Guemlum

Unfortunately I've been hit for the princely sum of £341...The card is held by my sister-in-law who makes monthly withdrawals for my son. This is the first time this has happened to us in 7 years of using this card and ATM machine.

Cash withdrawals were made in Vietnam, Malaysia and Chicago U.S all within the space of 5 days. Must be an organised gang selling on the cloned card details for transactions to occur in different continents within a very short space of time. Myself, when I'm in the UK or Thailand, I always cover my hand when entering my PIN number, but unfortunately my sister-in-law didnt.

I also use a dedicated debit card, for ATM transactions in Thailand and transfer money to that account for no cost from another account. On this occassion they kept on withdrawing untill it reached the agreed overdraft limit...good job it wasn't thousands!!

Guemlum

Actually, it shouldnt have read "one of many" as I believe she uses the same one on each occasion.

Unfortunately none of the major banks in Nongkhai have internal ATM machines. They may have in larger town and cities but certainly not seen any up here. This is the first time in 7 years that this has happened. It happens all the time back in Blighty.

The advice I seem to be getting regarding SWIFT payments and using WU is conflicting as per my previous post?

My intentions are to make quarterly transfers from now onwards... the above figures were just an example off what both parties charge.

Guemlum

Thanks for the advice guys. My sister-in-law has since given me her bank details and I'm considering trying out the "direct to bank" service with WU. I will also look into the SWIFT option.

Western Union is crazy expensive, maybe temporary expedient but don't make it a habit.

Barclays to Thai bank account via swift £200 + £25 charge + oversea charges where applicable and agreed to.

WU "direct to bank" £200 + £6.90 charge

We have recently been victims of fraud where the card details have been copied using a skimming device attached to an ATM at Bangkok Bank, Tesco Lotus, Nongkhai.

Cash withdrawls have been made in Vietnam, Malaysia and Chicago, U.S. Unfortunately the money cannot be claimed back by my bank as the card is supposed to remain with me, but thats another story.

Be on your guard guys and check the ATMS for attached devices and cameras directly above the keypad, where there shouldnt be one.

Guemlum

Thanks for the advice guys. My sister-in-law has since given me her bank details and I'm considering trying out the "direct to bank" service with WU. I will also look into the SWIFT option.

What I really want to avoid is another re-occurance of my original post by cutting out the use of ATM cards and any opportunity whereby the card or PIN details can be cloned/infringed.

Thanks

Guemlum

Interested in members comments on how they transfer money to Thailand from the UK.

I've been using a Nationwide Bank account for several years now, where my sister-in-law holds the card and makes regular monthly withdrawls for my son from one of many ATM's in Nongkhai.

We have recently been victims of fraud where the card details have been copied using a skimming device attached to an ATM at Bangkok Bank, Tesco Lotus, Nongkhai. Cash withdrawls have been made in Vietnam, Malaysia and Chicago, U.S. Unfortunately the money cannot be claimed back by my bank as the card is supposed to remain with me, but thats another story.

Other than Western Union, do members use any other methods of transferring money to family members.

Thanks

Guemlum

Just seen on the news that a bomb has gone off in Thailand but no reports as to where. Does anyone know?

Travelling along the Prajak road, on the corner by the Naga fountain used to be a translation company. I used them a few years ago to translate my thai marriage certificate into English. Not really a great deal for them to translate but they did a good job. I did show them to a Thai friend in Phon Phisai who is fluent in English and he said it was a perfect translation. Also showed them to some Thai friends living in the UK for the past 25 years who also backed this up. I dont know what it is you require translating and I'm not sure if the shop is still there. I will check it out over the next few days and post back if you are still looking for this service.

Guemlum

Well according to all 5 of my sister-in-laws, you can pretty much go into any beauty salon and have them removed. As Prajak mentioned, there is a Makro in Nongkhai which is worth a try if your wife wants to do it herself or alternatively pop in to "Pan Cosmetics" in Tesco Lotus where co-incidentally one of my sister-in-laws work. Promise I wont get any comission for the referral ;-).

