RaeB

The breed is notorious for this. With same problem but different breed we ground up hottest possible chilli into sauce and spread it around generously. Worked well as it will remind them it's not permitted - then depends on the dog and if it wants to behave or not.

Two cards from different banks both at the same time - seems that blockage of those specific cards unlikely.

I have been in the UK holidaying for a while and both my Siam Commercial Bank and Bangkok Bank Cards have worked perfectly with UK ATM's. As of this weekend BOTH ceased to work (I've checked at several different ATM's including ATM's which up to now have worked fine). Anybody know why that might be?. Hope somebody can advice.

Most of the sites mirror the Gov test. They claim they use the same list of questions and then the computer randomly selects the questions for that list to have the questions for a specific test. Sources vary but there seem to be around 1200 to 1500 basic questions.

My wife, who's english is good, read the book, did a few sample tests and passed 1st time (she left school at 13 but is smart). In my view ability in English is the key.

....and remember this is only the start. As the Government bought them it's only logical the Government pays all the bills (internet, overseas calls, software etc etc etc

Agree with Steelepulse - K Pranit has been great and we have used him consistently over the last 4 years

Folks - thanks for all the input.

If I find a painter who works on a day rate (or 1 that gives me a reasonable quote) I will post the info into this thread.

Thanks Again

Needed 2 good painters for about 10 days work (inside house) in the Chalong area. Any recommendations and contact details for honest / good guys who do the work themselves and work preferrably on a dayrate?.

I have got a number of "lump sum" quotes BUT the prices are ridiculous - I'm happy to pay top rates direct to the painters themselves but I'm not happy that the "boss man" is lining his pockets by doing little and getting his price by doubling, if not a lot more more, the wages he pays the workers.

Thanks for your help

Kenny and Pagallim

Thanks for the email - i'll take it from there

Cheers

Rae

If you have his contact number I would appreciate it and I guess so would many other members!! (I've searched the Brit Embassy Bkk web site extensivley and he is nowhere to be found)

The English test requirement you mention will be mandatory from November 29th 2010. Until then your wife can apply for a settlement visa under the current requirements which will allow her to get entry to the UK for an initial two years without undergoing the English test prior to applying for the visa.

Thanks Tee but we do not plan to returnn until july 2011 so we will be caught by this requirement.

I am a UK passport holder. My wife of 16 years holds a Malaysian passport. Both our teenage children hold UK passports. We all currently live in Phuket. We plan to move permenantly to the UK in July next year. I started checking on my wifes visa requirements - specifically the settlement visa.

All seemed clear until I checked on the new "english test" requirements which are mandatory for the settlement visa. Unless I misread the boarder Agency Website these can only be done in the UK - hence the apparent catch 22 as we cannot apply until we have spent time in the UK to do the test.

What do we do? am I misreading stuff?

Hope somebody can help - I'm sure the solutions simple but I'm missing it.

Cheers and thanks in advance

If you know roughly where it is you can zoom in on the attached

http://www.takemaps.com/en/map_of_phuket_en.php

I've 2 old computers (each with a flat screen monitor) + printer. All basically work but a couple of the USB ports are faulty and the floppy drive does not work. Free for a school, charity or similar. Phone Rae on 0892906925

Folks - hi

Many thanks for all the replies

Anybody know where there is a boat launching ramp where it's possible to launch say a 16 to 18 ft boat on a simple trailer at just about any tide state.

Preferably in the south of the island (I live in the Chalong area) but that ramp only appears usable about 2 hours each side of high tide at best.

Thanks and hope somebody can assist

Cheers

Rae

Tried a search to answer this but surprisingly no luck .

I need to renew my UK passport but do not wish to travel myself to the embassy in Bagkok twice to do it. Anybody know of or, better yet, has used a RELIABLE visa service or similar to deliver and collect the new passport.

I've heard there is a honary British consul on the island can he arrange it / anybody have his contact details.

Thanks is advance - cheers

Rae

Thanks for all the help. After the New Year when all the hangovers have subsided then it's off to Gunters!!.

Not really what the OP was after but thought I would just add a bit of tangent interest.

Some time ago I read a book forget the exact title something like 'The fifth wind" about a guy who built a boat in Thailand out of concrete.

The guy built this boat somewhere near Bangkok. His Thai friends thought this was wonderful till they discovered that he was actually building it himself not just supervising. Thais are not into DIY.

Anyway he got lots of people to help him mainly Farangs at week ends no pay just food and drink. Some craftsmen to do the specialist work.

Anyway the boat got built and forget the details now but eventually if I remember right the boat got wrecked in a storm off Hawaii.

Just thought I'd share this with you.

D.D.

Marine ply "visually" resonable and imported from Indonesia available in Phuket town (I intend a composite construction so it does not have to be the very best grade). Also FYI "Epotec" in Thailand I'm told does Lloyds approved epoxy. Main problem at present is finding biaxial tape.

Cheers

Rae

Anybody know a good local boat builder to build an 18' dory style boat?. I have the plans. He needs to be expereinced with "stitch and glue" style construction and glass fibre application. Hope somebody out there can help. Thanks