Sporting Dog

I stayed at the Orchid Beach resort (http://www.khaolakorchid.com/)

It was OK - nice adjoining rooms overlooking the pool - walk of less than 50 metres to the beach, no road between the hotel and beach. The hotel is at the end of the road so no passing traffic.

Very quiet, beach was OK, a little muddy but I think it depends on the time of the year, not as good as Kata and the nicer beaches around Phuket but we'd have the place almost to ourselves. It was in May I think, so not in high season, the hotel was fairly quiet.

We caught a taxi from Phuket airport - the best thing to do is hire a car at the airport and drive yourself. (Taxi 1000baht each way - a car costs about that much per day and then you can get around a bit). We hired a car once we got to the hotel - Avis or one of the other big companies - they delivered it to us. Very handy for a couple of trips to the waterfalls, dinner/lunch etc at nearby places (much cheaper than the hotel) and just looking around.

I liked the place - there's not heaps to do but the kids liked the pool and it was good for walks along the beach. Nice and relaxing - I'd go again.

There were lots of brochures for trips to the Similans - 1 or more days, so easy to get to but I think it also depends when you are going.

I stayed at the Continental Hotel - It was OK with a sort colonial charm. Big rooms, not a bad position. Dunno about WiFi tho.

I booked an airfare with Singapore Air - required to produce the CCard on departure but it will have expeired by then.

They said either sign forms or bring it prior to expiry date - a hassle - OR show up at the airport with a Credit Card monthly statement with my name and address on it. (the new card will be different expiry date and CCV number).

Hopefully there won't be any problems.

I got stuck in a taxi in traffic on Suk and missed the last flight from Don Muang to Khon kaen, so I got the taxi driver to drop me off in Khon Kaen..

I have done the same thing as the OP but I am in Perth.

My wife's 10 year old daughter arrived earlier this year. She had functionally NIL english ability. We enrolled her into a IEC program (Intensive English Program) - these are self-contained units within an existing primary school. The Immi Dept gave us info about these - as education is a State Govt issue I don't what is the equivalent in NSW.

The school has been brilliant - now, she can speak English enough to converse with everyon and is improving all the time. She really loves going to school. It has great teachers and facilities. (I think my wife is quite 'blown away' by the support the govt, school and teachers have given, for free!! I am quite proud that the Aussie Govt provides this support for new migrants). We're hoping after one year in the IEC she will be ready to enter into the normal school system. If she isn't ready to enter the mainstream school she will continue in the English program until she is. The IEC is part of a normal Primary School so they have lots of interaction with other aussie kids on a daily basis - sports, excursions, activities etc.

Make the effort to suss out what is available, and go and talk to the schools that are recommended by Immi and Govt agencies. We nearly missed out on a place because demand can be quite high but I was told that all entries on TR and PR are eligible for Intensive English Programs, but it wouldn't be too good if you have to wait for months to get in.

We got copies of all her academic records etc from her thai school but they will assess the kids here as they progress through the year. I thought it would be a good idea for daughter to start learning English in Thailand before she came here but its a bit of a waste really. Most thai kids learn very little at their schools and even special classes don't achieve a lot in a short time (I taught english in Thailand too). There's not a lot of incentive to learn or opportunity to speak English in thailand so its a real battle - but not something to be concerned about if she can't speak before she arrives.....Kids pick up language SO quickly when they are immersed into a culture!!

The whole thing has been a breeze - I was like you and hadn't been near an Australian Primary School since I attended as a student.

Good Luck

I had the same problem....and got around it by supplying individual postal correspondence that had one of our names, date and address on it, then they could could see that we were living together etc at the same time.

One thing I was able to do quickly was to make her the beneficiary of my superannuation - I rang them and they sent a letter out immediately stating the change.

I think I also stated in the application (it was for the PR) that we did everything together but maintained separate bank accounts, etc because it was easier that way. Had no queries from Immi.

hang around the food shops My wife has met quite a few in Freo (cantonment st shop mentioned above). Just need to meet a couple and very quickly she'll be intro'd into the wider thai eating/ talking circles.

