challenger99

Don't be shocked many Asean Member country increase his prices because the think the money grow on the threes in our country. Indonesia, exactly Bali (Denpasar) increased the airport taxes when you leave from 150'000 to 200'000 IDR per person !!!The only country who decreased the airport taxes is Philippines from 1650 PHP to 650 PHP in Manila and between Manila to Cebu no more.

Blind maker, they take us as stupid and dumb?

They think collect 10 Billion THB but say have to spend 200 - 300 Million for foreigner!! Where is going the difference?

How many % of foreigners (tourist) really will touch this "pot", most have own travel insurance! It's a shame for Thailand, to steal more and more money from tourists beside the increase of prices ... would say since 6 years more than 20%! As I read, they plan also increase the airport tax with 200 Bath (probable hidden in the ticket) ... why we have to pay for bad made runways which always are under repair? Where all this money go in true???

I paid around 4500 baht ($150 US) at the Vietnam embassy in bangkok for a 3 month multiple entry visa in the first half of 2013, although I agreed to pick it up the next day becuase I was unaware of the normal service option.

Does anyone think I was overcharged?

Since I can't find the prices posted online or at the embassy I cant tell if I was scammed or not. The clerk a tthe embassy was not helpful as far as explaining fees, just spit out a price basically.

you wasn't scammed but taken ... the price is for express service. I would say because most traveler use e-visa service the embassy in Bangkok haven't enough work to issue visa so they make you on a express way even you don't ask!!! It is true, all Vietnamese Embassy toke out the price list of his WEB to be flexible and catch you and others. Use e-Visa and all fees are clear !!!

Beside since 1st November it seem a new law exist and you can't extend your 3 month visa anymore, you have to leave the country and apply for a new visa! It seem they copy the Thai style which was the practice few years ago.

right, it can be per day or if per month is missing a ZERO at the end, my dog pay even more !!! or it is the price to us the swimming pool :-)

No limitation. After three months, you can eve apply for a five year exemption.

Yes, totally wrong!!!! 5-year exemptions are if you are married to a Vietnamese but even them you cannot stay longer than 3 months at a time. Unlike tinhead this is from personal knowledge as it is exactly the visa I used to have. I now live in Cambodia and have no problem obtaining a 6-months, multiple-entry, visa here. However, I do believe rules have changed just this week but I am not sure in how far this affects visas as I have not actually seen the new degree yet.

yes hanno as you say, you can't stay longer then 3 month (I travel ti Vietnam too since 4 years at all ca. 25 time). If you have a 6 month multiple (for this not exist in the past a single month visa) you had to do a visa run it mean leave the country for few hours. But I heard (I heard not proven and I will check next month) now you can report to the immigration instead run out each 3 month - 3 month not 90 days as in Thailand),

The information by "tinhead" is wrong be careful.

You can aplay as much you want 3 month visa or alternative extend when you are in the country.

A 5 year excemtion you can get if you go married with a vietnamese, otherwise only dream.

At the moment the only organisation as I will link can manage you a 6 month multiple visa which you can extent to 3 by 3 month.

Have a look here you get many answer http://www.vietnamvisacorp.com/faqs.html

http://www.vietnamonline.com/az/permanent-residence-application.html

Vietnam don't know retirement visa etc. and the visa fees are much more expensive then in Thailand.

Myself I will moe next month forever to Vietnam and know how hard is the nut to open!!

If tinhead is sure what he say he shoule show the "text from immigration" of what he say and not make run blind the people in a private disaster !!!

I can't say for sure about Laos, but I've crossed about 50 land borders with a motorcycle.

Not sure what your car passport is - I had a Carnet de Passage document, had a page for each border crossing. Its a Customs document, not an immigration document (passport). Had 2 perforated tear-off portions on each page, a third portion that remained in the Carnet document.

You're looking for customs office usually - not in immigration office itself, maybe same building, but usually a separate place after you go through immigration. They'll stamp top portion in the "entry" area, and remove the bottom portion (usually, not always, but if not, they fill out their own form and retain that) for their records.

