kicking

Just a quick update as I am in Phnom Penh now.

I ended up using an agent (almost any travel agency will do) for $19 to obtain a simple 60 Day Tourist Visa. Was quoted $15 for the "express" (same day) service but then inexplicably as I went to pay the price suddenly went up $4. At this point I couldn't have been bothered to go looking for another shop so I paid. This all occurred AFTER I personally went to the Thai embassy this morning

It's Thursday morning and here's what happened at the Thai embassy. After completing all the required paperwork I was told to come back Monday at 3 PM to pick up my passport! A five day turnaround? I asked if I could get the passport today or even tomorrow. "No, that's the rule here!" Also not possible is a multiple entry Tourist Visa. "Impossible!" as quoted by the kind lady who waited on me. Was told by a couple agents that they could do this for $75 but after endless phone calls it was "not possible."

Tips on a PP visa trip that may be obvious:

1) Book in advance on AirAsia, I couldn't and it the price was not exactly cheap.

2) Use an agent for a 60 day tourist visa unless you don't mind waiting a long time for your stamp, multiple entry visas are not issued (that was my experience).

3) Consider Vientiane instead.

Good Morning. Curious about a couple fine points if you have a second:

1. When you went to the travel agent, Thursday morning, did you get the Passport back on Thursday afternoon, Friday morning/afternoon? (yes, I can read, just want to make sure I understand)

2. Did the agent have the form or did you provide this or both?

3. While it is Cambodia, was the indication if you were denied you would get your $19.usd back?

4. Was there any indication from the agent(s) they could also do Non Immigrant type of VISA's?

Thank You

Hi-

Here are the answers:

1) Same day service at travel agents. Drop off in the morning and pick up around 6 PM the same day.

2) As I was already at the Embassy I just gave them the form that i had already filled out, but I suspect they have all required forms.

3) There was no discussion about a refund if the service was not provided. But as they had the passport they held the cards, so to speak.

4) No agents that I spoke to could do any type of Non Immigrant visas without all the required paperwork.

In short, Cambodia is not an ideal place to get a visa. In retrospect I should have gone to Lao. Alternatively, it is possible to fly in the AM and immediately drop off the passport to an agent and then pick it up at 6PM and then fly out the same day on the last Bangkok Air flight which departs at 8 PM.

Hopefully, this is useful info to somebody.

You've exaggerated the wait period for your visa somewhat.

Thursday to Monday is a 4 day wait.

Is it possible that the consulate is closed today for a public holiday? If so, then the wait period is quite normal for any consulate.

Well, I am counting Thursday as I attempted to drop off the passport in the morning. So that's Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. To me, that's five days.

While it was a Cambodian holiday yesterday (Constitution Day) the Thai Embassy was open and fully functional. I just found it to be a bit absurd to have to wait so long for a stamp. There were hardly any people there and from what I understand it never really gets busy.

The other times that I got a Tourist Visa issued it was always the same day or the very next day and that was at Consulates all around the world. Maybe I have been lucky.

What might be the best pizza in the area is in Jomtien, but I don't know the name of the place. Heading south on Jomtien Beach Road it's almost at the very end of a dead-end soi that sits just after Jomtien Complex, even before Soi 1. It's Italian owned with a wood oven; really good crust and good toppings. There's a bunch of parrots in (and out) of cages right outside the place. Not much of an atmosphere and not sure if they deliver, I always get takeout. Worth the trip if you have not been.

Visited Phuket immigration yesterday to get the stamp transferred.

At first the officer was not sure what to do, he went away and asked someone else and came back saying that they only transfer 1 year pemission to stay stamps, no problem just show both passports at airport when you leave.

Ok by me, just hope they know what they are doing when I want to leave.

I just faced a similar situation as you. But I had to go to Immigration and have the old One Year Non O transferred to my new passport. As far as I know, they do not offer this service at the airport.

Maybe you mean extension of stay? A visa will not be transferred. Extension of stay, permission to stay and re-entry permit will be transferred.

