theoldgit

seeing as Xmas is only 1 day a year I splash out and do it in style so I have booked in at cafe Des Amis again this year

they do a very elegant Xmas dinner with champagne and smoked salmon reception it's very high class i took my parents there last Xmas they loved it, didn't feel like we were in a restaurant, very homely, there menu is on their site, Www.pattayabistro.com

Thanks for the suggestion, decided to give the place a go and very glad we did, most enjoyable and will certainly return the next time we are in Pattaya.

The restaurant has a taxi pick up service and when the proprietor had a problem with the service he came and picked us up himself, pretty good of him considering how busy he was.

Thanks for the recommendation "media", and Blu thanks for a top class meal and a most enjoyable evening, as someone else said "I will return"

I suppose it depends on the terms and conditions, is it for one flight a season ticket or what?

Any chance that wine will become cheaper than whisky?

Is it ok if one of us will go immigration, pick up our baggage, then go back to transit, while others waiting in transit zone?

is it even possible to check in on flight while u in transit zone?

I would suspect not, but I would again suggest you contact Finnair, I agree with "surangw" that 10 hours in transit is less than no fun.

What a wake up call and shame on the hospital, I agree they should be named and shamed this would give them the opportunity to defend their policy of how they treat people in such circumstances.

Looks like you are ok KKK, and that's no thanks to the hospital.

Pretty sure you will have to clear Immigration especially if you have checked baggage, Air Asia will not check you through.

I suppose that it might be possible if Finnair have a transit desk and would be prepared to retrieve your luggage, I have done a similar thing in Hong Kong with Virgin and Thai where my luggage could not be checked through, but never in Thailand.

Think ten hours at Suvarnabhumi would probably test your will to live, but have you checked with Finnair?

pj bands

I will give my views of your questions, but I don't think your lady has been told the truth though I doubt very much if she she got this information from The British Embassy, they don't give this sort of advice, in fact they don't give any advice.

You say that your girlfriend has been to the UK twice and has complied with the terms of her visa, that is a plus and will help to prove that she is likely to return but it could go against her as the ECO might wonder how she can manage to have holidays of three weeks and then two months and be able to afford or even get time off work or from studies for a third holiday in February.

It is not correct that she has to be in Thailand for three months before she applies for another visa, and I don't believe the UK Embassy would have told her this, she could apply for another visa the day after her visa expires though she will still have to convince the ECO that it is a genuine visit, I think that might be difficult but it's possible, don't forget that she cannot spend more than six months out of twelve in the UK, though she is a long way off that.

The figures you have been quoted are way off the mark and beano 2274 has already provided the links for the true figures as he has with the question of a fiancee visa, and you should only do that if you really want to marry.

I think to sum up, yes she can apply for for a tourist visa though in my opinion, and it's only my opinion, back to back applications and the regular visits you describe might make it more difficult. That said if she can prove that the visits are genuine and that she is more likely than not to return to Thailand then she should be ok.

This is the latest published set of statistics, takes some ploughing through through, it might be of use.

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/doc...isastats2008-09

There is another one that gives local monthly stats, cannot put my hands on it at the moment, but 7by7 will no doubt post it when he wakes up, he is the font of all knowledge.

I think the visa itself is a matter of choice, nobody wants to give you misleading advice and whilst on what you have said your girlfriend seems to have a good chance of getting a visitors visa, ie she is working so can prove a reason to return, is that what you both want?

If you are going to stick out for a settlement visa it also seems that she would have a good chance, you seem to have a proper relationship, and it's a genuine marriage with your parents coming out for the wedding, though of course she could apply for a visa to get married in the UK. Most importantly you seem to have everything lined up to support your wife in the UK, you have a job and somewhere to live so she wouldn't be a burden on the state.

I am not sure that a visitors visa would ultimately help you further down the line, though I am sure you would both enjoy it.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck and I wish you every happiness together.

By the way the other document to which I was referring to was actually only the processing times, and I have now found the latest one.

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/doc...mestakeholder31

I tried to imagine the state of mind of an ECO faced with a mixed bundle of loose and confused paperwork, and tried to make sure this could NOT happen. I also imagined him dragging paperwork out of plastic envelopes and becoming irritated, so I put the paperwork (stapled and labelled) inside plastic envelopes with two open sides to make his work easier.

That's what I think is best, and have also cross referenced with an index, the can glance at the papers and withdraw any papers he or she needs for further examination, it also looks like the applicant has taken some time and care and is more professional. My experience is that VFS will leave the pack, though I accept others could have been treated differently.

To the Git….

What a stupid post, you're really jumping through something and or just making a wild guess.

Do you understand how offensive this is, you must have forgotten your manors when you got out of bed this morning.

The Old Git, "which I might add seems appropriate" was seen again this morning cruising down Sukhumvit with his tight fitting leotard sleeveless variety suit, apparently with a blue cap now strapped around his neck .

Thai law enforcements have been setting up road checks around Sukhumvit and questioning all motorists and personnel for information after a spray of complaints have been received over the last week in the vicinity.

The Old Git has a tenancies to tell stories and bore people to death, although there is no-crime here which has been committed the Thai law enforcement would like to address his dress code and due to his latest addition, "being the blue cap" now feel he is not part of the correct Super Hero Team inside of Bangkok and would like to question him regarding these complaints.

Law enforcement agents are offering a reward for any information regarding the Old Git and location, Call local Hotline: 02- 866GETU.

