greenwood0311

If the OP was walking on the road towards the Hilton of the other way towards the old Sofitel Hotel, I would lay my money on being Ladyboys.
They  normally ride 1 or 2 up on mopeds trying to stop people on the way home.

Just ignore them and keep walking

Try the Hua Hin Fishing Lodge, is well worth a visit if you are in Hua Hin

http://www.huahinfishing.com/home

Hope it helps

Are you sure it's the same company? I've rented through Century 21 (my second house in Hua Hin). One of their main realtors also lives in the same complex I do, so I know her well (she's British). I don't know Pro Real Estate, but Century 21 is a solid company.

I wanted to mention that I did the same thing (rented in advance by sending a deposit) before I moved to Hua Hin. It wasn't with Century 21, but it turned out fine.

I initially saw a property on www.thailand-property.com and emailed for details. I received a reply from www.pro-real-estate.com referencing the former as a "sister" company. However, the photos they showed had stamps on from Century 21 which is also included in the logo for www.pro-real-estate.com.

I am well acquainted with the use of multiple distribution channels but whilst Century 21 appears more connected with www.pro-real-estate.com, there is no obvious connection with www.thailand-property.com.

I stress that I am not seeking to inform of wrongdoing but if an agent had a good secure reputation, you would think they would leverage from that, rather than add multiple identities which only serves to cause confusion. At the moment I am fairly confident to proceed but had they been the subject of multiple internet complaints, then I would not.

Century21 is a very reputable Real Estate company here in Australia

http://www.century21.com.au/c21/international.cfm

If you click on the International section and then Thailand tou will find a list of the Thailand offices (one in Hua Hin)

http://www.century21.co.th/web/index.php/page/content/franchiseList/FCList

The details below seem to tie up with the pro real estate connection.

CENTURY 21 Pro Real Estate Hua - Hin

Location : Prachuapkhirikhan

Telephone : 032-532-904, 089-510-1203, 081-573-3059

Email : [email protected]

Website : http://www.pro-real-estate.com

If you have any doubts at all, I would suggest that you email the head office in Australia and get them to confirm that the connection with Pro Real Estate is legitimate.

iainiain101 wrote

I think you would still refer to black foreigners as Farang. Thais, especially up North do not have much exposure to coloured foreigners. You should warn any Thais never to address coloured foreigners as 'Khun'. saw this cause a terrible fight once

Probably the black foreigner had mistaken the word "Khun" for being called a "Coon" which is a very offensive name to call coloured people. It is just about as offensive as using the word "Nigger" to them.

Saying that we have in Australia a brand of cheese called Coon. I have often tried to picture it sitting on the shelves of the UK supermarkets. Would probably be banned quick smart by all the do gooders.

Nick there are many bars in Hua Hin where you can drink without any hassles, best one I found was Johnny Walkers in Soi Selekam. Is only a short walk from where O'Neil's Bar is.

Bar is normally frequented by lots of local expats and have Darts and Pool facilities there. Used to drink in the Mai Thai Bar on the road that the Hilton is in. Used to have 3 hr happy hours, so was a good late afternoon and early evening drink.

It is a far more relaxed scene than you will find in the likes of Bangkok or Pattaya.

Edit there is a review of Changs Guesthouse on Tripadvisor, but doesn't give contact details and the review is five years old.

Doh!

That would explain it. Can't believe I missed that detail.

Thanks for the suggestion theoldgit, I'll check out Jing's.

Anyone else with suggestions? I'm looking for the 500thb to 1000thb per night range.

Thanks again.

Jings prices will be well within your budget and all reports I have heard about the place have been good. I had reason to contact them by email sometime ago and all correspondence was answered more or less straight away.

That article is just about then same as one that was written after he was arrested last year. Seems that the Mirror is trying to bump the story back in the headlines again.

If the Police in the UK do not want to proceed, why keep bringing up the same old stories again. Cannot see the point, perhaps the Mirror have a hidden agenda.

The car (Vios) battery is flat and I'm unsure as to the cause.

I took the battery down to the local bicycle repair shop (that's where they re-charge batteries) & asked him to charge it up. the guy said that the battery was 3 years old & it was time to buy a new one (he doesn't sell them so has nothing to gain directly from his advice). I'm surprised that a battery only last 3 years, but then I'm not car savvy.

