bangkokburning

Tropo:

As I stated prior, I agree, there is no personal interaction. I had stated this many times on this very thread. My understanding of the situation does not come from pleading and grubbing. It comes from what I have gleaned from TV posts and my own personal experience over the years. Of course, it is only a hunch, but having said that I have gone through a number of passports since this all began five years ago, perhaps 150 pages and no stamp. I am not a B2B visa runner and this is a large part of my formula. IMO if you are B2B visa runner, living in Thailand you are marked, just a matter of time.

All I wish to inform you and the board is that I have not received a red stamp and I believe I know why. As long as I continue with this lifestyle and method of procuring visa(s), I do not believe I will have problems with the TR visa.

What you say is true

Refusals are based on their current policies of the day and depend on the nationalities of the applicants and how much visa history they have. Right now they are clamping down on SE Asian applicants, but I've heard certain other European nations are being treated more harshly than others too. This is was what I heard from an agent.

I am sure you and your friend have options as you had stated (money brings options), I am uncertain how many of those will be able to be exercised in Thailand and for how long, you not I had noted what you perceive to be erratic policy. I see consistency.

For what it's worth when I visited the consulate there were only a handful of Philippinos, all of them appears to be working. I have no clue as to what sort of visa they had applied for. 85% Male, rock band types.

I have no issue with Thailand clamping down of S.E.A. multi TR visitors personally. What would a 20 something Philippino be doing in Thailand for months and years at a time, especially if not working? This is an easy one. Not like they are Singaporean golf fanatics.

Good Luck!

It does not matter how you are dressed. Sadly, it does not even matter if you have alcohol on your breath (see my earlier posts). Go ahead get all spiffed up. I recommend Chinos and a long sleeve business shirt, just like teachers wear!

But what I wish to address is supporting materials. I always make the run with printouts from my banks. Last year I had shown and asked the guy if I could include the papers (as a hedge). He was throughly disinterested. This year, I had the same and the young man waved them away as well.

It is quite easy to see why they would flag a perpetual Pinay visa runner, it would appear she is working at worst and at best taking your cash that would otherwise go to a 'Thai companion'. My only advice would be to bundle your visas together somehow or include a paper showing you are somehow supporting her and I would somehow come up with some 'evidence' of your marital engagement if not marriage. But it looks like your gig is up anyway.

It would be so easy for them to clear out the illegal workers:

Single visas only - as many as you like

One week for processing

Checking acct showing about 250,000B. Not a wad of papers showing every dime you have stashed about the world.

Random drug test and/or alcohol test

Anyone that shows up smelling of alcohol will be sent away

Anyone providing fraudulent docs - persona non-grata 5 years

*Anyone caught working illegally spends a year in jail

I honestly believe I have the issue more or less under control. I think I understand what will keep the red ink out of my passport. It's worked so far.

Did you wai the official? This is a wind-up right? "My" official very well might have been a Lao national and def 20 yrs my junior.

sorry.

The government bus(es) now pull up directly as the BT bus does to the terminal.

Well, carry what you wish. If I can literally live out of a 32L backpack, I presume that is plenty big for a holiday. That is hardly w/o luggage.

Carry a full blown medical kit, a gear bag, 200-500gms coffee, coffee kit incl heating coil, 5 shirts/2shorts/1underw/swimsuit, string bag, ipod, ipod speakers (4 battery), 10inch laptop, aprica external hard drive, document bag, suntan lotions, condoms, toiletry bag, 1 book, 2-375ml plastic whisky bottles, 1L Platapus water pouch bottle, snacks and a bunch of other stuff ???

I never have more than my bag and that bag is my home, save for about a month ago, when I returned from India I had an additional bag (sleeping bag and mat + sundry). The moto driver will happily squeezed between himself and the handlebars. Honestly dude, any self respecting male that has more luggage than a backpack and a medium size suitcase ought to really think hard on that one.

"Bell Travel lady in front of gate #8," try looking for male Bell Travel reps closer to door #7. They wear peach colored Bell travel uniform shirts, and stand around the area where the Bell Travel sign stand is prominently located."

