theoldgit

I have a Kasikorn Visa debit card which can be used in supermarkets, pay hotel bills and the like, but I have never been able to use it to rent a car. The bank told me, and I don't know if the answer was accurate, is because it's a debit card that's all it can do, car hire companies like to block off their deposit, and they cannot do that with a debit card, you can only debit. I have even asked if they could debit the deposit then pay me back when I return the car, "no cannot". I have yet to see if I can use it in the UK where they have "chip and pin".

You cannot use their debit card online, that's why they introduced their web based card, have yet to use it to book airline tickets where you need to show the card at check in.

Thai passports can be renewed overseas, in the UK, for instance, she would have to attend the embassy in person, this might be a starter for information: http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/e_passport.html

Of course there will be problem and of course she will have to renew it.

You haven't said what nationality she is or what country she is in, that might help get some advice.

Can be done, I am retired so don't work or have a work permit, the Honda dealer arranged with Tisco bank, I printed off six months worth of local bank statements and my girlfriend, who earns about 7,000 Baht per month, co-signed, finance approved pretty quickly.

I usually stay in hotels when travelling but have decided to give guest houses a go, all part of the credit crunch and the falling pound.

I have found this place, and whilst I have never stayed there, the reviews are all good. I am booked into there next month, perhaps worth a look.

http://www.allin1gh.com/html/presentation1.html

Doesn't farang mean foreigner? I have pointed out that when we travel to Europe or indeed any other country that my gf is then a farang, she finds that quite amusing as well.

I don't care what I am called as long as it's not late for dinner.

On what you have outlined I don't think she will have much of a chance in having her application for a visa approved.

You say that you have known her for eight months, you will need to prove evidence of your continuing relationship, telephone calls, emails and the like and evidence that you have spent time together, you say you have not been to Thailand to meet her, so that might be difficult.

You are right that the most important thing is to prove that she is likely to return after her trip and yes proof of a job or continuing would help, one would hope that the ECO's live in the real world and would be aware that jobs are in short supply, but they are more likely to think that she will be looking to stay in the UK. Evidence of property would also help, but probably unrealistic.

I think she will have an uphill struggle, but she is not alone in that.

Has the advice you got here been the same as on the other forum you asked for advice?

Good news mate, congratulations to both of you.

The London Embassy didn't have a good name and wasn't considered particularly user friendly.

A popular option in my days was to stick it in the post to Hull, they turn it round the same day http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/

Hate to bring out my black cat but we are paying 2,820 Baht for two adults travelling in November, and that that includes pre-paying for meals and baggage, at that price we can put up with almost anything - Thai was 35,000 on the same day, I had to look.

Flight

2 Guest 0.00 BT

Airport Tax 1,400.00 BT

Administration Fee 940.00 BT

Sub Total 2,340.00 BT

Services & Fees

Supersize Regular 50.00 BT

Supersize Regular 50.00 BT

Rice/Foccacia 280.00 BT

Supersize Regular 50.00 BT

Supersize Regular 50.00 BT

Sub Total 480.00 BT

Total Amount 2,820.00 BT

I will book a hotel nearer the time

I found a wallet when I was in a shopping mall in Brisbane late last year, it contained about A$30, a bus pass a debit card as well a student ID, I handed it in to the customer service desk, I declined to leave my details.

It clearly belonged to a youngster to whom A$30 meant more than it did to me. I wonder if I would have still handed it in if the wallet was stuffed with a couple of thousand dollars and a pile of credit cards, I like to think I would but I really don't know.

Certainly not a mole, the doctor said skin tag, it used to be the same colour as the skin but had become infected, probably as you say by rubbing against clothing.

I have used Lek in Udon before, don't think I am allowed to add a link - google it. They were very good and delivered the car to the airport, bit more pricey at 1,100 per day for a two week rental, and again a maximum of 7,000 Baht excess, you leave a 2,000 Baht deposit and are liable for a further 5,000.

On their website they point out that they are a rental company with insurance to match, they relate horror stories about others who rent out with first class insurance that are no more than domestic policies.

I don't know what the Englishman's Treat car hire is, I suspect it is his car that he rents out, though I have to say that I am impressed with the details of his guest house and I would certainly stay there.

Well I have had it removed, actually there were two, but I ignored all the advice and went to Samitivej Hospital on Sukhumvit 49, basically because I am lazy and it's only a ten minute walk from my condo, it was painful and had gone a funny colour.

First of all the nurse took my blood pressure, not sure why but probably to rack up the cost, the doctor took a look and said he could remove it straight away, which he did quickly and painlessly. I was a little surprised by the price, 6116 Baht made up of antibiotics 207, medical supplies 1710, histopathogy 899, nursing charge 100, other medical charges 200 and physician fee 3000. Bit more than I expected, but hey ho it's done now.

