kbvicar

OK, it's the Blue Parrot but I can't find the phone # anywhere...help!

Does anyone know if the Mexican resturant on Pattayaland Soi 1 is still around? All I can rember is it was owned by a Yank named Ken. Name and phone ? if so.

TYIA

I've just returned from the immigration office in Pattaya and it could not have been easier. I was in and out in 20 minutes. Not one question asked regarding my not having the full 800K for last 3 months nor any mention of why I waited until 9 days before visa expired.

I now believe that the more non-immigrant extensions in your passport (this is my 3rd consecutive one) smooths out any bumps that may occur when extension time rolls around.

Thanks Jim G and ProThai. I stopped by the Immigration office in Laem Ngop (I live on Koh Chang) Friday and the gentleman in charge looked at my documents and heard my story and said the TM 86 or 87 forms should do the trick.

He also said "better do it next week in Pattaya". When I asked why not here next week he said those 3 majic words...

CHINESE NEW YEAR I thought that started on the 7th and didn't affect the government offices being open. Go figure...

And ProThai I think you are correct...maybe some of the smaller Immigration offices don't want/can't process the "non-ordinary" visa applications

We really can not answer that as it will be up to them - in some cases they have not seemed to be strict on 3 month rule there. Give it a try; and if it will not fly make the visa trip.

Thanks lopburi. I'll go in Monday and give it a shot.

"OK Joe,thanks. So the tourist visa to non-immigrant visa CAN be converted in Thailand or not??? "

Yes. I went to Hong Kong on holiday right after turning 50 and got a tourist visa. I then went to immigration and applied for a Non-O visa, and a one year extension based or retirement, all in one day.

Great.That's what I wanted to hear, pal. The first time I was eligible for the retirement visa I was told "must get non-immigrant outside Thailand". That was only 6 years ago. I really need to keep up-to-date by visiting this site more often

I had to make a substantial (and unexpected) withdrawal from my Thai bank and will fall about 3 weeks short of the 3-month 800K "maturing" period -- hence the need for the tourist visa.

So, one last question and then I'll shut up...just how strict is the Pattaya office in enforcing the 3-month requirement??? Would it help if I could show 7 million baht in a Singapore account???

Yes, you can. You've got some terminology issues ( no such thing as an A Visa, It's an O-A and only issued in your home country).

I did it two years ago.

First you apply and get the Non-O, then do the extension based on retirement. You can do both at the same time.

OK Joe,thanks. So the tourist visa to non-immigrant visa CAN be converted in Thailand or not???

You must obtain a non immigrant visa in a 2,000 baht step first (from Immigration) - this must be done with 21 days or more remaining on your current permitted to stay stamp.

OK, sorry lopburi. I SHOULD have asked is it possible to convert a 2-month tourist visa into a non-immigrant visa??? I've had the retirement visa for the previous 2 years and forgotten what the steps were...my bad

So...can or cannot???

TIA

Can a 2-month tourist visa be converted (in Thailand) to a retirement visa if all the requirements are met???

A while back a non-immigrant O or A was required before the over-50 retirement visa was granted.

I have a neighbour who has a Thai girlfriend who has become friends with my missus and she said today that he had gone over to Cambodia for a week to have a break and also to get a 9 month visa. Upon questioning, she was well informed about the 60 day tourist visa, extendable for 30 days at immigration and she said he told her he could get 3 entries.

Now I know her far more than him but he did mention a friend having an hotel in Sinhoukville for a few years.

Now I was under the impression that Phnom Penh was a pain in the butt for tourist visas but I thought I'd raise the issue as I've seen little about the place of late.

I reckon he will get one perhaps but have things changed ? Comments welcome.

I can't help you with the 3 entry question. I'd like to know if there is any problem getting a 2 month tourist visa in Phnom Penh when my 1 year retirement extension ends 7th February? I have to wait until 8th April for my 800K bank deposit to "mature". Then I'll apply for the retirement visa again (that will be my 3rd one).

Do-able or not???

If you like the natural wood look then you could use teak oil...you would have to reapply it every year or two I guess although I've never used the stuff. Oil finishes are easy to apply so having to do it evey couple of years is not that big of a deal.

