crazygreg44

i want to see the first tourist who gets charged 100,000 Baht for smoking

better . .gets thrown in jail for one year and his wife can fly back home alone

I want to see what the embassy of said tourist is going to do about it.

and I want to see how long it takes for the world media to make Thailand laughing stock, laughing out so loud it will rock the moon

so much stupidity and fail on addressing the REAL problems on these beaches, on the infrastructure of their resorts and all that really matters,  leaves me speechless

8 hours ago, Beats56 said:

Getting real tired of these brake failure trucks. Don't they know that you gear down. Don't they have brake inspections.  Don't the drivers have proper training. The answer to all these questions is a big fat NO!

3000 road deaths this year...how far can they go?!!

 

didn't you read the news correctly? This must be a big fat NO for you.

It's not 3000 road deaths this year, but 3000 more road deaths this year on top of the already 24.000  road deaths for 2017, compared to 2016 

and never ever in any of these reports I read the Thai police saying "he should have used low gear in a downhill slope instead of standing on the brakes all the time"

maybe they are standing on their brains as well?

what a reply post 45 is!!   First, the english-speaking majority in this forum spell it "Eesarn" as "Isaan" is for the german speaking folk. Second, I live in the Eesarn for almost 10 years, after having lived in greater Bangkok, Supan Buri and Hua Hin for 11 years, and I love it.  However it would be bold to say that the attractions of this "Isaan" place go very far beyond the friendly folk, the beautiful temples, scenic waterfalls and the yearly Loi Krathong festival. Maybe the tenfold fees for foreigners in their National Parks, their ultra-safe roads, the highly recommended educational schools and the burning sweltering piles of plastic & batteries in the villages need to be addressed as the greater achievements of this region.  The rest of the year all over the Eesarn it is "Life as usual" and this doesn't mean they rise & shine every day. There is lots of misery going on in the villages and it needs rose-tinted glass bearers for not seeing them.

The person here who does not know anything about the real life in the Eesarn must obviously be you. I have stayed in good hotels, in cheap hotels, in expensive hotels and in filthy hotels. I have had my share of experience, yet. I have slept in "good" hotels where the shower head was live with electric current, that's why I mentioned it. Each year I have spent the Loi Krathong festival in a different place! Myself I don't intend to live in this rubbish bin called Pattaya, I do not hang around in bars nor do I intend to do so in the future. I have lots of good thai friends with whom I can participate in normal life. However myself I tend to see the lovely Eesarn and its people through Non-Tinted glasses for what it really is . . . a little set-back backwater place with lots of issues that still need to be addressed

there 's no doubt about that vetted interests are behind all these surveys we get to read, and I always maintain them at my fingertip - daring not to touch the hot pieces, mainly those that claim insurmountable "facts".

"the best, the most, the fastest"  is always to be seen in the relativity of all affairs that surround it, and most media notions fail in capturing all facts in one article.  The survey we are discussing here raises a few questions,  mainly in the way the statisitcs have come to the reported conclusions, and the questioning is not very surprising in regard of other surveys which tend to emerge from the media jungle, telling contrary "facts"  because different interests behind them are the main layout factor. I tend to draw a median through the story after having checked relevant information instead of siding with the one opinion or the other much too short-heartedly.

eine schoenen guten Tag wuensche ich Ihnen . . . . !

you can be sure, in Eesan you still find those cozy hotels where you almost get electrocuted during taking a shower

this not so rare occurence counts as one of the adventures of the Eesan . . .  

a lot of things have gone for the better, but a lot of things have just stayed the same

Thus said, another obvious fact hit my mind . . . . . 

After having seen the the zillionth waterfall and the thousandth cliff and the umpteenth temple, the highlights of the Eesan will soon dissolve & dissapear in the eye of the viewer . . . . . 

