mstribling

Thanks Crossy. This answered my question well. I have purchased a Jabao UVC light here. It broke rather quickly. I am checking out the online koi shops in the UK, as it will be the easiest.

Thanks.

I am looking at a UVC light for my Koi pond. The company I prefer sells a 220V/60hz model, seeing how we run 50hz here, will this brand be incompatible?

Thanks.

I find Thais are only really comfortable in their peer group. Same social class being most important then perhaps age and gender and then regional origin. They just feel awkward like a fish out of water outside of their peer group. Good example is any Thai gone to a foreign country, apart from any foreign spouse, all their friends are Thai and the only place many will work is a Thai restaurant. Their culture only allows them to feel truly comfortable with other Thais. Another example, stick a northerner in a shop with a load of Isaan workers, odds are northerner if alone will not like it and seek to leave. Put a working class Thai in a situation with middle class Thais. Middle class Thais will condescend, the working class Thai will seek an exit pronto. Many examples like this. The divisions in Thai society are quite wide and difficult for Thais to overcome on a personal level.

Well said. This sums it up perfectly.

Meet people who are different than you. Engage them, and understand them.

That being said, if your bored, open up a beer bar and count the money your losing as its happening real-time (like a stock ticker).

Seriously. You just need a change of scenery is all. Not trying to trivialize your experience, but we all face this at some point in our lives.

I'll echo the above, unless you choose to live near the tourist traps you'll never know, where do you anticipate residing?

After living in northern BKK for some years I only discovered we actually have a local knocking-shop when my wife pointed it out to me (why she chose to tell me I still don't know).

We thought we would start in Chiang Mai then later to Chanthaburi.

There is not an "in-your-face" industry in Chanthaburi, as you would find in the tourist areas you've heard so much about. That being said, it was mentioned before, you have much more to be concerned about by the "gifted- amateur" than the bargirl.

I think you will be oblivious to it in Chanthaburi.

I hope this helps your peace of mind.

I typically enjoy a beer ( FYI, Just discovered wish beer.com) prior to the sun going down, and a glass of JW black label after dinner. We go to the city and party about once a month, and at that time all bets are off.

Hello,

I just returned from the RTC there and thought I would share my experience.

I arrived outside the consulate around 800 and the consulate was open for business close to 900. There were fewer than 25 people waiting. Aside from the nonsense of people not understanding how lines work, the process went quickly. I got to the window and presented:

US Passport.

Application (downloaded from here).

2 Visa photos I had taken outside for 70 baht I think.

Copy of marriage certificate.

Copy of my wife's ID card.

Copy of her Tabien Baan.

A copy of my yellow book.

A copy of my Bangkok Bank statement I printed from the website (showed a little over 100K)

5000 THB

The gentleman took my application, and money. I said the word "multiple" and handed him 5000THB. He glanced at my application, copy of wife's ID, and the copy of the house book. From what I saw,the entire process was for show. It could not have taken longer than 15 seconds. After he went through the motions, he handed me a number.

I returned the next day at 1400 and picked up my passport with a Thai non-imm O with multiple entries.

No problems at all, though I haven't ever really experienced any prior, so I was not expecting any this time (though in hindsight perhaps I should have concern. I had a overstay stamp in my passport! I was lazy and overstayed a day, which was cheaper than making a run.)

Also, none of my copied documents had any type of stamp, seal, or any other type of certifications.

I hope this helps someone who is considering going there for a multiple entry Non-imm O.

_{Gotta laugh at the OP. He talks of the person he is referring to as undereducated.}

_{Now, how many grammatical and punctuation mistakes are there in his post?}

_{Nice one you pathetic <deleted>.}

Oh my dear Nottocus,

Even by looking at my handle "Swissie", it must have escaped you that english is not my native language. So true! But I must insist: My english (verbally or written), is better than 95 % of all high-school graduates in the USA. If you are a US-Citizen, this may come as a shock to you. Nevermind!

Of course, if you would be willing to compare language skills between you and me you may be up for somewhat of a challenge: My german and french language skills (and probably my thai), as far as foreign languages are concerned, is probably above yours. But I will be happy to stand corrected.

Punctuation, for exampe the KOMMA (= ,) Why do major newspapers in the US not apply kommas in their headlines at all ? The official version is : To save space within the headline. My version: In spite of all what they learned in grammar-school = They simply don't know where it is approriate to use it. So they don't use it at all.

Well nottocus, (komma) I wish you a good day. Cheers.

Trust me when I say. Your English is far better than my Swiss. But you've been drinking the Kool-aid if you think your English is better than 95% of the US graduates.

If I was going to use an example of how great my English grammar was. I certainly would not misspell coma.

What your suggesting is that the copyright editors of these major American newspapers don't know how to use comma's? Really?

Sorry about this. The Internet is the last place people should be worrying about grammar. I do applaud you communicating in a language your not very proficient in.

Or you could try not to mispell comma. Unless you were in a coma when you posted.

LMAO obviously. Epic fail on my part.

Sorry. Multiple entry.

Just did my Non-imm O (married) visa in KL last week.

Had no problems at all, but don't think this is a visa mill.

A Dutch man applied for a multi entry and was only given a single.

A man from Sierra Leonne was refused a visa due to his financials having a problem.

