prodriver

I've had nothing really to complain about with the Thai postal service except for a period of about 6 weeks earlier this year when I received no mail at all for that period of time. I decided to send some mail to myself to establish if the problem was a local one or not. I made sure I got receipts for these letters addressed to myself and when they didn't arrive I went into the post office and confronted the manager.

It turned out that my postman had had a motorbike accident and had fractured his wrist and had been on the sick for that period of time. It appeared that no mail had been delivered in the area of that postman's round. I was amazed that the area hadn't been covered by someone else. My mail was piled up at the desk where the postman would normally sit and sort the mail out for his round. The manager apologised and I knew that he had lost face in the fact that he hadn't 'managed' the situation. Anyway, all is back to normal since my postman is back at work.

I wonder if the OP's post office is experiencing something similar?

Well, I can only speak from experience but when I have parcels posted to me from the UK, I get them sent via the Royal Mail's 'Internationally signed for' service. They always arrive within a week and I live out in the sticks.

Thanks for that lopburi3.

It was obviously a hypothetical question but it appears that good old fashioned cash doesn't cut it any longer.

Over the years I've lost a lot of money through bad investments and I've often jokingly said that I'd have been better off keeping my money under my mattress. Which led me to thinking, what if I didn't have a bank account in Thailand and wished to apply for an extention of stay based on retirement using the 'combo' method.

Say I had an income in my home country equivalent to 500,000 baht and had a letter from my Embassy proving this. I would then need to show 300,000 baht to make it up to the 800,000 baht required. Is there any reason that I couldn't plonk 300,000 baht in cash on the counter at Immigration instead of showing a bank pass book and a letter from the bank?

Has this ever been tried?

"lopburi3" I've had ultrasound scans, ct scans, surgery, radiation treatment, blood tests, x-rays, hospital stays all at the same price level as a Thai would pay at Siriraj but for some reason the only thing that was duel priced was the PET scan I had there.

duel priced?? sounds like a price war I, of course meant dual priced.

As lopburi says, it's an extention of stay rather than a visa. It's possible to get 3 years of extentions based on retirement on one page. Worst ways two.

"lopburi3" I've had ultrasound scans, ct scans, surgery, radiation treatment, blood tests, x-rays, hospital stays all at the same price level as a Thai would pay at Siriraj but for some reason the only thing that was duel priced was the PET scan I had there. I and my wife (Thai) queried this and couldn't get an explanation as to why this was. I suppose we didn't take the case high enough up the chain of command, so it still stays as a mystery to me. Certainly nothing to do with my income level and/or queue jumping.

The cost (as in price) is identical. Double tier pricing is common in private hospitals but not in public ones, there is only one price there. But the vast majority of Thais do nto have to pay it as they are covered under ine of the 3 schermes that comprise Thailand's system of universal health care.

That's what I always believed until I had a PET scan at Siriraj earlier in the year.

40,000 baht for Thais.....60,000 baht for me!

If your grandfather died as a POW whilst working on the railway, the chances are that his remains are in one of the war grave cemeteries as the bodies of soldiers were all exhumed from their original grave plots after the war and brought to one of the war cemeteries. You can check for more information by visiting the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre which is situated adjacent to the main war cemetery in town. Speak to either Terry or Andrew upstairs and they can check on their database.

"bentarm44" I've sent you a PM

I went back to the Bangkok Hospital in Korat town, and spoke again with Doctor Juree. We've actually cut a deal where I don't need a ct scan, and won't bother with the "anti side affect drugs". I can't afford the Rituximab wonder drug, so have opted for up to 10 cycles of traditional CVP chem; each cycle costs about 13,000 TB. My home and primary carer is in Phimai, 60km from the hospital in Korat. First chemo session is tomorow.

Yippee

Good luck "bentarm44" on your chemo treatment. I am now back at home after completing my first cycle of chemo having been in the hospital at Ratchaburi for the previous 3 days. I am to have 12 cycles with each cycle lasting 48 hours twice a month. I too declined a very expensive chemo drug that was offered which would have cost me 60,000 baht a bottle. The oncologist said that they had a special promotion whereby I pay for the first two then get the next two free. I still refused as 10 lots would still have cost me 600,000 baht just for that drug alone. Actually, I received a bottle on this first cycle by mistake and I said that as it was their mistake, I wasn't paying for it. Luckily, they agreed. Each cycle of what I do receive costs me about 9,000 baht (everything, room etc. included).