Yes, maybe it was the Extension of Stay. In either case, they said they didn't do that at the airport. Maybe they were misinformed, I don't know.

Visited Phuket immigration yesterday to get the stamp transferred.

At first the officer was not sure what to do, he went away and asked someone else and came back saying that they only transfer 1 year pemission to stay stamps, no problem just show both passports at airport when you leave.

Ok by me, just hope they know what they are doing when I want to leave.

At worse they will do the transfer at the airport. Don't worry.

You sure about that? I was told at Immigration in Pattaya that they will not do that...

Visited Phuket immigration yesterday to get the stamp transferred.

At first the officer was not sure what to do, he went away and asked someone else and came back saying that they only transfer 1 year pemission to stay stamps, no problem just show both passports at airport when you leave.

Ok by me, just hope they know what they are doing when I want to leave.

I just faced a similar situation as you. But I had to go to Immigration and have the old One Year Non O transferred to my new passport. As far as I know, they do not offer this service at the airport.

Just a quick update as I am in Phnom Penh now.

I ended up using an agent (almost any travel agency will do) for $19 to obtain a simple 60 Day Tourist Visa. Was quoted $15 for the "express" (same day) service but then inexplicably as I went to pay the price suddenly went up $4. At this point I couldn't have been bothered to go looking for another shop so I paid. This all occurred AFTER I personally went to the Thai embassy this morning

It's Thursday morning and here's what happened at the Thai embassy. After completing all the required paperwork I was told to come back Monday at 3 PM to pick up my passport! A five day turnaround? I asked if I could get the passport today or even tomorrow. "No, that's the rule here!" Also not possible is a multiple entry Tourist Visa. "Impossible!" as quoted by the kind lady who waited on me. Was told by a couple agents that they could do this for $75 but after endless phone calls it was "not possible."

Tips on a PP visa trip that may be obvious:

1) Book in advance on AirAsia, I couldn't and it the price was not exactly cheap.

2) Use an agent for a 60 day tourist visa unless you don't mind waiting a long time for your stamp, multiple entry visas are not issued (that was my experience).

3) Consider Vientiane instead.

A tourist visa allows a 30 day extension of stay on the original 30 or 60 entry. A non immigrant visa provides a 90 day stay and can not be extended except for specific reasons related to the type of non immigrant visa it is. If you are age 50 and want to retire and meet the financial conditions it could be extended for a year. Same with marriage to a Thai. But without a valid reason all they can provide is a 7 day under consideration stamp.

Ok, thanks for the answer. I was under the mistaken impression that the Type O could be extended a further 90 days.

I have a Non Imm type O visa that expires towards the end of this month. I recently visited the Pattaya immigration office and was told that only a seven day extension is granted. (I'm not sure if there was some confusion as at first they thought I wanted to apply for a visa and never looked at the current visa.) When I asked about an extension on a tourist visa they said 30 days.

So 30 days extra for a tourist visa and seven days for an Non Imm Type O?

If anyone has any firsthand info on this I am very interested. Thanks...

It's actually good to to see the place busy. Hopefully, they hit on something that will bring customers to the shops that are still there.

Never had a problem with toilets while in CoffeeWorld or the cinema, those are always open.

hi all, was in robins nest, steves place on soi bukhaow, he is being really inventive to try and get people in, he's advertising on the board outside a real breakfast, starting with cornflakes, includes mushrooms, black pudding and everything as usual, plus any drink, not just tea, and as much as you want, limit 3 drinks, hel_l of a deal, 199 baht, i know because i get a couple of his great sunday lunches thru the week at 129 baht, check it out

I stopped in there about a year ago, I was really surprised at how good the food was. They also have wifi, just ask for the code. Been back about twice since, the only reason I haven't been back more often is that I don't like sitting outdoors to eat. If that's not a big deal, then this place is really good. Even the service is good, which seems to be on a steep decline all over Pattaya.

Nobody would complain about a license check in the home country.

