oxymoron

I noticed a Linksys transmitter in this cyber café and assumed I could use their signal, with their agreement of course. Not so. They had 10 desktops all wi-fied in to what he said was a 811 (108G) system transmitter. Mine only receives 802.11 (a-g) and was set up to receive all letters.

I had never encountered this problem before with hotel wi-fi setups; they all worked fine. So for future reference, is it possible to upgrade the software on my laptop to receive other wi-fi codes, or is it basically a hardware problem, and something I am unlikely to encounter again? Thanks.

Did the owner give you the IP address, Network Name , Password etc???

I suspect it is more of a problem of setting you system up to link-in to a secured router than a hardware/software out of date problem.

I say this since I have just returned home and we have the new ADSL slam 12Mbit, it took my son a computer nerd about 4 hours to get my Notebook up and running.

Dear members!

I would like some information from anyone who has recently been to Singapore for a Non Immigrant 'O' visa based on Marriage to a Thai national.

I am going to Singapore on Sunday 21st to apply for the afore mentioned visa on Monday.

I thought that I had goten a handle on the requirements, but thought I would email the consulate in Singapore just to make sure. The reply I received has made me very confused.

Please read:

Dear Sir,

In order to apply for the non -Immigrant visa, we need you to get us a photocopy of your

marriage cert,house registration photocopy, your bank book or a copy of it under your

name which need to have at least 400 thousand bahts, one passport size photo, and

one visa form to be fillup at the visa counter, charges in singapore dollars $220/-.(mult-

entry visa for a period of 1 year) each stays only allowed for a period of 3 months only.

Submission hours are only from Monday to Friday from 9.15am to 12.15noon, and it takes

2 working days to process for the visa, collection will be from 2.00pm to 4.30pm only.

Need any further information kindly contact me at tel : 67372644 ext 3.

Best regards

Shima

I was under the impression that proof of savings/income was only required if you wished to extend your visa for a year in Thailand. Also that the 400000Baht option was only available to people who had already applied before October 1st, 2006. The new requirement being 40000Baht per month single/combined income.

As I do not wish to extend, but simply use it as a multiple entry (90 day) visa, this should not be a requirement. Or is it?

Could this perhaps be a case of misunderstanding/misinterpretation by the kind Shima in Singapore. I have tried to call to clarify the situation, but the line has alwyas been busy.

I would be very interested in our members opinions on this case.

Wazza

In my humble opinion the problem is the standard one of Thai's who think they can communicate in English.

Because you based you request on "marriage to a Thai", rather than say"visiting TW's family, Khun Shima has interpreted your request as an O-A Multi Entry Visa. Hence the detail about marriage certificate etc. She obviously is not yet up to speed in reqard to the new rules yet.

Also she has simply stated the requirement for O-A that it is only valid for 90 days at a time max, which it is, but the benefit is compared to an O you do not have to leave the Kingdom so you save on Visa run expenses.

If it was me I would do exactly as she says and go for the O-A Multi Entry and try my luck, a 12month O-A Multi Entry is far better than an O. Do not try to be too smart you have her email and if she props just politely point out you are simply following her directives.

The wall in the picture has a detail that should be clarified. The drawing makes it look like the verticle steel bars are placed in the blocks close to the exposed face of the wall when in fact they should be placed close to the fill side of the wall.

Since this wall is way overbuilt for the approximately one metre of fill it is retaining perhaps the detail I just mentioned does not matter but I mention it anyway just to indicate what should be done for good design practice. Another similar detail which might not matter but which could be designed better is the horizontal bottom part of the verticle steel. It is shown running close to the top of the footer. If the verticle part is placed close to the fill side of the wall and the horizontal part is placed close to the top of the footer then there is a possibility of pull out of the bar at the bend. Since the horizontal part should be close to the top of the footer for strenght and since the verticle part should be close to the fill side of the wall, I would not do this with one piece of steel. I would run the verticles all the way down to the bottom (about 5 cm from the bottom) of the footer and end it in a hook....I would then use a seperate piece to run the entire width of the footer....and I'd probably put a hook on both ends. Remeber that when using smooth rebar you always should put a hook at every end....and on deformed rebar it is a good practice but in some situations it is not necessary but doesn't cost much so might as well give it a hook....or at least a 90 degree bend and a few inches.