Many thanks John.

The treatment for my initial cancer was all done at Siriraj except for the chemotherapy which was carried out at Thonburi Hospital. To compound the problem the chemotherapist, Dr Pirot has since retired. I am actually in possession of my file from Siriraj (no need to bore you with why that happened) and there is no helpful infomation in it regarding the chemotherapy treatment.

Anyway, your reply has eased my mind somewhat and it appears that all is not lost.

When I was diagnosed with rectal cancer 7 year's ago, chemotherapy was part of my treatment. Recently it has been discovered that the cancer has metastasized to my lungs. As it is in both lungs, surgery has been ruled out and I'm to undergo chemotherapy.

When I saw an Oncologist ealier this week she needed to know the dosage, regime and drugs used before. I have not been back to the hospital that administered the chemotharapy and they informed me that they only keep (dormant) files for 5 years. I will therefore not be able to supply the information that the Oncologist requires when I see her next week.

My question is, will this be a major problem or just a minor hiccup? I get the impression that it is a factor in deciding the drugs to use this time.

I had my thai will drawn up a couple of week's ago. It is in both Thai and English. Cost me 1,000 baht.

Was it a lawyer who did it? I couldn't imagine a lawyer would do it for so little unless you were owed a favour.

He's a Notary Public and a member of the Lawyers Council of Thailand. I've used him a few times and have found his prices to be very reasonable.

Translated my wife's birth certificate from Thai to English.....300 baht.

Endorsed my 'Life Cert.' for the Swedish Pension authorities.....300 baht. (I'm a Brit but spent some years working in Sweden and am eligible to a small Swedish State pension)

I had my thai will drawn up a couple of week's ago. It is in both Thai and English. Cost me 1,000 baht.

It is not true. They still give residency letters of course or no one could buy motorcycles or cars or get drivers licenses etc.

People have to stop confusing the Immigration Department when they want a simple residency letter. They try to tell stories that just confuses them even if it is the reason why they want one but just simply say you want a residency letter to buy or sell a motorcycle as all these letters are the same when said and done.

They are NOT going to stop foreigners from getting drivers licenses and buying selling vehicles just because one person did something wrong with one.

Some Immigration offices have stopped issuing these letters for some time now....mine for one (Kanchanaburi). They advised me to go to my local Amphur and even gave me a draft of an old one (from when they used to issue them) so that the Amphur could see what was required. By the way, this was when I was renewing my 5 year driving licence.

When I was renewing my 5year driving licence I needed a residency letter but my local immigration office (Kanchanaburi) told me that they no longer issued these and advised me to apply for one at my local Amphur. I did this and it cost me 50 baht. A darn sight cheaper than what the Britsh Embassy charge for their letter! Could you not go down this route?

It is also possible that there is nothing wrong with the pump but maybe you have a water leak somewhere between the pump and the water outlet (tap/shower etc). I experienced this problem at my home but I couldn't locate where the leak was as the pipes from pump to house were underground. I fixed the problem by replacing the pipework between pump and house - this time above ground.

It was one of the questions on the written part of the Thai driving test which I took back in 2001. It was a multi-choice answer style test and IIRC I ticked the box which said only allowed to drive in daylight hours on red plates, which incidently was the correct answer. Strange rule in my opinion and as we know, here in Thailand rules must be obeyed!!

I believe English is fine for the income letter but it would be good if the embassy confirms your income in Baht vs. pounds.

Unfortunately the embassy will only confirm the UK income in GBP.

Immigration will do a GBP/THB conversion only when you physically apply and it will at that time on that day.

The embassy cannot quote an exchange rate as it will vary from day to day up or down.

I just include a downloaded copy of my bank's exchange rates from the previous day with my application.

If doing it by post, current charge for Embassy letter 2,350 baht (2,250 + 100 return postage EMS)

When I applied for my UK State Pension last year, I noticed that there were two claim forms available but the claim form "IPC BR1" for Brits living abroad required you, amongst other things, to send your birth certificate with your application. It also asked you to tell them about anytime you spent in the UK and required you to give them a full work history including dates. Having worked for many employers in the UK from the time I left school at 16, I had great difficulty in fulfilling that request datewise. But I noticed that the 'other' form "BR1" did not require you to send in your birth certificate nor did it require you to give a work history so that was the form I sent in to the International Pensions people in Newcastle. The form was accepted and the claim went through successfully.

