patong

I find it very amusing that a topic about Obama has been subverted to telling stories about Bush W ...

I'm wondering why I can't see my avatar beside my posts. I can see in my log-in details and in the top posters ??? Edit update - scratch that, now that I posted this the avatar slooowly reappeared.

I've visited Pattaya a couple of times. It's just a big city with a limited beach. It's Ok if you don't know any different. But there are so so many much nicer beaches in Thailand. I'm lucky enough to live on Phuket Island which has a number of beautiful beaches. Yes I know Patong is not a 'beautiful' town or a beautiful beach, but there are beautiful remote beaches with blue ocean water less than 30 minutes drive away.

Thanks, had a look, but it's all Thai to me .... ha ha

Still no-one supplying any information or view about CDMA or similar PC plug-in system. Looks like I cannot obtain a phone line to my apartment.

In the last week or so we have the tragic deaths of 2 well know residents. Simon Grant and Wayne David Maule. Phuket Marina Manager Dies in Motorcycle Mishap By Alan Morison Friday, October 23, 2009 UPDATE DETAILS have been posted of the funeral arrangements for Ao Po Grand Marina manager Simon Grant. He will be farewelled over several days from Monday, October 26, and his ashes scattered at sea in Phang Nga Bay on Thursday. For more information, go to www.aopograndmarina.com or call Adam Frost 0n +66 (0) 81 9796636 Original Report SIMON GRANT, the genial manager of the Ao Po Grand Marina, died in hospital after a motorcycle mishap yesterday afternoon. His boss and good friend, marina managing director Kasern Chiarasomboon, told Phuketwan today that Mr Grant had just taken delivery of a new Honda 750. Rest of Phuket Wan article ----> http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-marina-manager-dies-road-mishap-11714/ Briton killed in Phuket bike crash CHERNG TALAY, PHUKET: A successful British advertising director was killed when his motorbike smashed into a six-wheel truck in Cherng Talay in Phuket this afternoon. Wayne David Maule, 56, was riding a Honda Click down Srisoonthorn Road towards Surin when the tragedy happened at about 1:15pm. The truck driver said Mr Maule veered into his truck from the opposite lane near the Plaza Surin shopping center. “I’m not sure whether he was drunk or fell asleep,†he said. “As soon as he came towards my truck, I was terrified and broke immediately.†The driver said that when he got out of his truck, Mr Maule’s bike was caught in the back wheels. Mr Maule’s body was lying on the road behind. “I knew he was dead,†he said. “I couldn’t bring myself to look at the body, I was so scared.†A police investigation into the cause of the accident continues. Mr Maule is understood to have retired to Phuket, following a successful career directing advertising. In recent years Mr Maule, who had made his home in Australia, had produced commercials for brands including Lexus, Surf and Qantas. – Gazette reporters http://www.phuketgazette.net/dailynews/index.asp?id=7933&

Another take on the US servicemen's visit to Phuket Island ----> US Assault Ship, Destroyer Heading for Phuket By Alan Morison Monday, October 26, 2009 THOUSANDS of US marines are due to take shore leave on Phuket later this week as the island's friendly American invaders continue to boost the local economy. The marines are coming on the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard, which is to be accompanied by the USS Ingraham. The ships will be at anchor off Phuket until November 3. About 3000 military personnel will be enjoying Phuket's pleasures. Rest of Phuket Wan report -----> http://phuketwan.com/tourism/assault-ship-destroyer-heading-phuket-11724/

I would guess it's a suicide.

I know that in the UK the honorary consulate charges a 'service' fee as they cannot survive on the free issue of visas. I've heard reports on the same in the US & other countries.

Yes, I agree with Wino. I don't think that the word Farang has any insult intended. I believe it first came from a Thai pronunciation of 'francais'. Yes, I just Goggled frang and it's well described in Wikipedia. Here is the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farang

Best apply for at least a multi entry tourist visa or multi non-immigrant visa at your home country Thai Embassy/consulate. Then you can stay for a max of 90 days in Thailand per entry. Finding a Thai GF is easy, but buyer BEWARE. Finding a (legal)job will not be easy, and don't forget to obtain a Work Permit before you start work. The WP is not so easy to obtain. You might pick up some work without WP, but that's illegal and not recommended.

In Phuket, but this is not my direct experience, only what I was told by a friend.

