yongli

When in Bangers, I usually brekkie at "DeliFrance", Silom Rd.

Sucker for their small danish pastries.

Evenings, "Coffe World", also Silom Rd.

They have a massive (Meaning HUGE) cup of coffee, and free WiFi for computers.

I indulge in my other addiction, messenger.

CW is a great place to meet up with friends for chats, sit back in comfy chairs.

Obviously I stay in the area normally.

Hi ZPete

Today I believe, I finally found the Coffee World @ Silom you recommended. Previously I thought, it was the tiny Coffee World in the basement of Silom Complex :

BTS Saladaeng Exit1 walking past Soi4, here we are.

It truly is a nice Coffee Shop, very nice to sit with friends, surf the web... The nicest Coffee World I have seen. Thank you.

@All:

Any other favorite place to chat with friends, make new friends, watch people, read books, surf the net, think and be inspired etc. and you want to share it, please post it.

If you know the name and/or BTS/MRT/Bus/Boat directions, please include them as well. But if not, include the place anyway so we got something to explore

I would like to give it a few more days, then post a list, if you girls and guys don't mind.

Yongli

It,s not all in English on my computer. English and Thai.

That is very strange

Not a single Thai alphabet in your pdf file when I opened. And the photo box is on page 2, when I remember in Suan Pluu it was Page 1.

@thairookie:

I just tried to open the PDF. I can see English and Thai. Must have something todo with your Mac.

I went to the Immioffice today. On the form they have, the photo is on page 2 as well.

If you just worry about queueing. I had my form in 5 min today.

I like the Coffee Shop/Book Shop on the top floor of Amarin Plaza ... the book shop's average, although they do sell old UK magazines for 20 BHT, but combined with the food court it's a good place to hang out and people watch. Also has WIFI.

There's also a nice new coffee shop off Sukhumvit Soi 63 Soi 6 .... Berry something ... and another nice recenty opened one on Soi 33 just after the big Italian restaurant opposite Tenderloins.

Used to like Starbucks, but with the fall in the pound I can't afford the interest on the mortgage to buy a coffee!

Hi Familyonthemove:

Thank you for the info.

So I went to Soi33 to explore a a bit.

Caffe Mocca on Soi33, opposite Novotel. They have indoor and outdoor seating.

Not yet many people, but a nice place.

Nice Latte for 70 THB.

And free WIFI from a nearby restaurant (after a free online registration). Just choose network Basilico and follow the instructions.

BTS Phrong Phong

Hey Yongli, come out of Coffee and More and turn left and keep walking for a bit until you come to The Hemlock Restaurant. Not sure about the coffee and no books to speak of but an excellent Thai place populated by Thais and Westerners with good wine.

Also just around the corner (going right) from the Roti shop would be the Joy Luck Club - an interesting bunch gather there at night if Khun Joy is still there.

Do you want to know about the falafel place nearby or are you just into coffee?

Hi Nampeung,

other nice places are also welcome. Thank you for sharing.

Yongli

Hi Yongli, sounds like you found the one I mentioned It's nice and good ambiance. When you come out of there turn right and just before the fort there's a good bookshop/card shop with a nice cafe upstairs. Then just after that there is the famous roti shop opp the fort. Wonderful for Muslim tea and roti with curry sauce

Hi Nampeung,

More ideas, cool. I quite enjoy exploring. I have seen the Roti shop - lot's of people queueing there.

What ingredients are allowed in Thai beers?

Most Thai beers contain malt, hops, rice and due to the heat, some ingredients designed to make the beer last on the shelf in the hot weather. Some, like the big green H have flavors imported from Singapore to add to the taste. The new one, Federbrau, is not allowed to have any additives or it would lose it German certification. Most people do not realise that chemicals are used in most beers, especially preservatives in hot climates. There is a reason why some beers have a lot of foam and others don't, and it is largely to do with those chemicals. Most beer drinkers tend to be biased towards what they themselves drink. Surprisingly, in the two blind taste tests I have participated in here in Thailand, Heineken came near the bottom for everyone even if they said beforehand it was their usual pint. The added ingredients become more obvious when you can't see the "premium" bottle and hear the marketing.

