tomnicholson

Rockefeller/ Big Pharma propaganda. Disease rates and profits increase year on year. People who employ alternative methods to the allopathic approach fair much better on average. The shepple get fatter, sicker and more stupid. You think anything coming out of Harvard is objective and scientific? Pigs might fly.

Up until about Nov 2013 I was able to buy stuff from iherb but as of about 2 weeks ago I was told that this is no longer possible due to the fact that this has now been prohibited by the Thai government. iherb said they do not know why. Cannot order from amazon or vitaminshoppe either. Anyone know what is going on ? Any way round this?

Using Post is the way to go it seems. I have some herbs coming from the US by Post so I will be interested to see how I go with those. Good to know,thanks.

Thnaks Pib for giving me a complete answer to my question. Some very useful stuff to know there generally as well. Regarding purchasing elsewhere I am fairly sure Ectaco products are only sold from the USA. Thanks for all the replies. Cheers.

Thanks very much Pib for a complete answer to my question. As for importing from elsewhere, I'm fairly sure Ectaco products are only available from the USA. Thanks for all the replies. Cheers.

Does anyone know anything about how much import duty I'd likely be subject to, as a percentage of the retail price, if I purchased an electronic tranlator from Ectaco in the US ? I am looking at paying around about $300. Is it an arbitrary assessment ? Cheers.

Good to know. Very helpful. Thanks.

I hear what you are saying. As far as I am concerned the insecurity of computerized banking is absolutely outrageous - the system is run by scumbags. As you probably know, a card can be skimmed anywhere, not just at ATMs, with quite inexpensive devices. Check out youtube. Ozforex looks good I've checked them out before, definetly lower charges. I suppose checking various exchange rates at several banks just prior to transferring is the best way to find out for oneself. I do not know how much the exchange rates can vary from bank to bank at any given moment in time but if, for example, there was a one baht difference and the approximate exchange rate at that time was 30 baht to the dollar, you'd be looking at a 3.33% difference in what money you might receive. So with transferring say $10,000 you might be looking at a much more significant cost than your fee or charge, if you see what I mean.Maybe a one baht variation does not happen. I might do the exercise of making a comparison by going from a Bangkok Bank to a Kasikorn Bank as quickly as possible and make a comparison - assuming they want to tell me, which Bangkok Bank did yesterday quite happily. Anyway, thanks for your comments.

The OTP I did not know about, and that does provide a high level of security. Does that apply to someone trying to access through an ATM with a dodgy card as well ? Both banks you refer to had a good rate of exchange but I wonder if one gives a better exchange rate than the other ? I want to transfer a fair bit in one hit and it might mean I save a fair bit by getting a better rate.

Anyway, thanks for the reply and 'ave a good one.

In the last week or so I have set up two savings accounts with ATM Debit card with just my passport and my Thai address ( nothing fancy, just a guesthouse) being asked for as requirements. Kasikorn Bank at Big C on Pattaya Nua did not ask about my visa. Bangkok Bank at Central shopping mall stipulated a 12 month visa ( I have a "Retirement" visa) as a requirement. I have read on this forum, if my memory serves me correctly, and been told by an acquaintance who is a businessman and long-term resident that Bangkok Bank will be better for transferring money from my Australian savings account because they will give a better exchange rate than other banks ( particularly Kasikorn ).Anyone care to share any knowledge/experience of the various banks comparative exchange rates for transfers ? Also, with the SMS alerts, if they are received after the event they'd likely be of little value if the first dodgy transaction was a big hit. Or am I missing something ? Cheers.

Oops, I meant Pest not Pet. "GF" first target.

Thanks for the contributions. I laughed at the idea the Thai family might actually understand termites better than I think - they're capable of that way of thinking I know it ! However, the house is too nice and not that far gone and I think they understand they'll never get another one from me. But anyway who knows what they think ? I had a fairly long email "conversation" with a senior member of the forum and long term expat who contacted me in response to my post. He and some of his acquaintances have had

a satisfactory experience with Perfect Initial Pet Control 053-260241 , 053-249067. I will probably give them a go taking in to account the detailed account which I received from the abovementioned gent. This is not a plug for this company or a recommendation just putting some info which came my way in to the public forum.

Chok Dii.

Anyone know of, or has utilized the services of, a trustworthy, professional Pest control company ? I (or more correctly, they - ha!) have 2 houses side by side, not far out of CM city, at Chediliam, and these dwellings are under serious attack by termites. I have contacted Rentokil, and their methods, I would dare say, are fine. However, it also comes down to due diligence and honesty. Finding someone who speaks good English would be very helpful as well.

I am actually in Australia at the moment which obviously adds to the difficulty. I will probably go back to CM soon to try and sort this out. I cannot entrust this problem to my Thai "GF" and her family. I don't entirely trust them but equally they don't understand termites. I 've got a pretty good idea.

Anyway, if it doesn't get dealt with properly and fairly soon, one of the houses, made almost entirely of wood, will definitely fall down before too long. I've got a 3 year old boy there, and apart from the fact I'll never be able to afford to rebuild it, it's something I'd prefer him not to witness !

