jacko

When transfering money to Thailand, no currency exchange should be involved, (providing your source is a major currency). IE Let the Thai bank receive £ etc and change them to baht. I took a look at the ad, and although they do not specifically say so I got the impression you are expected to change currency their end. It costs you nothing to transfer your money. And with no hidden extras our international money transfer service is way ahead of the competition. We guarantee no transfer charges, no commission fees and no overseas bank receiving fees. If you’re charged receiving bank fees just send us a copy of your bank statement as proof of payment and we’ll give you a full refund. I am unsure how they can prevent say, The Bangkok Bank taking their usual 500 baht, but if they like to refund it, great. I am guessing they change it to baht first at 'tourist rates', but would be extremely interested to hear back from someone who has succesfully used the service to transfer to a Thailand bank.

Michael Caine.... hang on was Jimmy nail in any of the Get Carter films?????

Quite a few posts moaning about moaners, fair enough, but keep the tongue in the cheek. On Martin's example I was trying to pull over to park near the kerb recently, so that I could get out and the wife could take the truck home and this group of 4 indians were there discussing the price of coca cola or something right in the road. My residual good manners (nearly obliterated) held me off beeping at them... but in the end I had to. They looked at me and moved, then I recalled India, that is how it works there. Farangs are often the source of Expat grumbles...some nutty old cunt on a motorcycle too big for him came around the bend on my side of the road last night and I am sure he yelled 'fuck you' as he dodged me. I think tourists who accidently stumble into this thread can have a groan too regarding us 'know-it-all' Expats. But weekends, fuckers come from Bangkok and drive like assholes, whizzing up yer inside and pulling into the 4m gap you left to the car infront, and pushing around the bend waiting the right turn signal, when everyone knows that is just for motorcycles to get to the front. And twats hurtling down 36 at a great speed flashing their headlights at you as if I can't fucking see them. Tourists again, those people who stop an occupied baht bus heading towards WS and start discussing the price to go someplace, you just know he is going to turn up Soi Post-Office now!

Inspired by a UK TV programme, Grumpy Old Men, and statements from tourists like 'Expats, is there anything they don't know', I thought it might be amusing for us who reside in LOS, to take the piss. What do you see about town that makes you laugh inside, or shake your head,or inspire a rant? Gary and Bratpack,Joe and all assunder, come forth and grumble. In Trip reports, I laughed at some guy with sunglasses propped on top of his head at midnight, in a dark bar! I am amused by body builders walking around town in little singlets and high sided shorts prancing on their toes like they have 2 rolls of carpet under their arms.(Pass the bananas). What looked like a military guy with a back-pack and a tube leading from it to near his mouth, presumably dispensing chilled water (there are bars mate!) Don't get me started on those bluetooth earpieces! Have I left any out?

Tim Spall

Well that's possible then, wild horses wouldn't drag me into a gold shop, so never noticd their second trade. Yes quite a few gold shops in town. As to Indian tailors, I even avoid the 5m radius from the front door, not sure why that is. Banks and internet stuff is so advanced in LOS these days it seems easier to do things infront of my fan. (Hot start to the day in Chonburi)

Michael Sheen

Graham Green

I thought I asked someone to define 'department store' not nit-pick over my use of the word rule rather than law.Anyone who is intrigued by Joekicker and would like to know more about him, can look up pedantic twat in the Encyclopedia Brittanica, where there is a picture.

I believe in Pattaya, they are mostly affiliated to banks and the independent exchangers are fewer. Many money exchange booths are right in front of banks, as they don't want customers going inside into the AC! The better independent ones also need to be pointed out to a tourist. In fact beware of those not affiliated with banks, like in hotels and Mike's Shopping Mall where you will be given very poor rates. I haven't seen anything akin to Al Khobar, where a wizzened Arab sits on the floor behind piles of cash in a scruffy room, or even on the street.

Danny Glover.

I gave it a try (http://www.brittv.co.uk/) and lo and behold they are showing some blond chick getting her kit off on the BBC! I was a bit suspicious of that. But it was slow and jerky, quite unsuitable. Likely my piece of shit TOT internet. True ran some cables up the street the other day, so I have hopes for the future.

Why have you brought cash into the discussion? OP was pondering TCs against a bank transfer. He also asked whether some places offer better exchange rates than the banks for the TCs. I believe apart from a few special places, the exchange booths are affiliated with a bank and offer their posted rates. He has a Thai account already, for me it is 45 seconds on the internet and 20 hours later, I get an SMS from Bangkok Bank telling me the money is there. For a tourist, without a Thai bank account, TCs are good, they allow you to budget and if you are fortunate enough to have any left over, they are as good as cash back home, can be taken to other countries or retained for a future trip. Some may not like to leave a balance sitting in a Thai bank while they are working 1000's miles away, but there is no harm if you intend to return within a year, beyond this it may be flagged dormant and incur charges.

If you can't locate a bug sprayer in Pattaya you must be a bit dopey.Try this guy. He might have some poison left over since he went PC. The guys who did my old house would be more likely, two old Thai fellas operating out of a pick up. Sorry I chucked the number. Not a big farming area Pattaya, I would ask a TGF who likely has a brother who works the fields, as you say. Mind you the twat who planted in the field near me didn't seem to mind the bugs, he just covered the area in shit and there were fucking flies everywhere for weeks.

Multiple Entry of course. Not sure these can be had in adjacent countries. (Sounds like OP is in LOS already) I believe multiple entry tourist visas are still available in Laos and maybe PP, that would cover the 5 months. Anyway, easiest to visit The Sportsman (Soi 13, Five Star), or The Queen Vic (1st Class)(website) talk to the staff there and get the options.

I fired some over yesterday and got 48.53B/£, when it landed today. And my currency trader made me a bit betting on the £ going up too! Looks like it has since gone a bit nutty this AM against the baht. This mug is okay with it all!

If it is a banned substance, will you not be breaking Thai law simply by having it in your possession? And if you acquire it in Thailand, yet use it outside of Thailand, will you not also be guilty of transporting and trading a banned substance? Why not acquire it in the place you intend to use it, or is it illegal there too? Nevertheless you seem to have answered your own question, seek out some people in the bug spraying business and talk to them. Or seek out some farmer suppliers. And do you realise that if you doa search on Google including Chlordane and Thailand, your post comes up!

No with bank transfers you get a slightly better rate than TCs. (Today at SCB, 48.595, for TT, 48.195 for TCs,) TCs also have the tax/duty at 33 baht per chq. A bank transfer will incur a charge at the UK end, (for you £25, for me £15), and my bank, Bangkok Bank charges 500 baht on the money when it comes in. You are nickel and diming yourself,but for me, the bank transfer is best.

Get a multiple tourist visa before you travel.

Well the rule applies to BigC, define department store for me! I have managed to buy booze at 7-11 and cases of beer at the wholesale place during restricted hours. The particular 7-11 was out of town and she sold it right infront of a sign saying she couldn't... Guess it wasn't programmed to block it in the scanner/ receipt software.

I think the reason for excluding TV movies was posted and I seem to recall it was valid, namely TV movies are not under general release...so..... Matt Dillon

See this post....

Many have spent time telling this guy he didn't stand a chance of getting a condo for only 1/2 mil and you pop up and show us to be wrong!

There is money to be made betting on currencies, but the baht is a minnow in those waters. My thoughts have just made me dump some of my $/£ and put it in the bank here, minnow or not, the baht attracts pussy. And certainly they will get used.

Play Misty for Me