DavidS

Can anyone tell me what is the import duty for software sent in via Fed-Ex?

No straight answer from the local office - "depends on customs when the item arrives".

I know regular mail sometimes means no duty charged, but that was not an option in this case.

1) Letter from bank dated 25th March, last entry in bank passbook dated 22nd March, balance in both the same. The officer who did the final check and initialled the Under Consideration stamp asked us to update the passbook to show the balance as at date of application and then fax in a copy of that page. Had I known I would have stopped off on the way and updated it at an update machine and then copied that page across the road from Suan Phlu.

This requirement may be problematic with a fixed deposit account. What if there has been no transaction, since the only transactions are interest and tax at due date (every three months) --> no new prints in the book.

I've been using fixed deposit for years and never had a problem as long as the bank letter and the bank book showed the same balance.

opalhort

I had the same concern initially - no transactions today, and I did not want to change the balance by deposit or withdrawal as then Letter and Book no longer tally.

Fortunately, when I put the book in the Update Machine, it printed "B/f Amount" with today's date. Had nothing happened because of no transactions, I was planning to ask the counter staff to 'manually' print a balance notation with today's date.

Perhaps you could look into this?

I applied for my 2nd extension today (26th March) at Suan Phlu and I did it on the basis of 400K in the bank. It's been there for ages so no issue on timing. Some points that may be helpful to know.

1) Letter from bank dated 25th March, last entry in bank passbook dated 22nd March, balance in both the same. The officer who did the final check and initialled the Under Consideration stamp asked us to update the passbook to show the balance as at date of application and then fax in a copy of that page. Had I known I would have stopped off on the way and updated it at an update machine and then copied that page across the road from Suan Phlu.

2) I was also asked to sign a document in English acknowledging that I understand that any further extensions of my visa on the grounds of Thai Wife would require the 400K to be in the bank at least 3 months prior to date of application. I'm guessing that when they scrapped the 40K/month wifes income option, they decided to ease in the 400K requirement at 2 months initially, and plan for it to be 3 months once people have had time to adjust.

A last point that delayed us a bit was filling out and signing a couple of additional documents. I had to sign 'document 2' (Acknowledgement of the conditions for permitted continuation of stay in the Kingdom of Thailand) and my wife had to sign 'document 3' (Statement, basically stating our relationship and that I still live at our recorded address). These documents are not available for download from the immigration dept website (document 2 is, but link returns 404).

They did check that I was not using last years 4x6 photo for the application. I was tempted to use one of the leftovers but fortunately decided against it.

I had a new set of photos of us around the house, taken at different times, which went down well. Again, they checked that the photos were not the same as last years.

As always, the devil is in the detail and reading of the experiences of others here does help in preparing.

I went through this a little over a year ago. Specific departments I mention would differ, as I am not an American, but the procedure with regard to Thai requirements is the same.

1) I got a document from the Registrar of Marriages in my country certifying that I was single (1 week).

2) I had to swear a Statutory Declaration in my home country that I had not entered into a marriage that the Registrar was unaware of. This was probably a local requirement in my country (1 day).

3) I had to take the documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in my country to get them certified as being genuine (1 day).

4)Brought the lot to my Embassy in Bangkok. They said either let them get the translation done, or go to one they recommended. I just let them get it done. I then had to swear an oath in front of the First Secretary that all was true (again, a requirement from my country I think) and he then endorsed the documents (2 trips to the embassy a couple of days apart, the first walk-in, the second with appointment - check with yours).

5) Before the First Secretary endorsed the documents, I had to sign a document whereby I attested to having the means to provide for and would care for my wife-to-be no matter where in the world I took her, and had to provide the names and addresses of 2 citizens of my country who could verify that what I said was true - just a formality, they do not check. This is pretty stone age thinking and I complained to my embassy but the Thai staffer handling my case gave me a sweet smile and said it was a requirement of the Thai government. I just signed the thing, waste of time arguing. (check with your embassy)

6) I then had to take the lot to the Department of Consular Affairs in Chaeng Wattana, Bangkok, to be certified as true. Pay for express service and get it the same day (takes 2 or more hours, depending on the crowd). I saw loads of foreigners sitting waiting for the same day service.

7)Took the lot to the Amphur where my wife-to-be had her blue book issued and registered the marriage. Waiting time about an hour ( because of people ahead of us) and they checked every single document and signature so I was glad I went through every step. Before they would register the marriage, I had to sign a document waiving any claims to the house registered in my wifes name.

8) Wife then had 'Mrs' inserted into her ID, but retained her maiden name. I hear that even having 'Mrs' inserted in the ID is no longer a requirement, but you would need to check on this.

