marios

She will need a return ticket within 30 days of her arrival to board the flight.

She will get a 30 day visa exempt entry when she arrives.

That is correct. My filipina girfriend came on a number of occasions alone from Manila to see me in BKK. An equal number of times we came together from Manila. No problem whatsoever. All ASEAN countries citizens can visit any ASEAN country for 30 days if they have a return or onward ticket.

Not a very sensible strategy, IMHO. Most big cities have 2 or 3 airports serving them. Why would Bangkok – if it believes that it can become the major regional hub – want to get by with just one? Changi serves Singapore very well, but Singapore is a small place, relatively speaking. So the plan is to spend 100 billion Baht on Swampy phase 2 instead of maybe a few billion Baht upgrading Don Mueang. Of course, the percentage of that 100 billion Baht (or whatever the number is) that will end up in corrupt politicians’ and administrators’ pockets (compared with virtually zero baksheesh from keeping Don Mueang going) will definitely not have swayed this decision.

Really grateful if you know of a top notch cookery school with a DIPLOMA course.

I have looked up schools here but can only find one in Rayong ....but boy is this pricey. I am willing to do a 6 weeks course or so.

Thanks!.....

I and my wife had completed a 5 DAY, not a five or six weeks, cookery class in Bangkok. The cost per person was of the order of 8000 Baht. We learned about 25 menus which were all so easy to cook really. Thai cooking is as you know quite easy. The School is called Baipai and is located near Rama 3. They pick you up from the hotel in the morning and get you back home early afternoon.

Our friends are begging us to cook thai for them. All I want to say is that one short course can be quite satisfactory, but again, you want 5 weeks. You know best what you need.

I cannot at the moment find the diplomas so I can tell you the tel. number. Search for Baipai Bangkok and I am sure you will find it.

Greetings

Mario

I want to have a bit of experience of how to cook Thai food and now I'm looking for a Thai cook class to attend, anyone know any where which doesn't cost too much to attend just for few hours? I know "Blue Elephant" but is very expensive

I do not know Blue Elephant and so I do not know what is too expensive. For my part, I have attended a 5 day course at Baipai together with the wife and the price was of the order of 13-14 k for both of us. the experience was great ,the set up fine. They provide return transport to the hotel.

I recommend it because now I can claim that I am a thai food chef (of sorts) but the friends love whatever we cook.

The place is in Bangkok roughly behind Rama 3 Central

Baipai, 02 294 9029

www.baipai.com

Cheers

mario

A group of five friends arrived at the new airport two days ago for their well earned one month holiday in Pattaya. Four of them being smokers, and not liking the brands avialable in Thailand decided to bring a reasonable supply of their own cigs from the duty free in England. O.K. 10 sleeves each might be excessive but they were purely for their own use, plus maybe a few packets for me , hopefully.

After being searched the five lads were dutifully wisked away to some police station approx half an hour away where they had all the cigs taken off them and a fine of 3,000 (Three thousand pounds) deducted from their wallets.

Given the choice of pay or go directly to jail (Whether Bluffing or not ) the lads coughed up and after five hours were let go to continue on their journey to Patters.

Another family of four (Man ,wife and two young kids ) were fined 1,000 pounds and not having enough money to continue their holiday got the next flight home.

Could this be another money making scam from the customs. Surley the duty on fifty sleeves of cigs can't be that high. Don't get me wrong, they new they had exeeded the limit but three grand is not a nice way to start your hols.

TIT the land of smiles

Just be carefull lads

Let us hope that is a temporary abberation.Surely things cannot go back as how they might have been 30 years ago.I cannot accept that they decided now to start checking/cheating tourists on arrival.I think that this is a result of the newly assumed power by the military and that the law enforcing agencies like Immigration and Customs take advantage.(Army and Police big brother little brother)

I visited Thailand more than 15 times over a span of 20 years.I was never checked by Customs and I cannot recall any one being checked by customs.I can only assume that this new audacity and nerve must arise from a sense that now they can get away with it. I think,and hope, that this is temporary.

One question though,have the victims got a receit after payment of the fine?

"It would be hard to find a place with a more deeply ingrained sense of hospitality than Thailand. Tolerance of outsiders' quirks and an overall laissez- faire attitude make the country one of Asia's top tourist destinations, drawing more than 11 million visitors last year."

It is not quite so, I think.

