fiddlehead

my fault for not checking this thread again before starting out this morning looking in Patong for the UPS place near the 7-11 as mentioned by Living in Kata above.

So, obviously i couldn't find it. When i asked a Thai girl said it was finished.

so, now i see that i have to go near Lotus. I will try tomorrow and i thank everyone on here. I'll try emailing UPS and telling them to update but i imagine that won't do a lot of good.

Fact is they are running a special on a certain size box that fits my needs perfectly for $100 US dollars so, i appreciate all the help from all of you here on Thai Visa. thanks.

Thanks a lot.

According to the UPS website, the one in Patong is the only one listed in Phuket.

I'll look for it this week but maybe not today or tomorrow as i'm thinking it could be pretty crazy over there.

According to the UPS website, they have an office in Phuket at the following address:

239/2 Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road, Patong Beach, A. Kathu

Phuket 83150

Thailand

I am from Chalong and don't travel to Patong more than once or twice a year.

Could someone please explain to me where this is and how to get there from Chalong.

Thanks in advance.

Took the family (and a friend) to Laem Prom Thep for a very nice (Thai) dinner on Christmas eve complete with excellent view. Total bill was 940 baht for 5 of us (including my 2 year old) Never had a complaint from that place.

We don't go out to eat often but Christmas is a special time of course (to some of us anyway) and i recently returned from 6 weeks in the states and was not overjoyed about any thoughts of fattening traditional turkey and filling Christmas dinner.

Happy Holidays to all. It's great to be back.

ps. i must say that one of things that i missed in the US was the Thai driving style. It's not very adventurous when you know exactly what everyone on the road is going to do. It slows down traffic. They all stop at the red lights, stay in their lane, don't cut out in front of you, and still manage to find a reason to lay on their horn. Much better this way when you can just pass someone on either side if you don't like the way they are driving.

AND it's good to be back in the land of skinny asses!

Yeah, i've learned that in other forums: The more mods, the faster the forum goes downhill.

People start to be afraid to post what they really think or mean. And sooner or later it's : What's the point in even posting anymore?

At least that's what i've seen happen all too often.

I don't think so. I had an operation there this past year and then was back in for my kid and i decided to get insurance.

I asked around and they didn't know anything except finally someone told me to go to Phuket town and contact BUPA or one of the other health insurance companies.

No one at Phuket International could even come up with a phone no.

Good luck.

Actually I have sat in a classroom there.

Like i said, i checked it out as i would like my son to be taught this way in this beautiful location.

I went to a classrom and was amazed to see all the kids working in small groups on different projects and helping each other.

It was a lot different from the 30 kids to a classroom with a teacher mumbling on about something or other that i remember.

Obviously you, Sontamnication, don't like Montesorri. Hey everyone's different. But spreading fear by insinuating that dengue fever around those kids is not only close minded, it's ..............well, i better remember my avatar and keep it positive so, never mind.

Try to open your mind folks. I don't care if you send your kids there or not. Less crowded campus for my son.

But don't be scared. It's far from a scary place.

And they chose to not have aircon because they believe it is a healthier and better learning environment. I agree!

Let´s see.

The issue with Montessori Phuket (wink wink). They have recently become certified by them. For the past 3 odd years they used the Montessori name but was not certified by them. And they changed ownership often.

The kids do run the place. Nothing to do with not knowing the montessori system. Rather, THIS PARTICULAR school is run by kids. I would also suggest that new parents verify how many native speakers (a big selling point for that school) are actually there. Count the philipinos and Indians working there.

No ac in the rooms. Mosquito infested. Kids come back with huge sores due to scratching those bites. Ever heard of dengue fever? Worth the 70k a term? Up2u. " unquote

So, this person is saying that someone got dengue fever from going to the Montesorri school? Do you have proof?

Also, I for one consider no air-con to be a plus. I don't have air-con in my home and don't get sick. I believe air-con to be an unhealthy way to live.

The Montesorri school has a beautiful campus next to the beach in Rawai with nice breezes to keep it comfortable.

