MartinBKK

Their own website says that you need passport with long term visa, and work permit, or Certificate of Residence. I had none of the above and set up an account in 20 minutes.

Exactly what i like about Thailand...

I opened a savings account at the Branch near to Nana Soi 12 with only a tourist visa no problems. That was around 9 months ago so i don't know if things have changed.

However with a savings account you cannot use internet or telephone banking and i find the most simple banking transaction takes an extraordinary amount of time.

Unless a Thai bank account is essential for you i would recommend you bank offshore.

I bank with Lloyds in the UK, I have never had a problem with them sendnig me cards (replacements when expired, replacements when lost or replacements when I had my card cloned).

I've had cards sent to Thailand serveral times, Singapore, Japan and recently Italy. Why should it be a problem? The card is inactive until you receive it and confirm receipt by answering a string of security qestions over the phone.

Lloyds wants me to pay 30 pounds for courier delivery of cards due to 'high levels of lossage' or some such twaddle. Thankfully I can wait to pick them up next time I'm in the UK. I've yet to lose mail here, including several parcels with highish declared values from mail order purchases. I wonder if postage problems and theft occurs in the last leg and it depends on where you live?

Abbey National Offshore will courier credit cards to Thailand (will not mail) as i did it myself but the charge is USD 50.

American Express will issue your replacement overseas card through the Bangkok office. I collected mine personally.

Thanks for the info LivinLOS.

I haven't actually asked but i have been told by quite a few members that most insurers accept only a Thai licence. I just wanted to be sure of everything before i actually bought a car.

Now you have told me it shouldn't be a problem i will ring round a few.

Cheers

PS. Could you PM me the number of your broker? I would appreciate it.

I am looking to find an insurer that will permit me to drive using an IDP as i do not have a Thai licence (and am not eligible to get one due to not having a non-imm visa). If someone could point me in the right direction i would be grateful.

Thanks

Thanks! That's good info. I also didn't think about posting a notice on the bulletin board (duh)

Appologies to the OP i can't help with his question but i have a lady who comes to clean my house 3 times per week. She is Thai and speaks fairly good English.

She is here for approximately 2 hours each time depending on what needs to be done (cleaning, laundry etc). She does NOT do any cooking or run any errands.

I currently pay her 3500 baht per month. Is this the right figure? How much do you guys pay your maids?

Thanks.

DTAC

I would also recommend DTAC

Fully furnished 1 storey house Sukumvit 12

for rent 20,000 Bt/Mt.

Master bed-room, guest bed-room, living room,

1 shower/toilet, kitchen, terrace, garden, garage.

Please contact 01-6127245 for more information

How big is it?

Is it is a nice condition?

Furnished/Unfurnished?

Which particular areas would you recommend for a first time visitor?

Is Ubon the first place you would go?

Hello again.

Many thanks to those of you who provided constructive replies in response to what i thought was an interesting question.

If it is indeed asked once a month then it can't just be me who was interested to know the answers.

I would have to disagree that this has been comprehensively covered before. Having searched the forum i see there have been a few related threads but there is definitely room for further discussion.

I have never been to Isaan before but i have met a lot of ladies from there - he he he.

Look forward to visiting in the near future. Any recommendations of particular things to visit? I might prefer to take a plane though i don't fancy riding so far on a bus!!!!

Cheers.

Hi!!

I have been living in Bangkok for a year now and i have always wondered what farang do with themselves that live outside of the city?

Don't you find you have a lot of spare time on your hands?

Don't you get a little restless?

Why did you choose to live in Isaan?

Im very curious to the know the answers.....

Thanks Crossy for the useful info.

I am 27 years old so will not be eligible for the non-imm on retirement grounds.

With regard to investing in a business it is something i have considered before but not persued. I don't know if there is anyone to "assist" me in trying to get a non-imm B?

If i don't have a non-imm B am i right in thinking i cannot register the car in my own name? There seems to be some confusion about this so if someone could clarify that would be helpful.

I am located in Bangkok in the On Nut area.

If any other members are aware of insurance companies that accept an IDP i'd be grateful if they could advise in the thread.

Many thanks.

I am not interested in setting up a business here or investing in Thailand. This means i cannot get a non-immigrant visa.

Does that mean i cannot legally drive a car then as i will not be able to get a Thai licence?

Anyone know any insurance companies which will accept an IDP?

Anyone to assist me with this such as a well connected lawyer?

Thanks.

Sorry if this has been covered before but i have looked through the forum and still have a question.

