ontherig

They said they do not issue multiple entry's and would not give me a reason for it.

You could have learned that reading this forum before going to KL.

For multi-entry non-imm "O" you need to go to Savannakhet, Laos.

Indeed. I was in KL for an updated Brunei visa also so not a complete wasted journey.

I'll be going to Savannakhet in January.

It also highlights that KL can't handle the capacity - it's more a warning for all people getting visa in KL.

They are swamped. Suggest you arrive at 08:30 and cross you fingers before they close visa submissions at 11:30

Just spent the morning at KL Thai Embassy applying for my first Non O marriage visa.

I work in Brunei and from the UK. I've lived with my recently married wife in Thailand for the past 4 years.

Got married 3 months ago in BKK. I work on the rigs on a 30 day rotation schedule.

My previous entry in Thailand was on a double entry tourist visa that I got in Brunei.

We got to the KL Thai embassy at 0945, already about 200 people there. (It opens at 09:30)

There's only 4 windows. 1 for issuing passports, 1 for payment and 2 dealing with visa processing.

I'd say 90% of the people there were wanting visas. There were 2 people to deal with them.

The room inside was full and we waited outside, which was also full.

Handed the required documents over at 11:30 requesting a non O marriage multiple entry.

I gave them my thai bank statement with 200,000 in as well as a recent transaction for 100,000 bht.

Copy's of Thai ID card, Marriage Certificate, basically everything they required from the Thai Embassy Website. I waited another hour to make the payment.

They rejected a multiple entry and would only issue a single entry.

They said they do not issue multiple entry's and would not give me a reason for it.

Total joke and waste of time.

Summary - avoid KL for all visas, they can't handle the capacity of people.

I saw a lot of frustrated tourists waiting as well as a few farang Thai couples arguing with the staff there for bad and slow service.

They said I can pick my passport up tomorrow afternoon.

I'm concerned I'll get my passport back in time.

KunMatt - thanks for your info - much appreciated. It seems to me like they're very well organised and set up.

I had the same deal as you with local village builders and their design services - a piece of paper and pencil and 2 questions "how big do you want your house?" - "how much money have you got to spend?" And also the language problems (my fault entirely) - basically the guy spoke to the missis and i sat there like a lemon!

I've been back to Yanvit a few times now to amend / change floor plans. Suporn emails them to me first. He also said he'd take photos and e-mail them when i'm away working. I plan to be around for the majority of the build.

All good so far.

If there was ever a war in Ubon i'd bet the journalists would be staying at the Sunee Grand - I've stayed a couple of times - i'd say it is a typical 4 star hotel with a US type mall stuck on the side, very swish, best pool, biggest rooms, but not so homely - its one of the newest places in Ubon - but not really my style - more of a conference / businessman type place - I've stayed at Phadaeng Mansion many times - free wi-fi, flatscreen TV, smaller rooms, no breakfast, 550bht/night., and close to the park + bar in the evening. If i had a family with kids - i'd stay at Sunee because of the pool + theres a kids fun park / Tesco next door. If no kids...Phadaeng.

I have a friend who used them to build a house in Khemarat about 8 or 9 years ago. From what I heard they were good tradesmen and honoured the contract. Apparently good english skills by the owners of the business.

I am also looking at buying/building when I get back to Ubon in 3 months. Does Yanvit have a new development going on and if so, where abouts is it

Thanks,

Cheers for the info...Went and spoke to Yanvit a few days again.

First impressions were very good. The office is a bit of a mess inside but the owner Suporn was really nice, clued up and spoke good English.

They've been going for 25 years - thats why i was looking at them. He seemed like a very down to earth honest bloke.

I'm not sure if Yanvit do developments - i think just individual houses - mainly bigger 200m+ type houses.

