andie

Lol: it would appear that the poster I was responding to in the post above has decided to delete their nasty vindictive post, that I responded to with facts, when the facts did not back up their nonsensical point of view.

I do not expect any business, removals or otherwise, not to make a profit and I'm sure that all the companies that I engaged at each stage of the process will have done so. I chose to split up the elements of moving and manage it myself as I decided having someone else manage the entire process (which cumulatively took at most a day of my time) for a 150% mark up to be poor value for money.

As my daily rate at work is far in excess of the £250 it would cost a painter, or the 15,000B it cost to have my household goods packed, it makes zero sense for me to do those things myself. It makes even less sense to for me to do it myself given that I am not a painter or professional packer so would be much slower and do a worse job than someone who does it every day for a living...

What does make sense though is it to spend what cumulatively amounted to less than a day of my time managing other people/companies (which is what I do for a living), save thousands of pounds in the process and use said money saved for a couple of nice holidays :-)

For those who don't feel comfortable doing this themselves (or who have a company paying for it) there is the more expensive option of engaging a removals company to do it for you. In which case I would highly recommend Santa Fe: they have moved several friends from Thailand to Europe/Middle
East and I used them myself to move within Bangkok. They also provided one of the most competitive quotes when I initially looked into having a Thai based international mover do it all for me.

The other option which the movers that handled my UK end suggested for future moves (I used Abels in the UK who I would highly recommend: they were brilliant and really know their trade) is to get quotes from a UK company who will liaise with local partners to sort out the packing and transport to port in TH and sort out all the shipping for you plus customs clearance in the UK. They said their ballpark figure for this was around £3,000 and they couldn't believe how much I'd been quoted by the movers in Thailand that I approached.

Yes: did it last year. A 20 foot container (which was stuffed full) cost about 2000 GBP (all quotes through the major movers were around 200,000-300,000 THB).

I did it myself in chunks and it was easy:

-had one company pack stuff and compile an export list (basically just a list of what was in the boxes/container)
-another company pack and ship the container
-company in the UK arrange customs clearance, container pick up and delivery/unpacking

The actual cost of shipping the container is only 800
dollars: the big moving companies massively mark this up.

Everything arrived fine and intact, no delays or problems. PM me if you want more details.

OP: try Chickynet - lots of normal women on there and I've met several good friends through it here in BK

And ignore the intellectually challenged on here claiming that it's all a big 'boys club': it's not-plenty of expat ladies here too (lawyers, accountants, engineers, doctors, etc.) but as they are here for career reasons, and not busy posting nonsense here when they've run out of cash for their hooker de jour, the posters on here never meet them (hence think they don't exist). And I'm as thankful about that as them

I'm looking for a hardware shop in Bangkok: the sort that sells nuts, bolts, washers, etc. separately as Homepro only seem to sell things in 'sets'

Specifically I am looking for:

A rubber washer for a sink plug (Homepro only sell the entire plug unit...)

Shower wall mount (Homepro only sell the entire set complete with shower head, hose, etc. ...)

Can anyone help?

The Black Swan

You get the Ko Jaroen night ferry from the river just outside Chumphon town. I have done it many times. It sets off around 10 - 11 pm and arrives around 5 - 5 30 am the next day. As said it is quite expensive and I wouldn't be taking an expensive motor over there as the ferry is a landing craft type ferry that just drops the front of the boat onto the beach and off you drive. they even have air conditioned ferries now as well

In the end I left my car by the lomprayah ferry pier in their secure parking (50B per day) as I the cost didn't justify the length of my stay.

I did have a look at the ferries berthed in koh tao and would actually be fine bringing a car over on them: they now dock onto a solid concrete jetty and you literally just drive off, straight onto the road. That said it's probably not worth bringing a normal car over as the roads it's usable on are limited, a 4x4 would be fine though.

If I come again for longer, with friends with kids or with a lot of dive gear then I'll definitely be putting the car on the ferry..

Thanks for the responses

For reference for anyone wanting information it is possible to take your car over on the ferry but at 2500 one way and 4000 return it's quite pricey.

There are no restrictions on bringing your car over to the island nor driving around although you really need a 4x4

I've done a search and can't find any recent posts. Has anyone taken their car over to Koh Tao recently? Wondering how easy this is to do and the cost. Any thoughts/experiences welcome!

Just stating for example 'I could not live on a satang less than 60K' helps no one without a basic overview of how you come to that figure.

