teddy_bare

Just to record that my Thai fiance received her UK visa yesterday 29th June, having applied on 8th June (phew!). We had included a flight out date of 15 July, so clearly they are giving some priority to earlier exits.

I had swapped postings with some guy who was going to tell me when his gf got hers (but now cannot find that thread). Hope yours works out on a timely basis too mate.

Also note that my fiance has been to the UK once before, so maybe these are easier for the processing centre to tick off.

It was me, and we still have not received it. mine was for my wife. Will be calling tomorrow. Cheers for the update.

i hope to be flying early August for a month.

I recently went to pay my water bill and was told its free, paid by the government to help the poor.

How nice.

Hi

I am about to commence the hunt for a house or apartment in the Sukhumvit area. I have ben looking at many real estate and other websites and have viewed a lot of houses online. I was curious to know what sort of reduction is the norm from the advertised monthly rental rate. My budget is to a maximum of B50 000 per month, given the current economic slowdown do you think it is possible to get something that is advertised for a lot more?

I did the same about 6 months ago. My limit was only 30,000 but I contacted a load of properties ranging from 50,000 to 30,000. I explained to them what I was looking for and also told them I was currently paying (23,000 baht in Sathon, 2 bed condo, but very nice). they all immediately dropped the price. The 50,000 (3 bedroom house and garden) dropped to 35,000 immediately. The 30,000 dropped down to 23,000. I even told them I had 2 dogs and wanted a one year contract.

Some of these were agents others owners. One agent who advertises a lot of properties only does 2 year contracts and wont haggle.

if you consider Sathon, The condo I lived in was excellence and near the BTS. The owner was absolute straight. he reacted immediately to problems, gave me a free cable UBC in addition to the SAT one, added extra shelving and blinds on my suggestion. The place only has 18 apartments. PM me if you want details

Would appreciate you posting here when you do get notice that you have a visa, since ours could be on a knife-edge in a couple of weeks time.

I agree that on the VFS web-site is does boast a much quicker time, but in the small print it does caution that it can be longer in periods of high activity. They also flag up the current delay on their phone-in line

I think we should all indicate our frustration to the UK Embassy on the feedback section of their website and I plan on writing to the FCO and my MP if nothing happens in the next 10 days. Sometimes letters have a marginal effect. Last year we went to Regent House and I was hacked off by the agents in the adjoining offices running around alarming all the Thai girls that it was hugely difficult to get a UK visa (so they could get fees). What rubbish. This seemed to have stopped this visit - I like to think due to my written complaints to the embassy about the bad image it was painting of the UK - but I guess now that someone is going to disillusion me and say it still happens!!

No problems on notifying you.

The agent office tried to catch us as we approached the Visa office. Experience allowed to me to recognise and fob them off easily. The Visa office greeter was very friendly and assertive about who gets in to the office. I wasn't expecting to go in anyway as I understood the appointment was to just submit the application. They still had her in for about 90 minutes. Apparently only asked about 4 questions, one of them being 'why applying so early?' the others were about info already on the form. The rest of the time was waiting. She even managed to jump the queue due to the 8 month bulge clearly showing. Couldn't understand the point of the appointment system if they still queue.

Anyway checking everyday as I want to book the flights soon.

i'll keep you updated

My GF must have this, I dont

If you are talking UK visa, then:

The relevant reference given to you by previous poster is the 'Applicant Ref' on the receipt (looks like a till roll receipt from Tesco) she will have been given as she left VFS at Regent House. She also needs that receipt to collect her passport.

I don't know the answer to your first question, but it is possible to speak to VFS - they are quite knowledgeable and helpful once you can get through and they speak much better English than the automatic anouncer telling you to "prease pless wan" - she must have been deliberately employed to strike discouragement into the hearts of any falang who phone in! Just keep trying various of their telephone 'please press x' numbers and then press # to go back to the menu. After a few minutes of trying out various options and returning to the main menu one of the options you will be given will be to speak to an agent. Maybe someone out there knows the code but I think it is random - or when an agent frees up.