There are a new developments in Ubon - but its a Bangkok company doing them - they have 3 developments but i think they're almost finished - 1 was opposite Toyota Deeyiam (best quality/highest prices), 1 near next to Huay Rang Nong Lake near the airport and another which was just off the 2050 Ubon-Trakan road (cheapest). They have an office on Jangsanit Road near roundabout opposite the university. Prices were 1.2 million 1 floor, 2bed, upto 2.8 million 2 floor, 3 bed. Theres another development by another company on the ring road 231 north-east of the airport - prices were higher @2 to 3 million. In Ubon city its the land prices that are expensive not the house build. (eg - got quoted 3 million baht for 1/2 rai land next to Huay Rang Nong Lake).

Hi everyone,

Anyone use Yanvit Land and House in Ubon?

They have office on the main street of Ubon opposite Robinsons/KFC.

Thanks

If you can read Thai or know somebody who can have a look here....

www.ubonguide.com

Kind of a tough place to drive into (and out).

For a kid that young, your convience should be the primary concern.

The top 3 are:

If you live in the north - Huay Chiaw II (bad spelling. Can't miss the place though)

Central - Assumption

South - Ave Maria

The school in the north has the most falang teachers and the most teachers that actualy have finished Thai universitys.

Assumption has the hottest teachers.

Ave Maria has the most nuns....

all 3 have air conditioning

Thanks kdc ,

We live well south ,Det Udom . This is a major event in our family and will mean finding an apartment in Ubon . It is good to know there are a few options . My son is at a small private school in Det Udom now but I believe this coming term will be his last . I am not in the area at this time and cannot do the footwork and I am interested as to how much money I need to get him started and continuing fees . Am I right in saying the schools are closed until the mid of may ?

Luke

I'd suggest you contact an Aussie bloke called Brunty via his blog - he's a former Assumption teacher - he can give you all the in's and outs about the place and maybe suggest other good schools. Google "issan style" you'll find his blog.

http://isaanstyle.bl...ools-isaan.html

There's a cluster of Garden stores on the Ubon - Trakan Road (not the big ring road) - the back Ubon - Trakan Road close to the big lake.

I saw a couple were selling turf.

I asked the exact same question last week and found these guys.

It was the Toyota dealer that recommended them as they want a sale!

She starts next week so i can't vouch for them - but the prices seem very good.

Course A - 18 hours - 3200 baht (brand new drivers)

Course B - 10 hours - 2500 baht (drivers with some experience)

087-4514675 (Thai speaking only)

They used a manual gearbox but i'm sure they could sort out an automatic.

If your coming from Ubon - past Sunee Grand to Big C - take a right at the big crossroads onto the ring road. (i think the signs are for Trakan)

Its on the left hand side about 200m down - opposite the big Chinese School.

I took a photo of the advert i got from their office (its in Thai) - see attached

my girlfriend once bought a lottery ticket, based on a 3 legged buffalo with 2 sets of genitalia she saw on TV.

she said the baby buffalo was lucky.

i disagreed.

Is it just me or does every Thai seem to dream about lucky lottery numbers and have seen ghosts?

Sometimes both at the same time.

Not seen any myself and never won the lottery.

I've heard some cracking Isaan ghost stories though!

Whats going on?

Good post Ontherig. I'll ask you how to get to your Mun river rafts next time I see you in Enjoy.

PS - be careful - you are publishing more photos of younger sister than you are of your girlfriend

maybe you should ask the bloke who took the photos!

that link isn't my website - its an Oz bloke who lives and teaches in Ubon.

i'm from the UK, i don't teach but live in Ubon.

I love Ubon but if I was there as a tourist for 9 days I would take an excursion to southern Laos for 2 or 3 days. Daily international bus from Ubon bus station through the border to Pakse in Laos (2 to 3 hours). Was a bargain at 200 baht a couple of years ago (update and times anyone?). A night in Pakse (walk around, eat French bistro food and drink Beer Lao; visit a Laos disco if you are that way inclined. Baguettes and Laos coffee for breakfast in the morning and then a trip on the Mekong down to Champusak for the ancient Khmer temple (forerunner to Angkor I think). A 3 to 4 day trip would encompass the lovely 4,000 islands in the lower Mekong but that's probably pushing you out of Ubon too long.

