nowork114

Don't forget can opener to get into Suthep's armored Ford Explorer

Come on armchair generals. I've been here for over 10 years and went to see all major protests. I was in front of Dusit Zoo in 2006 when coup happen, In 2008 i was near Don Mueang when taken over by PAD, in 2010 I was at Khaosarn road during the battle of Democracy monument, I was also guiding ABC and AFP journalists through sois around Asoke and Lumpini and was 100m from the spot where Sah Daeng was shot... and yes, I went to see these demonstrations too because I simply have to pass through their sites. Sometimes I stop for souvenir shopping, food or even some good music, but of course as a common sense I'm not joining any marches or doing any other stupid things.

Does anyone know if it's safe to visit the MBK centre? I just arrived 2 days ago in Bangkok and I wanted to go there to buy some stuff (Taking the BTS).

But I don't want to get myself in any trouble.

There is a elevated walkway link from BTS National Stadium to MBK.

No problem at all.

What's wrong with wandering around Siam? Its hardly a war zone. More like a street market.

Sounๆds like there are a few bed wetters who are afraid of their own shadows.

Yes,some posters do seem to be rather miserable, mustn't have fun must we?, perhaps that's why so many UK residents prefer to live in Thailand, they enjoy the sanuk which may be lacking back home.

Regarding safety, walking around the protest site is considerably safer than outside-no buses or motorbikes to run you over.

It is quite obvious from your other comment Siripon that you support Suthep and his protestors. You want to downplay the risks to people.

Unfortunately, people have been killed at the protest sites. One need not to be a participant, on either side to suffer collateral damage.

These people think its carnival. It is not. Present at these sites are large numbers of people with guns. Wherever untrained and unsupervised weapons are found, there are injuries.

Bullets can miss their intended targets or ricochet. Explosives detonated do not discriminate.

These are foolish people who run the risk of serious injury. When it happens, they will expect the embassy to come running to take care of them. Some do not have health insurance that will pay for their medical care let alone medevac flight home.

Yes. It doesn't take too much for a friendly crowd to become an enraged mob, which could bode ill for whitey. Alcohol, a bit of anti-western rhetoric - who knows what could happen. Why take the chance?

To be safe, better stay in a bunker 30m below

I was there with family last Sunday, very nice weather to stroll from MBK through Rtchaprasong down to Lumphini and Silom. All this area is a market with stalls and plenty of food so it feels more like Chatuchak than a protest site.

Enterprising poor farmers from the provinces are able to make a living setting up stalls while they wait for payment for their pledged rice - go see it for yourselves.

BTW i believe the people printing and selling "Shut Down BKK" t-shirts are the same who were selling red t-shirts in 2010 .. business is business

What's wrong with wandering around Siam? Its hardly a war zone. More like a street market.

Sounๆds like there are a few bed wetters who are afraid of their own shadows.

Yes,some posters do seem to be rather miserable, mustn't have fun must we?, perhaps that's why so many UK residents prefer to live in Thailand, they enjoy the sanuk which may be lacking back home.

Regarding safety, walking around the protest site is considerably safer than outside-no buses or motorbikes to run you over.

It is quite obvious from your other comment Siripon that you support Suthep and his protestors. You want to downplay the risks to people.

Unfortunately, people have been killed at the protest sites. One need not to be a participant, on either side to suffer collateral damage.

These people think its carnival. It is not. Present at these sites are large numbers of people with guns. Wherever untrained and unsupervised weapons are found, there are injuries.

Bullets can miss their intended targets or ricochet. Explosives detonated do not discriminate.

These are foolish people who run the risk of serious injury. When it happens, they will expect the embassy to come running to take care of them. Some do not have health insurance that will pay for their medical care let alone medevac flight home.

How long have you been in Thailand? These protests happen every few years ie. 2006 coup, 2008 PAD, 2010 Red shirts, 2013 Suthep ... if you have common sense and not wondering around the sites at night or joining any front line marches you are safe. I have to pass these sites regularly when in downtown on business and fell safer than with traffic and motorcycles on footpath. And regarding guns I'm more afraid of some college kids firing pen-gun or throwing a ping-pong bomb on a bus than from the "security" thugs.

I was there with family last Sunday, very nice weather to stroll from MBK through Rtchaprasong down to Lumphini and Silom. All this area is a market with stalls and plenty of food so it feels more like Chatuchak than a protest site.

Simple, the agent want to make sure his commission is paid in advance... When I was selling my last condo the agent insisted to be paid from the deposit transferred by the buyer.

Personally I wouldn't buy a condo without direct contact with owner, way too many "grey" areas in Thai law with power of attorney. Owner, you + two witness (wife, solicitor juristic person manager of the condo or a good friend) is the safest way.

All right, I confess. Where I should go to surrend myself?

IKEA does not have their own installation services, they hire a third party company. I asked about 2 years ago and the price for 9SQM kitchen (without appliances and only with assembly) 130-150,000 THB. The company said they can do electricity, plumbing and tiles at extra charge through direct contract with them, not through IKEA, but they were quite expensive. You may consider knocking down the kitchen and making the basic preparation (based on IKEA plan) by some local chaps and then have them only deliver and assembly.

Apart from IKEA try INDEX, SB Furniture and Boonthavorn so you get some ideas and reference prices ...

The best time for a coup would be Sunday night ...

Saw a lot of stuff in B2S stores - thus try any Central shopping center (preferably the bigger ones). Also saw some shops long time ago around some technical university, but can't recall location

Looking forward to next NSA leak ... I bet he is on their list

Depends on the land lease. For example Ascott Suites (Sathorn Rd, BKK) has a lease for 99 years so any unit purchased in the building will have approx 85 years lease.

Just to be sure you can use this to calculate 90 days http://www.timeanddate.com/date/dateadd.html

Just a quick question. Does visa extension count as 90 days report? I should report 20 July, but my vise and WP expired 21 July so all documents were with our agent. I got Passport and W/P back around 15 August and just to make sure I sent 90 days notification by post around 17 Aug. - no reply so far ...

Seoul on my list

Ultimate Thailand Happiness Paradise: Pattaya Jet Ski rental on Bondai Beach ...

I used these guys to check my house before i signed contract: http://www.checkcon.com/

Isn't this a reason to invade Hongsawadee again ???

Just go to any clinic and they have a form and get one for about 300 bth

It must be from a hospital. I submitted report from clinic few years back and it was refused. Done the cert. few days back - chest x-ray, blood test for STDs and general check up from a doctor (heart, lungs etc.).

Hi, just curious how long does it take for you (or your agency) to renew WP and what is the cost. I renewed 4 times already (with two different agents) and every time it takes around 2 months and cost approx 30,000 THB (10,000 with receipts) including re-entry permit. One agency asked for 40k and they promised to do within 1 months.

I have no intention to run by myself so just want to know any experience from your side ...

Any hospital will do

I had several shipments sent by the USPS and every time had to pay only 7 THB for some customs paper ...

you may alos try Suan Phueng in Ratburi