Considering how obtuse it is to get through to an agent you actually get to speak to someone remarkably quickly once given the option.

Sounds like good news but don't know whether it means ready to pick up. We applied on June 8th but are still showing 'Passport sent to Embassy' and they threaten that visit visas are taking 4-6 weeks to process. The Brits really do treat intended guests like mushrooms.

Out of interest what date did you put as planning to travel? It could give me some intelligence as to whether we might get ours before our July 15th intended date. Ignore the question if it's not a UK visa your other half is applying for.

We applied on the 2nd June. There is conflicting info out there. On the VFS website it sez 5-7 days for a Thai applying, then in the PDF link they give on the same site they suggest different percentages on a sliding timescale. 98% of visas returned by 30 days , 100% by 60days!!!.

Ironically, the staff asked my wife why she was applying so early as we are planning to travel in early August. Not exactly early if it goes wrong. To date no visa.

How come Cathay Pacific and Eva charge 27,000 baht for an infant and others just 3500 baht for similar flight schedules?

Thank you thank you!!!

I am getting my wife to read this as most seem in agreement, 'MK is pants'. I agree with the cuteness of watching one's date cook for you, wears off when you have to eat the stuff.

The wife has learned a few new words too (sacrilege and crap) so thanks for those too.

I thought it was only me. Thank goodness for Tops selling minced beef and Paul Newman's spaghetti sauce.

I just found and bought a PATAK's Balti in a can. Not as good as a Leeds curry but close.

Late last year I called many of the owners of Lower Sukumvit houses advertised online. Their advertised prices were in the range of 40,000 baht +. When I explained I was paying about 23,000 baht currently in Sathon and the current state of the rental market, they all dropped their price to about 25-30,000 baht within minutes. Considering I have 2 dogs, I thought they were fairly accommodating. Most were happy with a one year contract. Conversely, and strangely, properties in Min Buri, and near the airport would not budge from a 2 year contract or lower the price. Maybe the noise of the incoming planes has reduced with fewer tourists arriving and therefore they feel the units are worth more.

Having eaten at many MK's I cannot say I find the food either tasty or inspiring.

A few OK dishes and the rest is boiled to death in the hot pot. Add a secret sauce and bingo, all the Thais I know seem to love it.

Is it just me being cynical and without good taste or has this company managed to convince the Thais this is good scoff.

My family think I am treating them when we go. I just cant wait to finish and get a Swensen Ice cream down my neck.

Maybe less than 90%

But I applaud your bravery for 'fessing up' on a open forum

I for one, enjoy taking a least 2 individualsly wrapped toothpicks at restaurants at every possibilty.

And those small sweeties they have in a basket on the counter at all dentists!!!! Love it.

Has anyone noticed the advert on this page?

NEED A CONTAINER?

A bit off, considering multiple murders may have occured.

Visa rules aren't crazy if you apply for a one year visa in your home country.

If you're feeling flush and don't want to fly home to do it then about 23,000 baht to a visa firm in BKK will courier the passport back to the UK and get you a 1 year visa while you smile all the way to the border

That's illegal.

According to Thai law you have to be in the country the visa is issued in at the time the visa is issued.

The former owner of Thaivisa; Lars, I think his name was, was busted by Immigration for sending foreigners' passports out of Thailand for visas. To Brisbane Consulate I believe. He used to have an office on mid-Sukhumvit until about 2000.

I believe the rules are that you cannot be in Thailand when you apply for your visa. I have just obtained a 1 year 0 visa for the UK whilst being in Iraq. I sent it from Iraq and provided an address in the UK. Then had a friend bring it out to me. Nothing illegal. The consulate only need a UK address to post it to. I also saw something saying they accept european addresses now.

So as long as you are not in Thailand you can do it.

100% gree

I sat next to a fat knacker once and he was stinking for hours

tried to sit in my seat and squash me.

Cherge more or double I say.

I moved myself as the stench of the fat man was really bad!!!!

I mean bad.

