syd barrett

It is no big deal. Doing border runs is a waste of money and time anyway when double entry visas are available in Laos.

When they invented the 90 day in 180 rule, border-runs were only any use as a one-off.

I can't understand everyone getting worked up about it. One trip to Laos can provide six months in Thailand.

What is the panic?

Off the top of my head - well worth seeing:

Danish (All Lars von Trier):

The Idiots

Breaking the Waves

Dancer in the Dark

Dogville

And dont forget the brilliant 'Manderlay' another classic by Trier.

10 Rillington Place is a classic. Based on the true story of JRH Christie the British serial killer.

Richard Attenborough and John Hurt star.

A truly uplifting and memorable movie that is not easily forgotten.

Enjoy!

It seems to me that the Bangkok Bank has the worst record for internal fraud. Most other international banks know this and after some time you will get your money refunded.

There are no 100% safe banks in Thailand; the best way to go is a savings account with NO atm card.

I make a point of never using my home bank ATM card in Thailand. If you need cash wire-it to a Thai Savings account.

Good luck and report back on progress.

It is deadly quiet. I was in a popular bar yesterday and the staff outnumbered the customers. Still bad service as well. 85 baht for a small chang seems a bit expensive.

I might make Friendship supermarket my 'regular'. there are plenty of seats outside, the weather is good and a large chang just 35 baht from the fridge.

In fact, that is a really good idea! I'm off there right now!

How does one go about a request for air ticket cancellation? I doubt if the airport will reopen in the next five days so maybe if I request my money back I might be sucessful. I was due to fly to Sydney with Emirates.

Do they refund back to credit card used for booking? (About 39 thousand baht).

It is impossible to get through by telephone so I will visit their Bangkok Office direct.

Emirates have cancelled all flights to/from BKK upto and including 2nd December 2008. More details on Emirates.com

BBC are reporting the PAD's supply lines to Suvarnabhumi have been effectively stopped by the police. If that's true and continues to hold true, it would seem unlikely they will be able to survive in there for very much longer.

Can't see how they could confirm that when Jonathan Head is still sipping G & T's on his 5* condo balcony ! that man should stop reading Clancy and report facts.

Jonathan Head hasnt been on duty all day. He must be having time

off because a Quentin Sommerville is doing all the reporting ( not as good as Jonathan Head)

Jonathan Head has been one of the most distinguished reporters on the current Thai political crisis.The insulting and ill educated posts on this thread about him simply reveal the boorish and ignorant nature of the authors.

I agree with Mrs. Head. I think that Jonathan does a fine job for the BBC, in fact he appears knowledgable. I think that we should all give head

a chance!

I agree. The new place is awful. The original set-up was great, I used to eat or snack there 3 or 4 times a week.

This Japanese place Oishi is it any good and what are the prices like?

Thai TV said that anyone who is due to leave can stay on at their hotel for free up to 2000 baht per day accommodation and meals which is great.

Passengers booked with Emirates airlines can re-book from Hong Kong, KL or Singapore all expenses paid including overland travel. See link below:

EMIRATE UPDATE

happy to bet against civil war. maybe civil skirmish.

It seems almost laughable to consider civil war and widespread anarchy in Thailand, yet these things do happen and happen very quickly. For example if there was a mass killing of protesters either accidentally or by force that could set the ball rolling.

The only sensible thing I ever did in my life is NOT to purchase a Thai property. This is a third-world country, wonderful when things are going smoothly, great for a holiday, an exciting place to live. But when you have to go, you have to go.

Let's hope there is a peaceful solution to this problem in Thailand.

Imagine all the lost business for taxi-drivers to-from BKK airport. They will surely press for the clearance of protesters at the airport. Also I hope that Bell coaches the Pattaya-Bangkok Airport service doesn't go bust, that would be a real shame.

For those in the UK with cancelled flights, I would say get your money back and book a flight to Manila and then take a taxi to Angeles City which is probably a next-best to Pattaya.

