naka

The water police patrol the waters around pattaya and and are responsible for sea rescue work.

They have their base near the lighthouse at the far south end of the beach.

Naka.

Slightly off topic, but i was in Sri Racha last week with the wife, and we decide to try one of those small Japanese restaurants.

It was like walking into Japan. A group of Japanese manual workers (judging by their clothes) were getting drunk, sitting round a wooden table, and everything was Japanese, including the TV, and menu. No Thai, no English.

All the Thai waitresses spoke Japanese, but fortunately, also Thai.

So we sort of stumbled our way through an order of sashimi, sushi, Mitsu soup, salad and two carafes of Saki. All the food was freshly prepared by a Japanese cook standing in front of us at the other side of the bar.

It was all very delicious, and not expensive.

An enjoyable adventure to be repeated next time I'm down that way.

And we were treated very well by all the staff, including the Japanese owner/manager.

Had not heard about that. Will have to give it a try some time.

Naka.

Good news, I was getting a bit worried about all this talk of a "Family Destination".

Don't want noisy kids running around and bumping into my drinking elbow.

Naka.

Been reading about the Elite card for a few years now and the thing I find most curious

is that the literature/website provides only hints about savings on Golf, Spa's etc. never

any guarantees whatsoever.

Even more curious is that the owners of these cards do the same. Never once have I heard a

member give a factual report such as ... I go to Big Mango golf course once a fortnight

and get a 40% reduction. Now why is that ?

Naka.

Been to every Japanese restaurant in town ... as I like the food, natch.

There are no cheap ones, same as any other country ... Japanese restaurants are always expensive

Naka.

We will be driving up north and during the trip would like to visit one of the elephant camps, either the National Elephant Institue in Lampang or the Elephant Nature Foundation north of Chiang Mai. I have checked out their websites and both look pretty nice although I'm concerned how "touristy" they may be. Has anyone visited either of these places and if so which did you think was the better choice?

"Pretty Nice" For who ?

Naka.

Indeed ! ... Why would anyone care ?

Naka.

Always found SCB to be the best and K-bank inn second place

I would agree with that based on quality of service.

As regards interest rates, they all seem to pay the same miserable rates.

Naka.

Ten to fifteen years ago this report would have been ok. Bangkok is

nowhere near as bad today. Remember the pee bottles the taxi drivers

used to sell to their passengers for Bt20 doubt any carry them now.

Naka.

All local banks pay pretty much the same rate.

Naka

I need to transfer 2m Baht from UK and have tried to find a pinned entry for details of the limit I can transfer without risking bank controls. I recall that this amount was US$20,000 equivalent but I also thought this figure had been increased. I would like to avoid 3 SWIFT transfers if possible.

The transfer is for land purchase - any advice welcome, thank you

This requirement was cancelled some time ago so no need for multiple transfers.

Naka.

or sleep walking

Or drugged perhaps

Naka.

Another stupid foreigner who bought a house in his girlfriend's name When will they ever learn.

Give the guy a break ... He was in a fit of Pique

Naka.

Don't know what the guy's problem is. She's a bargirl.....she makes a living sleeping with men. If he doesn't like it then he shouldn't have a prostitute as a girlfriend.

Like many others, our British friend thought she'd given up "sleeping" with other men for him. What's interesting is that so many young punters go for the older BG's with children.

Westerner, here's a question for you: If a girl gives it up is she still a prostitute? Is it a life long label?

I think the answer is Yes ... But there again they probably do a better job than shrinks ... Well, for a while at least.

Naka.

It's a bit sad that people can't just say NO. Actually sad is probably not the right word.

Naka.

The high cost of Grecian 2000 keeps the poor out of Thai politics.

Naka.

CP Foods (Charoen Pokphand) do a range of frozen Thai food, not bad either

and available in most supermarkets, look for CP on the packaging.

Naka.

Places often take it, but they charge you the 3% on top of the price.. So its equal to the cash advance charge.

Some places charge 3% for MC/Visa and 5% for Amex/Diners

Naka.

Do travellers checks count as cash?

No.

Naka.

Perhaps not in Thailand, but other countries may not hold the same view:

10. How much cash may I bring with me for my trip?

There is no limit on the total amount of money or monetary instruments that may be brought into or taken out of the United States. However, if you transport or cause to be transported, more than $10,000 in monetary instruments on any occasion into or out of the United States, or if you receive more than that amount, in behalf of someone else and then transport it, you must file a Customs Form 4790 with U.S. Customs. Failure to comply can result in civil and criminal penalties, including seizure of the currency or monetary instruments. Monetary instruments include U.S. or foreign coins, currency, traveler's checks, money orders, and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form are all considered when determining the total $10,000 reporting requirement.

Yes, but the post is about bringing money into Thailand.

As previously said just declare it if you have over 20k. And I would rather declare

TC's at the airport than a huge wad of cash

Naka.

I think (just my own experience) your Thai bank will not be able to initiate this, you will need to do it yourself

either by sending a signed letter or fax (if allowed) or by phone bank/internet if you have this facility.

Otherwise there should be no problem with doing this transfer and Bt 400k is not an issue.

Instruct your Aus bank to send funds by SWIFT transfer, you will need to provide them with

your Thai bank name, account number, SWIFT code. Also tell them to send the funds in Aus dollars

not Baht as this will get a better rate.

Bangkok Bank SWIFT code is BKKBTHBK

If you send letter by EMS probably allow four days for post, two working days for bank to process and another

2-4 days for funds to arrive in your account.

Naka.

No excuse for bad manners. But it must be a difficult job and pretty soul destroying

to see a few hundred package tourists rushing in from a just landed Jumbo Jet

and knowing that few of the passengers speak fluent Thai or English and

that many of the forms are going to be improperly completed.

Just imagine it ... some people write the date with the month first, some

place the last name before the first name etc.

Me, all I seem to experience is bored indifference.

Naka.

The On On Hotel.

Oldest hotel on the island, Sino-Portuguese architecture, lots of atmosphere, cheap and centally located inPhang-Nga road.

And lots of "character".

Naka.

Do travellers checks count as cash?

No.

Naka.

1) Sex of the customer versus what is on the card. This could be a bit of problem with Thailand.

Naka.

I like these stories with a happy ending !

Naka.