Just curious, are there any threads whereby fat people slag off skinny runts?

If not, then why are the mods allowing this thread to continue?, or is Thaivisa a skinny only club???

so i'm assuming what side you are on, and it isn't in favor of it.

fat people make a choice to eat. That is a choice they make in life, and they should bear the consequences of seriously over eating; just like a smoker - if a person smokes, they make the choice to do that, risk their health, knacker their body and now are confined in many countries to smoking only in private places or limited public places - was also long overdue.

The fact that I had to pay something like 1500 baht for an extra 1kg of weight on my luggage (it was 21kg) when coming back from Thailand was a joke. The fact that I was only 61kg or so, and combined with my luggage 82kg, and I had to pay an extra 1500baht was a joke. The fact that fat people who are 90kg+, and with their luggage 110kg+ can get on without needing to pay any extra when I have to pay 1500baht for 1 measily extra kg, when my combined weight with bag is at least 30kg less is the biggest joke of all. 30KG is also a very conservative estimate.

To say it's discrimination is laughable. Charging someone extra because their colour of skin is discrimination.

It would be fat people getting penalised for their choice. Bear the consequences because it's not fair on the people who would be considered 'normal' weight. If they don't like it, stop eating so much.

and none of this fat gene genetic stuff either.

Perhaps all ticket prices should be partically based on what weight you are planning to move. Then fat travellers would pay slightly more than skinny or regular sized peps. But what is a regular sized pep??? That's why it need to be partically based.

Say a ticket buys you a 120 kgs of space on the plane. If you are 60kgs, then you get 25kg of baggage but no excess charges, but restricting the amount of bags you get too, so peps don't kick the arse out of it.

If you are rotund and you and your luggage go over 120kgs you pay more. As for being so fat that you invade someone seat, that's bang out of order.

Think about it, you pay by weight for UPS/FedEx, and in Hong Kong for luggage in the Taxis.

I am sure there are many other examples where you pay by the weight.

Your size is entered when you buy your ticket. if you lie, then you pay, when they check you in. They weigh you and your bags and charge the extra there. Its not discrimination its economic. It cost more energy (fuel) to move a larger object.

Smelly people should be addressed by the cabin staff or boarding staff. I don't think that it is unreasonable to expect to travel without having to smell someones else sweat/feet etc. passengers should not have to highlight the problem as it is very much under the noses of the cabin staff. They dont have to kick the minger off the flight, just get them to wash or mask the smell. I would pay more if this was guaranteed on all flights.

just my 2 bob

OK since no one else has bothered to explain "Balloon Chasers" I will do so for the uninformed. It is normal practise for bars that are having a free BBQ or some special deal to put balloons up outside the bar. It is not unusual in places like Pattaya (with thousands of bars) to have several bars putting on free food because it's the owners birthday or some other auspicious event. Often when bars do this they find themselves invaded by "Balloon chasers" whose only motivation is to indulge in a free meal/cheap drinks or both.

Cheers

OMG. As a diving instructor in Patong Beach (2003-2005). I would do just this almost every night. At the time and until just now, I never knew it had such a name and with a rather cool and trendy tone to it. I thought it was a socially acceptable way of networking and the bar getting to celebrate and drawing extra people in.

Now I will hang my head in shame when I hear the title. Well maybe not cos I do like free food still.

What do you call the guy who hangs around waiting for the drunk tourist to ring the bell. Seem to remember getting loads of free drinks like that.

Cheap Charlie has been battered to death. How about Thrifty Trevor? Fugile Fred, ....... please insert suitable name.

So what was the final death toll??

I am seeing 2 in sources outside of Thailand.

Thai friends are saying 30, with evidence on Camfrog. I have not checked as you have to download the program.

Anyone got any other numbers?

2-30 deaths for a so called revolution seems fairly acceptable when compared to deaths occurring from drunk driving, nightclub/boat/bus safety.

My friends seem to blame the soldiers and not the guys throwing petrol bombs, ramming bus into people, and killing market stall holders.

Very selective minds.