What can I expect to pay for a new battery (don't want somchai ripping me off)

thx.

The Vios that you have out there is the equivilant of the Toyota Echo we have in Australia. There are two different batteries on that vehicle here. The early model one upto 2005 will cost here appx 2800baht and the later model ones uses a larger battery that will cost around 4500baht. Both of them are 3 year gaurentee.

To make sure you get the correct battery there are some figures on the top of the battery (one being the CCA) which is the cold cranking amps that the battery needs to turn over the engine.

The early model one here should be around the 300/330 mark and the later one 430cca.

If you are not sure PM me with the CCA markings and all the details that are top of the battery and will try and identify what one you have on there.

Also if you put a new battery on the vehicle and it goes flat in about a week, a trip to the auto electrician is needed to check out the charging system, as the initial problem was not the battery, but a fault within the charging system.

Apart from Crawfords in Cha am and likewise Irish bars in Hua Hin.............are there any places to go for a game of pool, chat about ??? and not have the intereference of the local talent.....soi 88 seems to be picking up a bit but girlies everywhere.....shame the drop in bar closed..............like a reasonably priced G&T....any suggestions

Give Billy's Bar a try in Hua Hin. It's a popular ex-pat hangout and has both pool and darts. It is located on the main road to the Hua Hin beach (across from the side of the Sofitel in a little walking alleyway between the shops (massage and car/motorbike rental places). There's a sign on the road I think but ask anyone around there and they'll know where it is if they live here. It's a Hua Hin icon and has been there for many years... no girls for hire.

A little further into the same alleyway past a couple of tatoo parlors and late night/early morning karoke places is Bernie's Inn. If you are a golfer, this is the home of the Hua Hin Golf society and a golfer's hangout.

These are two of the oldest and friendliest ex-pat bars in town. As with most places at the moment though, not much daytime business but lots of expats in the evenings.

Try Johnnie Walkers Bar just around the corner in Soi Selekam from O'Neils, not so much for pool but is a bit more upmarket than most is The Monsoon Bar (down towards the fishing piers), and further down past there is Buffalo Bills, serves a lot of imported beers and food is pretty good as well.

I'd like to upgrade my headlights to make them brighter.

1) What does "100/120" mean, in the specs of the bulbs?

If, for example, 100 is the low-beam and 120 is the high-beam, that doesn't seem like such a big difference... yet why is there such a big brightness difference between low and high beam?

2) From what I know, if you upgrade head lights, you also need to change wiring and the relay or something, or else it's unsafe and a fire hazard if your wiring and relay are not upgraded at the same time?

What exactly should I change/upgrade aside from the bulbs? What part of the car?

Most vehicles come with 60/55watt headlight globes as standard fitment from the factory and if as you say you now have 100/120 someone has already change them over to higher globes.

In essence, if that has already happened you should for safety sake have a relay installed in the system, because I have seen instances where wiring has caught fire because of the extra current needed to operate the higher wattage globes.

I have only seen 100/55, 100/90 or 130/100watt as stronger globes, but when fitting them please bear in mind that when fitting the higher wattage globes in the end you will cause damage to both the light lenses and reflectors as those parts are only built to take the working heat from the standard 60/55watt globes.

Also with a lot of the later model cars that do not have Xenon headlamps, they now have plastic and not glass lenses and will distort, discolour and in extreme circumstances melt the lenses.

My advice is to buy a set of 100watt driving lights as an accessory fitment to the vehicle if you need extra light or some headlamp globes that offer improved lighting but only operate on the 60/55watt power .