Guemlum

Does anyone know of any alloy wheel suppliers/maufacturers here in Thailand. Every shop and garage in Nongkhai seems to sell the same old boring stuff and I was hoping to find something a bit different.

Guemlum

Thanks guys...I cant say I've ever noticed anything in Tesco's and we have a pretty poor selection of bookshops in Nongkhai. I might try venturing to Udon Thani. Thanks again.

Guemlum

My stepson who is Thai is currently in his final year at college. Once he has finished at college, he has chosen to continue his education at University and study IT.

My question is..."where can we find IT related books written in Thai"...Javascript, HTML etc etc.....we have trawled the internet to no avail.!

We are based in Nongkhai and are prepared to travel down to Krungthep to buy any books. Any advice guys?

Thanks

Guemlum

The Swedish lady you are talking about is Kirsten...www.travel-to-teach.org

She is a frequent diner at Carsten's and Toom's...Thasadej Bar

As part of the program, you will get free lodgings but I dont think they would accomodate your husband unless he was part of the program. Worth a try though.

Guemlum

A Swedish run volunteer thing. That could be something like "teach to learn" or "learn to teach". These people have an international website; the leading lady here indeed is Swedish. They have an office in NK close to town. You pay, they arrange a visa, and you can teach at schools. If I can help just ask me. I live close to town.

yep sounds like the place i went through those many years ago.. then it was some guy and his wife... i seemed to be actually a program to make money as i later learned the money didnt actually get to the homes that i stayed in the homestay part... but oh well... good experience... never got a visa either :00 boy was i naive then...

trying to find the number maybe for N. my woman friend...

Just curious;how do you know that they are Swedish or Danish? Do they introduce themself? Or do you know them from before in which case I wonder why they all so suddenly turned against you.. Or do you do some kind of sterotyping,in the same way you think they do about you..? As I said,just curious...

555. I know some Swedish and Danish expats therefore I recognise the language. On the last occassion that I was prevoked, it was confirmed by the restaurant/bar owner that the man who approached me was Swedish. I have since found out that the following day in another bar he started on another random guy who was from Italy... consequently he is now residing in Watana Hospital, Nongkhai.

Thanks royspurs....Soulsearching?...when you are sitting there minding your own business, reading the paper, watching BBC World news and a total stranger comes upto you and calls you a dumb C_UNT and wants to take you outside for "an explosion" (were his words, not mine), I dont think its necessary.

It is certainly not something I am doing wrong, and have already mentioned that this is happening more frequently and to other long term expats who live here as well. I have never had or been involved in any trouble in 6 years here. Past 2 months have had 3 situations arrise as have others. Lets hope it stops.

Guemlum

Spoonman, as I said my hairstyle is not by choice and unfortunately people do associate shaven heads with trouble. I am buy no means a mouthy person as members of this forum who know me will confirm and will most expats in Nongkhai.

Kandahar, thanks for the honest reply...yes I do go about my business with a smile on my face...like to socialise with friends, spend most of my days and nights with my family but when I do go out I dont expect to be started on by random strangers because they've had a few drinks and fancy their chances...totally unprevoked. I'm not going to stoop to their level.

It just seems to be happening alot recently and has happened with many other expats that live here. And the perpertrators are always Swedish or Danish. Go to Pattaya if you like that sort of thing, Dont bring it to Nongkhai. The expats that live here, live here because we like the peaceful enviroment that Nongkhai and surrounding areas offer.

Guemlum

I have been residing on and off in Nongkhai for the past 6 years now.

I am 37, about 5ft 9, stocky build, fit as in athletic, shaved head...no choice in the hair department as it left of its own accord and can handle myself very well.

But in the past 2 months I have never encountered so many pissed up 50yr old + farrangs wanting to take me on . In all my time here I have become a well known and likeable expat but have never experienced so many dickheads as I have in the past 2 months. Whats your problem and what are you trying to prove?. In all instances I have been sober, minding my own business or talking with friends. Do you really think think you are going to beat me after you have drunk 10 large beers or 1 large bottle of Sangsom? I dont think so. I have so far managed to ignore and keep a cool head but for how long I dont know? I am really concerned, should I lose my rag that I will seriously hurt the next farrang that challenges me and I dont want to lose face or gain a reputation here in Nongkhai.

