pothai

Be careful with paying by credit card and your valubles. Some Dive companies on Phuket have x bar girls/prostitutes working for them as they have become girlfriend to instuctors/owners etc...cant name them but just be very very cautious with personal belongings

Thai or Foreign....who cares, they all spend money, thats what counts...

It does matter...

In 2006 a Thai spent Baht 1.795/day and staid 2.65 days on average on a trip in his own country.

In 2006 a Foreigner spent Baht 4.048/day and staid 8,62 days on average in Thailand

In 2006, 13,82 Million foreigners spent Baht 482 Billion in Thailand

In 2006, 81.49 Million* Thai made trips/holiday and spent Baht 322 Billion.

* of course the 81.49 Million is the total number and include repeating Thai tourists, making several trips per year.

LaoPo

No number of surveys or whatever can give a true indication. We have a unique situation in Samui, high season 2004/5 2005/6 was of course improved because of the terrible effects of the tsunami had on Phuket Krabi etc, this could probably even be continued into 2006/7 high season, so the figures of course will be high, that therefor leaves us to rely on 2007/8 or go back to 2003/4 which you cant judge.

the worldwide recession will effect evry tourist destination so proactive agressive marketing by TOT and cheaper air tickets are the key to Samuis future

Thai or Foreign....who cares, they all spend money, thats what counts...

Although a few weeks ago now, I noticed Samui was very quiet, a drive down Chaweng beach the only people were the time share guys.....Hua Hin and Cha am are absolutly booming now....I think logisticaly Samui is badly placed, too far from BKK and only one very expensive airline. A return ticket for someone from the UK would now be almost 200 pounds, so a family of four.....do the maths, it just isnt worth the money any more...Samui needs cheaper air tickets and some real positive marketing, maybe then the tourists will return

The following quote was posted today on the Hua Hin forum and it is high season there.

'Hua Hin is the best it's been in years. Not much traffic and not so many annoying tourists'

Lets just keep things in prospective here it is quiet all over Thailand and remember it is still LOW season here and it will be until the week before Christmas it always has been.

Some people on this forum remind me of the undertaker in Dad's Army well forgive me if I am not joining in we're all doomed.

Tried to book hotel for someone last week in Cha Am....EVERYWHERE FULL.... had to rent a condo....

Long Beach is good...you get breakfast, newer/bigger and better rooms than Chaweng Garden, a little further down and 1,200 but right by Tropical Murphys/Subway etc

Hi,

Is there any way I can change money (£10 notes) to Thai Baht? I was in Khao Sarn earlier, but no exchange was able to do it. I'm in Ratchada so anywhere close would be helpful.

Thanks

Are you trying to change Scottish or Northern Ireland bank notes ?

Nobody wants to touch the Pound as it is a basket currency......keep hold for a few years it may be worth a bit more...

Although a few weeks ago now, I noticed Samui was very quiet, a drive down Chaweng beach the only people were the time share guys.....Hua Hin and Cha am are absolutly booming now....I think logisticaly Samui is badly placed, too far from BKK and only one very expensive airline. A return ticket for someone from the UK would now be almost 200 pounds, so a family of four.....do the maths, it just isnt worth the money any more...Samui needs cheaper air tickets and some real positive marketing, maybe then the tourists will return

Heinz Baked Beans at 168 Baht a tin....bargain, just what everybody needs

Where, where?

Villa Market....Hua Hin

Any news on this shooting or maybe as there are so many it is ancient history ..seriously what happened

Forward thinking means you should be negotiating a larger discount for when the pound is only 43 Baht in the New Year

Dont go there again, find somewhere it is honest. Any restaurant increase will be applied to menus, beef hasnt increased 15% in the past few days so no reason. 20 baht or 2,000 baht, it is principle, why pay more than advertised. Suggest no one go there or ask price first befor order.

Compared to most other parts of the world Samui is safe....yes there are burglaries, yes a few shootings but seriously....violent crime compared to most of the world.....you can barely walk the streets of London in the daytime safely, at night..no chance without being, mugged, raped, stabbed or shot.....Samui is a safe haven from crime

Hmmm, I must be really happy to return to Samui next week because I'm on a 2-day rant...

As some of you may know, I *$^&@! hate the "it happens everywere" BS argument. I doubt a single person comes to the Samui forum to read about how bad it is in the rest of the world. We are here because what happens on Samui interests us.

But if you want to play that game, answer this...where else in the world do taxi drivers stab you or point a gun in your face if you argue over the rip off price? Where else in the world do the police charge you for trying to help an accident victim you spot someone injured on the side of the road and take them to the hospital? Or is a Thai runs into you it's your fault because you are the farang?

