lockman

Do hope all you guys are also getting at least a single entry Re-Entry permit at the same time you get your one year extension. Never can tell when some unforeseen emergency will come up and you need to depart on a weekend when there's no way to get one.

Mac

I used to always get a muti entry at the same time and found past 2 years so only leaving 2-3 times a year so no more.

Now i apply for single and when i leave and return get a another. Does tend to fil up passport faster and now that the us embassy charges $80 for more pages might need to rethink this

To note, when obtaining a new US passport you can request a larger (more pages) version. Think mine will be OK prior to renewal, but I'm sure I'll request the larger one.

Hopefully, they won't be able to flee the country. At least in the US, they will get a fair trial...and if guilty, a decent penalty. Can't payoff the judges and the police (usually).

I do find it amazing, as an American, to hear all the people there complain about Mexican's stealing their jobs...when very few would do the jobs they do...especially at that price. And as a consumer, I prefer the lowest price possible!

What I dislike is we have people drawing unemployment, welfare, etc instead of working these jobs. We need to make welfare and extended unemployment less than the minimum wage so some would decide to take these (and other jobs) types of work Really sorry for the Thai's who were duped into this scam.

I recently asked this question at Mukdahan and they called Bangkok, seems they can ask for not more than 90 days old.

When we bought our property they asked her where money came from; she had her own job and "earned" the money, so that was acceptable, not whether foreign funds or not.

Other than a couple minutes at a traffic check point once..not at all. Was actually funny to see the expression when the window was opened..uh uh uh you have driver license..yes drivers license (in Thai) go...didn't want to see, just something to ask.

Overall I think it was ok and Greg certainly wanted to do the right thing and his intentions are commendable. I do feel that Greg slipped back into his childhood and thought he was actually the star of the "Mr. Rogers" show. "Welcome boys and girls. Today we're going to learn about living under a state of emergency........"

It would have been great to have the internet back in the last BIG crisis in '92 as well as the ones in '85, '76, and '73.

I agree it was OK, guess we broke the law last night and did not get caught..6 people having a quiet beer (5 Thai 1 farang) after local lottery numbers came out. Just figure we are already in 2nd childhood and talk up a bit more. Great first run.

To the original poster: How about keeping quiet at times on an open forum. This was supposed to be for American citizens ONLY.

Married my wife about 40 years ago. She was divorced and had a child. No Sin Sod...not a Thai custom for second marriage. I'd really evaluate what you AND her really want.

My son has gotten married (outside of Thailand) to a Thai (first marriage) and no sin sod was asked at the Daughter's request. I'm quite sure the parents will do much better just staying mum in later years. I believe they may come and visit this year after being married about 2 years; and I don't think the topic will come up. The father seems to care about his children.

Personally I'd be prepared to walk away, however reluctantly; or you will be asked constantly forever for assistance.

Its about time the Thais were able to decide for themselves. I disagree to most of this and I have been married to a thai for 6 years.

Visas have been mis-used for many years. Retirement visas should be limited to the age of the expats pension age, eg UK at 65. You cannot be retired at 59, just escaping into another country for whatever reasons because you have nothing to do in your own country.

Rather untrue (the age bit) as I retired 2 years ago and am now 59, and have been living here for over 2 years. Just requires advance planning.

Can you advise where this shop is? I would like to give it a try. I too buy from villa in BKK adn they are always good. Actually bought from Tops and they are ok, eatable. DO you have a phone number for this guy and where in Issan?

Between Kilo Marker 12 and 13 on Highway 223 about 10 KM outside Sakon Nakhon South side of highway.

This is horrifying news.

Another potential horror outcome would be if the Thais comply and start reporting to the IRS info on their account holders who are US citizens, and those account holders have not reported the existence of their Thai accounts to the IRS as is required. If the aggregate total of all of a US citizen's accounts exceed the equivalent of USD 10,000 for as much as one day during the calendar year, and the person did not file the required reporting forms to the IRS, they are subject to some truly draconian fines, possibly even criminal prosecution depending on the source of the funds (i.e. criminal actiivty vs. legal activity), unreported income derived from the accounts, etc.

The IRS recently offered an amnesty program that expired Oct 15 2009 for those who have not reported their overseas accounts to come forward voluntarily and face much reduced fines and avoid criminal prosecution (as long as the funds were not sourced via criminal activity).

If the Thais however refuse to participate with the IRS, then those of us who need to Thai bank accounts for business, retirement visas, etc could be forced to leave Thailand as the Thais would then force us to close our accounts. More change from Obama we could all do without. I hope those of you who voted for this assclown and think he is such a great guy, are realizing what a huge mistake you have made. Please go about fixing it.

But we won't increase taxes on the middle class...what a crock

I have posted this on another forum(western food in thailand) but I think this one will get me a better response.I am thinking of opening a shop in Ubon Ratchatani. Specialising in quality meats, cooked meats, bacon, sausages, cheeses,and a range of dry goods, tea bags, sauces, biscuits,and lots of other things that you can buy in your local supermarket back home.I have already got a reliable supplier so that is no problem. What I am trying to find out is if there is a big enough expat community in and around Ubon to make the business a viable proposition.I would really love some input from any expats living in or close to ubon.One other thing, if anyone can help me with is the rental prices on shops in Ubon.I would be looking for a nice sized single unit, or a double unit, so that I could possibly incorporate a cafe in the shop.Thanking you all in advance for any information.

