jacko

Your problem surely is only transferring money out of your Thai account? (And for me a OTP is only required when it is a new recipient to be recorded.).

Reserved occupation.

You can get a 30 day extension to a tourist visa, and a subsequent 7 day extension, but under normal circumstances that is it. Extenuating circumstances, whatever they might be, may enable a longer extension.

The Constant Gardener

No, a retirement extension is an extension to a Non-Imm O. You can convert it in Bangkok, or travel to a nearby country to obtain a single Non-Imm O, or get one in your home country. An alternative is a retirement Visa obtained in your own country, a Non-Imm OA.

Well I often go for a hair cut on Soi Siam CC and traffic heading towards Sukhumvit can be painfully slow on that Rd at busy times, it is going to be bad getting over from the dark-side. The back roads are going to see a lot of traffic. I did manage to turn right off Sukhumvit towards Soi Siam CC which was still 2-way yesterday. I went north down the railway line rd then and there appeared to be barriers at the motorway/HWY 7 junction. Great pics forcebwithu.

If you are as far north as say Laem Chabang I would consider a left turn at RT 36 and the first U turn after the railway bridge, and then get on the Railway line bypass where it starts. It sounds to me like you are describing Soi Siam Country Club/ Soi Porpranamit which was still accessible yesterday.

I spent all day there yesterday, wanting to kill 2 birds with one stone! Had my 90 day report to do, and wanted a Re-entry permit. As a good boy I always have my completed forms and copies all ready and clipped together and ready to go...... and arrived there about 10.45, on a Wednesday, as it is normally quieter than earlier in the week. I was told to come back at 12.30 for the Re-entry....already full. The place was packed out, people milling around wondering where to put themselves. 90 day reporting, a 10 minute wait if that, and both the man and woman operating computers, my copies all taken and now I have the bar-code and no need to do the form or copies next time. Still early, 11.15, looks like a rub and tug required to kill the time, avoid beer! Back at 12.15, a queue snaking all the way from the 'often unhappy' guy's desk at the entrance to where the residence letters are issued at the back. Ever impatient, I sit down, of course I should join the queue with all the others who had been told to return at 12.30, but I detest standing in long lines....... anyhow, 20 minutes later I join the shorter queue, my paperwork is given a cursory glance, and I am issued a queue ticket some 50+ beyond currently showing on the board. Work has not started yet behind the desks at 12.45, lunch break. Went and sat outside as fed up of being bustled and shoulder checked, and it isn't too hot. Talking to a guy outside, he is confused why a piece of paper is in his passport with a copy of someone else's passport.... actually his 90 day reporting date/form is on the other side. So some recycling going on.... but not for those who expect confidentiality! Everyone is working hard later, I find a seat, the numbers mover remorselessly, painfully, slowly for one waiting who didn't bring a newspaper or book, nor a smart phone to play dumb games on or send inane messages. Anyhow, out with passport and Exit-Rentry about 3.15pm. They are busy there, overwhelmed nearly, but working hard to serve you..... go early, and get in the queue to save time... don't be awkward like me!

Schindler's List (24hr)

Ace Ventura, Pet Detective, Jim Carrey. Why don't you try the airlines? It's faster and you get a free meal.

Well work is well under way, and I had my first experience of being inconvenienced by it on Sunday, and it is most certainly going to get worse. I am sure we can get together and bitch and moan a bit about it. Odd pictures recording progress would be good! Here is what I am babbling about...under-way----underpass. I joined Sukhumvit just south of Klang to head North...... bad traffic delays at weekend. Knock-on effects as it seems to be worse at the junctions on the railway line bypass road, my usual route in and out of town Yes the Sukhumvit/Klang junction tunnel construction.........the big dig. Reduced lanes in both directions on Sukumvit. Coming soon..... No right turn Southbound from Sukhumvit onto Klang. No right turn Northbound from Sukhumvit onto Soi Siam Country Club. One way on Soi Siam Country Club and NermPlub Wan, heading East, away from the City...... One way on Soi Wat Boonsampan and Soi Khao Talo, westbound, heading towards Sukhumvit. It is going to get ugly... will it take longer than Jontiem 2nd Rd and Thrappaya construction did? Will there be any benefit other than giving the rain somewhere to drain to off Klang and Sukhumvit in the wet season? Shall I go live somewhere else for a while?

Where are you located Mr Pool Hustler? And would you deliver as far out as Nong Plalai?

Most of the danger to me is Thai drivers, but that may well be a factor of where I am driving, not so much around central Pattaya, I also rarely ride around on my bike at night time.Thais are poor drivers and don't consider others on the road. I do so for self preservation. I do find some variation in driving style, between say male and female, and between Bangkok drivers and rural drivers. Later Edit:I had cause to drive around Pattaya a lot yesterday........ although I doubt many were drunk, the farangs certainly are a danger in town!

Well considering the small numbers that ride bikes, a solitary accident might bump the stats up real high. I agree with you around town, but I wouldn't think it any 'safer' out on Sukhumvit or Khai Talo at night time! One accident would dent your health somewhat.

You can bring it in, but can you send it back out? For most, with our devaluing currencies, this option is moving away. It will be easier to get old than to dig up £200,000 +

Guilty as charged, but I had accomplices.

What's meant...... ........actually I said tour group first and I wish I hadn't now! It all started over 'new tourists' I often see a single Thai guy bringing a group of Asians into GoGos. Semantics, such fun.

You never mentioned flags until now. Sometimes they use a little cuddly toy on a stick!

A crowd of Chinese were trying to get into SS on soi 8, didn't spot a flag but they were certainly a group! Did Gabor not mention one recently? I thought there were still one or 2 places taking them in on the Walking St. Polo, now there was a place for being hassled for tips and drinks!

They led a bloody tour group into one I was in!

Nothing meant other than it is a something I read often here.... I just think the bar-owners realise where the money is. I don't expect many Expats are big bell ringers and ping-pong ball fanatics. Lots of new tourist arrive daily.......and the old stalwarts who have been away for some months. I personally don't drink shorts/mixed drinks as they don't last me long enough.......I also have a fear of drinking too much alcohol and falling down the Sugar Baby steps. Maybe a good thing they don't mix them on the street like I mix them at home!

Well I must confess I have done that once or twice, but I have to forward it to my other phone. Nothing useful so far! Surely, anything important will be written in English!

People often spout this but many owners won't look further than the current moment. And why not, their customers are mostly transient, tourist visitors more than the Expats.... who mostly spend little. Give them a daft 2 week millionaire every night and he is welcome to get his kit off and dance on stage so long as he rings that bell!

I get frustrated on the railway line bypass Rd by the number of vehicles that accelerate past me, and then pull over and brake quite heavily in front of me to make the left turn. Twats. And Bangkok drivers, yes you can certainly recognise them! (Twats). I just dropped my good lady off to to a day trip to The Big Mango and am now worried as she is in one of those silver mini-buses.