Any assistance will be much appreciated.

Cheers.

Hi,

Thanks very much for the response - much appreciated! Actually I am just flying my family out to be sure, as I've got a little one, so I was really concerned whether I'd left it too late to fly them out.

I'll be sure to factor in a 2 hour commute to the airport, one way or another. We'll try to get a TAXI first as we have a bit of luggage and a 18 month old. Failing that I'll take the BTS.

I'll be staying behind in BKK as I have to work. Best of luck to to all of us in BKK, and of course the rest of flood affected areas of Thailand.

Cheers and stay safe, healthy and dry!!

Apey

Similar concerns here... I have a flight out of BKK on Thursday (tomorrow) at 12pm. I will be taking a TAXI from Sukhumvit to Suvarnabhumi around 8am.

What are my chances of:

1. Getting to the airport

2. Having my flight safely fly out

Cheers

Don't think any probs will eventuate in the next 72 hrs for your 2nd query.

However, for the 1st you should not that traffic was so heavy on the outbound lanes of the BKK-Chonburi (to airport) motorway this afternoon that for a 3-4km section beyond the eastern ring road it was a virtual car park. Expect the same for the next few days given the combination of Isan bound traffic and people getting out of BKK to the eastern seaboard.

Now this was afternoon peak for outbound so morning it should not be so bad but it will still be heavier than normal.

Thus to be safe, either add an EXTRA hour for your expected taxi travel time or better still just take the Airport Rail link, (Cityline 25-30mins, Express 15 mins) , http://airportrailli.../en/index.html# (timetables in english are on the thai lang part of the site) . Depending where you are on Suk, then probably easier to just taxi to Makkasan station direct and catch the cityline if you chose the train.

What about the possibility of refugees/evacuees being sent to the airport as mentioned on another thread? Now that opens up a whole host of potential problems for people arriving and/or in transit.- not to mention for the unfortunate buggers being sent there. Anyone heard any more about this ? I am due to fly in Monday morning from Sydney in transit to Chiang Mai with Air Asia. Might be getting a bit chaotic by then. What do you reckon? Yes, I realize it is all speculation.However, any thoughts?

I am due to fly out of Sydney on Sunday 30 Oct, at 1945 hrs with an ETA in BKK of approx 0100 hrs. Then I have an Air Asia flight booked about 0600 hrs to go to Chiangmai to see my thai GF and our son. I have 2 weeks break up my sleeve. I have not been back for more than a year. But if I was to get stuck in BKK for a prolonged period it could very quickly maul me quite badly financially (small beer compared to the suffering of many people in Thailand already I realize) However, what's the chance of Suvarnabhumi Airport being rendered inoperable this weekend, or in a fortnights time ? Anyone feel they can confidently speculate about the chances of this happening ? What, with the imminent tidal surge I hear about, possible power outages, road blockages and whatever else. Any sensible thoughts appreciated.

I don't think anyone can say with absolute certainty that the airport will remain functional, although as a critical facility you would assume that the authorities would make every effort to protect it.

How about flying to Singapore instead and taking a direct flight to Chiangmai from there?

Thanks very much to those who responded to my query. In the end it might not prove necessary and I am not sure I can afford too much in the way of penalties on my ticket but the Singapore alternative is a good idea well worth considering. Should have thought of it myself, fairly obvious really (no offense). Thanks again.

I am due to fly out of Sydney on Sunday 30 Oct, at 1945 hrs with an ETA in BKK of approx 0100 hrs. Then I have an Air Asia flight booked about 0600 hrs to go to Chiangmai to see my thai GF and our son. I have 2 weeks break up my sleeve. I have not been back for more than a year. But if I was to get stuck in BKK for a prolonged period it could very quickly maul me quite badly financially (small beer compared to the suffering of many people in Thailand already I realize) However, what's the chance of Suvarnabhumi Airport being rendered inoperable this weekend, or in a fortnights time ? Anyone feel they can confidently speculate about the chances of this happening ? What, with the imminent tidal surge I hear about, possible power outages, road blockages and whatever else. Any sensible thoughts appreciated.

I posted this in the visa section but received little response, so will try the locals.

I am wondering what the options are for study (and a student visa) in Chiang Mai - for language learning or any other areas.

I am aware the both Payap U and CMU run some Thai language & culture courses which sound interesting, and both help you apply for your visa.

What are the other options ?

Can one study Thai with a language school, or even privately, and get a visa ? Has anyone done this ?

Your suggestions and experiences welcomed.

I am currently studying at a private language school in the Hang Dong area and they are in the process of arranging a study visa for me which will remain valid as long as I am attending the school as arranged,making some meaningful progress and am paid up with my fees as required.There is a lot more to it than that of course.The school is called Cornerstone Language school and there much I would try to explain to anyone seriously considering signing up.I won't do that here and now because I'm too busy and painfully slow at typing.Mostly though there is a lot to explain and some of it I would not put forth onto a public forum.However,having said that,overall,I think it is a good school-it depends what you're after of course.If you give me a way to contact you I could fill you in a bit more.Good luck regardless.