surface

Minburi,

how do you get out there?

A map and directions in English and Thai that one would be able to hand a Taxi driver, if needed, would be very useful. Thanks for the info Minburi.

A recent review of Mexican food in Bkk by Bk Magazine

That review is about as useful as the movie reviews in the Nation / Daily Xpress.

The CAT CDMA network coverage is very good.

Are you sure? It seems to me that only about 5% of Thailand is covered according to that link.

Well, according to the CAT CDMA network coverage map which is a bit hypothetical it looks as if 100% of the whole Thailand is covered, they have roaming with Hutch CDMA network in Bangkok and central Thailand including Pattaya.

As far as I know CAT CDMA is working very well in Samui and Phuket too.

Ah, they need to adding a loading image to that SWF as I thought it was done once it appeared. Apparently not. Just went back and let it load for a couple of minutes and can now see everything. Looks good, I'll have to check it out. Wish the site had an English version.

The CAT CDMA network coverage is very good.

Are you sure? It seems to me that only about 5% of Thailand is covered according to that link.

I had twice that last me a year in Bangkok, and I was spending money freely, on myself and friends, and has a nice new apartment.

It can last you a while, but the job won't come so easy. I think the best idea was offshore work, as people that don't mind it make great money and get unwind and live like a king in Thailand for about half their time each year. The hardest part is getting your foot in the door though, so if you can manage to get one of those jobs, hold on to it for dear life. Most of the guys I know doing it are engineers or scientists though, but I'd think there must be some entry level, manual labor type stuff available.

I'd say give it a go, but be careful and start looking for a job NOW while you're still home, not 6 months after you've arrived. Smartest thing would be to stay home and keeping earning money until you've landed a job as there is not much available here for foreigners without a solid background in a few select fields. Probably not you since you're so young.

Good luck!

Coming from the states, where you can't ask anything too personal that might be deemed as finding a reason to discriminate against somebody for an unlawful reason, I was wondering if these things would be illegal here in Thailand.

1. Asking the candidate if they have a spouse, significant other, children (and how old), is pregnant, or is planning on having children anytime soon. Could false answers to any of these questions, if they're legal, be grounds for dismissal?

2. Asking for a pay stub from their previous/current job.

3. Asking previous employers details about their job, performance, etc. Do employers in Thailand tend to share this info?

4. Is it common to ask for personal references?

5. Are credit checks readily available and legal? Costs involved? Information needed from candidate, such as ID#, address, etc? Approval need from candidate in writing?

6. Criminal background check? Is it possible and reliable? Where would one go to obtain one? What costs are involved?

As this is for a general office type of job:

Anything I should ask that is common/useful in Thailand or in general?

Anything I should look out for that would be illegal that I haven't listed here?

And you also didn't realise the rush from Vista bringing the people to Linux?

No, I didn't, but I'd love to see proof of this claim of yours.

So many people (also on Thai Visa as I know, please correct me if I'm wrong) changed already from the dark side...

The dark side?

I personally don't care, but you could always ask the site admin to give you the percentage of users running Windows, Mac, Linux, etc. Would only take a minute with a log analyzer, but TV might not want to share that info.

Have you ever heard of Ubuntu?

Yes, have a few copies running now, all except one in VM's. It's about the best there is for a desktop variant of Linux.

Internet is for information, not only for pix...

Do you really believe I need to use Windows for pictures? Last time I checked, all browsers available for Linux (with the possible exception of Lynx) are able to display pictures.

I choose not to use Linux for my OS on a notebook as it's a pain to get all of the software I want working on a single install, and I need MS Office 2007 to get work done, along with some other software I use which does not run on Linux. Before you tell me to use OpenOffice, I always try the latest major version, and it is just not as capable as MS Office.

Besides, if I need to do something in Linux, I can run it in a VM or ssh into one of my servers.

I am not going to try to convince you that one is better than the other, like some door to door religious nut, but I will say that by posting in the manner that you do, you come off as a complete tool. I have tens of thousands of hours logged on *nix OS's, so please mark me off your list of people you are trying to convert for the good of humanity, to end evil Micro$oft, or whatever slashdot has the sheep believing these days.

I myself said goodbye to M$ more than two years ago and I never regretted.

Glad to hear Linux is working out for you. An OS is a platform to run applications on, so which ever one suits your needs, go with it. Fortunately for you, Linux can handle everything you need from an OS. Being able to run everything you need on a single platform certainly makes life easier.

Cheers!

Was this at BIH or is there an actual Snooker Lounge in Time Square?

