pianoman

I can't speak for the other banks, but here is Bangkok Bank's website which details their process + documents required (And on a tourist visa seems fine with them).

http://www.bangkokbank.com/BANGKOKBANK/PERSONALBANKING/SPECIALSERVICES/FOREIGNCUSTOMERS/Pages/Openinganaccountnew.aspx

12+ years ago Bangkok Bank Kalasin would / could not open an account for a Farang due to that branch was not authorized to do so... Even though I had a 3 year old Bangkok Bank account from Bangkok branch... They had me drive to Roi Et branch where it was very easy to do...

Since that time I have changed and now use Kasikorn Bank Kalasin... I found them much more Customer Service oriented and actually willing to help with any questions or problems without any excusess..

Pianoman

We had one of the "Turkey Roasts" from Topps Market for our "Thanksgiving Meal" last Thursday... They are not "Turkey Breast", but rather "Turkey Roasts" containing both light and dark meat, which can be both Good & Bad depending on your personal preferences... A small Roast served 4 large Farang's with enough leftovers for sandiches for two of us for several days... Of course our meal included Stuffing, Mashed Poatatos, Gravy, Fruit Salad, Cranberry Sauce and of course Pumpkin and Apple Pies...

Pianoman

Could someone please post their "Usual Opening Hours"... I would love to try this place but driving over from Kalasin, I would prefer not having to drive over to find them Closed...

Thank you in advance

Pianoman

according to their face book page..17.30 to 23.00hrs

https://www.facebook.com/Yummy.TKY?fref=ts

Have a Nice Day.

Thank you, I also possed the question on their FB Page and they responded with the same info... I try not to drive the thai roads after dark any more than I have to, but will definetely make the trip over that way once they start back up with their "Specials" again in a couple of weeks...

Pianoman

Could someone please post their "Usual Opening Hours"... I would love to try this place but driving over from Kalasin, I would prefer not having to drive over to find them Closed...

Thank you in advance

Pianoman

My problem with Amadeus in Kalasin, it seems they are closed more than they are open. Which would be okay if they were consistent.

Since Amadeus moved to their New Location, they are now open everyday except Sundays, and I have yet to find them closing mid week like they use to do...

Pianoman

Could someone please post their "Usual Opening Hours"... I would love to try this place but driving over from Kalasin, I would prefer not having to drive over to find them Closed...

Thank you in advance

Pianoman

I second TerryHL's post... I orginally obatined my forms from the US Embasy Bangkok, but they put me in touch with the Manllia office which were wonderful to deal with... Quick, easy and no problems... That was 4 years ago, but recently helped a 74 year old friend who was returning to for his 3rd time to Thailand, and again Manilia office was excellent to deal with...

The only Thai Bank that you can have your SSI direct deposited to is the Bangkok Bank NY branch, which you can then transfer to Thailand... But I was warned that once you transfer it Thailand you have to go into the Bank to provide them with copies of your Passport and Visa and sign for those funds prior to withdrawing them with your ATM Card... Just seemed like too much hassle, so just continued to us my old US Bank account then do either ATM or Wire Transfers when I want to withdraw / move the funds to Thailand...

Pianoman

I was in Makro about 2 weeks ago and they had a guy demonstating the Items that they sell for such use.... Really only 2 or 3 different items but each had several specialty uses and one the blade swivaled to several positions and seemed to be the most versatile and useful... GF purchased one of them but has yet to even open thing...

Anyway, a neighbor liked it and went into Makro 3 days ago and purchased one for herself, has opened and used her's and came over yesterday to show off her efforts / talents...

Pianoman

Scott's Bar is our only "Farang" Bar, and it is just a short walk from the Bus Station... Amadeus is the only Truly "Farang" Restaurant is a little harder to find but still in the "Downtown" area... And of course there is the usual KFC', Pizza Company and such, at both Lotus and Big C...

Pianoman

Thank you to all for the input / suggestions... I purchased a 500 Watt Halogen flood light and also a 20 Watt led to experiment with... The 500 Watt was only 300 baht where the 20 Watt led was over 600 baht, but probably worth it based upon how long it should last and also the much lower power consumption...

Pianoman

I have a very large old Tree in the front yard and would like to find a way to light it up at night... With almost no experience with "Lighting" I figured that I would try purchasing and shining a 150 watt Halogen Flood light from part way up the trunk of the tree pointing up towards the higher branches with all the leaves...

Can someone with more knowledge than myself (that means almost anyone) to offer suggestions or advice???

Thank You in advance for any and all help..

Pianoman

I am also from Kalasin, but have met maybe 15 or 20 Farang's over the past 10+ years who said that they were from Maha Sarakham or at least that area... Plus I was told that there are more than 50 Farang Teachers between the University and the Gov. Schools there... Get out and about during the middle of the day, places like the new Mall or Big C, and just say "Hello" to any Farangs and ask them a question to start a conversation... Even I get over to the New Mall in Sarakham from Kalasin maybe 2 or 3 times a month to get a Starbucks Mocha and a decent Cinnamon Roll... And usually stop off at Black Canyon on the way back to Kalasin for an American Club Sandwich..

Pianoman

Spoke with a friend in Roi Et this morning and he said that the New Robinson's Store / Mall was opening on Saturday the 4th of Oct... This includes the Topp's Market, Starbuck's and various other smaller shops... it will be nice have access to a Topps Market closer than the one in Khon Kaen... Hopefully it will be well stocked and they will keep it that way...

Pianoman

Kalasin

What is "French Beef"??