Designs like this usually also have at least one and usually two bars running along the length of the footer.....I'm surprised they didn't use one but it is probably ok without it since its only retaining about 1 metre of fill and this entire design is way way overbuilt for holding up 1 metre.

Chownah

Thanks for the clarification. I have 1 rai of land that has a drop off on one side and was considering using the design shown rather than use fill dirt that would not be very stable. The drop off is approximately 1 meter lower than the rest of the land. Rather than place posts in the fill dirt I was considering using, again, the design shown as I think it might be much more stable. I will take the suggestions that you provided and try and have the contractor use them. After the retaining wall is built I can then use fill dirt to level that portion of the land.

Al

As said the thing is way over designed, BUT my question is where in LOS are you going to get the 12 inch blocks with a compressive strength of 25 Mpascals??

Assuming you can get the blocks who is going to <deleted> them over 1.2m of reo?

I have followed this thread with interest for some time now and have not seen anyone present the simple design which Thai Village constructors can build. All you need to do is build two form shutters using 12mm ply on 75x50mm channel iron or wood and pour the wall in 2.4m sections. If you intend building a "din block" fence later do not forget the standard THAI 8mm in 100mm box format "sow" starters at 2m intervals inserted in the top 300mm of the retaining concrete wall. For retaining 1.2m a 500mm footing (as you show) the retaining wall tapering from 250mm at bottom to 150mm at top (vertical face on low side) Y12 reo at 600mm centres (as you show connecting footing to wall) 2xY12 reo horizontal first at 300mm next at 750 mm (as you show on50mm in from the vertical face, Chowna I am sorry is wrong the "bending moment is on the vertical low side as the pressure is on the tapered side. Think of a 2 story house slab the steel is 40mm up from the bottom as the weight pressure is on the top. I also put F53 mesh in the taper side 30mm from the surface. I admit this is marginally over-designed but since we did not have CPAC all concrete was mixed on site and as there was no internet or phone in those days I could not do a slump test to confirm the concrete strength. Every 2m put a piece of 50mm plastic pipe through the wall for drainage to the low side. By the way it is not the water pressure that pushes down Thai walls, it is the nature of Thai clay soil being expansive when wet. 18 years ago I developed this design for our property in Maeon and we have well over 90m retained and it has not move more than the designed deflection of 8mm. In our village just like underground power and concealed electrical cable which I also introduced it has become pretty much a standard.

Oxymoron MIE Aust CPENG

During his testimony, Pan-thongtae mostly responded to questions with "I don't know", said Viroj Laohaphan, chairman of the AEC's subcommittee investigating the controversial tax-free transaction.

"He could answer nearly all the questions which were basic in nature. It's likely that we won't invite him again to appear unless we need more information," he said. (Sak Korsangruang)

Such in depth answers. I wonder how long it took for him to memorize, "I don't know."

Please can some one help me understand!!!

Some 10 months ago I read an article in The Bangkok Post that there was no Capital Gains Tax on shares traded through the SET.

Also as an investor with stocks every where I know that "shares" when transacted, in other countries attract:

a) Capital Gains Tax

Stamp Duty on the transfer

c) Annual Taxation on any Dividends,

either severally or jointly.

Also if the shares are in a Public Listed Company eg Stock Exchange Thailand, you can trade then On Market or Off Market, either way does not change the Tax issues above, it only reduces Brokerage Fees. I do this Off Market trade every May to balance my tax issues, between the many portfolios me my wife and children own.

