sstuff3

Got mine done today. Stopped by the district office at 1130am (Prawet, BKK) and gave them a copy of my passport, 4 pictures, the blue book from the house, marriage certificate (also registered at Prawet), completed a two-page form and answered several questions. Was told to return at 1pm. After returning, was asked a few more questions and then was interviewed by the district chief. 30 minutes later was handed the yellow book and when my wife asked what the charge was, she was told "no charge, have a nice day". Seemed to be a pretty painless and quite pleasant experience. Perhaps Prawet district is easier to deal with than others.

Where can you pick up those covers to keep the dirt off your tags?

I find that the cameras on the Motorway only seem to work if you are going between 130 to 160Kph.

If you go 180 or higher I think the timing is off and they are too slow to get a clear shot.

I have had half a dozen in the last 18 months from the same spot, but always says around 140-155Kph on the

letter.

Never got one yet when passing it at much higher speed.

What's the need for traveling at high speeds? Do the road conditions suggest this is safe. I'm not concerned a/b those who feel a need to go excessively fast, but how about others.

I often wonder what "speeders" do once they arrive at their destination? Sit on their ass and eat somtom? Talk a/b a selfish mentality e.g. go fast/tailgate those in front/blink lights/swerve in and out to maintain high speeds. FOR WHAT? Hell if ya wanna go fast and get a thrill get a BIG ASS MOTORCYCLE and blast on. What!!!! Toooooooooooooooo dangerous????? Pathetic.

Oh maybe excessive speeding is the result of "I'm a REAL man" mentality?

At the same time, if you want to go below the posted speed limits, stay to the left and no one will have reason to tailgate or flash their lights at you, especially on the motorway and expressways.

I got a ticket in the post last year, so they have had the capacity to do it for a year at least.

Speed limits on highways have in places been 120 kmh for years.

If they actually did this properly they would make an absolute fortune at 500 baht a pop.

Wrong. Only two roads in Thailand have an official speed limit of 120km/h, which are the two "inter-provincial" motorways, namely the 62km Bang Na to Bang Pa-in Eastern Outer Ring Road and the Bangkok-Chonburi motorway, which now extends to Pattaya and is around 140km long.

All other highways throughout Thailand have a 90km/h speed limit, but may have a tolerance of 120km/h before fines are imposed for speeding. However, if the average speed of drivers is relatively low, then many drivers doing about 110-120 will be caught, in the event of a shakedown. Case in point is me: I was caught in Udon Thani once driving on the Friendship Highway and going at a speed of 116km/h in a 90km/h zone (outside of town, about 20km south of Udon). The fine? 200 Baht, payable at the table nearby with a receipt.

However, if Thailand wants to get serious about enforcing speed limits, apart from the obvious extra enforcement it could start by first of all, imposing realistic speed limits on all highways and REGULARLY posting speed limit signs. Then and only then might they consider setting up more speed cameras and stricter fines, as well as stricter enforcement to ensure violators pay their fines on time.

Where are all the speed limit signs in Thailand? For a first-time visitor who didn't know any better, they'd be led to thinking that Thailand is the land of no speed limits because speed limit signs are posted so rarely. Must be one of the few countries in the world which has so few speed limit signs, let alone ambiguity about speed limits (hence why you were confused). For me, the only way I normally know about speed limits on any given Thai road is based on what my GPS tells me because I obviously can't rely on any non-existent signs.

Don't rely too much on the speed limit shown on GPS, mine shows 110 kph for the road between Udon Thani and Khon Kaen but the police who ticketed me says it is 90.

The average speed of traffic through Khon Kaen last Friday afternoon was only about 5-10 kph, not a big threat of getting a speeding ticket when I past through there. If they were to get serious about road safety, they would likely make a bigger impact by keeping the traffic in the proper lanes, instead of allowing lines of vehicles using both shoulders of the road as travel lanes. This undoubtedly resulted in more congestion and the traffic police at the intersections never attempted to stop it. A trip that took 8.5 hours going up took all of 14 hours to return, all due to the selfish nature of the drivers here. If everyone would maintain the proper lanes of travel, the traffic would flow.

This has happened to me several times at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Even the staff assigning the taxis are aware and complicit with this practice. One would naturally think the 50 baht surcharge was some assurance of quality. No so here.

sstuff3, I replied yesterday:

Agree.

You would be 100% correct sstuff3...in a perfect world.

I stand by what I wrote.

sstuff3 said:

In addition, your description of the local villagers is a bit naïve at best (foraging for food in the jungle, really???).

That comment tells me you haven't been to the real Isaan. When I write "real Isaan", I'm referring to the villages. Like my wife's village, 45 minutes outside of Sakon Nakon.