Let's take it a step further...NO more posts about infrastructure because other places in the world also have bad roads. NO more posts about what parties there are this December because other countries also have parties. NO more posts about restaurants or best buffets because other countries have restaurants and I guarantee better buffets. Etc, etc.

Try Mexico City...Thailand/Samui is a walk in the park....I love Samui and think it is a peacful safe place to live...that is relevant to Samui forum OK. My original post was stating how safe in my opinion Samui is, so it is rather relevant to the forum.I have lived there for almost four years befor so I know the place very well. If it makes you feel like some kind of gangster to say you live in a place full of "mafia' and bad guys then so be it but dont give potential family toursists the wrong idea.

Penang will give you at least three months providing it is a legit marriage and not one of the money paying things that a lot of falangs do...take the birth cert, marriage licence, copy of house book with wifes name or lease agreement where you are living and copy of wifes card...if you got a Thai bank account with money in it all the better. Check out Banana guest house in Chulia street, they do it all for you....may get a year maybe only 3 months... also Jims place on the same street is great. good luck

Hi there,

I'm a 22 y.o. guy from Lithuania (EU), who would like to live in Thailand, looking for advice on how to get 1 year visa, as from what I have read getting permanent residency is not easy

Thanks,

Andrew.

What do you intend on living on when you are here. Have you sufficient savings. If you intend working your employer should provide you with paperwork for a Non B visa and that allows application for work permit....finding work in Thailand isnt that easy.

Permanant residency will take at least 4 years you need 3 consecutive years of extensions. Are you planning to stay that long. U.K residents can obtain a one year visa in their home country maybe you can do the same...is there a Thai Embassy in Lithuania you can contact, they will provide the visa for you

Not really anywhere in the main part of cha am with private beach....Cha am Methavalai is probably the nearest to having its own beach....beautiful, starts around 4,000 a night...Grand Pacific, although right at the bottom of Cha am they have a courtsey car that takes you everywhere and again right opposite the beach, starts around 4,500....Baan Talay Samran, is just on the outskirts of Cha am and does have its own private beach, along with pool etc with villas and apts for rent..so a good option.There are a few new independant hotels, what price range you OK with

Heinz Baked Beans at 168 Baht a tin....bargain, just what everybody needs

Compared to most other parts of the world Samui is safe....yes there are burglaries, yes a few shootings but seriously....violent crime compared to most of the world.....you can barely walk the streets of London in the daytime safely, at night..no chance without being, mugged, raped, stabbed or shot.....Samui is a safe haven from crime

A few shootings each year aint that bad compared to London, Manchester Detroit and the likes...Samui is an almost crime free place compared to most of the world...shame about the singer..haerd they did a great take of INXS

They can be bought for around 150 Baht in Samui/Phuket...but initial price is around 400 Baht pretty much the same in Sukhumvit but that is still almost 100% profit so not so bad...

New licence does not have an address on it so it can be changed anytime by going down to the office. The photo is also digital so it can be replaced with a minimum of hassle.

I agree that dealing with the people there was a pleasure, deffinately the nicest DMV I have ever been to.

Dont forget you need a new medical, the Hospital up the road charges something like 50 Bt for some Doctor to look into your mouth with a torch while you say Ahhh.

And its 60 Baht if he takes your pulse & heartbeat

I year visa in Hull or 3 months in Penang/KL etc is a dam_n site cheaper and more convenient than a border run every two weeks

Pattaya should be proud of their Baht Buses....probably one of the most convenient and cheapest modes of transport there is in Thailand...have a look at Samui/Phuket/Hua Hin etc..... 5 Baht or 10 baht its great value either way

Havnt been to Pattaya for a few months but 80 Baht for a ride after midnight that would cost at least 500 in Samui/Phuket.....pretty good value and no real haggling needed....probably as I dont live there I havnt encountered the bad side of them....but as a visitor, I give them a great applause

320 Baht a pair

Pattaya should be proud of their Baht Buses....probably one of the most convenient and cheapest modes of transport there is in Thailand...have a look at Samui/Phuket/Hua Hin etc..... 5 Baht or 10 baht its great value either way

I highly recommend a place over hear on Ratchada Road near Huay Kwang MRT, it's called "Kuang" or "Kwang" seafood, it's open late til about 4am and it's freaking delicious!!!!! I live near here so I go about twice/week, if you'd like anymore info about this place just reply here or pm me

Agree...fantastish