dsmiththailand

My mate from NSW has recently retired to Pattaya and would to go to school to learn how to change gears on a big bike.  Can anyone reccommned an english speaking training school?  Thanks.

He is aware of all the dangers in Thailand when riding motorcycles and the crazy number of deaths on the roadways.

I've been stopped a few times for having a loud exhaust on my Honda Rebel and have been able to convince the locals it is stock from the factory, so they have let me go.

As i have download a sound meter on my iphone, it shows the exhaust sound is alot lower than the number the cops are showing me.

Is there a shop i can bring my bike to have them test the sound?  I am in Pattaya.

Thanks

Is there an app that informs you if there are police check points setup around pattaya?  I was out today and drove by two of them.

Is there an app that informs you if there are police check points setup around pattaya?  I was out today and drove by two of them.

On 11/10/2021 at 12:50 AM, spidermike007 said:

Neither. The YSS conversion would represent a step down from the stock suspension, and the Olins are too costly. I find the ride to be very smooth, the seat is excellent, and I am not a small man. I can barely feel my wife when she is on the back. It is a great bike. 

i found ohlins front springs and rear shocks for a total of 29,000baht from a bike shop in bangkok

I live in Pattaya and currently looking for a motorcycle shop where i can buy a top box, after-market exhaust installed that i bought from Bangkok and some other items.  I was originally thinking of heading over to Maithai Motorbikes MUSASHI in Pattaya but after reading the reviews decided i better stay away as a new customer.  Can someone recommend a similiar motorcycle shop in the Chon Buri area?  Thanks

Having some problems with the mouse pad on my laptop and wondering if anyone can recommend a reputable laptop repair shop?  Thanks

Does anyone know a good place in Pattaya that rent newer xmax or honda scooters (150cc and up)?  If so, please provide business name and I'll use google to locate the address. Thanks.

25 minutes ago, guzzi850m2 said:

Two for sale on Kaidee and + a few more:

 

https://www.kaidee.com/product-363009095

 

https://www.kaidee.com/product-363196166

 

Just be a bit careful, many had the tacho wound back, used BKK dealers are notoriously know for doing that.

Is there a way to double check the number?

I am looking to purchase a used V Strom 1000 and wondering what are the best websites for locating such a big bike?  Thanks  I am in the Pattaya area.

Hi All,

Newly retired couple to Pattaya.  We are currently looking for a long term home rental (willing to sign up a 5 year rental contract) and wondering any tips and tricks any local expats can share with us in looking for a rental home.  Our perfect home would be a newer 3 bedroom/2 bath home with private pool, in a location walking distance to a few coffee shops and restaurants, in a secured guarded community which our budget can go up to 30,000baht per month.

A few questions that we have are as follows:

(1) If working with an agent, how does the agent make their money? do we pay a commission or is that the owner of the home?

(2) If we find a home from a web search that is being listed by multiple different rental agencies, is there a way for us to find out who the home owner is so we can directly communicate with the home owner? 

(3) From what i can read online, it seems 2 months deposit and one month rental is standard now. Is that correct?  If not, what is the base way to negoitate only 1 month deposit with the agent?

(4) When negoiating with the agent to have the owner lower the monthly rental price, how can i confirm the agent is actually trying to get the price lower versus just telling me the owner is not willing to lower the rent?  Just worried the agent may not want the rental rate lower as it may effect their commission.

Thanks for any advice provided.

10 minutes ago, steve187 said:

no moderna in Thailand at the moment, didn't know there were walk in shots of anything in Pattaya

August 5, 2021, i received my first shot of Moderna in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I am now in Bangkok for ASQ and will be in Pattaya on September 14.  I have contacted Bangkok Pattaya Hospital about how to obtain my second shot but was told that because i did not receive my first shot at their hospital, i can not receive the second shot from them.  

So, my first question, does someone know where i can get my second shot of Moderna, or Pfizer if Moderna is not available?

Alternatively, i could just indicate that I have not received any covid vaccine and just walk in to Terminal 21 mall and receive my first shot of Pfizer and then schedule a date for my second shot of Pfizer if i am not able to locate additional two shots of moderna, thereby gettting a total of three shots of covid vaccine. no need for a booster later.....lol

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Definitely not. Most folk use an agent when they cannot meet banking requirements.

You can start a thread for detailed steps to do it yourself. 

It's easy. I recommend agent for bank account.

BTW if time becomes an issue you can obtain 30 day extension to your visa exempt entry. 

Thanks so much

2 minutes ago, buick said:

i went from visa exempt to non O just the other day.  but this was in bangkok.  i assume the checklist is the same for jomtien/pattaya.  here it is if that helps to understand the basic process.  i recently arrived, did the ASQ, and about a 10 days after that went to immigration.  i already had a bank account and money in the bank.

 

 

Change Visa Instructions.pdf 156.83 kB · 0 downloads

Wow. thanks so muc.

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That's ridiculous.

You can use someone like Siam Legal to open bank account. They use Bangkok bank. Not expensive.

Next transfer 800k into the account yourself.

Next attend immigration for your non 0.

That gives you 90 day stay. When the money has been in bank for 2 months attend immigration for your 12 month annual extension.

That has list of minor requirements. 

You can start another thread for that advice.

The fees are minor.

Do it yourself.

BTW 33K is way over the odds even if you didn't/couldn't satisfy funds in bank requirement. 

oh great. I didn't realize i could do it myself as i was under the assumption i had to use an agent. thanks

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You need to ask what is the agent's fee.

To me sounds like he is just obtaining you the non O and then you will do the 12 month extension by yourself. Meeting the financials by transferring money.

If you have the money to place in bank for the non O then do it yourself.

You need show money came from overseas.

All you need agent for is bank account.

Again what's his cost. 

I only ask as it reflects what he is providing.

they are charging 33,000baht to change tourist visa to non o visa and this fee includes opening an account at Bangkok Bank

Just now, DrJack54 said:

So OP...... are you providing the money in the bank to satisfy that requirement or is the agent 'taking care' of that..

Simple question.

i have the money but the agent says i can transfer my money after i obtain my non o visa.

Just now, orchis said:

so your question is "Is it possible to change from visa exempt (30/45 days) to retirement visa"?
can someone answer this?

Yes, that is my question.  I just spoke with a visa agent Pattaya and they have confirmed that it will not be a problem to do so.  

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

And? 

i just confirmed with an agency from Pattaya and they said it will not be a problem and that once i get out of ASQ they will assist with the visa and opening a thai bank account.

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

It's not a retirement visa.

You can apply for a non O (based on retirement). 

You will need to have 800k in Thai bank in your name only on day of application.

That will give you a 90 day permit to remain in Thailand.

You need to then have the funds in bank for 60 days then apply for 12 month "extension".

Do you have a Thai bank account? 

I am currently in Vietnam.

1 minute ago, BritTim said:

At the time you apply for the "conversion" visa, you must have at least 15 days left on your current permission to stay. However, your application for the visa is taken under consideration. It is almost always granted, but sometimes it takes a little more than 15 days until the visa is actually stamped into your passport.

Okay.  15 of the 45 days we will be in ASQ, leaving us 30 days to have it completed.  I am also waiting confirmation from a local agency in pattaya.  Guess my info was wrong.

Does anyone know for those countries like the USA that do not require a tourist visa if you are staying less than 45, is allowed to change it to a retirement visa?  I have been under the impression that you can not do it but i can not find any Thai regulations backing that up.  Thanks

Has anyone recently obtained their tourist visa from the Thai Embassy in Los Angeles, California?