I live in Thailand on a tourist visa. I do not have a work permit. Am i able to buy a car and drive legally in Thailand with either a full UK licence or an IDP?

I would be grateful if you could advise my options.

Thanks.

I stayed at the Oakwood City Residence for two nights a year ago. I did have one of the cheaper rooms but overall I thought it was pretty poor. The bed was one of the most uncomfortable i have ever slept on. Perhaps there are more luxurious rooms than i was allocated however you won't get me staying there again.

I have also stayed in the President Park in Soi 24 which is the place being discussed here which is a lot nicer than Oakwood. No complaints really but nothing really special. I am not sure if they have a Tuk Tuk service to the skytrain perhaps someone else knows however it is the opposite end of the Soi and a little far to walk. Plenty of motorbikes though if you don't mind taking one. The capitol club is IMHO the finest fitness facility in Bangkok. Usage is complimentary if you are staying in President Park.

The President Solitaire (located in Soi 11) where i have stayed many months is IMHO the best of the 3. The service is really excellent and when i used to come to Bangkok regularly from the UK it was my number 1 accommodation choice. A Tuk Tuk shuttle operates regularly to the Skytrain and Soi 11 is a great location. Prices are similar to PP.

Hope this helps.

Ok thanks to everyone so far for the help. I have posted off my application for an IDP today.

I do live in Thailand at the moment however i do monthly visa runs. I also do not have a work permit. I am not looking to invest in Thailand i only want to reside here for the time being i have no idea for how long.

If i want to purchase and drive a car here what are my options? Can i obtain a Thai license without a long term visa and work permit? Do i need a Thai license or would i be able to purchase and drive a car legally with an IDP?

I'd be grateful if you could advise my options.

Many thanks.

My international driving permit has expired.

Any idea how i can get another without going back to the UK?

I really don't want to go all that way just to renew my licence.

Any help appreciated.

PS. I have a full valid UK licence.

Looking for apartment in Sukhumvit ideally between Soi 1 - Soi 39.

Minimum 2 bedrooms.

Minimum size 125sqm.

Must have at least 1 phone line.

Must be able to get permission to put 7.5ft satellite dish on the roof.

Prepared to sign 1 year contract with 6 month break clause.

Budget - 40,000pcm.

Anyone got anything of interest please PM me.

Thanks.

How do you configure your browser to work with VPS then?

Is it the same as configuring it to use a proxy?

I heard that KSC blocks access to proxy. Is this true and do any other ISP's do this? Would this mean that i couldn't use VPS if my isp is KSC?

Sorry to sound so stupid i am useless with computer's.

Well it is all important to get access, why not get a cheap VPS for less than $20 a month and install a Squid proxy server on it.

That's really a great idea. Bravo.

I can smell from it a possible business.

You should sell your services to create (contract for VPS and installation of proxy server + training) such personal proxy for people living in thailand !

Excuse my ingorance but what is VPS?

Does CSloxinfo allow proxy access as i have found that KSC does not? Im looking for an SME service can any other users recommend a good one please?

Cheers

I should mention the reason i need a new service is i am moving homes and my new place doesn't have a TRUE line.

This is a review of four ADSL broadband packages available in Bangkok from True, Buddy, and CS Loxinfo. Feel free to add your own review. Speeds were tested at Speakeasy and other speed test sites in the US.

True Home Package: The good thing is that it's pretty cheap. The bad is pretty much everything else. Actual speeds are abyssmal, no matter what speed you signed up for... typically you will get around 10-20% of your actual speed for international transfers. Some people have had luck with it, but don't count on it. Reliability is pretty good, except for the very reliable cutoff every 24 hours. P2P is probably out of the question, since True does traffic shaping.

True SME Package: Not so cheap (2400/month for 2.5mbits), but not too expensive. Actual speeds are an improvement over the home package, but not by much... about 20-40% actual speed. This may or may not be my own imagination, since queries to True have produced answers ranging from "It's a different share ratio from the home package" to "It's the home package, just for SME LANs". Thing is that you need a phone line in your company name... individuals can't apply. Reliability is the same as the home package.

BuddyBB: Pretty darn cheap (500/month for 2mbits). Actual speeds for international web access are really good (1mbits, constant). The killer is that that's about all that is fast.... everything other than http traffic goes at a snail's pace. Also, the reliability is lacking, to say the least. There will be sporadic outages where your transfers (for everything, from games to voip to http) will just drop to nothing for a few seconds, and then resume (hopefully... if it hasn't timed out... like games). Payment is by scratch cards, apply at your local AIS store. I'd recommend this for anyone who does only web surfing and nothing else.