Thais are polite,low profile and patient people.Hospitable? Not more than the average response of a third world citizen towards a first world citizen. Ask how hospitable and tolerant they are towards Indians Africans, Filipinos etc.In fact they use a derogative term 'ket' meaning black and lowly. I wonder if there are any rich young and beautiful educated Thai women married to farang men.The parents would'nt allow it if thre is a local equal alternative. The peoples of the yellow races in general are reserved, inward and timid people and thus naturally xenophobic with the most notable example of Japan where xenophobia has been elevated at its highest.

People wonder why such a large country as Thailand does not allow foreigners to buy land.The answer is simple, they are protecting themselves from the strange menacing foreigners.This is not a policy of the present xenophobic (as described by many) government.No, this is national policy transcending legalities and rational thought but,in my opinion, a deeply ingrained need of the Thai psyche. The same applies for the difficulties with the issue of visas etc.They just do not want us really. The same deeply ingrained mechanism of mistrust of the foreigner comes into play.Philippines for example, it is much more tolerant and open to foreigners.If you are married to a Filipina you are practically a citizen yourself as well.

Thais are hard working, have a good business sense, perfectionist, artistic and not hampered by religion .They are a remarkable people just like all the yellow races.The success of Thai tourism is due to many reasons such as accomodation at less than a third or fourth of the cost as compared to Europe,excellent and inexpensive food, rich heritage, outstanding transport,yes outstanding transport.Just think of any other country where taxis can be found at the speed of thought.

There are so many plusses which make Thailand unique and the last but not least reason is sex!!

The ready availability of sex at practically every corner (bless them) makes this country truly remarkable on all fronts and attracts not just sex tourists but conventions where the true issues are tackled in the afterhours.

The purpose of this post is to stress my notion that Thais may not be particularly hospitable people but very likeable and remarkakable people nontheless.

A huge increase in visitors from the ME for medical care is one reason you see so many nowdays.

In year 2000, Bumrungrad saw appx. 5000 ME patients.

After 9-11, they stopped going to the US for medical.

Last year, Bumrungrad saw 70,000 ME patients.

Now, they bought the Hospital my doctor told me.

I visit Thailand twice a year and I always go to Bumrungrad Hospital for check-ups etc. It is true that over the years I see more ME patients every time I visit. Of course this is good for Thailand and a good compliment for the Hospital. However the prospect of an Arab buy-out of the hospital gives me an uneasy feeling since the ethos and workings of the hospital under the present regime seem quite good. I am a bit worried that something will change to the worst. I hope I will be proven wrong.

Hi - I am planning to be in BKK fOR 4-5 months later this year and wanted to rent an apt. I was looking thru the Mr Room Finder site and saw a number of places that seemed to fit my needs - pool, price range (around 40,000 baht per month) and internet availability - but most of them didn't mention if there was a minimum stay and the ones that did were for 12 months. Are there places willing to rent for shorter terms or is 12 months the general rule? And are there other sites like Room Finder that I can check out? Thanks.

Hi, My response is a bit late but I 've just seen your post. Although I am sure that you have researched the matter exhaustively I want to add my bit.

Why for example you do not consider a serviced apartment?The duration of stay may vary from one day onwards or minimum one month etc. If the apartment must not be very large then for 40000 you can find very decent accomodation. Bangkok Gardens offer 100 sqm for about 40000 and may accept a six month lease. Try also click4apartment.com among many others

Hope I've helped

cheers

mario

I got an offer from the Evergreen Place for a 44 sqm studio for one month 28/12-28/01 for 28000. I made a provisional reservation because on paper it looks perfect:

Paythai road 5 minutes walk to MBK, practically at the doorstep of the undergound,swimming pool,gym,sauna ,cooking facilities cable tv etc.

The question: Has anybody been there? Info and comments will be greatly appreciated

Thank you

mario

Hi.

I have been thinking about buying a condo in Bkk for a long time now.

My information on prices comes mostly from ads of the various property brokers in the net although I have actually seen a number of properties myself.

Because I was not ready to buy at that time I did not start bargaining for the price. Do you have any idea how inflated is the starting price on average?

Does the same rule of bargaining for the price apply in real estate as well?

I know that if a developer gives a vey generous discount is a sure sign that he is very much squeezed so competion of the project may be in doubt.

Similarly for renting, is the asking price usually negotiable?

Cheers

mario

Another causuatly of the American and Bush foreigner policies.

