kasi

^On what basis would he be getting an extension of stay of his 90 day b-visa?

My understanding is once that is used up you have to get another unless you have some kind of extenuating circumstance like an injury and hospital stay.

If you show up in KL with your WP in proper order you get the one year visa. If not they give you a 90 day B-visa. Which gives you 90 days to get your poopoo in order. Part of the learning curve I'm afraid.

Seems like a great big non issue since the 60 day tourist visa was easily obtained.

I don't get what everyone is going on about.

If your prefer Cambodia or Vietnam great. But I hardly see the "great" inconvenience for the 30 days stampers. So now you have to get a 60 day tourist visa which allows you to stay 90 days with the extension, boohoo! The sky is falling! <deleted>!

Not quite with you, I understand that a letter must be produced along with the bank book, although God knows why, can't they bloody read the dates in the bank book? But are you saying that now you must produce a letter from the bank DATED 3 months BEFORE the application for renewal? And why? Lot can happen in three months. They can see from the book you had 800k 3 months before and not just borrowed overnight? Also had problems transferring from FCA today, as now of course, more difficulties in transferring in excess of 20K USD. Don't the government, bank and immigration liaise over this? Or do they only want those that are not Thai nationals with 800k or more just lying around in Thai bank accounts on the offchance govt may wish to see it from time to time -meaning very wealthy foreigners.

Please extend my sympathies to your friend. Bitter ignorant bloody lot at Immigration. They did have a purge last year and put up a sign saying 'any complaints, please refer within', which has all gone by the wayside. They ought to sack the bloody lot of them, same same faces every year, and get some more tolerant, educated staff in.

As far as I know they have always asked for the letter from the bank verifying your account.

I'm not sure what the letter says exactly but it gets the job done. My friend who just went though this was also showing 1.5 million in her account and they still wanted the <deleted> letter. Go figure. It's easier just to comply with their requests than to fight with them. No one said it had to make sense.

I'm not sure why they are the PITAs they are here.

I'm told renewing the O-A visa in Chiang Mai is a piece of cake compared to Phuket Immigration.

Has anyone any direct experience with Phuket Immigration regarding the showing of proof of 800,000 THB recently? Are they insisting it be in the bank in THB three months before. Or is it still depending on which miserable sod you get when you turn up.

You will need a letter from the bank along with your bank book. Do it all the same day and you shouldn't have a problem.

I'm trying to stay cheap, below 200,000 Baht.

That narrows it down a bit.

Shop for a clean 10-15 year old Toyota Corolla or a clean Soluna. Look for a clean well kept one and locate a mechanic you can trust to look it over for you.

The little Toyotas are well built, very durable and are easy and cheap to fix.

Be prepared to pay a little extra for one in very good condition.

Otherwise I might recommend take the 200K and make a down payment on a basic new Toyota Vios, actually your best buy especially if you aren't especially knowledgeable about cars.

A brand new basic 2 wheel drive toyota pickup is also a very good value.

I know of a shop in Phuket that specializes in the little buggers.

There's a handful nice ones driving around.

The Yugo was the worst by far. After that would be the Fiat it was modeled after.

^I think you have put two, or, three bricks together and are calling it a house.

Sir Burr you indeed have the gift of diplomacy. (if they had greens here you'd get a greenie!

When I read an unsubstantiated sweeping generality such as: "the 'root of the problem' is that Phuket is now an international "no-man's land" ". My eyes roll back into my head!

Khali here's a salient tip: "Focus on the problem and problem gets bigger. Focus on the solution and the problem goes away or becomes smaller!"

But if you have a tendency towards OCD you may find such advice spurious.

Hence my advice: Go to a temple light a candle, some incense allow your your mind to clear.

And the next time you go to Cappaninas some salad dressing will magically appear at your table!

It's just a question of allowing the opinionated cloud around your head to dissipate.

Cheerio,

IMHO - the 'root of the problem' is that Phuket is now an international "no-man's land" with no true cultural roots. It no longer has a local Thai cultural identity as the population is drawn from all over the kingdom with a large international influence.

Couple these factors with the failure of authorities to recognise the multi-cultural mix, allow an 'international' lifestyle and educate the workforce to world standards ie. blocking/ denying world events & influences - then confusion and ignorance is bound to reign!!!

Ignorance breeds chaos....

You got all that from one random shooting of a teenager. My My!

you are a genius for social commentary or something not really worth mentioning.

Stupid tragic stuff like this happens all around the world.

Young people in Phuket don't have the patent on stupidity. Though cases like this might lead one mistakenly to that conclusion.

Did your read about the 14 year old in Pakistan who accidently hung himself while playing with his 10 year old sister re-enacting the hanging of Saddam?

Stupidity knows no boundaries!!... You should know that by now.

Trouble is ones opinion get muddled up in being able to see things clearly.

Probably time to go to the temple light a candle, some incense and donate a few baht to the monks.

