Crouton

I'll be there. Please add me +1 to the list

I was stopped 5 times in the Thong Lo area in the 10 days up to the King's birthday. I assumed they were looking for bombs or something. Three times I was just walking along to eat or go to the cinema at Major Bowl ( 2 times on Suk itself and one time just off Sukv headed down towards Rama IV). Two times I was sitting on a seat at a bus stop. One time they asked for my passport saw it was from the USA and never opened it just searched me, one time it was opened but not looked at other than to see my picture, one time my visa was actually looked at to make sure it was valid. Two times they never even looked at my visa just patted me down and seeming randmoly asked me what was in this pocket or that pocket. Strangely enough , one of the times I had a small plastic bag from the 7-11 in my pocket that could have contained anything and they asked me what was in my pocket and I showed them a 7-11 bag and they never bothered to open it to see what might have been inside.

I decided I had enough of being patted down everyday and spent my last week in Pattaya before I came back here to the USA.

After finishing checking me, of course several Thais walked by without being bothered.

Just another reason along with the selective visa changes/enforcement to spend my money somewhere else.

even when you wave 1 million baht at them. I must say Kasikorn jumped quite high when the 1 mill appeared!!!

If you're waving money in their faces, literally or metaphorically, and expect them to jump, it's easy to understand why they didn't want to be bothered with you. I'm more and more convinced that most Thais have the ability to spot a farang-in-your-face attitude from a mile off. They probably figure that in the long run you'd be a pain in the derriere that they wouldn't want to deal with.

You might think 1 million baht makes you Diamond Jim, but I doubt even a lowly clerk would be that impressed.

I went through this about 7 months ago with a bag of literally 500,000 baht and it took me at LEAST 5-10 tries to get an account open on a tourist visa. Some different branches of the same bank.... I finally got one, but I had with me supporting socumrnation from Thai gov't literature saying farang can have bank account but they still said no. I was dressed "smartly" and sober and had a bag full of money. When someone finally said yes I got all sorts of conditions on the account but being from USA I needed to not have ATM service charges/baht-> US dollar fluctuation / etc etc to have to worry about. We read here about the visa issues but the baking issues are quite similar - day to day , who gets your case, their mood .....

Plenty of stupid banks/ bank managers in Thailand.

Banks that refuse money, (what a bunch of silly fools)

Go to the Kasikorn bank with your passport.

Your be all done in about twenty minutes.

Dress any way you like.

TIT.

Just to repeat what I wrote here earlier, it took me many many tries at not only the the same bank but branch locations until someone finally let me open an account on a tourist visa ( no ATM and NO interst on money in savings). My advice - even though you can quoute them on the law that says farang are allowed to open accounts - if they say no , give up and move on to the next bank and try again tomorrow if needed. Persistance is all that is needed though it is frustrating ( and , wow , they make interest off YOUR money so why make it so difficult!!!).

Opinion here: stay away from Krung Thai unless only option.

Just my experience within the past month - of course things change daily depending on the officer you deal with here or Thailand but:

I was denied tourist visa in PP. I took the bus south to sihanoukville ( nice cheap place to relax for a few days I found) - then went on to Koh Kong ( Hat Ville ) border where I was asked to show NO documentation to get my 30 day stamp. There are no signs about outward departure flights to leave thailand and wasn't asked for any. In fact, it took longer to DEPART Cambodia than to get stamped in Thailand for 30 days. This is within the past 2-3 weeks.

If you choose to do this , do yourself a favor - take the water ferry from Sihanoukville to Koh Kong instead of the bus. You have to take a small boat across the river to another bus ( and your bags ) 3-4 times if you do the land route until they finish the bridges.

Dieter,

PM'd you but for everyone else, coming from Sihanoukville the price is US $29 to Bangkok and US $30 to Pattaya. You do change bus crossing border and they tell me 12 hour trip.

Again, I'll give report/review when I get over there in a few days. I think I will leave Friday ( originally planned to take it tomorrow and may still but bus leaves Sihanoukville at 7:45 AM so see how I fell then )

I assume by walking into the nearest travel agency with cash and or credit card in hand.

