martinhuahin

Since the ATM's started charging 150 THB for withdrawals, and most western banks add another £4 (200 THB) on top and then a lousy exchange rate. I guess tourists are returning to carrying cash to avoid these charges.

Maybe old fashioned travellers cheques will start to make a come back?

It's interesting that they are proposing to pass the costs on to King Power Duty Free.

Perhaps in light of recent reports on the BBC, more un-witting tourists will be arrested for "shoplifting" and fined to pay these added security costs.

The irony of this is quite incredible!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8154497.stm

-- BBC 20/07/2009

Having posted before on my house burglery of Saturday 7th April, and the tales of woe in having been unable to get my visa replaced, in my newly issued passport, I now have to report that my house insurance which I took out with AVIVA are refusing to pay out on my claim.

I was aware that each item carried a maximum of 7,000 baht, and that jewellery, cash and documents would not be covered.

However, I had numerous other items stolen, including a lap-top, binoculars, iPOD, cordless telephone.... the list goes on. Practically everything they could carry!!

I reported the theft to my brokers, at the offices of the Observer in Hua Hin and they duly helped me file my claim, advising me that AVIVA had now been taken over by MSIG, a Japanese company I understand. However I was assured that they would honour my policy document on the same terms as I had taken out.

Now after months of waiting and many stressful phone calls, I have been offered the derisory sum of 6,000 Baht to cover a loss that must have easily cleared 100,000 Baht. I am aware that due to the restrictions on the policy regarding the maximum amount per item, and the other exclusions that I cannot expect to get all this back. However, even taking this in to account, I calculated that I should have received about 40-50,000 Baht for this claim.

When I asked them on what grounds they had made such a ridiculous offer, they said "any items that could be easily carried were not covered".

I am simply astonished by this outrageous statement. I am awaiting further communications with the manager, and will report any progress, but I wanted to post this and ask if anyone has any advice on how to tackle this?

In the U.K. I could report them to the Financial Ombudsman Service, as they are clearly breaching the terms of the policy document issued by AVIVA.

Is there any thing similar in Thailand? Or do I have to fork out more money on lawyers, and sue them?

I also wanted to warn ex-pats about this. If you think you are covered for burglery, check carefully - you may well be in for a nasty surprise if the worst happens. I feel like I've been robbed twice - their 6,000 baht offer is not even a refund of my premium!

Update:

I've just spoken with the Consulate in Birmingham and they have kindly said they will look into it upon my return. (They issued the visa for me)

Very sympathetically, they said not to worry and they are sure they can help. Thank you Birmingham!!

Sorry it happend.

As for the immigration office replacing a visa, I am afraid, they cannot. Visas are issued by consular offices abroad reporting to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs whereas the immigration-office comes under the Interior Ministry, and has no records on visa.

Thanks for that explanation.. does that mean that the ministry of foreign affairs could be approached? I'm asking hypothetically as I'm going back to the UK in any case, but I can't help thinking about those people working here who simply might not be able to "go back" to get a replacement visa...!!

On Saturday 7th April, I was the victim of a house burglery whilst out for dinner.

The thieves stole my lap-top, DvD player and more annoyingly my passport, UK Drivers license, and my Bangkok Bank Account book.

The Police were not really interested, and filled out a report and told me to contact my insurance. Did they take lessons from our Police in the UK?!!!

However, I called the British Embassy in Bangkok to report my passport stolen and they were most helpful. I went in on the following Monday, with the police report and filled out the necessary paper-work and they ordered me a new passport.

Today I travelled from Hua Hin to get the new passport and I went with copies of the old one, copies of the visa I had (one year multiple Non B valid until 3rd September 2007. True to their word, the British Embassy had a new passport waiting for me and had written a letter to Thai Immgration at Soi Sua Phlu, Sathorn Road, Bangkok, explaining that my passport had been stolen and requesting that they would kindly re-issue my visa in the new passport.

Straightforward enough I thought.

Upon arrival at the Immigration Office, I was surprised to be seen in a matter of minutes, and the lady asked me for my documents. I handed these in including a copy of the old passport, copies of the original visa and entry stamp, and a copy of my arrival card. (I'd made copies of these just in case of any such thing ocurring!)

I was handed a plastic number and asked to wait.

"52" was called out and I came to the counter, still in disbelief at how quick and easy this had all been.

NOT SO!!!!

I looked at the three stamps that had been placed in my new passport and the visa was not there.

I politely questioned the lady as to the where-abouts of my visa.

NO CAN DO. YOU GO HOME TO GET ANOTHER ONE IN UK!!!!!!

Can you imagine that??!!!!

