mauiguy90

Warned a friend of mine that overstayed 2 months. He went thru airport immigration, paid his 20,000 baht and had no problem. He talked to the immigration official who told him that many people overstay for longer periods than he did, pay their 2000 baht and go home. Maybe the policy has changed, but the enforcement has apparently not changed. If anything, I'd like to see if the Nation or Bangkok Post publish a similar story.

If you think about it, detaining overstayers creates another problem since jailing someone will cause them to miss their flight. Some overstayers may not be able to buy another ticket and will be stuck in Thailand. Its possible that airport immigration did arrest a few foreigners who overstayed their visas, then found out it created more problems than it was worthwhile. If immigration really wanted to reduce overstayers, they would increase the daily fine to 2000 baht and the maximum fine to 400,000 baht. That would make overstayers take notice. See how many people would overstay after that.

There's also another place closeby to Sukhumvit 40 called SK tower, which rents for about 8000 baht a month. Their number is 02-712-4111. Its right next door to the new Sansiri project, which rents for 40-50K per month. There are a number of apartments dotting Sukhumvit 36 as well which rent in that range of prices, which are all relatively close to the BTS Thonglo station.

If you like Phrom Phong , there is an apartment on Sukhumvit 41, which has larger studios from 10K baht and smaller ones running for 7K baht. I think the name is River Mansion or something similar to that.

Most of these are partly furnished with a bed, small sofa and large clothes cabinet, with options for tv, refrigerator, etc. Have fun apartment hunting.

giving this a quick bump .....finding it hard to believe that no one can comment on these cheap, common gadgets that are now flooding the market. Every superstore has several brands and models to choose from.

I have one from Haier, which I bought in the U.S. It didn't cost much and has performed reliably for over a year. We take it on trips and it takes some of the DVD's that others reject. Can't recommend any others but would try to buy a brand that has a great service center. I do have an Aconatic DVD player (not portable) that was fairly cheap and has lasted me several years, however, have yet to use their service center.

My girlfriend just read an article on a popular thai website that many customers were reporting problems with their CDM (Cash Deposit Machine) transactions. The article listed numerous complaints from customers saying that they had made deposits however found out later that the recorded deposits were inconsistent with their CDM deposits. Many customers complained their accounts were short by thousands of baht. However, at the same time, none of the complaints listed included Bangkok Bank. I also have an account at Bangkok Bank and have yet to notice any problem. However, I would recommend that anyone using these machines double check their transactions with frequent updating of their bank books so that you have a hard copy of the transaction, just in case.

In the Ekkamai area, you can still find a unit which ranges from 80-120 sq. meters for about 30K baht. Of course, most of these units are towards the far end of the soi, so you will have to take a cab, motorcycle or a bus to the BTS station.  If you know the area, you also know that traffic is really bad around 5 pm, so keep that in mind. It can take a really long time to get to the beginning of the soi during these high traffic times especially when it rains. That being said, I have a friend that rented a condo that was more than 100 sq meters furnished, with a swimming pool and tennis courts for 26K baht.  Look around Ekkamai and you may find something in your price range within a reasonable distance from the BTS. <br>

One of the benefits of going to the US Embassy's meeting the other day was finding out that JW Marriot has a 2 for 1 buffet special if you have an American Express Card. Regular price for the lunch buffet was 900+ baht. Don't know if its the best buffet but its a great price.

I got the SMS on my phone from the embassy but I won't be able to go due to work. If anyone else goes, would you mind maybe taking down some notes and reporting back the important details? Thanks.

For those that didn't get the SMS, make sure you bring your passport or other identification that shows you are a US citizen or they won't let you in.

Most of what was said was commonsense. A couple things I thought were worthwhile were:

1) If you hear an explosion, stay away from windows. They gave an example(forgot location) where many people were killed by shattered glass when they heard a small bomb go off and ran to the window to see what happened. Thereafter, a larger more powerful bomb was set off seconds later, resulting in many deaths.

2) Get supplies which will last at least 72 hours. The speaker, a guy named Randall, stated that most battles don't last longer than that. You should be stocked with flashlights, water, first aid supplies and presumably non perishable food. He suggested that power may be cut off to the combat area and that you should be prepared for that event.

3) Randall also said that the problem zone is in a defined zone and consequently, if you feel unsafe go to a place where you feel safe. He suggested that if no place else, Americans can always go outside of Bangkok. However, he also said with a laugh that you probably would be safe going to Sukhumvit 59.

