jor

Hi.

Are there any falang (farang?) bars or restaurants in Phitsanulok city? I have made a forum search but found nothing.

I saw a place called 'Mouth' on a previous visit but it appeared closed up.

Thanks.

Jor

There is approx. 50,000 baht difference on a business class ticket BKK - LHR versus LHR - BKK. When I queried this at the Thai Air office I was cheerfully told that it is because they have more competition from the London end.

I shall fly Emirates; cheaper than TG, newer aircraft and I can stop off in Dubai to shop for a new PC, some clothes etc. to save more money.

I had a LG a few years back, broke down all the time, my friend bought a LG TV, dead pixels after 2 month, friend bought a LG stereo after a few months stopped working, bought it back to Power buy, they told him he should buy a better brand stereo

Interesting. I bought an LG LCD TV 2 years ago which has had no problems, although I don't like the remote control functionality much, and I am thinking of an LG LED for my bedroom. Maybe it is the LG LED models that are problematical. I'll do further research.

Thanks.

NO LG, to many problems with that sh!t

Am thinking of buying an LED LG. What are the likely problems?

I am also lookng for a 17" Dell but cannot find anything in Bangkok or Pattaya. Also, as somebody says, you cannot tailor a Dell PC and have to take a stock item.

The only larger screen PC I have seen was an 18.4" Acer at 79,000 baht in Fortune City.

My Google Nexus One by HTC bought in the US and running an AIS pay-as-u-go SIM just prompted that a system update was available and is now running 2.2.1

I have not been able to get my Nexus one to complete the installation for any of the OTA updates, when I phoned HTC they did not know what the Nexus one is . I get the OTA but it keeps aborting. Did you have the same problem at some stage?

This is the problem I have with a European HTC Desire - the upgrade downloads but will not install.

If I source an HTC Smartphone (Desire HD?) from Europe, will I be able to download and install operating software updates whilst living in Thailand?

Thanks.

Thanks, YT. I have sent you a PM.

Jor : If you look on the other forum, Ray's daughter has posted on there and you can contact her direct or contact me and I will send you the link.

Second bump attempt.

Bump. Anyone have any info?

Can anybody give me any update on this situation?

Are Fon and the boyfriend still being held; have they been charged; is the brother still on the run; has Ray's daughter managed to obtain custody of his body? Etc,etc.

My interest is that I am a long-time acquaintance of Ray from way back in the flying club in UK but living in Chonburi I am out of the loop. Googling has produced no recent info.

I would prefer to do this via PM. I assume that forum rules don't allow me to post my email or telephone details.

Thanks.

Jor

Bump. Anyone have any info?

Can anybody give me any update on this situation?

Are Fon and the boyfriend still being held; have they been charged; is the brother still on the run; has Ray's daughter managed to obtain custody of his body? Etc,etc.

My interest is that I am a long-time acquaintance of Ray from way back in the flying club in UK but living in Chonburi I am out of the loop. Googling has produced no recent info.

I would prefer to do this via PM. I assume that forum rules don't allow me to post my email or telephone details.

Thanks.

Jor

Can anybody give me any update on this situation?

Are Fon and the boyfriend still being held; have they been charged; is the brother still on the run; has Ray's daughter managed to obtain custody of his body? Etc,etc.

My interest is that I am a long-time acquaintance of Ray from way back in the flying club in UK but living in Chonburi I am out of the loop. Googling has produced no recent info.

I would prefer to do this via PM. I assume that forum rules don't allow me to post my email or telephone details.

Thanks.

Jor

So, why not just do a SWIFT from your UK bank to Bangkok Bank?

Because it is likely to get routed through the BBL London branch, even if you put the BBL Bangkok SWIFT code, who put their own whopping charge before SWIFTing it to BBL Bangkok. Telephone calls to BBL London for an explanation result in being fobbed off with a "This is our standard charge answer". I don't know whether their system is in disarray or whether it is deliberate and they expect us not to notice the charge. A BM was good enough to step in and get a charge refunded for me. He stated that this situation was getting fixed and maybe it will.

Is that a typo or do you really live on 5-6K a month ?

I live on a lot less than that in Thailand because my eating/drinking/BG appetite ain't what it used to be but USD 5-6000 is what I can budget to spend if necessary.

Jor

After 6 years of happy retirement in Thailand, I have been wondering about Spain as an alternative.

Among the attractions:

• No visa required for a Brit.
  

• Better infrastructure (one example, usable pavements).
  

• Easier to learn language.
  

• Mediterranean diet.
  

• Good, affordable wine.
  