As it happens, I'm booked to go back to the UK for a trip on 4th May, well inside the time of the exit stamp she kindly supplied me with...

But can you imagine if I had not had such a trip planned??!!

I am astounded at this treatment. 1st to be robbed is bad enough. New passports are not exactly cheap, and add to that two trips to BKK from Hua Hin. But to be told to go back to my home country to get another visa?! This beggars belief - when they can clearly see a copy of the original one which does not run out until September.

Has this happened to any one else??!!

I had heard that things were getting tight re: visas etc. but this is really poor treatment.

Foreignors Warned on Land, Monday 29th Jan.

Foreign investors holding property through shell companies using Thai nominees have been warned to restructure their holdings or face prosecution.

''Foreigners using shell companies to buy housing across the country are violating two laws. One, the Land Act that forbids foreigners from holding land and two, the Foreign Business Act by using nominee structures. I recommend that they restructure,'' Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet told foreign journalists at a dinner talk on Friday.

Under Thai law, he pointed out, foreigners can only own land if they have businesses promoted by the Board of Investment, under the Industrial Estate Act or with written permission from the Interior Ministry.

''Look around you _ all the land in Samui, Phuket and Koh Chang is in the hands of foreigners. They cannot take the land away but there's a sense of nationalism and therefore they should restructure,'' a combative Mr Krirk-krai said in response to questions from foreigners.

The resort islands of Phuket and Samui have been the focus of foreign investors who have snapped up million-dollar villas as second or retirement homes, but the imminent changes to the Foreign Business Act have begun to keep investors, developers and buyers at bay.

It is expected that among those to be hurt the most by the new rules will be companies selling villas to foreign buyers, as any foreigner will need to set up a company with at least a 51% Thai shareholding. To comply with the amendments, companies will need to change from freehold to leasehold contracts.

Market experts believe the villa-for-sale market in resort destinations will suffer as a result.

Mr Krirk-krai also said that the government would likely look at ways to plug the loopholes under which companies use Non Voting Depository Receipts (NVDRs) to circumvent FBA-mandated restrictions on foreign ownership.

''I will make sure that over the next three or four months we will plug this loophole,'' he said.

NVDRs are issued by Thai NVDR, a subsidiary of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, to foreign investors who have bought shares in listed companies that are already up to their foreign-ownership limits.

NVDR holders are entitled to full economic rights, including dividends and rights issues, but are not allowed to vote, except on motions involving delisting. Voting rights are automatically restored if the NVDRs are sold back to Thais.

Mr Krirk-krai said the military-installed government was in a rush to resolve this issue because abuse of the laws was a key reason for the fall of the previous government.

''It's not that we are backtracking from globalisation and not welcoming foreign investors, but what we want is good quality investors, not just any investors,'' he said.

''If the investors cannot observe one or two laws that are similar to those in other civilised countries, then we should not care about them.''

Taken from Bankokpost

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/29Jan2007_biz41.php

Well as previously said, it's going to be an interesting year....

I wonder why Pattaya, Chonburi, is still under martial law??

Martial Law is being lifted in Chonburi, along with most other major tourist provinces, i.e. Phuket, Surat Thani, Bangkok etc. Tourism was one of the reasons the government gave for lifting Martial Law in certain provinces.

So why is Hua Hin still on the List??

We are already packed out with Tourists much earlier than in prevoious years. I hope the BBC report "Hua Hin remains under martial law!" and then we might be able to park more easily during this High season. Actually, in reality I doubt whether any of the visitors even realise they are under martial law. It hasn't been any different here since the coup. I can only imagine they keep martial law here because the King stays in his "Far from Worries" Palace now most of the time.

I decided to take some visitors I have from the UK to the National Park near Hua Hin and to visit Pala - U waterfalls. They are quite un-spectacular and I have not been there since the introduction of the 200 baht fee several years ago. However, as these guests staying had not been, and as it is and interesting walk up the stages of the waterfall in to rain-forest and jungle, I thought what the heck we'll pay the 600 Baht for three of us.

I was horrified to then be asked to pay 1,200. (3 X 400)For this series of puddles???!!!!

I told the man on the guest it was a rip of, and did a "u" turn right in front of them, with all the day trippers peering on from their mini -buses, unaware of the rip off going on...

I think that this doubling of the fee to 400 Baht is outrageous.

I urge all ex-pats who have visitors to boycott all National Parks. Why should we as foreigners pay this, when the mercedes/porsche driving Thais from BKK who visit for the weekend get in for 80 (?) Baht?!!

If you have a Thai license, you will also pay 80 Baht, but what about your guests?