* I guess that's where the B50 add'l charge went to, peach shirts.

It really doesn't matter beacause I am pretty much finished with Pattaya anyway. It's a very, very scary place.

SUMMARY: If you have multiple large suitcases as if you were moving to Thailand, BT may be your best bet. If you have a med. size suitcase and a backpack and do not want to spend an hour+ in a hot, smelly, broken bus with people with alcohol on their breath and instead are looking for a 5-10 minute trip direct from Pattaya Nua and get a free bowl of noodles or archa beer (B20); you may want to try my way.

BTW: I swear this is true. The last time I was on a BT bus shuttle, they were over 30mins late to Pattaya Nua station. One idiot did not allow time for transit and missed his plane. This was his fault no doubt but, if the BT bus was on time, he would have made it.

Map can be found on Thai Embassy site. It is an easy walk, easily navigated and if you start at 0630 and arrive at 0700, it will still be cool. Personally, I have nothing better to do and like to just get out and walk. Keep my girlish figure. Coming back from the consulate, I'm headed to the food court anyway.

Yes, can be hot but nothing a shower won't cure.There is no way I would give those guys B100. This is a B40 moto ride in Pattays and B30 in the provs. That's why they sit around in their tuk'tuks sleeping in hammocks all day.

BTW: there are irratic light blue buses (same that run to border for B50) they run up past the monument and I think Rue Nongbone as well. I think these are 3K.

Anyway, that's it. Not need to worry about that one till next Nov.

Chok Dee

For what its worth, I was one of Bell's first customers when they started up. I used them and recommended them often. For me, the shine is well off that apple.

Why bother to confirm anything, why bother to go to that stupid site?

So, if I think it is better to pay less for the same thing, I should find another country. Wow, considering I have been in and out of this place for a decade and a half I guess I've got it all wrong. Thanks for the help.

The government bus is there. What I have not seen as of late is the Bell Travel lady in front of gate #8.

It may make 'more stops' as the BT bus makes zero stops but I cannot recall it inconveniencing me more than a few minutes. You act as though its a freaking local bus. It comes from the airport. Any inconvenience is more than made up by the B60 moto direct to where I am going, rather than an hour or more in a hot minivan with a bunch of slobs who can't even fit in their seats.

You've got it all wrong, because you just don't know becasue you have never done it. The govt bus stops at Pattaya Nua and will upon request actaully stop at Pattaya Klang (from there it is only B10 to city center!).

I never have more than a backpack so I cannot comment about your luggage but I would never pay a bag tax on a 2hr short haul. They are skimming you pal.

You are correct, they will not drop you at your hotel and yes Bell includes this in their B200 (used to be B150) charge. But, as I had stated - 125 + 60 = 185 and I know for a fact given you are driven around for an hour that I will arrive before you do.

Bell Travel buses are rarely full becasue people in the know are abandoning them ao they are just left with tourists who have no inclination to navigate their way around Thailand.

You are just so wrong. How can you criticize something that is cheaper and faster is beyond me.

I've spent nearly five months in the country since 1995. If you want to see any of it you will need to at least get up further north than Luang Prabang, certainly not outside VNE imo. I'm up and back in 48 hours. Vientiane is nothing.

I am khon diaw - I like the flavor on the trains. I am not big on air con anyway. I don't like waiting around for people to do things for me, especially at a price. Mixing it up with the locals and food court for me is where its at for breakfast and lunch.

The consulate is an easy albeit hot walk in afternoon but the trip is a rip even at B60.

French food sucks, overworked sauce spilled over a dry piece of meat. Some mediocre Viet food to be had, noting very exotic. All the food on the river in the evening is hugely overpriced. Long gone are days of swilling cheap beer Lao as the sunsets over Thailand.

BTW: If you want cheap t-shirts, go to back of Talat Sao (2/B150). You can get one of those small sandwiches (sm) for 3K Kip on side of T.S. in the am.

Anyway, that's it for me.

Govt bus is about 125 + b60 for a moto straight to where i want. Why pay more and get slower service.