12 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

 Post #5

Yes I read that post CrazyG what is the point they keep saying that it isn't a tourist report--isn't tourist numbers---and you keep coming back with either tourist or 4 year old reports. You must have had some difficulties at school CrazyG....did you use to put in a maths test paper to the English master ?

 

The only other thing you just keep completely ignoring is THIS ISN'T T.A.T

How many times do they have to print that.

I already know this, the survey wasn't done by TAT

However, the surveyor RELIED on and USED  TAT official numbers, this is obvious

I kindky ask you to read the five links I dug up for you in response to your rant, in post No. 17

if this doesn't fill your needs I think I am unable to help you

2 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

I have posted so many CrazyGreg...the report is from the internet......oh your the guy with the 4 year old internet link like showing BKK wasn't top 4 years ago....... I take it that other "Secret up to date Source"  you have has disappeared......just amazing CrazyG

Did you read post Number 17 ??

I have posted FIVE links

all very up-to-date ( 2016 and 2017 )

9 hours ago, sanuk711 said:

You use it for us Wakeupplease...... Show us all what a great world conspiracy we are living under here.

Any credible link will do....Then we will all just have to shut... or ..Vice Versa

why don't you use the internet and compare?

I don't look up conspiracy sites, as they can easily be sorted, among them TAT statistics 

while Bangkok is a busy city, I would rather side with some of the posters who think that TAT numbers don't fit . .  . . . . have ever fit . . . . .are mastered only by crooked statistics 

While Bangkok is the main gate of entry for tourists who visit Thailand,  i don't doubt a number in the 25-30 million range.   However they don't arrive for Bangkok only, they travel on to the beach destinations. Contrary to this, Paris visitors come for Paris and these are in the 30+ million range. And we can see that France attracts 83 million foreign tourists, a number Thailand will never reach

9 hours ago, sanuk711 said:

What other source CrazyGreg..??????  Love to see the one that isn't 4 years old

I live in Thailand!  I do not know your problem of being unable to open these links. I post this from my living place in Thailand!

What is the internet for you? If you only take your time and search & compare, you need not to post any ridiculous questions to me. 

So I  have dug up for you a few more links that are less out of date, which show 2016 and 2017 figures

 http://en.rfi.fr/france/20170221-paris-and-its-region-have-lost-15m-tourists-2016

“Paris remains the top tourist destination in the world” :

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/paris-tourist-numbers-drop-franch-terror-attacks-further-charlie-hebdo-bataclan-shooting-isis-a7592836.html

a 30 August 2017 figure:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/paris/articles/visitor-figures-hit-ten-year-high-in-paris-as-tourists-defy-terrorism-and-trump/

Figures released this week by the Regional Tourism Authority (CRT) for the first half of 2017 suggest Paris and the surrounding  Île-de-France region are on course to hit a ten-year tourism high

Hoteliers in the Paris region registered 16 million guests for the first half of this year – the highest number for the same period in the past decade – while visitors to the city and Île-de-France region rose by 14.6 per cent.

for France it was 83 million tourists:

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy/economic-diplomacy-foreign-trade/facts-about-france/one-figure-one-fact/article/france-the-world-s-leading-tourist

Paris rank in overnights figures compared to European Cities:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/314340/leading-european-city-tourism-destinations-by-number-of-bednights/

As you can see, even LONDON tops that!

just found this:

Paris has once again scooped the top spot as the most popular tourist destination in the world.

Some 32.3 million people visited France's City Of Light in 2013, with the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame Cathedral all huge draws

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2578198/Paris-named-tourist-destination-world.html

I always was aware that  Paris alone drew more tourists than the the whole of Thailand would, in one year.

okay this were the 2013 numbers. . .but . . .

another source says for 2016, that despite the terror attacks, Paris was back to 16,3 million tourists in the first half year (!!!)  

so WHO came up with this survey??

the shipping company can actually forward all your stuff through Thai customs, as long as the shipping list of goods doesn't raise any eyebrows at the thai customs.

