sstuff3

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.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I wonder how many of these apparent suicide bombings are carried out by unwilling participants. I. not just saying that because it involves a US citizen, I've often wondered it after any such attack ?

How do you mean "unwilling"?

a.) You get kidnapped and strapped to a bomb and told if you deliver a package successfully and return it won't be detonated.

b.) You are,tricked into carrying or wearing something that doesn't look like a bomb but is.

Year ago there was a case where a guy broke into a home in Sydney and put a neck collar bomb on a young teenage girl. He told her all sorts of things and she would of virtually done anything to be spared from that.

Imagine if someone did that to you & you had no idea what you were up against. I bet many people would just do exactly what they were told hoping they would be spared.

Anyway, its something I've wondered nearly evertime I see someone blow up with a bomb on them.

Well, sort of doubt anyone would fall for it in the Middle East. Blackmail against the bomber's own person wouldn't be very believable, a more likely course of action will be threats against family (but them most organizations take care of suicide bombers family members anyway). Someone who isn't self-motivated to do this stands more of a chance to expose himself,and as far as the operators go - greater chances of something going wrong. Probably more effective to go with true and tried religious brainwashing.

Hard to see how one could be tricked into wearing a bomb. Carrying one unknowingly been done, but again - running more risks of detection or ending up in the wrong place/time. And if unknowingly, it would exactly be a suicide, no intent on part of the bomber.

The case cited was a hoax

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosman_bomb_hoax

If I was a teenage girl in AUS threatened by a burglar, might have fallen for it. Otherwise, pretty much NOT.

It may have been a hoax in Australia, but it did happen in the US in 2003. A pizza delivery guy was captured and a collar bomb attached to his neck. He was instructed to rob a bank, which he did. Unfortunately the police caught and surrounded him on the street before he could return to his captors. Despite his pleas to the police, he eventually exploded in front of a large crowd and news cameras.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-11098058

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Terrible story, the poor little boy. I guess he and his father lived a quite life and pretty much kept to themselves. I hope English relatives come forward and offer the little guy a real chance in life.

Must have missed it somewhere! Where did it say the father was English? Racism is a funny thing: it's much closer to home than you think!

My apologies, British not English.

To all those offended by what appears as an extremely racist post, my apologies. In no way did racism enter my mind when I wrote it and it was never intended to appear racist. Again my very sincere apologies to all those offended.

May I suggest that the Mods remove my post. I am very sorry.

Why? Why should your valid comments be removed just because some people chose to interpret your post as "racist"?

It was not. Retain the post and keep posting!

I couldn't agree more. If anyone interpreted that as a racist comment, I suggest they need to grow thicker skin. Also a good long look in the mirror as well, since they are the likeliest ones with racist thoughts in their heads.

Sad story, I hope the young guy fairs well and finds safety and comfort in the home of loved ones.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Quick update. I took the truck to Siam Diesel on Thursday and was told they do not have and cannot get the turbo parts for my truck since the engine was built in Japan and not Thailand. This May explain why Toyota told me they would have to order the new turbo (about 3-4 weeks). The Toyota dealer consistently tells me not to worry about it because the truck still runs good (just a small leak on the turbo) and the new turbo cost is more than 30k baht. There's got to be someone in Thailand that can fix this without having to buy a completely new turbo.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Yeah, I would hope they were too Woodsie but the leak persisting after Toyota changing the seals twice is a bit odd. Perhaps the OP could also give the area around the leak a good clean, drive for a while before getting a decent mechanic to have another look.

Jitar, I've had the engine cleaned several times but the leak persists. I guess I'll take it in to the shop on OnNut and see if they can help.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Thanks for the replies. Toyota has replaced the seals and gaskets (twice) and it still leaks. They say it's OK to keep it like this but the oil drips are driving me crazy. I'll check out the Denso shop you mentioned on On Nut 77 since that is not far from my house. Thanks again! Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

sstuff3, did you go for the repair already?

Funny, I had exactly the same problem with my 2004 Tiger (the same story about Toyota also) and thanks @Woodsie888 I'd go to Siam Diesel, they found out that the o-ring in the turbo charger was broken and did the repair for not 1400 Baht - hope it'll be good now.

@Jitar as information, this 'old' Hilux doesn't have an intercooler unless you install one afterwards.

Hi Gomyway, sorry for the delayed response. I just returned from an extended trip to Korea. I haven't had it repaired yet but it is leaking from the front bottom of the turbine housing. How did your repair go? Solve the problem?

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Thanks for the replies. Toyota has replaced the seals and gaskets (twice) and it still leaks. They say it's OK to keep it like this but the oil drips are driving me crazy. I'll check out the Denso shop you mentioned on On Nut 77 since that is not far from my house. Thanks again!

