allane

Can't see why people are getting so cross. We lived in the ME for three years andhad no problem at all. Most muslims are moderate and tolerant, itis the mental few that give them a bad name. Same as everyone.

Leisurely

Couldnt agree more - my TGF and her familiy are Muslim and they are moderate and tolerant as are the majority

A brave man ! If I was going out with a ######ingMuslim, I certainly wouldn't state that fact here.

I have used Bangkok Bank many times, though not in the last couple of years. They charged 400 baht for electronic transfer. With time zone differences, bank's business hours etc. the money was in my home country in a couple of days.

Some statistics from 1994. Maybe they are a litle dated, but probably provide an "order of magnitude" estimate: 273,000 Resident Aliens in Thailand, of whom 65% (177,000) were male.

Of the TOTAL number, 162,000 lived in Bangkok and 5 adajcent provinces. Sorry, I did not note the names of the provinces - likely Samut Sakhon, Nonthaburi, Pathumthani, Chachaengsao & Samut Prakan. (Maybe Nakhon Pathom instead of Chachaensao.)

What do you mean by "breakdown" - nationality ?, age ?, length of time in Thailand ? something else ?

To make it a little cheaper, you could have the taxi take you to Onnut Skytrain Station, then get on the Skytrain and ride west to Siam Station. Exit on the south side ( left side of the station in your direction of travel). Get on a # 15 bus to Sanam Luang (close to Khaosan Road).

Thanks. affected areas in Bkk. are: Phraram 2, Suksawat, Pracha-Uthit (presumably the one in Ratburana -Bangkhunthien), Ratburana, Phutabucha,

Phrachachuen, Wongsawang, Phracharat,

Henri Dunant, Phraram 4, Ratchadamri, Silom, Siphraya, Jaroenkrung Jan, Suanphlu, Nanglinchi, Sathpradit, Phraram 3,

Wiphawidi, Phahonyothin, Suthisan, Ladprao, Phrachsongkhro, Ratchadaphisek from Phraram 9 to Phahonyothin.

Also, many areas in Samut Prakan.

21.00-05.00 Bangkok and Some areas in Samutprakan.

Sorry, but I found only in Thai language. Need someone come to translate.

Hope its help.

3 ทุ่มคืนนี้ กทม.-ปริมณฑลน้ำไม่ไหลหลายแห่ง

วันที่ 04 ก.ค. 2549

3 ทุ่มคืนวันอังคารที่ 4 ก.ค. นี้ น้ำประปาเขตกทม.-ปริมณฑล จะไม่ไหลเป็นบริเวณกว้าง เตือนสำรองน้ำไว้ใช้ช่วงดูบอลโลก

ร้อยโทหญิงชัชชฎา ญาณอุบล ผู้อำนวยการสำนักงานประชาสัมพันธ์ การประปานครหลวง (กปน.) เปิดเผยว่า การประปานครหลวง มีความจำเป็นต้องหยุดการสูบส่งน้ำลงอุโมงค์เป็นการชั่วคราวเพื่อทำการบรรจบท่อประธานกับอุโมงค์ส่งน้ำ บริเวณแยกเฉลิมพันธ์ ถนนประดิพัทธ์ ในคืนวันอังคารที่ 4 กรกฎาคม 2549 ระหว่างเวลา 21.00-05.00 น. ของวันรุ่งขึ้น

ในระหว่างดำเนินการจะส่งผลให้น้ำประปาไม่ไหลเป็นบริเวณกว้าง เนื่องจากเป็นงานบรรจบท่อประธานกับอุโมงค์ขนาดใหญ่ หลังจากการบรรจบท่อแล้วเสร็จ กปน.จะเร่งสูบจ่ายน้ำทันที ซึ่งต้องใช้เวลากว่าน้ำจะเต็มอุโมงค์และมีแรงดันน้ำเป็นปกติส่งไปถึงบ้านผู้ใช้น้ำที่อยู่ปลายทาง และเนื่องจากเป็นช่วงที่มีการแข่งขันฟุตบอลโลก เกรงว่าผู้ใช้น้ำจะได้รับความเดือดร้อนไม่มีน้ำใช้ช่วงชมบอลโลก จึงขอให้ประชาชนได้โปรดสำรองน้ำไว้ใช้ล่วงหน้าให้เพียงพอและในปริมาณที่มากที่สุด