Here is what I would recommend in particular either the Halogen Plus 50 or Arctic Blue ones. They are what we sell the most at work. They are made by a company called Narva and info can be accessed at http://www.narva.com.au. Hope this helps

Performanace Globes

Narva performance globes incorporate the Plus 30, Plus 50, Arctic Blue and All Weather globe ranges. Each type offers distinct advantages over regular halogen globes and comes in it's own unique eye-catching packaging. All Narva performance globes are UV cut, ADR approved, street legal and suitable for vehicles with polycarbonate headlamp lenses. Other advantages include,

Plus 50

· 50% more light

· 20 metres longer beam

· No increase in power consumption

· Up to 65% longer globe life than high wattage alternatives

· Special 'silver tip' blends with reflector background

Arctic Blue

· Similar in appearance to Xenon gas discharge systems

· Distinctive icy blue/white headlamp appearance for oncoming traffic

· Produces a brilliant white light that simulates daylight

· Superior light reflects better on road markings and signage

There was a lot of discussion last year on the local Hua Hin forum about this ferry starting up, but the consenses was it would probably be impractical to operate due to the sea conditions at certain times of the year making the crossing impossible.

As far as I know there is no terminal ever been built in Hua Hin to service passengers, so I would say the project has been shelved again.

Also that company website that the link is provided for is only under construction, plus the fact it is now May 09 (5 months past the operating date) would mean to me there will be no service for some time yet.

Regarding the Aussie woman arrest: Steve, the owner of the bar is good bloke, he has a great business and works hard at it too and deserves his success. As I know to my own cost, this can create a lot of resentment amongst a certain type of expat and this naturally paid a part in the story running longer than it should have on the various boards.

The beer towel in question, is a large rubber mat, custom made by the bar with the bars logo on it. They are sold as souvenirs however this woman or one of her mates thought it would be a hoot to steal one. However you look at it its theft, just as it would have been if she'd stolen a T-shirt that bar sells as a souvenir. She was stopped by the bars own security guard and told to put it back, at which point the <deleted> and jeffing started. Thai guy loses face, so he nicked her because he can. Som nam naa as we say in the south.

Most Aussies who come here are brilliant and are a welcome addition to the mix on the island. I fear that this group were of the ilk who buy their beer at the 7 - 11 and then try to bring it into your bar and then get shitty with you for telling them that this is as unnaceptable in Thailand as it would be in Australia. (I believe in Australia this would get you a smack you probably deserve).

Could not agree with you more, the sort of behaviour this group has demonstrated can be seen in any major Australian city any weekend of the year. The only difference here is that the Thai Police had the backbone to arrest and charge her with the offence that had taken place (however minor it is).

The problem for this woman and her group was that they started mouthing of to the Thai police, so in my mind she got what she deserved.

All the shit that was being talked in the media in regard to them being singled out because they were women on their own and if they had a man with them to bribe the police she would have been ok, was certainly not the way to endear herself to the Thai Authorities.

If I run a business and people nick stuff all the time (does not matter what the dollar value is), there would come a point when enough is enough and I to would instruct staff to call the police and have them charged. If these mats are sold souveniers in his premises, then in my mind the bar owner is well within his rights to prosecute.

All the talk about why should an Aussie charge and Aussie with something so trivial should not even be discussed, if the women Aussie had not entered the Aussie bar owners bar, stolen one of the bars bar mats, tried to do a runner and then opened her big gob to the police, we would not be having this discussion.

There is nothing more Un Australian than going to another Aussie's bar and thieving from it. In my mind that is very Un Australian.

All I can hope is that the type of traveller that is bleeting "I am not going to Thailand" because of what happened here decide to go back to Bali or any other country and carry on like complete idiots their instead of Thailand.

I can assure you now, that knowing the Aussie mentality and with all the coverage that has been over here, this will not be the only person who gets charged with the bar mat nicking charge. The hottest game in Phuket will be how many towels can you nick without being caught. so bar owners beware.

I have drunk in the Aussie Bar a few times when I have been over and have no complaints whatsoever about the bar or the staff there and the fact that this has happened will not stop me drinking there. Why should it bother anyone if there is police working as security in the bar, to me it makes it a safer place to drink.

Steve, as you have a well run bar, I really do not think it will affect your business. It may even do you a favour by stopping the idiots & yobs coming into your bar that want to carry on like this.

In my mind, the weak person in all of this is the Thai Official who paid her fine, in my mind that is a big loss of face by doing that (Not Normal Thai Behaviour), and a stab in the back for the police who bought the charges.

Hopefully she has been deported with a black mark on her passport, not just allowed to leave.

Huggybear, my idea for these 2 weeks? Sleeping, eating, surfing online, sitting under a parasol at the beach, looking for shells, dreaming and daydreaming... Nothing more, nothing less.

