jayrockwell

A few months back I built some bird's nests to put around the land, so far we've only had 1 family of birds move in, but 5 houses full of bees.

They've spent the last 6 months nesting (or whatever they do), and father came round today to extract the honey, here's what happened:

So as not to take up too much ThaiVisa bandwidth I have posted the rest of the pictures at:

http://66.193.174.31/~ranong/ if you'd like to look at them

J

I'm looking for good people, what can you do?

We are just about to start working every world time zone (24/7 telephone/email response), so there won't be much time for the beach!

Sorry not teaching/environment, computers/IT.

PM me if your interested or email [email protected]

J

You (your company) don't charge VAT on your exports.

You'll need to charge VAT on any sales you make in Thailand.

You can claim back VAT on all your purchases (is your supplier VAT registered?)

It generally takes a few months for your VAT refund to be approved and paid-out.

J

I've had a free internet account with TOT for the past year or so (2 hours slow internet for 3 baht), it only works effectively for me in the mornings, other times it's soooo slow. I have found since the kids have been on holiday even the morning service is noticeably slower, difficult/impossible to connect.

For some reason thaivisa.com comes through very fast, which is one of the reasons I still keep TOT1222 as my second account.

J

We want to be able to setup a freephone (toll free) number enabling our UK customers to call us in Thailand for free, anybody know any good carriers?

We have toll-free tel/fax numbers for our US/Canada customers already, but I can't find a provider from the UK, anybody have any experience?

Thanks

J

Good choice.

J

Do a search, there have many previous postings regarding LASIK, I remember simon43? saying he had good experiences, and a couple of people saying 'you need stay clear of blah blah'. I've been considering it for a few years, like you say, scary!

J

Chai dy krap

J

NEARLY 150 Brits died on holiday in Thailand last year — mainly because of booze and sex.

The most common causes of death were motorbike and car crashes, usually after tourists drank too much.

But many holidaymakers were also found dead in bed after sex sessions with Thai girls.

Barrie Kenyon, British consul in the “sex resort” of Pattaya, said: “We have had a number of people just die in bed.

“Viagra is widely available and in conjunction with alcohol and sex it can be fatal.”

The 148 British deaths, a 50 per cent rise on 2002, also included 13 suicides. Others drowned in rough seas off Phuket.

Sex Kills Brits in Thailand - www.thesun.co.uk

Yes the Thai ID card and 2 photos will enable the Thai citizen to have a Myanmar entry 'form' issued at Ranong Immigration. You can stay the night if you really want to, 10 minutes was enough for me, most people don't even touch the mainland they just hand their passports up from the boat get an entry/exit stamp and go back to Ranong (the entry/exit stamp is 300 baht or 5 dollars (a crisp one))

J

Ranong

DK, your being a bit harsh on lopburi, this is a forum, and if someone writes something that is incorrect, then other people come along and say so.

the serial number of the phone is non-negotiable

No, any of the kids selling phones in MBK, can get the security code and IMEI of any phone changed within 10 minutes.

J

So I can vote please add an option:

I really don't give a ####, I came to Thailand to get away from all that BS.

J

Rich,

The closest 'visa-run' from Phuket is to come to Ranong>Myanmar.

The most reliable service is based in Chalong (F1) and they charge 999 Baht, they leave early in the morning and get back to Phuket late in the afternoon, I think they give you some lunch too.

They drive past my door everyday (I live near Ranong), they say that they go everyday full or not.

It's fairly scenic on the way, but I doubt the driver does much stopping for photo opportunities.

J

No rail link as yet, I was told it will definetly be finished by 2033.

Phuket rules!!!

It certainly does!

Oh, I forgot.... GO Shumi!

I drove down from Phuket the year before last, I looked for a hotel when I got there, and found one in the Indian section of KL, (the curries were excellent), it was a 45+45 minute drive out & back to the circuit each day, but at least I wasn't far from the action night time (forgotten the name of the hotel)

There are quite a few events in the middle of KL during the F1 (it's buzzin) and night time it is very busy too.

I went to the Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday was deserted, Saturday was less than half full, and Sunday was packed.

My advice is don't bother with Friday or Saturday, there's only a little F1 action on these days and lots of soupped up Proton action, not exactly exciting!