My wife has been to the one mentioned by the OP - she said it was OK....which is the best she has ever said about any thai restaurant in Perth. Not that we have been to many - when she first visited we went for thai and she was shocked at the quality and the price. After living and visiting LOS I haven't bought any decent thai food in Perth, tho' I'm sure there must be some.

Luckily my wife is a good cook so we don't need to eat out at thai restaurants, we go to others which she likes. Aslo she gets together with her friends and they cook stuff that is just delicious!!

I have stayed at the Somerset Park SuanPlu or Somerset Lake point with

my wife and family (2 kids). See below for an outline of a two bedroom apartment at SuanPlu (near Aus Embassy on Sathorn).

https://www.somerset.com/en/thailand/bangko...rk_suanplu.html

2 bedrooms with a separate living area and kitchen.1 King size bed, 2 single beds, 2 bathroom.IDD telephone facilities, TV with cable channels, DVD player with CD and MP3 capability, hair dryer, clock,refrigerator,microwave. 100sqm

King and 2 single beds- Full buffet breakfast for 4 pax , daily maid service, scheduled Tuk Tuk service to nearest BTS, free use of gymnasium, free limited internet. Extra breakfast at B235pp for childred below 6 years old are free of charge. Prepayment upon booking is required and non-refundable.

THB 3,488.00 x 1 Night

Display Rates

• Rates are per Residence in Thailand Baht (THB)

• Rates subject to 5% service charge

^ yes, you're right but the weather is still warm - I've been there a few times around then and its been OK - rain, then sunshine.

I was rapt that there were some waves for a bit of body surfing....jeez I even hired a surfboard a couple of times. Whenever I've been to Hua Hin the beaches have been very ordinary - shallow and muddy and jellyfish.

Phuket beaches are better than the others....with a girlfriend I'd stay at Kata or Karon beach rather than Patong, much nicer beaches. I'm going to Kata in Sept - probably stay at the Kata Beach Resort which is ON the beach...could be a problem if there's a tsunami but we'll risk it. It will be fairly quiet but you can always go to Patong. If you feel up to it, hire a car - it won't be any more expensive than the tuks-tuks (which are ripoffs). Also means you can have alook atthe island a bit. Driving is not that difficult in LOS.

Taxi/ mini-bus from the airport - no cheap way, they're all crooks and set the prices so there's no room for bargaining. Just exit and they'll find you!!.

Don't worry about the scams - just smile and don't do anything that you would'nt do in your home town (like steal the beer mats, buy drugs on the street etc, etc)

My wife did the same thing.

We went back to Khon Kaen and got the father to sign a document giving permission for daughter to leave LOS and live in Aus. The statement was witnessed and certified at the local amphur. Then it was down to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for transalation and certification. Then the statement and other docs (application from Immi website etc) was submitted to the embassy in BKK. Also daughter had to have another medical as it had been a while since the previous one as part of my wife's application.

The addition was granted and we went back to get her about three monthds later - Aus Immigration was helpful, they actually delayed my wifes permanent visa so daughter could be added (or else it would have been a whole new application process). Daughter arrived in Oz in feb this year and was granted a permanent visa (with my wife) a couple of weeks after arrival.

The process wasn't difficult but was a bit of messing around with govt offices etc.

Good Luck

The Somerset Park in Suan Plu is OK.

Maybe its a little too pricey but they have 1, 2 or 3 room suites. I like staying there.

For example:-

25% off Best Available Rate-3-Bedroom Premier Special Offer

Separate living area & kitchen.1 King size bed,2 single beds+2 single beds,3 bathrms. IDD phone,TV (cable channels), DVD player with CD & MP3,hairdryer,clock,refrigerator, oven,microwave.240sqm.Our 3 bdrm units come only in classic style

Full buffet breakfast for 6 pax , daily maid service, scheduled shuttle bus service to financial district and nearest BTS, free use of gymnasium. Extra breakfast at B235pp for children below 6 years old. Prepayment upon booking is required and non-refundable.

THB 5,344.00 x 3 Nights Display Rates

• Rates are per Residence in Thailand Baht (THB)

• Rates subject to 5% service charge

https://www.somerset.com/en/thailand/bangko...rk_suanplu.html

There's a couple of others in BKK - Lake Point is a bit cheaper but not as good.