4) The website address is www.bangkok.usembassy.gov .

I'm sure others who attended have additional points of information which they thought was important. Hope that we all don't have to use any of the emergency procedures.

The Taipan buffet is quite good even though its price has gone up a bit to about 250 baht. (Located on Sukhumvit 23 about a block past Soi Cowboy on left hand sign--very small sign!) The atmosphere is the best thing about the place--fairly intimate with a piano player during the lunch buffet. I've had the breakfast buffet, which was nicely done but not anything special. Its been awhile so it might be worth a repeat visit.(Right now, Taipan has closed its lunch buffet til the end of the month.) Thanks for the tip regarding the Grand President--having Indian entrees is a definite plus!

By comparison, the coffee shop/cafe at the Taipan Hotel about 5 mins away located between Asoke Road and Soi 21.... just up the street from Soi Cowboy and the Asoke BTS Station... serves pretty darned good lunch and breakfast buffets for under 200 baht all in.

I've had the lunch buffet there several times, and it ranks as one of my best "deals" in Bangkok... The service is always friendly and polite... they often have live music such as a piano at lunch time, and the lunch offerings include a fresh Thai yum talay bar, a table for pre-prepared sushi rolls and cut fish, usually a half dozen or so hot entrees both Asian and western style, cookers of white and brown rice, fresh fruit, Thai deserts and regular cakes, and so on....

I've yet to wake up in time to have the similarly priced breakfast buffet there, but if it's anything close to their lunch, it should be good.

Advise that you get a simple transformer that will cost you about 200 baht that will convert 220 to 110 volts. You can pick it up at Panthip on the first floor in one of several shops found close to the back of the building. Fortune probably has the same stuff as well.

"Who is the Party to Blame who shot reds and army????

Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh on Monday repeated his call for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the House of Representatives immediately.

He said at a press conference that Mr Abhisit had made a big mistake by ordering soldiers to forcefully disperse the red-shirt protesters on Saturday night, thus allowing a third-hand party to step in and create violence.

Gen Chavalit said almost everybody knew who the third-hand was.

Who is the third Party any clue anyone?????"

If you don't know who the third hand is, ask your significant other. Thai people know who it is but few want to share it with foreigners. Its a shocker...

Seems like corruption is an everyday occurence in thai politics. Even Abhisit is not squeaky clean. Is anyone?

It is apparently about Money and Power. CNBC Asia interviewed a member of Abhisit's cabinet who tried to explain the situation as well in hand but was unable to do so. CNBC questioned him whether the govt will shorten the time before new elections by 3 months, which he quickly responded affirmatively. CNBC and the business community apparently has a huge impact on the Thai govt decision making.

Thailand needs to open up to more public debate and discussion on all political matters.

Understand that in a democracy one respects the rights of all parties. Be able to concede defeat as part of the political process.

Get rid of this "respect" and "loss of face" nonsense. All they know is two words, Money and Power.

It goes much deeper than Thaksin. The current PM is well qualified and well educated.

The ABC-TV and SBS- TV in Australia have had coverage on the news and current affairs programs, with interviews with the representitives of both sides.

Monarchy mentioned along with the privy council.

Latest score 19 dead and 900 injured including one Japanese newsman. Source ABC-TV(Aust)

And we all thought it was going to be like a one day cricket match, now more like a test series.

Government has offered to dissolve parliament in 6 months and hold new elections. I think that is a generous and fair offer from Abhisit. I hope that the redshirts take that offer.

An early election solves nothing until the Thaksin issue is resolved.

I am tired of all the bloodshed. Any red demands except for Thaksin can be settled through legitimate parliamentary means. Only the Thaksin issue invites bloodshed from protesters. There will be no yellow shirted thugs on the street because the rice farmers want another baht per kg. There will be thugs if anyone tries to pave the way for the return of the demagogue.

Call an election without settling this problem, and you simply exchange red shirts for yellow ones, and fresh rioters for worn out ones.

If the reds are honest that this is not about Thaksin, then come up with a compromise that gets them the early elections they want in exchange for denouncing the demagogue, withdrawing his pardon petition, and passing some kind of law which guarantees he is done for good. Because that is the overriding concern of their oponents who will take to the streets if the reds get what they want.

Once this hard work is done, then elections are a reasonable solution. We can be sure there will be no more demonstrations, and the government can get back to work for the good of the whole country.

The time to solve the Thaksin problem is now. I want to see televised debates around this. New elections solve nothing without this, and I will not support them without this problem being addressed.

