steve73

4 hours ago, Vacuum said:

Was the water delivery boat submerged?

 

These speedboats often "trim" the prop to lift the bow high up in the air, for a "thrill" for the passengers - but of course, like that the driver (I refuse to use the word captain since that implies some degree of competence) has no hope of seeing what's directly in front of him...

The slow boat across is definitely a safer way to go...

I've been using TW to send GBP to my Kasikorn account for almost 3 years (usually 2 or 3 transfers per month).

In the early days if TW used KK as their local partner, it was coded as Intl on arrival in my account, otherwise it arrived as coming from a "dummy account", but it was pot luck which local partner they used. 

About a year ago, TW started suggesting that you "tag" each transfer and request which local partner they should use.  For me it would always arrive via KK and coded as Intl.

Then earlier this year after they introduced the "funds for long stay" option, my transfer have always gone via the KK local partner, but are now coded coming from "dummy account" with a MCL00001 code.  (I have seen some reference either here on TV or on the FB TW page, that this code is acknowledged by KK bank as an international transfer when issuing the letter, although I personally have NOT tried to confirm this with my KK branch).

In summary, as far a I can establish, using the "long stay" option SHOULD usually result in an Intl coding only when sending to a BBK account.   Sending to other banks MAY result in an Intl coding, and acceptance of such (if supported with other documentation) may depend entirely on your local Imm. officer.

Personally, I don't actually need to show my transfers as Intl since I keep the necessary funds in Thailand, but I have been keeping a close watch on the unfolding situation as my circumstances may change in the future.  IMO for GBP-THB transfers TW is significantly cheaper overall than any other methods available, and this is the main reason I use them. 

FWIW, I have just opened a "Borderless account" with TW, and can now feed it with GBP, convert it to THB at any time the rate looks favourable, and then hold the THB until the appropriate time of the month to send it to my KK account.  As yet, I'm unsure how this THB transfer will be coded on arrival......

This is worrying - if true...

https://hat4uk.wordpress.com/2019/10/28/revealed-the-hidden-bomb-in-the-eus-extension-offer/

I tried to do my 90 day check late on Friday evening.  Message to report to Imm office (struck me as odd after about 12 successful on line approval, but assumed because the office was closed). 

Then tried again Saturday morning after I realised I'd used the incorrect TM6 number (memory not up to what it was!!), and it was accepted OK.  They have recently been approving it on the last day of the window - which was yesterday, but no e-m received, (these seem to be pretty hit or miss).

But I just visited the Imm site again and found it had been approved on Saturday, so saves a trip into the office.

The word "salary" is derived from the original word for salt, from the times when people were actually paid in salt.

Since so few Thai's pay any taxes on their Salary, the govt has decided to try to tax the original....!

2 hours ago, lapamita said:

uhhh not only russian

 

15 yr ago on air ruope flight from spain to bkk , fighting of 5 spanish

20yr ago  on alitalia flight , a druged guy makes all flight problem, when nearly landed in rom ,he was boxing the steward lady down and than ( low alitude) he opend emergency door and jumped to dead

 

dont wory!! doors can only be opend  at ground or at low alitude/speed druing landing.cant be opend at 33.000ft

 

... so not only russian happen on uk and us planes and all others daily routine

Interesting point...

IIRC most aircraft are only pressurised to about 10-12,000 feet equivalent (to save fuel), so "low altitude" could be anything less than this...

..but even "falling" out of a aircraft door when it's parked would probably cause some fairly severe injuries...!

Ask around in T/L - there are many older expat retirees who are getting fed-up with the visa/insurance situation and are (claiming they are) moving to the Phils..  You could do a straight cash swap and cut out all fees and poor rates.

..or try to make contact with some of the filipino teachers here who may be going back for a break/contract end. 

10 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

There's the lottery number for the 16th Oct!

I'd suggest 14150 would be more lucky....

So you'll need a Thai issued insurance to support your O-A application, which must be made in your own country....  