I like their system and philosophy and it's where my 2 year old will be going. (did you know that the 2 guys who started the company: "Google" are BOTH Montesorri alumni?)

They teach an open mind.

Instead of listening to the dengue fever fear-mongers, maybe you should go check it out for yourself.

Funny how many of us are attracted to Thailand because the rules are lax or many times there is no rules.

Back home, it's rules, rules and more rules.

So, we come here and live for awhile and next thing you know: Hey we need some rules around here.

I love Thailand the way it is.

Sure there's stuff to bitch about.

But there's much less to bitch about in Thailand than there is back home.

Jai Yen Yen!

Hello,

I want to send some packages to the US (San Francisco area) with items to sell in a local market in my hometown during holiday season.

Can anyone tell me from experience or knowledge the best way to send them; how well to pack them; customs, insurance, etc???

1. Braceletes, necklaces, earrings.

2. Small 20-inch wooden boats

3. Wire aliens and tuk-tuks

4. Laotian silk.

5. Soung (Thai guitar)

Any help would be great. This will be my first time sending things to US from Thailand. I live in Khao Lak but can ship from Phuket if its better.

Cheers!!

Johnny

Just put it all in a box, go down to your local Post Office and they'll give you the different options and prices. It's pretty easy. I've done it lots of times. All my packages have gotten there too. Once I had a box crushed but it could've happened in the US customs too.

Today I was taking my 2 year old to a playground and noticed the garbage around the area.

Unfortunately, there are NO Garbage or trash bins around.

I was thinking that one of the reasons the trash is on the ground is because there is no place to put it.

So, a possible idea formed that I would post my thoughts here and maybe there is some other's with good intentions that may want to try to help.

I'm thinking that Thai Visa could sponser some event or multiple events to raise money to buy some trash receptacles.

Possibly sell advertising on them also.

I don't know if we would have to pay the trash collectors money to empty them but, if so, we could use the advertising money for that purpose.

I don't have any idea how much we would have to pay for each trash bin or the artwork to be put on possibly with a phone no. for donations.

So, my question is: Is there enough interest here to start this project?

ps. unfortunately, i am returning to the states for 7 weeks but will be glad to participate in raising money for this endeavor when i return the 3rd week of Dec.

Last night I was sitting at the Islander bar in Rawai/Nai Harn and in 2 hours there, saw 2 police patrols slowly combing the area. Twas a first for me to see that.

Also saw more lights now on the final stretch of road coming from Kata before the elephant riding place.

So, something positive is being done.

simply email this thread to the newsdesks of as many newspapers as you can - the nation, reuters, newspapers in uk, us , oz etc. someone will pick it up. thailand hates bad publicity and then action will happen.

I believe with the election coming up, it's possible we can help make crime an issue

Here is an email to start with: [email protected] For the Bangkok Post Opinion column.

1st of all, i don't think that Thailand has the worst crime against tourists in the world.

My brother used to live in Brazil and when i visited him there, i noticed many home owners there had to hire a security guard plus they had a big dog.

A few of his friends were killed while driving their car. m (shot while waiting at a red light)

But, it is getting worse here.

So, your question: "what can be done" is a good one.

I believe it is the police departments job although it appears they are not aware of that yet.

I think we have to make them aware.

That means, lots of letters to their supervisors, mayor, politicians, the media, websites possibly built, etc.

Not only the Phuket Gazette but I think the Bangkok papers also have to put some pressure on the police here.

The election is coming up of course. Can we try to make those running aware of the fact that we fear for our safety?

This talk of vigilante groups is a little scary also i think. It seems like trouble to me and may widen the gap between Thais and Farangs if implimented. Perhaps IF it could be done temporarily until the pressure from above makes the police take their job of protecting the law abiding citizens more seriously.

For now it seems they are more interested in whether you have your drivers license in your possesion at Chalong circle.

Yes, we have a problem that's becoming bigger. Present day video games, violence in movies and now on TV, the huge separation between the classes, all are contributing factors.

But it is the police departments job. They just don't act like it is yet. (IMHO of course)

Anyone read the book: "The Road" ?

