riley76

Having lived here a number of years - I know my place

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0DUsGSMwZY

uncle ken at last ,a poster with a sense of humour thanks for the laugh. and a step back in time

i look down on all the posters who destroy any post with stupidity and never read the text

they destroy the vision that George had when he started thai visa riley76

Yesterday i got out of my car wearing my glasses, and as it was raining, they steamed up

i took them off and put them in the car. did my shopping got in and sat on the glasses [this is going to cost] etc etc, sugar

i was in Rawai i managed to drive, seeing quiet well but unable to see the fuel gauge, no safety worries,

but disaster glass wise worrry worry

i was trying to remember all the past postings i had seen on T V phuket re opticians. i phoned a friend and he directed me to Somsak Optic Rassada road phuket town, easy to find go up past BKB [Phang Nga road] turn right at lights, turn first right, one way .if you are lucky you will find parking on the right as well as Somsaks just around the corner on the right there are many optic shops along its length i had tried one or to other places. English skill no and unable to do asap

i found Somsaks went in he spoke good English can you do a new frame here i asked ??

The optician took the broken bits went into his work shop removed the lenses came back selected a new frame ,you like these ?

yes i said [just desperate to get my glasses cant see the computer with out]

he fitted the lense's in ,try please i put them on,we did a test perfect. now for it i thought

How much ?eight hundred baht he said . wow i had been quoted three and five thousand further down the Soi.please accept 1000 i said , this guy knows his stuff, he also told me that the new types of photcromatic glasses are darker in the sun but clearer in the night great, have to try as i look like mafia in the night yes a pleasant surprise recomended Riley 76

saw 30thb drafts at a new spot on Sai Yuan down a little from Don's

Hi

Yes its the one called Kings, never ever a person in there, dont think he will be open for long,,,, but 30 is cheap but i would be happy to pay full price if i have something to "look" at

hdrider post yes -3132317 kings the "guy" who owns it? [on a tourist visa]??

iS the one who beat three Thai bar staff at the "honey bar " after hours have photos have witnesses so dont edit please .AS

this type of foriegner does not do any of us, any good [ europeans or americans ]

one of those types who thinks he is a "king" Here, sell a few Girls, rent a few motor bikes

no he wont be open long ---- cant spell either RILEY 76

If you are single and a UK citizen, retired here and thinking of getting married you should do it before April next year. After April 1st 2010 you wont be able to claim the dependance allowance of 58 pounds a week after that date. If you are able to claim you will have the 58 pounds a week till 2020 when the allowance stops altogether. Might be many quicky marriages in Thailand soon!

=melbat post =3094480 can you elaborate on your post please, I am married to a thai have been ten years. as i understand it, as i am married, i get a tax allwance ie a married persons allowance. as opposed to a single person. are you posting to say that theres is an additional sum that can be claimed ? or are you just refering to the married allowance for tax purposes.??

they, cut my pension, and stopped health benifits, i paid for, a long time ago as i reside in Thailand

i undersood there was something being done at the international court to resolve this

has it been done ? thanks to any one who can enlighten me here i should say i can survive on my pensions quite well so no stupid blasts please riley76

When I get my letter from the British Embassy confirming my pension amount, they always put my Bangkok address on the letter and I have never been asked to further substantiate the address either at Suan Plu or last month at Chang Wattana

As you say, the embassy letter shows your address which is accepted by immigration. If going bank balance route, the letter from the bank is addressed to immigration, so immigration sometimes ask for further evidence of where you are staying.

Thaihoon == Yes at last thanks it was what i was looking for will dash and do it

Done in a day chiangmai was so quick less than an hour,but i am a friend of chiangmai

wish we could have the same here and SOS

no complaints about phuket imm though

checkin 90 days 15 mins

Applying for renewal of 12 month extension of stay based on retirement you will need 800k in Thai bank for 3 months prior to application (with supporting bank letter and copy of passbook) OR 65k/month income (with supporting embassy letter if income is from abroad) OR a combination of the two (requires no bank seasoning).

You will need completed application form TM7, recent passport sized photo and copy of passport. A map to you residence might be asked for together with some proof of living there such as rent receipt/lease but that should be all. Looks pretty much like you've got your papers together. You will need a re-entry permit to keep your permission to stay alive if you plan to travel within the next year.