Fellow forummers told me that the wind in May can be pretty strong, just as the waterstream. Pieces of wood in the water, rain...

not so appealing...

Soulwy I went to Lanta a couple of years ago the 1st two weeks of November, was quiet, most places open, crossing over and back Ok plus weather was great.

Am sure this time of year normal ferries are not working only Car Ferrys

Is a great place to visit if you want to chill out. You must go and visit the Old Town as well.

Don't you get sick of it?

My last exposure was at the Toyota dealer in the north end of Hua Hin. Brake light wouldn't go off. Saw some broken bits of plastic on the driver side floorboard and figured something cracked.

Okay, so I got 2 cups of coffee and a young woman kept walking around serving glasses of cold water. Obviously a distraction from the farang pricing scheme that was about to come.

Okay, so the entire visit took less than 2 hours. My service adviser said they would need to order the part .. 3-4 days .. and asked for a deposit of Bt 770.

Then the twist. The technician explained to the service rep that the switch was really okay and just the plastic bracket broken .. which he had replaced. So the service rep returned my Bt 770 .. but asked for Bt 71!!!!

I know dam_n well they would have charged a Thai only Bt 39!!

Will it never cease?

Pesonally rather than moaning about the 42 baht you reckon you have been overcharged for, I think you should be posting about the honesty of the dealer in question.

Rather than give you the 770baht back and then asking for 71baht, he could have thanked you, given back you keys and pocketed your 770baht that you had originally given him.

If you feel that aggrieved, on your reciept should be a part number of the part they supplied. Armed with that, ring up another dealer or the Toyota head office and see what price they give you. If you have in fact been overcharged, go back to the dealer with the information that you have and try and get your 42 baht back.

The one thing that you have to bear in mind that the recommended list price of any article (where ever you are in the world) is just that (recommended). The dealer in essence can charge what they like for it.

Some dealers I have worked for in Australia have sliding scales for loading prices, with minor items attracting a bigger increase than larger dollar items. This is not aimed at the overseas clients, but everyone.

I am sure that by the end of your quest to recover you 42baht (that you only think you have been overcharged on, but have no evidence) you will have spent more than you are recovering and really is a futile exercise.

From what you have said, I feel the service adviser done the 100% honest thing by you in the 1st instance and should be applauded for his honesty.

Sri Lankan and other airlines say that the traveler needs to posses the credit card used to buy the ticket, AND the name on that credit card needs to be a traveller... I can't believe they're serious? My Thai girfriend's coming to China a few days after me and I used my card to buy her ticket. I think I'll just give her my card for a few days and a note saying "sorry, but for emergency reasons I wasn't able to accompany my wife on this trip, please allow her to board, signed -farang" of course she isn't my wife, and there was no emergency. Will it work? Are they really going to turn away a customer at the gate??

A quick answer to your question Sven would be yes. If you read terms and condition of travel when you book the ticket, it is clearly stated with most airlines (even low cost ones) that the credit card holder whose card was used to book the tickets has to be one of the travelers. They are very strict on it and know of my ex GF's boss (who is a travel agent) got turned away from Singapore Airlines and had to go home and get the card that she booked the tickets on before she could travel.

I would suggest you contact the airline and try and make prior arrangements. If you lie to them it will only make it worse for you.

If you do not show the card that you booked with, chance is they will not let you travel.

10 out of 10 for sombat tour! i travelled yesterday from chiang mai to hau hin. the bus was a very modern scania, very comfortable reclining seats, with plenty of leg room and an on board toilet. you are given plenty of water, juices, pastries and sandwiches and stop for lunch after about five hours at what i think is the companys own very clean cafe. all included in the price.

the bus left chiang mai at 8am and arrived at hau hin at 8pm. there is also a night time service leaving chiang mai at 18.30hrs. the price 785 bht. get youre tickets at sombattours booth in chiang mai arcade bus station. may i suggest a day or two in advance as the bus was pretty full.

take a warm top as the a.c. can be a bit chilly and ear defenders if you are not used to high volume dvd,s and music.

the driver was fast but safe and the on board host/ hostess (not quite sure which) was very pleasant and helpful.

so if you are not in a rush and want to avoid bangkok go sombattour.

they dont have a website in english, there helpline no. is 02 5531753.

happy travels,

jerry.