Perhaps you been to the larger cities of Isaan? Seen all the new this and that. Think the whole region is like that?

I'll tell you what, next time you are up here in Isaan...PM me and I will give you written directions to the house & village in question. Check it out for yourself...up close & personal.

sstuff3. I am truly sorry you home was broken into. Having had the same thing happen to me...I can empathize.

My wife's village is about 100 kilometers east of Udon Thani, I believe I am familiar with the type of villages you are describing but I personally would not describe what they do as "foraging for food in the jungle", but hey, everyone has their own perception of things.

Cheers!

The immigration officer is wrong. That the original visa has expired is of no consequence, what matters is that you have a valid permission to stay based on a non-immigrant visa, which you have.

I would ask to speak to a superior and ask for a clarification as there seems to be a misunderstanding.

Returned to the Immigration office today (because my wife forgot to collect her ID on the way out last week) and took the opportunity to speak to a Supervisor. After hearing the history of my case, he said I should be able to apply. I told him the same officer I met in September told me last week that I could not. He then directed me to call the Inspector (phone number above the exit door) and ask her. I did, and she told me to go ask the same officer I met last week. I did, and she repeated that I had to exit the country apply for a new visa and then return. I asked to speak to her Supervisor. Her Supervisor explained that after my first visit (30 Sept), the regulation was changed on 1 November and she showed my wife the regulation in Thai. She apologized for the inconvenience and told me the only thing I can do is leave the country, apply a new visa and them come back.

Unplanned trip coming soon.

Taken in Bangkok. I actually feel sorry for this guy as I'm sure he paid for that custom lettering,

sstuff3 said:

I'm baffled as to how many people on here blame the victim and not the thieves!

IMO. I don't think anyone is "blaming the victim". I think people are questioning his common sense in building where he built.

I wasn't aware there were restrictions on where or what you can build here. Seems to me that the logic used here (if you can call it that), is "if you build or have something that someone else views as extravagant or expensive, you should expect (and may deserve) to be burglarized." Everyone has their own reasons for doing as they do. Their choice of what to build and where shouldn't even enter this topic. Their house was broken into and their personal property stolen, which is inexcusable regardless of where their house is located or what it looks like. Simple as that.

Agree.

You would be 100% correct sstuff3...in a perfect world.

However, this is not a perfect world. This is a world of haves and have not's. No matter what country in the world we are discussing.

This is a world where people need to: install bars on the windows of their home, double lock the doors of their home when they go out and while they sleep, install alarm systems & CCTV's in their homes, lock their cars and install car alarms, etc.

I could go on and on with this list. But, I think you get my point.

For me, all I can say, if I was going to invest twelve-plus million THB in Thai real estate...I wouldn't build a luxury house out in the middle of the rice fields, where the villagers are just getting by, and still forage for food out in the middle of the jungle.

I do feel bad for this guy. What happened to him and his family is "inexcusable". I can't believe anyone would think he "deserved" it, I certainly don't.

However, as a wise man once said to me: "you've go to buy the whole package". In this particular case the whole package is...

In other words: Accept the consequences of your actions.

Your logic baffles me. I guess we should all live in cardboard boxes and carry our things with us everywhere we go, right? The world will always be a place of haves and have-nots. That does not mean we who strive for a better lifestyle should expect to be robbed or burglarized. My rented house in Bangkok was in the middle of a Thai middle-to-upper class neighborhood and I am not the flashy type and like to keep pretty much to myself. That did not prevent someone(s) from entering my house one day and removing everything of value. Yes, the house was fitted with an alarm system, bars on the windows (upstairs and down), a walled garden with security grills on top, etc. That still did not stop someone from burglarizing my home. According to your logic, "I had to buy the whole package and accept it for what it is? How can that be when it is impossible to anticipate some greedy bastard(s) ill intentions? Location does not matter at all. Homes located in 30+ Million Baht gated communities are burglarized, what "package" do you think those owners bought?

In addition, your description of the local villagers is a bit naïve at best (foraging for food in the jungle, really???).

As I said, "Their house was broken into and their personal property stolen, which is inexcusable regardless of where their house is located or what it looks like. Simple as that."

Really, simple as that!

Recently saw this being advertised at the Auto Show. Anyone have any experience with it in Thailand? Seems very clear looking out from the inside but very dark from the outside looking in. Called Cardinal Tuxedo.

sstuff3 said:

I'm baffled as to how many people on here blame the victim and not the thieves!

IMO. I don't think anyone is "blaming the victim". I think people are questioning his common sense in building where he built.

Duplicate post. Tried to delete.

sstuff3 said:

I'm baffled as to how many people on here blame the victim and not the thieves!

