THAILIBAN

sometimes this board is really a Sweetheart....

didnt know Kinokunya has such a "search" function (too bad their membership-card is not free of charge and entitles you only to 5% discount, whereas Asiabooks gives you 10% and sometimes even more and the membership is usually free, but of course their shops are much much smaller).

went to a BOOKAZINE shop lately and asked if they can order a specific book, and the reply I got was: "in about four weeks....... we will KNOW "IF" we can order it for you, and then we will tell you how long it takes to actually DELIVER it"..... lovely, innit ?

Quite right. AirAsia is a point to point carrier. So even withing Thailand you cannot book luggage to a further location. Ie. CNX to BKK then you have to collect your baggage and put in in again to travel on to Phuket.

If she is coming Economy on Emirates, baggage allowance is the same, both carriers are strict. AirAsia does have preferential boarding for seniors.

wrong information given above:

1) baggage allowance is NOT the same on Emirates and AirAsia. Emirates Economy is 20 KG, AirAsia is 15 KG. AirAsia is very strict indeed (thats how they actually make their money), cannot comment on Emirates departing the UK.

2) AirAsia does NOT have any preferential boarding for seniors anymore since they introduced their "Express-boarding" system, which will cost an additional 200 Baht for the BKK - PEN route....

Oh shit..... being out of Thailand at the moment, after flying 1-2-Go 10 days ago to Hat Yai and then continuing to Malaysia, I learned of that horrible disaster just now......

so scary, but as I did fly all of those Thai airlines many times, I was actually sure that IF something bad ever would happen, it would happen to 1-2-Go.

their planes were always so run-down, even inside the cabin....

and I really doubt that their maintenance does always match international standard..... did u ever see one of their 32-year old B-747's ?

now this is probably the end of 1-2-GO....

but so sad for all those people who actually were hoping for a nice holiday and indeed lost their lives.... makes me almost cry right now.... may they rest in peace.....

and in 2 hours I have my international flight with an old B-737 (no, they dont have the new Airbus here from where I depart) of AirAsia Malaysia..... so wish me luck

sorry if my post sounds stupid, I am just emotionally overwhelmed, going online here in the morning in a cybercafe far away from Thailand and reading this news... its like someone hits ur face....

Forget the idea of purchasing rupiah here in Thailand. Just to give you an example , Siam Commercial Bank exchange rates have a bid/offer spread that exceeds 100 % ! http://www.scb.co.th/html/exchange/bk-txtexchange.htm , indonesia rupiah is IDR symbol.

When I went to Batam, change booths charge you an implicit commission of about 20% if you change baht in rupiah.

So best thing is to change your baht in USD in Thailand and then change USD in rupiah once you get in Indonesia.

did this a few weeks ago. It works out best .

100% correct. you could buy any "strong" currency b4 leaving Suvannaphum, such as US$, Euro, Singa$, British Pounds, but as u will have to pay in US$ for your Visa-on-arrival in Denpasar, US$ is the best bet.

by the way, those double-change-transactions apply for other countries in the areas as well (Malaysia, Phils.....), if u dont wanna loose 10-15% of the value of your money.

ALWAYS get rid of the local currency and buy a strong currency b4 leaving Thailand (or on return, for example, come back to thailand from Malaysia).

I have to make use of my miles with THAI before they expire, so my next flight to Europe will be on a redemption ticket.

Does anyone know about THAI's policy ? are they upgrading u to business on one leg sometimes ? I know that other airlines often do so on longhaul-flights, but I have no information how THAI handles that.

would be nice if people who were flying to Europe with THAIAIR on a redemption ticket in the recent past, could share their experiences and knowledge....

No Sh't, Samuian!

Ey, voll Krass, Alder !

i thought this report might be of interest......

