are actually cheap table -type wines. But real wine.  According to him, the Thais can't possible check all the fruit wines coming into Thailand to see if a certain amount of fruit juice has been added. And the wine manufacturers find it cheaper to export the real wine than to add the fruit juices to it. I know that some of the fruit wines that I have had in Thailand do not taste any different from some of the inexpensive tables wines I have had from Australia, the US and France. In fact, if I were given a glass of some of the kinds of  fruit wine that I have bought in Thailand and a glass of a real table wine I don't think I would be able to tell the difference. 

Well, this is what he said anyway. It would be nice if it were true. As much as I hate to buy wine that says 'fruit wine' on the label, I have to admit that some of it is OK like Berri Estates, Castle Creek, Peter Vella and others. And Tesco Lotus has a real Australian red wine, not fruit wine,  that runs about 379. The Cabernet is really nice. Sorry but the name escapes me. Picture is a kangaroo on the label. By the way, I make no claims as to being any kind of wine expert.

Can anyone suggest a place or market that sells avocados in the Pattaya area? I went to Foodland and Big C and they were very small with a very big price tag. Thanks

By all accounts July 28th is an official holiday. If we go out to a restaurant or want to buy some booze in a supermarket, will it be allowed I wonder?

I might be moving to a new condo-apartment next week. What forms do I need to take to Immigration to make the change of address official and do I have to notify Immigration on the same day that I move. Besides a rental agreement and building registration are there any Immigration forms I should download and fill out. If it is not a condo but an apartment what would be needed?   How about the management at the apartment building? What are they meant to do I wonder? Thanks very much

Four days ago a slight reddish swelling appeared under my left eye. There is no irritation in the eye. I went to a local hospital and the Doctor gave me an antibiotic (dicloxanill) and some eye drops and after taking the medication for almost 4 days the symptom remains. It hasn't got worse but the red swelling is still there. It almost looks like a minor  black eye only reddish in color, slightly swollen. I asked the doctor if this is a common symptom and she said 'very' and usually the antibiotics clears it up. Has anyone had a similar type of medical problem and if so what was the final outcome. Thanks

Is this a requirement for the Non-O based on marriage? If so, would a letter from the embassy guaranteeing that you have more than 65,000 Baht coming in every month carry any weight? How about a joint bank account with your Thai wife that has more than a million baht in it? I don't know why, but joint accounts don't seem to work with Thai immigration.