Ivantheterrible

really??

Wow, I mean I'll believe u guys if u tell me so, but it seems like u would lose more money the more times u have to exchange from one currency to another, and the flip side of that would be u lose less the fewer times u exchange one currency to another.

Therefor it would seem THB - PHP would lose less money then THB - USD, USD - PHP.

Or is the THB - PHP exchange rate in Bangkok really that bad??

Seems clear I should wait to exchange my USD for PHP until I am in the Philippines, and not do it well in Thailand.

It also seems that it would be better to exchange my THB while I am still in Thailand.

I suppose then the only remaining question is...

Exchange THB to PHP, or exchange THB to USD and then after arrival in the Philippines exchange the USD to PHP?

Wrong forum??

I've been using Super Rich to exchange US Dollars to baht here in Bangkok. I've heard they have the best rates, and it seems that is true from my, albeit limited, experience.

I'll be leaving Bangkok and Thailand soon, and going to the Philippines. I am wondering if Super Rich is still a good option for exchanging my baht into Philippine Pesos and my USD into PHP as well?

Seems to me I've heard there really aren't any places in the Philippines that have rates as good as Super Rich does in Thailand, that's why I'm wondering if I would do best to exchange all my baht and US Dollars into PHP now, before I even arrive in the Philippines, before I leave Thailand.

I know alot of you guys that live/work and travel/visit here in Thailand also go to/have been to the Philippines, so I'm sure some of you have experience in this area.

Does changing my baht and dollars into PHP at Super Rich before leaving Bangkok seem like a reasonably good idea? Or are there some exchange places in the Philippines that you guys know of that would give me better rates on exchange to pesos, then I will from Super Rich?

You need make a trip to immigration and get error corrected. It happens all the time and why we often remind people to check their stamps before leaving the immigration on entry.

Go to the Immigration Bureau on Sathon Road?

Since the stamp technically expired 4 days ago, even if they fix the mistake and check off my 2nd entry on my visa, will I still have to pay the 4 days overstay on the stamp?

I have a double entry tourist visa for Thailand at the moment. I used my first entry right after it was made in mid September. I went to the poipet border crossing on November 12th to start me 2nd entry.

I was just looking through my passport this morning, and I realize a mistake was made, and for some reason when I re-entered the country on the 12th I was only given the 14 day 'enter by land' extension, and not the 2nd entry of my double entry visa.

I am now technically 4 days over stay.

Is there a way to rectify this mistake at this point in time, some way I can make the case that I had a double entry visa that still had one entry left, but instead was only given the 14 day stamp, so they can mark off the 2nd entry and I don't have to pay overstay, and am good through the 60 day period?

Or is that just complete, and total wishful thinking, and it's there mistake but my problem, and I have no choice but to pay the overstay on the stamp?

FWIW im 90% sure I wrote in the number of my visa (not only passport number) on the arrival/departure card, I really do think the guy at the border made the mistake. I do have a thick passport with a ton of pages and a ton of stamps and visas form many different countries, maybe he just got bored and didn't feel like finding the visa.

I need to do a border run again soon.

Since I have a double entry visa at present, and still one entry left to be used, I figured I'd just do the poipet Cambodia run.

It's been about 3 years since the last time I did this run at Poipet, and I'm trying to remember if they are open all 7 days of the week or not.

I was thinking about going there on Sunday morning, but are the only open on the week? or all 7 days?

2 other questions about the run as well

1. I will probably get the bus there leaving from in front of Lumpini Park. What time does the bus depart from Lumpini for Poipet? Seems to me it was somewhere around 2-4 am, but I don't remember what time exactly.

2. What is the standard amount, in baht, to pay for the Cambodian visa at the border? I think it was either 700 or 800 last time I was there, but the exchange rate has changed a bit since then, and so I figured I'd ask again. I know there are some fakeish cops there that will try and jack up the price, so I want to go in knowing the exact correct amount to give them.

I've got some questions on this topic as well.

I haven't done the border run to Lao in a few years now, and I am wondering if it's still as easy as it used to be.

Mostly what I mean by this is, is it still a matter of them only caring about getting the money, and not asking any questions.