I had the most expensive seats right on the start/finish line, but I think if I go again I'd get seats in the stand at the end of the main straight, there is a shicane (?) there aswell as a big TV screen and nice view of the straight, the stand is K1, and they were much better value than the over priced pit straight.

Ear plugs, binoculars, yes indeed.

If you need a guide to go with you, let me know, I'll do the driving.

J

Shopping in KL, yikes, get your credit card well loaded!

I live not far from Ranong, there are very few farang living here, most we see are whizzing past our door to do their visa runs to Burma (it's the closest border to Phuket/Samui for those who didn't know).

Anybody else living on the West Coast?

It's a beautiful place to live, if sometimes a little quiet.

J

In the 'real' Thailand there are no McDonalds, no Pizza Hut, no KFC, no Condos, no ADSL, no go-go bars and no farang, it can get a little boring sometimes, but after a few days in the 'new' Thailand I can't wait to get back.

In NakornSri you aren't far away from Surat/Samui/Phuket to get the occasional 'fix' of western life.

J

George, Dr, IT & all at ThaiVisa,

Congratulations on the award, recognition of all your hard work, just a shame it's called GITS!

J

I checked, it's been nearly 4 months since we heard anything from the real Captain Bud, I'll drop him a line asking him to logon and give us some more of his trademark life advice.

J

Bobcat,

The most recent discussion on the subject is here Accept Credit Card Transactions On-line.

Many US/Europe mechant service providers (also paypal) will not get involved with you if your based in Thailand.

What many people suggest is that you open an account using your home address (ideally you'll be from an accepable country i.e. US, UK, Europe) and have the funds deposited there, then obtain them in Thailand via a linked ATM card. Which provider? no idea, maybe the forum members can help, anyone?

If you want to open a Thai account (do it properly) then you need a company, and that's going to be expensive if you don't have one already (and probably not to sell some photos, no offence). The cheapest and most reliable option (if you do have/want the whole Thai setup) would appear to be with Siam Commercial Bank, or Thai Farmers Bank (now Kasikornbank), they are 'proper' banks, you'll need to be trading for atleast a year and be reputable. I've heard good things about Bank of Asia.

There is another company offering services in Thailand AsiaDebit, who now offer a service called PayZip (but they will hit you 5% on all transactions and their ATM (no doubt US or offshore based) might give you a poor exchange rate and deduct service charges). Another company doing 'interesting' things with worldwide payments is ikobo.

With all of these systems, don't just look at the percentage of the transaction, try to work out how much it will cost you to get the money in your hand in Thailand, i.e. exchange rates, ATM service fees, bank transfer costs etc...

Make sure you do your homework on these or any potential provider, these days with communications and the internet any kid in his bedroom can easily look like a worldwide corporation, it's a jungle out there!

Further reading on all the companies is available on Google!

J

Under investigation are rumours that she also had provided massage oil, exploration creams and condoms with flavour, each of which could land her 1-2 more years in jail.

Is this really illegal?

Thanks, huski, great story.

J

I've had a Thai Farmers Bank (yes, I know name has changed to gobledeebank) e-Web Shopping Card for about a year.

You don't get a card only a VISA card number that takes funds directly from your TFB savings account, the exchange rate is superb, there are no charges, and you get an email from TFB when somebody debits your card.

You need to have a their Internet banking before you can apply.

J

Dear AsiaDebit,

I've been considering setting up an account with AsiaDebit for a while and the new payzip looks very interesting.

The most important thing for me is to find a reputable company, than can offer real backup, can you tell us something substantial about AsiaDebit? How many employees do you have? How many traders are you providing services for? etc...

The whole Payzip.com, Asia Debit Pte. Ltd, Singapore, Payzip (Europe) Limited, London looks very impressive but is it all real?

If the answers look good, then I hope to making an app. with you shortly.

Thanks

J

I was lucky enough to make 18,000 quid for an investment of 12 back in the heady days of dotcom madness, just a fluke though. If I'd known I'd have bought some more, but by the time I'd realised so had everyone else.

But are people still going for it, the actual name has so little value if you do your marketing right. I can't see many of these names contributing to your retirement plan, but good luck to you anyway.

J