Well I live outside Mukdahan & visited Ubon trying to get stuff the used to have there without much success, Now shop at Makro in Roiet, and go to Udon Thani to Carrefour and a larger Tops, and now Chern Chim has cheese. Found decent Beef at Thai French outside Sakkon Nakon. Only stuff now I get elsewhere is Pinto beans and cornmeal in BKK if I go there. Ubon is closer, know some guys who go there to shop occasionally from Mukdahan. PM me if you want specifics.

Gasoline and water don't mix!

Let the bottle sit for a bit and they will part like Oil and Vinegar

If the bottle is just sitting on their table outdside, look at it before you take it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you see two layers, then it is spiked with water, if they quickly grab a bottle for you and shake it around

Watch what you buy

Gasohol and water may mix is not to high in water as the alcohol in gasohol absorbs the water.

Good afternoon,

Has anybody got any experience with car rentals in Ubon. We will be traveling there next month for 5 days to visit my girlfriends family. We will be flying to Ubon, but looking on the internet i have not been able to find many company's that offer cars in the area. As for the car we only require a small to mid size car with air-con.

So if anybody as any recommendations, or has done this before it would be a great help.

I also hold a full UK license, and know that i need to get a international driving permit. But has anybody got any further advice on driver in Thailand and the best precautions to take, i know that it is good practice to photo copy all documents ad things like this.

Thank you for you help.

Regards

We rented a car from Budget at the airport a couple years ago, no problems at all, and had it well past the return date; and returned it to a different location, not even a surcharge for that. If you need a number PM me.

I will be driving from Khon Khaen to Mukdahan in early September.

I would welcome any recommendations as it would seem like a trip north to Udon and then onwards (a dog leg) to take advantage of good roads.

Or from Khon Kaen to Kalisan and then onwards on 'B' Roads,

Any comments much appreciated.

That's a very long way round. I go there quite often. It takes about 3h30m approx 250km. I go via Kalasin. If you want a detailed route let me know

Concur, I live in the Mukdahan area, going from Khon Kaen is to Kalasin then Som Det, right on 12 (2042 old number) to Mukdahan.12 is a good road all the way, just 2 lane, but so is 22 & 223 from Udon most of the way and far longer.

Been to Big C, Carrefour and Tesco Lotus to look for a rice cooker for 2 persons. I would like it to be able to cook sticky rice without having to submerge it into water for 3 hours before. As far I have only found one Panasonic cooker at Big C and Carrefour with a size of 1.8 l. I think it is a little bit to big. Do you know where I can find other rice cookers?

Well wife has one that has a round tray that goes in it, she just puts a piece of plastic screen (window screen) in the bottom of the tray, water in the cooker and works fine. Rice isn't in the water, just gets the steam. Think the tray was for steaming the buns, but works fine for sweet rice. She soaks the rice about 3 hours before cooking. The cooker came from Bic C or Power Buy.

I did this over a year ago from CA, they picked up the stuff at my house (mostly pre-boxed), put on a truck ( I already had "soft" quoted prices (by size of box) for shipping) after they boxed completely (crated..they built it in LA) gave me final pricing, came upcountry delivered in about 6 weeks. It would have been faster but arrived around Kings Birthday holiday time-frame...customs, etc kinda slow...Door to door service.

Just a question to add to this, if when I get a new visa in a couple months would getting the multiple entry (vs single) resolve this problem? Meaning I (or others doing the same) would not need a re-entry permit in a case like this, or even an emergency?

living in loei province

70 km from loei

125 km from udon thani

want to do a gate to the house

Anyone know where to find electric remote control gate

in loei or udon thani

I live close to Mukdahan, had the house/fence builder install one on my gate as part of the contract, if you want info on where to get it, I can ask the wife cousin that works for them. Has 3 remotes and work from about 30-40M away, no problems for 6 months. They wanted extra $$ for the Italian model, this is from China, seems fine. I will ask to make sure they install stops so the gate cannot be moved past the end of the track and fall down, had a friend almost killed by a gate falling on his head.

Have tried 3 different SCB ATM's at various cities, all had 2000B limit on foreign card. No problem away from SCB, so I just don't attempt their ATM's anymore.

My wife and I own some land in Mukdahan and we intend to build a house on it next year. Does anyone know of any decent builders in the region? Are reasonable pre frabricated houses available in Thailand? We are not looking at building mansion but a modest house, two floors maybe combination Thai style. Any help would be appreciated.

Craig

I built a house outside Khamcha-I, done by a builder in Mukdahan. Was an "interesting" process, as things I wanted they said they weren't available, when they actually were. So they built, I bought many things myself (price negotiated for that) and my house is complete now. Overall I'm quite satisfied. PM me for more information.

2007 Honda Jazz Vtec Gets good mileage and can be used to haul a lot of bulkier items in. Vtec adds horsepower so it's fairly quick for a standard car here.