Finally the Shinawatra family only owned around 49% of the Communication empire they sold. What about the other 51% of the shares owned I can only assume by everyday Thai retail traders such as me, why have we not heard what their Taxation position will be??

Disclaimer me nor any of my family hold any interests the Thai Sharemarket

When it came time to determine the plug in height I let the Thais do it thier way and they ended up at about 120cm. This is just the way they like to do it around here. There are three advantages.

1. If the wiring is coming from above (often) then it takes less wire.

2. It is safer in that it is farther from the reach of small children and pets and less likely to get wet. This is especially true with the 220V here in Thailand compared to the 110V in the US.

3. It is easier to plug and unplug appliances. (There is a thread about how Thais like to unplug everything.)

Chownah

Generally speaking the Thai's surface cable all electricity. They do not usually chase walls and conceal the wiring, hence the height, so the surface cable is shorter and also safer, rodents kids etc. It is also one of the reasons why they do not have a house wired to the standards outlined by "Elkangorito" in his very informative post on House Wiring as obtaining 3 wire cable is relatively difficult in the back blocks.

I dont know how to call in Eng .. but it looks like this one ( Double receptacle ?)

BambinA you never cease to suprise me.

Its a 16 amp 250v 3pin Double wall outlet. The third pin in english implies the "earth" connection stated in the Thai

You can apply for a full refund of the tax deducted between January and March of the following year. I have a friend that's been getting a full refund of his term deposit interest for a number of years.

Where does one APPLY?

Thailands banking system is identical to that in most parts of the developed world. If you can not supply a TAX FILE number they must by law apply with-holding tax.

Where do you apply??? You submit a Tax Return, same as you would in your own country. But beware as Thailands Tax laws are also very similar to other countries so they require information of all your earnings in other countries. Its no different to Australian Taxation Law.

So if your playing games write the 15% off as "the cost of doing business".

Have a quick scan through this Forum and count how many people have had Visitors Visas and even Settlement Visas refused by the Embassy because they, the Embassy, doubt the relationship is real.

It’s people like you who make the Embassy even more suspicious and in the long term adversely affect the chances of those who have a genuine reason for applying for a Visa.

Patrick

I agree,but lets give the guy credit for coming to TV for advice. It is SHE not he who is suggesting the scam.

I would determine what the real size of massive debt is, by our standards it may not be really much, also I would determine in fact who the debt is to (a reputable financial organisation or a loan shark) and how it was incurred ( you would be suprised at the number of Thai girls who have this same dilema through gambling.

If all these points satisfied me I would give/loan her the cash. Even if you lose it it's small change compared with marriage. Also if its all legit and she attempts to pay you back you know you have got a "good girl"

I think it depends on your families' (parents') situation and your own, financially.

Personally, I feel blessed to have met my wife (although non-Thai) and respect my parents-in-law and that's mutual.

They've suffered an unbelievable long an dark period in their lives due to the political and economical situation in their country and uninmaginable in our Western societies.

Both my wife and myself feel comfortable and happy to be able to support them and thus a better life.

Each to their own -situation-.

LaoPo

LaoPo, I fully agree with you. I have been supporting my TW's mum and step dad for 20 years. In the beginning it was difficult as I had just met the wife and taken her and her 2 children on board.

But when you realise that generally a Thai living in a small village no matter how hard they work has a battle just surviving compared to me, from the lucky country. It becomes as tutsi said"only money" and for me obtaining money has never been any problem. So having them comfortable gives me more joy than extra digits in the investment portfolio.

OOOps forgot to add

I gave them my telephone number and email address at where I work at one of Australias top Universities, so they could contact me if they needed any more information

they never did

even send them a copy of my passport showing the day I was in Bkk when we first met

No was ever looked at

I have had a similar experience years ago so I understand your frustration. However I also understand the Embassy's position as Thailand and the Phillines are statisically regarded as "High Risk" areas, read one of the Oz papers last week to see the article on 'sham marriages'

The solution is to go to your Federal Minister and complain and follow that up with a written complaint, then find out the name of the Australian Ambassador to Thailand and write to him direct attaching a copy of your letter to your Federal Minister and his complaint. You may be pleasantly surprised at what happens when you communicate with the Organ Griders rather than the monkey's.

