allane

I have had a Visa card at Siam Commercial Bank for several years now. The payment date is always the same, plus or minus one day. As far as I can determine, my statement is always printed on the same date., and they seem to give me the benefit if the cutoff date is a Sat., Sun., or holiday, i.e. they print my statement on the following Monday instead of the preceding Friday. The payment due date appears to be 21 days after the print date.

I pay at the ATM which gives me a receipt, and credits my account immediately.

Any foreigner who has been in Thailand for even a week should know enough not to sign a form for any sort of direct debit from your account. The morality of the Thai public may eventually develop to the point where that works as well as it does in the west, but I don't think that I will live to see that day. And, if you are old enough to be reading this, I don't think that you will either.

Banks, schools and government offices are normally closed Apr. 13, 14 and 15. Regarding tourist attractions, my guess would be that museums etc. are likely to be closed, temples would remain open.

I suggest that you think carefully before proceeding. Even if it is easy to get it started, it might be very difficult to get it stopped, when you eventually want to.

If you Google-search "Nakhon Nayok Catholic School", just like I did, you should find two mentioned in the first four results, just like I did.

The free buses are those red and cream ones which have a blue lettering on white background sign above the front windshield, and also above the doors. There seem to be some free buses on all the routes served by red and cream buses, though as with the timing more generally, when the free one will come is up to chance.

I know the free period has been extended once, until when I don't know.

Several years ago, I met a 71 yr. old foreign woman who was teaching at a Thai univ. I didn't specifically ask, but, I presume that she had a Work Permit. And, she had not been here very long, so would have been well over 65 when she got it. In her case, she was highly qualified, with a Master's Degree in her field.

I also used to work with a 65 yr. old foreigner, again a highly qualified individual. He definitely had a Work Permit.

Try this website: www.railway.co.th, or, send an E-mail to: [email protected]

I live in the Chatuchak area. I found a Lat Phrao post office (opposite Carrefour Lat Phrao) near my place.

I was looking for my missing parcel and I was told to go to the Chatuchak office instead. Any idea where that is?

I think that you were at it, assuming you were at the P.O. on the south side of Latprao Road, about 1 mile east of Phahonyothin Road. As well as searching my brain, I consulted my maps, which do not indicate any other P.O. that might be considered as the "Jatujak Post Office". And, the one you were at is located in Jatujak District.

The one which Bkkjames mentions on Phahonyothin, the Saphan Kwai Post Office is one Skytrain station away from Jatujak Park.

I do know of some others. If the above list does not include one close to you, give me an idea where you are. I may know one nearby.

Ask some returning tourist to bring you a sack of rice. I understand that there is a Thai driver's licence in every one.

There is one quite well-known place, which I can not recall the name of, as I have never eaten there. I do recall that it has only a Thai language sign in front. When will you be in Bkk. ? I can read Thai, and don't mind walking by the place next time I am in the area.

FYI: This is one example where the romanization of Thai does not work very well (re: the name of the road). If you say "Pan", as in frying pan, no one will understand you. It is closer to the English word "bun".

I need to go to Soi 44 Ramintra in BKK tomorrow.

I am going by mini-bus from the North and was told, by someone who lives in BKK, to go to Rangsit and get a taxi from there.

Surely I would be better to go to Victory monument and get a taxi?

Looking at the map it is 21 kilometers from Rangsit to Ramintra and near 2 kilometers from Victory Monument to Ramintra.

Or am I mistaken?

Sorry for misreading your Post. I see you want Soi 44, not Soi 14. My directions are still valid, you will just have to go further east on Ramintra Road. You will need to go about 7 - 8 km from Phahonyothin Road.

I need to go to Soi 44 Ramintra in BKK tomorrow.

I am going by mini-bus from the North and was told, by someone who lives in BKK, to go to Rangsit and get a taxi from there.

Surely I would be better to go to Victory monument and get a taxi?

Looking at the map it is 21 kilometers from Rangsit to Ramintra and near 2 kilometers from Victory Monument to Ramintra.

Or am I mistaken?

As I scale it from a map, it is approx. 13 km from Rangsit to the intersection of Ramintra and Phahonyothin Roads. It is about the same from the Victory Monument to the Ramintra/Phahonyothin intersection. If you are coming from the north with a driver who knows Bkk., have him let you off at the Laksi Plaza intersection. You will see two tall office towers to your right as you approach it. Chaeng Wattana Road runs west (to your right), Ramintra Road runs east (to your left).

Get a taxi, and head east on Ramintra Road. Soi 14 will be on your righthand side, after about 4 km.

In general terms, stories like this one are not referring to foreign teachers, unless specificlly stated.

If this business is associated with a similar one in Bangkok, it is "13 Coins", not "18". Try searching that. I have never stayed there, nor do I know anyone who has.

Do a Google search for "Hamilton International Bangkok". They do/did have an office in the Maneeya Building, which is next door to Amarin Plaza. I do not know whether this business is still a going concern, at this location or any other.

An important point which is sometimes overlooked by new foreign teachers:

You file your income tax return, and pay any amount owing, on a calendar year basis. The deadline is March 31, for the previous calendar year.

If your contract is on an academic year basis, that is irrelevant.

Bus # 551 departs from the NE quadrant of the Victory Monument, then goes eastward along Ratchawithi Road.

I forgot to mention A/C #547:same route as #164 from Pratunam or Ratchadamri to the Silom/Surasak intersection, then from there, the same route as #163.

From Victory Monument: #163 southbound to: Phayathai, Rama IV, Silom, Charoen Krung, Saphan Krungthep, Ratchadaphisek, Phetkasem

From Pratunam: #164 southbound to Ratchadamri, Silom, Surasak, Saphan Taksin, Charoen Nakhon, Ladya, Phetkasem.

I can not verify if either of these turn north onto Sai 4. But, they both list it as their destination. If you do not need to stop anywhere enroute, #164 is the more direct route. I would allow about 1.5 hrs. from the city centre.

they can only do 1 year jobs - unhealthy, and say i would need to try them first - as may not fit farang eyes, and prescription is close'ish. may have to look at alternatives

If you are referring here to Washington Optical, they provide me with monthly lenses, which they special order from whatever factory they normally do business with. However, I do not know the limits of their technology, i.e. how strong a prescription they can manufacture in the soft lens, 1 month of use, format.

As I said before, if you think that making an in-person enquiry might help, I don't mind doing that for you.

Washington Optical Tel. (02) 256 - 9021, or 9022. Sorry, no fax # on the business card which I have.

If you can not make yourself understood on the telephone, send me a Private Mail here with the particulars of what you need. I work nearby, and could go in there for you.

If you can bear with me until Wed. morning, Feb. 11, I think that I can provide a fax and phone number.

You could try Washington Optical in Amarin Plaza (on the south side of Ploenchit Road, just east of Ratchadamri Road, Bangkok). They can special order from their factory). English spoken. Closed Mondays, but open Saturdays.

And how do we know that you are up to date with yours ?