universe2000

Quick update.

There was a lot of rain up north late last week so the train wasn't running from Bangkok to Udon Thani. This was a big surprise since I didn't hear about the train not running due to rain. Luckily I was able to take the bus from Mochit. Not the most comfortable ride, but at least I made it to Nong Khai. I got a few people together for the tuk-tuk ride to the border. It was 25 baht per person (4 people). The rest of the trip went well. I'll have to try out the train next time.

Thanks for all the comments. I usually use technical analysis for stock trading and use indicators such as the put-call ratio and the volatility indexes which are helpful. I have a much better return since using those indicators. I am not familiar with the exchange rate factors as there are many. In a stock trade, an overbought situation can occur, as mentioned, and a conservative stop can be used to guarantee certain gains or prevent further losses.

I assume there are equivalent indicators in the foreign currency trading marketplace, but I am not too interested in currency trading. My time frame for transferring money is only a few months. I'll break my transfer into two parts. One soon, and the other in a month.

As a response to nightowl888, I transfer money through my broker directly to my bank account in Thailand. My broker charges $35. My bank just gives a competitive exchange rate (kasikorn). You can search the site for other comments or just start your own. I found most of my information on the site when I was deciding how to transfer money.

Thanks for the advise.

.....Question: Once I get to Nong Khai, what type of transportation is available to get to the friendship bridge?

..The NK train station is quite close to the bridge area and should be lots of tuk tuks around. Try NOT to pay baht 100!!

Mac

Negotiating with tuk-tuk drivers is not the most enjoyable part of traveling (unless the going rate is known). Any idea on what can be negotiated for the ride from Nong Khai train station to the friendship bridge? I will probably ask someone to join me on the tuk-tuk ride so maybe 40 baht per person? Thanks.

The USD has shown strength against the Baht since the beginning of the year. I need to transfer some money before the end of the year. Any thoughts on whether I should wait or just transfer the amount now?

With the turmoil in politics this could weaken the Baht. But the USD index has grown over 10% since July so it seems to be approching an overbought situation.

Any thoughts would be helpful.

Thanks

Is the Option to 'Print this Topic' still working?

I used this option to copy and paste into Microsoft Word. It provided a text based layout which was easy to port. I believe it also removed a lot of the header information so the main text could be copied.

When I use it now, it looks just like the original posting format. Is there a setting in Internet Explorer that I have to enable?

Thanks

Thanks for the advise.

I booked my ticket at the Bang Khen station. It was very convenient (The ticketing person spoke English), though I had the Thai dialog handy just in case.

Question: The ticket was booked for Bang Khen to Nong Khai. Does it matter if I get on the train at Don Muang? The ticketing person said it would be ok (though the back of the ticket says they could fill the seat).

I chose the 2nd class, bottom berth. I'll bring along some ear plugs just in case.

Question: Once I get to Nong Khai, what type of transportation is available to get to the friendship bridge?

Thanks for the advise.

A few more questions:

1) Any recommendation if a bottom or top berth is better. The bottom berth is larger, but not sure if the person up top has to step on the bottom berth to get to the top. From the photos, it looks like the bottom birth is nice.

2) Also, I couldn't tell if there is any bedding provided (pillow, sheet, blanket?). I heard that the air-con might be kind of cold at night.

3) I was checking the availability online and it looks like the 18th of September is booked up (first and second class). Its the only time in the month that it is booked full. Sound like a big party will be going on that night (I definitely want to avoid that).

4) Can I go to the Bang Khen station near Nonthaburi to check availability and book my ticket, or do I need to go to the main station? Or maybe the online email system works?

Thanks

I was checking the price of the train from Bangkok to Udon Thani (and on to Nong Khai). I went to the State Railway of Thailand website and seems like it would cost 1,117 baht for a first class, upper birth, one-way ticket. When I went to thaifocus.com the price about twice the amount (one-way ticket). I assume the difference is due to the handling fees, so I would just go to a station to book the ticket unless there is a more reasonable way.

Anyone have a good experience going solo on this train? I know that it takes 10 hours or so, but I thought that it might be an interesting experience (rather than just fly on a plane). And the first class room has two births so that means sharing the room with somone.

Hawaii is a great place to visit and live. Definitely worth visiting if you enjoy surfing or just hanging out on the beach. Oahu has a lot of variety in terms of living. There is the city of Waikiki and around the island are some really nice small towns. Cost of living varies depending on your living standard, but reasonable if you are used to American city prices. Food is not too expensive if you eat at places like the locals do. Many of the locals don't make much money so they find a way to live. I enjoy the plate lunches with are about $4.00.

With your IT background, you might be surprised at what jobs are available. There are several large and medium sized companies on the island. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. As in most places, if you have a smile on your face, it makes a world of difference.