Hello,

The web site for the Thai consulate says that the fee for a non-immigrant is "$50 per entry," or "$150 per multiple entries." I do not understand this. If it's $50 per entry, and you want multiple entries (say 4) - that would be $200. However, what the hel_l does "$150 per multiple entries" mean? Does that mean I pay $150 for each entry (say 4)? That would be $600. Or, does it mean $150 for a single multiple entry visa (say 4)? In that case, then why have "$50 per entry"??????

Can anyone answer please? Thanks.

Multiple entries means just what it says. You can come and go as many times as you please. Hence if you are energetic you can walk across the river every day at MaeSai. But you will need to pay the people of Mynamar $US for the priviledge. Or if you take a plane ride out of the Kingdom a departure tax of 500Baht (until 1 Feb 07 when it will cost you 700Baht)

Why have $50 for 1 entry cos for the "cheap charlies" who only want to be here for 90 days. Nothing devious just the honesty and acumen of the Thai's

Hi I use N/W and can take 25,000 a day.

BT

________________________________________

So that is 0.87 * 25,000 = 310 baht (maximum)

Topfield; are you seriously so passionate about exchange rates?

The sums that you always describe (either positive or negative) are always tiny and insignificant, to the average Joe Soap here in Thailand, just using an ATM for every-day living expenses.

I commend your enthusiasm, and attention to detail, but I feel that you talents are wasted. I think that you might have good potential career opportunities in antiques etc.

Are you that bloke off the telly, who hosts bargain hunt? Or do you write for 'Money Mail' on a Wednesday?

Yep could not agree more.

Also all the ATM's I use here in LOS will only max out at 20,000 per pull, and my bank charges $12 use of non ATM fee, dont know about Nation, (approx 350Baht) so 4 me to get 25000 Baht it costs 700- topfields 310, so I am down the drain by 390.

Do you know how many thais are buying high priced real estate these days ?? Plenty.

iF YOU WANT TO BUY THE 900K APARTMENT AND LIVE THAI STYLE, YOU CAN, YOU HAVE BOTH CHOICES HERE, JUST DONT EXPECT MUCH FOR IT....ooops sorry wrong key....I know a thai guy who paid 24million for a single shophouse, I know another thai girl who paid 4mil for a small condo....but they were all in the popular areas, so if that is what you want, then pay for it.

I have also found houses and shophouses for 800k to 1.5mil, but if you want to live in upper kumbukter west....then you get the privilige of low priced real estate.

Do you really think foreigners are driving the Thai real estate market all alone ?? maybe in Phuket, but I am talking Bkk and the rest of thailand as a whole.

Real Estate (although most people do not see it ) is just another product or commodity. It does not always hold its price ask those people in the Western areas of Sydney or those that have the flash condos in Melbourne or Sydney they have seen 15 -20% of what they paid go up in smoke in the last 18 months. Similarly from what I read in Florida and some other parts of the USA.

What makes it vary so much?

Investment driving prices to absurd levels

A stable and growing economy with a GDP around 4%

Low interest rates

High and well paid employment

Peoples confidence in all of the above, to name but a few

at the moment all of the above are looking very shaky here, not a farang opinion but that of a Thai relation of ours up from Bangkok for the new year.

If I make a booking for a flight in Thailand, at a travel agency, when do I have to pay the full balance for the ticket, and can extra 'surcharges' be demanded?

For example. Suppose I book a flight: BKK-LGW nine months in advance; how much deposit is 'normal' and when should the final balance be 'expected' to be settled in full?

If payment is made early, does this make one 'immune' from extra charges like tax and fuel increases?

There must be some knowledgable people out there?