About the bullets fired in the air coming down and killing...If I remember my A Level Physics, F=MA (Force = Mass * Acceleartion).

As acceleartion is gravity, that's about 10m/s/s. What's the mass of a spent bullet (remember its only the lead bit at the end - at worse stell jacketed) - 8g perhaps (that's 9mm at about 100-150 grains). So the maxmum force would be something like 0.8 Newtons.

If it hits point down (which is unlikely as it would be spinning and tumbling) the diameter is 9mm, so the area is about 64mm2.

This all works out to a little under 0.1777875 PSI - it takes at least 1 PSI to break skin, so its doubtful it could realy cause any damage at all.

Feel free to correct my physics - its been a while (like 20 years ).

On another note, could Thaksin be prosecuted (in his absense I guess) for treason now (Webster's definition)?

I won't correct your physics as you seem to enjoy it, if you have been at it for that long, but..........

Trust me, a stray bullet is just as deadly.

July 23, 2007

BAGHDAD: A stray bullet from Iraqi football fans celebrating a victory in the Asian Cup landed less than a metre from Australia's Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy. Elsewhere in Baghdad two people were killed and 15 wounded by celebratory gunfire.

It was early Saturday evening and General Leahy had just begun addressing about 100 Australian soldiers when small-arms fire could be clearly heard in the distance, hardly unusual in a city gripped by violence for four years.

Minutes into his address, outdoors at the Australian military compound in the tightly secured green zone, a bullet ricocheted off concrete between Regimental Sergeant Major Kevin Woods and Brigadier Justin Kelly.

"It just hit the concrete and bounced," Warrant Officer Woods said.

Brigadier Gerard Fogarty, Australia's commander in Iraq, also standing nearby, said it was the closest he had come to being shot in his career.

The official party retreated under cover as gunfire continued to echo around the city. Police said the two people were killed in central Baghdad straight after Iraq's national team beat Vietnam 2-0.

More than 200 people a year die in Iraq from the custom of celebrating events such as weddings and sporting victories with a burst of gunfire in the air. The bullets can travel more than a kilometre.

General Leahy joked that it was probably best to get out of the "lead rain".

About the bullets fired in the air coming down and killing...If I remember my A Level Physics, F=MA (Force = Mass * Acceleartion).

As acceleartion is gravity, that's about 10m/s/s. What's the mass of a spent bullet (remember its only the lead bit at the end - at worse stell jacketed) - 8g perhaps (that's 9mm at about 100-150 grains). So the maxmum force would be something like 0.8 Newtons.

If it hits point down (which is unlikely as it would be spinning and tumbling) the diameter is 9mm, so the area is about 64mm2.

This all works out to a little under 0.1777875 PSI - it takes at least 1 PSI to break skin, so its doubtful it could realy cause any damage at all.

Feel free to correct my physics - its been a while (like 20 years ).

On another note, could Thaksin be prosecuted (in his absense I guess) for treason now (Webster's definition)?

I won't correct your physics as you seem to enjoy it, if you have been at it for that long, but..........

Trust me, as stray bullet is just as deadly.

July 23, 2007

BAGHDAD: A stray bullet from Iraqi football fans celebrating a victory in the Asian Cup landed less than a metre from Australia's Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy. Elsewhere in Baghdad two people were killed and 15 wounded by celebratory gunfire.

It was early Saturday evening and General Leahy had just begun addressing about 100 Australian soldiers when small-arms fire could be clearly heard in the distance, hardly unusual in a city gripped by violence for four years.

Minutes into his address, outdoors at the Australian military compound in the tightly secured green zone, a bullet ricocheted off concrete between Regimental Sergeant Major Kevin Woods and Brigadier Justin Kelly.

"It just hit the concrete and bounced," Warrant Officer Woods said.

Brigadier Gerard Fogarty, Australia's commander in Iraq, also standing nearby, said it was the closest he had come to being shot in his career.

The official party retreated under cover as gunfire continued to echo around the city. Police said the two people were killed in central Baghdad straight after Iraq's national team beat Vietnam 2-0.