IMO. I don't think anyone is "blaming the victim". I think people are questioning his common sense in building where he built.

I wasn't aware there were restrictions on where or what you can build here. Seems to me that the logic used here (if you can call it that), is "if you build or have something that someone else views as extravagant or expensive, you should expect (and may deserve) to be burglarized." Everyone has their own reasons for doing as they do. Their choice of what to build and where shouldn't even enter this topic. Their house was broken into and their personal property stolen, which is inexcusable regardless of where their house is located or what it looks like. Simple as that.

Child, 7, badly hurt as bike and pick-up crash into huge Phuket hole

Eakkapop Thongtub

Mayor Worawut told The Phuket News that his staff had installed a series of metal crowd control barriers across the road and put up warning signs at the side of the road before the hole, but that someone had removed the barriers – he did not know who or why.

He added that he had spoken to Ms Phakkamon in hospital. He said she told him she used the road regularly and, seeing the barriers no longer there, had assumed that the road had been fixed.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/child-7-badly-hurt-as-bike-and-pick-up-crash-into-huge-phuket-hole-50090.php

-- Phuket News 2014-12-12

It appears from the two statements above that there were indeed warning barriers blocking the road but apparently someone had removed them, making the driver think the road was repaired.

If this is in fact true, whoever removed the barriers should be found and prosecuted to the highest extent possible.

God sped to this little girl and her family. I wish them strength during this sad event.

You do not extend a visa you extend your permit to stay you get from one. The immigration officer was correct.

Why did you get a multiple re-entry permit. Unless you plan on making several trips before you apply for your extension in December a single re-entry permit (1000 baht) would of been better.

Based on my conversation with the immigration hotline staff today, the immigration officers are always correct, regardless of what the regulations or website state or even what they said the first time. Seems I will now be forced to exit the country, apply for a new visa and return to do this all over again. Merry Christmas!

Called the Immigration hotline (1111) today, explained the history of my case and was told that it is up to the discretion of the officer reviewing your files. He told me that he would suggest I follow her advice and leave the country to apply for a new visa and then return and apply for an extension of stay. I asked, which advice I should take, her first or second, as they are conflicting and her advice contradicts the requirements listed on the Bangkok Immigration website. He told me to follow her second advice since that is the most recent. I then asked that since it is up to the individual officers discretion, if I went back to the Immigration office and spoke to a different officer, could I get a different result? His answer was, yes you may get a different result because the individual officers have the discretion to consider each case on a "case by case" basis.

Incredible!

There are traces of grated hard Closet door open Safe Weight 150 kg within the body disappear. The Safe with gold bars weighing 20 baht 2 bars weighing 10 baht 4 bars of gold bars weighing 70 baht jewelery worth 5 billion baht Rolex 1 house for five hundred baht diamond band 3 price band of two hundred thousand baht total assets. lost about 3.5 million bahtThe house looks a little bit like "Scarface's little mansion".......Wouldn't anybody with common sense keep that stuff at a bank???

The "poor guy" wanted to build a Taj Mahal in his village?

But here's a serious question. Why would you keep that much in your house, when you're not even there?

Here is another serious question, and thought...

This house would not even rate a double take, or a second thought, in hi-end locations, such as Hua Hin, Krabi, Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai, certain areas of Chonburi province, etc.

The same would be true for some of the hi-end housing estates in Udon Thani.

But building a "Taj Mahal" out in the middle of a piss-poor village???

In addition, this guy brought over an entire container full English furniture, some of it antique, a proper snooker table, a formal hardwood dining table w/chairs, collectables, etc. And the cherry on top of this sundae...an authentic red London telephone booth, which he placed in his front yard.

Common sense? Seems he left it back London. IMO.

I'm baffled as to how this guy was so successful with his business back in the UK?

I'm baffled as to how many people on here blame the victim and not the thieves!

The Safe with gold bars weighing 20 baht 2 bars weighing 10 baht 4 bars of gold bars weighing 70 baht jewelery worth 5 billion baht Rolex 1 house for five hundred baht diamond band 3 price band of two hundred thousand baht total assets. lost about 3.5 million baht

Wouldn't anybody with common sense keep that stuff at a bank???

Who would and how would you leave these types of assets at a bank (especially here)?? A proper (security-rated) safe bolted to the floor would be sufficient.

The immigration officer is wrong. That the original visa has expired is of no consequence, what matters is that you have a valid permission to stay based on a non-immigrant visa, which you have.

I would ask to speak to a superior and ask for a clarification as there seems to be a misunderstanding.

Unfortunately this all occurred today around 6pm after waiting all day and she was very adamant about it. I politely argued with her and repeated what she told us before, and my wife even repeated it all in Thai, with no avail. She repeated that there is no other way except for me to apply for a new visa once my current re-entry permit expires. I had no more energy to challenge her anymore. Like I said, I am officially fed up.