I see that tomorrow the new Subway between Soi 5 and Soi 6 central Pattaya are doing a special 'Thanksgiving Sandwich'. Priced at 399 Baht for the 12 inch, I am sure it will be popular with the regular Soi 6 mongers. I presume it will contain turkey with the usual Yank fillings.

Cali4995: That Villa Market stuff tastes foul. Needed 4 immdodium the next day.

Bobs BBQ: You have got to be joking......

There used to a good American place on Pattaya land sois called New Orleans I think, that is probably the place to be in Pattaya....?

If you are flying Emirates in the next few days (as I am) here is the link to their news update.

EMIRATES NEWS UPDATE LINK

There is way way way way to many people in Walking Street on NYE, you cannot move its absolutely awful.

Somehow, this year I doubt it!

I will give this place in Carrrefour a try. I haven't had a really good curry for ages. The last time used to be in Royal Garden food area on 2nd floor, there used to be a great curry place, curry for about 60 baht. Then they closed the whole area down for a ghost room.

I have never been to the new 3rd floor food area at Royal Garden is there a curry place there?

When pictures of tourists dragging suitcases 3km hit the press it will be damaging for tourism. Some people can't afford to miss a flight and insurance won't pay out because the small print say 'civil unrest' is NOT covered.

They are showing news footage on Thai TV news of passengers including angry farangs dragging heavy suitcases, in what is reported as a 3km walk to the airport. They focussed-in on one big fat angry farang but without sound and I was able to guess that he was not happy. I suppose they should be grateful it's not raining.....

Never ever hire a motorbike on a credit/debit card overseas. Pay cash. I was badly fleeced on a Greek Island who ended up charging me 900 Euros for something that should have been 100 Euros, because after I had left the country they successfully used my credit card as guarantee for non-existing damage.

I never got the money back. I had to pay it all.

I am getting sick and tired of the wife lying around watching Thai TV all day so I had a brainwave plan. Buy a second hand baht bus and put her to work. I could help out by sitting in the front taking the 10 bahts and giving change which is a big help and on the days I won't do this, get a family member (Thai) sit in the back and take fares and give change. This would save time and increase profits.

Also another idea I have is to have her drive slower and do some surveys on the financial advantages of various routes and best times of day, whilst also advertising charter baht bus trips by mobile phone contact.

At this stage it is just an idea, but I believe I have enough good ideas to make my baht bus business the best in Pattaya.

Comments will be appreciated.

...You should receive a letter with your new PP asking immigration to transfer your stamps...

I didn't get this letter from the embassy, but got it off the British Consul in Jomtien called Mr. Kerry Banyon (free of charge). All in all no problems, just expensive for a passport considering.

Pound v Dollar?

I'm getting 2.5% gross on my GBP but have developed a paranoia that GBP=$US will reach parity or at least go lower to 1.20.

I will get 0% on my $US but obviously a weaker GBP will be around for a while. Do you think I should exchange now at 1.50 or wait a bit?

have you checked your passport expiry date? I am sure UK embassies will be updated about ppl on the run.... I assume you still need to travel (even not to tthe UK) and have a valid passport for many things.

.

...... but I do agree with the majority that this will screw your credit rating for the next few millennia.

No just six years, then the credit rating is wiped clean in the UK. Experian credit agency does not keep data over six years.

no offence paul but whos name is this 10 million bahts worth of property in ?

regards .... dave2

Hi Dave,

House in Thai company name, condo's are foreign ownership so my name!! I could transfer to someone else then go bankrupt in UK, becoming debt free. I know's it's wrong but you don't get anywhere is this world by being straight and honest...

I can't honestly see how the Official Receiver in U.K could seize assets in Thailand, there is no agreement between the 2 countries. Otherwise Thaksin's house would have been siezed in London. No?

I don't think it is as easy as that. Official Receivers are not dumb. I had a mate from the U.K. who did all this, ran away from his debts and burned his bridges, he killed himself in a seedy Pattaya apartment 18 months later. (On soi 8).

Honesty is the best policy. Be a man, pay your debts and hold your head up high.