Sorry to be picky, but would'nt it be better to talk about Visa EXTENSION rather than Visa RENEWAL. To me it's all confusing enough. And regarding rules being changed and announcement. That does not help much if they change the rules just before you need to apply for a new extension. In my case a few years ago just the week before my renewal date they changed the 'money-in-bank' criteria to 90 days. Now I had just put the money in my bank the previous week, so I had no time to comply with the brand new rule. I was not worried, I thought the Immigration officer would make some allowance. But no he refused my application, his solution ... exit Thailand. Charming ...

Spammer.... all 7 of his posts ...

Spammer ....

Sorry, I am not understanding that. Sure you can make a 30 days extension for each entry at any Thai Immigration office (costs 1,900 baht), but then you have to exit Thailand. You then enter Thailand again and obtain your next 60 day stamp at the arrival point. A lot of people get confused with the visa and he entry/exit stamp dates. Be careful to leave Thailand or obtain an extension before the EXIT date. You must make your 3 entry to Thailand before the expiry date of the visa, and even if the last day of the visa you still get 60 days on arrival (+ the option to extend for 30 days)

I think Beer Chang's point was that he did not have the 800,000 K in deposit for the preceding 90 days. Although I think they recently changed the rule to 60 days for the first application. I get confused with the rule changes, each year I go to Immigration for my annual extension there is always some sort of rule change, and different supporting paperwork. I treat each visit with some humour each year, hope for the best, oh... and go 30 days early in case I have a problem.

I recommend you apply for a one year non-immigrant multi entry visa before you leave your home country. then you can stay for up to 90 days per entry, and can come back into Thailand any time you want for another 90 days, and repeat until your visa expires.Regarding arriving without a visa, you get a 30 day visa-on-arrival for free (assuming your nationality qualifies) which can only be extended for a maximum of 7 days costing 1,900 baht, then you MUST exit Thailand. You can come straight back into Thailand and get 30 days (by air) or 15 days (by land). Been some confusion about many times you can do that, rules keep on changing and you would need to check the latest rule nearer your time of arrival. Best of luck.

Yes, a friend changed from Retirement Visa (extensions) to a Non-Immigrant Visa without any trouble. Seems so long as you start with a Non-Immigrant visa type you can change from ® or (O) to ( and apply for your WP.

Welcome Bean. I like to watch Mr Bean and Rowan Aitkinson's other TV shows.

That's much the same as the service I have here in Patong. Oh well,I guess I'll just have to use what is available (for free). The CDMA and EVO don't seem much better ?? Any comments ... anyone ...

ooops, too late to edit my last post. Here is the site in English ----> http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php

Here is a website with all the Immigration offices ----> http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/2notice/imm_map_20-10-2009.jpg

While I am on-line, here is an update to the original insurance story ... Phuket's Jet-Skis: Insurance Deal Ends Crisis By Chutima Sidasathian and Alan Morison Tuesday, October 13, 2009 A DEAL was signed today that makes it compulsory for all Phuket jet-skis to be insured. The signing ends a series of crisis meetings that followed claims that tourists have frequently been scammed over jet-ski ''damage.'' Yet to be resolved is the case involving one jet-ski operator, Winai ''JJ'' Naiman, in which he was caught on film in two separate incidents demanding large sums of money from British marines and US marines. Share Today's Provincial Hall meeting of about 30 people, mostly jet-ski operators, looked on as the Governor, Wichai Praisa-nob, Ayuthaya Insurance representative Saiwalee Sakomjib and Phuket Jet-Ski Association President Anusorn Saley signed the agreement. Rest of this story from Phuket Wan ----> http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phukets-jet-skis-insurance-deal-ends-crisis-11675/

An interesting update to this story from Phuket Wan .... Jet-Skis, Rip-Offs: Phuket Resort CEO Speaks Out By Chutima Sidasathian and Alan Morison Monday, October 12, 2009 THE CEO of a Phuket group of resorts has called for a greater variety of tourism activities, more control over development and an end to corruption on the island. Javed Shaikh heads Horizon Hotels and Resorts, which has two establishments in Patong and a third in Karon. ''Do we have to wait to talk about our island's problems only when they appear on the BBC or CNN?'' he asked during an interview with Phuketwan ''When will we wake up? Rest of the story -----> http://phuketwan.com/tourism/jet-skis-rip-offs-phuket-resort-ceo-speaks-11671/