I have two you can choose from. Send me a private message with your phone number and I'll call you.

UPDATE - Apply for extension of stay

Went back to Immigration office today, as was told previously. After waiting all day, was happy to get the same officer I saw last time, as I thought this may make it easier. Wrong! She promptly informed me that since my visa is now expired, I will need to apply for a new one after the re-entry permit expires on 24 December. We told her that she is the one who told us to apply for the re-entry permit and to return before 24 December to apply for the extension of stay. She denied saying that and told me I will need to wait until the re-entry permit expires on 24 December and then apply for a new visa. If she had told me this before, I could have saved the 3,800 baht for the re-entry permit and already would have had a new visa, saving both my money and time. Instead, I am now not only out the extra money and a lot of time wasted at the Immigration office, now my Christmas is screwed.

There is no wonder why so many people post negative comments about Thailand Immigration on this forum. As you can now see, even if you get the same person as before, the story and requirements can change drastically.....

Officially fed up!

As I mentioned, I travel frequently and will make several trips out of Thailand before 24 Dec, this is why the multiple re-entry was needed. It seems that they should be able to take into consideration the fact that I travel frequently and go ahead and at least accept the application for extension now instead of dragging it out until December then adding another 30-days "under consideration" to it, which undoubtedly will result in the need for another multiple re-entry permit and more revenue for Immigration.

My current Non-Imm, multiple-entry visa expires on 9 Oct 2014. I prepared all of the necessary documents to submit my application for extension of stay and went to Immigration Division 1 (Bangkok) to apply. After waiting for 3 hours for my number to be called, I was told that I couldn't apply until December since my latest entry stamp allows me to remain until 24 Dec 2014. I explained to the officer that I travel frequently and my next scheduled trip will have me returning after the expiration date on my visa (9 Oct 2014) therefore I need to go ahead and apply for the extension of stay now. She was adamant and told my that the date on my visa didn't matter, all that mattered was the date stamped on my latest arrival. She again told me to return before 24 Dec 2014 to apply for my extension of stay. I again informed her that the current stamp on my passport will become irrelevant after I depart for my next trip and return after the expiration date on my visa. She told me that my only option was to apply for a re-entry permit (multiple) and return before 24 Dec 2014 to apply for extension of stay. I then spent another hour and half waiting to apply for the re-entry permit and after paying 3,800 Baht was told to return before 24 Dec to submit my application for extension of stay.

This seems like a very inefficient and money-making process for Immigration, especially considering the fact that I could have easily applied for another Non-Imm Visa (for about 2,700 Baht more than I paid for the re-entry permit) and received another 12 months immediately. Is this normal?

I did another check last night. Everything is locked up tight as can be and I left the lights on at the gate, drive, and back patio. It would take a ton of effort to get into this house. It's not impossible, but very difficult, time consuming, and would make a lot of noise. Most Thai criminals won't risk it for that much work or attention. If the door was left wide open, then sure. I guess I'm rattled more because I do live in a nicer area and got a little complacent.

Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to prevent them from coming in. If they want in, they will find a way regardless of the physical barriers you place in their way and further inconvenience your own lives. My previous house had bars and locks on every door and window (downstairs and upstairs) and was equipped with alarms on every door and window which called me if there was an alarm. I even had a big dog (English Bulldog) inside the house. None of this prevented someone from climbing onto and through the roof of the house. The police mentioned that they were likely in the house for 2-3 hours as they took the time to go through everything in every room of the house and took away everything of value. They even ate and drank from my refrigerator and changed their clothes for some of mine before exiting back through the ceiling with my things. A neighbor behind me said later that he saw someone exiting the rear of my house with a big bag and his shirt covering his face, was promptly picked up by another guy on a motorcycles and made their exit. He said he didn't notify anyone at the time because it wasn't any of his business. You are lucky to have at least one caring neighbor (even though they remain anonymous).

The best advice I can give you is to purchase a large heavy (burglary-rated) safe and make sure all the things that are important to you are kept inside every time you leave your house. I'd also recommend you to install CCTV cameras inside and out that can be monitored remotely from your smartphone. You are right that this won't prevent them from breaking in but hopefully it will act as a deterrent and provide the police with some good evidence to find the burglars if they do break in. Hope this helps. Good luck!

The car market in Thailand is a "protected market". The import duty on foreign built automobiles is kept high to protect their manufacturing bases here and to encourage people to buy the car built in Thailand. Similarly, the ban on all imports of used or secondhand cars is with the same aim. This protection, keeps the local factories operating and the high resale value facilitates the justification to buy new.

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