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/tm7.doc

Thaiphoon post thanks good concise post but i just wanted to know how. or if i should present my original lease doc I still reside there i am known as a friednof Phuket in the imm but il wing it riley76

help please check list .retirement Visa I have had one for many years

1/ i have the validation of my income by my consul ok

2/ have 'static' amount in bank need letter from bank can do ok

3/ have bank books showing monthly income + no worries. ok to copy at immigration?

4/ residence [always used wifes info can still do that if problem

but i do have the original lease contract Thai and English [many years to go]

was thinking of useing this document [advice please ] to acknowledge the fact i have one

never presented this befor but i think its ok to do, any one done a lease presentationas well as above

advise thanks girls and boys riley 76

i need to get new glasses .any advice welcome best deal or service .

on island made lenses if poss. bangkok takes tooo long . but thankyou riley76

Rules of a Nudist Colony"....

A man joins a very exclusive nudist colony. On his first day there he

takes off his clothes and starts to wander around. A gorgeous petite

blonde walks by, smiles as she passes and the man immediately gets an

erection. The woman notices his erection, comes over to him and says,

"Did you call for me?"The man replies "No; what do you mean?"

She says, "You must be new here. Let me explain. It's a rule here that

if you get an erection it implies you called for me." Smiling, she

leads him to the side of the swimming pool, lies down on a towel,

eagerly pulls him to her and happily lets him have his way with her.

The man happily continues to explore the colony's facilities. He

enters the sauna and as he sits down, he farts. Within seconds, a

huge, hairy man lumbers out of the steam room toward him.

Did you call for me?" says the hairy man.

"No".....what do you mean?" says the newcomer.

"You must be new," says the hairy man, "It's a rule that if you fart,

it implies that you called for me." The huge man easily spins him

around, bends him over a bench and has his way with him.

The newcomer staggers back to the colony office, where he is greeted

by the smiling, naked receptionist, "May I help you?" she says.

The man yells, "Here's my membership card. You can have the key back

and you can keep the $3200 membership fee."

"But sir," she replies, "You've only been here for a few hours. You

haven't had the chance to see all our facilities."

"Listen lady," replies the man.....I'm 68 years old.......I only get

an erection once a month, but I fart 15 times a day! I'm outta here.

well done autum hope i dont fart like that

over a two year period i have sampled, all the lunch time buffets at the major hotels in Chiang Mai what else does an expat do, [well me anyway].when he is in town

In My considered opinion the Lanna Palace Hotel ,on Changlan road, is, The very best, with an International buffet, and an excellent Thai menu. salad bar, and fresh fruits ,plus a sweet counter, coconut ice cream [oh a sushi section with Salmon] coffee, tea. water,

Why am I doing this post, well, one, i think you should know about it, and just now, all the hotels are suffering from lack of customers.If Thailand suffers we all do and we could help a bit, theres talk of lay offs, around town

Lanna palace does quite well,though. Other members might have a different choice, I consider Mountain View hotel to be next best, but cramped, and THE "names" to be not,as nice or as good value How do i decide to place Lanna palace hotel number one

quality. service, even though its a buffet menu , very large choice excellent fare, great ambiance and Best Price all inc: 130 baht plus entertainment, plus a menu change daily

so if you can, get on down make your choices, a poll any one,? lets help ourselves and the lower paid

lunch 1130 am to 2pm 7days I am just a customer and I know good value when i see it riley76

My friend is going up to chiangmai lucky him

he wants me, to find him a place so where do i look thai visa he wants a max rental 6000 per m

quiet, with internet studio type room, sometimes called a condo furnished with fridge etc

Im going to have to deal with this, as he is not able to use the net, NO agents please

in fact any thing decent for rent in his price range i will drop over and check it out thanks

oh yes it has to be within the greater city area riley76

riley76 date 2009-07-05 post 2851224 oooops just looked at the for rent section of thai visa, dont need help its all there silly me. take it off moderators sorry riley 76

My friend is going up to chiangmai lucky him

he wants me, to find him a place so where do i look thai visa he wants a max rental 6000 per m

quiet, with internet studio type room, sometimes called a condo furnished with fridge etc

Im going to have to deal with this, as he is not able to use the net, NO agents please

in fact any thing decent for rent in his price range i will drop over and check it out thanks

oh yes it has to be within the greater city area riley76

Do your business in Mai Sai, then go stay in Doi Mae Salong or Thoed Thai. Much more interesting, imho.

