mjcl

If you are going to live in Thailand, learning to speak Thai is a, in my opinion, a must. I went to school for four years to learn to speak Thai, and am now fairly fluent in conversational Thai.

Don't worry about the tones to start with, they will come as time goes by. The most important thing is to get the sentance structure correct, them most Thai's will understand what you are saying even if you have the tones wrong.

As for the age factor, well you are never to old to learn new things if you want to.

I'd like to start this topic to ask everyone about their experiences with our local builders.

Everyone I know has had a lot of bad experiences, I have had to have walls knocked down and rebuilt as the builders couldn't get them straight.

Thing is though, does anyone know any good builders, tilers, carpenters, electricians etc? If you do, how about posting their contact details here?

Alternatively, if you know someone to be a rip off cowboy, post their details so others don't end up getting ripped off too.

It realy is time the baht bus drivers got knocked off their pedastal. They have to be the most dangerous drivers in Pattaya and anywhere else that baht buses operate.

I personally hope that the free service is kept going. My only comment is that the bus should travel in the same direction as other traffic. That it opposes the traffic on second road seems completely nonsensical to me.

The idea of having farang police volunteers could be of some good, if, very big if too, they are used as a go between, between the Thai police and the farangs. A very good working knowledge of the Thai language would be essential so that the farang in trouble, or in need of assistance could communicate his problems properly.

As to farang volunteers patrolling walking street or other haunts, this I feel is a bad idea, as has been pointed out, the danger of falling foul of the local mafia and ending up being fished out of Mabprachan, is very real.

Little Italy, on second road is, IMHO, the best Italian food in town.

Rosie O'Grady's has great fish and chips.

If you can travel out to Pala Beach, at Ban Chang, Chai Talay is realy nice, try the Pla Kapong, deep fried, mmmmmmm!

There is a door shop on Sukhumvit between Pattaya Nua and Pattaya Klang, on the left hand side as you travel to Pattaya Klang. Beware of this shop!

I had my house doors made by them and after they installed them, one started to "come apart at the seams". I complained and they promised to come and change it out.

Two months ago they came and took the old door away, and as yet have not replaced it. All the other doors are also starting to show big gaps in the joints.

This is my problem, and I will sort it out eventually. I would just like to warn any readers about this shop. Don't buy from them unless you are prepared to have a lot of problems.

Though I signed up for the SMS service several weeks ago, I have yet to receive a confirmation e-mail or see any SMS sending button.

What is happening here???

Stick to a yearly retirment, support visa, residence permits have several pitfalls - any decent lawyer will explain.

Yes, please tell about these pitfalls as I am not going to be retiring for several more years yet. Also what is a 'support visa'?

Have heard that farangs can now purchase up to five rai of land in their own name.

Dont know how true this is but worth checking up on.

Fester,

Thanks for the confirmation, tis' what I shall do then!

Regards,

mjcl

Fester,

In answer, this year will be the first year that I go back home with a non imigrant O visa. Up till now I have usually gone back on a tourist visa as I have never been back for more than a couple of weeks at a time.

So I take it that I will need to get the extensions on the original visa, and that I will need to get exit permits every time that I leave. Then after three years I should be able to apply for residency.

Is this correct?

Regards,

mjcl

I am married to a Thai, have a seven year old son, a house and farmland in Thailand.

I work abroard in the oil industry and spend a lot time away from Thailand.

My question is, how can I apply for a residence visa. I have a non imigrant O visa at present, and have heard that if I have this visa for six years, I can then apply for residency.

Anyone know if this is true, or if there is another way to get a residents visa other than on retirement?