Mission acomplished

People will never learn

Thanks Mr Bush for making this world a more dangerous place 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

"Another causuatly " Wake up! They were at this long before Bush was even in power....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's pointless to point out this obvious truth to dimwits like Butterflyman because they fail to understand the true nature of Al Quaeda and its offshoots.The bombing of embassies in Africa and 9/11 itself long predates Bush's foreign policy adventures (and I speak as one very critical of the Iraq war).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is true, terrorism existed long beforre Bush assumed power. The question is WHY?

One cannot dissociate the Middle East with the present state of affairs.

In fact muslim unrest started in 1973 with the 'oil shokku' and in 1976 with the formation of Al Fatah the political wing of PLO.In Muslim eyes the West and America in particular are unfair towards the Arabs and Islam. Im my opinion if the Middle East question is resolved in a manner ensuring Israel's security and the 'honour' of the Arabs then the pieces will all fall in place and terrorism will fade out. In the present state of affairs about one billion people hate America with a passion.This flood of people can easily produce 'martyrs' and terrorism will never end. Brave decisions by the powerful must be taken in an Arab face saving exercise so that the average muslim, as an example, does not burst into applause while watching a hollywood film when some Marines (the supposedly good guys) are killed.

The notion that terrorism exists because 'they hate freedom' is inaccurate and simplistic. Even a hint that America is really and honestly serious about solving this problem will bear fruit. So far the stance of America is that of going along with Israel. ISRAEL MUST ENJOY SECURITY, but this costs in terms of concessions. If America believes that then the problem will sort itself out because the terrorist groups will lose public (muslim) support and funding.

You might also check out Witchuwan Appartments, same soi close to half the price...very nice pool too.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the suggestion.

I will check it out when I go there.

cheers

Marios

I took a look around BU Place several years ago when it was nice and new, and it was nice, not sure now though, some places are maintained, some not. It's got a nice pool, facilities etc, but a shitty it in a shitty soi with no room to walk, and usually not moving at all with the traffic.

Give it a look, not a bad location, and cheaper than most places.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi terdsak and thank you for your reply.

I will check it out myself when I go there.

cheers

marios

Hi all

My Filipina wife and myself plan to come to Bangkok on the 29th of December.We love Thailand and we visit every year.We have been to various apartments all with good facilities but double the price as compared to BU Place.

On paper it looks good but internet sites descriptions can be deceiving.

Oakwood, for example, in Yannawa was superb but for a 45 sqm one has to pay nearly 40000 per month whereas BU Place 42 sqm are only 18-20000.

Has anyone any idea about this place?

BU Pace is near Fortune City close to Dindaeng Asoke road.

Thanks

This kind of situation is unfortunately very real when one owns a house even a gated one.Access is not difficult for a determined and well prepared burglar.On the other hand a condo offers much better protection but a condo can never give you that homey feeling a house does.Then what is the choice? For me,mercifully, the only choice available is owning a condo although my heart aches for a house.

In a Third World Country Thailand still is, one has to minimize all possible causes of dispute, be it a neighbour who throws rubbish into your garden or for a hobo who sets camp in your backyard etc. The rule of law is still a bit lopsided at the farang's expense.

My opinion is those who seek a residence in Thailand should consider a condo if their circumstances permit it.

Water shortage in Pattaya,drought and forest fires in Indonesia,drought and forest fires in Iberia,floods in central Europe and the Balkans, melting of the ice caps and of the permafrost in Siberia just to name a few of the calamities caused by global warming. Unfortunately things are moving very fast, I don't dare to imagine how things will look in ten years time.

May God protect us all.

The Immigration Bureau will not scrap the "border runs", as it was not supposed to be "possible to do" it in the first place.

The former Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau was a big fan and a member of our forum, and we welcome the new Commissioner to join thaivisa as well.

Good luck with the improvements!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It will be wonderful news if the new Commissioner joins thaivisa, however we will have to make it a litle easier for him to do so by avoiding Thailand bashing in a vitriolic and often unfair manner.

Constructive criticism is absolutely necessary and I am sure the Authorities can listen to good and fair critique.

Thailand is still a Third World country with a long way to go. We have to be patient and always regard the glass as half full rather than half empty.

still dont understand how it is a cost to the economy as everybody pays for the energy he use.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think the answer to this is simple.

Paying more for petrol, electricity and for the costlier goods and services arising from the energy hikes has as a result a reduction in disposable income for the masses who will buy less and invest less.Buying/investing less is the anathema of economic theory. Zero purchases =zero economy.

The only way of course is for the people to voluntarily reduce their energy consumption. This cannot be achieved fully of course. Measures must be taken and some of them as proposed by the PM had been actually enforced during the oil shokku, as the Japanese called it, in 1973 and 1978 in many countries.