Then when you leave Thailand at the end of your 1st year, and re-enter to activate the 2nd years Permission to Stay, how will they confirm you have the necessary insurance for the FULL second year...?  I can see the airport Immigration queues getting even longer...   

The absurdity of this proposal surprises me not one iota.

2 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

If you decide not to make use of your return-flight, do remember to cancel it even if you are not entitled to any refund.

Strange as it may seen, but some airlines actually fine you when you don't show up without having cancelled the flight.

https://www.ladyironchef.com/2016/03/airline-no-show-fee/

 

The current wisdom is not to cancel... then if the airline makes any schedule changes before you were due to fly, you can decline and be entitled to a refund, or a re-booking to suit yourself. 

Most airlines plans for a few no-shows anyway, and are often glad if a there are a few that don't turn up.

Obviously these comments only apply to a return leg.  If you no-show on an outward leg (e.g. use another carrier) then you also forfeit your return.

I've never heard of anyone actually being charged for a no-show.  You've paid for the ticket - it's up to you what you do with it.  In fact if you don't use your flight, you should be entitled to a refund of the tax paid as part of the ticket, but many airlines won't allow this - or they claim their cost of applying for it exceeds its worth.  I have heard of people who have successfully claimed the tax without going via the airline, but it was a few years ago.

edit... perhaps if your ticket class does entitle you to a refund, you must actually cancel it to get get the refund...  and that it what the charge would be against.  In any case, leave it as late as possible to cancel, just in case the airline makes a change, or indeed if you change your mind... since you can't re-book a cancelled flight without paying again.

I've been doing mine on-line for the past 4 years - mostly with no problems.  The Rayong office used to approve them on the next working day after you submitted it, but recently (the past year) they've been leaving it until the LAST working day of the appropriate window before approving.  I had one that didn't get approved first thing on the last day so I cancelled and re-submitted, and it was then approved almost immediately.... maybe they needed reminding..?

I note you say you had left T/L since your previous report, so that could have had a bearing on your problem... I've not left T/L since I started doing on-line reports, so can't help you, other than wishing you better luck next time.. 

On 9/29/2019 at 7:14 PM, scorecard said:

Build a nice size granny flat 100m away from the main house and say you want to give the family more space in the main house.

 

But beware the family don't quickly migrate to the granny flat... in which cse build another granny flat a further 100m away.

 

 

Good plan, but better to change to 100m to 100km....

500k/yr is plenty unless you're a alcoholic, whore-monger, or coke addict, and you'd certainly be better off trying to live on that here in T/L than in most western countries,

I know plenty of guys living here on a basic state pension from US, Oz, UK, or other European countries (some as low as c. 25k/mon).  Obviously the "agent" route is necessary for the annual extension, and health problems would certainly be a problem for them...  But it's their choice.  Who are we to tell them that T/L doesn't want them and they should go back home.

Some of them even manage to keep permanent girlfriends (and help their families) as well, so for a single guy it would be much easier.

Accommodation really can be as much or as little as you want.  In most areas of T/L you can rent 2/3 bedroomed houses for around 5-6k upwards, or basic Thai style for 1.5-3k (for 1 or 2 bedrooms).  If you want the additional facilities of a condo, then you're looking at 5-6k up for a basic studio room.

My advice to the OP at 70 (if he's still around) would be "go for it"... you might not get the chance again..!

2 minutes ago, MikeN said:

Well I just asked the missus, and when she was a kid everybody took a basket to the market, and food was served in a banana leaf...even soup. That I would have to see to believe though.

Probably getting people to bring their own tiffin carrier would be a better choice now though. Or maybe it's time to bring in the "tiffin wallahs" system  from India, updated with "an app for that".

But I did not see any mention of the styrofoam containers being stopped ? They are almost as bad a problem.

A lot of vendors/markets around me now use waxed paper rather than styrofoam boxes... much less rubbish, and probably cheaper for the vendors as well...

