3 hours ago, samsensam said:

 

it is a lovely bus stop; two rows of seats, fence surrounding it, i say move the house.

"You cannot be serious", as a certain person shouted at the ref.

1 hour ago, geejay said:

Hello Everyone.

Many of you may be aware already but we all know that Western Union is a fast method for transferring funds but can be very expensive what with  fees and exchange rates, if collected in cash.

However they have an online service but only up to a maximum  £4000.00 and the fee is just £2.90 and surprisingly as long as you are sending £501+ then the rate they give you is comparable with the yellow TT exchange booths here in Pattaya.

Note the funds have to be drawn using a UK debit card and paid into a Thai Bank here. 

You will get a summary page showing rate, fees and total before you click send.

I have used this service  quite a few times and the amount they quote is what is paid into your Thai bank.

I hope this may be helpful to some.

 

You are correct geejay, but, if you ahve not used western union before, you can only transfer £800:00 the first time. You than have to confirm your ID to gain the £4000 transfer. However, £4000 can be transferred every three days ofter the ID confirmation is complete. But as you say it must transfer to a Thai bank, if you want to collect cash the fee is £30

This happened to me on one occasion and I now put two felt tip pen strokes across the blank side of any forms I fill. No comment about it so far.

IMHO His Majesty would be honoured to think that people would show so much respect, but very distressed that people are suffering to honour that respect.

6 hours ago, wpcoe said:

Just shutting down your computer might be a false sense of security.  To be safe, you really need to unplug all cables (power, Ethernet, phone line, etc) from the computer and all attached devices like monitors and speakers.

And don't forget to turn the mirrors fo face the wall!!??:-)

9 minutes ago, Eff1n2ret said:

Under 100baht within Thailand, maybe. But EMS to the UK costs more like 1000baht.

฿970 at the local post office I use. Almost £23 for a standard registered letter, is in my opinion a ripoff

1 hour ago, Gulfsailor said:

I wonder if her deliberate mistake was a little further down the list (e.g. 3x9=24) if any of the students would actually have noticed...

Am I correct in thinking you discovered another deliberate mistake? Not wishing to question your ability to read, but can you point out said mistake please?

38 minutes ago, upside said:

Third world isn't really the right word. Its a developing country. 

Problem being, it is taking a long time to develope!

Its the usual thing, if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. From what I read regarding these new questions, I feel it is an unnecessery intrusion.

What do they hope to gain? Or is it just to intimidate?

Well worth the time, trouble and expense to go see this brilliant display by the RAF Red Arrows.

Its sall these reports of not being able to do the rport on line that stops me making any attempt to try it.. A ten minute drive up the road and usually a short wait does the job just as well. I feel for those who have to make a days outing to complete 90 day reports. Must be hell if on arrival you find you have forgotten the most important document?

2 hours ago, meatboy said:

maybe our new british ambassador brian davidson who is visting phuket to discus certain issues,could arrange to visit the chief immigration officer and discus our CONCERNS.

I really hate to say this, but I think you are being somewhat overly optimistic

I have been attended to by all of the staff at KK imigration and cannot find a bad worf to say against any of them, all very helpful. Like anyone else, they have the off days, but on the occasions I have had to sit and wait, I notice they justified in having a go at those who waste their time. That is, with incorrect paperwork, more so when it is someone they know should know better.  

Its the same all over the country and seen every hour of every day, 4 wheels dont give a toss about anything on 2 wheels.

3 hours ago, Toscano said:

If Thailand wishes to encourage more EX Pats to come to live in Thailand : there needs to be an easing of the immigration regulations .

I'm British , but lived in Italy for a number of years .  In Italy I had to register with immigration by three months ; all being well with my finances , given a 5year probationary permission to stay .  At the end of 5years i had to reapply and was given residency in perpetuity .  Malaysia offers EX Pats a much better deal than Thailand .

I, like many other EX Pats love Thailand , but even after 10yrs living in Thailand , am caused terrible stress each year coping with the ever increasing documentation and demands of Immigration .

If you have a thousand years to wait, Thailand may change its attitude towards foreigners. While they continue to believe the world revolves around Thailand and they are better than anyone else, the metre thick wall will always be there to bang your head against.

Found this regarding school in Kohrat. Says all we need to know about the education system.

19 hours ago, Alive said:

I wonder what a student gets for throwing a mug at a teacher?  Thailand should have a national mug throwing day in school.

There is no shortage of mugs!

18 minutes ago, kannot said:

That must be a very small wallet, I have a man to  carry mine for me............. when I say  carry  what I mean is  pull behind  him in a wheelbarrow

Show off! I have to hire a truck???

Tell me yours and I'll tell you mine, lets not be one sided about it!

2 ways to transfer a pension to Thailand. Have the DWP transfer it directly to a Thai bank. The amount is sent as Thai baht, not sterling which means a lower amount you receive. OR. Open a Bangkok bank A/C in Thailand and have the pension transfered to BKK bank in UK, they then transfer to Thailand as sterling. This latter will cost £12.50 for each transfer.  The choice is yours as to which system costs the least?  Note. If you are not a UK resident you cannot open an account in the uk. Only other option is to have the pension paid into a friend/reative's bank and have them transfer to you. Transfer fees vary from bank to bank, from as little as £4 to £20 per transfer.

Light at the end of the tunnel?? Not at all, its someone coming the other way with a lantern!

If you are not sure whether to turn left or right at the junction, do a U turn.

Nine years ago I taught my Thai stepson to drive. Illegal as he had no licence but I started him on quiet country roads. One hour per day until he got the hang of gear changing, hill starts and three point turns. After one month I allowed him to drive the 13Km from our village to the main road and a return, until he felt confident. Although not applicable to Thai driving, I made him study the UK Highway Code. The test here is a joke but he past with no problems. I don't say he is 100%, but I can trust him out on the roads to be careful and considerate, I also feel confident sat along side him and I can't stand being driven. I'm also pleased to say he is one of the few who does not drink, but he is mug enough to allow his friend to use him as a free taxi.

Did mine in KK April this year. No copies, just the embassy letter. Needless to say a donation of ฿200 was requested.  No waiting and only took 10 minutes so well pleased.