CRUNCHER

Are you saying that there are not enough working Thais, plus all the thousands of tourists and expat residents to make asucces of a metered taxi service?

Well we'll never know if they don't try it out, will we? I'll bet there would be hundreds of taxis who'd like to give it a try if they were allowed to.

In Bangkok, taxis do fine, and probably 95 % of the customers are Thai. Don't forget they also have a very extensive bus network, plus the Sky tains and the underground. (for which most rides are 25 plus Baht or so a head)

Also, many of the middle class Thais drive their own cars - but there still plenty of Thais who use the thousands of taxis.

Very often, 3 or 4 Thais will share a taxi, which means the cost reduces to around 8 - 12 Baht per head.

People looking for a short or medium distance ride on the Beach Road/second road and other regular baht bus routes will still mainly use the baht buses, but meter taxis would come into their own for bespoke journeys outside of these areas, and also late at night; in the same way as taxis are used in BKK away from the Skytrain and underground routes.

You know it makes sense

Exactly. If there is no demand tazis will not survive. I think they will survive.

There is not enough choice. Baht buses are OK (just about) for the limited routes they operate. I enjoy walking, but no everyone can do much walking. Motor cycle taxis are dangerous - Russian Roulettte is safer. The buses would have done better if properly organized and run.

What other choice is there but taxis?

If there is no official price list for a service, it cannot be considered dual pricing as there is no official price.

It's the same in any country. Any service that is not officially priced will vary and be open to negotiation.

It's the responsibility of the local councils to force the baht buses to issue a fare structure for their services. Until that happens they can ask whatever they like, and as long as people pay their asking price, that is the price.

Agreed. Either there should be a standard charge, set by the authorities with a table displayed in the vehicle or each driver can set his own rates with the fare displayed in the windscreen. The law of supply and demand will take care of the rest.

I do not mind paying the market rate, but the situation where a rich Thai businessman/lawyer/doctor etc pays 5 baht because he is Thai and a farang managing to survive on a pension pays 10 baht just because he is a farang cannot be considered equitable.

The only thing I complain about is a warm beer.

Us Aussies can't stand a warm beer

Even as a Brit I am full of sympathy with your view (some POHMs are civilized). But which is worse - warm beer or no beer?

There is nothing so drab and nothing so dreer

as to stand at the bar of a pub with no beer.

If you live in Pattaya, you learn the correct fares to pay with a little experimentation. I still contend it is irrational to pay double when it is not necessary. Do you pay double for a bottle of milk at 7-11? Of course not. Who are you supporting by paying double when it is not necessary or even expected? I will tell you who. You are supporting the baht bus mafia. Baht buses are my primary means of transport. Sometimes I pay 5 baht, sometimes 10, sometimes 20. I know when to do this. Any intelligent person can do the same. I am never confronted in any way about this and don't expect to be in future. The reason I am against paying more than I have to is actually that I would like Pattaya to someday have the OPTION of legal taxi meters like Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Who stops this? The baht bus mafia. So I will not overpay a MAFIA.

Another factor is that there no TRANSFERS in the baht bus system.

Not having some taxi meters on the streets of Pattaya/Jomtien is actually quite a bad situation. Perhaps you are having a medical emergency and want a quick aircon taxi to the hospital. Perhaps it is raining heavily and you don't wish to get drenched in a baht bus. Pattaya needs taxis!

OK, now that I have vented, I would like to say that nine times out of ten (when it isn't raining heavily or you aren't stuck in traffic breathing in heavy fumes) the baht bus system is convenient, cheap, and sometimes even a pleasure. Very entertaining people watching. And compared to Phuket we have got it great! But it could be better yet, with the option of a limited number of taxi meters.

Thank you for writing this - saved me the trouble.

A word of caution to all baht bus customers: Beware of pickpockets.

I pay 5, 10, or 20. Depends on the distance. Have had only 1 altercation in 20 years.

JingThing and Tammi said it all really. When I pay 5 baht for a short tripI will pay 10 if the driver asks (almost never happens). I do this before things get out of hand or it becomes a matter of face. I know this is wrong in principle (if you have to pay double because you are a farang this is racism pure and simple), but I do not feel that strongly to make a big fuss.

THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND

Ambassador: Zhang Jiuheng

Address: 57, Ratchadapisake Road, Bangkok, 10310

Tel: +66-0-2247-7554

Fax: +66-0-22468247

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.chinaembassy.or.th/eng/

Google provided the above. Sugggest you phone, fax or E-mail them. I'd like to know how you get on.