I was never asked to show onward tickets from Thailand to another location, or to show proof of hotel bookings or any of that.

Is that still the case, that they won't ask any of those questions?

Even though it's a bit off topic, I'm curious about the Cambodian border at Poi Pet also. There it used to be the same way, no questions ask, still that easy now?

Alright, yeah I'm going to go to the nearest TG Phone shop to buy it.

What about the sim card that includes both calling/texting and internet?

Can I get that at TG Phone shops as well?

Do they have prepaid (non contract,) sim card options as well there?

Can I just go directly to the TG Fone tower, and buy it there?

Thanks for the replies guys.

Yeah, I've been looking at both those phones as well, they both seem solid.

Where would you guys go to buy them, not online I mean but in Bangkok?

Is MBK good in your experience, or is some other place better/more reliable and trustworthy?

anything?

Hey all,

I'm in Bangkok now, and planning to buy a new phone.

I've actually never purchased a smart phone before, and am not too versed in them.

I was just going to go to MBK to buy the phone, although I know some people suggest other places instead.

Where should I go to buy a phone?

Also, what phone would you suggest in the mid - upper teen range, say 12-18k baht range?

I was going to go with the HTC one x. I was told the batter on this phone can be a bit weak though. The Moterola Razr Maxx or the Samsung Galaxy S3 are popular as well I guess.

What phone would you guys suggest to me?

I am planning on buying a phone here soon. I am looking at the HTC one x.

If I buy this phone, where should I go to get the sim and calling/texting and internet plan for it?

I'd like a prepaid (none contract) plan, if that is available.

Which branch was this?

Also, I just read something in another thread on here, about them making stricter restrictions, and that they would begin August 21st, that's today.

Anything to worry about?

Do you guys think this will actually be enforced? So often restrictions and laws in the 3rd world are passed, but never actually enforced. Could this be just another one of those?

Will it still be a branch by branch thing, or do you really think most (all??) branches will really crack down on this? If so, will it be impossible to get a bank account on a tourist visa?

I'm trying to open a savings account here in Bangkok, with one of the Thai banks.

I went to Kasikorn bank today, the Ramkemhueng branch. 3 years ago, I opened an account there, at that particular branch, and never had any problems with opening it or using it on a tourist visa.

Apparently my account was inactive for too long, and so they closed it. Also regulations have apparently become more strict in the past 3 years, and they told me I couldn't open an account without a work permit or study visa.

I found out Bangkok Bank is not as strict. They almost were though. They told me there was a 3rd document they would accept. a signed and sworn affidavit by me, with my Thai address, and swearing that that is where I live. They told me this affidavit had to be filled out and signed at the US embassy.

I can make an appointment to the US embassy to get this done.

What do you guys suggest?

Go ahead, get the affidavit from the US Embassy ( I called them, apparently I can get it even if I am just on a tourist visa.) and then open an account with Bangkok Bank?

Go to another branch of Kasikorn (seems to me I heard the Suk branch might still do it even just on tourist visa.) ?

Go to another bank (which bank??) that will allow me to open only on a tourist visa?

As mentioned I AM only on a tourist visa, but have heard plenty of people opening accounts with just a tourist visa and Thai address. I did myself 3 years ago, but when I went to that same branch today was shut down, so maybe things have changed a bit in that time.

Ok here's another question, one that can be answered directly in the open forum.

Once I am in Bangkok, what is the best way to find work? Going around to all the different agencies, and language schools on foot? or can it be done mostly via email and phone?

Do not post any commercial links in the open forum. If you have a commercial link, then send it by PM to the requesting poster.

Ah...ok.

Well then, if anybody has any agencies/language schools they can recommend to me, or point me in the right direction on, i'd really appreciate a PM with that information.

Can anybody recommend any specific agencies or language schools? I'm looking for names and locations, and possibly contact info/websites if anybodies got them.

Besides Ajarn, what are some other good resources to find ads and such at?

Yes you can! Explanation - There is plenty of work, either privately or with one of the many language schools. The more reputable schools will not employ you! I am acquainted with several people working in Bangkok as English language teachers who do not have a work permit! They are aware of the ramifications if caught, but continue to teach! Such is the attraction of living and working in Thailand. I am here working (not as a teacher) with a work permit, for fairly low wages (compared to my home country) but with my pension I am comfortable and I love the people, the climate, the food, the lifestyle and the language.

