Lichiyado

Nice report - how did you cross the road or did they offer on site parking somewhere?

Everyone parked on the water park side of the Sukhumvit or in the small parking lot onsite.  Nobody used the huge parking lot across the street.  I heard that a U-Turn shuttle or a pedestrian bridge is being considered, though I'm not sure if anything has been decided.

I went to the new Cartoon Network Amazone water park yesterday, 31 July.  Yesterday was the soft opening.  There are plenty of kinks to iron out but I had a blast.  I've been to many water parks in the US and this one has the potential to be world-class.  At this point only Annual Pass holders and their guests, and I believe corporate sponsors and investors are invited, though I was told by a staff member that it's possible daily passes might be allowed in a couple of months. 

The park is not ready for hordes of customers yet, though most of the slides are functional.  There was entertainment, some decent food and beverage service, locker and changing rooms, and the rides ranged from very relaxing and pleasant to delightfully terrifying.  IMO, it was a great way to spend a day.

The grand opening is scheduled toward the end of the year,   By that time everything should be up and running and construction should be complete.  At this point there are tons of friendly, helpful staff in training, and seriously diligent ongoing work to make this park successful.

I share some of the writer's concerns.  The parking and traffic issues need to be ironed out, and I'm hopeful the promo department will find a way to make the park more affordable, perhaps with special promotional events and discounts.  But honestly, somebody has to pay for this exciting and expensive behemoth.

On a personal note, I hate exercise but I love water parks.  Just the climb up the stairs to the slides felt like an enjoyable day of exercise followed by an exhilarating payoff.  Even the children's slides are adult-rated fun.

All in all, IMHO, two thumbs up.  Just don't forget your bucket of sunscreen and lycra swimming shirt (or at least a T-Shirt)  

P.S.  Nope, I'm not a shill or employee of the park.

At Jomtien, I generally have to wait until the next day to pick up my passport after the extension applications. So in that case, different applications on two different days.

Correct. It's a two day process. I'll do the re-entry on day two. Thanks again. You are a fount of recollection stimulation!

In case you are not aware, make sure that you purchase a reentry permit (or multiple ones) to save your new annual permission to stay. Otherwise, it will be worthless when you reenter Thailand.

Thanks Jingthing, I hadn't thought of that.

You're welcome. Bring an extra photo. Suggest you apply for that the moment you get your passport back with the new annual extension stamp.

Good idea. It'll be a busy day at immi. Better get a good night's sleep! Right now all I have to do is get my U.S. bank to pony up some dough quickly to my Thai account so I don't lose my O-A completely. Should have made the request before the holidays. Duh.

In case you are not aware, make sure that you purchase a reentry permit (or multiple ones) to save your new annual permission to stay. Otherwise, it will be worthless when you reenter Thailand.

Thanks Jingthing, I hadn't thought of that.

Thanks guys. Clear, concise answers. I really appreciate it.

Hi, and thanks in advance. I did a forum search and couldn't find an answer to this:

I need to apply for my yearly Non O-A Retirement extension 2 weeks early this year due to travel requirements. I understand I am allowed to apply 30 days in advance if necessary. I plan to bring my air ticket to the Jomtien office and hope all goes well.

My question is, would the 90 day seasoning of 800,000 THB be from the date of the original visa or from the date I must apply 2 weeks early? Also, would the renewed visa extension date remain the same as before, or would I have a new, earlier date for next year?

Thanks much for your replies.

Thanks much, lopburi3 and mgjackson69. I appreciate your advice.

Yes, my question 4 might have been spare of details.

My intention is to renew my retirement visa when the time is appropriate and remain in Thailand. I have met the initial financial obligation and will re-up my Thai bank account 3 months before my retirement visa expires.

I need to travel away from Thailand twice a year, for about 1 or 2 months at a time. The impression I have from lopburi3 is that my retirement visa will be automatically extended to reflect my time away. Is this correct?

I'm not sure the difference between "Extension of Stay" and re-applying for another retirement visa. I assumed I'd need to reapply for my retirement visa at some time. I'm open to advice about how to best go about remaining in Thailand. Ideally, I do not want to have to return to the US to renew my retirement visa, but I will if I must.

Also, lopburi3 you mention the need for a re-entry permit. I assumed that my Non Immi OA visa, with multiple entries IS that permit. Am I correct? Do I need to go to Immi to get a re-entry permit? Am I missing something here?

One other question, mentioned to me by my travel agent. I'm trying to figure out how to best arrange my air tickets. She said without a proper visa, Thailand wouldn't permit me into the country without a return ticket to somewhere. Is this accurate? And if so, would my Non Immi OA visa fulfill that requirement?

Thanks again so much for your help.

Hi there,

I'm a US citizen, 53, and a newbie to this board and a new resident of Thailand, hoping to avoid a trip to immigration here in Jomtien. I have a Non Immigrant OA multi-entry visa that I received in Honolulu Hawaii on June 5, 2008.

My 90 day anniversary is coming up on 9/3, though I am leaving for overseas travel on 9/1 and will be away from Thailand for 2 months.

Questions:

1. Would it be wise or necessary to go to the Immi office before I leave for overseas?

2. Upon my return to Thailand, would my return date be the start of a new 90 day cycle?

3. Does the anniversary date of my OA visa remain the same, or is it affected by my overseas travels?

4. When it comes to visa renewal time next year, other than the financial obligation I'm aware of, can I get the visa renewed in Thailand or must I return to the US.

I'm sure you've heard these questions a million times, but I was hopeful for some current information. Thanks very much.

What did I miss? Nobody mentioned the Suzuki Hayate. In the voting tally it's considered an "other" Suzuki step-through? Hunh? Doesn't deserve it's own listing? Hunh? On par with The Nouvo and the Airblade, and tad bit cheaper, it's a hella fun ride for an underbone.

OK, so it's only been around for 2 years and doesn't have much of a track record. OK, so it's a girly stepthrough woman's shopping bike with a huge, gaping maw of underseat storage. OK, so it's a geezer farang pu$$y bike with a seat big and soft enough for Kung <deleted> Panda. OK, so it's NOT a CB 400. Or CBR 150 for that matter.

As far as overall versatility, I think it's da bomb. So I bought one. Just a few days ago. Fit and finish as good as any Yammy or Honda I've seen or ridden. Beautiful paint job. White rainbow pearl metallic. Peeled off most of the racer-boy graphics to revel in the glory of the paint.

And with it's 125cc engine, it's plenty peppy for around town. Takes off like a bullet. A slow bullet, but a bullet nonetheless. OK, a very slow bullet. Having just moved from the Hawai'i and the saddle of a Suzuki SV 650, I'd have to admit, an extremely slow bullet. Moving backwards. Moving backwards fast.

I digress.

I love this bike. Everything I need and want for now. And I want a CB 400. And a Suzuki Carribean. And a lover who won't drive me crazy.