Not sure where you are in China, but if you can go back via Hong Kong or Macao you can get one from China Travel Service next day (even the same day some times) The quicker the service the more you pay

We go directly from Guangzhou and the same way back. Can any tourist agent in Pattaya make visa, while we're having a blast around Pattaya, because we didn't plan to stay in Bangkok!!!

Sorry Andy. Can't help with that one. Can only repeat conact Chinese Embassy. They may know which agent they deal with.

As said you have a retirement (long stay) visa of the multi entry type and upon entry into Thailand you will receive a one year permitted to stay stamp each time while the visa is valid. So as said up to almost two years can elapse before you are required to extend your stay at Immigration. Just remember that once the visa expires you require a re entry permit to keep your stay alive.

Will remove your JPG.

Presumably this is what is comonly called a 12 months multiple entry visa? Or is it some other type?

i arrived here oct 20th midnight. i did my first border run with a friend last nov. 8 then 2nd border was yesterday.

That would indeed leave you with 11 days remaining out of 90 days were you to stay in Thailand for the entire period of your current entry stamp. Note that Thai immigrations has jumped the gun a bit by writing down 11 days left as there is nothing to say that you will use the entire duration of the current entry stamp, in which case 11 days would be inaccurate.

You know what this all reminding me of? The con artists who trick cashiers into making them give incorrect change by swapping out a 20 and a 50 or a 100. Running the numbers this way and that until the cashier is so befuddled by the exchange, they end up handing over cash incorrectly. I wonder if the same astute con artist could go to the Imm. official and say, for example, I have 11 days marked down as left to go, however, I'm departing before my 30 days are up so can I have those 11 back plus the additional ones I have for leaving earlier?" followed the next day with "I'm coming back to Thailand before I was planning to so I'd like to give back the 11 days but claim back 2 days from the earlier total because I've entered before I thought I was going to. Could you put down the number of days I have left as 28?" followed by a departure from Thailand the following day, "Yes, It's me again. I'm sorry, but I have to leave Thailand unexpectantly. Now, I have 28 listed on my passport, so I'm hoping you'll give me back those 28 days plus the 30 I came in with yesterday on that new stamp, but I'm not using because I'm leaving today unexpectedly." Next thing you know, he's got the number 58 written in his passport where previously he had 11. Or something akin to all the above. With these number games they're playing, I see opportunity for a skillful manipulator to turn things all around on a hoodwinked Imm. official...

SrirachaJohn - Yeh. It is going to be chaos at immigration counters. I have said before on this forum that sure do not want to be behind one of these cases in the immigrationb queue. I shall be there all day unless I get arrested for losing my cool.

God grant me the courage to change the things I can,

The serenity to accept those I cannot,

and the wisdom to know the difference.

This applies where ever you are in the world and Thailand is no exception.

I understand where FourBaht is coming from. There is a world of difference between speaking up about something you are unhappy about and the attitude o some people who seem to think everything in Thailand should change to suit them because it is the way thing are done in their own country.

I'm living in China and have residence permit for foreigners. My friend's coming to visit me and we're heading to Pattaya,but the problem's that - he got chinese business F visa in Russia with one entry. We planned to go to Thailand on December 30, but he's arriving in China on the 23-rd. The common practice in China will take 5 working days to 1 week to get new visa and they don't provide it faster, even for extra RMB! We can submit all the documents only on 25. Of course I'll try to push immigration department to get it faster - we'll provide some explanatory documents,but who knows...this is China!!!

In case if we're behind the schedule, can anyone advice where in Pattaya can we apply for the chinese visa and how long time will it take to get one?

Thx!!!

THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND

Ambassador: Zhang Jiuheng

Address: 57, Ratchadapisake Road, Bangkok, 10310

Tel: +66-0-2247-7554

Fax: +66-0-22468247

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.chinaembassy.or.th/eng/

Google provided the above. Sugggest you phone, fax or E-mail them. I'd like to know how you get on.

Not sure where you are in China, but if you can go back via Hong Kong or Macao you can get one from China Travel Service next day (even the same day some times) The quicker the service the more you pay

I believe it is to prevent money laundering and terrorists moving money around.

How?

Dunno. Ask George Bush. If Thailand, or anyone else for that matter, does not do as they are told they cannot trade with US. Doubt it does any good. Just cosmetic. Expressed another way bovine manure. Terrosists and criminals don worry. Only thre innocent get hassled.

