whatchamacallit

Whilst I agree with a few of his suggestions such as: be prepared, be polite, dressed appropriately etc. BUT wearing a suit and Wai to all the officers - is a bit over top!! Gotta wipe that brown stuff off you nose buddy :-).

At South Pattaya market. There is a guy just where the fresh food section starts.

Here in Jomtien there is a traditional thai market at the eastern end of Soi 5 (Immigration office) - right accross from Aussie Bar - there is a guy at back section of the market with a coconut grinder who will grind fresh coconut for you. You may have to squeeze the milk yourself :-).

Hmmm David Blaine is in town???

But where is the scam???

A woman jumped off the building where I live here in Jomtien - I saw the body, and I'm freakin' out man

Such a permanent solution to a temporary problem - what a waste

May she rest in peace!!!

He's already in Thailand, how would he get a visa before buying tickets?

I think what he meant is: First find out (or call the consulate) to make sure the Consulate in Perth will be open on such and such date, and that the OP will difinitely get the Non-O visa, then you buy the ticket :-)

I have not seen any reports of Brisbane issuing a Non Imm O Multi Entry Visa to visit friends.

Anyone?

Got my Non-O based on visiting friends from Perth last November - but since the Perth Hon. Consulate closed on the 15th of October, I called Brisbane last month and talked to both the consulate and his Thai Wife and here's what they told me:

If under the age of 50 years old - They will grant me a Non-O with Multi entries valid for 12 months (can be stretched to 15) with the proof of Title of ownership to a condo in Thailand. She also added that I should bring along my Thai Bank Account book. So I'll be heading to Brisbane next month :-).

No Non-O based on visiting friends/relatives will be granted at Brisbase Thai Consulate.

I am interested in joining :-)... If enough people are interested you should set up a first meeting just to brainstorm ideas, input, feeback etc.

I have an old cheap bike :-) and I ride my bike twice a week. I DON'T like riding my bike in the Central Pattaya area - so starting from Car4 is not a good idea.

Sorry for being a bit ignorant about this and I just don't get it....

1. So what is black money? is it money (USD, EUROS) with a little (or a lot of) stain??

2. If only stain then the money is still good isn't it?? I know a few countries (Burma, Indonesia, etc) that won't take any dirty USD - it has to be in perfect condition.

3. If the victim really wants to literally clean their money and the seller delivers the product that can do the job - so where is the scam??? :-)

Hmmm.. I have a good one.... how about:

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

He has to apply for a re-entry permit at the immigration office he uses for extensions. If he is not on extensions of stay he can use any immigration ofice, so Cheang wattana would be fine.

At the airport they can now only be gotten in case of an emergency, up to the officer to decide to grant or refuse.

http://bangkok.immig.../location1.html

Hi Mario: Thank you... he is on his way to Chaeng Wattana. Let's hope he'll be able to get his re-entry with no problem and be on his way tomorrow :-). KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Son is at the airport now - already missed his flight :-( He has a student visa, but forgot to apply for a re-entry - we've already given him a long lecture over the phone, but that's a long story :-). He has rescheduled to fly for tomorrow morning. The question is: is there an immigration service at the airport where he can get a re-entry visa? If not where is the closest one where he can get a re-entry. Please reply asap as we need to resolve this today.

By the way, they don't glue the pages in but use a sewing machine to sew the extra pages in.

I've had extra pages added 3 different times to my one passport - they used a sticky plastic laminate to attach the pages - they are NOT sewn.

Sounds like you have a Single entry Non-Immigrant-type-O visa which only grants you 90 days stay when you enter Thailand and that you do not have a work permit. You need to clarify this with the NGO you're working for - as this can be problematic.

To Get a 12 months multiple entries Non-O (if not married to a Thai) on the basis of visiting friends - the closest consulate is HULL, England.

Luggage? If you are going to the airport surely it doesn't matter. But this is not the typical case.

Not only that, but unlike the big buses there is very little room for luggage.

Most people going to Victory

are going to work. The people who use these vans are mostly Thais commuting to work or visiting.

let me see... 10 people (max 12) per minivan... and at 150 baht/person (the most expensive one here) that's equal to a big whopping 1500 baht (or 1800 baht) gross for the minivan company - from Pattaya to Victory Monument. Now I wouldn't call them ripping you off would you? Even without your luggage :-).

And as you said "mostly Thais uses these vans" - if the price is too high, the Thais wouldn't use their service would they?