My financials were a printed statement from Bangkok Bank for the last 90 days. It was the only documents to receive any type of scrutiny. I had monthly deposits over 40k, and a 100k deposit only 3 days prior. This seemed to satisfy the lady.

KL will continue to be the spot for my visa runs.

I'm sitting at D8 now. Piece of cake this AM. No problems at all.

I usually will chat up a Thai will I'm getting my boarding pass. I'll ask them to take me through the Thai side with them. Has worked every time no problems.

does this really work?? If so then i know exactly what i'm gonna do next time i'm off to the airport with the better half!

Sure. Super easy when traveling with my wife. But if I'm alone I just chat up some Thais in line. Ask them if I can go through with them. Maybe well grab a snack or something. Has worked for me every time.

But apparently in this instance there was no lines for Thais only. I can only imagine it was a one time thing.

Try it. You'll get through quickly and make some new friends.

_{Gotta laugh at the OP. He talks of the person he is referring to as undereducated.}

_{Now, how many grammatical and punctuation mistakes are there in his post?}

_{Nice one you pathetic <deleted>.}

Oh my dear Nottocus,

Even by looking at my handle "Swissie", it must have escaped you that english is not my native language. So true! But I must insist: My english (verbally or written), is better than 95 % of all high-school graduates in the USA. If you are a US-Citizen, this may come as a shock to you. Nevermind!

Of course, if you would be willing to compare language skills between you and me you may be up for somewhat of a challenge: My german and french language skills (and probably my thai), as far as foreign languages are concerned, is probably above yours. But I will be happy to stand corrected.

Punctuation, for exampe the KOMMA (= ,) Why do major newspapers in the US not apply kommas in their headlines at all ? The official version is : To save space within the headline. My version: In spite of all what they learned in grammar-school = They simply don't know where it is approriate to use it. So they don't use it at all.

Well nottocus, (komma) I wish you a good day. Cheers.

Trust me when I say. Your English is far better than my Swiss. But you've been drinking the Kool-aid if you think your English is better than 95% of the US graduates.

If I was going to use an example of how great my English grammar was. I certainly would not misspell coma.

What your suggesting is that the copyright editors of these major American newspapers don't know how to use comma's? Really?

Sorry about this. The Internet is the last place people should be worrying about grammar. I do applaud you communicating in a language your not very proficient in.

Chanthaburi?

I used to live there, in Silaporn Ville . . .

True, lots of Chinese descendants there, even a few Chinese language schools . . . the main hardware stores and furniture stores are Chinese owned . . . not the Thai/Chinese mixes. These people still speak Hokkien or Canto - made my wife's life much easier as she couldn't speak a word of Thai.

The larger rubber plantations and most factories are owned and run by Chinese.

Had a great time being invited to their houses and eating real Chinese food - I think we had more Chinese acquaintances than Thai

Same place. I live in phase 2. My humble opinion it is the best place in Thailand.

My wife's grandfather is Chinese and she's both thin and dark.

I get the 'dark' reference but 'thin'?

Most Thai in our region with Chinese blood tend to be plump. Certainly not the tall, elegant beauty that many pretend to be involved with.

Surely that's a regional, your region, dietary thing . . . but generalising and calling Chinese tall and elegant is a stretch of the imagination to the other side.

Chinese range from very tall - taller than most Westerners - and very, very white to the shorter and darker, or more easily tanned, which are from the southern regions . . . and which most prevalent in Thailand

I agree completely. Seems folks are different everywhere.

In our region ( Chanthaburi) Having Chinese blood is common. No one even mentions it.

RIP and condolences to the family.

My wife's grandfather is Chinese and she's both thin and dark.

I get the 'dark' reference but 'thin'?

Most Thai in our region with Chinese blood tend to be plump. Certainly not the tall, elegant beauty that many pretend to be involved with.

I'm still amazed at people who bring up this "difficult visa process"

It's just filling out papers. About yourself. There's no wrong answer.

I hope the guy has the time of his life.

Most Thai women point with their lips anyway. I figure it's cardinal direction at best.

I think the guys always bringing up the Thai/Chinese HiSo bit watch to much TV. Specifically channel 7 soaps. We have a large Thai/Chinese population and no one here thinks anything about it.

My wife's grandfather is Chinese and she's both thin and dark.

Thanks. I don't mind buying at the market. We seldom come to the city and really like the wide variety of animals there. Even if not buying it is fun to look.

I've decided against the Grey. As much as I really, really want one. After consideration I can't devote the attention it requires.

Thanks to everyone who posted. Great source of information by really knowledgable people. Thanks.

Mel

Please keep in mind. Many free societies don't mandate swimming lessons for its citizens.

Certainly not Brazil.

You can find many affordable places for less than 5k. It won't be a problem.

Don't worry about all this nanny-talk on here. This is a great site to get specific info. Not a place to visit often. Unless you like hanging out in an old-folks home.

C'mon and enjoy the good life while you can.

No where in the world is it a law that you must be able to swim. Maybe Atlantis...

Cite it or it isn't true.

RIP to the girls.

Maybe they could pass a law making accidents illegal.

According to his PP he is in Laos? Just cross back into Laos and stand in line and come back. 1000's of crossing points. Ask any construction worker up there.