Sporry, didn't wanna be too rude, but you should just give Linux a try and experiene the freedom of free software, no spyware, no viruses and -- no bluescreens at all ;-)

Thanks, but I save Linux for servers where it belongs.

Regardless, I was passing on ideas to people here, and I'd be surprised if more than a 1% has ever seen a linux distro in action.

i saw another thread on the same topic but couldn't add to it because it had been closed! hopefully no one will post smart-alec remarks about farang females on this one. where can i go to meet people (thai or farang)? i am not a big fan of going to bars alone... i can do it easily in the khao san area but all you meet are tourists there and i prefer longer term folk at this point. i am joining a yoga class and taking a thai course, but what about nightlife suggestions?

I'm in the same boat as you, trying to meet new people. Meeting people at the more hip/young bars is not ideal, as everyone has their nose in the air or their guard up, and most people are on the prowl anyway.

I find open the open air restaurants can be good to meet people, especially if they have open mic / karaoke, a large screen with sports, or a stage with a show, as everyone is usually there to drink and be merry. It would be pretty odd going to such a place alone though.

Playing snooker & pool is a good way to meet both, but that's probably not going to end up on your list.

I've become a bit jaded in meeting expats here and my Thai is not good enough at this point to meet locals that don't speak English.

8.9" screen @ 15,000 BHT

With Atom processor, apparently available "now" in Thailand, saw an ad in the paper.

Acer also has 14" a laptop for BHT 12,990 which I find pretty incredible.

That price is with an 8GB SSD, 3 cell (2.5 hours) battery, and Linux.

If you want the 80GB hard drive, 6 cell (5 hours) battery, and XP, it's priced at ~20,000.

If you don't mind the 8GB SSD, and can get the 6 cell battery for a good price, it's worth getting the Linux one and throwing XP on it, if you have an extra copy around.

This laptop does not have bluetooth though, so no bluetooth mice, phones, headsets, etc.

Before I received my work permit, none of the banks in the Esplanade on Ratchada would open an account for me, business or personal. They all said I needed my work permit. With my work permit in hand, no problem.

So for all of you without a work permit, scratch all the bank branches at Esplanade off your list.

Hi

Last time I went to Fortune, i wrote down the name of the shop selling MSI brand.

It is called E-Sys and it'son the 3rd floor. You might miss it as it is really a tiny shop... I went there a few days ago and actually saw a Wind, but did not stay long enough to have a proper demo, as the guy looked rather busy. He gave me a release date, which I forgot, but I remember it is sometime mid June.

Phil

I was there today but didn't have the name of the shop with me. Many stores were closed though, up through Saturday I believe, as there is some market going on at the convention center. I'll be there Sunday to inquire about the release date as I'm ready to by a Wind the day it comes out, after trying out a demo unit first of course. One site says June 16 is the availability date, but I don't know if that's also for Thailand.

I'm really interested in the larger keyboard on the Wind as the Eee PC seemed too small when I tried typing on it. I'm a little worried about the weight though, 2.6lbs for the WinXP model with larger 6 cell battery that is supposed to last 5.5 hours. Might be a bit larger and heavier than ideal. Along with that they have a newer Wind in the works for early next year that's lighter, etc, but I can't wait that long. The there are the Dell and HP UMPC's...

Pilou, did the sales guy metion a price for the Wind? Sites I've read say $499 USD for the XP version, which should be around 16k baht, but things always end up being more expensive here in Thailand than the US. I'm expecting 20k - 25k which could put me off a bit if the weight and size also aren't ideal once I get to put my hands on it.

Coke clearly becomes needed.

being a old grandpa might mean that you lose your taste. but as a youngster. i do not.

Coke does not dilute the taste of any kind of whiskey. of course if you'Re a light weight, you will put too much cola but 1/3 whiskey and 2/3 cola (or more whiskey) is enough to taste the difference

There is a HUGE difference in quality over the 350 baht whiskey at 7/11, the 800baht (100 piper) sewer whiskey, and the delightfull Chivas 12years old whiskey.

im not sure which blue label is the cheapest. but one time with my friend they ordered it(blue i think) without me knowning since i asked for the average or expensive one, well i got sick after 1 glass.. had to buy my own bottle.

of course ive never been poor and have always drank or ate great food, so my taste is developed. if you come from a regular american family eating cheap hamburger steaks nightly, its normal that you dont and are just jealous of people with more money than you enjoying themselves to a nice alchool.

What a whiskey snob. You

1. only drink low - mid quality blended whiskeys, 12 years max.
   
2. apparently have no idea what blue label is.
   