I know the PHILS are not everybody's darling (as for myself, I hate the abundance of firearms and the crime rate there), but its nevertheless interesting what other countries are planning, compared to the new THAILIBAN VISA RULES here in our beloved LOS....

click here pls (hope it is permitted to post this) :

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news...rticle_id=80934

You should get your facts straight: Thailand is #3 on a list of the most murders by firearms per capita in the world. The US and Australia are in the first 32, and the Philippines is not even on the list.

Firearm murders by country

You're probably confused because you see so many security guards in the Philippines carrying firearms.

In the Philippines if someone points a gun at you it's usually only for bluff. In Thailand if you see the gun you're probably going to die.

Tourists have always been able to stay in the Philippines year after year for as long as they like. The only small difference now is that whereas previously they had to leave for a day once a year, it's now once every 16 or 24 months. Not a big change really.

One significant point in the article you linked was the large increase in tourists living in the Philippines. I wouldn't be surprised if the change in regulations in Thailand was partly responsible for this 21% increase.

JINGTHING and TROPO, I don't have the smallest intention to "diss" the Phils, apart from the crime rate and the firearms, i found it nice actually, friendly people and everybody speaks at least basic english.

and I am aware about Thailand being almost on the top of ranking when it comes to murder by firearns (i have seen that nationmaster statistic before, its a bit outdated, but probably the facts havent changed much since then), but one thing for sure is: Here in Bangkok I can board a public Bus without the danger being shot during a robbery (which occurs DAILY in Manila).

When I travel to another country, the first thing I do is to buy local daily papers. the day I arrived, I found an article about a bus robbery in Manila (Mandaluyong), which ended with 6 deaths after a shooting between the police and the gangsters (3 gangsters dead, 2 passengers and the busdriver).

the following days I could read a lot of reports of gang-shootings within the city limits, often killoing innocent passers-by. robberies and hold-ups of public Jeepneys (the Sawngthaews of the Phil) happen EVERY DAY, and not only after dark......

such thing is unknown in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore.....

in Thailand life can be dangerous as well, particularly if u deal with the wrong people, or do business that may disturb other Thais who are competitors.... but the chance of being shot on a public bus or on the street during a robbery as an innocent passer-by is extremely low.

that makes the difference (though I am far away from saying that Thailand is a peaceful country....)

oh, and actually I didnt wanna start a thread that ends up as "dissing" any country or "bashing" or anything else....

I just wanted to make this report public to others and show that there are countries, which go a diffrent way than Thailand..... for whatever reason....

and, as I have heard, the Thai Immigration authority is a frequent guest on this board too, so maybe they can get some "inspiration"

I don't think it is fair to diss the Philippines that much. Manila is a hel_l hole but many of the islands have some of the prettiest beaches on earth. They have a geographical problem with the Asia circuit travel set. Out of the way, look at a map. Bangkok makes an excellent base for the Asia circuit, Manila does not.

I have been to the Phils in June, and I agree with you. its off-the-beaten-Path particularly for Europeans, and its way too much Americanized.

as I already mentioned, what I hated most was to see guards with firearms at virtually EVERY corner. Not even a seven-eleven without a armed guard.

at least they seem to realize that the country can benefit from attracting more foreigners, spending money there, be it as Expats or Tourists, or setting up small businesses....

they have to do something to make their country more attractive for foreigners, and they showed some action. Thailand goes the different way because here the authorities think "people will still come Thailand, no matter what we do...."

PH policy towards immigration reminds me of a going out of business sale. Bargin basment prices...roll up, roll up.

they did have an increase in tourist-arrivals even withouth those new rules (which have not been implemented yet). but too much corruption and crime there, in my opinion.

but its nevertheless interesting to see, that 2 countries in the same area go exactly an opposite way, to the extreme.....

Hopefully, this will ease the local farang traffic situation. Don't let the door hit you on the way out..

oh, a hate-inspired FLAMER, aren't you ?

i thought this report might be of interest......

I know the PHILS are not everybody's darling (as for myself, I hate the abundance of firearms and the crime rate there), but its nevertheless interesting what other countries are planning, compared to the new THAILIBAN VISA RULES here in our beloved LOS....