Surprisingly, for me anyway, Archa and Leo usually come high in the rankings, especially if there are Thai people in the majority, as both have a milder taste than many others but without losing their bite. Singha Light is noticebly disagreeable to most people for its lack of taste.

@Hanimal: Interesting. So the ones that have a lot of foam do not contain the chemicals?

As for German beers, I believe almost no German beer uses chemicals or other preservatives except hops. I believe that is why they have a short shelf life and are rather difficult to export. By the time they arrive, you only have another month or so to sell them.

Today my coffee shop exploration took me to Phra Athit Road:

Ricky's Cafe (mentioned by Girlx) looked really nice.

And I found another one:

Coffee & More, 102/1 Phra-Athit Road.

Nice athmosphere, lively, but not too crowded.

If you come from Ricky`s, keep walking towards the Fort. Coffee & More is on the same side as Ricky's. When

you see a gate with a security guard, that's where you have to walk in.

It is in a very nice building. (I think the waitress mentioned, the whole ground belongs to ASTV or some newspaper or both)

The whole Phra-Athit Road is quite nice and good for a stroll on a Sunday afternoon. First you could walk a bit along the river, than sit in one of the coffee shops and then they have plenty of choices for dinner, either along the road, or if you like a river view and don't mind it a bit more expensive, just walk along the river. Quite a few river view restaurants. Funny, the last time I have been to that road is ten years ago ;-) I must have been blind then.

Thanks girlx and Nampeung (maybe that is the one you mentioned?).

PS: If you are close to Siam/National Stadium Bus Number 15 (get on the side where the Nátional Stadium is) takes you Phra Athit.

Phra Atit Road at the river - the one that was part of Manager Magazine, forget the name. Has some books and papers and is gorgeous

Hi Nampeung,

is this a coffee shop, a bookshop or a combination of the two?

Do you remember where on Phra Atit?

Thanks, Yongli

In my opinion, Chang is quite nice but, the quality varies. Normally it is alright - but at times you really get a bad bottle. Hmm.

I like Beer Lao and and Beer Leo better though.

As for the Gold Medal - You certainly find better beers among the Belgian, Chezch, English and German beers.

I wonder how the U.S. got to hold a world beer competition?

What ingredients are allowed in Thai beers?

I have been able to open a brokerage account in the US, officially supplying an Asian address. That was in the beginning of last year. I had to prove the address though (I used bank statements. Utility bills were another option)

A possible option would be to open a bank account in Asia, Singapore or Hong Kong are respected international banking centers.

I haven't tried a credit card yet.

All the best,

Yongli

Being a coffee shop fan, I decided to try a few different ones: Yesterday I went to

Coffee Society (@Silom)

Nice Latte, food, open 24 hours

Outside sitting area and three floors inside (it sounds bigger than it is). Free WIFI, if you bring your computer.

You get off @BTS Sala Daeng and exit on the same side as the Parpong Sois.

You walk for 3 min. towards Rama IV Road - it appears.

Today I went to Dasa Bookshop and Cafe, Sukhumvit (after Soi 26)

BTS: Phrom Pong

They have a nice selection of used books - pretty much well categorized, and they have a few coffee tables.

Open 10am to 8pm (according to their website)

Today I found, that the True Coffeshop @ Chamchuri Square actually has a selection of fairly new books - economics, design, management, investment. So it could be considered a small library ;-)

Would like to revive this thread and the list and add another book for your consideration:

The sequel of the book "Monsoon Country" by Pira Sudham (mentioned in this Thread):

The Forces of Karma

I am currently reading, I should say eating it. :-)

@zpete, @girlx and @jcon:

Thank you very much for sharing!

I would like to mention another place I like:

True Coffeshop @ Chamchuri Square (Payathai Road, intersection Rama IV), MRT Stop Sam Yan.

