MickGC

I rather like Swampy. Been through there numerous times since it opened. Never had a problem. Staff appear to be well trained and friendly, apart from the occassionaly immigration officer, but that is common problem everywhere. I am guessing that most of the negative posters here have had little international travel experience and have not been to a great number of other foriegn airports apart from the one they left to arrive at Swampy on their way to Pattaya. Lighten up and look at the sunshine. Cheers.

Nothing...Texas has these type temperatures every summer....

Texas.Is that northern Thailand?Isaan maybe.

believe your correct..and the inhabitant's of this region are very fond of cattle in same way the Welsh and Kiwi's are very fond of their sheep...

Texas is a town in Queensland, Australia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas,_Queensland

New 20-baht banknotes to have a more 'global' design and new anti-forgery features

BANGKOK, 28 March 2013 (NNT) – The Bank of Thailand will start circulating new 20-baht banknotes on 1 April.

The new 20 baht bills will maintain the same size and color as the current bills, but the graphics have been revamped to have a more modern and global look. New anti-counterfeit techniques have also been implemented, which will allow the visual-impaired to more easily identify the bills. Note counters and machines that receive cash will also work better with the new bills.

The number 20, written in Thai numerals, is transparent on the bill and this attribute can be easily checked by shining light onto the bill. Green-color stripes embedded in the bill will show on the backside of the note, and they can change color from green to purple-red. Embossing is present on the note to allow identification by touch. An image of two dark-green flowers on the note will also help the visually-impaired to tell the note apart.

-- NNT 2013-03-28

People! They're unveiling them on ***APRIL 1ST***. This is clearly a joke, and not a very funny one because they should actually be unveiling a 5,000 baht note. You can't buy anything with a 20-baht note any more, but there are always dozens of dirty torn ones in your pocket, so they should be withdrawn. On the other hand, try going out to a half-decent restaurant in Bangkok these days and getting change from a 1,000 note on dinner for 2. This is why a 5,000 baht and, yes, even a 10,000 baht note are necessary these days. The highest denomination note in Thailand at the moment is worth only £22, which is a joke in itself.

As a previous poster stated, the 20 Baht note is the most commonly used in Essan. Most "mom and pop" type shops, market stalls etc. have trouble finding change for a 1000 Baht note let alone your proposed 5000 Baht note. The new note looks great me thinks.

You cannot obtain a original here, unless the original is destroyed and you file a police report to get a duplicate. I would not advise that as that would be filing a false police report.

Can't say if they want to see the original, maybe not if you can produce a khor rhor 2 form. (The entry into the wedding register itself).

Thanks Mario. Probably go my regular route just to be sure to be sure. Will bring the originals back with me and try Savan next year - if the process is still up and running.

I normally go back to Australia to renew my 1 year Multiple O based on marriage (6 years running) therefore my original marriage certificate - Thai and Australian - is filed away somewhere in Mum's house. A copy is sufficient at the Thai consulate in Brisbane.

This year I was thinking of going through the process in Savannakhet. Has anyone gotten away with just producing a copy of the marriage certificate? It should be noted we were married at the Thai consulate in Sydney more than 20 years ago so not sure if I could obtain an original here.

I've had several visitors lately and I tell them to never take buses here... and yet, they still do to save a few bucks or time (as opposed to train). I guess it's the "it won't happen to me" attitude. There seems to be no end to the people willing to fill these buses despite the risk.

Nearest airport and train station are 250km from my home. Would have to bus this distance anyway. This is a common situation in large areas of rural Thailand. Buses are convenient and go just about everywhere.

The 'lower' classes are highly uneducated, and many have alcohol problems. In other words, dangrously unpredictable, and easily led.

Hehehe... sounds very much like the auto workers I've known in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Sounds very much like the clientele in a lot of the bars I have drank at in the big P

I've just booked a return to Mudahan with Nok Air. Total flight booking cost was B. 4,540. Tickets seem to be getting snapped up fairly quickly since this thread was started.

Here's a map I've cobbled together showing the two Bus Stations either side of the Mekong River. The nice new Goverment bus goes from Mudahan bus station to Savannakhet bus station using the Friendship Bridge #2... Chancing it; I hope to board this bus at the Thai border (not at its regular departure point) as I read that it's possible to buy a ticket near the Thai Immi office.

Departure times of the return bus to Thailand - copied from JPEG evidence I found on t***door forum - are as follows:

Route: Savannakhet Bus Station - Mudahan Bus Station

Times: 0815/0900/0945/1030/1115/1230/1330/1430/1530/1630/1730/1900.

Cost: THB 50.

Regarding the early flight heading up-country ; I think it would be possible but the timing is very optimistic. I myself will arrive a day "early".

And on the return trip; There's no current availability for the P.M Flight until November 2012. Might still be possible with a late-noon AirAsia or Nok flight from one of the two local airports with self arranged transport there. I myself will fly back a day "late".

Side note: Something I read was you can still cross the river on the barge - and get the Laos VOA en route - despite the opening of the new Friendship Bridge #2 ...although this option would now be classed as "irregular".