I've been calling for this since way back at the start of the thread. I've broken down what I spend my cash on multiple times now.

Many of the most vocal "you must be living like a peasant unless you spend 100k a month' crowd have yet to break their budgets down.

Makes me wonder why?

Just stating for example 'I could not live on a satang less than 60K' helps no one without a basic overview of how you come to that figure.

To prove that it is very easy to spend 100k and not have a penny of that going on buying 'company' here's my breakdown:

Rent 43000 (for a 2 bed, high end house in a small moo baan in central bk with all facilities: gym, pool and excellent security)

Electric + water 3000

Internet 800

Diesel 4000

Car insurance/tax/servicing (averaged out over the year) 3000

Expressway tolls 2500

Mid week dinner and drinks twice a week at nice restaurant with a couple of glasses of wine and taxi there and back 8000 (1000B per time: food 500, wine 350, taxi 150)

Weekend dinner, drinks after, etc. 10000 (dinner ~1500, wine 500, few drinks after at nice bar 750, taxi 150)

Groceries 8000

Maid 4000

Yoga and dance classes 3500

Weekend away at least once a month anything from 4000 (Hua Hin/Rayong) to 25000 (Singapore/HK)

I could (and did when I was here in my mid 20s) live on 45k but I didn't run a car and my preferred tipple then wasn't wine.

For sure I could live cheaper but certain things aren't optional, like a car - I could get taxis in theory (which would be cheaper) but as my office is out in the sticks there is no chance of getting one to take me there or home at the slightest hint of rain. Ditto rent is a significant monthly outlay but my place is a home, not just a place to crash and I often have friends/family staying and I enjoy cooking and having dinner with them, chatting, etc.

You eulogise way too much about your dating here and spend inordinate amounts of time slating sexpats. Don't get me wrong: I'm not a fan of sexpats either but coming on here to essentially try and score points is also pretty uncool.

No western guys I know here even mention dating as one of the activities they do here, like in the west they wouldn't: this is just something normal people do so why the big fuss and why the need to factor this into a budget?!

And yes, I can cook good Mexican food having spent over a year during Uni working in a Mexican restaurant. The reason Mexican food here in restaurants is dire is the ingredients: just not available here and those that are are sub standard :-(

It is easy to spend 100k a month in bk without spending a single satang on women. This is about what I spend and I'm female and live alone.

A nice house in a small community in the centre of bk admittedly accounts for almost half of that but the rest is easy to spend: running a car, nice meals out with wine a couple of times a week, having friends over for dinner and cooking Western food, weekend away once a month, etc. Very easily done.

Well it's just as easy to do 300,000 - it just depends on your tastes doesn't it?

300K covers rent on a penthouse at the Quattro in Thonglor, 200/20 ultra high speed internet, http://www.absolutefitfood.com/ for when one eats in, Iron Fairies or Maggie Choos for when one doesn't, cocktails at Grease in soi 49, a permanent VIP table at soi 11's Bash for when I feel like slumming 'til 7am and 12 grams of 60% pure Peruvian flake each month.

How can anyone could survive on less, daaaahling.

I moved here with with work and was not going to compromise the lifestyle I had back in the west to do so. In the west I lived in a house, drove a car, went out for dinner a couple of times a week, had friends over for dinner (FYI: I can cook better than anything ordered in) and went away at least one weekend a month.

I do the same thing here and that's what I spend per month doing so.

I moved here with with work and was not going to compromise the lifestyle I had back in the west to do so

Excellent, good girl.

I apologize for my previously flippant remark, you sound as if you have your head switched on.

PS, can you cook decent Mexican food, something Bkk is seriously lacking in.

Apologies accepted and no bad feelings :-)

My point essentially is that everyone here has different financial circumstances, that doesn't make anyone more 'wrong' or 'right' than anyone else.

I just wanted to point out that it is very easy to spend 100k/month in bk if you are living a lifestyle here that would be comparable to that you had in the west.

It is easy to spend 100k a month in bk without spending a single satang on women. This is about what I spend and I'm female and live alone.

A nice house in a small community in the centre of bk admittedly accounts for almost half of that but the rest is easy to spend: running a car, nice meals out with wine a couple of times a week, having friends over for dinner and cooking Western food, weekend away once a month, etc. Very easily done.

Are you looking for a gik, no need for poncy meals out with wine, friends over for dinner, knock that on the head, western food no need, can eat Asian food, no need for weekends away, there you go sorted, budget saved 40% straight off the top of my head.