(At the southern end of Chulalongkorn University)

On weekends it might be a bit crowded with students though.

Anything in the library department? Like a public library, accessible for free or for a small fee?

I have always found libraries to be very conducive to reading and used them in many major Asian cities. Of course not so good for chatting though

PS: I like your idea with the best of lists girlx! At that time I hadn't seen it.

Hi,

I quite enjoy reading in coffee shops, libraries and the like.

Two places I have been to and like:

Black Canyon, Sukhumvit, Soi Asok (@ Siam Society)

The coffee shops at "The Offices at Central World"

Which places do you like for reading, people watching, having a chat with a friend?

Thank you very much for your input,

Yongli

I have lived in Shanghai for several years. Most, if not all international flights arrive at PuDong Airport and HongQiao is used for domestic flights only.

I believe you will have no choice but to arrive at PVG if coming from outside China

That is basically also the status I am aware of.

Having used it as an international airport for several years myself though, I wanted to see what the current situation is:

No flights from Bangkok to Hongqiao. Hongqiao however is still an International Airport. You would have to fly in from Tokyo or Seoul though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Hong...ational_Airport

@Litebeer:

I have a friend who also needs to extend. We just looked at the form.

What would be acceptable as a reason?

Thank you very much.

Extend Holiday. Is what I used to put.

Thanks Litebeer!

Closed on weekends.

Go anytime next week.

You will not "loose" any days, the extension is from the date on your entry stamp.

Avoid going on Monday, going to be alot of people becase of the five days holiday.

i also wanted to know

what are the office hours of the immigration office (cant bring up a website)?

for this extension, what form do i need to fill?

photo copies or passport photos needed?

same 1900 baht?

thanks for ur help

This Form

1,900 Baht Passport size photo. Copy of form and relevant passport pages.

@Litebeer:

I have a friend who also needs to extend. We just looked at the form.

What would be acceptable as a reason?

Thank you very much.

I got a double entry visa in laos on monday,there is no problem getting the visa,they hand them out to anyone,just pay 2000 baht for a double,and 1000 for a single.I dont envy anyone a trip to laos,I paid over 6000 baht inclusive to go on a mini bus from On Nut in bangkok to laos,leave sunday night,get to thai border 6 a.m monday morning.The Thai embassy was a terrible place,hundreds of people there waiting to get visas,very hot,no system in place,it was like playing rugby or american football trying to enter the embassy,1 man handing out the visas...............if you dont like chatuchak-j j market then you wont like the thai embassy in laos,i can see a hillsborough disaster happening there soon,so many people crushing each other,just to get a visa to stay in thailand.Also the people that arrange these trips everyday must be making a fortune,they take your money and offer very little in return,from a scale of 1-10 the service was a 1,very poor.good luck if your going soon,you will need it.

@geoffers76:

You could consider a train ride (a few hundred Baht) to Nong Khai or Udon and from there take the international bus to Vientiane. Stay a few days and have some beer Lao watching the sunset over the Mekong. While in Vientiane get your visa.

Get the train back to Bkk.

You probably spend about the same, maybe a bit more. You also need to bring more time, but it is an enjoyable trip, enough room on the train to stretch your legs or walk around, chances to buy food from the locals while en route, nice baguettes with Pate in Vientiane...

I wonder how this going to work?

RMB denominated business accounts will become available and a bond market of RMB bonds accessible to foreigners?

Or are we supposed to bring cash for the trade.

So are we then getting a fully convertible RMB .. I believe quite a run would happen.

So I guess, they would continue to try to control the exchange. More complicated - I think even a bit scary. Lot's of under the table dealings ...

Actually I don't believe that the world is helped by RMB denominated trade unless they really make some significant changes and get rid of the control freak.

Why would other countries (other than China), that now hold significant amounts of USD reserves not be trying to get rid of them, if they can directly use RMB?

What I really dislike about the article is the idea of having some countries being allowed to trade in RMBs while other's wouldn't. Doesn't sound like a free market and it sounds like more trouble to me.

