shotover

I watched the Yasothon Rocket festival last year. The event highlight was the largest and last rocket to be launched. A lot of drama as they lit the fuse and nothing happened for about 25 minutes. A couple of the 'rocket engineers' would periodically try to approach it, but were restrained by their cohorts.

Finally, with no warning, smoke started bellowing out of the bottom of the rocket, it slowly lifted up about 10 meters, then took off parallel to the ground due south along the main highway (it was supposed to rise vertically at least 1000 meters high, and fall in the empty fields due east.

According to the newspaper the next day, it ended up traveling around 4 kilometers before crashing into a tree and garage in a village. No one injured, but the PuuYai who sponsored this big rocket returned to Bkk immediately without attending the post-festival reception.

Glad they didn't include Yasothon. They had some nice coyote dancers at last year's Rocket Festival. However, even if Yasothon is not specifically named, I would expect they would follow the intent of the lawmakers.

Are they closing the Sukhumvit Coliseum? Surprising as that is a large investment and prime location.

Note they don't include Siem Reap, for which they have exclusive rights for a few more years (though they do include Samui), and additional taxes and surcharges can be significant.

It's still on their route-map, but not on the Special Web Fare, if that's what you mean ?

LaoPo

Yep. I guess there is no need for Bkk Air to discount their BKK-SiemReap route as they have exclusive use of that route, and have no problem filling seats at around 11,500 baht RT.

Note they don't include Siem Reap, for which they have exclusive rights for a few more years (though they do include Samui), and additional taxes and surcharges can be significant.

Not necessarily. Visa/Plus ATM, credit, and debit cards have been using the onshore rates from day one. MasterCard/Cirrus, on the other hand, were using offshore rates up until a month or so ago. Now they too are using onshore rates. Anyway, this is based on my experience, and several others. Nevertheless, there may be some rogue banks out there.

Thanks for sharing some 1st hand experience. Would you know if Kasikorn ATMs are one of the banks which provides the onshore rate when withdrawing funds from a foreign bank account?

From looking at the photo of the bus, wonder how much painting the windows with advertising blocks the drivers' vision, and leads to possible accidents.

The real terror of Bkk streets are the small green buses which race other buses for customers. Never cross an intersection expecting one of these to slow down or give any way to you.

Last year in May 2006, my USA bank informed me by email that the use of all Visa debit cards would be blocked in 4 countries (N. Korea, Romania, Russia, and Thailand) due to high levels of fraudulent activity traced to these 4 countries. It was 4 months before they lifted these restrictions in Thailand.

Fortunately, I had another ATM card (not Visa) that I could use in only certain Thai ATMs to withdraw money from my USA bank.

An inconvenience and worry.

If you use your ATM card from a bank account in a foreign country you get the offshore rate (not good).

If you transfer money from your foreign bank account into your thai bank account (transferring in foreign currency) then you get onshore rates.

Thanks Yeti. Looks like I'll be transferring a large chunk of money into my Thai bank account, despite the $45 transfer fee charged by my bank.

Any idea if the dual exchange rates (onshore / offshore) are permanent, or if they will go back to a single exchange rate in the near future?

These are offshore NOT onshore rates.

If you use a BKK ATM (using a Visa Debit card with the PLUS system) to withdraw baht from your USA bank account, would you normally get the offshore or onshore rates?

This sight says 11.-13. May 2007 > http://www.thailandtourismus.de/newsroom/f...tival/feste.htm

Thanks Tywais. Also found it on this site, so that's good confirmation of the date:

http://www.tatnews.org/events/events/2007/may2007.asp

I went there a year ago, and had a great time. Interesting to watch them pack the rockets with fuel, lift and strap them to the launching structures, and wait in anticipation to see how high they go. The parade and street party they have the 2nd day is also impressive, with literally thousands from this small province participating.

The disadavantage is very few hotel rooms available at premuim prices, and little else to do in this small provincial town.

Does anyone know the dates for the 2007 Yasothon Rocket festival in May?

The only exact date I could get through a google search was May 13-15. However, this doesn't seem right as this would be Sunday - Tuesday. The festival usually is held from Friday - Sunday.

Any knowledge on exact dates would be appreciated.

Until recently, I lived on this small soi for over 2 years. Lots of large construction projects close by, with many itinerant construction workers and families living in temporary structures. However, I've walked alone down the soi late night/early mornings without ever feeling unsafe.

Sad story.

Kudos to SRJ for often finding relevent photos. Regarding ethnic background of Minnig, agree with Sanqet that he looks Filipina, and Carlos is a common Spanish name.