I used http://www.dopa.go.th/English/servi/marry.htm as my guideline, and I called my embassy to get their specific advice on exactly what to do. Really tedious as you can gather from the above, but if you follow every step, things go as smoothly as is possible dealing with bureaucracy anywhere.

Good luck and I hope this helps you.

I got a 1 year extension in March based on income of Thai Wife. At the time, Imm had zero interest in my bank account. Fine, I could live with that and frankly, have better use for funds than to leave 400K sitting in a bank account.

My question is, when I go for the next extension in March 09, should I try for wife's income again?

I would hate to give up on that by using bank deposit qualification and forfeiting the 'right' (?) to revert to wife's income should they later raise the bank deposit requirement to 600K or 800K based on someones whim.

I had the impression grandfathering whenever rule changes were applied to this sort of category was pretty standard. If indeed it is not the case now, I cannot take any joy in qualifying this time around, because the rules may change next time.

For all those who face difficulty because of no grandfathering, my sympathy and I hope you manage to work through this somehow.

Supposedly constitutional amendments designed to get people off the hook triggered the protests.

Then the issues just multiplied.

Now this.

And while everyone is distracted, the real action takes place:-

http://www.bangkokpost.com/061008_News/06Oct2008_news20.php

This thing will not end anytime soon.

Peace Blondie,

You once exercised your right as OP to close the thread you started.

I started this thread appealing for support for 2 establishments that I believed were suffering the consequences of complying with the new smoking laws.

It turns out that 1 establishment is having a quiet time for other reasons. The other has thrown in the towel and allows smoking on the premises.

Given that the intent of the post is now moot, may I request that this thread be closed - after Burman has exercised his right of reply to my last post?

I will not need to reply to him. If anyone wants to debate the relative merits of smoking or the smoking regulations, I would be more than pleased to, in another thread that clearly identifies that intent.

DavidS do you never download music or films? Wear any fake clothing? Bought a drink during an alcohol ban or outside of the legal hours?

I'm no saint mate, never claimed to be one.

Music downloads....I'd spend 6000 - 8000baht at a time at CD Warehouse, Emporium, RIP. My wife was staggered whenever she saw that. One time I bought a CD, tried to copy it to my iPod. Could not. Copy Protection. I paid almost 500 baht for it. Of course, we criminals in Asia without a US or EU address on our credit cards cannot buy anything from iTunes. Guess what? My daughter asked the question, "Haven't you heard of Limewire?" Problem solved. Criminal? Proud of this one mate. I paid good money for the CD, and was denied my right to enjoy it in the form I wished. No BIG LABEL to warn me, just fine print that said "Copy Protected". Did not elaborate and say "You may not be able to copy this to your MP3 / iPod". BTW, if you want to buy original CDs, PM me, I've a few hundred I can offer you. Some won't transfer to your iPod, but hey, who cares right? At least I told you up front.

Fake clothing? Do you seriously think I am so stupid as to feel good about having a famous brand name on a cheap piece of crap that I would buy and wear? Are you able to fool yourself with that?

Alcohol ban? The ban is on sale, not consumption. I stock up in advance and drink. I don't waste my time with beer in tea cups.

Do I cross the street anywhere? I look for a pedestrian crossing if there is one. Given the complete lack of respect for what that means here, I have an equal chance of getting killed, but at least my next of kin can claim funeral expenses. But if I have to walk 100 yards in the wrong direction to get to one, no, I just cross. Trust me, it may be illegal, but it is 100% as safe as using a pedestrian crossing in Bangkok.

Now, please tell me which of these actions caused physical damage to the people around me? Smoking does, believe it or not.

I am not going to use my actions to justify breaking these laws. If I get caught, fair cop.

Nor will I tell you that we should abolish all traffic / road use laws, or litter laws, or copyright laws. They are there and serve a purpose.

Now, back to the point. The majority of people are opposed to being exposed to cigarette smoke. Do not tell me that they can stay away from the bars. A bar is a public house, with a licence to sell alcohol to the public. That means every Tom, Dick , Harry and his mother who walk in. The public enjoy the protection of the law. The law says they have a right to drink in a bar without having to inhale second hand smoke. We can continue this silly argument till we both die of old age, it will not change that simple fact. Deal with that head on, do not try and finesse the issue.

I was putting my point across to say that I don't agree with this new law. Your recent points about a bar being empty until they allowed smoking again backs that up I think.

And you also found a non smoking bar that was perfectly suitable for you just 10 yards away so not much of a chore for you either. That's why I say again, smoking and non smoking bars, let the publicans decide.

I think comparing all law breakers to murderers is a bit far though. Everybody breaks the law to some degree.

I understand your point, but I have to disagree with you about publicans making a decision on application of the law, for obvious reasons.