More than 200 people a year die in Iraq from the custom of celebrating events such as weddings and sporting victories with a burst of gunfire in the air. The bullets can travel more than a kilometre.

General Leahy joked that it was probably best to get out of the "lead rain".

The Thai Armed Forces will probably be using a version of 'The Rules for the Use of Force'. This is a common set of procedures that clearly instruct the armed personnel when to open fire, and often, how to graduate that use of force. Some of the reported incidents would certainly justify 'directing live rounds at the individual'. The incidents, many videoed, show that some individuals are attempting to harm personnel or property. The Armed Forces have a duty to protect the monachy and governmental personnel and property.

Fairly black and white if they are using this guidance document.

Having been on the receiving end of people trying to kill me, and having used this guidance, it protects the attacker as much as the attacked. The only problem is that they often use innocent people around them as protection, in that they hide in a crowd. Then again, if you wear a scarf around your head, take up a weapon and join the crowd, you are placing yourself at risk. Just as soldiers do when the don a uniform and take up arms to defend their country.

The difference is one has the Rule of Law behind it (no matter how badly that is administrated), the other is just thuggery, and undoubtably orchastrated by power players who remain out of the 'line of fire'.

Thailand maybe not be a model democracy, but it isnt exactly a dictatorship either. There are law courts and other ways to make a change.

When individuals arm themselves and are prepared to carry through their intention, then be prepared to be injured or die. You may become a Mayter, but a very dead one.

Perhaps that's the problem. reincarnation offers an alternative to being dead forever, hence no reason to be scared. Still it cant be that inviting if the protesters keep running away.

The solution, don't throw stone, petrol bombs etc at government forces because at some point they will shoot you.

I am on my way through Dubai soon. I could lift him, but would face arrest on entry as I dont have a Work Permit.

I wonder what job spec I'd need to put on the WP??

Any suggestions ?

I recommend anyone driving in Thailand to carry a mobile phone with a built-in camera. Couple of times when someone hit my car I managed to get pics of the number plate and the police computer named them within seconds. One time I snapped the driver's face. The polic laughed and said he must be stupid to drive off knowing I had his photo. Of course, driving off meant he was wrong under the Thai way of looking at it, no matter who hit who...

I am getting an in car video recorder. We use them in Iraq and it has proved a valuable tool in proving who is right and wrong.

Doesnt cost much and could sway the arguement your way, if produced at the right time.

whats your locatioon?

Sunwintawong road, near Nong Chok, just east of Min Buri.

Bromesgrove School is just down the road

Just been told my house is too far away for True to connect. ToT is available but I have already read the other posts on their service, or rather lack of it. What are the satelitte system options, it any? Anyone using one? What are the costs and related issues

Might have to do with the permission your wife needs to buy property. It is normal if your wife takes out loan for example that you also have to agree with this. Normaly you then supply a copy of your ID.

I doubt there is an issue, you will likely also be asked to sign a disclaimer stating that you have no financial interest in the land.

Cheers guys,

Thanks for the quick reply. off to sign today and buy some furniture and curtains (oh joy!)

My thai wife is buying a house and land in Min Buri. They are asking for a copy of my passport for the registration with the Amphur. I cant see the necessity but TIT. Anyone got any knowledge of this?

Please no Data protection Nazis need answer, just looking for others experiences.

I am trying to get my head around the global crisis and what impact it is having on Thailand. Western and some Asian currencies seem to be dropping from past levels, but the Baht looks strong. I haven't seen any obvious signs in Thailand, although my friends often comment of the rising prices and static salaries. I dont know if they are just repeating what they read or if they are experiencing it. I haven't noticed any falls in the property prices, although I have seen a lot of new rentals on the market (people trying to pay their mortages??). I understand the often seen Supply and Demand Asian logic. But surely if people start to lose their houses, they or the banks will sell for whatever.

I am in the market to buy a business or property in Thailand, but still unsure if the time is now, or to leave it a while.

What are your observations?