This is a blatent rip off, and where is the money being spent? I certainly see no evidence in Pala-U or in Sam Roi Yot parks......

After my U-turn, we did some off-roading around the lakes near the Park, and it was really beautiful. We saw lots of wild-life and even saw some villagers making charcoal in Clay ovens to sell. It turned out to be far more intersting than the waterfalls, and was FREE! tongue.gif

I decided to take some visitors I have from the UK to the National Park near Hua Hin and to visit Pala - U waterfalls. They are quite un-spectacular and I have not been there since the introduction of the 200 baht fee several years ago. However, as these guests staying had not been, and as it is and interesting walk up the stages of the waterfall in to rain-forest and jungle, I thought what the heck we'll pay the 600 Baht for three of us.

I was horrified to then be asked to pay 1,200. (3 X 400)For this series of puddles???!!!!

I told the man on the guest it was a rip of, and did a "u" turn right in front of them, with all the day trippers peering on from their mini -buses, unaware of the rip off going on...

I think that this doubling of the fee to 400 Baht is outrageous.

I urge all ex-pats who have visitors to boycott all National Parks. Why should we as foreigners pay this, when the mercedes/porsche driving Thais from BKK who visit for the weekend get in for 80 (?) Baht?!!

If you have a Thai license, you will also pay 80 Baht, but what about your guests?

This is a blatent rip off, and where is the money being spent? I certainly see no evidence in Pala-U or in Sam Roi Yot parks......

After my U-turn, we did some off-roading around the lakes near the Park, and it was really beautiful. We saw lots of wild-life and even saw some villagers making charcoal in Clay ovens to sell. It turned out to be far more intersting than the waterfalls, and was FREE!

SGA Reservation Call Centre

Bangkok : Tel. +66 (0) 2535-7050 , +66 (0) 2504-4162 Fax. +66 (0) 2535-7051

Hua Hin : Tel. +66 (0) 3252-2300 , +66 (0) 3252-2302 Fax. +66 (0) 3252-2301

I called them today to find this out for some friends.....

They fly to the New Airport and the timetable and charges remain the same as on the web-site...

Hope this helps!

You must pay duty on those in excess if you want to keep them. I'd let them have the fags and be on your way. 5 cartons - worst happens is confiscation, this has to be a one off.

This would have been the situation in the UK. However, they were not given the option of having the cartons confiscated. The father was arrested, and the rest of the family had to escort him to the station. They were fined and the cartons still confiscated. All this took over two hours. Yes they broke the law, but was this harsh treatment necessary? Please also bear in mind there are "duty free on arrival" shops in the arrivals hall. One can only wonder if these shops are advising customers of this new strict enforcement of the rules.

We have all been used to fairly relaxed customs on arrival. It would seem those days are over...

We have today had visitors arriving from the UK (a family of four, 2 Adults and 2 teenage Sons) who were detained and then fined 35,000THB (£500) for having too many cigarrettes.

They had five cartons they had purchased in Abu Dabi on the way here.

As this is their first visit to Thailand, they were understandibly shocked as they were all four taken by Police truck to be grilled for 2 hours regarding this "crime", away from the airport terminal.

Furthermore, they were not alone in receiving this treatment, several other UK passengers on the same flight were detained for the same reason.

As many ex-pats will have visitors coming over PLEASE WARN THEM ABOUT THE STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF DUTY FREE ALLOWANCES.

The laws are now apparently being rigorously applied. Limits are 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of spirits per adult.

This has been an awful start to my friends holiday, as they were treated like criminals for hours upon arrival.

If you can advise your family and friends, you will avoid similar problems.

The carnage on the roads can only be stopped by tough action against lunatic drivers, who are often (not always) well over the limit.

The laws exist, for this, and speeding, but there is practically no enforcement, especially when 90% of the police go off duty at 4.30 pm out in the provinces.....

Does this ban mean the end of the Heineken Jazz festival which is now a major event in Hua Hin, or the end of Chivas Regal' s sponsorship of the Elephant Polo??

Is sponsorship like this also going to be banned?!!!

The idea that a "quick fix" like this will have any influence on teeange drunks on scooters is utterly ridiculous.

We all lose, if funding from events like those above is withdrawn, and the economy will lose if tourists start to perceive Thailand as too boring. It's amazing to note that Singapore is now moving in the opposite direction.......

Putting up the taxes on booze and spending it on tougher law enforcement, is a much better way.

Lets hope we don't see the next obvious knee jerk action off closing time moved to 12.00 midnight for clubs etc....... Yes it could happen...... !!

Congratulations for the opening!!