I'm not strapped for cash: why on earth would I want a gik?!

It is easy to spend 100k a month in bk without spending a single satang on women. This is about what I spend and I'm female and live alone.

A nice house in a small community in the centre of bk admittedly accounts for almost half of that but the rest is easy to spend: running a car, nice meals out with wine a couple of times a week, having friends over for dinner and cooking Western food, weekend away once a month, etc. Very easily done.

Well it's just as easy to do 300,000 - it just depends on your tastes doesn't it?

300K covers rent on a penthouse at the Quattro in Thonglor, 200/20 ultra high speed internet, http://www.absolutefitfood.com/ for when one eats in, Iron Fairies or Maggie Choos for when one doesn't, cocktails at Grease in soi 49, a permanent VIP table at soi 11's Bash for when I feel like slumming 'til 7am and 12 grams of 60% pure Peruvian flake each month.

How can anyone could survive on less, daaaahling.

I moved here with with work and was not going to compromise the lifestyle I had back in the west to do so. In the west I lived in a house, drove a car, went out for dinner a couple of times a week, had friends over for dinner (FYI: I can cook better than anything ordered in) and went away at least one weekend a month.

I do the same thing here and that's what I spend per month doing so.

It is easy to spend 100k a month in bk without spending a single satang on women. This is about what I spend and I'm female and live alone.

A nice house in a small community in the centre of bk admittedly accounts for almost half of that but the rest is easy to spend: running a car, nice meals out with wine a couple of times a week, having friends over for dinner and cooking Western food, weekend away once a month, etc. Very easily done.

I'd like to add a recommendation for Rama 3 Animal Hospital. It's acually on Naradhiwas in the last shop house on the corner of Rama 3 by the big Tesco/Lotus.

I rescued a local soi kitten who was in a bad state last month and took him there on the recommendation of one of my Thai colleagues who has used them for years. She specifically recommended them for being clean, well run and charging sensible prices. (NB - whilst I don't doubt that the service and standards at Thong Lor are excellent, this comes at a price and she specifically recommended me not to go there because see felt the service and standards at Rama 3 are equal when it comes to 'common' problems and routinue things - she's used both).

The vet I've seen is absolutely brilliant, speaks excellent English and genuinely loves animals (from cats and dogs through to rodents) - she patiently explains everything and the whys and the hows and what not to do, what differs here regarding animals, vaccinations, etc. They have a number of younger trainee vet nurses and interims who absolutely dote on all the animals too and do the simpler things like administering antibiotics, etc. under strict supervision - personally I like this as they're training the next generation in a good professional setting and totally support this - the trainees are also great with animals and very attentive (even when the Vet isn't watching or is out of the room)

Having had the flu and being quite poorly my kitten got a clean bill of health today so could start his vaccinations (only flu for now, rabies next month) and worming: total cost plus consultation was 290฿. Even when he was ill I never paid more than 700฿ - and that was the first time I went when I was dispatched home with a bag full of antibiotics, eye cream, immunity boosting supplements, syringes, etc, etc.

They're as good, if not better (more personal towards the animal), as I've experienced with good EU vets that deal with domestic pets.

I should also add that they do cat boarding too but are strict about it. I might have to work away from home for a couple of days in a few weeks time and asked about it - vet said that's fine, but do realise he'll have to stay in a cage and whilst he'll be able to see other cats through glass he won't be allowed to mix with them until he's had his vaccines completed and that it would be best if I could get someone to come to my house for a few hours each day instead, but if you're deseperate we'll sort something out: sign of a well run establishment, that genuinely cares about animal welfare and hygiene.

Finally, again going on the recommendations of my Thai friends and colleagues - if there's ever anything complex that needs doing or it's a bit more tricky than routine bugs, vaccinations. speying, etc (e.g. cancer, serious (road traffic) accident) they would all go to Chula Vet School and have nothing but praise for it for dealing with their older family pets.

Hope this is helpful.

To be honest the more time I spend here the less time I have for Western men (NB - I'm talking about the expats, not tourists - this another topic in itself...)

I hate to generalise but, regrettably, Thailand really does attract some of the worst types of Western men in SE Asia. Only Cambodia is worse. For sure I've met some really nice Western men here who have travelled lots, have a broad outlook on life and are interesting to talk to and fun to be around. Sadly more generally I meet bitter, twisted Western men who have some serious underlying issues - either with Western women or Thai women: all of which are based on generalisations and more often than not because of the limited social circles they mix in.