I know the legal age for that is 50 in Thailand and Malaysia (actually all ages can apply for the "Malaysia-my-second-home" program, but then u not only need to bring a high deposit, but have a high monthly income as well).

what about other countries ? Indo is 55 if I know that right, therefore even worse (though BALI is lovely).

what about other countries ? the Phils, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China, HongKong..... okay, I guess nobody has the strong desire to live in East-Timor or Myanmar these days....

I know it still quite easy to get a multiple-1-year-business Visa in Vietnam and Cambodia, and - that I learned lately: even CHINA - but then its actually not really legal, if you dont intend to do so some business there. and it doesnt give u a legal security for a longer time....

any suggestions / recommendations / comments ?

the cheapest way to get to Manila from BKK is CEBU PACIFIC, if u manage to get a promo-fare at 2499 one-way plus Taxes, or the nasty KUWAIT AIR, available at 4.500 BT return plus Taxes and surcharges at the moment.

Kuwait Air's schedule is convenient, leaving BKK shortly after noon, flying out from Manila to Bangkok in the evening hours.

Cebu-Pacific, the airline with the youngest fleet in the entire word, departs at very inconvenient hours, leaving BKK at 1.10 in the night.

for Indonesia:

No budget fares available. its not profitable for budget airlines, as its a fuel-consuming 4-hours flight to Denpasar, for example, 3.20 to Jakarta, and the demand seems to be not big enough.

1-2-Go was announcing a plan to fly to Bali from BKK in the future, but no date has been specified. they will get delivery of some "new" (e.g.: 20 year old MD-82 or something like that from some Japanese Airlines) planes later this year and early 2008, and then will probably start flying to new destinations.

at the moment, GARUDA seems to be the cheapest. they sometimes fly to Jakarta for around 6.700 BT. plus taxes and surcharges.

other, much more expensive options are: TG, MAS and SQ

depending where u wanna go in Indo, u could as well fly AirAsia to KL or SG, and then continue to Jakarta, Medan, Solo, Bandung, Padang, Palembang, Surabaya, Denpasar (out of KL), and Jakarta (out of Johore Bahru, but u would have to travel from SG airport to JB which can be a hassle).

I guess flying to KL by AirAsia (starts at 449 Baht sometimes) and then continuing to the desired destination in Indo from there would normally be the cheapest way.

Oh, what did I read: you consider investing in Indo or the Phils ? Wow, then good luck for that and better say farewell to your money

I mean, you r right, Thailand is not investors paradise these days, but compared to the corrupt and bureaucratic hel_l of Indo and the Phils, it still seems to be heaven for me....

I wonder if TG will increase their services from and to Suvarnabhumi & pull out of Dom Muang?

It is still a real bind only having one TG interconnecting flight ,also what an awkward time ,usually resulting in a long wait for onward flights.

Worst case scenario is the pull out completely...what do you think Tayto ?

I suppose ,we will just have to wait on the Winter schedules

Do anyone know if Air Asia interline/or thru check luggage to other asian destinations ,if you use a different carrier ?

Wiley Coyote

Air Asia doesnt even through-check at their own flights......

about the NOKAIR flight to Chiang Rai: They dont fly there because there is such a huge demand, and THAI INTERNATIONAL in fact did not cancel any of their flights to there, its just the fact that NOK gets some more planes (old ones though, not new ones as those 200 Airbus ordered by AirAsia), so they have to fly some new destinations to make use of them....

the same applies for AirAsia, now flying to Khonkaen (again), after suspending services to that destination in 2005 (or was it 2004?) after only a few months due to low demand, and flying to Nakhon Sri Thammarat. There is actually no additional demand to those destinations, its just that the competition will be even more fierce in the future, and a "clean-up" can be expected soon.....

1-2-Go would probably the first candidate to drop, their management ist not really "on the ball" and their planes are ancient.....