If payment is "made in full" you get immunised from further charges, but by doing the deal early, you often pay a higher price anyway for the ticket as other factors such as the number of "bums" on seats in the days prior to the flight often result in lower ticket prices.

"Why Bother With an Agent"

I check the internet to get the Flight Schedule that suits me then go direct to the Airline Head Office and make the booking. There is no booking deposit and they give a printout of you booking and when final payment is required.

eg Flight Chiangmai to Perth 4 different agents price 37900 to 39900 with a required 2000 baht deposit. Thai Air head office 36900 Baht booked on 22/12/06 to depart 11/1/07 final payment 4/1/07.

Footnote: Our flight was obviously selling well so received a phone call 28/12/06 asking if we would pay before 4/1/07 to lock the seats in.

In Australia Thai International give between $150-$200 discount at their head office to Thai nationals or their spouses (marriage certificate required)

jimlad I wont rain on your parade as I can see you feel others may be. Although I assure you they are not it is just that they are offerring the benefit of their experience.

I wish to offer you another point, you say your lady has a child, I assume she was married before. If this is the case you need her to send you a copy of the divorce papers, get them translated in Oz and be sure she has sole custody of the child. Tell her you need them to work on her visa, you have to learn to lie like Thai's do.

If after this you find all is sweet and she does have custody of the child push on. If she does not have legal custody and was not legally married "run like hel_l" because in this Thai society the law is biased towards the registered father.

I tell you this because I am one of the 0.01% of lucky farang and have been happily married for 20 years now. But even though my TW was divorced she did not have custody. It took 7 years and $50,000 AUD to get the child and make her happy.

Why assume she was married before, many Thai couples have children without a legal marriage. The OP has said that Kai told him she was not married to the guy.

From the OP's post it is fairly clear that the child is staying with Kai's mother, another common practice, and the ex partner abandoned her and the child, very few Thai men would take a child with them in these circumstances unless they felt that the mother was unfit.

If she was legally married to her ex then yes she will need divorce papers if Jimlad decides to bring Kai to Oz on a spouse visa. Proof of custody will be required if Jimlad brings the child to Oz for a holiday or to live here, This can be done with a letter from the ex giving permission for the child to be taken to another country or in the case where the father cannot be found, a letter from the courts giving Kai sole custody rights. Jimlad will find help here when that time comes for him and Kai.

Interested to know why it took so long and so much to get the child from your wifes ex...perhaps another topic ??

GB everything you say is correct, however I feel you are confirming the theory of this type of exercise. Possibly you have not lived through it.

Like the OP we lived far from Bangkok but all the paperwork had to be be done in Bangkok.

Things that really happen are:

The father buzzes off or is put in jail and gives the "legal custody to his parents"

All Thais use a nick name so after the lawyers. amphurs prepare documents they sign with their nickname which is normal practice but unacceptable at Thai Law.

Grandparents (on the male side) are typical patriotic xenophobic Thais and block every step.

Grandparents see the "gravy train" drying up or them being lonely when the child leaves.

I made the post in good faith because the OP said he was 32 has a mortgage and gave me the opinion he is an average middle class good guy with limited funds. Because of this the child situation is very real and making a cross cultural marriage work after the "heat wears off" is a real challenge without the stress of this issue.

Sorry, forgot to answer your question.

you said you dont have a lot of time to waste, is there a reason for that ??....I am about to marry my girl and I am considerably older than you are.

It's because I'm sick and tired of being single. It's been 6 and 1/2 years since I had a failed relationship with an Anglo-Aussie girl that was, for all intents and purposes headed toward marriage before it ended up on the rocks. I'm almost 33 and I've never even tasted marriage. I want to settle down and raise a family, and I'll go to any length to accomplish this goal.

Dont you just love it when you meet a Thai girl everyone assumes that you met her in a bar or that she is of ill repute...trust me you will get that from a lot of people back in Sydney also....it can be a pain.....

Very true...