• British television (yes, that is an advantage!) broadcast in good quality HD via a, technically illegal, Sky box.
  

• Reliable Internet.
  

• Availability of western-style nursing homes (you never know when).
  

None of the above, including the last comment, is meant as any criticism of Thailand or the Thais who have, overall, been very kind to me but, for me, Spain seems to be a better long-term, affordable solution. One of the very good things here is the serviced accommodation where I have lived for the 6 years, rented from a Thai company which looks to long-term business relationships and which I would try to duplicate in Spain.

These are only early, initial thoughts but I would welcome any comments/advice from others with experience of Spain or other southern European countries. My budget is around USD 5-6000/month.

Jor

Good Day guys,

A retired destination never mentioned: Australia.

Is it still possible to get a retirement visa in Australia without family or connections already resident there? The consulate's website suggests that this is no longer possible.

I recently transfereed GBP 30,000, in Sterling, from my IOM bank to my Bangkok Bank THB account. Although I gave the BB Bangkok SWIFT address the IOM bank routed it through BB London branch as they said they do not have a correspondent relationship with BB Bangkok. BB London deducted GBP 60 in charges before sending it to Bangkok who then took their THB 500 fee. I phoned BB London to ask why they had taken so much instead of the GBP 15 fee quoted on their website and was told that this is their standard charge.

I will try to get something in writing from BB London before taking this up with BB Head Office and in the meantime will be looking for another Thai bank - any recommendations will be welcomed.

A BM, who happens to be a senior manager in BB, took this up on my behalf. BB Head Office took into consideration that the transfer was for a donation to a Thai charity and have refunded the GBP 60 charge in full and so I am happy with this result and am grateful to the BM for his assistance.

I was also advised to use the BACS route to move the money to the BB London branch although there was no way of knowing this in advance. A friend has also been caught by this in similar circumstances.

Jor

I believe that's the one I went to not far from Whitterspoon, but their service will take 4 days.

Thanks.

Tom.

I think that they are agents for the real dry cleaners and send the clothes to them. They said they do it in-house but when I asked to see the dry cleaning equipment, they refused.

However, the clothes came back in good shape and they charged me less than they originally quoted. Saves troggin' down to Pattaya Tai if you don't need same day results.

Jor

I recently transfereed GBP 30,000, in Sterling, from my IOM bank to my Bangkok Bank THB account. Although I gave the BB Bangkok SWIFT address the IOM bank routed it through BB London branch as they said they do not have a correspondent relationship with BB Bangkok. BB London deducted GBP 60 in charges before sending it to Bangkok who then took their THB 500 fee. I phoned BB London to ask why they had taken so much instead of the GBP 15 fee quoted on their website and was told that this is their standard charge.

I will try to get something in writing from BB London before taking this up with BB Head Office and in the meantime will be looking for another Thai bank - any recommendations will be welcomed.

Jor

Try changing banks.....

I won't even comment on Abbey (which I WAS a customer of for 20 years) but this week I made an online transfer from my Standard Bank Isle Of Man to Bangkok Bank.

Did the transfer online on Weds evening and it was available in the account on Thursday evening and it cost £20.

I'm wondering whether I can make a free BACS transfer to my LloydsTSB account in London and then transfer from there. A likely problem is that LloydsTSB will think I'm laundering and make problems but Ill give it a try.

Jor

On Monday I sent a fax to my IOM bank requesting a Sterling transfer to my Bangkok Bank account quoting SWIFT code BKKBTHBK and agreed to pay the 20 Pound fee separately.

Instead, they sent to SWIFT code BKKBGB2L which is Bangkok Bank, London who charged me 60 pounds, converted to THB and then forwarded to BB, Bangkok where I was charged the THB 500 standard fee.

So, the total cost was:

GBP 20

plus

GBP 60

plus

THB 500

When I queried this with the IOM bank they told me that they are only a small retail bank and don't have a correspondent relationship with Bangkok Bank, Thailand. Maybe true, but if so why not transfer to BB, London via Bacs which is free of charge, or maybe just the usual fobbing off reply. I'm off to my Bangkok Bank branch here today - any similar experience or advice?

Jor

I just bought a B2000 Sherman brand DVD player at Tesco Lotus (on Sukhumvit Road on the way to Jomtien) with USB and HDMI.

I went to look at this player in Lotus on North Road.

There was no mention of DIVX on the packaging and the salesman said it did not have it (as he tried to sell me a more expensive brand). Can you tell me whether, in fact, this player does have DIVX?

Thanks.

seconded

Thirded.

Thanks, Sheryl.