Had to go back to have the stitches out, it was quite big, expected it to be included in the price but no another 989 Baht, not much but they certainly know how to charge. Medical supplies 79, not sure what they were - probably the gloves, nursing charge 210 - absolutely no idea, can only assume to escort me to the cashiers, other medical charges - again absolutely no idea, and physician fee 500.

It's not going to break the bank but I probably would try somewhere else next time.

Reminds me of something funny that I saw on a Ryanair flight some years ago.

On boarding the flight to somewhere we were greeted by the most obnoxious flight attendant ever, now with the price we were paying we didn't expect nice, but she took it to extremes. Everyone was very rudely told that they couldn't sit in the first couple of rows by the front door, no big deal but she didn't need to be so rude.

Into the flight some guy wanted to go to the toilet, for free, she told he couldn't use the toilet, telling him to sit down in one of the banned seats, she promptly went to the toilet herself. Another member of the flight crew saw him a little later and politely asked him why he was sitting there, he replied that he wanted to use the loo but her colleague had told him to wait there, she told him he could use the loo and, before he could say her colleague was in there, she opened the door, the poor lass had forgotten to lock it and there she was with her knickers round her ankles. The glare on her face was only matched by the smiles from all the passengers.

Somewhat back to topic, I believe the crew have to pay for their own refreshments.

But that link appears to state that you can get a Sterling cheque sent to a Thai bank:

Yes it does, but you then have the problem and expense of getting a Sterling check cashed. I thought the poster was of the view that it could paid by bank transfer.

I left my phone on a table whilst enjoying my gourmet KFC meal in Ekamai, realised a few minutes down the road and went back worrying how I was going to get all the numbers on my sim card back. The lad clearing the tables had handed it in and would not take a reward, and I really did try, have to say I was impressed, given how much they probably earn

As far as I am aware you cannot have your pension paid into a Thai bank, they will only pay into a UK bank, or post a sterling cheque to your home or bank, with no guarantee of delivery.

http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/ipc/co...es/thailand.asp

My girlfriend said it was on the news this morning saying that the guy apparently took his life because he had lost all of his money and couldn't go home, she added something about having money/belongings stolen at the airport.

Whatever did happen it's very tragic not only for the poor guy, his family and friends but also for the Thai people who have to deal with it, so lets keep this thread sensitive please.

what do you mean for O visa?

It's visa you apply for out of Thailand that enables you to stay for 12 months, with a few conditions.

The bank were not interested in my visa, my last bank account was opened without any sort of visa.

I opened a Kasikorn Bank savings account which gives me e-banking. I transfer funds from my UK account, online, and the next day I can check that it has arrived.

I can pay all of my bills and make transfers online, though I need to put in a password that is sent by sms for transactions over 20,000 Baht.

I am on an O visa though I don't have a work permit.

Works fine for me, though I am sure there are other banks as good, everyone has their favorites.

It is true that a body can be decapitated during a hanging, you may recall that Saddam Hussein's half brother was decapitated when he was executed.

When capital punishment was used in the UK the executioner would observe the person to be hung and with the knowledge of the persons weight would decide the length of the rope, and so the drop. If the rope and so the drop was too long the weight of the body dropping could result in the person being decapitated, if the rope was too short the person could die by strangulation.

If this man decided to take his own life the poor chap must have been in turmoil, may he rest in peace.

If you look how much the longer term visas are going to be increased I don't know how they can justify it.

The fees are supposed to reflect the cost of the work involved in processing a visa, for the life of me I don't know how they can say there is more cost to UK Visas in processing applications for 2, 3 or 5 years visas.

Since when has the cost of anything had any relation to it's production cost? The cost of goods and services are what the market will pay. That's why your Nike trainers that cost about two quid to manufacture in a Bangladesh sweatshop are on the shelves in the UK for 70. Because there are plenty of mugs that will pay that price.

The cost of the visa reflects the desirability of living in the UK. Well it must be one of the most desirable places on Earth or all you people wouldn't be trying to take your partners back there with you. After all, who would take their loved one back to a country that's less desirable than Thailand?

Visa fees are set centrally and are supposed to reflect the cost of the work involved, they are the same whichever country in the world the application is made. The policy is that the work of considering applications for visas to the UK should be cost neutral to the UK taxpayer.

Anyways, thanks all for showing up. Question, how did 3000 Baht worth of booze get drank in 45 mins at 2 for 1 prices???

Think there might have been some double charging or more likely some mistakes by the staff. I was there from a little after 7pm, certainly before the 3,000 Baht was produced, and I was charged for all my drinks. I had a good evening so wasn't going going to spoil it by querying it - even if I could have got the words out properly.