Chownah

A coat of polyurethane (available at most hardware/home stores) will seal the wood and preserve it for years.

It sounds like you you got a fair deal and everyone was happy. That goes a long way for good relations with your neighbors and the locals. I had much the same experience 7 years ago with 2.5 rai on Koh Chang. The problems then were two-fold...no avalable fill material and no trucks to deliver it

We had to schedule the project 6 months in advance and it was like planning a major military campain haha.

85% of the island is a national park and the government only opens up excavation sites a few times a year. The rest of the time the dirt has to be brought from the mainland which make it some of the most expensive stuff on the planet

We got lucky when one of the big developers had a problem with a land title and backed out of about 800 truck loads of dirt and sold us his contract at a reasonable price. We used about 550 trucks for our land and then had to fight off the dirt-hungry mobs that wanted the rest

The only problem we had was keeping the elevation level all the way back to the klong at the rear of the property. That last part took about 30 additional truckloads but we got those at 50% discount so the boss wouldn't lose face

When the weeds start growing through after the next rainy season you'll need to eradicate them with extreme prejudice or it will look like a jungle

I just got this off of Alibaba, so no personal experience, but you can try Thai Energy Conservation Co., Ltd.. They do list T5 ballasts, and appear to be a compact form factor.

Thanks tjo

Their representative just called back and says he's located exactly what I need (it sounds like they are the ONLY 2 ballasts left in Thailand haha). Good price also.

We shall see...

You'll need a new ballast to make it work. This is a grow-light that is cord-and-plug connected, hence the single-voltage specification. I am not sure where you can find a suitable T5 ballast in Thailand, though.

I'll look for local lighting companies on the web -- same place I found the ballast I can use...

"Advance Ballasts 'CENTIUM' model Intellivolt ballast # ICN-4S54-90C-2LS-G".

Looks like they don't have any distributors in Thailand though. Either that or find a transformer. Thanks

Most US flourescent light fixtures have multi-voltage ballasts today, especially with the T5 lamps. They are good for anything between 100 and 277V, 50 or 60Hz. Look for a MVOLT-GEB in the packaging.

What brand and model number is the fixture?

Thanks Crossy and tjo. Both ballasts are under the reflector which is secured by 16 screws. I tried removing the screws but they are way too tight and I don't risk stripping them. The ballasts are def electronic-- not magnetic.

The product sheet says "120 volt only". The model # is 960305.

Thanks Crossy...it's def an electronic ballast--just not a multi-volt model. Do you think a 500V TX will push 8 high-output bulbs to 100% efficiency...? Remember the total watts are 432. I guess I can look for a 600V-700V TX as easy as a 500V.

I have a new T5 fluorescent fixture. 8 bulb x 54 watt each= 432 total watts. 120 volt power supply @ 60 hertz.

This unit was supposed to have a "smart ballast" that would work on Thai power. I can't send it back to USA because the shipping costs are prohibitive.

Does anyone recommend getting a step-down transformer for this unit??? What specs should I look for??? Where do I look for it???

I have a new T5 fluorescent fixture. 8 bulb x 54 watt each= 432 total watts. 120 volt power supply @ 60 hertz.

This unit was supposed to have a "smart ballast" that would work on Thai power. I can't send it back to USA because the shipping costs are prohibitive.

Does anyone recommend getting a step-down transformer for this unit??? What specs should I look for??? Where do I look for it???

I'm posting here because this topic seems to have generated some good answers.

I got the biggest dogs of our street haha. they are big but very gentle... they scare of ppl but mostly ppl scare of their sizes first.

my dogs are Great danes and a Husky , well-trained and very lovely...they sleep on the same bedroom with me.

Hi muppet. How does your Husky handle the heat? Was it bred here in Thailand or imported?

Please give me a contact # because I'd like to have a Husky for a companion to my Bang Kaew.

Hey, i dont know if she made in thailand! never ask my bf about that hahaha , but my bf brough her from a shop near future park (they got some imported dogs too but i didnt know if she was one) , she sleep in air con bed room with us, during day times we have big bow of water for her to mess around ;put her body in or else she find some cool place to sleep. . .

