moondragon

Hey everyone,

Need some advice.

So.... Im a US citizen in Bangkok for a month. Going to Saigon for a few days in January. If I understand all these posts correctly here's what I have to do to get visa.

1. Go to embassy in Bangkok and pay 2200 baht (about USD 60) OR

2. Get visa letter from online company (approx. USD 10) and then get visa stamp at airport (USD 25).

Is this correct?  Also anyone know if I can pay for visa stamp at airport with USD or do I need Dong?

Cheers,

Michael

Hello,

Does anyone know of a place in Bangkok I can buy a mounting system to put my iPad on a tripod?

Thanks!

Moon

Anyone familiar with a place in Bangkok I could be a mounting device to put my iPad on a camera tripod?

Moon

Hey guys,

In Bangkok for a month and was thinking about picking up the Nikon D300. Can anyone recommend a good shop in town that won't gouge on price?

Cheers,

Moon

hey are these still available?

Hi..

Selling two items as I have purchased a D3.

- Nikon D300, purchased July 2008 - 38,000 THB

- Nikon 18-200m VR, purchased Aug 2008 - 20,000 THB

Both good as new in excellent condition, boxed.

Excellent camera and lens for the 'prosumer'. I love this camera but want to go fullframe, hence the D3.

Sukhumvit Soi 23 area.

Drop me a line if interested.....

hey colonelsing

yeah I'm not planning a negative attack on the Thai police... what I want is some procedural info... for example, the writers of CSI often employee real CSIs as consultant to help get the "procedures" correct (even if its in a fictional setting). There is a long history of cops begin employed as consultants on these types of shows called "police prociedurals"

While my idea is not specifically about the thai police department (I'm not writing CSI:Bangkok or Law and Order: Bangkok) but some of the stories in the TV show will involved the police so I wanted to do some research.

I will check out you author suggestions too! thanks

Moon

I don't think other, critical posters are saying you are with the police, but that the reason for your 'research' has nothing to do with a 'screen play'.

They might be thinking that you are working on a very negatively phrased article for a western publication. If that were the case, any actual help you would receive from anyone in Thailand under false pretenses - e.g. it's just required for a better understanding to write a screen play, everything off the record - could potentially put them in a dangerous position and is an unethical thing to request.

Other reasons for others not buying the story about the screen play would be that you might be looking to actually do engage in unlawful activities and are looking for an entry point to receive additional information.

yeah I know.... it's hard to tell who's legit and who's not even on a cool board like thaivisa...

well I'm learning alot and getting some ideas by just reading people "thai police encounter" stories

It is apparent you are being disingenuous. As a professional writer, you know what this word means. I will be taking no further part in this thread. Could you please provide a link to any screenplays you have had used.

I wish you well in your future endeavours.

how, exactly, am I being disingenuous? I'm just asking questions. Unless you think I am WITH the police and trying to entrap people

hey briggsy,

well I'd be happy to reveal my credentials to you if you are concerned (rather not post blindly into the forum though)

I read the article and I understand that corruption exists, but I find it hard to believe that EVERY policeman/detective in ALL of Thailand is corrupt. Granted - I don't live here fulltime so I may be viewing this through rose-colored spectacles, but the actions of a distant police department (northeastern Thailand) can hardly reflect the norm in all the police departments in Thailand. It would be like saying that a small-town sheriff in the US south who beat up and murdered blacks would be a reflection on police officer in New York City.

Anyway... my 2 baht

The very fact that you would make this request tells me you have no idea what are the possible consequences of an y involvement you may have with the police. Do yourself a favor and forget you ever had this idea. Serpico meets Killing Fields might give you an idea of script direction.

really lanna? is it THAT bad? have you have any experience with the police or is this advice secondhand?

Every police station in Thailand has a local drinking hole. Just hang out there and get to know them. Buying their booze should get them to talk. For example, the cops from Huamark Police Station hang out in the Sophina Karaoke Bar.

Alternatively, if you really wanna get on the inside, apply to become a Tourist Police Volunteer. They'll take virtually anyone. You'll have unlimited access to cops. What a perfect way to research your novel.

Also try reading the reference book, "Guns, Girls, Ganja & Gambling"

hey briggsy

good idea but I know thai only very very nit noi hahaha so i don't know if hanging out in the bar in huamark would help.

the tourist police idea is interesting but I'm only here twice a year for one month at a time

i think I've read GGG&G but wasn't that about Cambodia?