The price for a shipping company always is for the transport from doorstep to doorstep, and they will guarantee this price.  What they cannot guarantee is the probability of customs fees charged by thai customs authorities.  I hope this meets your understanding !

i have a recommendation for an experienced  german shipper who will probably can offer you a deal for Switzerland to Bangkok and beyond via a german port . . . I suggest you call for more information 

check their site

https://www.pangaeacargo.com/de/

On 5.11.2017 at 6:33 AM, sqwakvfr said:

I got my Non-Imm O-A from the LA Consulate in Feb.  For me it was a simple process(others will disagree).  If you are in LA now you might consider getting the O-A there.  The 3 key things are completing the following:

On 5.11.2017 at 6:33 AM, sqwakvfr said:

 

 

 

Presented the application packet on a Thursday morning in person and I picked up my passport with the O-A Extension of Stay at 1030 on Friday morning.

 

 

 

 

you picked up your Non-Imm-OA visa and not the OA-extension of stay.

You still have to apply for the extension of stay based on retirement at the Immigration Office in Thailand at the location of where you stay

5 hours ago, glegolo said:

you shall NOT talk about medical cert. so categoricly. I have had 9 extensions now in a row, and NEVER had to show any med.cert.... Never...

 

Glegolo

. in the first years after my first extension of stay, I wasn't asked for medical certificates.

It however started 4 years ago at the Sisaket Immigration that I was asked for one.  I went to a doctor who looked me up from shoe to head and asked how I feel?  I said I feel okay & fit.  He handed me the certificate and i paid 100 Baht.   

Maybe the lady at the Immigration desk didn't trust my sterility after seeing my tattoos ?

the information given in the link to an english text of the Thai Embassy in Germany in post number 8, is outdated regarding the financial requirements and some others 

here the up to date requirements:

http://thaiembassy.de/site/index.php/konsularwesen-visa-beglaubigungen/wie-man-ein-visum-beantragt

scrolling down, in german language it says:

NON-IMMIGRANT-O VISA A : (365-day stay) only available at the Thai Embassy in Berlin or at the Thai Consulate General in Frankfurt 

Please note that holders of this visa must report to the immigration office in Thailand every 90 days. The visa is valid for 1 year from the date of issue (date of submission of the documents). During this period, the visa holder must have arrived in Thailand. Upon entry, the visa holder receives a residence permit of 365 days. If a departure and re-entry is planned during the validity of the visa (date on the visa sticker on "enter before"), the visa holder receives a new right of residence of 365 days on re-entry.  

Pensioner:

• 1 fully completed visa application + 2 copies: the exact address of at least one accommodation (exact number of house number, street, postcode and city) and one or a contact person guarantor in Germany must be stated)   
• Passport in original (must be valid for at least 18 months)
• 3 copies of the first page of the passport
• 3 biometric passport photos
• Copy of the flight confirmation
• 3 copies of the annuity notice with a monthly amount of at least 1.500, - Euro (65.000, - Baht) / original must be presented
• if this amount is not met, additional assets of at least 20,000, - Euro (800,000, - Baht): 3 copies of the bank statements of the last 3 months)
• Health certificate from the family doctor / may not be older than 3 months (original + 2 copies) Only this form will be accepted  
• simple police certificate / may not be older than 3 months (original + 2 copies)
• Curriculum Vitae (original + 2 copies)
• The applicant must be at least 50 years old   
• Visagebühr
• in the case of foreign passports (non-German applicants) in addition: copy of the registration confirmation (registration office) / copy of the residence permit

if he goes the route to apply for an extension of stay based on retirement in January,  Thai Immigration is known of having skipped the home country police report. However he will need a medical certificate which can be obtained from a thai doctor or hospital

I wasn't aware that an US Dollar account in a Thai bank can be used for the 800K method.  Thanks for clarifying

am I wrong to assume that the bus rode into her from behind (due to failed brakes or a negligent driver?)  instead of her hitting it when the bus "passed" ?

have you or your friend already registered you at this address, using the TM-30 form? If not, I would immediately do it before anything else.