If you are exploring the Thai side of Ubon province first you do not need to go back to Ubon - get to the border and walk half a k from the Laos side to the songthaew bus station. Cheap songthaews - get some Kip at the border (laos currency, not an exhortation to rest up), though they probably will take baht.

Agree re parks and Pha Tem. Also get up early and walk around the areas in Ubon with temples 6:30 to 7:30. Poor man's Chiang Mai at that time of day. Dig out the jungle garden coffee bar in Warin Chamrap - nothing like it in Thailand.

[another Ubon hasher]

+1 for Southern Lao - i've just spent a week there. 200 baht bus Ubon to Pakse (+ $35 visa). Pakse is OK for an overnighter but not worth hanging around. Rented a motorbike in Pakse for 7 days ($8 / day) and drove to Champasak (Temples - @2 hours) and then on to Don Det (another 1 1/2 hours). Don Kon / Don Det and all the Si Phan Don (4000 islands) area is a bit special. Hut on the Mekong / Hammock / Beer Lao. Tat Somphamit (Li Phi waterfalls) / Khon Phapheng waterfalls / Dolphins. Just avoid the stoned backpackers and you'll be set. Lao is the real deal. I guess like Thailand 20 years ago - and the people are great. Cheap as chips. But you have to rough it a bit more compared to Thailand.

Out side Ubon city is better - going east i'd take a 2 or 3 days and go to Kong Chiam (theres a big temple there in a cave) also +1 for Pha Taem area and onto Shrintorn Dam (little Pattaya) near Chong Mek and eat big prawns on the lakeside.

If you go North East - Sam Pan Bok is worth checking also.

If you want Thai nightlife in Ubon then goto the Country Club near Big C at the weekend. Lots of Thais listening to Issan music and getting drunk.

An afternoon sitting / drinking on one of the Mun river rafts eating all sorts is worth doing also - like this fellow :

http://isaanstyle.bl...n-thailand.html

Yes please - if you could PM me the details.

Not having much joy.

Thanks

Ubon Ratchatani Technical College offer driving classes,including organising the driving test.

My wife is attending the College at the moment,not doing the driving course, she can already drive,I'll get her to find out some more information,if you want.

Cheers

There is a guy that takes his clients around Huai WangNong reservoir in Ubon most days. Has a phone number on the rear screen, if l see it will try and get the number. If your around the lake its a gold colour Nissan, l think, that travels at 10mph.

OK thanks - I'm check it out as well

Hi - does anyone have contact details of a Thai driving instructor in Ubon Ratchathani - its for my Thai girlfriend.

Thanks in advance.

I live in Ubon and have stayed there a few times - for the price and location you can't really beat it.

Its close to the park in the evenings for cheap evening food (the stalls are at the southern end) and a bit of exercise.

Also its close to Sam Chai - i rate the best Thai breakfast in Ubon - try the "joke" (rice porridge with pork bits) or "Kai Gretaa" a hangover special (fried eggs in a pan with bits of pork)

Its on the same side as the Phaedeng on the next block down just before the park.

^ That has sold it for me.

Looking forward to the stay now!

I went there again on Friday afternoon - stuffed myself silly along with 6 notable Thai others :

2kg Crab, 3kg big prawns, 1 squid dish, 1 sweet/sour fried sea fish, 2 crab fried rice, 3 big oyster shells, 1 Leo, 1 Bottle of Pepsi.

Check bin khap! - 2600 baht.

Isn't that a fried rice in your pic?

Yes - thats crab fried rice - kao pat poh

Ontherig

I'm not a seafood lover but my wife is though. So do you know they serve others things as well or just seafood?