I hour delay for baggage?

In the UK a 1 hour wait is the Norm at LGW, LHR, STN, MAN - all airports I've used in the last 12 months, and all equally appalling for luggage delivery times. Indeed at LGW I waited 90 mins for my baggage, without an apology or explanation - it was NOT to do with the recent security situaiton.

I hope that the new BKK proves to be a wonderful success, and a showcase for visitors entering the country that Thailand can be proud of.

I'm sitting in the 1st Class lounge in Doha typing this message... in transit to LGW.

Over zealous staff at BKK made me check in ALL my Hand Luggage even though I had bought a new piece fitting the new 50% reduction now in place on UK flights. I explained that the UK rules were relaxed on Monday/Tuesday, but they were having none of it.

I was given two very small clear plastic carrier bags and told politely but firmly if I could not comply, then I would not be able to board the flight.

So there at the check in desk I had to re-pack all my stuff to the bemused looks of all those behind me. Luckily I had anticipated this and had a case within my big case, so the job was done in very quick time. But with a 5 hour connection in Doha, having to pack my clean change of clothes and laptop was not fun. Thank God I've got a Gold Card to get me in to the 1st class lounge, I'd be going crazy right now.

My point is that there seems to be a total confusion over this whole matter. The UK authorities have clearly stated that bags of 45x35x16 cms are now allowed, but no liquids other than prescription medicines and baby milk. Why then was there all the confusion at Don Muang on the afternoon of 17th?!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4795337.stm

This is the link to the BBC's advice on the revised hand baggage rules. Seeing everyone else boarding with the usual ruck sacks and suitcases infuriated me even more. Apparantly only London bound passengers had to endure the plastic bag treatment!

I think they'll follow the Brits lead on the millenium Dome in London.

Leave it empty for seven years, and then take back handers from millionaire U.S. casino developers.....

As Mr. Prescott has recently been caught in the Blair government.

Oh sorry I almost forgot, they wouldn't allow a casino in LOS HMMMMmmmm but backhanders from developers?? Who knows in 7 years time Bangkok might need a 2nd airport, and they could "sell" the rights to develop don muang all over again!

Is it just me, or are we seeing an increase in the shootings of farang here? Or are the media just taking up these stories more and more?

Hope this guy is okay, and that the shooter is caught.

It's impossible to tell if there is a real increase in farang shootings based on anecdotes in the newspapers.

In England there has been a steady decline in violent crime, but the public actually perceive the crime to increase. Rarely is public perception of crime level in sync with the actual levels.

Do you really think this is true?! Since Blair came to power violent crime has gone through the roof, and I should know, I have moved from the most dangerous city in the UK, Nottingham. Gang related gun crime there is out of control. A discussion on this and accurate figures can be found on the BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/news/newsbeat/...mefigures.shtml also on Nottingham: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5006852.stm

I'm much happier with a peaceful life here in Thailand.

This bears an uncanny resemblance to the experience some of my family had on a return Phuket Air Flight to LGW where the engine caught fire and they had to make an emergency landing backin BKK. (Jan 2005)

They posted a comment on www.airlinequality.com passenger forum at the time as follows:

My friend and I were on the 14th January flight from Bangkok to Gatwick, when the engine caught fire and we had to land back at Bangkok. What a total nightmare! I would urge anyone thinking of using Phuket Airlines to go with a reputable carrier, and to avoid flying with them. Phuket Airlines in my opinion are a total shambles. Once we had landed back at Bangkok Airport there was no organisation, no explanations, just total chaos. None of the staff had a clue what was going on and how to handle the situation. We heard stories from other passengers about problems they had experienced on the way out as well, mechanical problems, very long delays etc. They are just not equiped to deal with big international flights. The reason they are so cheap is because they are so crap! The planes are very old and have definitely seen better days. Don't risk it, pay the extra to fly with a decent airline is my advice, you will feel safer and more confident and you will get much better service. We spent out £400 on a new return ticket as we were not prepared to fly back with them to London the following day. 13 hours is a long time to sit and worry whether their old plane will make it or not. I know alot of other people on our original flight bought new tickets as well, some were on our Thai Airways flight back to Heathrow. My friend has since contacted Phuket Airlines here in the UK to take the matter further but surprisingly they aren't being very helpful - Phuket Airlines - bunch of cowboys in my opinion.

So are TG really any better>???

Land of Smiles.

He he, I just knew it would be something obvious like that.... no I feel stoopid.

Thanks!!

I've seen this abbreviation used here and in many other places. I'm sure I'm not the only one who wonders what it means or where it comes from?

Can any one help???!

Thanks.