I know of Kobe beef from Japan,

Argentine beef from South America,

I know of Thai beef and / or water buffalo,

And as a young man I worked on several Cattle ranches in USA.

What in the world is French Beef?french-cow-12582822.jpg

Many years ago the Thai King entered into an agreement with the French Government to breed a "High Breed" Beef Cattle using the best of Thai Cattle and the best of French Cattle... Hence the Name Thai - French Beef Cooperative, which was located outside of Sakon Nakhon... I discovered the place about 10 years ago and have been enjoying their products ever since... They actually ship most of their beef to the Up Scale Restaurants and Hotels in Bangkok... It is obviously more expensive than any other Thai Beef, but equal in Quality to some of the Best Beef available out of the States, especially when you consider that in the States the finest cuts of Beef are never available in the Stores, as they are reserved for the best Restaurants only...

When you go to their Ranch / Farm outside of Sakon Nakhon you can request and purchase the best cuts available and even tell them how you want them cut... Filet Migon. T=Bone, Rib Eye, Sirloin or whatever and it is all Fresh Cut, vacuum packed and wonderful... The only problem is the Ranch / Farm is about 15 minutes East of Sakon Nakhon so a trip out there and back adds about an hour or more to the trip after you drive out there, choose you cuts / order, wait while it is cut and then back into town to the road heading back to Kalasin... Several years ago they opened and Retail shop somewhere in Sakon Nakhon, but I have never been there so not sure where it is in Town...

Pianoman

I will be bringing a friend from Kalasin to Sakon Nakhon Immigration on Thursday, and would like to pickup / buy some Quality Beef Steaks while in the area... But if possible I would like to try to find the "Retail Outlet" actually in Sakon Nakhon rather than driving out to the operation outside of town...

Could anyone give me decent (easy to follow) directions on how to find the place in town???

Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions or help....

Pianoman

Here in Kalasin there is a shop who covered a leather chair for a neighbor of our and did a very good job of it... That was maybe 5 or 6 years ago, but the shop is still there and I assume under the same owners.. If you take the first Kalasin exit coming from Yang Talat / Khon Kaen, proceed until you are facing a Wat and are required to turn left, then make an immediate right turn and another right turn so that you are on the other side of the Wat, the shop is on your left straight across from the Wat...

Pianoman

From what I hear and can understand from the Air Asia signs around town (Kalasin) they are offering a Van Service to the Airport in Khon Kaen if you purchase your tickets here in Kalasin... Pretty much just saves you having to drive the 1 hour to Khon Kaen... The Van's leave from the Bus Station which is located just behind the Nam Kin Park...

Pianoman

We received credit notes around the same time. The explanation given to us was they were for the security deposit we paid when getting the service connected, and can only be redeemed when cancelling.

Somehow that just does not make sense after having UBC/True for so many years... First I have a hard time imagining that it has taken them this long to get around to issuing such, plus hopefully I don't really need to save those two small sheets until such time as I cancel my account prior to obtaining a refund of my original deposits from years ago...

Pianoman

Back the begining of June I received 2 "Credit Notes" from True, each in the amount of 2,000 baht... Nothing to explain the reason for the "Credit Notes", but both are in my Name, (Thai Script) and with my True Acct. #...

Mid July I went into one of our local (Kalasin Lotus) True stores and had my GF ask them what they were for and how I could use / redeem them... No one at the store had ever seen such and had no idea what to tell us... After taking photos of the "Credit Notes" and sending them to Bangkok, then speaking to someone in Bangkok told us that "Checks" would be coming soon...

It is now Sept., I have heard nothing from True even after posting several enquirers thru their "Contact Us" on their websites... I still do not know why they were sent to me as I have have True Platinum package for over 7 years now, but it is driving my nuts both having them sent to me and now being ignored by them...

Any suggestions or comments are welcome...

Pianoman

I have considered getting and using one of the IPTV boxes in an attempt to dislodge myself from True's costly monthly addiction... I would like to hear from others whom have purchased and using such and know what their experiences are, both the Good and the Bad....

Thank you in advance...

Pianoman

Recently took my GF and then a week later the wife of a friend...   Highly recommend going in early to get in line...  The first trip in with my GF we ended up returning the next day as the had passed their Max applicants for the day by about 10:am.... Then when we returned with the friend's wife we were there at 9:am she was the last one they accepted for  that day...

Pianoman

Here is a link to the new channel lineup from True Visions website...

http://truevisionsgroup.truecorp.co.th/channellineup_web/platinumhd/?ln=en

Pianoman

Yes, "This is Thailand", but the rule of Law still applies...   Have her contact and consult with an Attorney / Lawyer regarding her best course of action...  Of course this will require her telling the Lawyer the entire story including copies of any agreements or contracts between her and this guy...   The relatively small Legal Fee will probably be well worth the amount based upon what is at risk...

Pianoman

Obviously with a forum name of "Pianoman", I am interested to know what the Music Scene is like in Myanmar??? Any Hotels or Clubs with live music, preferably Jazz or R&B???

I hope to make a trip over in the next month or so, and would like any information about the best places to check out in each area...

Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions...

Pianoman

You continue to be qualifed for the Free (Ya, Right) part of Medicare, I beleive it is the "Part A"... But to have the "Part B" and or Medicade which is still available but not usefull outside of the US, they will continue to take out the monthly payments from your Soc. Sec, ... It is easy to contact the US Dept. of Social Security in Manilla for any questions... They handle all claims and or questions for US Expats living in the Aisa area...

Pianoman