theoldgit

My UK pension was due to be credited into my account today, it is normally credited at about 11/12. It wasn't in the bank by 3pm so I called Kasikorn, the guy was very helpful and checked, but advised it wouldn't be credited until Monday, because of Songkran.

My money was however credited about 4pm, so at least I can eat this weekend

I would have thought that most behind the scene bank operations would have carried on over the holiday period, haven't these people heard of rosters?

If this link works, it's as about as near as I can get. The intersection by "B" is the centre of the demo, but it spreads out in all directions.

The link didn't work so I have deleted it, if you turn right out of the embassy and right on the main road, I would say it's about 15-20 mins to the centre of the reds demo stage.

It may not end the crisis but it will send on hel_l of a message ie the Govt will no longer stand by and let mobs take over the country. The Red's refuse to negotiate, what else can the Govt do?

By just taking people out would indeed send a message, a message that the government is no better than the thugs holding the country to ransom.

By all means enforce the arrest warrants, but do it properly.

Their better off ordering Commandos to shoot him on sight. Harsh yes but result is crisis over.

The crises might be over if it happened on your planet, but I suspect that in the real world it would be catalyst for more trouble.

The embassy is open all next week, in fact from Friday this week, the details are on their website http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us...office-holidays

Obviously whilst the situation in Bangkok remain like it is there could be short term closures, you will be aware the embassy isn't too far from the reds demo site.

As for the situation in Changwattana there was a closure there when the demonstrators went to the Electoral Commissioners, but I am afraid you will just have to monitor events.

I also arranged for Barclaycard to send my missus a card in her name but on my account for emergencies etc.

Of course in some peoples eyes a new outfit or a handbag might be classed as an emergency

You say obviously this and obviously that in your posts, just bear in mind that nothing is obvious to an ECO when they are considering an application, if the applicant wants them to consider certain aspects of the application, then they should most certainly include them in the application, probably the best place would be in the covering letters.

As 7by7 says the list seems fine, I assume she will be applying for the visa in the US.

Here we go again! The Thai people respecting the fact that you don't want water thrown over you, but the falangs not caring whether you have valuable equipment that you don't want ruined.

No doubt you are the exact type of tosser that would think its fair game to drench somebody with a camera? If I had as many Thai;s throwing water at me as farang it would have been different.

The fact that EVERY Thai could see I was there to take pictures and not get soaked says heaps. They ALL just posed or smiled. I did put the camera down and threw water and enjoyed being fair game. I got very wet and covered in talc. NO PROBLEM!!!!

I presume from your name you stay in Pattaya so expect nothing more.

If you read his post properly I think he is saying exactly the opposite of what you are accusing him of.

It looks like the whiners on this thread missed their flight out of Dodge for the holiday. So stay in doors tell Monday.

Absoluty right, people have no right to go to work or go out to dinner because people want to exercise their, perfectly understandable, right to soak you, the fact that you don't want to partake is absolutly of no consequence.

Just remember you must do as your told and "stay in doors tell Monday"

In addition to the above, if you pay a cheque into a Thai bank, doesn't the cheque have to be physically sent to the UK for clearing?

I don't suppose it would get lost, but it might do and you would have to start all over again.

It was a fun day so wft people are complaining????

Absolutely correct, it's my right to soak people even if they don't want to take part in my interpretation of Songkran, if they are trying to get to work then that's their problem not mine. Nothing beats the adrenaline rush of managing to hit a passing motorcyclist in the eyes, if they actually fall off then that's a bonus, it's not my fault they cannot afford a car.

It's Songkran, lets have fun, lets hurt and p*ss off as many people as we can, that's what Songkran is all about - isn't it?

Tourists are ignorant of the rules, many Thais don't obey the rules - so you have 8 days, and nights, of water throwing. If you don't like it, stock up on supplies and stay at home.

Not everybody can "stock up on supplies and stay at home" for eight days and nights. Some people have to go to work, some people have no choice but to use their motorbike as their method of transport, do you consider it's unreasonable that they should be allowed to do so without facing the risk of serious injury just for the sake of giving some moron his/her second of fun.

You could check in online and print your boarding pass, I think you can do it 24 hours before the flight.

You can then go to the bag drop near the check in desks, might save a bit of time. I suppose there could be a problem if your international flight is delayed and you miss the flight.

Even if we provide an income letter from the Embassy we still need a letter from a Thai bank, not more than one week old, showing a balance of 5,000 baht and a copy of the name page and transactions for the past 3 months.

Those guys seem to make the rules as they go along, I didn't think you were required to have a Thai bank account, though I assume most do.

That said, there is probably no point arguing the point with them.

I used to bank with HBOS, I could transfer funds on line and it used to cost me £9.50 a pop, it was very straightforward and as the money was transferred in Stirling I got a good rate. It only used to take a couple of days, I think the quickest was two hours.

I don't bank with HBOS anymore, but I'm assuming you can still do it.

If you are doing it from from an account you hold with a UK bank, you could do an electronic transfer, you might get a better rate and I suspect it would be cheaper.

Just a thought.

^^^^

Yes, I agree.

Last year I saw a young girl fall off her motorbike after being hit in the face by a water gun, the following truck wiped her out. You will understand why I don't understand why the Songkran festival has moved so far away from it's traditional roots and turned into drunken revellers just wanted to hurt people.

But hey ho, it's Songkran, I must lighten up.

oh please, lighten up guys it's songkran!!!

Yes lighten up guys it's Songkran, just forget the 21 people who were killed and the 800 or so who have been injured in the vicinity, just go and throw iced water at motorcyclists and anybody else in the area, let's just have some fun and add to the list of casualties.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - Go

Kevbap

Just wondered how you got on at the Embassy on Monday with your quest for an emergency passport, just hoping you might have proved me wrong.

Thanks

The problem is that if you apply to early and they become busy, they will deal with the applications by date of intended travel - that's what they did last year.

I'm driving, is the Immigration Office signposted from the road? and in English?

These thugs have really lost the plot they have absolutly no credibility, I am pretty sure that they will very soon lose any sympathy they may still have from the majority of the Thai people.

Conveniently located on somewhere on Petchaburi Road.

Near all the big massage parlours, obviously targeting a particular group of tourists.

Yes, we are coming on the 17th but I have to go back on the 19th for a meeting that I cannot change.

I think I will take your advice, take the car and leave at 06.00.