bkkflyer

I agree. Nothing beats a normal keyboard and a couple of 20 inches monitors.

I just bought the Iphone 3G (was actually planning to buy a BB or HTC) and I am quite happy. I am not a MAC-person, but I like the user-friendliness of the e-mails, the SMS functions etc. The screen is nice. I get a lot of PDF files - and if out on the road, it gives me "peace of mind" to be able to quicly download an e-mail - study a PDF document, and write 10 words in reply.

I use prepaid DTAC. Bought a "package" around THB105 (my staff helped me to do it on the phone) for 40 hours per month GPRS/EDGE.

Can check remaining balance "dialing" *101*4*9#

Works pretty nice. I think they start charging 1 baht/minute above 40 hours, so will cancel as soon as I reach 40 hours, and re-subscribe to the 40 hour package.

Well...... could just buy the unlimited package at 800-1000 baht - but I "hate" to pay too much for telecom services..... if it was 3G speed, I would do it though.

Also use Sherweb, only for a couple of months, but works very nice.

Just got an Iphone 3G here in Europe yesterday, and also works nicely with the hosted Exchange.

Very easy to set up. Even I was able to do it myself.

SuperRich gives good exchange rates

http://www.superrich1965.com/app/index.aspx

Just buy a fully-refundable 1-way ticket from Bangkok to "wherever".

As other poster said, it depends a bit on your Nationality.

Thanks for your information!

Hi, sorry if this sounds like a stupid question.

I was considering buying a Blackberry Bold in the US (Or a HTC Touch Pro). I use "Hosted Exchange", and they offer Blackberry service for an additional USD9.95 per month.

I seldom travel to the US, max once or twice per year, and dont have any contract with a US carrier.

I am planning to use the Blackberry Bold (or HTC Touch Pro) here in Thailand. At the moment I use Dtac prepaid SIM - and have never used their data-service.

Will I be able to use the Blackberry on Dtac? I read about AIS having Blackberry service. Is the "thing" that AIS also hosts the e-mails, or could "any" GSM/Edge carrier support the Blackberry as long as I have a hosted exchange provider offering Blackberry service.

Any insight is appreciated.

Looks like Mr. Tretnes is having a hard time down in Pattaya.

He made fortunes (well.... everything is relatively) hundreds of millions of baht in Norway operating "gaming / slot machines"

Looks like the wealth did not bring immediate happiness....

Only in Thailand, where you have earned a fortune of openly running illegal businesses (whorehouses) - and then running for Governor

If I made my fortune from exploiting young Thai girls, at least I would try to keep a low profile.....

Amazing Thailand!

...So as I understand correctly : get out to Kuala Lumpur get the NON B- Multi entry and get back again, using the regular paperwork of the company...right?

I would strongly suggest you use professional help with the paperwork. It is a lot of papers and at least I think it is worth a few 1000 baht to have someone checking that I have all the documents in order.

I have used a service from www.voipdiscount.com where you can call free of charge from Thai mobilephone (or fixedline) to several countries worldwide. Quality is up-and-down, but works most of the time. You would need someone to initiate the call online. The service is limited to 5 hours per week per user if I am not mistaken.

Edit to add: Forgot there is a 5 EUR-cent connection fee.

Have signed up for Deedial to see what their quality/reliability is.

I think it will be difficult for them to make profit on long-haul routes with the high oil prices and the current climate.

I would imagine the net cost of operating a Airbus 340 is around USD10,000 - USD15,000 per hour, lets say USD12,500 as an example. They can probably squeeze in 400+ "all-economy-seats", and with a load-factor of 90% lets says 400 seats occupied. With a round-trip flying time to London of 24 hours, the cost would be around USD300,000 round-trip (I would not be surprised if it is 20-30% higher) and probably USD20,000 in landing fees and handling charges at the airports. That is THB25,000 each seat on average. You might see some promotional fares of THB9,900 one-way, but I am quite sure they need a higher average to break-even.

Most airlines need some full-fare paying passengers paying USD5,000 - USD10,000 for a round-trip ticket in Business or Firstclass to break even. Hope they make it, but it is probably not easy.

I am "100% sure" that Qatar and Emirates and Etihad is not making profit if filling the whole plane with THB25,000 + tax fares. But it is probably "incremental revenue".

Bought a 120 x 240 cm whiteboard a few months back. Think it was something like THB2000 delivered (Bangkok).

If they "really" need to go, I am quite sure there should be availability through KUL or SIN, but of course most probably double-price, but doable.

As often with this kind of promotion, they use the "Full IATA" "F" and "C" fares as base for the 50% discount.

Here are some examples of the price per person;

FIRSTCLASS

BKK-LHR-BKK 122,425

BKK-NRT-BKK 47,715

BKK-PVG-BKK 25,355

BUSINESS

BKK-LHR-BKK 81,720

BKK-NRT-BKK 38,710

BKK-PVG-BKK 21,730

In addition all taxes.

Not too good of a deal actually.... compared to the Market fares sold through agencies here in Thailand.

However they book in "F" and "C" inventory.

I am definately not an expert on this, but have had something similar in my business in Europe.

I would imagine that if the services has been "transferred" to Thailand in any way, i.ex electronically (software files/digital consultancy report) or a physical product (a disk/dvc for instance) you would need to do customs formality (import declaration) and pay VAT and possible import duty.

The taxi fare hike is long overdue. I'll bet the govt (both Bangkok and Central) is getting nervous about spreading petrol strikes by lorry drivers and the like..

I thought the fare was about THB6 per km (after the first 2 kms).... still only about 8% of the fare in my country

Say you live in Thailand, and YOU own the Company, and you are drawing money from the Company... My question would be, Is that actually called working ? Because you are maintaining the Company and being rewarded for it.

You are living in Thailand, You have a Thai business and in theory the business is paying YOU for YOUR services so would this either entitle the Director to a WP or require him to have a WP ?

I know this is probably way off topic to the original post but I would be interested how you would stand in that position.

Hopefully someone who knows might answer :-)

Edit: Split form topic "http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=189720" as it is interesting in its own, separate way.

Well... if you are only a shareholder and receive dividend, I assume you would not need a work permit. If you do any kind of work (dont know about board meetings) I assume you need a work permit.

You say "paying you for your services" so it sounds like you are working. It sounds a bit confusing

Some offices do require 1 million Baht. But, not exactly a new requirement, it was mentioned last year.

Isnt the 1 million baht requirement "Equity" and not necessarily "last years profit"?

You can often get VERY good deals on Priceline for hotels around LAX. Have stayed there several times in 3-4 star properties for USD50-USD70, when the hotels rack-rate/online rates were USD150-USD200 for the same night.

You can get a re-entry permit at the airport

You must have already checked in (so be early), the desk is in front of the immigration counters. You will need photographs as there don't appear to be photo facilities at the airport.

I have done it at the airport a couple of times. You can download the form from their website, and fill it out "online" (dont remember it it was a PDF or MS Word doc). A few months back, I forgot to bring photo, officer was of course not very "helpful" - and said there were no places to get photos at the airport. I was flying Firstclass on TG (nice efficient checkin / immigration) - and the Immigration officer there (First/Business) said I could get photos at the "Tourist Police Office" downstairs. And right he was! - I went downstairs and got 4 or 8 photos for 150 baht. (Looks like it is a "extra-service" they are offering, and if I remember right, they immediately said "no receipt possible"

Back to the "Re-entry desk" and the officer did not comment when I said I got the photos from the Tourist Police Office 200 meters away.....

Well... Thailand....