I also cop flack from my married friends/work friends for going over to Phuket in the first place. Without any proof whatsoever they automatically assume that because I'm single I go over there for the sole purpose of having a cheap root-fest.

There the very same sort of people who want me to get married, but they also want me to marry an Anglo-Aussie girl who is not attractive, all because; "Let's face it, you're no Brad Pitt yourself and hence, can't afford to be picky!"

jimlad I wont rain on your parade as I can see you feel others may be. Although I assure you they are not it is just that they are offerring the benefit of their experience.

I wish to offer you another point, you say your lady has a child, I assume she was married before. If this is the case you need her to send you a copy of the divorce papers, get them translated in Oz and be sure she has sole custody of the child. Tell her you need them to work on her visa, you have to learn to lie like Thai's do.

If after this you find all is sweet and she does have custody of the child push on. If she does not have legal custody and was not legally married "run like hel_l" because in this Thai society the law is biased towards the registered father.

I tell you this because I am one of the 0.01% of lucky farang and have been happily married for 20 years now. But even though my TW was divorced she did not have custody. It took 7 years and $50,000 AUD to get the child and make her happy.

If you need the level of expertise and shiny new surroundings that you'd have back in the west, it appears that Bumrungrad and Samitovej and BNH look as spiffy as the best hospitals back home. But I moved from Hua Hin (where I commuted to Samitovej for medical care) to the best govt. hospital in northern Thailand, where they not only have cheaper service, but a better surgeon! I pay 250 baht per visit to an air/con 'luxury' clinic to see a specialist. For drugs, as others have said, there are reliable pharmacies for less than what you pay in a hospital.

Look around; ask a rich Thai or a poor expatriate. You have options.

Are you allowed to say what hospital that is. My TW has been using Suan Dok (as a private patient) but when they had to do Xrays and Barium meal tests she was pushed to the Public side and was very upset and distressed by the conditions cleanliness etc of the area. Lately she has been using Mc Cormick its OK but I would not allow her to be hospitalised there. Hence the open air ticket home in case of emergency.

Recent costs for Gastric problems have been 2000baht for 30 tablets, which is about double cost at home but at home medication has a Gov subsidy

Took her aunty with us last time 1200 Baht to diagnose Thyroid problem. At least no discrimination in this case the poor Thai's bear the same charges as us.

Did the coup really cost B1 Billion!? I can't see it myself

With those eyes I can see why. You should think about it carefully and you just might understand spending and costs for such a coup. Can you see a tank, KM250 truck or M113 APC moving around without fuel? Food being distributed to troops along the roadsides? Water treated and passed around? Intel nationwide alone would be very expensive, don't you think? Army, Air Force, Navy and Police all together can be an expense mobilization. Not the regular scheduled program and budgets.

Cost free coup!?! Bloodless not costless.

TRT can stick it. They had their chance and got too greedy. Dissolve the party ( TRT) and do the country another favor.

You should think about it carefully and you just might understand spending and costs for such a coup

This is obviously what I don't understand...

I understand that fuel costs money but aren't the army barracks near where the tanks are 'parked' all year round, just a few hundred metres from where most of them were station for the duration? Another thing, most of the duration the hummers and the troop carriers were at their check-points they didn't move for weeks

And isn't water - even treated water - dirt cheap here?

As far as communications are concerned, I wouldn't have any idea about the cost of that but doubt it would cost a lot

B1 Billion is approx. GBP14m or USD27m(according to www.xe.com currency converter) - that is a lot of money!!

Could it be possible that some of that B1 billion went elsewhere is my point

An explanation of the costs would be helpful for me to understand where all that money went to...

Nikkijah

I to, if I controlled the cheque book would question the costs.

The troops the communications the fuel the support etc had been already funded in that years 'military' budget allocations. As is necessary this allocation includes funds for military tactical exercises to maintain the skills of the military forces. To me this was just another planned exercise, from a usage of physical resources point of view, albiet a very sensitive and political one.