I was considering living there, but met a Thai girl in the states and moved to Thailand. A few friends live there so I will take advantage of that when I travel to the US and back.

Camping on the island? I never tried it. One surprising thing you will notice outside of Oahu is that many locals just camp/live in the various parks near the beach. They pitch up their tarp on poles. It may not be too comfortable if you go solo, but I guess pumpuiman has a better insight on that.

Enjoy your trip.

Thanks for everyone's comments. I added some additional information for the question Thaigecko had.

For Step 1, I will probably do this 2 months prior to getting married. I checked the US Embassy website, but I didn't notice what the time limit was. I'll probably just call them.

For Step 3, I'll do it in Pattaya. I'll have more than 21 days left on my visa when I visit immigration, so I am ok on that issue. I noticed another post mentioning that an extension can be done at immigration if needed. So no need to leave the country if you can extend your visa 30 days at immigration.

As for the $40k/mo, my fiancee makes more than that amount. On the immigration website, the following information was listed. I just listed the pertenient information related to my posting. Check the immigration website for all the documents needed.

From Immgration Website

===================

For conversion to Non-Immigrant O

In case of, marriage registered in Thailand

- Copy of marriage Certificate(Kor Ror.2)

- Copy of marriage Registeration Papers (Kor Ror.3)

For 1 year Extension of Non-Immigration O

==============================================================

Incase of Working

1. A copy of work permit or receiving work permit form ( WP.2 )
   
2. The letter from the applicant’s company to certify salary that the applicant receives not less than 40,000 baht per month (identifier position and salary) or husband or wife working has Income including at least 40,000 baht/month
   
3. Personal Corporation income Tax (PND.1) in latest 3 months and personal income tax for previous year with receipt
   

==============================================================

I would like to convert my tourist visa to a non-immigrant O. I will get married in Bangkok (US citizen). My fiancee is a Thai citizen. I read the US Embassy and Thai immigration website information and wanted to clarify a few things.

Step 1. It seems that I need to go to the US Embassy and fill in an ‘affidavit’ that states that I am currently single. This is notarized at the Embassy. The affidavit has to be translated into Thai. I take the documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) who authorizes the papers (2 days).

Step 2. These documents (and several other documents) are then taken to the local Thai Amphur (Civil Registry Office). The Kor Ror 2 and Kor Ror 3 are issued and the marriage becomes legal.

Step 3. I take these documents (and several other documents) to immigration and can change my tourist visa to a non-O (90 days). I can than apply for an extension for 1 year prior to the 90 day non-O visa expiring.

The questions I have include:

1) For step 1, I don’t think I need my fiancée with me. Can I do this several months before the visit to the Amphur?

2) For step 2, I need my fiancée with me. Is this done in the Amphur where her property is…or where we will live (a different city)? Is the KR2 and KR3 issued that day?

3) For step 3, does this need to be done in Bangkok, or can I do it in Pattaya where we will live?

4) For step 3, is it possible to get a 1 year non-O rather than starting with a 90 day non-O?

Thanks for your help.

Thanks for all the advice.

It sounds like the normal tourist visa is the way to go. She obtained her graduate degree in the US and returned to get a nice job here, so the consulate should not have an issue with her being a flight risk.

Since we will be living in Thailand, it will be difficult for her to adhere to any US residence requirements and thus the other options do not seem very convenient.

I assume we will need to make an appointment and go to the US Embassy in Bangkok to submit the Visa application. Do you know how far in advance I should make the appointment (how many months prior to travel). I am unaware of how long it takes for the US Embassy to schedule an appointment.

Thanks

My fiancée is a Thai citizen and we will get married early next year. We both live in Thailand now and will stay until retirement (maybe 20+ years). Afterwards, we plan on living part-time in both countries (maybe 6 months each year).

Four months after the wedding, I plan on taking her to the US for two to four weeks. This type of trip will probably occur every two years. Which Visa option is best? I don't think she will have trouble getting a tourist visa for the US since she owns property in Thailand and has a nice job. But there might be other options I am unaware of for long term purposes.

Thanks for your help.

I searched the forum and didn't notice that this topic was posted.

A popular actress, Chompoo Araya was requesting a blood donation for her father, James Albert Harget. He is experiencing kidney failure. Chompoo’s father has a rare blood type. He has group A negative or A RH- blood type, a rarity in Thailand. Only 3 out of 1000 Thais have this blood type. I believe this is more common in the western world, where 1 in 17 have this type. Doctors need A RH- blood on reserve for Chompoo’s father in case of an emergency where blood is needed. Chompoo staged a press conference to urge the good people of Thailand who have or know of a person with A RH- blood to donate to any hospital or Thailand Red Cross Society center.