But I'm still perplexed how they can make a banana leaf "soup-tight".  I must practice my Origami "water-bomb"...

6 minutes ago, tandor said:

..excuse my ignorance, but what do 'multi-use' plastic bags look like and how do i know the difference between 'single and multi use'.

It's easy... Single-use are free.  Multi-use will be 5bt each... but otherwise they are EXACTLY the same.????

42 minutes ago, rwill said:

They will have to come up with some solution for food vendors.  Specially wet items like curries and soups.  What did they do before plastic bags?

I'm assuming they just mean carrier bags.  But I agree - what did they do before plastic bags...?

Banana leaves are not too useful for noodle soup, no matter how ingeniously they fold them....

On 9/8/2019 at 8:14 AM, MJKT2014 said:

There is always a need to work harder on social skills if one walks in a room asking for assistance. Buying crypto isn't always cheap. So far we've had coinbase recommended twice that doesn't work in Thailand.

I opened a CB account from within T/L, although using my UK PP, and UK address that my UK bank account is registered to... No need of any VPN est, although it was about 2 years ago I did this, and I accept things may have now changed. 

Obviously I can't cash out directly to a Thai bank, but I can trade between CB coins OK, and can send CC's from my CB to any other address... eg. to a Thai based crypto exchange, and then cash out from there to my Thai bank.  

3 minutes ago, crazyk said:

Because the immigration will ask for it

But baggage retrieval is AFTER Immigration (same here as at most airports..)

So did another 4 handlers have 4,000 bt in their lockers... but they were let off because the numbers didn't match the photo...?    Or were they just lucky they found the note that had been photographed...!

4 hours ago, hugocnx said:

Had this with Panasonic heaters. If I pressed the on of switch a couple of times, it would stop.

This kept going well till the real problem showed up. The plastic 'finger' that pushes the solenoid in was worn out/half broken.

Funny but true. Turning on was okay but for turning off there is more force needed. All 3 of my Panasonic heaters had the same problem.

Panasonics are a bit old, so plastic must have been degraded.

So, not saying it's the same at OP's end, but maybe worth checking if the switch is not obstructed

I have the same problem with my Panasonic heater (about 8-10 years old now, so doing quite well really).

I usually need to turn it on then off again for it to stop, or very occasionally cycle it many more times...

I suspect it's some dirt that's got through the inlet filter that's causing it to stick, but i'm not going to open it to check in case it fails totally.

In the worst case, just put a hand valve on the inlet supply.. as soon as the water flow stops the heater will cut out (or should do).  

Running every 78 seconds is a pretty big leak.. You can get an idea of how big by opening a tap just after the pump has switched off and see how much comes out before the pump cuts in again..   I'd guess around 1/2 to 1 pint.

Could be a bum gun as others have suggested, or a leaking W/C cistern (either the overflow, or the flapper).  Some designs of W/C the overflow goes direct into the W/C outlet so you won't see it.. but you should hear it it's continually filling... you can check for a passing flapper by running some dye (or water based paint around the pan, and you'll see if it's continually flowing.

Most likely though is a pipework leak (usually in the most in accessible part of the house)... One of the reasons exposed pipes are preferable.  If there is a valve on the pump outlet close this and the pump should stop cycling... Then start digging up your concrete..!!!

If the pump continues to cycle, then the only problem can be the inlet check valve passing back.  Often caused by a bit of sand or a strand of PTFE tape.  Opening up all your taps (especially those without faucets) full bore will sometimes clear it..  If not replace the check valve (they're usually located in the inlet flange.

The big risk IMO, would be if there are any delays in retrieving your checked luggage from the first flight.. Domestic flights are usually pretty quick, but you might lose 30-40 minutes there.

Many international flights don't allow you chick in (or luggage drop) more than 3 hours before departure, or at least they never used to..  

But if you are on a tight schedule, you could always ask to use the priority Immigration line...