Very well thought out and written! Certainly an alternative to be considered...

Which government beats up indiscriminately on protesters because they choose to do so at a popular tourist spot? Sounds like China to me...

"Who said there was, or in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for that matter? I'm only speaking of prerequisites."

I want every person who voted for a crackdown to remember it and own it for the rest of their lives.

In a society without democracy, no one is safe...

In a society without an effective police force and the rule of law there is no democracy, of any hue.

Yes, and I've heard that China has quite an effective police force and strong rule of law. Where's the democracy there?

The time for farang to worry about is if the rule of law totally breaks down and anarchy and civil war develops. (I'm not predicting this will happen, just stating a "What if").

In that situation the politics of envy take over, and the resident ex-pat community will suffer at the hands of those who feel that "Farang have too much money".

Although the police rarely if ever intercede on the behalf of foreigners, at least they give the perception of protection. I suspect they presently are quite busy with other duties right now. Better safe than sorry! Won't hurt to follow Toptuan's advice and keep a low profile for the present time.

Isn't there some forum rule about members threatening the life of other posters?

Delete that photo immediately if you value your life.

I want every person who voted for a crackdown to remember it and own it for the rest of their lives.

In a society without democracy, no one is safe...

Cash.

Bring cash with you. Declare it when you leave your country but don't declare it when you arrive in Thailand. Head down to super rich and exchange for baht. Walk across the street and open a bank account at Kasikorn (5 minutes and only need your passport) and get an ATM card as well.

Have you done this MeMock?

Exactly which branch did you use?

Always been asked for a work permit each time ive tried it.

Try the K bank at Asoke and Sukhumvit 18, Exchange Tower.

Elections for prime minister should be held as soon as possible. That being said, if I had a vote it would go to Abhisit. His restraint during this time has been admirable to this point and he has upheld the rights of the red shirts to protest non violently. It has only been from that point that Khun Arisaman stormed the parliament that the PM declared emergency measures.

As the US representative pointed out, the redshirts have a right to protest. They do not have the right to take over Parliament!

Recommend the aircon #510 bus. Pay a bit more, suffer a bit less... up to you!

First find out what brand the air conditioners are. If you are lucky, you can call the company directly to have it serviced. Assuming it is made by Mitsubishi, or other name brands, he can do that and get reliable service.

If not, then he can call a guy I know called Khun Noppadon. He does good work, however, he speaks just a little English. His number is 087-679-3179. If you have trouble communicating with him, PM me with your contact number and I will speak to him for you. He can fix most any air conditioner. Your friend's air conditioner apparently needs the cooling compound, which should cost about 20 baht per pound or thereabouts.

I also recommend that you post in the Real Estate & Housing section, under the Do it Yourself forum. You will get a better response from members.

I have enough experience with thug reds in Pattaya after the Asean summit attack, thank you very much. They have declared war on Thailand. This isn't a joke anymore.

Funny how easy it is judge others from a distance! Everyone who prejudges the present red demonstrators are an angry mob without first walking among to the Rachaprasong intersection better take a close look at themselves. They who prejudge bear a close resemblance to "rednecks" as we call them in the US.

Of course, if you stiffed them for a tip recently, I wouldn't want to go down there either!

Did you hear me? I have DIRECT experience with reds. I know what they are. They are brainwashed and/or red for pay. I have seen their thuggish violent behavior IN PERSON in Pattaya. I saw how they acted approaching the Asean summit, it was a mad mob horror show, something out of the Maoist cultural revolution, incredibly anti-intellectual and all about DESTRUCTION, nothing positive or pro democratic about this bunch in the least. They are a dark force for Thailand. (Pattaya is Isaan by the sea, so many red shirts here it isn't funny.) Rednecks? I am the opposite of that. Most of the American rednecks in Thailand support the red shirt insurgents so don't you dare put me in their same boat.

Sorry Jingthing, sounds like you were the one stiffed for a tip. Easy to make judgements all the way from Pattaya!

By the way, I'm going to bed. Take two aspirin and call me in the morning! You'll feel better.

I have enough experience with thug reds in Pattaya after the Asean summit attack, thank you very much. They have declared war on Thailand. This isn't a joke anymore.

Funny how easy it is judge others from a distance! Everyone who prejudges the present red demonstrators are an angry mob without first walking among to the Rachaprasong intersection better take a close look at themselves. They who prejudge bear a close resemblance to "rednecks" as we call them in the US.

Of course, if you stiffed them for a tip recently, I wouldn't want to go down there either!