dough

As a regular traveler to Vietnam, it seems in dealing with their overseas consulates or any of the government agencey's in country is a crap shoot. I've had an easy time getting a visa and I've such a hard time that I've just about cancelled a trip.

If your overseas, having a Vietnamese friend get you a visa approval through a travel agent works - e-mail them your passport info and request it be processed through the consulate closest to you. However, on my last trip I recieved a 6 month, working visa in 5 days through the San Francisco office. For reference, only working in name because I wasn't working and hense no employer name to write in.

I've heard people speak of 12 month visa's but have never seen anything offical on it. So I'm guessing your choices are a 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months visa's available in single and multy entry form.

Once in Nam extensions are easy and think you could probably stay in country as long as you wanted. I've even heard of arrangements where extensions are set up to kick in automatically, "all you need are friends".

Count me in. I'll be to Bangkok this week from HCMCity and what he heck might as well come to Phuket as well. THanks for the invite.

INVITATION TO PHUKET BBQ Party

Ratri Jazztaurant, Kata Beach Hill

You are cordially invited to the ThaiVisa BBQ party at Ratri Jazztaurant, Kata Beach Hill, PHUKET on Friday, 17 August 2007 at 6.30PM until late.

This party is arranged in cooperation with My Phuket Magazine.

For your eating and drinking pleasure, we have FREE for registered members the following:

- Buckwheats famous Mesquite smoked BBQ Ribs and a variety of snacks

- Free bar, incl beer, wine & soft drinks between 18:30 - 20:30 (but we're open until late!)

- Lucky Draw 1: Win a spa treatment worth 5,000 THB by bringing your name card

- Lucky Draw 2: Thaivisa T-shirts etc.

My Phuket Editor-in-Chief Alasdair Forbes will present the new magazine together with Thaivisa.com & there will be a Live band playing soft music.

Come and enjoy some BBQ and "meet the faces" behind the avatars!

RSVP! Response required for attendance!

Please sign up below (press "fast reply") as soon as possible so we get a good idea of the numbers of attendees for catering purposes.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Welcome!

Thaivisa.com Administration / My Phuket Magazine

Please note:

RSVP! This party is sponsored by ThaiVisa and My Phuket Magazine. Limited number of guests! ThaiVisa members + one or two friends ONLY

For example, new members signing up +5 and current members with +3 or +4 guests unfortunately cannot be accomodated.

Leave the kids at home, this is an adult event! No name tag = no food and drinks! ThaiVisa Name tags will be provided!

Accommodation:

For those needing accommodations, we highly recommend http://www.phukethotel.com

WELCOME!

Map to Ratri Jazztaurant, Kata Beach Hill, Phuket:

Parking: Please park your car inside the Kata Temple on the main road below Ratri Jazztaurant. Shuttle "songtaews" will bring you to and from the parking lot.

Thanks, looks good, except I can't make the calander work on their reservation page. So I sent them an e-mail and we will see, what we will see. Dough

Sawasdee Hotels, there's one located at Sukhumvit Soi 57. Quite near the hospital. Samitivej is just a few sois before Thonglo and Sawasdee Sukhumvit Soi 57 is just after Thonglo (Sukhumvit Soi55).

Thanks tartempion for the info on the Rex, yes it seems close but read some reviews on line and sounds like I might like something a nicer. You said "at that price bracket there are lots of better places" any specific suggestions? I am also coming to BKK to play, so something where I can do both, maybe. Thanks! Dough

I used to stay at the Rex.

They refurbished the old R&R place and upped the price to aroud 1100 baht breakfast for 2 included.

They are located just opposite soi 49 and tuk tuks are wating all the time at the beginning of the soi, I used to pay 20 baht to get to SV.

Don't expect too much if you stay there....at that price bracket there are lots of better places.

Arriving from Saigon on Sunday for a doctors appointment on Monday at Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok. The address is 133 Sukhumvit Soi 49, which really means nothing to me other than I know the name of the street.

The hospital gave me a list of hotels but they were all a bit pricey. I was in Bangkok a few years a go and I stayed at Jim's Lodge, its off of Sukhumvit (that's why I know the name) is it close to the hospital? Better yet, can anyone give me some ideas on a better spot.. Thanks, Doug

Crime rates were already high enough without tourists getting in on the act, he said.

And their you are.........

Accoding to these guys web site it sounds like you might need an ongoing ticket - here is the wording For a 30 day stay no visa entry -" Requirements :

- A valid passport (6-month validity with empty visa pages)

- A proof of confirmed air tickets showing 30 days or less in Thailand