BWPattaya

I do not understand how this twenty-plus storey building (Central World) burnt so disastrously.

What happened to all the fire-fighting devices that are built into any-and-all major structures these days - fire-compartmentalisation - fire doors - sprinkler systems - smoke vents - fire-proof seals on all duct-work - so on and so on?

Is Thailand one of the few countries, such as Burkino-Faso, where such precautions are ignored?

If Central World could burn like that, what are the chances of surviving in one of the major hotels in the same area?

I trust that any travel agency sending people to Thailand in the future is well covered for their own insurance, as well as insisting that the travellers take out their own insurance.

(Not that that would help them, but their surviving relatives back home may welcome some cash)

as already stated, building had sprinklers, just water & power turned off by authorities.

I don't understand why the twin towers burnt down either.

Welcome to Thai Visa

I think that you will find that you will have to return to the US to apply for yoiur retirement visa. I doubt that you will be able to convert from an Ed visa to a retirement visa.

So, the money you would earn on the money you don't want to put in the Thai bank would be heavily outweighed by the cost of flights and the time spent in getting another visa. Far better to just get the retirment visa first, still go to language school on your retirment (you do not need an education visa to study).

Finally, if you are intent on coming in February 2011 don't get you visa too early. It will have a valid until date which you must use it by. In other words if it is valid until December 2010 you must arrive here before that date. You would not be able to arrive in February.

Ask you local consulate/embassy what date they would place on the visa. You could also ask if they want to see evidence of money in a bank account in Thailand. Not everyone has the opportunity to open a bank account first and I have known people get the retirement visa without a bank account, just shoing that they have cash to support themselves. By the time of your renewal your income would be sorted out and valid for renewal.

Good luck

Try TT Money Changers just past the kebab stands on the right side of 2nd Road about 100m from Pattaya Tai. Their office is bright yellow. They will gladly sell you US dollars and they have the very best exchange rates in Pattaya too. I've bought small denomination US bills from them before and they are more than happy to get rid of them. Failing that, if you are flying to Cambodia the airport money changer near the check in counters will sell you small denomination US bills.

Thanks for posting that, it is useful to know.

Did you write that it is a Canon camera? If it is go to the Canon head office, they have a very good help desk. The technicians there will be able to do it for you. At least they understand the Canon cameras, unlike taking it to someone in Panthip who may not care about your data.

Good luck

Head Office Canon Marketing (Thailand) Co.,Ltd 179/34-45 Bangkok City Tower, 9th-10th Fl. South Sathorn Road, Thungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120.

Yes, Pattaya let you do it up to 30 days early. I like to do it a week or so early in case I forget something then I have time to sort it. Last time I went I was in & out in 14 minutes.

You didn't mention which immigration office he uses. If it is Pattaya then ask Barry Kenyon for the required letter instead of going to the embassy. It isn't the first time someone has made the mistake of looking at the 90 day report and forgot to renew the extension. That is why they laughed. The fine will have to be paid. Expensive lesson to be learned.

Unless he is guilty of criminal acts, let it go.

Personally I have no problem with farangs being politically involved.

Under British law

A threat of violence against another person is deamed to be assult

The British government should arrest this man and send he back to Britian to face charges

Its people like this weed that will get all Farang a bad name in Thailand

already I am hearing Thais talk of why this is all Farang fault

Do not support this jerk, as a vote for his innocense is anoth knife in the back of good farang

Lets Thai people know we do not condone his behaviour and he must be punished same as Thai man

The last thing I want is a new wave of

Double Standards one for Thai man one for Farang

TV members you know have a chance to prove to Thai people we want a better Thailand

get rid of Scum

Did he threaten another person?

I thought his stated intention was to loot the place and join in burning it down.

He threatened to commit arson. When someone burns a building down without first checking if anyone is inside then it becomes more than just arson. It is causing death recklessly.

There is also the financial aspect. If someone burns your house down you would not be pleased. If he threatens to steal your property and it goes missing shortly afterwards who do you suspect?

