Guemlum

5 things Thai's shouldn't wear

1. Pyjamas when out shopping

2. Earmuffs when the temperature drops below 18c

3. Flip flops half the size of their feet (mainly aimed at the teenage men from "baan nok") who have only ever bought one pair in their lives and can't afford a new pair.

4. T-shirts with English profanities written on them

5. Stilletos with socks.

Been going to Phon Phisai for the past 9 years and never saw 1 fireball...early hours of New Year's Day, this year, saw 3 of them in Nongkhai. They seem to rear their heads along random points of the Mekong. Must admit its good fun in Phon Phisai whether you see them or not.

There's also FBI udon who sell property and land or visit one of the many banks websites where they have a section on repossessions for sale. Good luck.

Thank god I fall into none of those categories :-)

The five liner is known as "ha taew" and very popular with the female population. I've had my whole back tattooed over the years and I've had my "sak yants" done via bamboo and electric. I much prefer the electric method as the detail is better. I found the bamboo method to be no more or less painful than the electric method. All my sak yants were carried out with monks present performing the yants after tattooing complete. There are tattoo masters all over Thailand who don't and won't advertise their services like the Ajarn Noo's and Ajarn Kobs do. They overcharge both westerners and Thais. I choose mine because of the intricate designs, not because its going to stop a bullet or a knife...that's utter <deleted>, and most demonstrations I believe to be fake like everything in Thailand :-)

Something very fishy here...your wife would know that the price off gold is advertised daily outside of all shops. Was she quoted 24k or are you being asked for 24k? I can't see how a thai would be uninformed?

"Land of smiles"...dam_n Life Loss

"Suvarnabhumi"...A Vain Bum Rush, Ah Visa Bum Run, Ah An Bum Virus

"Thai Airways"...Away Air Shit

Guemlum

Have I missed it in any of the posts? Was a device actually found on/in the ATM and if so, by whom?

If it was inside Tesco then surely hundreds of more people must have lost money and the store should be responsible for the security on their premises.?

Very good point. There's also the factor, which I didn't want to mention about the credibility of the lady who had the card. Sorry no offence meant. But I've heard of several stories of GF's and wifes who say they were robbed, ATM fraud etc when in fact they spent the money or had a gambling problem.

Not wishing to put a damper on things but the Financial Ombudsman Service

only regulates UK banks,building societies etc... and won't have any jurisdiction.

I'm suprised they've agreed to look into the matter. Perhaps the best they could

do is let you know how you stood if the same scenario occured in the UK. If this

was helpful to your cause you could then pass that on to the powers that be

within Bangkok Bank. They certainly wouldn't be bound by it.But discretion may

be exercised in your favour if only to avoid bad PR.

Good luck.

No offence taken happyaussie...my sister-in-law is probably the most devout, honest buddhist I have ever met...3 years, 36 transactions and not 1 baht more taken than agreed.

ice1318...as I may have mentioned, I didnt expect to get any assistance from Bankgok bank and that has been confirmed by their email to me and there unhelpfulness when my sister-in-law visited her local branch. I only got the financial ombudsman involved as my "beef" was with Nationwide and their lack of co-operation in investigating the matter.

To this end, I put in a further complaint to Nationwide and within 2 days was credited the amount taken from my account with an apology on behalf of the fraud team.

Happy ending.

Guemlum

My banks excuse at present is that the card should have been with me and not my sister-in-law. However, I did explain to them when opening this account with them that the card would be used by her in Thailand on a regular basis. Had they not been happy with this at the time of opening the account, they should have said otherwise and I would have gone elsewhere, but it was a case of "yes sir, we can do that" etc etc.

I have referred my case to the "Financial Ombudsman Service" in the UK who will decide whether I have a case or not. I have also been in touch with Bangkok Bank but am seriously not expecting a reply. Yes, I believe it should be the responsibilty of the bank to maintain and monitor their ATM machines and re-imburse any loses to customers that have been victims of ATM fraud...but guys, T.I.T, and I really cant see them assisting me in this matter.

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