My husky is very good company with my2 great danes , she like to be chasing around and important thing is she can make my 2 great danes run playful funnier and happier.

by the way i know some ppl who breed husky for sale in Saraburi if u r interested i can give u their No# contact.

LMP

OK muppet, what's their name and contact # ? Anyone else here in Thailand have Huskies???

I've read many threads on TV & other forums where members encourage each other to poison "nuisance" dogs. All I can say is, poison is a cruel & cowardly way to kill. It causes indescribable agony for both dog & owner. I will never understand why anyone would advocate it, never mind administer it.

They do it because they are sick a$ cowardly punks! I know what you are going through.

I posted last November on this forum about my dog getting poisoned. I saw the guy do it. (Thai guy)

Long story short, we pressed charges. Yesterday September 11th we finally went to court.

Guy would not admit it, all knew he was lying. His lawyer showed up and he changed his plea to guilty.

Wifes older brother is a Police general, people don't like this guy on the island where I live. They want to kill him!

The dog was really cleaver, popular in my neck of the woods. Smartest dog I've ever had. A Thai mutt.

Meanwhile the coward hasn't dared set foot here in the meantime. The cops here are really cool people actually. So....

He was convicted, noted for the record that he wouldn't tell the truth until under pressure in court and

fined 5,000.00 Baht. We could have sued for damages but that takes too long in civil court, so we passed on that.

The judge offered it and said we could name the amount, also warned us of timeframe and if he is broke.

The 5,000.00 baht fine was given to my wife for expenses in cash. The lovely court clerks were very helpful!

He got 2 years probation. If he does ANYTHING wrong it's 3 months immediatley in jail PLUS full term for whatever

new crime tacked on immediatley. They also made all kinds of case notations if ANYTHING happens to me or the MRS

he will be a suspect. He can't leave the country and has to report in frequently. Life's a bitch!

Who says Thailand doesn't have justice? They only had my word and it was never questioned, not a hint.

Now I have 5 Thai ridgebacks, my own little gang. They are great watchdogs and I fairly certain nobodys going to pull

the $hit again. In fairness I don't think any of our neighbors would. Thailand has some of the most decent people.

As for sick cowards poisioning dogs, Karma catches up.

Best to all my fellow dog lovers!

I'm glad the Thai justice system worked for you. Anyone who did that to me would have dissapeared without a trace and then I could sleep at night.

I got the biggest dogs of our street haha. they are big but very gentle... they scare of ppl but mostly ppl scare of their sizes first.

my dogs are Great danes and a Husky , well-trained and very lovely...they sleep on the same bedroom with me.

Hi muppet. How does your Husky handle the heat? Was it bred here in Thailand or imported?

Please give me a contact # because I'd like to have a Husky for a companion to my Bang Kaew.

Thanks rice, now I have the same opinion. I'm wondering if there are "flushing agents" available here??? Gen Hydro and Botanicare in USA sell Clearex and Floraclean to remove salt and fertilizer residue from hydro mediums. Anyone???

Another question I posted in another forum... I bought some "EX-M" (extra microorganisms) recently and my plants love it. Their website (www.ex-m.net) is down so no info there. Anyone know what's in this stuff and what strength to use per liter of water for potted plants??? Thanks

I just bought one litre of EM from Khun Wasana (026183668) at Marlee Garden Supply. They are next to Thai Dairy Farm building acros from Chatujak Market.

Can anyone tell me whats really in this stuff and what I should mix per litre of water for potted plants?

I'm so glad I found this forum and hope someone here can help me. I have tried using coconut coir from local nurseries (Chonburi, Chantaburi and Trat) for both soiless and hydroponic applications. All the coco seems to have LARGE amounts of salt in the mix. I have tried many times to wash and soak the coco to remove the sodium but can never remove it. My friend gave me his EC meter and it shows a PPM of more than 1200 when I test the "washed" coco.

Does anyone know where to purchase coco coir that has benn treated to remove the salt??? I have located a distributor in Australia but the costs to Thailand are astronomical.

Thanks

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