Does anyone else experience these problems up in these parts?.

Guemlum

PRICELESS!!

//deleted by Admin//

quote...."Two provinces across from Laos - Nong Khai and Udon Thani - should gain more than Bt1 billion in revenue during the games".

hmmmm...how? I've been in Nongkhai for the past 2 months and havent noticed any influx of tourists or mass spending since the SEA games have started...guesthouses still have rooms, the friendship bridge doesnt seem to be any more busier than it usually is...in fact if you've watched any of the SEA games on TV, the stadium looks empty most of the time.

The only thing I can agree on is the topic title.

Guemlum

Prickly Heat does wonders for my sweaty balls, i love the stuff.

Ok. I see now. I must try it some time for myself. I thought that maybe it reduced a heat rash but didn't realize it actually has cooling properties.

Buy a small tin and splash some on ya testicles, bit "surprising" at first but after a while you will love the stuff, even better is to lay spread eagled on your bed (towel underneath you) and get your missus to gently "massage" some into your nether regions.

Haha, classic...but I dont bother with Talc...I have a pair of these. Keeps the plums nice and cool all of the time....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrl5sYmApcI

Was chatting with a friend a couple of weeks ago up here in Nongkhai, and he told me there are about 4000 "registered" expats, not including the holidaymakers/backpackers/passers through, living in Udon Thani. 40,000 does seem a bit over the top.

Thats worth about 1.46 billion baht per year to the Udon economy based on the "average" farrang spending 1000 baht per day.

Guemlum

I trust your barrister is an expert on Immigration Law, I thought barristers needed to be instructed by a solicitor.

Davies Khan is tried and tested by myself on a few occasion's. I thought there was no hope but he achieved positive results for me in a very professional, discreet and dignified manor. I do hope your barrister "IS AN EXPERT ON IMMIGRATION LAW"...if he's not then call Davies Khan. I hope you and your wife achieve the results you are looking for.

Guemlum

PS. You think your situation is dyer, then PM me and I'll give you a scenario I was in 12 months ago, and will tell you how Davies Khan shone through for me!!

Same here...all went ok and was very busy at the embassy, but is it us Brits who only have the courtesy to queue?...the Eastern Europeans and Americans just dont know what one is!!

Guemlum

..Nobby's upto his old tricks again. He used to do exactly the same in Nongkhai. He would walk around the block pretending he was going for a stroll, and would look inside every bar to see if any of his customers were drinking or eating in another bar. This would make him furious and as a result would confront his customers and bar owners. He tried it on with me on one occasion, so I gave him a piece of my mind and threatened to put him flat on his back. Never happened again, but I think that his actions resulted in him moving on to Surin, and I can see the same thing happening very soon. Good luck Nobby!!..555

Guemlum

Usually in your behind , but seriously, up here in the country the local doctors are supposed to be administering jabs.

Guemlum

I want a TV for my bedroom, but every time I stop to look at one, some Thai guy comes up and announces "TV." To me it's like he is saying that I am to stupid to know that it's a TV. I always give him the same answer. "Thank you, I think shoes, I look for shoes" then walk off. He doesn't get it, but I get a chuckle out of it.

Classic!!, its a shame that Thai's dont get the British sense of humour, assuming that you are British or fully undesrtand what sarcasm means. However, I have started do this kind of thing with one of my sister-in-laws and she is slowly coming around to it. I will do this with her at every given opportunity. She now knows what "bpra choht bpra chan" is.

This has happened to me many a time. I used to play this game with my wife where we would both run around, making U-turns and so on. On one occassion, my wife and I were followed by one shop assistant and we stopped at an aisle that turned both left and right. We turned around, looked at the assistant, I handed my wallet to my wife, my wife turned left and I turned right. The shop assistant didnt know which way to turn!!. So what does she do, even after seeing me hand my wallet with all of my money and CC's in it...she decides to follow me...doh!!

Guemlum