Highly irregular indeed. Unfortunately Mekong river ferry route is reserved for locals only since the opening of the friendship bridge about 6 years ago. All forigners (outside Asian union) are required to exit / enter over the bridge.

I used the Nok Air fly / bus option a couple of weeks ago. Was smooth as silk. So much easier than the Ubon - Muk route which was the only alternative not so long ago.

Do you really need to travel from Ubon? Nok Air have an fly and ride service from Don Meuang - Nakhon Phanom - Mukdahan for around B2000. It can be booked online via their website. A lot closer to Muk than Ubon.

http://www.nokair.com/contents/promotion/mukdahan/en-US/index.html

Poor PR George, Badly worded topic confusing users who feel that you are telling them they have to change their email. A little more thinking from a user's perspective rather than the boss would be more helpful.

I agree. Guessing the majority of members would not be computer savy. The message sounds a bit like the year 2000 warning when loads of people thought the world was going to end because certain computer clocks were not setup to for the new 21st century. Was a wet blanket. If you want to change your email address I would recommend zoho.com.

Good Day,

The Moon-Jupiter eclipse --

It will occur on the night of August 11th, morning of August 12th.

The Perseid meteor shower --

1) The Perseids occur on the night of August 12th, morning of August 13th

2) The meteors appear to emanate from the constellation Perseus; hence, the shower's name

3) The constellation Perseus breaches the northeastern horizon at about 8:00pm (in most of the northern hemisphere) and clears the horizon at about 10:45; thus, the best viewing occurs when it's well above the horizon, typically after 1:00am on August 13th

4) The typical number observed

5) Meteors from the shower can be observed several nights before and after the peak night, so the actually peak might occur one or two nights before or after the expected peak

6) Meteors can be seen as soon as the sky is dark enough

7) Typical meteors are bright and faster than meteors in other showers (e.g., The Geminids in December -- an average of 100 meteors per hour plus the sky is more likely to be clear)

8) The Geminids is the best meteor shower of the year in terms of the number of objects, their brightness, their lengths, and the number of bolides; The Quadrantids is the second best with 60 to 100 meteors per hour, ; The Perseids is the third best with 60 to 80

9) When photographing meteors, in general, set up a camera on a tripod, open the shutter for as many minutes as possible, and close the shutter whenever you believe that you recorded a meteor; trying to photograph them by hand and swinging to catch them is, essentially, impossible

10) Set up a lawn-type chair (where you can rest your head back), face east/northeast, avoid seeing the horizon in order to maximize the chance of seeing meteors, and drink something that will keep you awake (containing caffeine, sugar, etc.)

11) The comet related to the shower is 109P/Swift-Tuttle; the comet, like all comets, follows the same path around the sun (unless it's disturbed by another object along its path -- e.g., Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 crashing into Jupiter in July, 2009) and therefore supplies new meteor material whenever it crosses the earth's revolutionary path around the sun

12) On average, a person will see 60 to 80 meteors per hour

13) The Leonids is typically one of the weakest showers of the year -- an average of about one dozen meteors per hour, but occasionally it puts on great shows

Sorry for any repeated information. And sorry if this is TMI ("too much information).

(member of an astronomy club, minor in astro-geophysics)

Thanks for such an intelligent and informanitive post. Few and far between on TV these days. Hard to find a topic where some idiot does not mention Taksin. Wish I had clear skys up here in the NE tonight. If you have an android phone there is an amazing free app available for looking at the night skys. Is called SkEye.

I know many Brits living over here by ripping off their credit card providers. .I'll get flamed here. They take out maximum cash advances (many banks) with no intention of ever paying back. You know who you are. These guys in the story got caught doing the same thing in a more in your face way.

Maybe one other posted has noted the fact that there are a half-dozen, at least, everyday Thai words that translate horribly into English, even if they are being mispronounced according to Thailand's rules of transliteration:

Phuket (I have overhead Indians, Australians, Europeans, and members of my own family get this one, hilariously, wrong)

Poon

Cum

Porn

Fuk

...

A well-rounded, thoughtful article would have included that for relative consideration and analysis. But this is Thailand and this article in from The Nation.

True. I don't think people with porn, wank, shit, phis and thitti in their names should be too coy about these things.

coy - there's another one

Hard to believe we are up to post #129 already and nobody's mentioned TS or his sister yet. Woops, I just did. dam_n! Sorry about that folks.

I gave up listening to her interview,, aside for the blur of consciosness when she said, " My brother, lub Thailan, ebbrywon, lub Tailan, my bruder he ARE Thai". Someone, get her a translator please.

He ARE Thai?

i take it you speak perfect Thai, with all the tones in just the right place then?

You took the words right out of my mouth.

Congratulations Aung San Suu Kyi. It must be a great weight off your shoulders being able to travel again without fear of exile or arrest. I am sure you will play a big part in Myanmar's future.

I have been following your story with great interest for over 30 years. Myself and my Thai better half had a Burmese refugee living with us in Australia for many years.

that is a good thing, right? that those people go back? in my home country, we would have a celebration for weeks, if all the illegal people siphoning on the social system would suddenly go home to actually WORK

What are you on about mate? I don't think you actually read the whole story. Do some research. Don't you know there is a very limited social security network here in Thailand (government workers mostly) that foreign workers have no access to, hence they are an asset here. They work their butts off and get paid s**t for doing work the locals won't.