There were no 'mercenaries' imported to effect the mission or the like which would blow the budget out to this extent.

waydaminit, waydaminit...I can see the potentially serious implications of this thread...xyz, please accept my apologies...tutsi is drunk at 2 in the afternoon...

tutsi, don't apologise you are at your best when kee mau nit noi. Besides I thought you answer SHELTER was brilliant. Only the lateral thinkers may appreciate it though. Shelter from past indescretions, ex wives, bad weather in some instances being over taxed to support the dole bludgers and divorcees that quickly work out social security and maintenance far exceed the discretionary cash they previously had while being married to name a few.

Now that should get things going

now I am confused ??????? what is the law if I am bringing in my equipment to work wile I am there for a year why do I need to pay duty ?? what is the law nothing is new ... some speakers a computer some cameras ,nixing board software microphones all things I use for production , I must keep working while I am away I still have projects to send back so I have income while I am in Bangkok for a whole year .. all this back and forth what is the law ?? help !!!

Donna15, please read my previous post again slowly and carefully.

Customs regulations in Thailand in general are no different on more harsh than in most Western Countries. If you tried to enter Australia with that much professional gear on a Tourist visa you would be unlikely to get the gear out of the Airport. The Customs would take it and put it into "Bond Store" you would then go to the Bond Store the next day and after suitable documentation and payment of a monetary guarantee get your gear to use while in the country, when you leave before going to immigration you would go to Customs where the inventory of "gear" would be checked and you money refunded in full. The reason for this process is YOU say the gear is for your exclusive use and YOU SAY the equipment will leave the country with you, BUT how can they (or any other Customs Officer) guarantee that.

But you are coming to Thailand where you do not speak Thai ( a bold assumption on my part ) and even though they try very hard their ability with english is limited. Also as I said previously they 'need to be seen to be doing their job' so POSSIBLY a small fine/token/tea-money, may be needed. I simply advise you not to be so limited in funds should this occur.

Finally I understand you frustration but after 20 years of experience here and in other Asian areas I offer you this advice NO Matter What In Your Opinion Goes Wrong DO NOT LOSE YOUR COOL. Anger is considered to be most unacceptable and will only make the situation WORSE

Credit limit is not a problem but I'm wondering how I would save by wiring the funds over. As it stands today, that 1% fee would cost me around $160. Wire fees would be $50, but I'm not sure if I'd be getting the interbank rate on a transfer. Would certainly be worth looking into and I appreciate the tip. I'll contact the hospital and see if I can set up such a transfer and what my costs would be. I'll also need to factor in that a credit card would get me 16,000 air miles.

From doing some calcuations on the side I can only assume you are an American. Before I decided I would doubly check that the VISA fee will be 1 %. I used my VISA GOLD card, admittedly an Australian one, last month and the fee for a $AUD7000 expense was $AUD175 (approx 2.5%). When I screamed to Visa over this their response was Fees for International Transfers have been increased.

I accept you point about air miles never the less I would consider negotiating the bill into $US and doing a bank transfer to their account in $US. Thus you negate the exchange rate issue. The major hospitals doing International work here usually quote their fees on the internet as $US so the above should not be a problem

People are so funny, a friend that lives up by Nung Bua Lampo had an accident on his motorcycle a 1100 CC sport bike T boned a honda wave, she turned in front of him, he laid the bike down but hit her anyway. Her bike not bad damage the bike he was riding medium damage if he was not an excellent mechainc, but he is so no big bucks involved. Injuries to both parties to tell the truth I think he had the more signicant soft tissue injury to his shoulder. Her cuts a bruises but for her that meant that she stayed in the hospital for a bit. In the States she would not have been admitted.

He is completly licenced lights on, helmet, bike registered and properly insured. Her none the previous. Witnesses available stating she was at fault and eventually she admitted her mistake of turning in front of him.

