khaepmu

I have a close friend who guaranteed his relative's car payments. Meaning if they don't make their monthly payments he is responsible. But he no longer wants to carry this burden and wants to get out of it. The finance company told him he is responsible until the

relative gets a new person to  guarantee her. A local policeman said that that is not entirely  true but did not give him  any details. Is  there an easy legal way for him to get out being responsible for the payments  should  his sister fail to make them he wonders. He is, according to him, not really worried but they have had serious arguments about family matters. Any reasonable advice would be appreciated. 

Please, no sermons about taking on these kinds of responsibilities.

I live in a house with a small yard outside of Bangkok and attached to our house is a small store room. I left the door of the store room partially open and one morning there was a cat with four babies kittens huddled together. I really don't want any pets. I started feeding the mother and now it is used to my daily feeds (commercial cat food) and if it isn't fed daily it whines and whines. The kittens are now walking around and jumping on each other and are starting to eat small portions of the solid food that I put on the mother's dish. My neighbor told me to put them in a bag and put some stones in the bag and toss it into the nearest river or klong. Another more humane suggestion from a friend is to just stop feeding them.It is now two days that I have stopped  feeding them and they haven't gone anywhere. Their whining is even more intense. I must say, it is very amusing to watch the kittens frolicking and bouncing around. But kittens become cats. How to get rid of them I wonder. Today will be the third day that I don't feed the.

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I have extremely limited computer skills and experience and often don' know what you guys are talking about. What in the world is a Key? I do not even remember what version of Windows I have. I saw Windows 16 appear somewhere on my computer. I received a questionnaire ( I use Hotmail)as a attachment from an acquaintance who asked me to fill it out and return it. After spending some time filling out the questionnaire I noticed I was unable to save it as  download or document. I opened it again and could not longer edit or type on the document. I then posted this TV correspondence and I was advised to try downloading  'WPS Office free Version." I did so this morning an I am now able to save and edit the attached document and I am able to ope other downloads and documents.I was reluctant to download anything like that that I am not familiar with but it works really well. I never heard of it before. By the way, my Windows stared to malfunction soon after I opened the Hotmail attachment. It might have picked up a virus from that. 

Regarding lost documents downloads. A few months ago I woke up and my laptop screen was all red. I couldn't do anything with it. No commands. I took it to the shop I bought it from. All my saved stuff had disappeared. Everything. The tech guy told me he could retrieve all lost the material and to come back in an hour. But when I got back he said he was unable to retrieve it. He couldn't understand why. He then told me to never agree to any window updates and he went somewhere.  I got a new pirated version of Windows and Office The guy went into the computer  and clicked 'not new updates'. But I still get updates. sometime. But now Windows does not allow me to save or edit documents.

To make a long story short, I guess my best option is to get a genuine Windows and Windows Office software package. I am wondering if they install the genuine Windows will I still be able to save  all my stuff from the pirated software.

What are we talking about price wise for a new genuine Windows software package. Can you recommend a shop in the Pattaya area that is trustworthy. Thanks a lot for all of your replies. Maybe WPS is all i need at this point.

My computer will not allow me to save, save  as, or edit any of my downloads or new documents. When I open a download it says "product activation failed." The Windows office software came with my laptop and it is not genuine. Of course I should have asked for a genuine Windows Office 16. I goggled this problem and it seems this will often  happens with pirated software.  This is the second time I have had a major problem with the software and my guess is the best solution is fork out and buy the genuine package- the real deal. @ months ago  I lost all of my documents. I took my computer to the shop that I bought it from and they assured me they could retrieve all of the lost info but after 2 hours they failed and told me not to download any of the Microsoft updates that are periodically sent. I am wondering if I can get my computer to save  and edit my documents and downloads with my present software (pirated) or do I absolutely have to buy the  genuine Microsoft package. I guess I am kind of answering my own question. Where might a good shop in Pattaya be for genuine Microsoft stuff be located? 

