petedk

Interesting subject. I speak Thai quite well and many Thais appreciate that, especially government offices which I have used a lot of recently Taxi drivers usually come with remarks such as "Oh how many girlfriends do you have?". I tell them that I am married but but only speak English with my wife. I learnt Thai so as to be able to join in converstions with my wife's family and friends, plus to be able to get around outside Bangkok and other big cities. I was just talking 30 minutes ago to my friend who is looking for a Thai girlfriend. He also speaks Thai and he told me that many single girls are simply not interested in him because he can speak Thai. The reason being "He must have had many Thai girlfriends." So I guess different people have different opinions about foreigners speaking Thai. Anyway, I believe anyone living in another country should make an effort to learn the basics of the local language.

talking to them now

Ah but I don't have PR and I am not registered in the blue book.

I have just been to the local Social Security office and they absolutely insist that the yellow book and pink ID card is required. Do you have a link or something definite that I can use as proof that it isn't required?

I hope Apple of stocked up on iPhones.

It is correct that you cannot apply for a new visa while in Thailand, but..... I retired in September and was on Non-B visa. The day after my contract terminated my employer went o cancel my work permit and gave me the letter of proof of cancellation. I also had a letter from my employer confirming my retirement. CW gave me a 60 day extension based on marriage. I had all the necessary documents, bank statement and photos. Today, I am going to do a 1 year extension. There is absolutely no need to leave the country. It took me 4 trips and something like 30 hours at Chaeng Wattana to find out about all this. PS. During those 4 trips I found out for sure that different officers have different requirements. On my last trip I got all 3 of the officers talking together about the different requirements.

Everyone knows that. Wait until February when he will have a miraculous recovery and go home. Why don't they just stop the charade and waste of tax payers money and let him go home now?

But you still have to register the sim with your passport. Right?

Most people have good roaming deals nowadays, so it isn't necesary to buy a local sim. Would they have to show passport and register the passport number to the sim? Maybe this is the "tracking device" that they once wanted all foreigners to have. For their own safety of course!

I have the same problem

My condolences to the victims. ONE Chinese lady is killed and security is beefed up all over Bangkok and other parts of the country. 300+ people (including foreigners) are killed on the roads every day. What is done about that? No need to answer. We all know.

You are correct. Depending on the reason for denied entry of course. The airline is at check-in will check your visa, passport expiry date and maybe other stamps regarding denied entry. If you are stopped at immigration and denied entry for any of these reasons, the airline is required to pay for your flight home. That is why they are strict at check-in. Also if there are too many breaches by the airline, then they will be blacklisted. Of course the airline will try to get you to pay, but by law they have to pay under these circumstances.

I have noticed at nearly all car parks the security guards walk around writing down the registration numbers of cars. I though it was just to give them something to do.

Yes, I have been using MRT elder card for years and it is 50% off . I originally got one from BTS and I topped up with 500 Baht. Went through the gate and security took away my card. No refund! It'll be interesting to see if the new government get their "Flat rate of 20 Baht" through. Will this be for Thais only? Will there be dual pricing and foreigners charged 4 , 5 or 10 times the Thai rate as in National Parks?

I don't know when I will die, so I don't know what to write.

Someone told me that this is at Srinakarinwirot University. There is a lot of construction going on there and some passage ways look extremely dangerous. I am certainly very wary when walking through there.

Thaksin expects to be released in October. How convenient!

You are wrong. When I renewed my visa last time, they asked for a copy of my TM30. They said they could see that I had done it, but still asked for a copy.

You are leaving for business. Do you have your own company or business? My friend is self employed and travels to Thailand regularly on a business visa. He has to produce a letter to immigration from his employer (himself) and he often stays 6 motnhs or so. Out for a month and then back. He does do business here, before anyone asks.

The most helpful and sensible posting here

We used to have about 50 or more (yes, I tried to count) flying around our house. The maid opposite used to put food next to our house to feed them and we often had big arguments about this. Recently, some Burmese guys have been coming around with some kind of cage/trap on telescopic poles. They capture the pigeons in the cage and carefully wrap a bag around the cage. I have no idea what they do with the pigeons, but they are very gentle with them. Now, we don't have a single pigeon around here.

But as I said earlier, nothing happens.

You are right, but does anyone care? Chinese people have overtaken nearly half of our soi and running the places as hotels, with guests staying 1 night only. Drunken people coming and going all night. Luxury cars blocking the road. plus many other disturbances that I won't mention here. Everyone in our soi signed a petition to the local council, we have called the police hundreds of times and absolutely nothing is done about.

ha noticed yesterday that our Chinese neighbours who have been away for a few days have 6 or 7 pieces of meat hanging up in their outdoor kitchen. I was wondering if they were lambs or goats judging by the size, but now I woner.

I find nearly all SCB and UOB banks foreigner friendly. Never have any problems. Try calling SCB call center and ask for advice