All the measures have their merits and weaknesses and all have a bitter taste.

They(the government) must be very careful however not to affect very visibly the life of the tourists. A visitor for example must be able to enjoy nightlife and UBC at his hotel.

As for the transmitters, it is not their actual power consumption which matters but the fact that after shutdown time, most people will go to bed, switching the lights and unecessary fans and appliances off.

I have always wondered how a foreign teacher can be able to teach primary school pupils without any verbal link existing between them. How on earth does one begin to teach when there is no way of communicating with each other?

In the case of secondary education where the children may have some knowledge of English,this I can understand, but primary school? In a distant village where even the Schoolmaster let alone the rest of the village cannot speak English? How can this be done?

I am not in education myself so I do not know,there must be a satisfactory answer to my questions.

Back to the main theme, I can only visualise young people with a strong sense of adventure. For them it will be a transient phase of their life nothing to expect other than a survival exercise.

I could understand it if there was a prospect of permanence,not a 3 month at a time thing. Neither the pupils nor the teacher will take the thing seriously.

One final point, if they could make arrangements for the spouse of the teacher to accompany him/her then things might have a better chance.

"Stop Smoking Project" - Thaivisa.com online self assist programme

JOIN UP NOW - just reply to this topic and stop smoke!

This thread has been established to run a step by step programme over the next few weeks with the objective of trying to help as many smokers as possible become non smokers.

I am not a doctor or hypnotist and do not guarantee success, however I am a reformed smoker who hopes that his experiences will help some one else quit the smoking habit.

The first step is registration; if you would like to join this online programme please submit a post giving your age, sex and brief details of your smoking habit.

Registration will be open only for a limited time, once registration is closed, only registered members will be allowed to make posts within the thread. This is necessary to maintain the continuity of the programme which will follow a pre-determined step by step process and thread rules which the registered members will be asked to follow.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Malcolm

Please include me in the program.

I started to smoke when I was fourteen, that is 46 years ago. I am really desperate, I can use any help I can get. I smoke about 30 a day.

Please sign me up

Thanks

Marios

Oh that story, they were canned cause I recall that incident.  As of the journalists, they somehow disappeared once things got heated up.

As of that design concering the issue in 150 B.C., it is way flawed.  There is no evidence to support such, via the ancient artifacts found up to today,  much less it be able to hold water cause it will spill out.  Also in those days they did not have the intelligence much less wanted such technology.  They were more interested in the Gladiators etc and the skies which indeed interested them a great deal hence the names given per se of what is known today.

As of the jet engine, perhaps maybe Whittle won the bet on the patent, (not sure), but the Germans themselves did not copy from Whittle much less even bothered to patent their technology since it was considered top secret and was controlled from Heil Hitler in those days.  He wasn't such an idiot to tip off the enemies out west of what he was doing or creating that is for sure.

Such information was found out via the spy network against Heil Hitler particularly from the Frenchies.  This part is a fact.

Daveyo

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

'

"As of that design concering the issue in 150 B.C., it is way flawed. There is no evidence to support such, via the ancient artifacts found up to today, much less it be able to hold water cause it will spill out. Also in those days they did not have the intelligence much less wanted such technology. They were more interested in the Gladiators etc and the skies which indeed interested them a great deal hence the names given per se of what is known today."

My post will concentrate mainly on the paragraph above.

What do you mean by 'they did not have the intelligence'.They did not have to-day's ,or 19th century's techonlogy yes, but no intelligence??

Any way, Heron's turbine was a metal sphere mounted on horizontal hollow axle.

Along the diameter perpenticular to the axle there were two angled nozzles so that steam issuing from them caused the sphere to rotate. Water was fed into the sphere through the hollow axle and below the sphere there was fire burning(to create the steam into the sphere)

Historically this is termed as the first turbine.

It is worth noting that during that period 1st century BC to 1st century AD, a number of people,Heron being the most eminent, did invent many things we use today such as the pulley, the threaded bolt, the lathe, lubricated bearings with a bronze sleeve and numerous others. the most amazing feat were the automata whereby a whole 'play' was activated on the stage, the play depicting a tale from the greek mythology by a series of timed movements of figures, thunder and lightning simulation etc. Any book on Heron or Alexandrian engineering can provide all information.

On the issue of airflight safety my opinion is that one has to avoid budget airlines.