สำหรับพื้นที่น้ำประปาไม่ไหลได้แก่ สาขาตากสิน ได้แก่ ถนนพระราม 2 ถนนสุขสวัสดิ์ ถนนราษฎร์บูรณะ ถนนประชาอุทิศ ถนนพุทธบูชา ถนนนครเขื่อนขันธ์ สาขาแม้นศรี ได้แก่ ถนนอังรีดูนังต์ ถนนราชดำริ ถนนพระราม4 ถนนพระราม 1 สาขาประชาชื่น ได้แก่ ถนนวงศ์สว่าง ถนนประชาราษฎร์ ถนนประชาชื่น สาขาทุ่งมหาเมฆทั้งสาขา อาทิ ถนนสาทรเหนือ-ใต้ ถนนจันทน์ ถนนสวนพลู ถนนเชื้อเพลิง ถนนนางลิ้นจี่ ถนนสาธุประดิษฐ์ ถนนพระราม 3 ถนนสีลม ถนนสี่พระยา ถนนเจริญกรุง สาขาพญาไท ได้แก่ ถนนวิภาวดี ถนนพหลโยธิน ถนนลาดพร้าว ถนนสุทธิสาร ถนนประชาสงเคราะห์ ถนนรัชดาภิเษก จากแยกพระราม 9 ถึง แยกพหลโยธิน

สาขาสมุทรปราการ ได้แก่ ถนนสุขุมวิท ถนนปู่เจ้าสมิงพราย ถนนท้ายบ้าน ถนนสายลวด ถนนเทพารักษ์ ถนนศรีนครินทร์ ถนนสวนส้ม สาขาพระโขนง ได้แก่ ถนนพัฒนาการ ถนนอ่อนนุช ถนนศรีนครินทร์ ถนนบางนา-ตราด ซอยลาซาล ซอยแบริ่ง ถนนสรรพาวุธ ถนนทางรถไฟสายเก่า ถนนเชื้อเพลิง ถนนหน้ากรม สาขาสุขุมวิท ได้แก่ ถนนสุขุมวิท ถนนศรีนครินทร์ ถนนพัฒนาการ

หากผู้ใช้น้ำประสบปัญหาในการใช้น้ำ แจ้งได้ที่ "ศูนย์บริการข้อมูลผู้ใช้น้ำ" โทร. 1125 ตลอด 24 ชั่วโมง

Is anyone able to confirm a rumour of a planned water shutoff in parts of Bangkok this evening, July 4, 2006 ? What time, and what Districts will be affected ?

I don't know how to bring this to the atention of the site operator, other than as a New Post.The post which hasnow been "pinned" and "locked" tiltled "2007 Thai Public Holidays" lists several which in fact are NOT Public Holidays, these being Chinese New Year's, End of Buddhist Lent, and Loy Krathong.

Changing the subject just a little: Does anyone know where I can obtain an explanation (preferably in English) of how the various Thai lunar based holidays are determined ? A summary in Thai would be better than nothing.

Some thoughts on this matter from a 10 year resident (who was living here when the National Park admission fees were raised from 5 baht (for Thai's) and 20 baht (for foreigners) to 20 baht and 200 baht respectively.

1. In my time in this country, the issue of "dual pricing"for Thai's and foreigners has always been one of the most frequently discussed in forums such as this and "Letters to the Editor" in the English-language newspapers etc.etc. And, more than 10 YEARS OF COMPLAINING ABOUT IT HAS ACCOMPISHED ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I am not optimistic that that will change anytime soon.

2. At the time of the last increase, I wrote a very polite letter to the "Director of National Parks". To my utter astonishment, I received a reply, saying, in effect "We know that this is unfair to people like you, but we aren't sure what to do about it." Since then, I and others have managed to obtain concessions by presenting copies of Income Tax Cards, Work Permits etc. It is also helpful to state that you are only there for a day visit, in those National Parks where overnight camping is allowed.

3. I recall that last time, Thai tourist operators were upset, and presumably made representations to the government. As far as I know, their efforts achieved absolutely nothing. Some time after the last increase, I remember seeing a newspaper story about an operator who had to pay 600 baht for each of his customers, because his tour bus was passing through three National Parks ! The story didn't say, but I don't know if the bus was even STOPPING in each park, or simply passing through some of them.

4. I am assuming that if the directive has not yet been published in English, it may be some sort of "Draft for dDscussion" ? (Surely this measure, of any, would be published in English if it is already official regulation ?)

5. A few "do's and don'ts" as we proceed on this issue:

a) Be calm and polite. Don't raise your voice, start banging your fist on the counter etc. etc. Choose your language carefully if making written representations, keeeping in mind that it will be read by someone whose first language is not the same as yours.