I am in Bangkapi BK for a week or more and would really be up for meeting anybody who is up for a beer/chat/game of chess/bowling/coffee/socialist revolution and especially the England game on Saturday. I'm buying an apartment in the area so plan to visit regulary. pm me your phone number and I will call you.

I dont know the area so if there is anybody who is doesnt personally do the meet real people thing then just a bar recommendation would be really appreciated.

Bangkapi is very much a student area, due to the existence of the huge Ramkamhaeng I - Campus. Few Farang places there.

And probably the most crowded area in Bangkok. busy roads until early morning hours. Though, can have some quiet corners as well, where u might only here the frogs after a rainfall at night, and the COCK in the early morning hours.....

As for a Pub or Bar, try THE FISH at Lat Phrao Soi 130 (if I remember that right), but then this is still not really QUIET place where u can relax and play Chess....

Howdy,

That place Bei Otto Sukhumvit soi 20 or 21 had a Sunday buffet that was good (not sure if they still have it). They make great pork knuckles. and have those big pretzels. Best German food outside of Germany that I have ate.

Chung *j*

OTTO is EXTREMELY overrated (as is the oh-so-famous GERMAN HOFBRÄUHAUS in Chiang Mai) !!!!! OTTO is a nice fellow, but the food is not more than average , and I have been there several times!

on the other hand, his attached DELIKATESSEN-shop can be recommended for sure.

if in Bangkok, the OLD GERMAN BEERHOUSE (sukhumvit 11 if I remember that right), despite its name, is doing excellent food from a huge menu. I had a Russia-Australian-Singaporean friend visiting me in BKK lately, and he decided to go for a VERY YUMMIE lentils-meal which for sure I will have as well the next time I am there (soon probably). Didnt expect such good food there.

the best German food in Thailand though, I had in Udon Thani lately, there are 2 German restaurants in the vicinity of CHAROENSRI COMPLEX and they are both absolutely SUPERB !

In Pattaya, BEI GERHARD (Naklua) is known to be the most successfull (and very reasonable priced) Western restaurant in town since decades. expect to queue up both for lunch and dinner

Some months ago, there were a few lines in the BKK-Post about the opening of a new place in Ubon, called "CHAT SUREE MANSION". so yes, its a Mansion rather than a "GUETTHAU" , but might still be an option for you.

the price was said to be 400 BT a night, incl. aircon, TV, hot wat water and fridge.

this seemed to be a good value for me, so I cutted that small report from BKK-Post and therefore, I can even provide u with their phone-number: 045-209211.

but of course I have no idea about the quality of that place, I have only read those lines in the BKK-Post. hope its helpful anyway.....

Has anyone ever met a happy smiley immigration officer in any country? Being a government-employed ass*ole isn't confined to Thailand.

I had to think about that for a moment as I have been all over the world. I remember a smiling Malaysian lady wearing a burka stamped me in once. Its true, generally they are sourpusses.

a BURKA ? are you kidding ? do you know what a BURKA is ??? No Malaysian female would be allowed to perform any governmental work in a BURKA. and 99% of the very few people in Malaysia wearing a Burka, are actually tourists from Arabian/middle-East countries. You would be surprised how SELF-CONFIDENT Malaysian women are, and the government supports that.

oh and about smiling Immigration officers, yes its Malaysia again. Been to Langkawi in January, and those young male officers were VERY friendly, smiling, and wishing me a pleasant stay in Langkawi and Malaysia. Kota Kinabalu is usally very friendly too..... KL is "okay", at least no aggressive attitude...

I had smiling and friendly officers again in BATAM, Indonesia, arriving by ferry from SG, though at Jakarta Airport they are usually not overly friendly.

another good experience - to my BIG surprise - in Manila lately: Friendly non-bureaucratic and 100% hassle-free.... I had heard some nasty stories beforehand.... but it was smooth....