I should also say that I'm generally more impressed with Asian men as they have something that many in the West don't have (including many of the men that live over here). It's very simple and free: it's called manners. Even in a professional setting Asian men will do little things like hold doors open - whether you're more senior than them or not. On the otherhand I've found Western men, even in a professional setting, to (generally, but not all) behave appallingly in this manner: taking the holding doors open example - the only time they bother is if it's a woman who's from one of our customers companies or a woman they're trying to impress (i.e. date).

Finally, as regards the 'Thailand is a man's world' comment. Maybe this holds true in low paid, unskilled professions like retail (I wouldn't know) but in a professional environment this is definitely not the case: the most senior Thais in my office are all women. We have more professional women, both generally and in senior positions, than the EU based HQ which I transferred from (about 65% female professional staff here vs. about 35% in the EU) and to put this into context: I work in Engineering - a traditionally male dominated profession. And I very much prefer working here because it's NOT a 'man's world' - I actually find it to be a very balanced world.

Yes, Maximum by Jayne has a shop in the One Mall and then 2 shops in Union Mall. I find Union Mall a bit of a maze as well with no real points of reference, so not sure if my directions will be any good! To get to one of the concessions in Union Mall, if you are entering from the walkway from the MRT and you enter the actual mall where the ice cream stall is: turn right and head towards the back of the mall (think there is a bookshop at the back). The Maximum by Jayne shop is one of the end units near the bookshop.

The other shoe shop is located on the floor above the Maximum by Jayne shop. You need to find the set of escalators located at the opposite end of the row that the Maximum by Jayne shop is located on. If you take that escalator head towards the units on the right. The shop is one of the end units nearest to the escalators (maybe 2nd or 3rd end unit from the left). Last time I was in Bangkok (December), they had a great range of shoes. Ayudhya bank is at the opposite end of that row at the back.

Good luck!

Thanks! I had a look today and your directions were spot on. The shoe place on the upper level has lots of shoes in sizes 40-45 (!) and has a good selection of flat shoes, ballerina pumps and low heeled 'proper' shoes (i.e the sort you'd wear for work). I'm still searching for somewhere that sells nice high heeled strappy sandals though...

I have found a few more places:

On the walkway on the way into Union Mall from the MRT there is a place (~5th shop on the left as you enter) that has some similar low heeled/flat shoes in size 41 and 42.

Charles and Keith (lovely, lovely shoes) occasionally have 41s in their shops but you have to ask for them - persist if you're told 'no' and speak to the manager: they do have them but in limited styles, usually only flat shoes. They had an outlet shop in Central Ladprao which had lots of 41s and being an outlet shop was great - shoes were generally 50-75% off so around 1000B a pair - expensive but they're good quality stylish leather shoes and they last. And Ladprao used to have lots of nice high heels/strappy sandals. Unfortunately this has now closed for refurbishment but they said they'd be reopening when the Mall reopens in October. I work near there so will update this thread when it reopens.

In Silom Village there is a place called Nine Silk Lines (google it) who do exquisite silk/beaded/embroidered shoes made to order at about 800B a pair and they also still have a stall at JJ (where they started)

I still need to check out the place near Victory Monument and one of my Thai colleagues has a ladyboy that works in her hairdressers so she's going to ask them where they get shoes from when she's next there (she's a big size 40 and equally frustrated by the lack of shoe choice available - it's not only a farang problem!)

I'm about to move into a new apartment in BK with a small garden which gets little direct sunlight (surrounding buildings and trees) and am looking for some good books to help with planning the garden (I get a say in the design/planting, etc.). I'm particularly interested in books which have any info on the types of plants that would work well in this setting (I don't want a garden full of ferns and bird of paradise plants). I can find lots of books on this that either deal with gardening in a shady area in a Western climate or growing tropical plants in a Western climate: not particularly helpful. I'd also be interested in a general books on tropical garden design too if there are any 'must reads' on this.

If anyone has any suggestions of books or websites please let me know - it would be much appreciated!

Well, I'm a 41/42 but have to buy a 44 in Thai shoes weirdly enough.

There is a shop in the basement level at Century Plaza (Victory Monument BTS - sorry forgot the name of the shop but will try and dig out there card) that I stumbled across that had sizes up to 46 (eek!!!). They cost about 400฿ per pair and have pretty conservative styles.