The sky reminded me of that book.

I got an email yesterday from my friend in the states who said they are not only having the fires in CA but GA is having a severe drought and PA is dry also.

So, I'd much rather have rain than drought although I too am ready for it to be nice.

note to Chiang Mai: I wonder why you live here and not in Chiang Mai. I went there once. The sky was full of smoke. (and yes it was definitely smoke, you could easily smell it as well as see it) I stayed 2 days and left. Been in Phuket now 6 years. This is rare.

Just came back from the weekend in Koh Sok where i figured that place is just in a cloud as it often is.

But the weather stayed the same all the way home through Koh Lak and right thru to here in Rawai.

So, it is not just Phuket by any means. It reminds me of why i moved out of New England many years ago. (too often socked in as they say)

Being a transition between rainy and dry season sounds like a nice answer to me!

Lots of good ones over here in Rawai/Nai Harn area.

The best one is near Cheers bar. Other's are good too (one across from the seashell museum)

1st of all, I'd be very surprised if the dealer cannot help you with the plate.

Insurance is a competitive business and there are tons of agents.

But before you buy a plate there and drive the vehicle to Phuket, are you going to live in Phuket? If so, it may be wiser to have a plate that says "Phuket" rather than Bangkok. (police tend to mess with you less if your car is local)

In Phuket, i know there is a govt. place not unlike our DOT or DMV back home in the states, where everyone goes to transfer the book (title). This is also where you get the plate. I imagine they have a similar place in Bangkok. i'd be really surprised that your dealer doesn't know where. I also had to get my truck inspected at an "official" place to check the brakes, headlights, etc. beforehand. (didn't take long and cost was minimal)

good luck.

its not only the tuk tuk drivers and tailor touts who turn people off. its the constant ogling by the massage girls and those hanging out of the hooker bars that turn people off. anyone who says that its a good look is kidding themselves.

sorry. rant over.

I've been under the impression that those who are bothered by the girls go to Khao Lak, Hua Hin, or Phi Phi.

I have come to the conclusion they are one of the reasons that Phuket is so popular.

I felt a little sad for a new business i saw the other day where a guy opened a live music venue and plays himself on his small stage in a somewhat stylish and comfortable looking bar. As i drove by, i noticed there were no customers yet the girlie bar across the street was full as well as the one 2 doors up the street from him. My thoughts were that he picked a bad location if he thinks he can compete with that.

Lots of complaining going on. I guess with a title like "attitude, what's wrong with these people?" its' going to bring out the whiners.

Been here 6 years now and have created a list this year of why i like Thailand compared to the US.

There are 35 things on my list positive for Thailand against 3 for the US. (no tuk tuks are one of the 3)

A few examples: smiles, food, weather, bringing up kids, prices, dentists, Thai women, etc.

I haven't been to Patong in over a year now. I only go when friends from home visit as i consider it a must see for a night anyway.

There are not too many places in the world like Bangla.

Yeah, the beach sucks, it is overcrowded and unclean from overuse. There are something like 16 other beaches on Phuket and so many are excellent. (compare the water quality at Nai Harn to your beloved Pattaya)

I think most will agree that the tuk tuk drivers suck. They do the most to give Phuket a bad reputation.

However, the rest of it is pretty ###### nice! (in 6 years, i've ridden on a tuk tuk once and that was in a huge rainstorm)

There's rarely mention on here of the sung taows. (sp?) (the trucks with open seating in the rear that charge 20-30 baht for a one way ride) Before i had a motorbike and a truck, i used them to go to town. Yeah they take a while but they are wicked cheap and no threatening drivers ripping you off.

I hear there are 6 million CCTV cameras in the UK now. Is that your idea of a nice place?

The beauty of all of it of course is that if you don't like it, you can leave.

6 million, aye?

I hope he didnt put his email address or bank info on the visa application form .

Otherwise

Greetings to you my friends.

My name is Bill Gates and I am happy to be able to contact you finally. I need your help with a financial problem for which you will be handsomely rewarded.