No, you are thinking about "Off the Rails in Phnom Penh". "Guns, Girls, Ganja & Gambling" is a respected academic work on income from illegal activities. You are confused here.

If you can't speak Thai, your options are limited. Sorry I can't help you.

No worries, mate. I'll pick up a copy of GGG&G at Asia Books and check it out. THanks for the tip!

Every police station in Thailand has a local drinking hole. Just hang out there and get to know them. Buying their booze should get them to talk. For example, the cops from Huamark Police Station hang out in the Sophina Karaoke Bar.

Alternatively, if you really wanna get on the inside, apply to become a Tourist Police Volunteer. They'll take virtually anyone. You'll have unlimited access to cops. What a perfect way to research your novel.

Also try reading the reference book, "Guns, Girls, Ganja & Gambling"

hey briggsy

good idea but I know thai only very very nit noi hahaha so i don't know if hanging out in the bar in huamark would help.

the tourist police idea is interesting but I'm only here twice a year for one month at a time

i think I've read GGG&G but wasn't that about Cambodia?

Hey all,

Moon here once again!

Okay since I've been coming here for 5 years I've decided to write a screenplay based in Thailand. It's a crime drama and I need to get some more details about how things work in the Thai police department.

Can anyone help me out with a contact (hopefully a detective of some sorts) in the Bangkok Police Department?

Cheers,

Moon

im a mind of information if u wanna know where to get a motorbike i even know that

HAHA - just walk into a police station and start asking questions about how they do what they do....hmmmmm.... wonder how that would go over hehehe seriously... I've found research of this sort goes much better if you have a personal contact who can introduce you

Hey all,

Moon here once again!

Okay since I've been coming here for 5 years I've decided to write a screenplay based in Thailand. It's a crime drama and I need to get some more details about how things work in the Thai police department.

Can anyone help me out with a contact (hopefully a detective of some sorts) in the Bangkok Police Department?

Cheers,

Moon

Hey all,

I'm looking for some recommendations for a restaurant on the Chao Phraya.... medium pricing is what I'm looking for - not the cheapest and not the most expensivev either

Moon

Hey all,

Has anyone gone through the process lately?

How long does it take? And what is cost? Is there an express option so I don't have to go back to embassy twice?

Ive got US passport and looking to check out Vietnam for first time.

Also, anyone have suggestions on which city to go to in Vietnam for a first-timer?

Cheers,

Moon

Anyone have a recommendation for a good restarant near Lumphini Park (wanna eat then do the night market)

any cuisine is okay as long as it's a decent restaurant

Moon

love KP and would love to have some of my photography shown there...

check out my portfolio at www.onemodelplace.com/moondragon and let me know if you like my work...

I'd especially like to exhibit the LOVE OF MUSIC photos

Cheers,

Moon

I am in the process of opening a small gallery/ wine bar in Koh Phangan to cater to a growing number of tourists looking for more than backpacker ventures.

We are planning to have our opening exhibition on 1st August. In the mean time I am trying to reach out to many of the artists on that list you posted

to invite tehm to submit a piece for the exhibiton. We have room to accomodate anything up to 50 pieces depending on size.

Any one with the capacity to spread this message please do so. I can be reached with a PM for more info until we get our website up.

Hey all,

Heading to Chiang Mai for the first time (need to do a visa run and wanted to stay a few days and see the city)

Need a recommendation for a guesthouse around $20 USD a night... yes I've looked at the pinned Chiang Mai Hotels message, but I was hoping for some "first hand" recommendations

Cheers,

Moon

I'm sure this has been covered somewhere, but a search of the site shows info that is out of date or links to info that are broken.

Any help on this one?

Moon

Hey all,

Need some recommendations for a hotel or guesthouse in Siem Reap.... I needz me some aircon too

thanks

Moon

Does anyone know of any hotels or restaruants doing a riverside dinner for the Royal Barge Procession?

Moon

shit man you're 23...just do it... so what if you get here and hate it... more on to another SEA country? If worse come to worse you can teach English and travel around...

Jump in .... the water's fine... just don't drink it

Okay this might be a longshot but does anyone know where I can buy hemp rope in BKK?

Moon

Hey all,

Any good hang-outs to meet some women and play some pool?

Moon