Usually they stop Thais for not wearing helmets'

I passed the checkpoint at Sai Sam without being stopped though.

In the several European countries I've lived in I've never seen the cops set up a road block just to do license checks. If they did everybody would complain just as they do here.

Then you haven't lived in Italy. The caribineri have random checks set up everywhere, all the time...

PowerBuy in the new Central Mall has rice cookers that cook sticky rice.

Forgot to mention:

Casa Pascal - one of the best places in Pattaya without a doubt. Great service, great food, great atmospere - a bit upscale. It's located on 2nd Rd almost opposite Royal Garden. Nice wine selection too.

Fuji - always packed for a reason. Sushi and other Japanese at very fair pricing. Various Big C and Carrefour mall locations throughout Thailand.

The Balcony - really, really nice decor but usually not very crowded. Not sure why as the food is pretty good, so is the service. You can find this place on Pattaya North just before Tesco on the way to Suk.

Great margaritas (not the flavored ones though!) at Tequila Reef on Soi 7. Food can be good or bad depending on the night it seems. Avoid the fajitas.

Keep the reviews coming, it's a good thread.

Easy....US$20 (or higher price if you dont shop around) booking from most hotels, leaving every day Sihanoukville Bus Station at 8am by large air con bus to Border, met by Mini bus taking you to Pattaya, arriving about 7.30pm...(Ferry has no connection s at Border) I did this run in February 09.

100% correct...

Pattaya Memorial is another option. They are perhaps surprisingly competent , maybe depending on the department though. We don't know the financial situation of the OP, so that may be a factor...

Cheap and good Indian is at Tikka Center on Soi Buakhow. Get it to go because it's pretty ugly inside.

Of those have only been to the Tikka. I thought it was very poor as did some other posters you will find if you search for it.

Not sure what to say about Tikka, ordered there at least 20+ times and sometimes it gets a bit greasy but overall it's about the best Indian I've had here. Probably been to every Indian place around as well. Oh well, to each his own. But hey, at least you have to agree on the interior!

Be real surprised if you didn't like the other four places though...

I went by the other night as I have some friends that bought there. I didn't think it looked that bad, there was security and it was lit up. Seemed that about 10 units were occupied.

The colors however are another story and both posters are correct...

PowerBuy at Central Festival has a decent selection. I would guess CF department store also carries at least Phillips, Braun and maybe Panasonic.

Some of the best fish and chips in Thailand, I've had at this place. Unfortunately, the worst fish and chips in Thailand I've also had at this place. Their English breakfast isn't bad though.

They are usually fairly busy in the daytimes that I've been there. Given the pricing, the numbers don't seem to be too far off...

There is a place called the Golf Bar on Soi LK Metro, the food is very good. They have a grilled steak and pork chop night on Wed, and Sun nights. The pork chop is excellent and a great value. Their spaghetti is also suprisingly good. You'll have to sit outside, but the food is worth it. The breakfasts are good too. Downside is the neighborhood and no aircon.

Also good value for money is Sailor restaurant, it's just inside Sailor bar which is on the beach end of Soi 8. Not a great atmoshphere but again, good value for money and good food.

Mantra is a great atmosphere with some food that is ok, other dishes aren't really that good. Great service, atmosphere, and some lucky food orders and you'll love it. It's kind of hit and miss with the food, you'll have to experiment to find something you like. Forgot to mention, good cocktails here.

Also try Toscana on Beach Road just before Soi 6. Good Italian. Downside is that the staff NEVER smiles.

Cheap and good Indian is at Tikka Center on Soi Buakhow. Get it to go because it's pretty ugly inside.

My take on Manhattan's - I agree with the other poster. It was expensive and I didn't think it was anything special. Bruno's, you will love the decor if you are old and gay. The food is not bad though.

Sorry, first post but I've lived here a number of years and have been to just about every restaurant. Try the first five I mentioned and let everyone know what you think. I'd be surprised if you were disappointed...