hermit

thanks for your replies !!!

I want to have a very expensive new bicycle sent to me. How can I find out what the customs fees could be?

Thanks!

Checks.

I go to my local branch of Ayudhya Bank and pay a service charge of 103 baht for them to issue a bank draft from Citibank in American dollars. The last 2 checks I got were for $1800 and $1295 -- on the same day. I don't have an account there and they never ask for identification. I've gotten quite a few checks there over the past 18 months and not once have they asked for a passport or cared that I'd done it before. I could put any name on the check request form! I've also gotten checks in pounds and other currencies.

On the other hand, I used to get checks from Thai Military Bank in another city and they use to scrutinize every dot & dash. Took my passport and always made me return a couple times until the bank manager got off the golf course and came in to review it and okay it.

Not all banks are created equal... especially in Thailand!

I did it at the immigration office in Bkk back in 1998.... took 15 minutes.

My friend just said I should have mentioned something closer to Bkk....

The people in the small town (monkey village) of Lopburi are some of the friendliest people I've met in my 9 years here. The ruins are small but well kept and interesting. Rent a motorcycle and take off in any direction and you'll think you stepped back 20 years. And if you ride far enough you may even find a guest house in one of the tiny villages nearby. And don't forget to check out the sunflowers!

I love it when people mention "bike trips" and "biking" because you never know whether they're talking about motorcycles or bicycles. When the action clears in the south, ride a bike (guess which one) along the coastal road of Narathiwat... miles & miles of a beautiful seemingly endless beach... camp anywhere or stop at one of the very few resorts on the coast. This is a Thailand you've not seen before!

Trang & Nakhon si Thammarat............ but I can't tell you where because if the word gets around my quiet times will be ruined.....

Thaksinland in denial?

My brother just visited me in Thailand and returned to his home via Thai Airways. He wrote this:

"Well, I forgot to tell you.... they served chicken on the plane on the way back from Bkk. I asked the flight attendent if it came from Thailand, and she said, 'Why, is there a problem with the chicken in Thailand? Please, sir, don't worry.' She was Thai..."