whatchamacallit

I can't help with specifics on any company, but there is a SCAM to watch out for if shipping... and I used a supposedly reputable farang company with farang workers here. When my shipment arrived, I was told there was some snag at customs... they told me that just to put some fear into me. I was shipping personal possessions, so there shouldn't have been any or much duty at all. Anyway, the farang calls me back and says I have to pay about 20,000 baht for customs. He gives me a computer printed receipt from his company showing 20,XXX baht due. I asked him, "but where is the printed receipt FROM THAI CUSTOMS showing that amount is due", and of course there was none. Basically, there was nothing to pay, it was simply a phony receipt they printed up on their letterhead. I'm sure you can imagine what I did: I paid the extortion cause I wanted my stuff NOW... not much else I could do. I knew I was being cheated.

I don't want to "out" the company, as lack of proof isn't really proof... but I just knew i was being cheated... the only think I can say about the crooks who cheated me: Dublin is lovely this time of year, isn't it!

If you are moving to Thailand and have a retirement visa you are allowed to import up to 1 container (20ft or 40ft) or LCL (less than a container load) duty free with your personal items (furniture, clothing, tv, fridge, etc). You will need a detailed list of everything you're shipping. Electronics need serial and model number, furniture needs dimension etc etc. My advice is to contact a local (thai) freight and customs agent first and get all the details. Good luck.

Currently I have and had a retirement visa for 3 years. I have enough money in a thai bank (over 800K) for the retirement visa and a letter from the U.S. Embassy for my income. I'm kinda tired of leaving that much in a thai bank (0.000001% estimated interest). I would like to use at least half of it for other use. The letter (original copy) I have from the U.S. Embassy is about 2 years old now. Do I have to get a updated one or is the letter I have now, permanently useful at immigration for renewal? Do I have to show, how I get the income at immigration now with the letter. Or is the letter from the embassy sufficient?

Hi, I am copying the following comment from another Forum. It is only valid if you are an American Citizen:

((Comment removed - please do not post from other forums without obtaining approval - you did not mention doing so))

Sorry for cut-and-paste other forum without their permission! You certainly quick to delete it. What I mean by only "for American" is Obtaining the Letter from the American Embassy stating that you have an income of 65K baht/month of more. The American Embassy will give this to you by swearing out that you do have an income of 65K baht per month or more - and you don't need to prove anything!. I'm not sure if the British or Australian Embassy will give you such Certified letter without you proving that you do have monthly income of 65K baht/month?? I hope you read the whole thing before you accuse me of giving false info!

((The information is that you can use 65k per month income/pension as certified by your Embassy rather than 800k bank deposit - nothing new and falsely claimed only Americans could use this method.))

Hope it helps.

Currently I have and had a retirement visa for 3 years. I have enough money in a thai bank (over 800K) for the retirement visa and a letter from the U.S. Embassy for my income. I'm kinda tired of leaving that much in a thai bank (0.000001% estimated interest). I would like to use at least half of it for other use. The letter (original copy) I have from the U.S. Embassy is about 2 years old now. Do I have to get a updated one or is the letter I have now, permanently useful at immigration for renewal? Do I have to show, how I get the income at immigration now with the letter. Or is the letter from the embassy sufficient?

Hi, I am copying the following comment from another Forum. It is only valid if you are an American Citizen:

((Comment removed - please do not post from other forums without obtaining approval - you did not mention doing so))

((The information is that you can use 65k per month income/pension as certified by your Embassy rather than 800k bank deposit - nothing new and falsely claimed only Americans could use this method.))

Hope it helps.

must be 'utilised before 26 June 2007'

I think the English word "before" is quite clear. Last week my guests arrived 10 minutes after the expiration date of his type "O" visa - he and his wife in the wee hours of the morning had to purchase a round trip tickets to Singapore to apply for another Type "O" visas.

The school fees at ISE/ISP?? 75000 seem ok, I will have a good look around there, can you please comment on what you did not like about the place or other rumours you have heard apart from high turnover in staff?

St. Andrews seems a little far to travel.

Regents, too pricey.

Check out Post #6 from sriracha john. He says, and I agree, that the ISE's fees are based on grade level of the student, but an example is that for Kindergarten to 5th grade, it's tuition is 340,000 per year.

I priced this school for my daughter and it was going to cost me a total of 400,000 baht per year which was made up from the tuition fee, travelling, insurance, uniforms etc. etc.

75,000 baht? Where did you get this information?

You're absolutely correct - if you're going to send your kid to any of the following schools:

1. The Regents

2. St. Andrew International

3. Garden International

4. International School of the Eastern Seaboard

Expect to pay between 300K to 450K (tuition, transportation, lunch, & books) annually. For new students there is a one time enrollment fee anywhere from 50K to 100K. So maybe the 75K is the enrollment fee, not tuition. I visited all the above mentioned schools and did my homework before I enrolled my son at St. Andrews.