What is it about Thailand that you simply cannot bear to be away from ?

I've lived here for many years but if was forced to leave tomorrow

it would not worry me much.

Naka.

I would not be too worried either, but the thing is, once you have decided to SETTLE somewhere, its not easy (and a hassle) to move..... and its costly, as u will have to sell a lot of things (probably at a very low price) u bought during ur time here.... and then buy those items AGAIN at ur new place.

I could easily live in one of the neighboring countries, and actually MALAYSIA was my first choice that time back in 2003, but at the time I decided to move to Asia, Thailand was the country where a long-stay-Visa was quite easy to obtain, even for non-married under 50 year olds.

If I knew before what happened in the recent past, I for sure would not have chosen Thailand. But in malaysia, for example, u cannot get a multiple-business-Visa as it was available in Thailand for decades.

on the other hand, even as a tourist u get 90 days each time you arrive in Malaysia.

why I still would like to live here in Thailand: Its quite CONVENIENT, because everything a foreigner needs, is available (food, particularly), and the life-style is quite easygoing.

but as I dont match the new standards, I might be forced to do it the same way as the OP..... though, honestly, Cambodia scares me away..... even a long-stay-permit is easy to come by....

by the way: does anybody know where they age of "retirement VISA" is lower than 50 ? 45 or even 40 maybe ? In Malaysia you could do that under the "Malaysia my second home" - program, but if u r under 50, you not only have to bring a huge deposit, u have to have a high fixed income as well, which I dont have, as the projects where I earn a living of, are freelance usually.... and u r not permitted to work under this program....

seems like VIETNAM is the place to go, just in case.....

PYIAROM SPORTS CLUB at Sukhumvit near 101/1 (Bangchak) has an excellent 50-meter-pool and its entire sporting and Gym facilities are probably the best to be had in bangkok.

Not really a Cheapo, though

A cheapo when compared to RBSC. Nice people, a pool that is 50 meters by 25 meters so lanes stay open for lap swimmers, first class gym facilities, tennis courts, squash courts etc. Really a nice place.

are you a member there ? how much is your annual fee ? I lived just a stone-throw away til March 2007, and went to their office that time to ask for details...... if I remember that right, they asked for around 30.000 Baht a year.... which I found was not really a bargain, compared to what I would have to pay in my European home country...

Hi can anyone tell me if i can get a new 1 year muti entry b visa before it runs out(about 2 weeks before),i will be getting it from the uk,or do i have to wait till this one expires.thanks.

Hull, Cardiff and Glasgow all issue one year multiple entry Non B visas with just a "Letter of Invitation" and can issue same day if you apply in person

are these RECENT experiences ? or when did u apply last ?

so the initial non-immi-ED VIsa is just a SINGLE entry, good for 90 days, if I read that right. NOT a 1-year-multiple-Visa with unlimited entries at 90 days each.

pls correct me , if I am wrong....

Sharia law has been part of the Malaysian law system since ages !!!

nothing much to worry about if you are a non-muslim.

what happens in Thailand these days, is even worse than sharia, in my humble opinion.

those who fancy cheap booze and easy-to-get girls will have a hard time in Malaysia, though....

are there really still some people who are not aware, that this country is desperately searching for more ways to humiliate foreigners ?

this is all so sick and stupid, that u actually dont know if you should cry or laugh out loud....

and the government can be sure, there will ALWAYS be more and more tourists flock in the country, NO MATTER which stupid or nasty rules they will create now and in the future.....

and they will get the applause from plenty of Farang hypocrites who will say "yeah, good new rules, I still can stay, but others have to leave, how lovely. the more Farang have to get out, the better for me".

Thats how it is! END!

its a bit off-topic, but I heard that some consular offices (NOT embassies) in Europe still issue MULTIPLE-non-Immi-B without expecting a lot of documents or paperwork (that way I got my last 2 non-immi-B's) But did not have that confirmed..... any news from recent visits there back in Europe ?