Ping

I can't be much of an Aussie, then - had never heard of them before today. I'll have to keep a look out...

^ 'Thai dishes are generally very quick and easy to make so it is quite sad that a business like this is unable to offer quality fresh Thai food.'

- I think I'd better send the missus (Thai) off to Wince Collection to learn food preparation - she typically spends at least an hour in the kitchen when preparing Thai meals.

555 great thread - and not an angry word! (Yet...)

^Probably not a bad idea - the missus says we should be able to get them at Banzaan Market, but if not, could order them.

OP please let us know if you have any luck - I would love to find some too.

I see. Wish I'd known about that a few months ago... (Sorry that I can't help you with the inf you are seeking.)

I got a passport renewal about a month ago - had to go to the embassy in BKK (you have to go personally for the interview). Took the application form that I'd done through the DFAT website and was in and out in 15 minutes. Passport posted to me and already in my hands. Bottom line, I don't think LC can help you with this. Read the DFAT (Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade) website for detailed information on the process.

Covers; Tesco on bypass - forget the price, but I think around B1200.

^I looked it up - you're right. Hadn't checked it because I understood it to be correct - nothing to do with making it up as I go, but there's no need for you to be polite on my account, is there.

(They used to be involved in Tesco Lotus.) I stand by my comments as to the quality and value of Top Charoen.

^Top Charoen are part of the Charoen Popkhand group. A very large, reasonably priced and reliable group (think Big C, 7/11, etc). Thoroughly recommended. Evidently, something went severely awry in your daughter's case, but I can assure you that it is not the norm. I've bought specs there for considerably less price than the mum and pop specs, with the same quality.

^Intriguing - you're describing food service just about everywhere in Phuket from when I first came here (about 30 years ago) - any resemblance between the food described on the menu and the food delivered was purely coincidental, and if your ordered 3 courses at once, they could come either all at once or in no specific order. Memories...

OK, so I don't have to worry about Th Immig in the first instance, I can sort it all out with Oz embassy. Thanks for your help guys.

I will be getting a new passport per Australian Embassy in Bangkok in a couple of weeks. I have to do my 90 day report at Patong (Phuket) Immigration next week. Is there anything
I need to ask Thai Immigration re documents, etc for transferring the visa (conversely, do I need to ask at Oz embassy for any documentation for the visa transfer to the new book when I get my new passport)?

Any advice as to the process would be greatly appreciated.

Regards - Ping

eezergood - did you need medical cert? When my missus renewed a couple of months ago, it wasn't required (but when I renewed mine last year, it was).

I was thinking he meant the third party insurance paper - apparently you are supposed to carry that (although I've never been asked for it).

Can't remember - most of them long gone. One of the ones I used to drink at as a tourist (which is still there physically) was the Bounty Bar in Bangla, near to where the Shipwreck Bar is now (it may be the same bar). I haven't had a drink at any of the bars in that location for many years, though (I don't frequent Bangla). Another place, but long gone, was the Hard Rock Café in Bangla, not far from where the Nordic Bungalows used to be. (It was not an 'authorised' Hard Rock establishment, but was a good spot.)

E: Forgot to mention Dirty Nellies in Nanai - started out tiny, but still there.

When I did my one year, I was specifically required to provide both my home licence and IDP. In fact, I have clear recollection of it because I got into an argument with the woman at the front over needing photocopies of all pages of the IDP (which repeat the English pages in several different languages on different pages) when all she need was the pages in English. A chat with the supervisor sorted her out. That was at Phuket. If you can get away without an IDP, good luck to you. The IDP is only valid when used in conjunction with a valid home licence; ie, you have to carry and present the two together. I understand Stevenl's argument re IDP's (per discussion in prior threads on this subject), but that was what was required of me.

^Perhaps I could have put it another way. The vast majority of expats living in Patong are well over 25 and seem to like it here. No, you don't often see them in Bangla, but I grow weary of people trotting out the old 'Patong cesspit' chestnut every couple of months, when many of us find much of the city very liveable. There are opinions I could express about Chalong, Rawai, etc, but to what end? Clearly, some people use this sub-forum to troll. I don't think the OP was doing so in this case, but he realised himself the potential for people being offended. He could have expressed his views in a far more innocuous manner - that is the point I was trying to make. Take it as you will - I have no further comment.

'It is a bit like saying Walking Street is the whole of Bangkok' unlikely since walking street is in pattaya

Yes, and while we are providing lessons in geography, perhaps 'bubblegum' should realise that Bangla is not the whole of Patong. In particular, I note this scrap of advice in the OP's post; 'So if you’re thinking of moving to Phuket and you’re older than 25 you should NOT think about living in Patong'. Then the Op kindly adds, 'Sorry if I offend'. I would have thought it more sensible for him to avoid offending in the first place by keeping his offensive comments to himself. Just who was it who appointed him the judge of where people should live? Better for his credibility to say, 'I don't like (Patong/Bangla/whatever)' and provide his reasons. Perhaps he doesn't realise that most people are capable of digesting information and then making up their own minds...

Good luck Bill. I have to say that when you opened up your shop, I thought you'd struggle at that particular location, but you certainly tried hard to make it work. As for Phuket, yes, many things have gone downhill, but people seem to forget the old days of open drains everywhere (stench), the mosquito problem (every bar burned mosquito coils), lack of infrastructure (the only department store was Ocean on the circle near Immigration in Phuket Town; international calls were prohibitively expensive and in Patong, could only be made from one or two places where you had to queue) and countless other issues. I would prefer to put up with things as they are here now rather than as they were years ago. There is always something to complain about wherever you go. (But you're leaving here to go to Pattaya???)

^^^ I wouldn't recommend that 2nd-hand m/cycle place in Jung Ceylon - prices are red hot.

They start early. In many households of former soviet bloc-type nations, a traditional breakfast includes a glass of spirit.

Between Patong and Laguna is Kamala. There are about 50 bars in Kamala with the usual diversions. Three of the biggest are the Beer Garden, the Aussi Pub and the Sport Bar all located on the main drag through town. All have sports on multiple TVs and plenty of girls. I recommend a pub crawl. Fun won't be hard to find. Kamala is a far more personable place than Patong and less expensive.

Fifty?! I would have thought around ten or perhaps fifteen tops...

There is also the Mountain View (obviously the one closest to the Patong-side hill). Good to hear the KBG has re-opened. The Aussie Pub is just that - a pub. There are a few bars on the road nearest and parallel to the beach (and adjoining sois) that would probably be what he's looking for.

^^ The Iceman beat me to it...

Yes, Kasikorn Bank (for one). Some previous threads on this issue:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/260738-opening-a-new-bank-account-in-thailand/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/154359-you-can-open-a-bank-account/