No matter how well run they may be, they are still budget airlines, meaning that they will do anything to cut costs.This may mean parts replacement later than now, grounding time less frequent etc. (of course there may be exceptions to this)

On the other hand state run airlines or large international airlines tend to stick to safety procedures more responsibly I think.The state run more so. the reason? The service managers(civil servants) are not under the same pressure to cut corners. They stick to the guidelines, they replace parts freely, may be more freely than sound engineering practice dictates. Result: a less efficient business venture but, in my opinion a safer plane as a general rule.

tippaporn , thaibebop has answered your post , more than adequately , on my behalf.

sriracha john

You fail to understand the bonds that Muslim-centered countries have for one another. IF they were ever granted a separate homeland, money from many of these oil-rich Muslim countries would pour in, to say nothing of the funds the U.N. would contribute. They would have no difficulty setting up their own country or in actuality, reset up their own country that they had before.

not in the case of palestine , not even from day 1.

they have been left to rot. had they received decent financial help to improve their lot then the situation there might be much better , leaving them as political pawns with nothing more to lose has just made things worse.

the only money they get is from terrorist backed organisations to use for terrorist acts.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree that in that particular instance they didn't/haven't provided the necessary support, but their situation was quite unique and as this is out of the Middle East and with a non-nuclear neighbor, I believe the response would be quite different.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If these people want a separate State, then let them have it. See how they cope in generating their own fuel supplies, water, transport infrastructure, schools, trade agreements with the rest of the world, their own phone and postal systems, their own airline, their own factories, providing enough food for their mini-nation etc etc etc.

See how they cope with their independence and how long it is before they come calling for help.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is not that simple unfortunately.

Who knows for example what Malaysia's stance toward the newly formed state will be.Breaking up of countries in many cases serves political interests of others.I do not suggest that Malaysia would capitalise on such an eventuality but I can't keep from wondering.

Money and aid can come in on a massive scale from willing third parties.

That sounds about right - many thanks Lopburi.

What about these companies which say that they can take your passport and give you an exit and entry visa - sounds risky to me but was wondering if anyone had ever used one?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dont even think about it............it aint worth the risk.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There are many law firms advertising that they can take care of the formalities with the Immigration Office,how about them? Many of them adverise on 'Thaivisa' as well, surely they are to be trusted are n't they?.

This is what I am planning to do with my Retirement O type visa in a few months time. I am almost sure that it is safe provided it is a respectable company. Giving away a western passport to strangers appears a little bit risky but it all depends on the company I guess.

Can you recommend a firm with which any of you has succesful dealings? I will appreciate it. (provided we do not infringe on the advertisement restrictions of the Forum)

cheers

marios

I give my Isaan girl a reasonable monthly allowance... more than enough for her and her 2 kids. She recently told me about her Brother getting his girlfriend up the duff, meaning they must marry urgently. Her Mother instructed her to ask me for 30,000 baht to help pay the dowry for him.

My response of 'F@cj 6ff xxx amndk w@@';;.,fsf-e' conveyed the fact that there was no way I was going to bail the stupid &lt;deleted&gt; for not wearing a condom and that it wasn't my problem.

Did I do the right thing?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

................................................................................

......................................

The answer is yes and no.

It all depends on how strong your spouse feels about it. If the overall attitude of your wife towards you and your life together is a positive one and you feel that she cares about you then you might want to please her by showing that you care about the predicament of her brother.

Telling them to 'f... off, it is not my problem' may alienate your wife which is a bad thing of course if you value your wife and you trust her judgement and sense of

fair play. If you believe that the couple love each other and that your donation may avert a tragedy, then you oblige by giving them what you can afford. Regard it as a wedding present to your brother in law.

On the other hand one must never appear too malleable because the spouse's family's needs are endless and one must draw a line otherwise the marriage will be in grave danger.

By choosing to marry poor, unfortunately has a financial implication, this is inevitable.

In my case, being married to a Filipina, I made it clear to her family that they are not automatically rich because their sister married 'rich'. I only intervene financially when a modest contribution makes a real change and addressing a real need like medical care or genarally make sure, for example, that my nephews and nieces eat three meals a day when times are hard for their parents. Buy some equipment for them, an electric welding machine USD 250 in one occasion, so they can improve their income.

I spend about 1500 usd per year helping 15 persons in all and I have my wife's gratitude as the big payoff and some personal satisfaction I must admit. For sure I will not be placed in the big spenders Hall of Fame but I keep my wife and her people happy and pleased with me.

Marrying a Third World person (young and fresh) has a price to pay (literally)