Ok, here we go, that is what i was looking for, and not just because the answer was yes, if it was no, that would also be what i was looking for.

However since you answered yes, i'll ask you a bit more.

Do you know what the best way to get this type of work would be? On the internet? Walking around the city? Phone calls? anything else i'm not thinking of?

Also i have experience teaching English in China, and there it really doesn't matter what kind of attire one wears to either an interview or to their job, at least not as far as the foreign teachers are concerned. i've heard it's different in Thailand.

Will i be expected to show up in a suite and tie, even for an interview with a language school? if not what would be the expected attire?

even if i needed a suite for the interview, would i also be expected to wear one during my classes?

i know a lot of you guys aren't teachers yourselves so the info your giving me is second hand, and therefor you might not be able to answer all the above questions, but i appreciate whatever it is you can tell me.

I don't know what you want us to say or to agree about. It is ILLEGAL to work as a teacher without a work permit. Employers seldom, if ever, get into trouble for it, so they are more than willing to hire people illegally. Employees work illegally because they either have to or the employer won't cooperate in doing the paper work for a work permit.

People drive drunk; it's illegal, but some people do it.

People speed, it's illegal, but some people do it.

No matter how many times you ask, you are going to come up with the same parameters.

Ok Scott, you've answered my questions and responded to my post and been very helpful, in both this and my other thread, thank you for that.

I understand your annoyance at me now, sorry it seems we aren't on the same wave lengths here, so i will try to be more clear...

I am not asking about legality, i understand it is illegal, not am i asking for anybody here to aid me in illegal behavior.

I am only asking...

if i show up in Bangkok, land there and am on the ground

Can if find enough part time work, from agencies/language schools/private tutoring, to make at least 15 - 20k a month from all of it combined despite not having a degree?

If i searched hard and really kept up with the job search would i have enough part time work within 2-3 weeks of arrival despite not having a degree?

Those are my two questions

I repeat, i am not asking anything about the legality of it all, i fully understand where i will stand on that issue without a degree.

I am simply asking, if, even without a degree, i can find enough work, doesn't even have to be a great job, just a job.

That's all i am asking, is the work there even for those without a degree, i am asking nothing about issues of legality.

hope that clears any confusion about why i keep posting.

i keep posting because i haven't really got a clear answer to my question yet.

Can i expect to find enough part time work, without a degree?

I'm simply looking for a "yes you can" or 'no you can't" and a little bit of an explanation.

That's all i am looking for, sorry if it i gave cause for confusion.

Hummm...

i'm still hearing some people saying, work in BKK can be gotten without a WP, and other's saying it absolutely cannot.

I have a friend living in Bangkok , he's been working as a teacher for 4 years without a work permit. But he is aware of the risks of course.

Balo, honestly speaking, do you believe your friend to be the exception to the rule, or do you think there are many like him, working illegally in BKK?

Phatcharanan, i understand what you are saying about teaching in the provinces Vs. teaching in BKK, but Balo here is saying his friend is teaching in BKK without a work permit?

I'm just trying to figure out, what to believe, and what to go with.

Is there anything concrete i can see, to help me decide if it would be a big mistake for me to look for work in BKK with no degree?

hummm... i remember making a thread many months back that ended up at this same point.

I'm not saying anybodies wrong, as i honestly don't know, but what is it that makes people well experienced with Thailand argue with each other on this point.

Some say, you need a WP to do any work at all.

Others say you can easily teach without a WP.

What causes the confusion and disagreement amoung people that have a lot of experience with Thailand? it seems you would all be able to reach consensus.

You need a work permit to do any work, paid or not in Thailand, period. See threads about working in Thailand and work permits. I know people that own businesses that can't work in them. My visa says employment prohibited, it's a retirement visa.

Good luck, Jimi

You should be able to get work, however, it sometimes take some time to build up a clientele.

Hummm... there is pretty much complete disparity between these two comments.

so what should i be going with here...?