Hi Wimpy, I'm heading up that way next week can you give me some tips

about Doi Mae Salong and Thoed Thai. Looking for places off the beaten path.

I have the new GT bike map for the Golden Triangle and always interested in

finding new and interesting places. Thanks in advance, cmdream

I was a little late on my questions, thanks again

quote the members do it again i have all i needed, and more !! can cross no hassle !!

to think i lived in thailand for six years. befor i heard of thai visa ? thanks every one

let the adventures begin i have a map, you gave it to me, with instuctions riley76

hello fellow members,have it in mind to drive up and stay in Mai Sai

for a while.have driven many times, but never stayed over

recomendations for hotel or long stay?

plus, can one get a re entry permit from Thai imm: there,

should i wish to travel accross the border thanks riley 76

Perhaps this article might be useful to you. Sorry it is long

A trip to Myanmar's Eastern Shan State

Most of the foreign tourists who visit the border town of Mae Sai in Northern Thailand come for a visa run. Since decades, it is a normal procedure to reach the scenic bridge over the small Mae Sai River to cross over to Myanmar's Tachileik, do some shopping on the busy border market and return to Thailand on the same day with a new visa entry stamp. After the newest visa regulations of the Thai Immigration Bureau in 2009, foreign tourists can do this every 15 days.

But there are other foreign travellers arriving in Mae Sai by bus, car or motorcycle who really come to see and experience some part of the Union of Myanmar, which is hidden, mysterious and not easy to reach from inside Myanmar with its new capital in Nay Pyi Taw. Thus, these foreigners or some Thai domestic travellers use the touring route from Mae Sai to Kyaing Tong or progress even farther to the Myanmar-China border town of Mong La. On April 29, I arrived in Mae Sai with a friend from Germany and his Cambodian wife at Mae Sai in the evening in order to do just that.

We had left Chiang Mai in the morning at 11.00 not to forget to bring along some brand-new passport photos and all our personal belongings for the planned one-week trip. Also, I was riding in my old Land Rover, which I needed to take across the border to travel independently on my own.

The road to Mae Sai led us out of town on National Highway no.118, passing Doi Saket and up on the winding road to Doi Nang Kaeo, which is the important watershed between the Ping River in the west and the Mekong River system in the east. Reaching the high mountain pass, there is the old spirit house for Nang Kaeo, also marking the provincial border between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

Further on, we passed the headquarters of Khun Chae National Park and stopped at the famous Hot Spring Spa of Mae Kachan for a first break. We continued to Wiang Pa Pao and Mae Suai, where we had an apple pie and local coffee at the Charin Garden Resort. After that, we soon hit the National Highway no.1 at Mae Lao to reach the town of Chiang Rai, which we bypassed to continue to Mae Chan and Mae Sai. We arrived at the border at 17.30, our final destination, after a 245km ride.

Mae Sai is the northernmost spot of the Kingdom of Thailand and the large 891km marker stone is counting from Bangkok in the south. There is an attractive border market around Wat Phra That Doi Wao. Chinese shops and temples abound.

Accommodations in Mae Sai are reasonable-priced and start from the fancy Wang Thong Hotel (700Baht per room) to cheap guesthouses along the Mae Sai River for 250Baht. After having spent one night at Mae Sai, we passed the Thai Immigration border post at 8.00 in the morning. To cross with your own vehicle, you have to show your blue car registration book for the Thai Customs and leave them a copy of it. Important is that your own full name is mentioned in the registration book.

On the Myanmar side of the border, you have to pay your entry permit fee of 10USD per person. All the other needed formalities to continue from Tachileik to Kyaing Tong and Mong La will be handled by the friendly staff of Myanmar Travels & Tours, who are located just beside the Myanmar Immigration. There you hand over three passport photos, your passport and your car registration book. For the Land Rover, I had to pay a car entry fee of 50USD and 1,400Baht for a local insurance.