I think, they can´t be that foolish to want a visa from travelers, who want to leave within 4 weeks. There are so many, who make a roundtrip (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia etc.)

or can they ..!?

Yes they can. Just read any thread in the Visa section here.

Sunny

I'm not sure what they will or will not accept when you arrive ( or let you on the plane to depart) but Im about to use VET travel coming from Cambodia ( here now) back into Thailand. They offer bus service snooky -> Koh Kong -> Pattaya -> Bangkok

Their email is

to email and ask if they can help.

Ive now got their thai phone number, Phnom Penh and Sihnaoukville phone numbers as well as their email as Im using them this week. PM me if you need them.

I'll be using them this week for the first time ( and is the only agent I've seen advertising this route on the Cambodian side ) and let you know how it goes.

They just upgraded from using minivans to a fullsize AC bus for the once daily trip Ive been told so I find it odd about the other post about declining numbers since they do the run daily.

good luck!

sign me up + 1 please!

I think, they can´t be that foolish to want a visa from travelers, who want to leave within 4 weeks. There are so many, who make a roundtrip (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia etc.)

or can they ..!?

Yes they can. Just read any thread in the Visa section here.

Sunny

I'm not sure what they will or will not accept when you arrive ( or let you on the plane to depart) but Im about to use VET travel coming from Cambodia ( here now) back into Thailand. They offer bus service snooky -> Koh Kong -> Pattaya -> Bangkok

Their email is

to email and ask if they can help.

Thank you for the quick responses. I understand now about the terminology.

Hopefully I won't have a problem with the "bus ticket"at that border. I know a friend of mine got one there within the last month but we all know things can change day to day.

I was reading the other post on here today about the Koh Kong border not even asking about a ticket but not sure I want to travel all the way down there to have a problem ( actually, don't want to ask for a friend to Western Union me more money more than anything).

As for Krung bank - I agree, they suck but they were the only bank to even consider opening an account for me. I literally tried 10 or 12 with a large bag of cash in my hand. I could not believe they wouldn't take my bag full of money. I even talked to managers to make sure this is a bank and they want people's money right?? Here's a large bag full!! ( but politely of course ). Krung even charges me something like 40 baht each time I take my passbook into another Krang branch other than the Sukv Rd one in BKK to withdrawl my own money. Avoid for sure if you can.

Again thanks for the help!

Crouton

When you crossed back into Thailand through immigration how did you get back to Pattaya? I'm guessing you drove your own car to near the Koh Kong border?

If I cross back into Thailand there ( already in Cambodia ) what transportation is available back to Pattaya ( or BKK for that matter)? Any regular bus routes or just a taxi that will charge some crazy rate.

Thanks!

Crouton

I guess I was suprised because when I got my extension they extended it beyond my Visa expiration date ( October 8th versus October 13th). I guess he didn't feel like changing the date on his 30 day stamp. If I had known the 8th was the end of my TV I would have handled things differently.

As to why I would think I would get fined - well I guess technically my visa expired October 8th ( even though the extension was till the 13th) and I left on October 12th so I overstayed 4 days going by the letter of the "law". I guess maybe I'm misunderstanding, was my Visa actually good until the extension of October 13th then ( not just completely dead October 8th)? If so could I have gotten my 3rd entry for 60 days that same day ( October 12th) ? It was actually complicated at the immigration departure. The desk man called over a few other people to sort it out.

Its actually working out somewhat ok after getting out of that hellhole Poipet. I'm in Siem Reap now and Angkor Wat is of course beautiful. The town has nice people as well who speak good English for the most part. The down side though is that I didn't pack to live here so I only have a few things with me - most importantly not much MONEY. I have an account at Krung Thai bank but not having a work permit they refused to give me an ATM card ( no idea why that matters at all - they also won't pay me interest on the money in my account. I'm not complaining though, I had to go to like 6 different banks in BKK just to get a bank to even open me an account. I just don't have a Krung ATM card to access money. I always have to go inside one of the branches in Thailand). Here's the kicker though - I was SHOCKED to see a Krung branch here in Siem Reap. I walk in the branch a very happy man that I can access more money until I get this sorted out and they tell me "we are not online with Thailand branches". I almost fell over right there but now I realize it shouldn't have surprised me in the least.