The 2nd tear off portion is removed when you exit the country; they stamp the top portion again in the exit section. Stamp on entry, stamp on exit.

When I was done and returned vehicle to home, I returned the completed Carnet to the issuing office to get my "deposit" returned. They look at every page used (you should have some unused pages) for every country entered, for a stamp in, stamp out. If something's missing, they'll keep it until somehow it is cleared up, or they may contact the country, give them some or all of your deposit, depending on their customs duty.

Hope this helps.

when I read your description "qdinthailand" I believe for car and motorbike is different. For car you have the violet ITP some people call them also as passport for car and they just stamp in this the entry and when you come back. This violet ITP has a paper beside in size A4 which is just a translation of your "green book"! There was never request for any deposit, guarantee or addition insurance! But you must be owner of car!!!

The exact procedure is ... your drive as close as possible to the immigration both get your stamp in personal passport and walk to the next booth for car declaration. If everything finish you take care and at the exit you show to the custom officer the stamped papers. After on Lao side they just make his own paper for which they ask a fee less 100 Bath! That's it.

Some national as me even no need any LAO visa and this is he moment we could forget let stamp the personal passport it's clear for me now.

attached some page of violet ITP and translation of green book which have be shown together

You need use only one "T" sticker ... up to you if you want stick behind (if you have a pick-up with cab) inside at the read window or at the front window (but not in the dark anti sun part, will be not visible from outside or you stick the "T" at your back at the car body. No specified rule.

First time when you come to the border you have to fill our few papers and the lady copy this into the computer. So if you come again next time just show the violet ITP, they stamp, print out the form and you go. For the printed paper you pay few bath (I not remember but less 100). This was on Friendship bridge Nong Khai

Chong Mek is in Ubon Ratchathani Province in Isan, if they have already computer certain will be same procedure!

Have a good trip

P.S: take care that they also stamp your passport, it's not the same officer otherwise you can get in trouble when you come back, it happen once to me, I had only stamped ITP when I left

Actually if they have free airport transfer they would mention it but agoda either doesn't report it.

Here's the thing. Most tourists to bkk or thailand would use the websites dedicated to hotels like agoda, expedia and so on.

Let's not forget there are like 700 over hotels in bkk alone now obviously some of these tourists are going to get ripped off.

Anyway i book my hotels mostly throught agoda so far never seen them talk about airport transfer costs but assume that would cost you 500-1000 bht or more. Cheaper to just take a taxi with the forigner prices unless you go with a thai friend or speak thai well enough to negotiate.

Actually i feel that as a foreigner you deserve to just get ripped off.

U see i called my hotel to ask about airport to hotel prices and she quoted me some very expensive price and told me you can just take a taxi and quoted me 300-400 THAI bht from swampy to ratchada area i instantly knew those were foreigner prices cos it doesn't cost 300-400 bht to travel from ratchada to the airport or vice versa. It's not that far for the meter to quote those prices.

Where is the real problem? I go to the ground floor in Suvarnabhumi and take the BTS to the nearest place of my hotel and from the BTS station a taxi ... such cost me 45 Bath BTS plus maybe 60 - 100 for Taxi. Just avoid take taxi straight at the airport with the Farang prices! Same I do when I have to go for Don Mueang; to and from Mo Chit I use BTS, if low luggage bus 25 to airport for 10-15 Bath or if much luggage Taxi.

Best is if you find a Hotel via AGODA or SAWASDEE etc. if there is not written if airport transfer is free or on charge do as I do, go direct to the Hotel WEB and check it. Have many hotels around Suvarnabhumi which offer free transport.

Also it depend often how many night you stay in hotel. Around airport 1 night is okay, if you go to down town they ask 2 or more nights stay.

Anyway I made bad experiences with the booking WEB as AGODA, even if I ask for airport transfer often NOBODY wait me at airport. So I check first Hotel direct, after I book hotel via AGODA etc and after I send a copy of my voucher to the hotel with the request to pick me up. This works better but also not 100% sure in Thailand

All this Van shall have an mechanical or electronically speed limiter maybe at 80 km/h if those drivers brain are not able take the responsibility.