If the two of you had missed it previously, you can expect a fine for not complying with the requirement to register at an address within 24 hours of arrival.

For registering with a filled out TM-30, you will need something like a rental contract or a written statement of your friend in both Thai & English that you live in his house for free (be aware if he "rents" it out to you for money, he is probably violating tax laws)

Next then is your application for a conversion from a SETV to a Non-Imm-O  . . . . . so be courteous and friendly, pay the fine, look fit to kill (clean dress & sober) and come in good manners

Yes you can do an application for a 1-year extension based on retirement before your current Non-Imm-O expires. You should preferably start do so some 10-14 days before January 29.

This will allow you some extra time, should they ask for a medical examination or this or that extra paperwork like proof of residence.  

In case you do not qualify for the income method, you must have a minimum of 800,000 THB on a Thai Bank account in your sole name.  The account must never have gone under the sum of 800,000 during two months before you application for an extension of stay.

You will need your bank to issue you their official "bank letter" or "guarantee letter" one day before or preferably the same day you are doing the application.

This means, you should have said money in Thai Baht in your thai bank account until  29 th of November minus 10-14 days in November, to allow the two months ripening period to set in from this date on.  This makes November 19 th the start for the countdown 

In case you do the income method, you must get an affidavit plus a translation in thai from the German Embassy in Bangkok, which certifies your monthly income as being 65,000 plus, until the application date.

In case you do the combination method of income and funds, the funds also must be in the account two months before the date of your application

i once was served a spiked drink by two freelancers. When I  woke up around 6am I probably felt like this guy!  However due to my physical sturdiness I avoided to collapse and went about my business

I was flat out surprised, the freelancers had fleeced me completely, but left me in my clothes and with a last 100 THB bill ! Probably wanted to make sure i could take a taxi back to my hotel.  

Thank you velly mutt!

Robin Hood's sister out meeting a Mr. Good Heart? Who, me?

guess this guy wasn't even close to a taxi bill with the 20 Baht note left to him . .whadda pity but that's what you can expect after a long night out in the jungle . . .

in many offline shops, you can never be sure if the phones are originals!  Buying at Tesco Lotus is safer, and they also grant full warranty. Lazada will not allow copies to be sold through their online shop, which gives you some peace of mind.  Another trusted shop is https://www.invadeit.co.th/  for electronics & phones, i have bought numerous smartphones by them already, paid by paypal and there never was an issue

at Jaymart online shop you need to be able to read thai, also on their website there is no search function!  I wonder how they think you find anything you are looking for

descending from Khao Yai towards Kabin Buri, all truck and bus drivers who use the road are on their brakes constantly . . . .. their red brake lights clearly indicating it

shame that in Thailand, getting a permit for driving large vehicles, does not include a lesson on how to use the gears to support braking on a downhill road.  

The amulets are still too big!

you can buy an extension plus the single re-entry permit for 1900 plus 1000.

You can do 3 re-entries and still have saved 800 THB against buying the multi re-entry permit.

Only after 4 re-entries, the money you paid out for a multi re-entry saved you 200 THB, against using single re-entries only

12 minutes ago, Jim P said:

Actually come to think of it he has saved 100thb. 1900 for the single extension plus two trips aboard requiring re-entry permits at 2000thb, total 3900thb

wrong again.

If he bought a multi re-entry permit, his costs would have been 1900 for the extension and 3800 for the Multi Re-Entry permits. Sums up to 5700 THB total.

If he only bought the extension and a single re-entry permit, it would cost him 1900 + 1000 = 2900 THB.

A second single re-entry permit at the airport costs 1000 THB, adding up to his already spent 2900 totals 3900.- Baht. 

Against 5700 THB this is a saving of 1800 THB , not only 100.- !