I am presently on my second one-year Non-O 'extension' ( I guess it is not a visa because it was extended in country.) 

I went to Laos about 2 years ago with company documents and applied for a Non-B. I got a 3-month visa to enter Thailand and work. I then extended it at immigration for nine more months. After the nine months was up I got a one year extension which will expire within about five months. 

What are my options when if I tell my boss I won't be completing my contract and will resign three months before the contract is up. I know my boss won't be too bothered about it because of the nature of the work. I have been told by other employees he usually asks for one's work permit and returns it to the Labour Department within a few days in which case I would have to leave the country and come back with a visa from Laos (possibly  a Non-O based on marriage). But could I go to local immigration where I got my Non-B and have them cancel the visa and could I then apply for a 60 day visa to visit my Thai wife? Could I apply for a retirement visa on the same day that I go to immigration to cancel my existing visa? And will immigration just cancel my visa without any questions? Do I need proof that I have returned my work permit? Or would I need a letter from my employer and if so, what if he doesn't want to write one. If I decide to go to Laos and apply for a visa to return to Thailand can I go overland to Savanakaat? I have read that Thai immigration  might not let me leave the country if my Non-B has not been properly cancelled. In which case I would have to fly to Laos. Apparently Thai Immigration at the airport won't bother about the Non-B not being properly cancelled. Would Thai Immigration at the airport actually cancel my visa so I won't have any problems applying for a new visa in Laos? I have also read that one can get a one week extension after one cancels one's Non-O visa. 

Lots of questions and thanks in advance for considering them.

Hi Johng. Thanks for your excellent reply and map. Did I get the name of the repair shop right? Something like 'P Jae Air'? Next to the Garmin shop. Not far from the Bridgestone store. If I am driving towards Bon Amphur from Pattaya on Sukumwit, would the shop be on the right or left. Sorry, my map reading skills need improvement. No matter, I am sure I will find it. 

Cheers

71 years old and go a job at a Thai University down south. In good health and look a bit younger. It helps if they are desperate.  

My AC hasn't been working properly. Not anywhere as cool as it used to be. (345000 kilometers} Took it to an AC repair shop and after a close investigation  he said my pump is kind of shot. I asked him what the damage was and he said about 9-10 thousand Baht for a new pump. He said he can do it but would take 5-6 hours. If I took it top the Honda dealer he told me it would probably be close to 20 thousand baht. Since he is located upcountry he told me I could easily find a good repair shop in Pattaya that could do it. 

Can anyone recommend a reliable AC repair shop in Pattaya or surrounding area? Thanks

Would anyone happen to know when the big Songkhran water throwing day is in Ban Chang?

I will be visiting Pattaya  and I usually stay at my favorite  inexpensive guesthouse in south Pattaya but it doesn't have parking. Any suggestions as to where I can park. A safe place. I am a bit reluctant to just park on some side street. Friends have said parking anywhere in Pattaya is usually safe and you car won't be hijacked (stolen)but I am bit weary. Thanks

On 3/4/2018 at 10:56 AM, KhunBENQ said:

 

Do you care for recommendations?

What is your final destination airport in the US?

Bangkok-Buffalo, NY

Buffalo, NY- Bangkok

about 2 weeks sometime in June-July.

Thanks. Have been checking out some of the sites mentioned.

Anyone recommend a travel agent or website for buying round trip tickets to the USA. June-July. Thanks.

I just completed my FBAR. They will not allow you to use former completed forms to sign in. You have to start as if you had never completed one before so you don't need a password.

Skype won't accept  the toll free number.

I started to do my FBAR, something that I despise having to do on principle, and could not remember my password. And sure enough, I must have misspelled my confirmation phrase because after the third attempt I was told I will have to call a US toll free number in order to verify who I am and then open my account.  Calling US toll free numbers is always problematic. Can you call one from Thailand I wonder. I thought they would provide a number that can be easily used from an overseas address since most FBAR filers are probably expats living overseas. 

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.