Thanks,

Chris

Hi Chris - no not really - didn't see much - some Issan food - Som Tam / Laab - but really these are side dishes to the Prawns, Fish and Crab.

Hi there - thought i'd share and recommend a good seafood place i regularly go to - Tor Goong Pow (not sure if thats spelled correctly)

I like big prawns and this is the freshest / best quality i've found in Ubon. The red crab is also fantastic.

The menu is in Thai only and you eat in small huts around a (no exactly picturesque) pond - with fans - no AC.

The crab was 450 bht 1kg (about 3 big crabs). The prawns start at 240 to 320 bht / kg for monster size.

I go here usually in the afternoon / Thur / Fri or Sat. I went on Sunday once and there were no crab left - you've been warned!

Great place to take the visiting Thai family - every time they visit they want to go there!

Its on the left hand side about 3km north of Big C on the big road (212) to Amnat Charoen - 15, 19' 20" N, 104, 49' 58" E opposite Mitsubushi Fuso.

If any other readers can recommend regular Thai seafood outdoor places (not upmarket places - like Smile / Sepp Soi 9 with awful cover bands included) to take the inlaws then please let me know!

I used to eat on Moon river places but they've really gone down hill.

By the way i have no links to this place - i'm just a foody looking for new places to eat.

Thanks

There are 3 other hotels in Ubon with rooms under 1700 that have pools.

Ubon Buri Hotel & Resort:

Pros: Clean rooms, swimming pool

Cons: It is away from the beaten path on the outskirts of town on the way to Warin. But if you have a car

it should be no problem.

Ubon International Hotel:

Pros: Centrally located, access to public transportation, swimming pool, selection of restaurants.

Cons: The rooms aren't the nicest or best kept in town.

Laithong Hotel

Pros: Access to public transportation, nice restaurant, swimming pool

Cons: rooms could use some attention

I won't stay at Ubon International - i've stayed there 1 time (8 months ago) - the room was old, rundown, dirty and worn - the pool was drained - inside it reminded me of "The Shining!" - i stayed 1 night, checked out and moved to somewhere cleaner.

If having a pool is a dealbreaker then Sunee Grand is your best bet. Its the newest and poshest hotel in Ubon.

I've stayed there 3 times before for 1500 baht/night - yes its 4-5 star swank at a 3 star price and the pool /spar is swank central. Even the cheap rooms are big, very modern. Buffet breakfast is good also. It's certainly too good for me! Its brand new and built around a shopping mall - theres Fuji restaurant also.

Downsides - Not very homely, feels very corporate / business / conference like hotel. I can't say i liked the location - as its 2km outside town on a busy road leading to Big C - if you have transport then its no problem. I preferred to stay in a smaller place, nearer to the park close to the local resteraunts.

Theres better value (without swimming pool / no breakfast) - checkout Phadaeng Mansion (500 baht), Nartsiri Mansion(700) and Pan House (550 baht). All nice / modern / clean and a bit more low key - i've stayed at them all.

Oh come on ontherig, wise up (or wake up and smell the coffee!!) This MarcoH started the thread for one reason, and one reason only and that was to "stick it" to Andrew and Peppers.

I know barryp and ubontime and they are definately, definately not the same person and they defianetly have nothing to do with the ownership of Peppers.

If MarcoH wants to hijack the forum to try to get one better over the aforementioned coffee shop then he had better realise that his intended target has many friends and support and his shenanigans are tantamount to "trolling". Incidentally neither I nor Barry has seen Andrew for a while and as far as I am concerned he has nothing to do with the puerile posting of which I am as guilty as Marco.

Right; it's raining, I'm off to Pantae for a cup of their finest cappuccino and a slice of strawberry mousse cake ..... the best in Ubon

Happy Days guys, life's too short for such pettiness.

Ok - thanks Bergen for the information and apologies to barryp and ubontime for my comments above.

Obviously too much politics i'm unaware of in the coffee shop world of Ubon!