More and more banks world wide are requiring this sort of thing. I believe it is to prevent money laundering and terrorists moving money around.

If it is more convenient try Birmingham. They are very good.

Thanks guys. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Have not seen much recently on taxis. What is the latest? Where can you pick one up - level 1, Public Tranportation Centre??

For those who do not mind gong via Hong Kong to UK Oasis Hong Kong is a budget airline that started up at the end of October. As they are new I have not used them yet but tickets are cheap and I believe you get food and films included.

For those flying Air Asia to Macau you can get a ferry from Macau Airport to Hong Kong Airport and you do not need to clear customs or immigration in either place.

Been out of Pattaya a while. There was some talk of making 2nd Road two way. Any developments yet?

Why waste time thinking about it? Just comply with the law.

The most logical and sensible post in the whole thread !!!

Its very simple. If you are an expat, then you are not a Thai National and need to comply with the immigration rules of Thailand, what ever they be.

Most of the whingers are doing so because their own ox is being gored, and in my opinion again most whingers are doing so because they cannot afford to live in their own countries on their pensions or their income.

I don't think Thailand is here to be a catch-all for those who cannot afford or do not like living in their home countries or other countries.

Thailand is evolving. To you who are always whinging, take a honest look,,,,,, the word again honest How many of your home countries or other countries are as good as or as easy to live in as Thailand....not just for yourself, but for foreign nationals.

If you think things are better for you or easier for you in some other country, then by all means move there and forget Thailand and all the problems you are having here; stop preaching the doom and gloom on what is going to happen to the rest of us, and move on with your life.

I have lived here for close to 20 years now, and find that Thailand is the place I want to be... I comply with the laws and pay my taxes and I have to say I am very happy here.

I do not agree with all that Thailand does, but I do believe it is the Thais right to do as they please with their government and country. It is not here to please us, the expat....

Some time ago in the US, there used to be a saying that may fit good here...."America, Love it or Leave It" . Maybe this would be true of Thailand.

Thailand to me is a beautiful country. If it is not the same for you, then please, just leave it and find the place that is good for you.... Don't degrade and tear down Thailand.

OM'sHO

101% right. The underlying tone of a lot of posts is that farang should have a God given right to stay in Thailand as long as they wish. Just about every other country in the world has immigration laws and visa regulations why shouldn't Thailand have them.

For example anyone making a living on overseas investments, trading on the internet etc simply could not stay in USA, Europe, Australia etc year after year unles they have citizenship of the country concerned or obtain a visa in accordance with the laws of that counrty (often more restrictive than Thailand). The certainly could not continue to get tourist visas as infinitum. Why is expect that they should be able to do this in Thailand?

There is certainly a need for Thailand to try and get some consitency, but the dust seems to be slowly settling. Those who want to live full time in Thailand just popping over a border for a day to get some sort of visa are finding things getting tighter. Those who return at least once a year to their homes in Europe, USA or Australia seem to have little problem. Retiries, those married to Thais or those with work permits seem to be getting things sorted out, albeit some conditioons are a bit strict. All this tends to show that Thailand is doing what it said it wanted to do i.e. see that those who stay in Thaialand have the proper visa. And why not? Thailand is a soverign country.

Wow, CRUNCHER, you display such compassion.

I guess you have never experienced hard times and I hope you never will.

But, realise that Sh1t can happen to anybody and if your turn comes, maybe your attitude will come back to haunt you.

People get floored for all sorts of reasons, not always entirely of their own creation.

Also, somehow I doubt that a few homeless foreigners are going to bring wholesale disgrace to the entire foreign community here and if they did, we are ALL in the wrong place.

Just out of curiosity, how long have you lived in Thailand ??

Been coming to Thailand over 15 years, spending more and nore time here now. What that has to do with anything I am not sure.

Compassion? Yeh I feel sorry for the guy, but in the real world you have to be realistic. I feel more sorry for those who are suffering because the the authorities are tightening up on money in the bank for retirment or marriage visas. Mostly honest decent people who treat Thailand and Thai people with the respect that they deserve. I also feel more sorry for those prepared to hold down an honest permanent job to support a family but are now finding it difficult thanks to the tightening of the regulations. Street bums (yeh street bums) like this are the main cause of these peoples' missery. Compassion is fine, but I prefer to save mine for those who deserve it.

Before you ask - no I am not have vise troubles work, marriage retirment or others.