True, I would agree with you that my example of murderers is extreme. I chose it with full recognition of that.

If complying with some laws is optional, and others not, where do we draw the line, and who decides?

Doesn't everyone have a right to a different opinion?

So, who is right and who is wrong when an individual decides that a law is not worth respecting?

Can you show me where is the list of laws that everyone has to obey, and the other list that is left to individual discretion?

If it has a roof you can't smoke.

Brevity, thy name is twschw.

I haven't read the law, but I'll bet good money it took many more words to express what you just did in 8.

I fully support The Office allowing having smoking and also DavidS decision to find an alternative non smoking bar. They both serve the same drinks and show the same rugby match, in fact it seems that both the smokers and non smokers would be happy with that solution.

Again I say, let the bars choose whether they are smoking bars or non smoking bars.

Everybody's happy then.

Burman, I'm sorry, but this is not an issue for the bars to decide. Bars do not make laws. The owners were not elected to do that.

If complying with the law is an option, then there would be anarchy.

Mu Ham drove his mercedes into a group of people - obviously he felt (not thought, brain absent) free to do so. Another famous son killed a policeman. Again, he felt no compulsion to respect the law.

Once we start down the road of deciding which laws we will respect, it becomes a very slippery slope.

The answer is obvious - respect the law. And if walking 10 yards to step out the door is too much of a chore, then where does it ever begin?

Gentlemen, please, it is not necessary to hurl insults over differing opinions on the matter at hand.

We can have a civil discussion on this subject and if need be, agree to disagree. There are entrenched opinions at play here. It is not the opinions that are an issue, it is the actions that really matter.

In any event;

If anyone has been to The Office today, in response to my original post, then I owe you an apology.

I have just returned from the establishment (cut short the evening) and I am disappointed to report that they have given in; half the bar is smoking, bar area, the other half where the tables are situated is non-smoking. They were most apologetic of course, but the reality is that this sort of separation really does not make much of a difference.

I have informed the management that I will not be returning until they feel thay are able to respect the law.

I stopped over at Tenderloins in the same Soi. They were doing pretty brisk business, and were pleased to confirm that they are respecting the new smoking laws. They also confirmed that they have the Super 14 rugby on live, which is why I was going to the Office anyway.

So, Tenderloins will be getting my custom for now. I do enjoy the atmosphere at the Office, but do not see any point in paying money to feel ill, and sadly, cigarette smoke does that to me.

Once again, I'm disappointed and if anyone went to the Office because of my post, my apologies.

The ban is not being fully enforced until June. We are now in a transition period.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but as I understand it, for now the authorities will issue warnings if they find people smoking in bars. Fines start in June. That means that there is a clear expectation that smoking in bars will stop from the date of the law being gazetted (or however they do it here), else why the warnings?

As for Clayton's point about a Government's duty of care towards its citizens, he is indeed correct. New York opted to do so whilst preserving some choice. The UK, Ireland, France etc opted for a blanket ban. They are doing what they should as democratically elected governments. People are then obliged to comply with the laws.

Minorities disagreeing with laws that have the support of the majority really is a different subject from this thread, so I will not go down that road.

Why must it be a level playing field? Why couldn't there be smoking and non smoking bars?

If there is a such a support for non smoking bars then I would guess most publicans would opt for the non smoking license.

As a point of clarification, in my post my reference to a level playing field simply means that all should operate within the law.

I would hope that every reasonable person would agree with this, which is why I made the appeal for support for these establishments in the first place.

I still see the New York situation as a level playing field. Two types of bars catering to 2 distinct segments of the market, in compliance with the law.

But we do not have that here. And when some bars find a way to avoid complying with the law and others suffer a disadvantage as a result, then I have to disagree with that situation.

Some have complained about pricing at the Londoner. One would hope that the owners of that establishment would recognise this and do something about it, for their own good.

Nobody has yet complained about pricing at The Office, though one poster noted that the decline pre-dates the smoking laws.

The problem with the freedom of choice debate is that the law as written does not permit that. I agree it would be an elegant solution, New York allows bars to purchase a tobacco licence and declare themselves smoking bars. But this is not the case here.

What you have is bars breaking the law on smoking. At 20,000 baht a time, that is 600,000 baht in potential fines in 30 days. Obviously they are not paying 600,000 baht in fines, are they?

I don't know about you, but I do wonder.

Which brings me back to my point, a level playing field is better for the consumer.

I'll be moving to Bangkok in a month, thus far I've only used the internet in Thailand in internet cafe's. I think everyone knows this often should not be considered high speed internet. How is the internet at residential locations? Is there a particular internet provider or service that is faster than the rest?

