jacko

I think it is important to get the names and terms correct, otherwise confusion arises. An example being the '30 day stamp' one gets on arrival, which many incorrectly term as a 'tourist visa'. If someone is giving advice and using the wrong terminology, I would say be wary of that advice.

By whom? My Thailand bank lets me withdraw it..... and I take it in cash. They certainly don't track every single $500 dollar withdrawal from every worldwide card wherever it is... and if I deposit $500 into my UK account, so what? You guys take big-brother to excess.! The government couldn't track it's own ass.

I had an O2 phone which definitely required unlocking...they sent me a code eventually to do it and charged £15.

In Thailand??????

Bloody electric is going up again.... and can I get the dopey woman to turn off the light after she has done!

I shall go out and give some scrounger sitting on the pavement in town with a soppy dog a plastic bag filled with warm vegetable soup immediately! Watch this space!

My first class flight BKK to Dubai was full but on to Manchester was just me and 1 other passenger. I must agree that when I looked for Premium seats to near Thailand countries I came across a lot of fully booked stuff too.

And what would be the limit if I simply popped my Thai ATM card into an ATM machine here in the UK? Multiple times.... over several days.

From what I personally experience, and what I learn talking to friends.... 800k in the bank and a letter from the bank will get it! A letter from the embassy confirming the 65k baht per month pension will get it. You can combine proportions of the above if your pension alone does not suffice. I do not hear of immigration in Jomtiem making up their own requirements..... although they always seem to want a copy of something else. One just has to patiently comply.....but overall I find the process quite easy... I just wish it was less frequent. I think MM gave an approximate price for the multiple re-entry permit which is obtained in Thailand.

Saw a baht bus driver get away with the no change trick recently, took the note and was off like a drag racer!

What do you mean specifically by 'Book Snakes'???

Out of which country........?

You should not have any issues in the slightest. Perhaps you will be stopped at a GGB door as they have to keep the jealous Thai boyfriends out but I think you will be quickly recognised ar a USA guy and hence welcomed. There can be added fun, my Oz pal of Malaysian origin thought it was great fun to go and stand near to the hookers on beach rd and disturb them as they thought he was a Thai cop.

I am sure they are not!

Who rattled your cage.....

There is no such limitation on airport entries.... but any immigration official has the right to question you or refuse entry.

I thought it looked poorly...same as the tacos, difficult messy things to eat. I had 2 of these with chips and mushy peas last night.....

Yes i found my UK (offshore) account had a $50,000 limit so I had to send 2 TTs for a house purchase...... I don't recall Bangkok Bank even asking me anything about it. I went to them to get a copy of the TT3s.

I am on a mission, I want to drink beer and have fun with the girls, wasting 1/2 hour sat on a baht bus hanging infront of 'Pattaya Royal Festival Beach Rd on The Front Mall' isn't on the agenda! As to renting a bike.. of course as a resident I own mine, but never ever drink and ride a bike in Pattaya.

Do you get off without paying, or end up paying 2 (or more) fares?

Yes, that is the bill for mine although I give 100. And the language barrier keeps the chit-chat down and they can get on with it.

I was talking to the Thai lady who does my gardening when she arrived without her usual 2 Cambodian helpers. She said they had gone home and when I suggested they didn't have 'papers' she said yes have passports... and that was all they needed to work in Thailand. I thought otherwise, ie only a restricted professional sector could mover around and work freely around the Asean countries. I must admit I am coming across a lot of 'workers' who don't speak Thai now and am still unsure what the regs are.

Moving and stationary. Have you seen the line down 2nd rd from Tai after 2am!

Any chance of posting a URL? It doesn't seem to come up for me here in UK on a dongle link.

And who would buy an unlabelled map?