General aviation questions can be addressed here

I have only seen helicopters operating here right after the tsunami, military ones shuttling survivors and bodies from PhiPhi.

sounds like you're SOL!

Other than dealing directly with Casio or biting the bullet and get a new one.

These bombings don't seem to fit the Muslim extremist profile.

These took place in Bangkok and CM.

Resorts in the south would have likely been hit as they would be easier targets.

Muslim extremists seem to prefer blowing themselves up and or killing teachers, doctors or anyone with an education.

It is probably a loosely organized group of fanatical Toxin supporters. Once they figure out who did it those responsible will likely disappear, quietly feeding the fish on the bottom of the river.

Could someone illuminate me as to how this is related to Thailand???????

Thailand is a country on Earth. So is Iraq. Saddam Hussein was the president of Iraq.

How eloquent!

But this isn't the "thorn tree forum" nor is it the "rainbow gathering forum"

Perhaps you failed to notice the tiny little aspect: "Thailand News Clippings"

Again how is this "Thailand" related?????

:D :D

Could someone illuminate me as to how this is related to Thailand???????

HeliCam 076292772 Fax 076292773

They just fly small remote control helicopters that are camera platforms.

Who can you trust in Phuket? Whatever about the dubious denizen’s of the dark I anticipated as I’m

sure many other innocents from abroad that a registered notary the principal of an international

law firm would effect a modicum of morality in execution of his legal obligations. But quelle

surprise I have discovered to my cost that such mundane logic (some cynics I grant may advocate naive belief)

has not only been defied but defiled. The eminent lawyer I employed to set up and audit my company accounts to purchase a house almost ten years ago has indeed been filing my accounts and dutifully providing me with relevant documentation to affirm thus but has unbeknownst to me been misappropriating the moneys designated for the relevant tax authority. I now find myself up the Swanee ducking and diving in an effort to reverse the cogs of officialdom who rightly believed I had been avoiding my tax liabilities.

I am curious to discover if other unfortunates have had the same experience, can suggest creative ways in which to limit the annual tax trawl and might dare to recommend an honest lawyer?

Mike Phuket

Sounds like a really crappy deal.

Yes you need a good lawyer.

They exist.

The one I've been using in Phuket town has been very good.

PM me for details and #s

funny thing is i have emailed the company about 3 days ago for pricing, but not heard from them yet!

It's unlikely the operation will fly.

Fixed operating costs are very high.

The local government will be less than helpful due to it being a foreign owned business.

Even if it does take off it will take some deep pockets to keep it going.

If the local officials were smart they would see the benefit of improving the access to the islands around here and offer a subsidy for the operation. The chances of that happening are less than zero I think.

Nothing like Pantip in Phuket yet.

The closest thing would be in the basement of Big C where the best deals on computer stuff are available.

Two days ago the latest victim was attacked and wounded with a blunt knife and given a black eye. This happened outside a certain coffee shop in this area who switches off all the lights when closed. Unfortunately the victim did not report this to the Chalong Police as he had to return home the next day.

A previous victim has gone around to the hotels that these katoeys hang around to warn the receptionists and security guards - unfortunately there is nothing that they can do unless an attack happens within the premises.

The Chalong Police have been informed but there is nothing that they can do as they are far too busy. So I suppose we will just have to wait and see.

The victim really should file a report. That pushes the police into action. I've seen how the Patong police will come down real hard on the ladyboy scams and ripoffs.

BKKDUDE! what in the world is a "torjan"x10?

I suppose english isn't your first language.

I suspect that khall is a "rabbit food" muncher.

Quite true and you manage to put it in a very diplomatic way.

Khali was complaining about Cappanina's because they didn't provide a salad dressing for her "Salade Nicoise", even though there is always fine grade olive oil and balsamic vinegar provided at every table, when the tastiest and healthiest salad dressing is provided(and the proper dressing for an salade nicoise) you just have to wonder about that person!

I need to find out who to speak to about prices for Avgas @ Phuket Airport.

Anyone got any ideas?

I know it must be available because I've seen a Mooney parked on the ramp several times.

These guys would be able to answer your questions.

and some people that are too easily pleased..

That's often true to but over on the "other thai forum" the thread on '"your worst meal ever" reveals something different.

Also vinegar is a good home remedy for stings and bug bites.

it just so happens that you and I have different taste-buds honey....

perhaps.... but I know I'm not alone.. Many others share my opinion..

I've noticed during my short time on this planet, there are some people who are very difficult to please.

I found the food rather average at RED O and service more average than my local noodle shop. No recommendation from me.

Yes but you are also the one who doesn't like Cappanina's which has some of the best food in Phuket.

It's hard to imagine you liking anything here.

I've eaten at the red onion and cappanina's a dozen or more time each and found them both consistently good with attentive service.

You'd probably go to the Swiss Delight restaurant(best food in phuket) in Chalong an find that unsatisfactory as well.