The Chinese for years piled up those USD bonds given to them for real products made with real commodities and real energy. To support their exports they let the US supply them paper and then paper again.

On the other hand the US only paid lip service to a floating of the RMB. As far as I am concerned the Chinese policy of exchange rate control was supported by the US. Just it is not sustainable.

That is why they are having a problem now in the first place.

It was incredible to see the inflation in China last year into mid of this year. They were talking about 8% inflation. But what I have seen looked more like prices for food rising by 20 to 30 %. Pork almost doubled!

Hi

I am thinking of going to Chinese GP in April.

Doing some research on flights and I find Shanghai has 2 airports PVG and SHA can anyone advise which is best for GP circuit.

Also any tips appreciated by anyone who has been to Shanghai or the GP.

Thanks

TBWG

Hongqiao airport is SHA

Pudong airport is PVG

From the little overview map, it looks like SHA is a lot more convenient. (Unless they have moved the GP from 2007)

http://www.f1wolf.com/2007/09/going-to-sha...grand-prix.html

I would arrive early though, almost always when I arrived at Hongqiao lot's of waiting for taxis.

Website of the Shanghai GP: http://f1.f1china.com.cn/index_e.html

Pudong airport is actually quite far way from the city. But it is the main airport for international flights.

There are some good hotel booking websites for China. PM me, if you need more info on them.

In any case, in my opinion, Shanghai is a great city for a visit. Would suggest, you bring some extra time for sightseeing.

Hi Yongli

Thanks for prompt reply and some great links .. so Pudong it would appear to be for international flights although from the F1wolf site getting about seems to be a bit of a nightmare.

Might get back to you (once tickets go on sale) for some hotel reccomendations.

Thanks again

TBWG.

PS Further input still appreciated.

@TBWG:

You are most welcome.

Actually, Hongqiao used to be an international airport as well and possibly still is (is was the only one before the built the one in Pudong).

I am not sure of the current situation as to international flights into Hongqiao, but if you can get a flight into Hongqiao, why not?

If you have time and don't mind the extra cash then Pudong is interesting is well - It is modern and huge and you can use the German-built Maglev and ride into town with 400 km/h. However the station is still on the Pudong side (Pu Dong means east of the river) -so you have to prepare ample of time and take a taxi from the Maglev station.

As for sightseeing:

A cruise boat tour on the Huang Pu River is very nice. You get to see a lot of modern Shanghai. You can catch a boat from the so called "Bund" (Wai tan in Chinese) - that is the River bank of the Huang Pu on the western side. Every taxi driver will know the Bund (wai tan)

Hi

I am thinking of going to Chinese GP in April.

Doing some research on flights and I find Shanghai has 2 airports PVG and SHA can anyone advise which is best for GP circuit.

Also any tips appreciated by anyone who has been to Shanghai or the GP.

Thanks

TBWG

Hongqiao airport is SHA

Pudong airport is PVG

From the little overview map, it looks like SHA is a lot more convenient. (Unless they have moved the GP from 2007)

http://www.f1wolf.com/2007/09/going-to-sha...grand-prix.html

I would arrive early though, almost always when I arrived at Hongqiao lot's of waiting for taxis.

Website of the Shanghai GP: http://f1.f1china.com.cn/index_e.html

Pudong airport is actually quite far way from the city. But it is the main airport for international flights.

There are some good hotel booking websites for China. PM me, if you need more info on them.

In any case, in my opinion, Shanghai is a great city for a visit. Would suggest, you bring some extra time for sightseeing.

Yongli,

You have hit the nail on the head.

Many of Thailand's exports require assembly of finished parts requiring importation first. They are also thus massively exchange rate sensitive and are often transfer priced out of the country thus not leaving the requisite level of revenue, profit (or tax take) in the country.

Tourism is the purest of revenue streams for FX that Thailand has. I don't know the numbers but it would be very interesting to know how many people are directly or indirectly employed in the tourist industry. This would be closely followed by agriculture which would but would require importation of raw materials for fertilisers.

