rak sa_ngop

Just fill in the custom declaration form with "metal bracelet" and value it at 9.99 USD

Looks like I will be buying a new one. I thought there might be a easy fix but looks like there aint.

If it is just a case of a blown fuse maybe it is. Many YouTube clips show how it can be done just accessing from the front control panel (and not getting close to the scary stuff). But with my Samsung Combo machine it looks like you need to dismantle the outer casing which looks a bit scary to me.

Does it automatically give you a free ride or do you have to ask at the ticket counter? I am an infrequent user of the MRT. I am still waiting for the integrated BTS and MRT card to be introduced. 5555

Foodland in Patpong is still going well. Pleasant buying experience, no queuing at the counter and cheaper prices then elsewhere. The TLD restaurant looks pretty busy with many Thais as well as a few Farangs. Hope it stays that way.

I haven't seen this news anywhere else, but yesterday I used the MRT and when I tried to pay at the ticket office to get my 50pc discounted ticket for being elderly, I was told it was free, and will be free for the Songkran holiday period. The lady said (in Thai) it was free for either 3 days or maybe the next three days. I think it is just for the over 60's. I have never been asked to prove my age (I am 69). I just specify my destination and say ' khon chara' or 'phu chara' and Bob's your Uncle. Sorry for posting a bit late but there is still tomorrow.

My 12 year old combi microwave has stopped working. Front panel display not lighting up so no functions working and internal light also not working EXCEPT for the turntable which is happily turning away with the door open (but not when closed). So some power is getting to the unit. Rather bizarre combination of failure so I assume somebody experienced can readily diagnose the problem? Maybe it is just a fuse failure? Any ideas out there? Thanks.

In my experience some of these discounted codes do not work when phoning banks or UK govt departments etc. You just get a constant engaged tone. When I redial with the normal 01 intl code I always get through (but about 14 baht/min)

If you take the MRT to Kamphang Phet on the otherside of the road opposite the south entrance to Chatuchak Market is a newish mall with lots of old 'antique' stuff for sale. Outside the mall is the more junky stuff, better stuff is inside. Cant remember the name if the building (NOT JJ Mall) but cross over the road using the pedestrian bridge outside the MRT exit.

How about setting up a Dee Money account. You can then make e-tranfers from BB to Dee money with your Thai SIM card number. Setting up a Dee money account is pretty straight forward although they wanted additional photo ID. My UK driving licence proved useful for the first time.

Its been many years since I had to 'hang up' on my phone.

I have just received a letter from the Tax people with forms to fill in.....all in Thai of course. My name and address is on the front page. Lots of boxes to be filled in. Is there a legal obligation to return these forms filled in if one does not have an income in Thailand (apart from some small bank interest payments)? In the case of the UK if you have income below the taxable income level there is no need to make a tax return, except in the case when the tax office actually sends you the forms to fill in. Can anybody explain the true situation? Saying 'No need to file Tax return' is not very helpful if one is actually sent the forms with ones name to fill in.

Unfortunately real banks take time to approve mortgages or bank loans. Maybe 1 or 2 months. Not much use if you have a family emergency.

Not a bad translation. This is what the money lender requires to provide the loan. Yes, the money lender owns the property until it repaid and then the chanote has to be transferred back (at a cost) once the loan is repaid. Is this method common or unusual.? Any comments welcome.

If you want to obtain a loan with a property (chanote) as guarantee, it seems that the ownership of property has to be transferred to the money lender at the Land Office first. I remember reading on ThaiVisa that it was possible to sign a contract, or maybe add a clause to the Chanote that prevents the property being sold without the permission of the 2nd party, effectively giving the second party control of the property. They can then proceed to lend money using the property as a guarantee. Is this possible or I am I wrong in this? It seems that the cost of making a transfer to obtain a loan plus the cost of re-transferring the property back to the original owner once the loan is paid back would swallow up a large chunk of the property's value. Any advice would be welcome.

I think I have solved my problem. I rebooted (off-on) my wifi router and now can access the Natwest website with no VPN. I think my original ISP connection was blocked by Natwest. Rebooting the router allocates a new connection. Does that make sense?

I have disabled my VPN and have tried Edge and Google Chrome browsers and still cannot access the website. https://www.onlinebanking.natwest.com/Default.aspx

Probably has something to do with browsers. I attempted with Firefox on my pc and also with android on my 2 phones and none could access the site.

Just to let other Natwest bankers know that today I could not access the Natwest on-line website. However once I activated my VPN I could access from a UK site. I tried a few other countries and they all worked including even Ukraine. So it looks like Thailand is being blocked from access to Natwest unless you use a VPN. Hope this is just a temporary glitch as it used to be accessible from Thailand.

Learn to read Thai and then you can enjoy reading Lee Child's Jack Reacher at a slow leisurely pace. Only 4 or 5 pages a day but so satisfying when you can understand most of it. I have read all 22 translations, just started 'Past Tense' which is the 23rd.

If you are feeling adventurous try out Ethiopian Airways. Prices and service is good but long transfer wait coming to Thailand, but OK transfer to LHR on some days of the week. I flew with them last month and enjoyed the new experience. Plus got the see Addis Adaba (from inside a minibus). Hotel and meals for long transit time provided (but dont expect 4 star).

I have been told that white song theos run down Sukhumvit road. I want to travel from Pattaya Neua junction to the close to the marina/yacht club. What is the pricing method on these song theos? Flat fare or stage fares? I doubt paying only 10 baht would be well received. Thanks

Are you serious? You missed the boat with Superich who were accepting until end of last month if memory serves me. I would not want to hand carry this large amount to the UK. UK banks may cause a problem ( but usually for £10,000 or more) I am travlling back to the UK with Ethiopian Airlines and there are reports of money being taken from hand carried bags (security distracting passengers while the bag goes through xray machine) and also bags being taken off boarding passengers and placed into the hold- with a quick rummage around by the ground staff. Good luck getting your monies worth.