There is also 2 shops in the Union Mall (Phahon Yothin MRT). I think it's on the level if you take the walkway from the MRT to the mall. Both shops are called "Maximum by Jayne". They have a smaller selection than the shop at Century Plaza and more expensive (600฿ per pair). There is also another shop on the floor above, near the Bank of Ayudhya, that have a really nice /small/ selection of larger size shoes. However, these have always been to narrow for me.

Also, New Look in the UK are now posting internationally and they go up to a size 42.

There's also a shop called 'Maximum by Jayne' in the One Mall (the single story mall right outside Central Mall Lad Prao, over the foot bridge from the MRT) which has larger sizes that's been there for years (it's still there, I happened to cut through there on my way to the MRT this evening) with large size clothes and shoes but the selection is (and always has been) a bit drab. I couldn't find the same shop(s) in the Union Mall when I looked last week on either level but it is a bit of a maze in there so if you have any more specific directions please let me know. I couldn't find the Ayudhya bank (or shop near it) either but I might have been looking on the wrong level(s)

I got 6 different quotes ranging from £1750-2400, Pickfords were utter jokers and wanted £2400 for 90 cubic feet on an LCL basis - they don't do groupage, which is what you want.

In all cases the removals company packs the stuff and then sends it onto a shipping agent who deals with the sending it on a boat. Another agent then handles things at the Thai side (customs, etc.) and sorts out delivery. I used a local firm for the packing, etc. UK side. They are using Transworld for the actual shipping. Don't know yet who the Thai agents are.

My shipment will take 6 weeks to arrive but this is fine as my WP is still being sorted and l need to find a place to live too....

350 cubic feet isn't insignificant but the only furniture I shipped was 2 sofas (not planned but I was persuaded by Thai friends who were visiting whilst I was arranging it that I won't be able to get the same quality for the cost of shipping so it made sense as it's part of my relocation and I'm not paying). I'm also into my cooking so have lots of kitchen gadgets which take up quite a bit of room. Add to that several boxes of books, clothes, etc. and you're easily at the 350 mark.

I've also shipped over 2 boxes full of vinyl... Will be gutted if it arrives damaged/warped!

I'll post an update in January once my stuff arrives and tell you how it all went.

I've just had my movers pick up everything for shipment earlier this week as I'm moving back permanently (UK->BKK) and they were pretty clear about the requirements: only 1 of  each electrical item (and it must be used) to avoid paying duty. I've also been told that you also need to be entering on a non-immigrant visa and have your work permit sorted (if appropriate) before you can get your stuff. How this will work in practise I don't know as the company legal folks are sorting a lot for me. I can post an update in January when my stuff turns up.

Shipping wise I've been assured that I, personally, won't be paying any 'tea money' and the price is all inclusive (£1,750 for 350 cubic feet on a groupage basis: in reality though it ended up being more like 400 cubic feet but they're not charging me extra).  Again: we'll see how this works out in January when my stuff gets here. 

I get a fairly large luggage allowance so decided not to air freight anything as I shouldn't need to but as I understand it you would need to have been in Thailand for at least a month to qualify for the duty-free exemption.

Hope this is helpful and all the best with your move!

I'm size 41 and live in BK. Finding shoes is an absolute nightmare.

The best bets are:

- Next  in Central World (don't know if they've reopened but I've even found size 42 shoes in there in the past). Other Western clothes retailers, e.g. Zara also sometimes stock larger sizes

- There are several shops in and around Pratunam that cater to ladyboys and have large sizes. Some of the shoes are very garish but they also have normal ones too.

I'm definitely going to check out JJ mall that the poster above mentioned - exciting that I may have a 3rd option and not have to do my shoe shopping on an annual basis when I'm in the EU!!

I'm moving back to Bangkok and trying to decide whether to live close to work so that I can walk in, or more centrally and commute in on the BTS/MRT. So my plan is to try both for a couple of weeks each before deciding

I was wondering whether anyone has any recommendations for serviced apartments that are:

1. Walking distance from Asoke BTS/MRT (5 minutes max walking, or provide a shuttle service that takes less than 5 mins to the BTS/MRT stations)

2. On Phahonyothin between sois 19 and 30 (I know about Abloom - and they seem nice, although their website lacks photos/floorplans of the 1 bed places)

Minimum requirements are:

- 1 bedroom, separate from living area (i.e. not a studio)

- kitchen/cooking facilities

- high speed internet

- balcony

- swimming pool

My budget is sizeable, up to ~20,000 Baht/week, but as it's coming out of a lump sum relocation allowance less is obviously better!

Any thoughts or insight would be much appreciated.