Up2You?!

PS: Never full but if it was, can just sit on the floor. I'm done with Bell. I think Bell is now B240 or more no?

Rec'd a double w/o red stamp. Many guys on the train had red stamps.

The trip from Pattaya to Vientiane and return via BKK cost B2450

All Food/Water

All Accomd. (2nts)

All Transport (2nd cl fan train sleeper)

All transfers - All.

*I walked to and from Visa consulate

Alcohol not included

I really have the hate on for Vientiane now. Lazy Tuk-Tuk drivers, food a very poor value and rooms even worse.

BTW - NK Train sta to border is B20!

Food court is still pretty much best place to eat in the city for me.

I am not going to take the two flats I was looking at. One in Prakanong is multi story bldg, great view, tiny room, cold water, unfurnished. Big issue, very near mosque. 3K. Another, same area, similar situation - appears to be 4K. The other more desirable for those wish t sleep past 0430 is on Suk 81 (actually, I know of a few). Room should be clear by now, I have not actually seen inside - but am told as my thai goes: internet 300B, fridge, bed. Has small balcony, parking. Thai mgt seems nice and low cost to get in.

I also know of two others (same bldg). Great for party monster - dark room...5.5K

Both EZ walks to food and BTS

PM me - I will check your posts to see if you are an agent. 50+ posts please.

I had previously made a 'what about me' post, describing the details in my current passport. I had visited the consulate today and will report as time permits.

Tues Oct20

About 100 people at most streaming in

Semi orderly

Even Philippinos were queuing properly

Young Vietnamese worst offenders, attempt to jump the queue outside

I arrived via foot at 0700 hours. Queued at 0715.

An easy walk from the river in the cool morning with a sketch map. The ride back was courtesy of an English guy I had helped thru process. I bartered the ride down to B60 (pax2) - still too much.

Photocopies - B05 if you speak Thai, B10 if you don't.

Usual illegal Philippine workers - perhaps a few legal.

Central Asian hookers

Asst'd miscreant drunks with alcohol on their breath at 0730

The odd and sundry English teacher.

A few Lao and a bunch of Viets.

Looks like a lot of Arabs and Africans have washed out.

Obviously, Thailand wants to minimize people living in Thailand perpetually on the incorrect visa but I am of a firm belief that the bulls-eye is really on the backs of people working. Whatever you can do to minimize any appearance that you may be working will be best for you. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/post-a96371-.html

These people are obviously are breaking Thai law, running afoul of their signed commitment not to work. They are really screwing up our lives.

In the end this is all mental masturbation - we will all roll the dice until we are given the scarlet letter, then we will do what we must and go where we will.

Thailand has been pretty generous and continues to be when you look at the flotsam and jetsam that washes into the consulate.

In closing, IMO it does not matter what you wear but I would say - smell clean and look presentable. I would not personally over dress. Just screams - I am working (to me). The guy glances at your paperwork and tosses it in a pile. No determination is made until later.

On the computer end of it all - I am certain that Thailand is ramping the tech end of this up. It is very easy to dice data every which way. They are not going to calculate out your visa issues and #'s. I assure you there is a very simple way they determine in 2 minutes if you will be stamped. They are not going to sift thru billions of departure cards from god knows where to get your history. I have for years even wondered what they do with those things.

Good luck to all retirees. May the rest be stamped red as the kingdom sees fit.

I used to take Bell religiously. Sent an email a few years ago for pick-up. Sent me a link to the site. I have no idea what was on that site, don't really care. I send mail, you confirm. That's how it works. So, I'm done with them. Doesn't help its now 200B+ and I never use the service to your apt/hotel.

I go with the govt bus, drops across from bus station or Jomtien. Price used to be B106 but I think I paid more in May. Grad a moto to most places in Pattaya - well under B200, much faster and no booking.

All good info. My original intent which I did not even state was visa run to Vientiane. Sorry.

For the visa run, I always use the train personally but I can vouch for NCA. Did a trip to Pitsanulok a few years back to visit a friend, good service.

