theoldgit

Pound at USD 1.20 by mid year, GBP/THB around 40.

I wish you would stop structuring my expectations and leave me to bury my head in the sand.

It's not the Baht that's strong it's the Pound and the Euro that are weak.

With the prospect of a hung parliament in the forthcoming elections the prospects for the Pound are very dire indeed.

Am I the only one considering my future in Thailand, this forum has seen an increase in those struggling to meet the minimum financial requirements of the immigration authorities, and I am aware that a number of expats have said enough is enough and returned to their homelands.

Whilst considering my future in Thailand I have to wonder what I would be going back to.

Yes, she can apply for a visa as a visitor straight away, the six month in twelve month rule kicks in the day she arrived in the UK, and means she cannot spend more than six months in the UK in a twelve month period.

When she applies for a visa she might want to give details of her previous visits, you are required to anyway, and point out that she complied with the conditions of her previous visa. She will still need to explain the reasons for the proposed trip, the ECO will need to be convinced that she is not using tourist visas to reside in the UK for considerable lengths of time.

Obviously she will still need to provide proof that she is likely to return home at the end of the visit as well as financial provisions from herself or you, as her sponsor.

Good luck.

I saw them in Tesco's yesterday, they were on offer for slightly inder 1200B.

I think they are the about same as you can buy in the UK, but I don't think they call them halogen ovens here, I think they are called convection ovens though mine doesn't light up.

http://www.otto.co.th/products_convection_oven.html

I use mine constantly, cooking a full roast most weekends, even managed a full Cristmas dinner. I successfully cooked pies and cakes as well.

Dont discount the North. Fantastic place to visit! The visa can be a bit of a headache, however.

As can the getting out?

Family visit visa, explain the circumstances of the job in China and show proof and your family should not have a problem.

It is quite simple, don't work yourself all up and try to over complicate matters

PS Check your attitude in at Immigration

I don't know the OP so cannot fairly comment on his attitide but why did he have to jump through so many hoops to get a tourist visa?

I thought Moet Chandon was 1400-1500B retail at Tesco in Bangkok.

3950B in Tescos on Rama IV yesterday, that's nearly eighty quid in real money.

Good Lord, why would you want to leave Thailand and go to Korea?

Because wine is cheap.

Oh and I like the cold, because I go their skiing, I'm talking about South Korea.

So where do the people go for whom money is an issue?

I'm sure you know everything that happened, so I'm wrong and you are right! If you don't like Japanese, just say so and get it done with, bro'... I'm sure you have lots of company!!!

But, with respect, you didn't witness it either, even in Western countries hearsay evidence isn't admissible in court.

So are you saying, or rather are your friends saying, that the som-tum guy started beating these guys up without provocation?

You have probably already read this from the airports website

G-Force, Health Club

Passengers can use the swimming pool, jacuzzi and gymnasium on an hourly basis. Fees range between Dhs 15 (approx US$ 5) and Dhs 30 (approx US$ 8). Massage services are also available. Tel: 2164257

There is a hotel you can use, but it seems to be a bit pricey, and probably would wipe out, and more, any savings you made on your flight costs

Dubai International Hotel With 78 deluxe 5 star rooms, 6 junior suites, 2 royal suites, Dubai International Hotel is located on the third level of the Sheikh Rashid Terminal and offers a fantastic view of the runway and the Dubai Duty Free.

Deluxe single room costs as per the time slot are US $ 51/hour from 8:00 pm - 3:00am and US $ 41/hour from 4:00 am - 7:00 pm while Double rooms costs as per the time slot are US $ 62/hour from 8:00 pm - 3:00am and US $ 52/hour from 4:00 am - 7:00 pm.

All rooms are fitted out with TVs, mini Bars, luxurious bathrooms and a safe. Rooms are also available on an hourly basis. Special rooms are available for the disabled.

Dunno about the cost of posting Monster Munch, but when I suggested to my girlfriend that we buy a halogen oven in the UK and cart it to Thailand she advised me that you can buy them in Big C for about 1500B, so that's what we did.