I flew from Perth to BKK - actually booked it that way - on Tiger. Had to get baggage and go thru immigration in Singapore and then back thru departures and checkin. (at 3.30 am it was a pain in the ass).

Tiger are point to point carriers - that way if they are late and you miss a connection they can shrug their shoulders.

^^ I have just bought some tickets via Visa with Singapore Air for travel in September. In the interim the card will expire and I'll be automatically sent a new one. I mentioned this when I made the booking (over the phone) and they very explicitly told me that I must present the card when I check and it must be VALID - which of course I can't do. They then told me I would have to go to a Singapore Air office before the card expired and fill out some paperwork to take with me when I checked in. A bloody hassle but what can you do??

I will check again and see if a new Credit Card (same name, same number, different ccv and expiry date) will be adequate cos I can't be arsed going to their office.

My wife spoke to her cousin and brother yesterday - we are in Australia, they are in the suburbs of BKK, and LomSak respectively. Neither knew anything about the unrest in BKK!!!

<deleted> ME!!!!!!

^^ I was implying that IF there was political instability in other countries such as Vietnam, tourists would be more concerned. 'would be' which implies future possibility. And no I'm not saying that it is going to happen in the future.

There are great airfares available now - I don't know the data but I would think that Thailand gets many repeat visitors. And many of those that have visited previously would probably not feel too threatened by the political instability.....certainly not as much of a worry as instability in Cambodia, Vietnam would be.

I think the tourism industry will do relatively OK - the global downturn will probably have a bigger impact than the political situation.

Singapore Air have got a bit of a sale on at the mo'

I bought 3 x return tickets PER-SIN-BKK for AUD790 - inc tax, during the school holidays at the end of Sept. So less than AUD2300.00 total - Thai quoted AUD 3500 for the same on their website and SQ is far better than thai.

I had a VERY realistic dream that I too worked at a school where these imaginary things happened. The imaginary inspector gets around a bit too - and is perhaps the only thai I've met who arrives exactly when scheduled!!

^ yes, they sleep in king size beds, between silken sheets with women so stunningly beautiful it would make you weep.!

I was in Thailand recently and had dinner with some friends of my Wife. The youngest daughter had a visa application in to come to Sydney, Oz for 3 yrs to study and also do some 'thai massage'. She has paid a lot of money (all that she has and more) and genuinely believes that this is a great opportunity for her to study and make lots of money. She is scared but grasps at the dream that has been sold to her.

I voiced my concerns - her friends and family are very concerned but the small chance it might be the golden opportunity attracts them all greatly. I don't believe that there are well paid jobs for girls doing thai massage!!!?? and I don't believe that there is any need to bring them in from Thailand to do it..... You know what I am saying.

These girls are naive (despite being University educated) and poor and really want to believe that they will get rich and life will be easy, but I fear they will be exploited - and worse. We have told her that if she does get to Australia, to contact us if she has problems - we are on the other side of the country. But I fear that we will be able to do very little - and I don't know what influence these sort of people (the agents) have back in Thailand. I really hope that the govt knocks back her visa application - it will crush her but I can't help but think it will be the best in the long run.

You can add a dependant onto a spouse visa (309) up to point it is finalised (ie two years after arrival). I have just done it and I didn't have to pay any extra fees for subclass 445 (didn't pay $160??).

My wifes daughter has just joined us - after we sent in the paperwork to make her 309 permanent, but before it has been granted. The only extra cost was another medical for the daughter - she had one back in 06 before my wife first came out and then another one when we did the 445 in 08..

the Dept in Oz has been very understanding and helpful with regard to the late addition - even to the point of holding the final decision until daughter got into the country so she could be part of my wife's original applicaton.

I should imagine it would be quite a nice scenic trip too....lots of islands down there.

I hope that 100k per yr with Emirates is wrong....thats 8.5k per month!!!

Also you say her BA is in English - you mean it is a major in English (why does she need to study to get a decent TOEIC score) or that it is BA with a major that was taught in English? Actually either way you would expect her English should be pretty reasonable if she passed either. (but then TIT....... I've met Thai Masters of English who could barely string a sentence together, and I've studied with Thai MBAs in Australia who've passed the entry requirements with VERY limited language abilities!!!)