Next to Tim Bar / Villa Market, open air Thai restaurant - they have proper coffee. B25.

I carry a thung in my backpack and store a press using as I can. Viet coffee is great, for the price. Robusto beans yuck. If it wasn't for the roast it would be crap.

SOS - every year without fail.

I am down from BKK for a few days B4 off to Lao. Saw two women in a plastic boat off Soi Bukhao. Now that is new, flooding no.

People are mad to buy flats in Central Pattaya.

I detest "what about me" posts but my current pp/visa situation this latest passport is sort of odd. I will know what is what obviously in a few weeks, but enquiring minds want to know;

US Citizen, 48.5yo

Issue:

Total of four visas (TR).

I have two doubles but have only used 1x on 2 of these(1).

*Overstay on last TR (1 day @ 500B) - - In 15yrs, I have overstayed total of less than ten days.

* A 30 day stamp which I will only use 2 weeks.

Double - used only 1x 2008 Washington

Single - used - 2008 - Penang

Double - used 2x - 2008/09 - Vientiane

Double - used 1x - 2009 - WDC

Is this a 1x on a double a "benefit" or does anyone think the 1x will just be seen as plain old double AND with a total of four in my pp - is it a concern?

I go home each year and get a double, seems to get 'easier' each year out of WDC for me.

Thanks for your input

BTW: There was a post regarding how low-end locals don't contribute like the package tourists. On contrary, the only money that the government sees from these Indians, Chinese, etc... are airport, hotel room taxes. They spend zero money so VAT from an Indian or Chinese on a 5 day stay does not even merit discussion. They do not like Thai food (I know with absolute certainty) - It is so ironic that the Thai govt (and perhaps you) sees these people as the future of tourism.

I really am a tourist, I just spend a load of time in Thailand!!

Thank you all - just snaps.

I would recommend if anyone is thinking of doing the Tibet-Hindustan Hwy that they go as late in season as possible (late September). Head up the Rotang pass first to get it out of the way (If you get hit with snow, you will be literally stuck).

Leh and Ladakh are great in the summer months.

Weather is a nice break from tropics. This is my 3rd trip to N. India.

This happens every time. A person asks for X and people offer Y.

Budget is 650 gents

That gives him about five options on Soi4. At 700 add another three+ - all guesthouses

Would not even bother with NaNa - had a look a week back and it was pathetic waste of time and money. I only wasted an hour and ended up going up soi 4 and drinking with some guys up there. It's toast.

PS: Every time I am up in this soi4 area I like it less and less. Its so Touristy and scammy. Across the street, little "Saudi". But its cheap and a good launch point to everywhere.

PPS: Get off/on at Ploen Chit - better for many reasons, primary its closer.

Many come-ons and dodgy adverts have sucked me in but what's really agro is when you click the link and read the info the prices for rooms are not even close to what was posted as "the price". If you know anyone running this site that it could be really valuable if the maps/links worked and the prices were as stated. I could live with the - OH you want FURNITURE, add-ons but when the prices are not even what was stated in the quick view, that's plain wrong.

Yeah, but thelink by Explorer was golden as it is Thai time.

Place I was looking at was right in back of mosque. No worries, think I have a good line on a place a bit further out.

Photos from another extended visa run to Ladakh, Kinnuar and Spiti (Indian Tibet) with a few starting in Kullu Valley.

Enjoy -

http://s575.photobucket.com/albums/ss191/m...mview=slideshow

Thanks!

Can accept 0500 but looks there are 0430 calls so I should rule this area out as I am light sleeper. Too bad, its quite a funky neighborhood. Sort of has grown on me as I had searched for a room.

FYI - for you cheap charlies and DIY'ers. There is a bus running to UR from PTY. Did not get the times. Station is across Suk, a bit south Pattaya Klang.

Not New station or service, just past it yesterday and thought I'd put it up.

No bus to Nong Khai from this station - but top Pitsanulok.

Check UR PM

Accuracy is important. Don't mind waking at 0545/0600 but 0530 is a wee early.

Thanks