What made you select St. Andrews from that list ?

And do you feel it is worth it ?

Although Regent's is conveniently close compare to St. Andrews, it is also considerably more expensive. So, I was hoping to find a school of that standard at a more reasonable price. After narrowing it down to St. Andrews, ISE and Garden, we chose St. Andrews after speaking to the Principal and all our our son's potential teachers. We were impressed with the teachers, the class size, and just got a good gut feeling about the school in general. St. Andrews is excellent from Kinder Garten thru Grade 11 at which point the students will take their IGCSE. They are just starting up an International Baccalaurate for grade 12 and 13 but it is yet to be seen what will be offerred for IB.

Does anybody have any first hand experiences with ISP and do they offer a genuine British curriculem?, any comments would be welcome. Going to stop by there when Im back.

Not a good school , more like a hustle with the Wutichort Bilingual school in front of it.

I understand the owners also run Friendship Supermarket , so it is simply another cash cow of a school.

During my quest to find the best school for my son (in Pattaya), I also visited ISP on Sukhumvit (next to Mc. Donalds) - with enrollment and tuition fee comparable to Garden, St. Andrews, Regents and ISE, International School of Pattaya (in my opinion) however is far below the quality and standard of it's peers. English is not our first language and if I were going to spend that kind of money, I would like my son to attend a facility that is taught by native English speakers in all subjects except Thai Language and Culture. It's not that I'm prejudice, it just make sense. My advice is to visit all these schools, ask for a tour of the school, check their facilities, talk to the teachers and the principal, take notes, ask questions - then make the decission. It would also be a good idea to bring your kid(s) along - after all it is them who will be attending the school 5 days a week, but the final decission should be yours.

The school fees at ISE/ISP?? 75000 seem ok, I will have a good look around there, can you please comment on what you did not like about the place or other rumours you have heard apart from high turnover in staff?

St. Andrews seems a little far to travel.

Regents, too pricey.

Check out Post #6 from sriracha john. He says, and I agree, that the ISE's fees are based on grade level of the student, but an example is that for Kindergarten to 5th grade, it's tuition is 340,000 per year.

I priced this school for my daughter and it was going to cost me a total of 400,000 baht per year which was made up from the tuition fee, travelling, insurance, uniforms etc. etc.

75,000 baht? Where did you get this information?

You're absolutely correct - if you're going to send your kid to any of the following schools:

1. The Regents

2. St. Andrew International

3. Garden International

4. International School of the Eastern Seaboard

Expect to pay between 300K to 450K (tuition, transportation, lunch, & books) annually. For new students there is a one time enrollment fee anywhere from 50K to 100K. So maybe the 75K is the enrollment fee, not tuition. I visited all the above mentioned schools and did my homework before I enrolled my son at St. Andrews.

Howdie,

I'm sure this topic has been brought up more than once before - if so, you must forgive me as I am a newbie here

I am looking for a school, private company or an organization which offers Thai Lessons for beginners in a classroom setting. I do not want a one on one lessons. For example, up in Chiang Mai, you can take Thai lessons at the YMCA. Thanks guys.

First, don't be shy about asking things, or being a "newbie"... Doesn't matter if it's been asked before, someone no doubt is thinking the same thing you are. Sorry, I don't know where to suggest, hopefully others will... but I've lived in Thailand almost two years, and I've already learned a few words:

"nam yen yen" cold water ("yen" means cold, "yen yen" means very cold).

"sip-hah" is the number 15

"sa bai dee mai" is something like "how are you doing".

Thank you for your reply Weho. You're right, I won't be shy from now on. Hey, your Thai is better than mine - but then again I've only been here less than a year. Call me stupid or whatever - but as an Asian living in Thailand, EVERYONE (especially the Thais) thinks I am Thai. They automatically speaks Thai to me and don't believe me if I told them I don't speak a word of Thai. So it is now my mission to take Thai lessons and learn the Thai language. BTW, I've always enjoyed your postings.

Howdie,

I'm sure this topic has been brought up more than once before - if so, you must forgive me as I am a newbie here

I am looking for a school, private company or an organization which offers Thai Lessons for beginners in a classroom setting. I do not want a one on one lessons. For example, up in Chiang Mai, you can take Thai lessons at the YMCA. Thanks guys.

Tissue/napkin and Toilet Paper shortage in Thailand:

When you go to MacDonald's, KFC, Dairy Queen and they only give you 1 napkin.

Big C and Royal Plaza Theatre concession stand - bring your own napkin as they offer none at all.

5 baht public toilet - 1 tile of toilet paper to wipe :-).

and the list goes on....

I have a stomach lined with steel - but after eating the Seared Scallop special (imported from the US) at Cherry's (on 2nd Road) I was on the floor hugging the toilet bowl for 6 hours. I'm sure this can happen anywhere, but next time I will think twice before eating any seafood that has been frozen before they are served and NOT cooked thru.