Wild enough actualization.

Regards

C-sip.

Well if they bore you to death, don't read them you obnoxious idiot.

And you call me offensive.

I have never had a problem either. And when I say they were out in force, they were out in force, they were stopping all bikes, they couldn't all have been doing something wrong.

I realise that by passing money the "problem" goes away, but all the time they do it the police will carry on fleecing people. I'm not being judgmental of anybody, but I think one daythe worm will turn.

Maybe it's just something the Thai people factor into their lives, doen't make it right though. I accept I am never going to change it, nor do I want to.

"the Thieves In Brown were out in force pulling over motorcyclists...and seemingly relieving the hapless individuals of their hard earned cash..."

What do you mean "seemingly", either the cops were doing something illegal or not. Which is it? Apparently, you see a cop and make wild assumptions. Perhaps the cops feel the same when they see you.

OK then.

I have been wondering for some time whats in it for me, like others I have been swiping the card and seemingly not getting anything to show for it.

I know that by using my Tops Spots card I get the discounted price and occasional cash back, not a lot I know but every little helps.

I drove along Sukhumvit this morning and, as often seems to be case, the Thieves In Brown were out in force pulling over motorcyclists, and a few trucks and seemingly relieving the hapless individuals of their hard earned cash, presumably for their New Year holiday spends.

I know this is pretty much the norm with most people accepting this as an occupational hazard of living in Bangkok, but what surprises me is that the Thai people simply accept it, I wonder when people will, if ever, say "enough is enough"?

Had a call from Embassy - My stepdaughter has just had her visa overturned

A perfect Xmas pressie.

I'm really pleased for you all and glad the nightmare is over, as you say a perfect Christmas present, enjoy the snow.

One thing that will be of interest to any old gits like myself, currently I enjoy a 50% discount when using my MRT Smart Card but not on my BTS card, I wonder when there is an integrated card will I receive the discount on both or lose the one I have?

The Bangkok Post indicated recently that an integrated system would be in place "next year".

First of all the applicants could ask UK Visas to postdate the visa so it's valid from the intended date of travel, but for a visit in February now is not too early.

To travel to France the Schengen Visa needs to be applied for in the country of residence, so they should apply in Bangkok.

You will see that they need to provide to the French authorities details of the trip, that being confirmed travel and accommodation understand they check. They also need to provide proof of medical cover.

I personally would obtain the UK Visa first before applying for the Schengen Visa.

Yes I think you are correct that your daughter in laws Schengen Visa would be free as she is married to a, non French, EU National.

You might find these links of use.

http://www.ambafrance-th.org/spip.php?article1502

http://www.ambafrance-th.org/IMG/File/CS-conjoint-UE.pdf

http://www.ambafrance-th.org/IMG/File/CS-t...ue-b%282%29.pdf

If it's a standard tourist visa, and by that I mean not a family visit, there is no right of appeal.

The applicant will need to wait until he has got the details of the refusal back and can then re-apply, as you suggest by addressing the concerns of the ECO.

If he needs further advice he, or someone, could post the details of the refusal on this thread and somebody, probably 7by7, will help him.

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear. Their Thanksgiving buffet was 899 baht, so this Xmas buffet is 400 baht more than the Thanksgiving one. It sounds like it will have the same foods that they offered at Thanksgiving, so I was questioning the logic of charging 400 baht more for a different occasion. (not really fair)

Ah I understand now, think I will be a party pooper and cheap charlie and go on Sunday for 470 Baht.

They started a trial service on December 5th, The Kings Birthday, though the trials have been running for some weeks.

The airport link is a stand alone service and doesn't go to Mo Chit, you will have to get from the bus station to Mo Chit BTS, then connect to the Airport Link at Phaya Thai, at least you can when there is a full service.

There have been a number of threads on this subject, but in all honesty I still think from the bus terminal you are just as well getting a taxi, isn't there are bus to the airport?

UK Civil Partnerships can be registered at any British Embassy that offers the service. In Asia that means Japan or Vietnam

This information could be very useful for others to know; so thanks for telling us.

This may be of use to some people

http://ukinvietnam.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-...il-partnerships

But you will not know if the application is successful, though we all hope it is, until you actually open the envelope.

VFS send the sms via their tracking system which says the application has been returned, they will not know the result.

Good luck

I was planning on going to the Londoner, but they've raised their price by 400 Baht since their Thanksgiving buffet (with what sounds like the same spread).

Most of the places listed in the recent Thanksgiving threads should also be having Xmas dinner, that might be a good place to look.

No, they have raised it to 1290 Baht plus VAT by calling it Christmas Dinner, seems to be the regular Sunday roast for an extra 890 Baht, maybe slightly enhanced.

This Iranian restaurant is now long closed. No soup for anyone!

But as you said they didn't think you were going to post a comment on tinternet, they have now paid the price.

I understand they closed the day after the soup ran out.

Dildos (at least selling them) are illegal in Thailand. No problem with the blindfold or lube. If you risk the dildo, be sure to leave out the batteries, as if it goes off it will look like a bomb.

That reminds me of something that happend to me in the UK, I was travelling a fair bit and left my overnight bag in a general office, I was asked to go to the office and check my bag which was making a vibrating sound, I got there to see all the woman in the office smiling pointing to the bag with that "we know what that is look".

I was pretty embarrased, I was their area manager, but I opened the bag to reveal my electric toothbrush that had turned itself on.

Pretty off topic, but it still tickles me.