Jerry thanks for that, your report was a great help, was good to know of a recent report and that all is Ok.

Thanks all for the info it has been a great help

:D

I have heard that there is a recently started VIP Bus Service that runs from Chiang Mai to Hua Hin and is run by Sombat Tours.

Has anyone used the service yet, if so I would be interested in knowing what the trip is like.

I cannot seem to find an active website for Sombat Tours so if anyone can let me know appx cost, what time the buses leave and arrive, plus anywhere that I am able to book a seat it would be much appreciated. Am looking at traveling on or about the 3rd April next year.

Look forward to hearing from anyone who has done the trip.

:D

Are there any in HH ? I've only found Kilkenny at the Irish bar near Hilton. Are there any more with bitter-esq beers, guiness, etc ?

There is a bar called Buffalo Bills that sells a lot of UK beers other than Lager, the bar is down past the Hilton and oppostite the fishing pier resteraunts.

Try O'Neils in Poolsuk Road and also El Murphy's (not sure of address).

There is also a boutique Brewery in the Hilton Complex, have not been in there but could be worth a try.

Try going through Australian customs flying in from BKK without a hassle. Rude, obnoxious they think anyone flying in from Thailand is to be treated as an undesirable. Just my run of experiences.

Have been in and out of Perth Airport 4 time going to LOS and had exactly the same problem, especially with the women that serve you. The most miserable bunch of old hags I have had the displeasure to meet.

Went back to to the UK for the 1st time for 25years 18months ago, and was expecting a bad reception, but all was fine. they were very polite, efficient and welcoming

Air Asia do Singapore to KL and then KL to Denpesar, not sure about direct

3. I am not a permanent resident of Australia but am an Australian citizen. Is this likely to present any difficulties?

As far as Immigration are concerned, if you are an Australian Citizen you cannot be classified as either a permanent resident or a non resident. You are a citizen.

You have to travel in and out of Australia on an Oz passport and cannot hold an Australian visa.

Perhaps Tax have classified you differently for taxation purposes.

Tolly that is my understanding to, if you are only a perm resident then I do not think that you will have an Australian Passport, and therefore have to get re-entry visas in your original countries passport.

Once you become an Australian Citizen, you can then have a valid Australian passport and can then come and go as you please.

The tax office may classify you different if none of your wages are paid into an Australian Bank Account.

Always remember from menus in Australia order Larb Moo (pork) or Larb Ghai (chicken) is very nice dish of spicy minced pork or chicken. But most menus I have seen in Thailand always have pictures so you can see what you are ordering.

We are getting married in Chawang and were looking for a good restaraunt for 70 people for a dinner. We tried the cliff restaraount but they wanted to charge about double their normal cost and pay 30000Bht for the restaurant.

Would be happy with a thai style restaurant, at a reasonable price but with good food. Doesnt need to have western influence.

Does anyone have any suggestions for us??

I was going to suggest the Cliff Bar & Grille but see that you have already spoken with them. Try along the beach front hotels on the main beach, I am sure one of them will be more than happy to accomodate you if you book well in advance. Had a great meal at a place called Banana Fansea is right on the main beach and seem to have plenty of room in the place.

http://www.bananafansea.com/

Hope that helps

Matt, the only time that you will probably get a problem is you try and apply for a proper visa to stay say 90 days before you leave. I had a look at the one you apply for from Australia and you needed to get a police clearance.

From Australia the normal tourist stamp that we get on entry gives us 60 days, and then you have the option to stay for another 30days and costs about 1900baht to extend.

At present I do not think that you can stay any longer then 90 days on a Tourist stamp. I think that you can stay 90 days, leave the country for 90 days and then you can return for upto another 90 days and then leave again.

Best thing to do is look at the application forms at the Thai Consulate UK website and read what they ask for before you apply.

You may find that you can now get upto 60 days on your arrival stamp so will be no real need to apply for a visa.

Also have heard from some expats in Thailand that the Hull office is the best and quickest to get Visa's organised, if you decided to go that way.

Also on your arrival card they do not ask if you have a criminal record like they do in the States.

Hope that helps