However, doubling the amount to catch extra curricular payments misses the point that most of this money would be spend in Thailand so would generate earnings elsewhere. Unless of course the cash gets spent in Hong Kong in the Xmas sales.

@Thai At Heart:

Yes, the money earned from the payments supplied to the "informal economy", would to a large extend be spent in Thailand. And yes, as far as it is spent here it is accounted for under the consumption part of the GDP calculation. So yes, in the GDP it would be included, but not in the official figures of 548 billion baht (16.84 billion USD) the TAT reports (or do they somehow account for it?)

I doubled the amount officially reported, to account for the impact the whole tourist industry, including the informal economy really has on the GDP figures. Maybe doubling the number overstates it a bit.

But maybe I am missing sth here? Is the TAT including the informal tourist economy somehow in its figures?

Even so, tourism will indeed continue to be the engine that drives what's left of the Thai economy - which doesn't say a whole lot of good things for other business sectors within Thailand.

But it was said in other reports that tourism represents only 3 to 5 per cent of the gross domestic product ... how can this percentage become the main driving force of the economy is open to speculation ...

Help exporters : ... drive the baht down and you become competitive (China devalued its currency several times these last months ...

Five minutes after accounting was invented, there came the invention of 'tweaking the numbers.' (an original concept quote from BB).

Tourism does appear to be the biggest source of outside revenue for Thailand - by a wide margin.

If someone can name another sector, let us know. When I say 'tourism' I include farang residents, including long-timers. A significant portion of farang spending is off the books. For example, when a dowry is paid or when large payments go to a partner's parents - is that tallied by accountants? How about significant amounts of money spent weekly on streetwalkers - is that on the books? I seriously doubt it.

As far as outside revenue: rice exports from Thailand are significant, but it's doubtful they bring in as much revenue as tourists and farang residents combined.

The first statement marked in red above shoud probably be labelled "Out of touch with reality". Tourism accounts for approx. 6-7% of GDP, to be compared with Exports at 60-70% of GDP.

The second statement marked in red is, however, correct. I haven't during a brief search found any figures for rice, but total agricultural products exports account for only ~8% of total exports (7.8% in 2007, according to Bank of Thailand statistics), i.e. ~5% of GDP. Manufactured products (e.g. electronic and electric products, automotive products etc.) totally dominate Thai exports with ~134 billion USD out of total exports of 152 billion USD.

I would be the first one to admit that official Thai statistics are sometimes dodgy, but not by an order of magnitude.

/ Priceless

@Priceless: Electronic and Electric products are a big source of exports, agreed, but are all exports created equal?

The electronics industry is a very competive industry, yes, people are being employed (but really that many more than in tourism?) and how much is Thailand keeping of the profits? How much has to be imported to get those 152 billion of exports?

Tourism is a source, where Thailand can basically participate in the whole value chain.

And then we have huge parts of tourism business unaccounted for.....

My train of thoughts would be somehow like this (just points me to assuming that the impact of tourism might actually be comparable to that of the large exporting industries):

(from CIA world fact book)

2007 exports 151 billion USD

2007 imports 125.2 billion USD

net exports: 25.9 billion USD

GDP can be calculated as: consumption + gross imvestment + government spending + (exports-imports)

Thai GDP (est 2007) $245.7 billion

-> 25.9 billion net exports, roughly 10.5% of GDP

Tourism (2007): around 548 billion baht (from http://www2.tat.or.th/stat/web/static_index.php)

Average exchange rate (2007): 1 USD = 32.53 THB

-> 16.84 billion USD (not including any services that officially don't exist in Thailand)

Now, If we just doubled that number, we would be looking at

-> 33 billion dollar.

We would be looking at about 14% of GDP

Of course, part of the imports are also neccessary to sponsor tourism. However few imports for all the services provided, few imports for the food sold, park entrance fees, entertainment fees of various sorts...

I know, this analysis is far from precise and I am happy for any corrections, just meant as a discussion input.

Yongli

Sounds Great!

I am coming to the party.

Thank you for the invitation.

Yongli