If you do buy one overseas, I think they cost in the region of 2000B in the UK, then pay for it to be sent to Thailand, possibly paying the same again and maybe a bit for the Customs, you will be pleased to know that the electrical requirements are the same, but you might have to pay 10B for a new plug.

Sorry as well as not knowing the cost of posting Monster Munch cannot help with the enquiry about the telescope.

The fact that there's a one bottle limit comes as a surprise; I've hauled in two at a time routinely for years.

The limit for all liquor is 1 litre, so one bottle is under the limit and two bottles slightly over, I suspect two bottles wouldn't cause a problem, it never has with me either.

I thought Moet Chandon was 1400-1500B retail at Tesco in Bangkok.

I noticed the bog standard Moet Chandon at 3995B in Villa today, maybe Tesco is a tad cheaper, but I doubt if it's as cheap as you recall.

I am going into Tesco's tommorrow and if I see it at that price I will let you know - after I have stocked up of course.

Sainbury's in the UK stock it at £30, 1500B.

Yes, World Nomads is pretty good and flexible, and the insurance is actually operated by BUPA. Agree with Neverdie about the 5% discount for subsequent purchases though you can get a 10% discount as well at the moment if you add the promotion code "WNFEB10".

Unlike Schengen Countries you are not required to prove you hold insurance at any stage of the UK visa process, but you would be unwise to travel without it.

stupid policy imo. what if you get stranded in thaioand and the only way home is using a friend or another family members credit card to book the flight who will not be travelling with you....

then what are you supposed to do?

Quite simple really, you either go into the airlines office with the card holder and book, you use the procedure I highlighted a couple of posts back or book person at a travel agent.

This rule only applies for those who want to book and pay online using a third parties card.

This has been policy for most Airlines in the past 6 mths my CC has been asked for with Qantas,Emirates and Thai.You have to read the fine print. I booked online with Thai for a family friend to visit when I had paid and printed my ticket I re checked lo and behold IN BOLD letters it stated the person using the CC had to travel at least one leg of the journey I called Thai in Pattaya and asked what I could do, they told me 'you not read rules you have to cancel' I then called Thai in Sydney who berated me (gently) but sent an Email to Thai in Pattaya asking them to re-issue ticket at no extra charge, the girls were not pleased to see me at the Pattaya office they practically threw it at me. The days of purchasing tickets for anyone bar yourself is the new age of travelling.

Yes this seems to be pretty common now with a number of airlines, but there is a way round the rule about credit card holders having to be one of the passengers with Thai, but it is on their website, though pretty well hidden. It's actually on the page where you enter the CC details, http://www.thaiair.com/booking/non_pax_traveler.html it would seem to be so well hidden that even the Thai staff in Pattaya were not aware.

I think he will be a hard act to follow, especially as I understand it's not a salaried post with the Honorary Consul receiving just minimal expenses.

I have never met the guy but he seems pretty switched on, hope he enjoys his retirement.

What country are you applying for a visa for?

Most countries ask for original documents, because they can be faked, which will be returned, and copies of some documents.

Obviously the original passport must be submitted, that's where the visa will be put, in the event of a UK sponsored application a copy of the sponsors passport. Bank statements, originals and copies.

This is the list from the UK which indicates originals and copies of some documents, http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/images/VisitSocial.pdf but as I say it depends on the country you are are applying for.

^^

Sucked dry for 600 Baht, a bargain indeed.

Probably more importantly, you might want to make sure the Aircon filters are clean & the things are serviced regularly with the outdoor compressor unit being cleaned, ie: you might have to spend a little to save.

Long time no speak.

So how much does it cost to get one of those things, properly, serviced?

I go to bed with a cold water bottle.

Why don't you just put a fan in the kids room.... problem sorted

Or just hide the remote.

Try and avoid the rush hours when you have to squeeze in amongst all the office girls going to work, there really is no room, it's terrible.

I thought Moet Chandon was 1400-1500B retail at Tesco in Bangkok.

Never seen it that price, you could be correct of course but I have seen it at 3,500B.