If you are Caucasian, don't bother suggesting that non-Thai Asians ought to pay the higher fee too. Two wrongs don't make a right, and our objective should not be to have additional people treated unfairly too.

c) Don't bother making idle threats that you aren't willing to keep. I am not impressed by those, and I don't think that any Thai person is either.

d) Don't bother lecturing Thai people about your notion of "human rights". Whatever your notion is, it doesn't apply in Thailand. As a foreigner in Thailand, you have only one "human right", that being the right to leave if you don't like it here.

e) Be prepared to lose on this issue, at least as it affects foreign tourists. No one was able to stop the last increase, though we foreigners who are resident here did achieve some mitigation of its effects on ourselves, through "quiet diplomacy."

Not a problem. The domestic terminal at Don Muang is connected by an enclosed walkway to the international terminal. Once you have cleared customs (20 minutes ?) got your bag (20 minutes ?), you still wil have 10 minutes, and that is (just) enough !

You are lucky that you will be arriving at Don Muang. If and when the new airport ever opens, it will take half aday and a lot of baht to make that transfer.

I certainly hope that there is no such place. If there was, the Muslims would be "dropping off" bombs there.

Can anyone tell me the departure times for the bus from Pattaya to Sai Tai Mai (Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal) ? Also, how long does the trip take ?

Where to get commercial photocopying done in South Pattaya ? Relatively small quantities, so price doesn't matter too much. Please give the hours and days of business, if they are not standard.

Yes, there is a footbridge access to Bang Na Central City from the dropping off point. Many of these shoppers board a bus to return to Pattaya on the Sukhumvit Road just before the road to Bang Na Central. This return bus is the blue/white/orange variety that stops everywhere and anywhere on its way from Ekkamai to Jomtien Beach.

Another good, and popular, place to get off the Pattaya/Ekkamai Express bus is at the Tesco Lotus Store on the Sukhumvit Road at On Nut. In my case, as I am usually needing the toilet by this time, the Lotus store makes a welcome stopping place. There is a direct access to the On Nut Sky Train Station on the second floor of the Tesco Lotus building and, as it is a terminus, the trains empty before returning through the city to the Morchit terminus at the north end of the Sukhumvit Line.

I am a Bangkok resident who will be in Patttaya during the last few days of March, when I will need to pay my income tax. Does the Revenue Department have an office in Pattaya ? If yes, where ?

If not, where is the nearest office - Chonburi ? Rayong ?

I am aware that I can pay my income tax at most of the banks, but I prefer not to do that, especially when I am not at my home branch.

Yes, until about 1997 I used to get my phonebook at the Shin Tower. Then the office moved to a small building near the Ratchawat market. Now, I see that it has moved again, but where to, I don't know.

My source for English language phone books has disappeared, with no indication of where it has moved to. Does anyone know where I can get an English phone book now ? Please give the hours and days of business if known.

Re: The "Victory Monument" in Bangkok

I understand that this well-known monument was built some time after World War II. But what "victory" is being celbrated, given that officially, Thailand backed Japan, which lost the war ? Conversely, I find it difficult to believe that Seri Thai would ever have received permission to build such an imposing monument at such a central location.

I would appreciate a reference to a published work.

When travelling by BTS, allow 90 seconds for travel between each station, plus 5 minutes to wait for the train. Add another 5 minutes if you need to change trains at Siam.

I considered buying a condo. a few years ago, did a lot of research, but did not proceed. I think that some of the banks/finance companies will consider taking a mortgage from a foreigner. I remember a requirement for a 25% down payment, which seemed reasonable to me. Ask them; it costs nothing to ask.

You must purchase the condo. (or at least whatever portion you do not mortgage) WITH CASH BROUGHT IN FROM OUTSIDE OF THAILAND, and, the money must be marked as such at the time it is brought in. You can NOT use money which you have previously brought to Thailand, and you can not use money which you have earned and saved here (if you are employed.) Money which came from either of these sources would have to be "recycled" through your home country first.

Get a copy of the Condominium Act (available in English), and read it carefully before proceeding.

Ok, i'm thinking about buying a condo in Thailand but not sure how it works.

1. Do they check my American credit or is it Thai credit?

2. Do they require a down payment? If so, what percentage?

3. Do i 100% own it or do I have only 30 years to own it?

4. Anything else i should know?

Can someone answer these for me please or send me to a site that has all of this info?

Thanks in advance,

Dave C

Whether I am buying a suit, or anything else, I never do business with anyone who does not consider it necessary to post signs in Thai. And, you shouldn't either !

Who cares why they were trying to come to Thailand ? I fully commend the Thai government for keeping them out. If they were allowed to go back to Cambodia, they were extremely lucky. They should have been shot on sight, just as they have done to so many innocent Buddhists in southern Thailand.