Another 100Baht come for the paper work. In return, you receive your "Entry Permit" from the Immigration Department along with the car entry permit, which is a paper that you have to fix at the front of your car window. Also, you need the original of a road permit from Tachileik to Kyaing Tong with some copies for the military checkpoints along the way.

Furthermore, make sure that you have the right pocket money for the trip from Tachileik to Kyaing Tong and Mong La. Actually, you need local money to pay at the road toll gates on the way (6.000Kyat=6USD for one way). In Tachileik and Kyaing Tong, you can pay your bills in Thai currency (1000Baht=30,000Kyat), while you need Chinese Yuan (1USD=6Yuan) for Mong La. The best way to change high-valued dollar notes is at stalls of moneychangers at Kyaing Tong Market, because there are no banks to use in the whole region.

For the tank of your car, make sure it is filled before leaving Tachileik. It seems that gasoline is a little bit cheaper in Myanmar than in Thailand. We left Tachileik for Kyaing Tong (102 miles) at 11.00 and drove up to Talay by having passed the first military checkpoint at Mae Yang (Out), where we had a local lunch at a restaurant. From Talay, we continued to Mong Phayak, where is the next military checkpoint.

The scenery along the way (Asian Highway no. 2) is stunning with beautiful views in villages, valleys and on mountain passes. Shortly before reaching Kyaing Tong, there is another military checkpoint at a place called Hot Spa.

Passing the Kyaing Tong Golf Course, you roll into a town, which is similar to Chiang Mai some 50 years ago. It was 16.30, when we reached Kyaing Tong New Hotel in the middle of the town, where a room for foreigners costs 15USD single and18USD for a double room, including breakfast.

After a scenic sunset over the nearby Naung Tong Lake, we walked to the Kyaing Tong Market and had a Chinese dinner at the Lotus Restaurant nearby. The daily Kyaing Tong Market is the economic soul of the city. We visited early next morning and experienced a conglomerate of different tribes and peoples not easy to describe. Besides the town population of Shan (Tai Khoen), Indians and Nepalis, we met some Silver-belt Palaung, Akha, Lahu and Wa living in the surrounding mountains. It was a shame that the market closes after midday, when many of the tribal people have to return to their respective villages.

Interesting to note is that we met the chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce, who was the owner of a gold shop. He reminded us that Myanmar is a very rich country and not dependent from the outside Western world that is partly boycotting the controversial Military Government of the Union of Myanmar. The reasons for such a boycott are unclear, when comparing Myanmar with other countries in the world. Furthermore, India and China as well as ASEAN countries like Thailand make business as usual with Myanmar and enormously profit out of that.

Kyaing Tong boasts other tourist attractions, such as the Temple of the Mahamyatmuni Buddha Image (Wat Pra Sao Loang). This highly venerated Buddha Image is a replica of the famous Mahamuni Buddha of the Arakan Pagoda in Mandalay, whose legendary history goes back to the time of the Buddha.

The Buddha Image of Kyaing Tong was cast in Mandalay in 1921 and consists of a mixture of pure gold, silver and copper. Its princely appearance is overwhelming and it has been transported with great difficulty from Mandalay to Kyaing Tong by crossing the mighty Salawin River, which divides Shan State into two parts. The capital of Shan State today is Taunggyi, but it is not possible for tourists to travel by road from Kyaing Tong further west because of security reasons.

After another quiet night in Kyaing Tong, we left early next morning to Mong La (54 miles) towards the Chinese borderland in the Northeast. For that, we had to require another road permit from the local immigration officer stationed at Kyaing Tong. The road (Asian Highway no. 3) went over high mountain passes, where in-between was the military checkpoint of Ta Pin. As we stopped there during lunchtime, we were invited for a real Burmese meal without paying anything.

Along the way, we went through Tai Khoen and Lahu mountain villages. As the engine of my Land Rover got overheated, we lost oil and water and had to refill. The last stretch of the road to the checkpoint of the Special Region 4, administered by the Wa ethnic group, was rocky and we received help from a Burmese bus driver, who pulled us through. At the Wa checkpoint, we had to pay 36 Chinese Yuan per person as entry fee.