We do same in Europe have different categories which start be limited at 40 km/h and after mostly in public transport at 80 km/h. maybe it helps a little bit to safe life

is it such a big job and hard to report the 90 days? I know other Asean countries has same.

If you have a multiple retire visa you report 90 days or if you are shy meet the immigration you just leave the country before 90 days and when you come back, the new period of 90 days start ... that's all. Because I travel near monthly I also not need report the 90 days if I am not here more than 89 days

Assume you have a multi re-entry permit?

Yes of course because I travel often, in such case it is easier as each time go apply for re-entry permit and pay (I am not sure 1800 Bath) sometimes they do and sometimes not at airport. Also with this I am n the safe side I never forget. I am also not sure but as I remember it cost ca. 3500 THB so after 2 times already amortized,

is it such a big job and hard to report the 90 days? I know other Asean countries has same.

If you have a multiple retire visa you report 90 days or if you are shy meet the immigration you just leave the country before 90 days and when you come back, the new period of 90 days start ... that's all. Because I travel near monthly I also not need report the 90 days if I am not here more than 89 days

This is called discrimination in other parts of the world. alt=wai2.gif width=20 height=20>

So than I stay there (male) and need a taxi...but it is woman only.

The driver stays there and need a customer but can't take me because it is woman only.

Sounds like a great plan....

But well it is Thailand....everyone will paint woman taxi on the taxi beside the "GPS" and "we speak english" and will take everyone because the guy who rent the taxi doesn't even know what is painted outside of it....

it sound funny as with the blue Taxi "intelligent" Taxi but not driver ?

Seriously good advice here.

What ever you do, dont go by road from HCM to Vung Tau. it is a deadly trip not for the faint hearted. If you think driving in Thailand is bad this road will open your eyes or keep them firmly closed.

I think what you say is exaggerated. I did few times in 4 years and still alive and my partners too!!! the new road if you turn at right close Bien Hoa has in each direction 4 belts, if you drive defensive it is not more dangerous as if when you drive eg. Hua Hin Bangkok!!!

Have a good trip and even little bit stormy mostly they go because Mekong River is quiet and can happen they take choice to land in the fisher port instead main port. Don't scare, you will smell it and it has a shuttle bus to the main port!

This is more or less correct what say IMA_FARANG.

The port for Hydrofoil is located where also the ship for roundtrip and evening dinner start in the Tôn Duc Thang street parallel to the Saigon river opposite of the "Hotel Majestic" (each taxi driver know).

They go more frequent than IMA_FARANG say because it have 4 different companies but I propose PETRO EXPRESS which has the best maintained Hydrofoil boat.

Last month they start HCMC-VT 08:00 - 10:00 - 11:30 - 13:30 - 14:00 and last 16:00

VT - to HCMC 08:00 - 10:00 - 11:30 - 14:00 - 15:30 and last 16:00

More info here http://petroexpress.vn/en/petroexpress

Beside Petro Express has Greenline etc. but personally I not like such much.

A little warning: when you come back there are many porter which come on board and pick your luggage and bring to any taxi. There is many year a special old porter looks as a "tooth pick" very aggressive. Avoid him, he bring you to a taxi which will charge you the double at the end width=20 alt=wai2.gif> Have a nice trip.

Thanks for all the great information.

One thing I'd like to be more clear on; how to travel from Ho Chi Mien airport to Petro Pier.

I guess Petro Taxi service could be a possibility, do you know if Petro Taxi service operates from the airport?

Also can you please share the approximate distance and travelling time from the airport to Petro pier? Very approximate cost would also be valuable, if known, obviously depends on traffic density.

Thanks.

I never have seen consciously a Petro Taxi at the airport but a lot which like take profit of you !!!

The cheapest and good Taxi you get with Saigon Tourist (silver grey car with red letters "Saigon tourist" at the car door) if you buy the trip in advance. I pay fm airport to District 1 (center 180'000 VND) other ask up to 400'000 VND.