The article states that when the foreign works leave there will be a big hole to fill. Unlike where you are from I guess. Having said that I hope you are being honest and living by your own means here and not ripping off your own country's social security system while accusing others of the same.

I have always wondered why everyone thinks Thailand is so corrupt.

Now I now why. I work in Papua New Guinea who ranked 154, with Zimbabwe, and Laos. Thais are a law abiding lot by comparison.

Let me give few examples;

1. The police is always there to extort money fromthe drivers but never there to enforce traffic laws

2. Officials always lie to make the point and alwaystell the story in a very positive ways.

3. All projects are substandard and only disinters likeflood make it obvious, and even then no one is responsible for the failures

4. You can pay money so the law enforcement peopleto look away and not enforce the low

5. Politicians have the inside for projects andthey always use the information for close friends and family to get rich

Etc. etc.

I'm not sure how much experience you've had with "developing" or "third world" countries. Apparently Thailand is now technically described as "newly industrialised".

Comparisons are odious as they say. What I'm saying is that versus its contemporaries Thailand isn't doing too badly.

I've always been a "glass half full" kind of guy though.

I know it isn't all that fashionable here on TV, but I like Thailand.

I'm with you on this one sfbandung . I also like Thailand.

At least the corruption here is up front.

I'd rather pay a copper B200 and all is forgotten rather than B8000 and possible loss of license back in our "uncorrupt" western countries.

Only neophytes pay for porn!

Question <deleted> is a neophyte and assuming that your a male, you have never ever paid for sex? If you are a female you have never been out on a awesome date/with breakfast?

I have never paid for sex and I am a male. Never been down to a point where I have had to go out and buy it. Not all men have to pay for sexual gratification.

I guess you are talking about Misses Palmer and her 5 daughters. Always free.

They may not realize it now, but they will eventually.

It is a sad day for Thailand.

A very sad day. This is not a democracy, it is all about money.

Last night my g/f's mother confirmed that all 7 members of her family and virtually everyone in the village (Korat) received 300thb each.

It is a bloody disgrace.

Yes it should have been at least 500 baht

It's a disgrace that your g/f's mother and her family took the money, indeed. You must not be supporting them properly.

One of my employees said that the Puea Thai candidate handed out 200 Baht as well in her village, but the Democrats handed out 500 Baht the same evening. You see, every party in Thailand pays for votes. In the end however, Thais will vote whoever they want.

In my neck of the woods the Dems were only handing out B100 notes. Bloody cheap skates. No wonder they didn't get many votes around here.

"The former billionaire telecoms tycoon remains a hugely divisive figure"

I'd say on the contrary...if they win 313 seats Thaksin's a hugely "uniting" figure.....that is overwhelming acclaim.

I'd say it's the out-going PM who was (and likely remains) the divisive figure.

He headed a disgracefully unpopular government of a military-backed minority that broke every rule of democracy, ethics and the Constitution to seize and rule the country.

Let this be the last word about it for a while.

Would you sell your vote for $10 US or Aus?

Make it $20 and you've got a deal !

Well, if Thaksin's maid did anything wrong, she'd be in big trouble, wouldn't she?

That took awhile. 5 posts before someone tried to involve Thaksin in the topic of conversation.

"We don't need no stinkin' clusters," he said, walking away and whistiling over Walrus lyrics, I am the eggman, I am the walrus....

I like. You funny man mista.

...I can live with a 500 baht fine, but I never went through the process before. You just have to stand in line and fill their coffers/cookie jar with ha roy baht, then you can go through the border checkpoint without penalty, yeah?

Yes, that's it, except that your 500 Baht are properly accounted for and recorded in your passport. Simple and painless procedure.

Cool, well that's a load off.

Cheers...

Meanwhile I asked my old mate Google about the Phuket imm hours - closed on sat and sun - unless the site is out of date, that option is out.

http://phuketdir.com/pktimmigration/

I can get my laundry done at midnight on a Sunday, but these guys can't staff an office for a few hours on a Saturday. $#@%#@ - they could pay a single staff member double the avg daily wage just to take the cash from one overstay victim like myself. But no... This is Thailand. "Solly, no have staff for weekend mai."

Why?

Nevermind, they make up for the total lack of logic with smiles and good gestures enough to even things out.

Unreal!!! in your own country do any goverment offices (outside the Post office) stay open on weekends for regular business? Not in Ameirca

But u expect cause ur a forgetful visitor that cant count to this country that they should be on duty 24 hours for YOU and other like you?

If u had done everything correctly and seen when yoiur visa was due to expire and booked a way out for that time u would not be in this position

My god>>>> unbeliveable !!!!

I think the original poster is just taking the piss. Is seeing what reaction he can stir up here. Don't take the bait and he won't come back.

I wonder if the same people who obviously think it is their birthright to live in Thailand forever on their own terms are the same ones who constantly bemoan the influx of immigrants to their home countries.

My thoughts exactly.