Are you complaining about the poor service or the difference in price or both?? Either way both prices seem very reasonable. If you want to carry your luggage to walking street and save 40 baht - more power to you. For either of those prices, I would not expect a red carpet service.

Why would he be firing a gun into the air? Is he nuts or was he after somebody!

According to the PDN story he shot at a woman..........

http://www.pattayada...aught-with-gun/

She didn't pay him for a short time???

I can cook very tasty, hot and spicy, Thai food using the correct ingredients. Race and nationality doesn't determine the ability to cook, understanding what the food is supposed to taste like, caring about that, and some cooking ability of course, are what matters.

Agree wholeheartedly!!! The worse Chinese food I have ever had was when I was in China. .... and yes I am Chinese :-).

I have many Filipino friends came to visit me this year - not you don't need any visa. When you arrive they will give you 30 days permission to say. You will be a tourist, and most likely they will not ask you to proof that you have money (cash) to spend whilst here. Be sure to have a return ticket though - as they may ask you to proof it.

Now the problem is on your side when you leave the Manila Airport - as the immigration officer may require you to proof that you have booked a hotel here in Thailand. Silly but that's how it goes.

As the old saying goes, "you get what you pay for", but last night i think you could have paid 2000 Bt for a room and you still would have had no power, a lot of intermittent power outages last night with the storm!!

I think you should consider yourself extremely lucky that you got away with paying half price, rather than whingeing on here you should be posting a thankyou to the owners for being so considerate under the circumstances!!

at 490 baht I wouldn't call it a resort (like the Four Seasons, the Aman, Banyan Tree) - but regardless of the name, there is no reason for poor service.

Out of curiosity we decided to check this place out last night - we arrived at 7:15 and decided to sit in the small Air Conditioned room all the way in the back. The two of us and another farang couple were the only diners at this time - but then the sky opened up and buckets and buckets of water came down from the sky.

The ambiance: Not fancy, but comfortable.

The Price: Very reasonable

The Food: it is okay for the price. We ordered an assortment of deep fried veggies in batter, Butter Chicken, Mutton Rogan Josh, Garlick Naan, Butter Roti, and Safron Rice which never came. The Butter Chicken was good a bit on the salty side. The Mutton Rogan Josh - the sauce was good, but the mutton was cut into too big a chunk and a bit chewy - it would have been easier to eat had it been cut into bite size chunk. The garlick naan was excellent and the butter roti just okay. No comment on the Safron Rice as it never came. Total bill for the two of us including drinks (1 lg Chang, 1 sm singha, 1 water): 550 baht. When the bill came they forgot to charge me for the Rogan Josh (150 baht) - I brought this to their attention and they corrected the bill.

Being new, they still have a few bumps to smooth over. All in all a good value for your money. Having said that, for a little bit more money you should check out NAWAB in Pratamnak Hills - better ambiance, better food, and easy parking.

You should report this to Stephen the proprietor - he is Australian and a very reasonable guy. His office is in the back though it is often he's not there. His Thai wife/gf is always there - but I'm not sure if she'll respond to your complaint.

Just a small question..

Anyone who has a friend in Thailand can apply for non immigrant O visa? So my boyfriend can apply for that type of visa if I provide him an invitation letter from a friend? What can I write for a purpose of visit?

as suggested by LiteBeer - Hull in the UK.... or if you go before October 15 - Perth, Australia.

Purpose of visit: Visiting friend(s) in Thailand.

Damaging a door? A bank vault door? No 10 Downing Street? Your fist in the ex girl friends door?

lobpburi3 !!!! The above comment is SO NOT you....

Not true. The salesman who spoke to me was American. Absolutely no negotiation. Just tried to get me to "save" by buying two-year membership.

well 98% of the time, the American guy is not there!!!!!! So speak to one of their sales reps who always so eager to talk to passers by. Why are you arguing with me - I told you this based on my own experince and two other friends who have joined on my recommendation. What other proof you need?

There is nothing worse than walking into a place of business and being greeted with blank stares - lots here in Thailand

I joined Calif WOW for 10,000 baht - got a lifetime membership inclusive of ALL their branches (BKK, CM, etc), and Yoga Classes.

Sales people are well trained and friendly. Will show you the facility with great enthusiasm!! Comes negotiation time - be tough and tell them your budget is 10K. You must haggle a little bit - say "I'll think about it" and do a walk out..... they'll give it to you - trust me I'm speaking from experience here.