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Does anyone know where to find rebuilt or reconditioned parts for a Toyota in or near Bangkok. I have a leaky turbo and the Toyota dealer says a new one is about 30k baht. The truck is a 2002 Hilux and although it runs fine like it is, the small drops of oil on the driveway are driving me nuts. I just don't see spending 30k to get a brand new one for a 12 year old engine.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

And for a mere 30,600 baht you can get front-row seats, including a set dinner at the venue. Nice marketing campaign though.....

A tourist island, with hundreds of non-locals hiring vehicles every day, and it's not necessary to put up speed limit signs?

These people got their licenses in many other parts of the world where speed limits, no doubt, vary.

Edit: I guess the tourists are not going to worry about speeding tickets anyway. Who's going to pay, the owners?

The renters will pay. I received a speeding ticket in the mail from Sydney after a recent trip, along with instructions on how to pay online, as well as a $75 "handling fee" tacked on by the rental car company (automatically charged to my credit card). The owners of the rental cars won't mind.

House I was renting in Pakret (Bangkok) was broken in while I was at work (May 2009). The house had security grilles on every door and window (upstairs and down) as well as alarms. Even having my two-year old English Bulldog inside didn't deter the burglar He entered through the roof and according to the police probably spent at least three hours in the house and stole everything of value, laptops, mobiles, jewelry, watches, old currency collection, Gurkha fighting knife, and the list goes on and on. He even help himself to Pepsi and lunch from the refrigerator and changed his shirt for one of mine from the closet (he left his behind). Despite fingerprints all over the place and a witness who saw him carrying a large bag over his shoulder exiting from behind the house and getting promptly picked up by another man on a motorcycle, no one was ever caught. The most painful loss was my computer and backup hard drive that had my daughters pictures on it for her first nine years of life (now gone forever). I offered the police a 30,000 baht reward for the return of the hard drive but they told me it wasn't enough, then when I raised it to 50,000 they said they "would try". Needless to say, nothing was ever recovered. I moved shortly afterwards and now keep all of my valuables and laptops in a proper safe and have complete CCTV coverage of the outside and inside of the house, as well as two English Bulldogs now (not that they are much help, but they are great fun to have around).

I had some rings and other items custom made at Siam Utopia in Paradise Park in Bangkok. Very satisfied with the quality and level of customization. They are very helpful and pleasant to deal with.

 

Thank you Stuff - I will drop in next time I am in that area and check them out.  I am not good with shopping mall names and areas of town - do you have a street crossing or familiar intrersection for me ?

 

Can you tell me what you had made.?  I already have photos of a few ring settings I am willing to be flexible with the design.

 

I want the shop to build the setting around whatever diamonds I happen to buy such as baggettes etc...  I am trying to buy some nice stones not too large and have the Thai gold settings.  Thats what this is really about is having the Thai gold instead of the mixed gold from other countries.

 

Its fairly straight forward for any goldsmith - I added a couple photos of the ring guards for anyones example.  I need 1 womans solitare and mans diamond band made also.

 

Thanks for the info.

Paradise Park is on Srinakarin Road (Between OnNut Road and Udonsuk Road) on the same side as Seacon Square but closer to Udomsuk Road.

I had two rings made ( man and woman's) and also a custom pendant style necklace to house a "lucky" heart-shaped stone my daughter gave me when she was five. They did a great job with all and are very flexible and easy to work with. Their shop is on the ground floor not far from Villa Market.

I had some rings and other items custom made at Siam Utopia in Paradise Park in Bangkok. Very satisfied with the quality and level of customization. They are very helpful and pleasant to deal with.

There is already a "Snow Town" in Bangkok. Has been for many years. Inside Dream World. Been there many times with my daughter. Nice place.

This is supposed to be a "good" thing? The few times I've used the taxi "system" at Suvarnabhumi was a joke. You expect to pay a 50 baht fee for the system to protect yourself from being cheated. On one occasion we needed a larger (van-type) taxi because we had 4 people with luggage. There was one in the queue so I asked the attendant if we could arrange it. Her reply was sure but you will have to pay 200 baht more. The last time I returned from my home country with my Thai wife, the taxi driver didn't turn the meter on when leaving the taxi pickup point. I asked him to turn it on (had already waited in the proper queue and got my 50 baht ticket) and he refused. He explained to my wife that our house is "too close" to the airport so the "fixed fee" is 200 baht. Normally a taxi from my home to the airport is around 85 baht. What is the point of having a so-called proper taxi system at the airport if the staff manning the stands and the drivers aren't held to standard? By the way, I fly in and out of Thailand, for business, at least 2-3 times a month and I can confirm the taxi "system" at Suvarnabhumi is a joke and shouldn't be used as a model for any other airport unless it is fixed. I personally try to avoid it by having my wife take me to and pick me up but that is not always possible as sometimes she travels with me.

I would have immediately told him to "Stop!", and begun shouting for police. I've never had this happen from the airport, but HAVE had it happen from a hotel (after being careful to ask for a metered taxi and the driver assuring that he was/would). Got my stuff & walked half a block back to the hotel & complained to the front desk, and gave them the taxi no. They were very apologetic and had me driven to Suv. in a hotel car free of charge. 'Don't know what, if anything, happened to the recalcitrant taxi driver.