Thanks for the info Bkkguitar. Useful info. I know some ladies who have lived in Nana Condo for at least 6 years. I think many property owners spend their deposits as soon as they receive them, with no intention of refunding them. Useful to share info on these instances.

Is this guy American or Canadian? Newspaper says he is American, but other reports say he had a Canadian passport. ??

Thanks for the reviews. very informative. I've also heard negative comments about the conditions of the Rajah Mansion rooms, and them not returning renters deposits.

A couple of questions:

What was the minimum lease requirement for the Omni room at 19,000 baht, and how did they charge for electricity and water?

Where is the Nana City Condo located? At the end of Sukhumvit Soi 4 next to the Tobacco Factory, or on Sukhumvit Soi 3?

Thanks

Ghanaian man arrested with 2.4 kgs of cocaine

Police have arrested a Ghanaian man for allegedly having 2.4 kilogrammes of cocaine in possession.

Peter Oppong, 34, was arrested at midnight Thursday while allegedly selling two grammes of cocaine to an undercover policeman in front of Preeda Apartment on Soi Charansanitwong 42 in Bang Plad district.

Police later searched the room of the Ghanaian man and found over 2 kgs more of the drug.

Metropolitan police chief Pol Lt Gen Wiroj Chanrangsi announced his arrest at a press conference Friday.

Source: The Nation - 29 December 2006

Interesting in that about 5 days ago the Bangkok Post had an article listing the '10 most dangerous sois in Bangkok' that the Thai Police would be increasing patrols in during the New Year holiday period. Two of these 10 sois cited were Soi Charansanitwong 37 'known for sexual assaults' and Soi Charansanitwong 89 'known for drugs'. Guess they can add soi 42 to their list.

2 friends (one from Germany and one from the USA) who recently arrived for a 2 week holiday entered Thailand initially on the 30 day visa exemption stamp. They left Thailand for a short visit to Cambodia and returned to Thailand on a 2nd 30 day visa exemption stamp.

Both showed me their visas, and neither had any numbers or notes written in their passports indicating the number of stays.

Thai Immigration seems to be inconsistent in notating visa stamps, or maybe there is a method to their madness.

I'm looking for something simple, 100cc - 125cc, just to run around close to home.

Any forum member selling or know good places to look?

I'm selling my Honda Wave 100 (electric start, auto clutch, just under 6,000 kilometers). I normally ride it to the local Tesco/Carrefour, etc.

Priced significantly less than a new Wave.

Send me a personal message (PM) if you are interested.

I purchased a motocycle with a non-immigrant O visa. No work permit required.

If you don't find a shop or agent to transfer the ownership, I would assume the buyer and seller could go to the Land Transport Office with the 'Green Book' registration document and transfer ownership there.

Just watching CNN in Bangkok. Just as the journalist said "here are some photos relating to the coup", the broadcast suddenly switched to a series of montages of various models, actors, and actresses.

Seems like someone has their fingers on the edit switch at UBC.

Thanks once again Lopburi. I'll go to Suan Phlu and purchase a reentry permit prior to leaving Thailand later this month. Would hate to get caught up in this arrival without visa mess.

Stupid Stupid Stupid me!!! All I have to do is look at the visa stamp in my passport, but noooo . . .

I previously mistakenly believed my non-Imm O-A visa based on retirement expired 1 year after my first entry after receiving the visa, rather than 1 year after the visa was approved.

To summarize, my most recent non-Imm O-A visa was approved on 8 Sep 2005, with a must be utilized date before 7 Sep 2006. My latest arrival into Thailand was just before midnight ON 7 Sep 2006, so the immigration officer at Don Muang stamped me as 'Admitted until 6 Sep 2007.

The next morning (8 Sep 2006), I went to Suan Phlu Immigration, showed them my visa stamps in the passport, and asked them when I must leave Thailand again. She told me I would be permitted to stay until 6 Sep 2007, as long as I submitted 90 day reports timely.

I told her I would be flying to Siem Reap for a few days in late September. The Thai Immigration officer told me I could purchase a reentry permit prior to leaving for Siem Reap, and still be permitted to stay in Thailand through 6 Sep 2007 upon my return.

Considering my O-A visa expired 7 Sep 2006, I asked her to confirm this with a supervisor, who also looked at my visa stamps, and told me the same thing.

As I have experienced inconsistent feedback from Thai Immigration officers, would anyone know if Thai immigration will issue a reentry permit in my situation?