I don't know this guy, but it seems he is little better than a tramp (with pooped pants). A lot of farang have noticed him and presumably a lot of Thais have as well. It seems that there is something being missed here. He is a disgrace to farangs getting us all a bad name. Not only that, if he is an overstayer he is illegal - if he works he is breaking the law even further. Is it any wonder that the Thai authorities tighten up visa requirements to clamp down on disgraces like this? Then we all suffer!!

This is the kind of trash that thailand is trying to get rid of with these new visa laws.

Seems like a smart fellow, eating trash so he can spend his cash on beer. Wow

Spot on Poorfarang.

This man a teacher??? How would you like someone like him, with his sense of moral responsibility, teaching your kids?

I can have sympathy for peolple with problems, but not with those who do not try to help themselves.

I Go With You - If you want to do something positive just turn him in. If not just keep out of it or perhaps keep him supplied with Chang

Got a 3 entry TV from the consulate at Birmingham about 2 weeks ago. Could have got 4 entry if I had needed it. Seems no problems in UK.

and with no "additional" paperwork?

how old are you?if you dont mind me asking

thanks

I am 59, but that has nothing to do with my application. My (non-Thai) wife got the same and she is 11 years younger. Paperwork? - one application form, 2 photos and GBP75. (GBP25 per entry). The process took less than 10 minutes.

As regards Hong Kong, I have obtained single enties in the past. Efficient service - applications in by noon are ready 9.30 next morning. They recently told me I could only get a maximum of two entry TV, but then I think that is all they have ever given. One hassle is that for a double entry you need to produce air tickets for both trips.

I suspect ovenman has hit the nail on the head. Less than clear instructions has resulted in wide variations of what is permitted.

hi all. at the old airport bangkok, on your return you had to pay 500 bhts tax on your arrival. do you still have to pay this charge at the new one. cheers.

Thought this was a departure tax not an arrival tax.

As for its inclusion in the airline ticket price, many countries do that now - most if not all of EU, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia etc. Nothing crafty - just Thailand catching up with the rest of the world. Whether or not that is a good thing is another issue. Not only do you not notice the tax in the first place, you do not notice increases either.

I am in the process of buying a condo in Thailand. I will be shipping my personal effects (furniture, clothing etc. - all used). I was under the impression that if I got a retirment visa then I had 6 months to ship in my personal effects free of tax and import duty. I have recently heard that this is not the case.

Can anyone confirm the correct position please? In particular I would like to know exactly when the 6 months starts, if indeed this is the case.

In the event that there is no tax exemption or for some reason I do not go down the retirment visa road, has anyone any idea of rates of import duty, tax etc. Preumably it is expressed as a percentage of the value?

Thanks in anticipation!

Got a 3 entry TV from the consulate at Birmingham about 2 weeks ago. Could have got 4 entry if I had needed it. Seems no problems in UK.

JR, you are wrong on the investment visa as it was grandfathered and there were even last minute approvals. The only extension of stay for marriage (for a male) was support Thai wife and required 400k yearly on deposit to prove ability to pay for support (or his monthly income of 40k). The new rule allows wife to provide or a combination of both incomes (as is the norm here - most middle class or above have both working). If age 50 or above they also have the option of retirement extension with 800k bank or 65k pension or combination.

As for "encouraged" to buy condo statement do not believe it is based on fact. Immigration kept this program very low key in my view. Although this may not have been the case with some foreign/connected developers.

JR Texas (51, USA, wrong): Reply to Lopburi3: Thanks for correcting me. You seem to know the rules and regulations backwards and forwards. But let me give you a plausible scenario: 1) before the changes an investor purchases several condos worth well over 3 million with the desire to sell them later on; 2) one of the major reasons he purchased the condos was that he was under the impression that he could use the 3-million baht investment rule (spend it and get a long term visa solution) as a selling point to potential condo buyers; 3) then the rules changed and he can't use the "investor visa" as a selling point. Not good from an investors point of view. The basic question remains: Is this change good for Thailand? My answer is no.....especially for new investors. And I do not think this change has anything to do with crime.

On removing the 400K in the bank visa option: How can this positively impact Thailand? I think that for most expats (those living here now or those that are thinking about living here) it is probably more difficult to find a way to earn the 40K per month than it is to put 400K in the bank. I do not think this change is good for Thailand. And I do not think it has anything to do with crime.

Best wishes,

JR

Buying several condos to sell them on sounds to me like speculation not investment. In the long run (or perhaps not so long) speculators cause nothing but misery. The Thai property market has too many speculators and soon the bubble will burst. Perhaps that is why the goal posts keep being moved.