It was shortly before nightfall and we needed a break. The whole action had been too much for the Land Rover (from 1974) and we had to rely on the service of a taxi driver (for 250Yuan). He pulled us more than an hour from the Wa checkpoint to our destination Mong La and dropped us near a local repair shop. We checked in at the nearby Ba Lai Hotel at 22.30 (for 70Yuan per room).

Mong La is in the centre of a special economic zone. Everything seems possible and there are a myriad of new hotels, restaurants, shopping centres, Internet facilities, casinos and discos. Chinese people dominate in an area, where Tai Lue villages abound. But the nearby border checkpoint of Daluo in Sipsongpanna, within China's Yunnan Province, cannot be crossed by individual foreign tourists.

I spent the whole next morning to arrange the repair of the Land Rover, what swallowed another 200Yuan, but it was more than worth it. In the afternoon, we could already drive again and we visited the local Drugs and Gems Museums. On a hill just before the Myanmar-China border, there is the spectacular Dwaynagara Shwe Pagoda to learn more about Burmese Buddhism. Also, nearby is the Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary, while mosques exist in all the visited places along the old caravan trail from Chiang Mai to China. Except from the Muslim restaurants, you can get Myanmar Beer everywhere, which has a good taste and quality.

Early in the morning of May 4, we left Mong La back to Kyaing Tong on the same way we had come before. After getting a new road permit from the local immigration officer for the Mong La-Kyaing Tong leg, we were greeted with outmost friendliness, everywhere the people were familiar with us.

We checked in again at the Kyaing Tong New Hotel for another night and witnessed a colourful parade of boys to become novices throughout the town. Young girls and elder women carried flowers and money trees along bamboo poles. Music created by gongs and drums was in the air.

When night fell in, a huge 22m high and new Standing Buddha Statue was illuminated - pointing to the centrally located lake. It was an atmosphere like paradise lost.

To make a long story short, we departed Kyaing Tong at 9.00 next morning after getting again the road permit from Kyaing Tong and Tachileik at the local immigration office. This time we had our local lunch at Mong Phayak and continued to Talay in the sunny afternoon. Arriving at Mae Yang (In) and then at Tachileik at 17.00, we checked in at the Dream Flower Guesthouse (for 400Baht per room). We even entered a new and modern Internet shop, which is the first in Tachileik and run by a Chinese businessman. Also, Tachileik is boasting a replica of the Golden Shwedagon Pagoda and - as the "City of the Golden Triangle" - is becoming more and more important.

When we left Myanmar next morning at 8.30 over the Mae Sai Bridge, everything went smoothly. We got back our passports and I received my car registration book. At the Thai Immigration, we got our passports stamped for a 15 days stay. This is actually the same period that we could have been staying in Shan-State with our special entry permit from Myanmar.

Finally, our way back to Chiang Mai led through the hilly landscapes of Mae Chan, Mae Ai (Tha Ton), Fang, Chiang Dao, Mae Taeng and Mae Rim. When we reached Chiang Mai at 18.30, we were glad to have made it and will remember the Union of Myanmar from one of its best sides.

Wow Fantastic post Quote=bluwezye-2009-06-25 I have been dreaming for two years to do this trip you have made it easy. I suppose i would need a re entry permit from CM or Mai sai imm?

I am on a retirement visa plus Have truck will travel I see you went in April info still valid ?

If any one would like the trip i can take two preferably one who could speak burmese, I am in chiang Mai pm me please riley76

It is normal that if there are no relatives in Thailand the authorities will contact the embassy of the deceased and they will contact the family and see what needs to be done. Not sure if they will repatriate the body if the family is not interested, but it is always best to make a statement about what you want to happen when you die.

Mario2008 post =2820963

I have made plans on my death, with my 'friends" re burn

plus insurance money goes to the "group" as a whole and residue is used to help poor Thai

this leaves my visa holding and other monies, in a Thai bank,

I would like this to go to my children, in my home country,yes, i can make a will , expensive ??

but can I, as in my home country write my wishes and get two witnesses, [are there, as in uk any pre printed forms] would it be legal

plus notification to the Thai bank, to hand the balance to one of my family my "friends will have the death cert: my Moneys been locked in Thai banks for ten years, so far

note bkb is giving 100,000 accidental death policies to new acc holders, I changed provinces and opened new accounts, to save TRANSFER FEES, every time i withdrew money or put money in, SAME BANK dont tell the nearest and dearest if you do this. i didnt ,dont want to fall off a chair riley76