He was sweating blood as this was his first time through this in Thailand, I gave him my favorite lady attornies name. With all the horror stories of cops here in Thailand he knew he was going to get nailed. My advice fight don't lay down for it. Others pay the lady and move on.

Well sure enough she showed with a demand for 100K. Ray Ria made a call to the Police station for him. He took the position of I wasn't wrong and she was very lucky that he was demanding money from her. He stood his ground and sure enough he paid nothing.

Truth is he could have filed suit agianst her and won, but in the end if all you have is a uncollectable judgement you've won nothing but a piece of paper, Same as everywhere not just Thailand.

In my experience with these Issan cops, is that I have always been treated fairly. So my suggestion is if your wrong and you know it pay up. If your not say no and tell them you prefer to go to court. Your vehicle will remain in impund but so will thiers. Your going to pay 20k for a filing fee and and then attorney fees, but they have to 10k to file answer and pay thier attorney. The Police only resolve these things if there is an agreement by both parties.

When it comes to brass tacks most Thai's will fold if you stand up, they simply can't afford to take the chance, of spending that money and possibly losing.

The assumption is we are rich and by Thai standards most of us are, but there are Thai's in my neighborhood that could by and sell me ten times a day. When things go wrong for them they don't just throw, go away money at the problem. Why should we ?

Don't misunderstand wht I'm saying if your wrong pay up and try to keep the losses down, but if your right don't follow the rumor mill and give up the go away money. Believe me all the Thai's expect you to do just that. If you stand up for yourself you stand a very good chance on being treated fairly.

Ray good post ,good advice but I think it is more pertinent to people who are NOT insured.

You said your mate is fully insured. Why should he worry. Why should he get a lawyer or someone involved to debate the issue with the Police.

My approach would be the same here as it is any where I am in the world. Name, Rank and Serial No. no admission of liability, and the details of my Insurance. Then of course a full report to my Insurance company. From then on it's the Insurance Companies problem, thats what I pay them for.

if you find a way be sure to let us know as i have both a nice bike and car back home that i would very much like to have here

My son who is Thai (speaks reads and writes it still) was visiting last month. He drives a very hot 1983 Corolla Sprinter (Trueno) an Asian cult car. Of course his mates want to see this beast. After about an hour on the internet reading the Thai Customs Site (the Thai version) he tells me there is no problem in bringing our cars here for a 6month period.

Probably not what you want in terms of time smartcosse, but there is a way.

My fiance and I have a joint credit card account here in Oz....I transfer the dosh on the net..and she withdraws it from there with a cost of about $4-6AUD......works wonderfully well...It has a minimum limit which is useful for emergencies.

She withdrew from that account the yesterday without any hassles.

GB, that was the case until around Oct, Com Bank Fee now $12.71, Westpac $5 non ATM fee plus $10.61 International Fee. Dont try the same thing with an Australian VISA card 200,000Baht $85 cash advance $174 International Trans Fee

Easy to open bank acct. at Bkk Bank, Pratamnak branch, Pattaya. Not so easy if you want internet banking. however. For that I was told you need at least a business visa. This makes the visa card useless abroad as you can't check your balance.

Just opened Visa Electron account at Bank Ayudhya Sankamphaeng on 22/12/06 for the same reasons. Especially being able to confirm transfers from Australia in "real time"

No problems with name as Rxx Jzz Ozz and Mrs Cnn Ozz . Only needed to show passports. When you sign in online put in numbers on Visa Card and PIN they give you for ATM access.

Next page brings up personal profile fill in the details. Then for me came the drama "error report" Thai Name Invalid. Two days later woke up to the trick, you name at the top of the profile page is displayed twice in 'english' but the top line is for Thai Names in Thai script, delete this click confirm and "all systems are go - lift off you are in and you can the call up you statement etc same as for any western bank.

Site is very well layed out in "english" only complaint is no "billpay" as we have in Oz, they have a list of companies, merchants they do business with in terms of "online payments" and TOT is not there so cant pay phone bill.