Finally, I understand Phnom Penh is about the worst rated place to try to get a Tourist Visa. Would your advice be to travel to Phnom and try for the TV or just go to Ban Laem and get a return "bus ticket" to get 30 days in Thailand to sort my belongings and bank account out and leave thailand.

Thanks for the help,

Crouton

I had an interesting time just EXITING Thai immigration into Cambodia at Aranyapratet / Poipet on the 12th. I have a 3 entry Tourist Visa issued from the Thai Consulate in Denver, USA on April 9, 2007. It says it must be "utilized before" October 8, 2007. On my last 30 day extension to my second entry it gave me a stamp good until October 13, 2007.

When I went to exit the border, the immigration told me my visa had expired. I showed him the extension stamp of October 13th expiration and he said that the " utilize by October 8th" meant I had to use all 3 entries prior to that and on October 8th it became no good. I never really gave it much thought but was under the impression i had to enter Thailand by October 8th and each of my next 2x on the visa would be moot. I apologized , explained the extension stamp I got BEFORE October 8th that gave me till October 13. A very unhappy man but he let me through without any fine or nasty stamps.

This, of course , throws off my whole formula , of using 3x 90 on my Tourist Visa and then 3 Visa on arrivals..... but the important part of all this to me is....

Where do I buy the "mickey mouse return bus ticket" at Poipet so I can come back into Thailand on a Visa on Arrival ( my 1st ) since I didn't use a "visa service" or think I needed one with an entry still on my Tourist Visa.

There are no shortage of touts willing to sell me anything there but i'd obviously prefer to get one that Thai immigration will accept.

Thanks,

Crouton

Does anyone know of any Scottish/Sports bars in Pattaya? Was going to nip past them tonight to see if they are going to show the football this Sat.

Cheers

You can check out the bar "A Step Beyond" in New Plaza opposite Soi 8 and 2nd road. Its the 2nd or 3rd bar up on the right hand side ( next to Snack Attack ). Two Scottish boys run it and its always full of vacationers from Scotland.

UBC/True show two games Sunday night at Midnight and 3:00 ish Monday morning of the new American NFL seaon. Can anyone recommend a bar to watch it where you can here the commentary and not 3 other bars blasting music over it in Pattaya?

Hello everybody,

On Aug 15th will be 90 days i m in thailand by visa on arrival.

If I go to singapore to make a 2 month tourist visa in the Embassy will I be allow to enter in Thailand again or the rule of the 90days are inclusive of all kind of tourist visa?

Thankx for help.

David

Hmm, if I go by what you said literally - you have overstayed 60 days. Visa on arrival is only 30 days. The 90 day rule ( if you mean 3 times visa on arrival ) does not apply to a true tourist visa ( they are 60 days + 30 more days at immigration in thailand ).

Im not going to speculate but if you overstayed 60 days bring a lot of baht to leave.

Hey crouton

Thanx for your guide

Sorry dude , i didnt understand exactly , they give me 50hours free internet ? or their cards must be used for 50hours ? anyway , how much you priced 10hours cards ?

I need use internet up to 5 hours/day

Sorry, let me explain because they certainly can't. You go to reception in the lobby and ask for an internet card. They will ask "How Many Hours" and they sell them in denominations starting at 10 hours and going up. I forget what the max hours card is but the price for each goes up of course. I bought a large card at first because I was going to be online a lot for a few days. After reading the card and testing it works like this:

1) no matter what denomination of hours you buy ( the smallest or biggest) - you get unlimited use for 50 hours once you activate the card. The 50 hours starts counting when you activate the card so for instance if I buy 10 hours then I can actually use 50 hours starting from when I activate the account ( so you could leave your computer on uploading/downloading or something if you wanted).

This works well for me as I tend to sit and work all day for a day or two so I actually get 50 hours while paying for 10.