I currently have 59 Billion USD in my bank account in America but I cannot access it because my late father , the Minister of Oil and Internet scamming died without leaving me his secret pin number to his debit card.

I wish to send you my money by wire transfer and then you can send it to me less the 25% commission I will pay you .

I trust you my friend because I have heard that you are a good and honest person.

Please send me you bank information and the e-mail address of 10 of your most gullable friends.

Peace be with you

That's pretty good for your first post.

Welcome to Thai Visa.

I hope all of your posts are that good.

Thanks for the laugh.

Just saw this on the news compliments of NPR:

Morning Edition, October 8, 2007 · Nigeria doesn't let just anyone into the country. When Bill Gates applied for a visa, the Nigerian government wanted proof the billionaire wouldn't overstay his welcome and become a burden on the country's social services. The Microsoft chairman had to get a letter from his bank. The letter might have said that Gates is worth an estimated $59 billion. His visa was approved.

Oh well, I guess i always knew this day was coming although i had no idea when.

Today my 1st ever bill arrived in the mail.

I signed up on March 13 and have been using the internet since. I even went in once and asked them why i got no bill and they said: Free Promotion.

The good news is that it is only for one month.

The bad news is that the connection speed has slowed down so much in the past month i am ready to upgrade.

Anyone else?

But how to open a Thai bank account without a WP and Visa in the first place?

You open their front door, walk over to the clerk, give him/her your passport and a handwritten note (or hotel business card) with your current address and say you want to open an account.

Should take about 10-15 minutes, a few minutes more for activating the ATM card.

Don't forget to bring the 500 baht minimum deposit in cash.

Have you tried that lately ??

I did basically that (above), walked in, showed my passport, gave them some cash, walked out about 15 minutes later with another bank account. No hassles, no one looked at my visa that i know of (they copied my passport front page but not the visa page)

This was at Bangkok bank in Phuket town about 2 weeks ago.

BKK bank in Patong was one of the ones that denied him..

But do you have a non imm O (as per your over 50 comment) cos if so thats not the situation I mean, if they copied oit or not having a non imm O and being on retirement changes it..

Yes, i have a retirement visa, it's a non immigrant OA. But they didn't look past the first page.

I have 3 bank accounts now here in Thailand, and never had anyone question my opening any of them.

I'd like to know why they wouldn't give him one.

By the way, for those who said that they wouldn't put money in a Thai bank, check out the SET price on KBANK (kasikorn) it's up 20% in the past month! (plus there's a 2% interest on top of that) Unfortunately, i didnt' get in. Oh well, luck in some things, not in others.

But how to open a Thai bank account without a WP and Visa in the first place?

You open their front door, walk over to the clerk, give him/her your passport and a handwritten note (or hotel business card) with your current address and say you want to open an account.

Should take about 10-15 minutes, a few minutes more for activating the ATM card.

Don't forget to bring the 500 baht minimum deposit in cash.

Have you tried that lately ??

I did basically that (above), walked in, showed my passport, gave them some cash, walked out about 15 minutes later with another bank account. No hassles, no one looked at my visa that i know of (they copied my passport front page but not the visa page)

This was at Bangkok bank in Phuket town about 2 weeks ago.

As long as i'm posting this info to hopefully help out others, I will give my 2 baht worth of opinion on why why why of all of this after reading through these 8 pages of comments:

I think it all started when that wacko american who claimed he killed the 6 year old girl in Boulder Co was caught teaching english in bangkok on a tourist visa. I believe this jerk got us all in this uproar and insecurity over our allowance to stay here in a beautiful country.

I've been travelling for about 18 years now and have had to jump through many hoops throughout that time. Ever since 9/11, these hoops have gotten higher and harder everywhere i go. I get grilled by customs more in my own country than ever in Thailand. I've had mostly all pleasant conversations and friendly immigration officers here in the LOS. I can't remember one of them smiling in my own country.

Good luck to those who are going to have to jump higher than before. I too am worried that they are going to raise the 800K requirement. I consider myself lucky that i am over 50 and can qualify.