I have no sympathy for him when he gets his just desserts.

On its own it is probably invalid. Apply for an International Driving Permit prior to leaving the UK. If you cannot get one on the basis of a CBT then you know it isn't valid.

For other people's benefit a CBT is Compulsory Basic Training. I don't know if it is an actual licence.

I have not been involved with bikes in the UK since I left there 11 years ago.

By the way, if you only have CBT does it mean you only have a little experience? If so I strongly recommend that you do not hire a bike here. The traffic skills of the locals here are not like UK drivers.

Simply put it into your account. When it is time for renewal ask the bank for the usual immigration letter. That's all.

Tonight I have been in Babydolls, Sweethearts, Airport, Cozy. and FLB bar. The staff in FLB told me they were closing at 3am.

I guess that Saturday night everything will be back to normal. Mind you, Babydolls will be open at 1pm Saturday, so get in there while you can. Shame they aren't all open in the afternoons!

Just curious how it was determined that it was a speed camera and not an ordinary CCTV like many others in Pattaya.

What are the distinguishing characteristics of a speed camera? Was there a radar unit mounted next to it?

Was there a sign that said "Pattaya Police Speed Camera"?

Looks like the speed cameras in the UK. CCTV cameras are usually smaller than this.

Thanks to the OP for the warning though.

I am in Pattaya too. My 3BB internet has been fine for months. When I first had ADSL connection with TOT it was so bad I changed to TT&T (now 3BB). A few occasions when it went down but now it is very reliable. The last time it went down was after a storm. Called 3BB and an engineer came out. Just water in the connection box down the soi.

Guys, you are guests in Thailand. Obey the laws and government directions.

There is a curfew. Follow it! Sorry but if your life requires you to find a girl/boy every night or drink yourself stupid... go home

I am home! It just spoils my odd night out.

This is the third time the pair has been robbed since living at the house.

and he leaves 500,000 Bt in a briefcase. Some people never learn

It depends where you are coming from. There are big problems in Sri Racha today, the Red shirts were surrounding ThaiOil at Laemchabang yesterday.

Last night here all 7-11 shops and Family Marts, plus all the bars were closed. Today I drove into Pattaya, very strange driving with a lack of traffic.

Perhaps someone could post what is happening in Soi 5 Jomtien near immigration.

I have an expensive Toshiba laptop that I brought from England. No way would I trust a cheap 600 Bt adaptor. I would buy an original.

Thanks. That is intersting. I didn't know we could get 10Mb here. I'll be in the 3BB place tomorrow.

I don't understand the question! What battery or equipment are you referring to? I see people are answering but surely they are making assumptions about the equipment you are asking about.

I have bought wireless headphones in TukCom Pattaya and Sri Racha for just 250 Bt. These plug into the audio output on a PC or Laptop. This then connects to a battery powered transmitter and is picked up by the headphones. Radio station reception also built in.

However, I haven't seen any with a microphone for Skype use. I will look later today and PM you if i see any.

I always prefer to change money when I get to my destination. Usually get a better rate than getting it before I leave.

There is a new chip shop which has just opened last week inside The Village on the third road.

In a word - OUTSTANDING.

I can't go back for a while as I'm on a diet but will definitely return once I lose a few more stones! Sod's law eh?

Arh!

NormanW

I heard about this today. A friend was raving about how good the food is.

There is also a fish & chip shop between Soi7 & Soi 8 that comes recommended.

I have had my Kasikorn account for 11 years. The internet banking is excellent. Good English web site, good security features.

Try asking a dentist where they get theirs. Fascino pharmacy on North Pattaya Rd may have them, or may order one for you. Not the sort of thing you will find on the shelf, a very limited market for them.

It depends on the torrents. Remember that torrents downlaod form other people's computers and if the files you want are on a computer that is switched off, or their connection is slow, then your download speed will be slow.

Interesting question. I don't recall seeing any cars before 5am, though perhaps I didn't see them earlier than that because I have drunk too much.