The taxi ticket you buy when you leave the airport arrival ignore ell who offer you a taxi trip and go to the left side about 100 meter and there is a "left luggage" ... you pass a door and immediately at the right side. They sale the Saigon Tourist taxi ticket and you get a voucher. I think to the Port is not more than 200'000 VND.

As I know there is also the opiton by train direct to Vientiane but I not know if you get the Visa also at the train station in Nong Kai where anyway you have to change the wagon. If you come by car or bus so you get the visa direct at the border no need stop in Khon Kaen. I read the train to Chiang Mai not work for a while because of many accidents, check first if the train to Vientiane still works. If you own a car this would be best solution but you have first to make a ITP (International Transport Document(violet bucklet) in the closesd Office for Land and Transport (as an passport for car). Cost approx. 400 THB

While the OP didnt mention Malaysia, it's worth noting that its one of very few countries where foreigners can own landed property, albeit within limits.

http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Asia/malaysia/Buying-Guide

Foreigners can purchase any kind of property with a minimum value of MYR250,000 (US$80,802). They are allowed to purchase up to two residential properties – two condominiums (max. 50% foreign ownership within a block) OR one condominium and one of the following:

• Terrace or linked houses above two storeys, but limited to 10% of the total number of units built of this type
• Lands/bungalows and semi-detached houses, but limited to 10% of units built of these types

I am sorry but as I said I can't write a book and a time ago also in malaysia you could only rent land. Buildings as houses and Condominium you can buy in most countries.

Nobody calls Vietnam "nam", except veterans and 3rd-rate actors......

Most nationalities need visas, with only a handful of countries exempt (Asean, Japan, Russia, couple of the Scandinavian countries).

You either get the visa at the Embassy or get a pre-arrange visa; there are a number of agencies that offer the latter. As you have plenty of time, i would get it from the Embassy; I was in Vietnam last week and the queue for the pre-arranged visa was massive.

Yes this is as a lottery ... hanno say: the queue for the pre-arranged visa was massive ... it depend on season and flight ... last time was just 4 person ca. 15 min waiting, the time before a big massive ... about 1 1/2 hours waiting time!

As Russian roulette

As MrWorldwide say or I understand: your question is very simple and there are thousands of answer. I live 8 year in Thailand a member country of ASEAN Member and I have been in most countries you mention: Laos, Cambidia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia. Mostly I was 70% of time abroad. We can't decide after even 2-3 weeks holidays because all questions are very complexe but basicly what count first are the visa conditions and facilities. There are not only this on the paper written conditions, there are many legal tricks around the law. And also how stricte the country handle all. Very large and flexible is to name Cambodia. I evaluated last years Indonesia, Philippines and was 30 times in Vietnam only by this I can decide now to move to Vietnam.

To your basic question: More or less all mentioned countries are "Farang friendly" it depend first on yourself how you act and do not forget to and adapt to the country you go, remember "you are a guest." If I would give you all my experiences I would need write one or two books so place your very exact questions! Good luck, special for business and buy land which you can't in any countries ... without a middle man or middle woman than mostly you lost before you buy! Many country don't accept anymore as Thailand that you own a company at max 49% with only target buy land!

Soi 102 where? so many streets in Bangkok where the sois go past 100, im guessing you are talking sukhumvit? is that the only road you have visited in 10 yrs? Don't assume all farang live or care about that one road.

He's on about Hua Hin where every soi has a hidden secret. Plenty of other towns and cities in Thailand.

right I guess so too, Soi 102 in HH because he live since 6 years there as in his text mentioned. But before throw a plastic bag, check HH and BKK

If it happen what you say. Some Farang mean they are VIP or somebody better if they run a business here, maybe they not succeed in his home country because of arrogance

If somebody come from Isan better let fall down in front of shop a plastic bag with "Cow or pig manure" much better and longer effect as you propose with cigarettes etc. and still natural product with an excellent long lasting smell !

The best answer you got from sfokevin avoid any road except from Mon Chit, Van, Bus and Taxi will stand in traffic jam but not BTS and beside it is a cheap way as sfokevin say!!! I did many times also opposite way DMK - BKK, Taxi or Bus to Mon Chit and BTS direct in the Suvarnabhumi airport.