To you all, dear posters thanks for your input

your replies are what i respect and expect from forum members

of thaivisa, any more info will be well appreciated. will get in to it to day

some given info, sure is worring [to many.] i hope its not true,

divorce or death, are the other options. On divorce my lawyer advises, i can kick the lessor out?

never my intention, and one, which if done, would cause early demise,hel_l hath

also wouldnt it be nice if, in todays world it could be done on line, the cancellation that is

I am married to the lessor riley76

I have a lease contract for 15 years. It is registered on the land document I paid 300,000 registered

I no longer reside in the place, which is on phuket island I have the right to lease it out, not required

The owner is unable to sell, or obtain a bank loan, due to my being on, the land document

so to avoid being dead, even though i live out side Thailand

How can i remove myself from the document, I wish to free the owner, from this restriction., happily..

ie........... say legaly, i want no claim to the property leased or otherwise, from a certain date asap

i dont wish to come to phuket again, this is seriouse, dont flame it, or presume !! please

help is required. I assume I could go to the land office and renounce my lease, but i wont return

so options. riley 76 thanks

I wonder if the "Tourist Police" in that area are more trustworthy than the regular police?

Sorry about your troubles and good luck!

Simply, No. They can speak English, but that is the only thing they are good at, in my experience.

from my experience today I have to agree, dont expect to get help from the tourist police.

to all posters ===if you think this is new forget it. advice, Do NOT RENT "ANYHING" even if the person is pretty and seemingly kind and helpful yes i do know its considered shouting

most of the tricks with bikes and other 'things' have not been mentioned by the posters. now its worse

be prudent, its a jungle, Such a shame riley 76

was thinking of leaving Thailand, Malasia came to mind, drive down, cross over

get the motor registered insured , drive round and see how it compares .

anyone done this .m8 said langawi was an option. would I have to transfer funds from Thailand

or could use Thai atm cards initialy. I suppose Lao , Cambodia, Vietnam might be another option thanks riley76

I've had Burmese Karen friends for awhile now. I know their grandparents, kids, friends. They're much the same as any other people I've known, except a bit sweeter personalities.

The article shows yet another facet of Burmese junta at war with the people within Burma's borders. I would say 'at war with their own people' ....but all except a small % of elite Burmans are 'their own people.' I don't know who is worse, the Kim Il Yung crazies in N.Korea, or the mean spirited thugs - running Burma in to the ground.

It's a land grab, plain and simple. The Burmese brass see resources they want to covet. They've got the bigger guns, so - simple - just forcefully take over. No finessing, no discussions, ....just crank up the tanks and start forcing the indigenous people out of the areas the army wants control over.

=brahmburgers post=27966254 HOW can we help/ who is the aid agency for the camps

un ? posters any constructive comments news please riley 76

7 pm.

Nienke .post 27870331 = help just driven up from phuket and want to go to the party. didnt think i would be in Chiang Mai . called in to Tuskers saw Chas and Rachel said i have to have invite

So at this late stage i am seeking one

want to see you all again. last time was at the Green Man phuket mail me someone please

will bring me glass slippers riley 76

Where can you buy those glue plates in Phuket because i never saw them.

carrefour

makro

7 11 have them they are just about every where,in most stores look for a flat cardboard box with pics of stuck rats riley 76

I am travelling up to C. M from phuket and would like any info on condos or other rental places,

furnished/ internet, one bedroom not too far from center ,i do not want to stay in Gallae tower

price range 5000 per month or less quiet as well central area parking a plus

thanks fellow tv members riley 76

Can anyone verify that it was. The Thai army, that closed these Bars /clubs, down or caused them to obey the law 2am closing. I was told once. that the laguna [of which there are two in Rawai] by the lake, the Owner was paying paying 100.000 baht a month to be able to stay open ??

Did any posters see this.happening,and what time. Nearly all the sex workers and related people, go to the laguna when their own bars ,massage shops !! shut

for a bit of r and r and pickups, no bar fines .

Any sensible person would avoid the icon with its history of murder and robbery . assault etc in its vicinity. riley 76