In other words the "BR1" form seemed to be more appropriate for someone who had spent the majority of their working life in the UK and the "IPCBR1" form for those that had spent little time in the UK.
Maybe worth noting?

Dear 'fredob43' Shortly after Hell Fire Pass Museum was opened back in 1998 I do remember reading on one of the information panels a reference to Thais dying during the construction of the railway....an inaccuracy that I pointed out at the time but with the panels already completed, I can understand why nothing was done about it.

You may be interested to know that there was an agreement between the Japanese and the Thais for the Thais to construct the rail bed from Nong Pladuck to Kanchanaburi and a truck road from Kanchanaburi towards the Three Pagodas but due to the 'procrastination' of the Thais the Japanese decided to take over the whole construction project. So technically Thais did work on a section of the railway, albeit briefly but it was an easy section compared to what lay ahead up country. If any Thais died whilst on that easy section they were more likely to have overdone it on the som tam and rice whisky

I must admit though that in the 17 years of living in Kanchanaburi I'm still learning new facts about the railway all the time. For instance, I've only just learnt that the Asian workers were not brought into Thailand until the "speedo" started in March 1943 (I had been under the impression that they were brought in from the very start of construction). I'll also let you into a little secret here. You may recall seeing the rail car supposedly used for taking away the spoil down at the cutting on the light gauge railway. Rod found that wagon up at the Burmese border at an old mine. We brought it down to Hell Fire in two pieces on the back of his pick-up truck. Although it's not from the actual site, Rod reckoned that it was similar to the sort of wagon that was used at the pass and gave visitors a good idea of how it was at the time. (I wonder if Bill, the current manager at Hell Fire knows that? ) Anyway, a secret no longer!!

Yet, nothing is said nor honour extended towards those thousands of Thai, Burmese, and other locals whom were just as significant {if not more} regarding the Japanese pan-Thai/Burma railroad system.

I assume you're referring to the impressed Asian labour force made up of mostly Tamils, Burmese and Malays (Thais were not involved in the construction of the railway) Horrendous death rate of between 80,000-100,000. Their graves remain unmarked.

Point of order Thai's were involved and many died, I think you should look it up before making statement's that are not true. Or go to Hell fire pass as all the information is there.

I'm afraid you are wrong but don't take my word for it although I did double check the accuracy of my statements before posting. I suggest you contact Mr Rod Beattie who is one of the most knowledgeable people regarding the railway if you want the truth confirmed. I posted his email address in post 2.

FYI Rod Beattie is the curator of the two war cemeteries in Kanchanaburi and the founder of the Thailand - Burma Railway Centre.

It would appear that requirements vary at different immigration offices.

Here in Kanchanaburi I am on my third retirement extension and each time they have wanted a medical certificate, which costs 50 baht for a 30 second yes/no session followed by a quick listen to my chest.

they have only asked me for proof of accomodation once.

When the time comes for a visit I try to have everything ready, but always go a couple of weeks before necessary in case I have to return with something missed or added to list of rerquirements.

Strange, I also use the Kanchanaburi office to do my yearly extensions. I haven't been asked to provide a medical certificate for many years.

I will agree with you 'IMA_FARANG', much of what the guys on here are posting is simply wrong....including yourself, I'm afraid.

I was surprised to read what you said about the local 'volunteers' not being able to grow food. I had to check first with THE expert (Rod Beattie) before I wrote this reply but I wasn't surprised to learn that there was no way the Japanese could interfere with the domestic situation in Thailand and prevent them from growing food. I don't know where you got that info from.

Regarding Thais working on the railway, there was an agreement between the Thais and the Japanese for the Thais to construct the rail bed from Nong Pladuk to Kanchanaburi and a truck road from Kanchanaburi towards the Three Pagodas but due to the Thai's procrastination the Japanese took over the whole construction project.

By the way, during the construction of the two bridges and the adjacent section of railway nine POWs died. There were 1,500 British and 1,000 Dutch POWs plus Japanese engineers involved in the bridge construction. However, in May 1943 the Tha Makham Camp became a large hospital camp for men being shipped back down the line and many more died at that time.

Hope this helps towards putting the record straight.