I've never had problems with the taxi system at Swampy, and I've been using them for years. I do kind of make a point of examining that receipt/complaint form they give you, so the driver knows I know... ...without being in his face about it.

After 24+ hours of traveling I honestly didn't have the energy to fight, which I am sure they count on. I did send the complaint form in but seriously doubt any follow-up is ever done on those as I found it quite bold of him to violate the rules knowing I was given a complaint form with his taxi number on it.

This is supposed to be a "good" thing? The few times I've used the taxi "system" at Suvarnabhumi was a joke. You expect to pay a 50 baht fee for the system to protect yourself from being cheated. On one occasion we needed a larger (van-type) taxi because we had 4 people with luggage. There was one in the queue so I asked the attendant if we could arrange it. Her reply was sure but you will have to pay 200 baht more. The last time I returned from my home country with my Thai wife, the taxi driver didn't turn the meter on when leaving the taxi pickup point. I asked him to turn it on (had already waited in the proper queue and got my 50 baht ticket) and he refused. He explained to my wife that our house is "too close" to the airport so the "fixed fee" is 200 baht. Normally a taxi from my home to the airport is around 85 baht. What is the point of having a so-called proper taxi system at the airport if the staff manning the stands and the drivers aren't held to standard? By the way, I fly in and out of Thailand, for business, at least 2-3 times a month and I can confirm the taxi "system" at Suvarnabhumi is a joke and shouldn't be used as a model for any other airport unless it is fixed. I personally try to avoid it by having my wife take me to and pick me up but that is not always possible as sometimes she travels with me.

Sad news. Heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.

Why is it that anytime a shooting happens in the US, it gets worldwide media attention and turns into an endless debate on gun control?? (Rhetorical question).

Gun control is not relevant to this or any other news story related to the use of guns. Furthermore, gun control in America is not the business of anyone except

the citizens of America. The Bill of Rights was written for a specific reason, should, and will be upheld, as this is the will of the majority of Americans.

Unfortunately, the reason it was included in the Bill of Rights seems more relevant today than at any time in recent history. For non-Americans to engage in debates regarding gun control in America is simply a waste of time and energy for all involved.

Didn't know the US has a copywright on orginal thought. So you are saying that if a non US citizen had an epiphany that contributed to policy regards gun control, leading to a reduction in gun crime, it would be rejected?

I doubt any opinion posted on a TV forum in Thailand will ever have any meaningful effect on legislation in any country, but by all means feel free to contribute what you wish.

My point was, and remains, that this story has nothing to do with gun control, just another sad story about an apparently disturbed individual intent on inflicting injury to other people.

I would recommend using any other courier besides DHL. DHL Thailand has a track record of charging (overcharging) for any shipments from overseas. I am currently in a tussle with them over importing an item covered under the ASEAN/China FTA and despite the item clearly being "exempt" they are still pushing me to pay ฿6,750 for Customs duty. The shipment has been held for over a week already and they aren't budging despite having all the required documentation. I've had this same experience with DHL Thailand in the past. Never had a problem using FedEx, UPS, or even the regular Postal service. My advise would be to avoid the frustration and find another courier to use.

That could be a Chinese Rat snake, Ptyas korros. The large eyes are pretty telling, but I am not 100%.

Thanks for that. After googling Chinese Rat Snake, and reviewing the pictures, I am confident these are Chinese Rat Snakes and probably not bad to keep around. Thanks again for the reply. I guess it is possible the cobra previously found may have been hunting these....

Oh yes, those will be great to have around. I would have noted that, but thought you may just want to know. Snakes are the best by me, they stay out of the way, they run like hell when they see you, and they eat all the things we don't like

And also the creatures I do like. My friendly toads for instance.

My primary concern is for the safety and well being of my two English Bulldogs. For sure the snakes try to avoid us humans but I would hate for one of my "boys" to come across one, especially a venomous one. I guess I'm a bit nervous after catching the cobra a few weeks ago. Now that I know what this one is I can breath a bit more easily. Toads aren't good for my boys either so I prefer the Chinese Rat Snakes....

That could be a Chinese Rat snake, Ptyas korros. The large eyes are pretty telling, but I am not 100%.

Thanks for that. After googling Chinese Rat Snake, and reviewing the pictures, I am confident these are Chinese Rat Snakes and probably not bad to keep around. Thanks again for the reply. I guess it is possible the cobra previously found may have been hunting these....

Found two of these in the yard over the last two weeks. The first one was seen one week after catching a monocled cobra around the same area of the yard.

Was sent here by the regional office in Hong Kong for a 5 month project. More than 7 years on I'm still here and enjoy the culture and climate. Obviously there are things about Thailand that drive me crazy but the good easily outweighs the bad. Until that changes, I will continue to call Thailand home.