CS Lox SME: I only recently got this, so no long term impressions yet. It's the most expensive, at 2400/month for 1mbit (more expensive if you use a True line). However, it's got me quite impressed. Speeds are as advertised... I'm getting 850-900kbits from US sites. Not only that, p2p actually seems to work, and *at rated speed*. Reliability is great, with no 24 hour cutoff. Application was by phone, requiring only the faxing of some ID... an individual can apply. You also get a fixed IP.

We purchased materials from the Pahurat (Indian) textile market. We needed 34 meters (big house) and paid like 160B/meter after that we searched for a tailorshop where they made the material into curtian.

Pahurat Textile Market

How to Get There: Take the subway to MRT Hualompong station. From there, bus number 40 passes through Pahurat and Chinatown. Several taxis and tuk-tuk's are also available for hire (35-40 baht).

What to Buy: At Sampeng Lane, wholesale goods such as rubber items (flip-flops, baskets, etc) and herbs; at Pahurat, textiles, Indian foods and gifts.

Hours: Around 09:00 - 18:00 weekdays (hours vary weekends)

An option to get to Pahurat, though a bit exhausting, is to walk south along Sampeng Lane from Chinatown down to Chakraphet Rd and Pahurat. Several sub-soi's and shopping blocks can be explored this way, not to mention Sampeng Lane's deals on wholesale items. Wholesale goods such as flip-flops, toys, household items, and herbs can be bought here. An added feature to the area are circus-like acts of balancing and maneuvering performed by men transporting an astonishing amount of wholesale goods (sacks, boxes, etc) with small dolley's while weaving in and out of traffic - an interesting feat. Also while in the area, don't forget to visit the covered market lane between Ratchawong and Mahachak Roads.

Once crossing Chakraphek Rd and entering Pahurat, stores selling formal dresses, gowns, and even (royal-like) crowns glitter and sparkle for young ladies aspiring to become hi-so princesses. Crowns aside, within these first few blocks lay Pahurat's textile selling action, so choose one of the many small alleyways and dive in to the heart of it all. Within you'll find a labrynth of shops and vendors selling all kinds of colourful textiles - enough to cause a mild panic attack to those caught unprepared or already fatigued.

Making your way through one of these alleys and towards the other side of the block, shops selling posters of Hindu Gods alongside various Indian paraphernalia slowly begin to appear. A few cafes filled with Indian men chatting away, not to mention mouth-watering smells of Indian cuisine, confirm you're in 'Little India'. On the other side of the block more gastronomical delights await as cafes and a few food hawkers along Soi ATM provide delicious north Indian cuisine.

From http://www.bangkok.com/shopping/market-who...le-markets.html

I live in Sukhumvit currently but am moving to On Nut (hence the need for curtains).

How much did the tailor charge for making them Zoltannyc?

For 1000 baht per fitted curtain i would be prepared to travel to the lady's home. Do you think you could PM me her number?

Thanks everyone for your help.

In response to the UNI posters.

UK nationals pay less tuition fees because they are subsidised by the government. Do you really expect the UK government to subsidise foreign nationals? I don't think the UK taxpayers would be very happy about that!!!!

I am completely against discriminatory pricing but that just isn't the best example.

I have had management check the meter on several occasions which involved turning the power off to see if the meter was still running. They insist that the charges are correct and there have been no mistakes.

I have been living in Sukhumvit for around a year and i am shocked at how high my electricty bill is every month. I live in a condo and the price is 5 baht per unit which i guess is similar to what a lot of others are paying. There are only 2 of us and we never run more than 1 aircon unit at once and don't spend a lot of time at home. We are very careful to turn all lights and air cons off when we do go out. Typical monthly charge is around 7000 baht (USD 185). This is more than i was paying in London before i moved out here. As a result of this i have decided to move to a townhome where i will be paying the standard rate per unit.

Is 5 baht per unit a fair price or a rip off farang price?

How do you feel about your monthly eletricity bill?

area rugs?

Try the NGO shop (Royallly sponsored?? next to the DoiTung Coffee shop in Suan Lum)

If all else fails you could always go out to seacon square... it is a massive shopping centre full of furniture, rugs etc.

Good Luck

Im looking for some INEXPENSIVE rugs. I have tried MBK and Seacon already. Anyone got any ideas?

Cheers

How inexpensive? What kind of rug are you looking for? Maybe try Jatujak weekend markets?

As inexpensive as possible really. Just something to make the place feel more homely. Will try Jatujak thanks.

Cheers.