2) If you just want to use the hours on the card i.e. you buy 20 hours but don't want to take advantage of unlimited 50 hours then you need to make sure you "disconnect" using their internal web page otherwise it will keep counting off your time. Next time you use a few hours you login into their web page , use a few hours, then click disconnect on their web page. Just turning off your computer without clicking disconenct on their internal webpage will NOT stop the timer on your hours.

I think the card is 250 baht. There are internet cafes right at the corner also which sell time at 60 baht an hour. They don't like you hooking your laptop up to their network however ( not sure if thy don't want to deal with it or for security - I tell them I'll unplug the ethernet from theirs , figure otu their network settings and they dont have to do anything and they won't let me ). The only cafe I found that lets me plug in my laptop ( and they have an empty cable and ethernet cable for this) is the internet cafe in the bottom of "Flipper House" hotel on Soi 7 which is easily walkable in 5 minutes or less. I think the price there is the same as most cafes - 60 baht/hr.

Hey Crouton

rooms look nice maybe i try them

hey Begs

I found their website ,i dont feel good to look at rooms pictures

If you stay there - first, remember the internet thing. I bought their most expensive card because they couldn't/didn't explain the free 50 hour thing

2) If you stay at LK mansion - you get full use of the other building's facilities. LK mansion has a decent pool on roof but you can go to the most expensive of their buildings and use the somewhat nicer pool and sauna, gym etc...

They dont mention this unless you ask but its all on the up and up ( and just around the corner).

.

Thanks,

Im going to try to come on over - what time? Anyone catching a ride from around soi 6 - soi 7 area.

See ya,

Crouton

Hi folks,

I don't have time to read through all 45 pages and don't see it on the last 2 - is this tonight - Friday June 1 ?

Thanks,

Crouton

The LK buildings have wireless ( although its not free ) in all the rooms and whole area actually. They have several buildings ranging from decent to more than you want to spend. Using my wireless I can pick whatever building's access point is giving me the best signal.

This is the odd thing about the wireless service though - You buy a card in varying amounts, 10 hours is the smallest i think, but it gives you unlimited use within 50 hours after you enter the account / password. You use their internal webpage to connect/disconnect the card's account so theoretically you could stretch the 10 hours out over a month but I see no reason to buy more than the minimum card since you get all you want for 50 hours. I guess it depends on how many hours a day you need it.

Anyway I stay in the LK Mansion and have zero complaints. ( and I'm just a customer , i don't work here lol )

341/38 M.9 Soi Buakhao ( walking distance to soi 7, soi 8 )

66 (0) 3872 0022 - 4

[email protected]

judging from the email address and just checking

http://www.lkpattaya.com

works and shows you the different buildings to choose from.

If you choose the building ( on the site) you can get the rates.

LK Mansion is least expensive from 600/night up depending on how many rooms / furniture you need. ( Also have weekly and monthly rates )

getting off the OP topic, doesn't the election drinking laws have to do with " I'll pay for you to get drunk for your vote" or do I watch too many movies.

Don't forget on the 31st I think no alcohol!

just my experience for what its worth....

You can pay far far less then that in On Nut. On Nut is a bargain, in my opinion, because you get off the sky train to one side for tesco and the other has motorcycle taxi ready to drive you down the street for 5-10 baht. They run up and down all day and all night. If you commute and find a place right down the soi across from tesco anywhere all the way down you can hop on moto anytime. If you live further up from the station , during "rush hour" you compete with lots and lots of people for the same taxi. If you have a day to decide my advice is to get off at On Nut station on sky train and take a walk down the soi right across from Tesco. Lots and lots of service apartments. and you can see how easy it is to grab a moto as they will be running up and down from the station non stop. Nice markets at the BTS station there too.

I think On Nut is a real bargain if you can stay on that soi.

Im not sure I addressed your post exactly but you can go there and meet your requirements.

good timing for me as Ive been asking where I can buy a drum set ( kit ) in BKK. No one I talk to here knows. Anyone have suggestion?

Thanks!