I did search the forum but couldn't find information on this topic.

I subscribed to a TOT ADSL that is supposed to be 1024/512 or thereabouts.

Best download I got was 200+, I'm talking about overseas sites.

Last Tuesday evening, phone goes dead. Wife calls TOT, they say they are upgrading phone system for the whole district, phone will work again Wednesday afternoon.

It works Wed morning and seems fast. I do a check with 2 overseas speedtest sites. 1 registers 760 / 235 and the other 685 / 225. I repeat the test later the same day and get slightly slower speeds.

The lesson I get from this is that your ultimate speed is not because of the package you sign for, it is the quality of the phone lines that carry the data.

I am not sure whether which ISP you sign for determines which phone lines are used, but I would seriously doubt that every ISP runs their own phone lines in.

I'm in Prawet district. From what little I know of ADSL, the closer to the exchange, the better the signal.

Going back a bit, so I may have the order mixed up.

Star Trek (The real one!)

One Step Beyond

The Third Man

Spy Ring

The Golden Hind ??(about Sir Francis Drake)

The Prisoner

The Twilight Zone

And Arnold Palmer playing golf at his best!

Twilght Zone and The Outer Limits.......great stories!

Ah Yes, The Outer Limits. Indeed, another fine series.

The following urologistshave treated other forum members for cancer and come well recommeded:

Samitivej Hospital:

Dr. Thanoo Choovichan

Dr. Isares Sarison or something like that

Bumrungrad Hospitl:

Dr. Viroj Chodchoy

Good luck

I'm impressed with the depth and detail of knowledge here, and you most certainly add a lot of value to this forum.

Thank you.

Going back a bit, so I may have the order mixed up.

Star Trek (The real one!)

One Step Beyond

The Third Man

Spy Ring

The Golden Hind ??(about Sir Francis Drake)

The Prisoner

The Twilight Zone

And Arnold Palmer playing golf at his best!

Yes Wednesday is busy because it's half price on drinks night. I popped in there once on a Friday about 8-9 O'Clock, it was completely dead.

Have to admit though, smoking outside is one of the reasons too.

That says a bit. If the perceived value for money is there, smokers will go to the place and step out / party outside if they have to. And if they do not see the value for money, they up sticks and move.

The only thing I find sad is the playing field does not appear to be level. Businesses should compete on a level playing field, it is better for the consumer and in a first-world law enforcement situation, they would.

*fags is common in english for cigarettes ( for information of speakers of english as second language and americans - still learning english)

Good thing you clarified this. Heaven forbid that anyone took the other meaning. The Politically Correct Police would have been on your case.

The trouble with the surveys or stats is for every one that says something, another contradicts it.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/20080329/thl-...rk-0b0437e.html

I guess the most accurate description is "mixture of reasons" above. There are smokers and non-smokers patronising the 2 establishments I mentioned. And a number of people have posted that they do not go to these places because of price.

Perhaps its too early to draw any conclusions, but posts so far point to the main factor really being value for money? If the place gives its customers what they perceive to be great value for money, not just price but atmosphere and overall experience, people will keep going. And if not, they don't.

Business at The Londoner and The Office on Sukhumvit 33 has been down recently. I do not know whether this is an unrelated trend or because of the new smoking laws.

Some people seem to think that it is because the playing field is not level – there are still bars that permit smoking inside. This apparently has a spillover effect, because it is not just the smokers who move there, their non-smoking friends follow.

If this is the case then I think it is a heavy price for these establishments to pay for trying to do the right thing.

This is not about whether smoking is good or bad, neither is it about whether the laws are good or bad. There are entrenched opinions on these issues and re-hashing them is not going to change anything.

It is about doing the right thing and suffering for it. It is about the staff at these establishments paying a particularly heavy price. Tips are obviously down, and I'm sure everyone has noticed the way the cost of living has been increasing sharply the last 3 months.

I have no financial connection with these 2 establishments, but I would ask that if you support the idea of these establishments doing the right thing, then please consider giving them some patronage as a sign of support.

By the same token, if your local is in a similar situation, post it and I will make the effort to pop over and show some support.

I love to have eggs, sausages and sometimes bacon for weekend breakfasts. Or bangers and mash.

This latest research is a bit of a damper on that I'm afraid.

Be nice if it was just one of those extreme reports, but it doesn't come across that way.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/skynews/20080331/...er-45dbed5.html

Lousy speed here too with TOT.

But maybe problem is more that just TOT. I was trying for the first time to work with FTP programs for my new site. Downloading files for backup was slower than email attachments, so I asked my website developer if it was the software I was using for this (yes, I know very little about this subject ).

He responded that he was having the same problem, but he is using True.

Possibly the international pipes?