3. mix your whiskey 2/3 cola 1/3 whiskey. ( )
   

Just FYI, watering down whiskey with water or soda is common practice. It allows you to taste the quality of the whiskey easier as the alcohol is not so overpowering. Whiskey is sweet enough for me, but some people tell me they can taste it even better with a splash of cola.

I tried, but failed.

Moved in the middle of the night, but she found me, many miles away, in about 8 hours.

I'm starting to hate this place.

Edit: The relationship is over, and has been over in my mind for quite some time, but the remnants of it just seem to linger on, haunting me...

Are you wedded to Citibank? Would it be possible for you to open an account in one of the many financial institutions in the U.S. that wire transfer money to Thailand without charging a wire transfer fee.

Some financial institutions have money link services that allow interbank online transfers. If you need to leave your money in Citibank, perhaps a link to another bank that does free wire transfers. The route would be Citibank to other bank to Thailand bank by wire transfer.

That is what I do as my primary bank charges outlandish wire transfer fees.

No, I'm not married to Citibank. HOWEVER, I have spent MANY hours looking for a better deal and the few that have a better deal won't allow me to open an account while I am living in Thailand. I have decided that it is simpler to just pay my $60 a year for two transfers and be done with it. At least I can do a wire transfer entirely online. Most banks want you to jump through hoops or even return to the US. Brokerage accounts end up being much more expensive than $60 per year.

I'm confused. You said you only pay $30 per transfer, which is fine with me and what I intend to do, but what about the 2% currency exchange fee you mentioned? Is that only with Kasikorn? Do you use another bank which doesn't charge the currency exchange fee?

Thanks.

If that's the case it's cheaper to take it out via the ATM and deposit it into my Thai account. 3% sounds a bit far fetched though. I'll call my bank tomorrow to double check about this, but I find it hard to believe they could charge that much.

Thanks.

And the answer is...

Thailand is not included in whatever special rate Citibank has w/ regards to international wire transfers amongst Citi owned banks. So I guess I'll do large transfers and pay the $30.

Which brings up another question. Is there a limit for incoming transfers to Thailand before it has to be reported or need documentation?

Do Thai's think of Hi So as only "old money" or can "new money" be Hi So as well?

In Bangkok 1 o'clock is 6AM. so 4 would 10AM, etc. That changes again at noon, then again after 5 or 6PM. The Issan way sounds easier to me.

//Edit: wrong! -- Maestro

ive lost my company stamp, how do i get 1 back as i have to stamp so documents quickly

Ask you husband?

Best,

Valerian

why would i want an husband when ive got a wife which half wit school did you go to, and you obviously cant read properly as well, that was not the question, read again

He probably went to the same half wit school that taught you grammar and punctuation.

i didnt realize i was going back to school but its quite normal for most farangs in thailand to try and be clever the only reason most are here is because they are failures back where thay come from

Take it easy, the folks here are just hazing the new guy a bit. The answer to your question was pretty obvious though, so you were only setting yourself up by insinuating another poster lacked a decent education.

Welcome to TV. If anything, your stay here should toughen that thin skin of yours up a bit.

Cheers!

Want to transfer money from my US Citibank to (eventually) my Kasikorn account. ATM fees for Citibank amount to 2% of the withdrawl, so pulling money out that way and depositing it is not an option. Wire transfers from Citibank are better at a flat $30 fee.

Would opening an account at Citibank Thailand give me a better rate when I transfer from Citi US? Any ways to ensure this is done to so that I receive the onshore rate?

If it ends up not being worthwhile opening a Citibank TH account, does anyone have any experience in transfering from Citi US to Kasikorn and making sure the funds are transfered in USD and the currency exchange is done at the onshore rate when received by Kasikorn (using citibank online to perform the transfer).

I received a reply from Citi regarding the instructions and fees, but am awaiting answers to the above questions from them. Just looking for some answers from people who have done this and have any ways of ensuring the onshore rate is used during the transfer.

I got there a bit late and...he got his stool. dam_n! But I got the photo

I imagine I would cop a ban for posting it though :-(

Nice one. So close yet so far....1-0 to GOM. PM me the photo and I'll put it up on the Facebook thread.

Could you put it up someplace where we don't need to create an account?

It is interesting to watch the type of guy's who would have been bullied at school and had cried about it turn the tables.

Same here just a supposition but I have met some good guys from this board but others you know they were the wimps ans soft shites at school

You are the type of person that gives westerners in Thailand such a wonderful reputation. Perhaps if you'd spent more time on your work in school instead of bullying "soft shites" you'd be able to put together a proper sentence.

You should go to the coffee shop and introduce yourself to GOM as he sounds like your kind of guy.