Bullfrog

So from the Worldwide perspective you suggest we should stop giving to local orphanges? There is one option that I once carried out up North , much to the disgust of the crooked Head Teacher, and employ people yourself to carry out building work etc.

Hi Mate I lived there for a year in '96, Jakarta and Bandung, and experienced begging daily and I am very pleased things have changed for the better. This is exactly what I do!!! As I said in my mail I don't need it to be one to one and see their faces to make me feel good. I give to organised charities in Patts. I do it to make THEM feel better not me.

The problem in Thailand is that the beggars suffer the backlash from poorer Asian countries where the local Mafia, or sometimes the police, control them, Indonesia for example. Self mutilation has also been known. ( No I have not seen somebody chop their own arm off so I have no proof).but not in Thailand. My answer is that if the physical handicap is such that they won't be able to work I slip them 20. I never give to any other street beggar but give to organised charities...

If you were going with a TGF I would recommend renting a car and driving yourself. Once you have done the river, prison camps and bridge you are then at your liesure to drive out further. I don't stay in town but head north and stay in one of the many Thai "Resorts". The only problem would be, where to leave it if you went out on one of the floating rafts. ( Are there any rafts that don't float?)

There is another regular poster that is based in Beijing but I have forgotten his name. Perhaps somebody else can tell you who it is. His information will be far more updated than mine, I lived in China for two years early '90s and there is no way I would spend 14 hours at Bijing airport if I saved 500USD!! Perhaps it has since been refurbished and updated. As for the Airline, I would chose China Airlines over LTD anyday.

Thanks very much. I will probably end up finding out the details myself when I land in December. When I do I will post the info on here.

I am not, but I would recommend going a little further east and go to the Surin Elephant festival...if you can get a hotel that is!!

And of course politics in PIs is Sooooo Stable!

Yes mate, I was thinking back to the options that I was given when it changed earlier this year. Banks in IOM now have to declare customers details if requested by Inland revenue.They also have to collect tax for UK residents. But as the other advice says this can be avioded by completing the form. I am sorry for throwing in a Red Herring!!!

Hi Sink or swim, I have Barclays International , IOM and have internet banking, perhaps it is the type of account rather than the bank. Hi Mr Hyde, What branch of Nationwide International are you thinking of. If it is based in Douglas, IOM you now have to pay tax on your interest!! EVERYBODY!!, NEVER, NEVER access your internet banking in an internet cafe!!! It is not worth the risk or hastle even if you do eventually get your money back.

I bought a Sony in Dubai duty free only to find that it was cheaper in Lotus, Thailand!!! Maybe buy it in Orchard towers and use it straight away!!

Thanks Mate. My Thai Wife and I have used Sunshine Vista many, many, times and are very happy with the rooms, service and location. I am coming accross in December too for a Recce of other places as I intend to ship my Mum out for a holiday next year. I am staying at Nova Lodge for a few days before heading up country...I shall be back in Sunshine Vista for New Year with the family. Please let me know what you decide and what you think. I have just checked Asiarooms.com and 2,200 for a junior suite is good value....where did you book??

What sort of daily rates are you getting for each..Asiarooms.com doesn't cover BVP???

For Billy Connolly fans who understand the "Beige Man" they should take a trip to Soi 3, Welcome Inn, Menu board outside for Beigien Food

I have had two good afternoons in here and the food and conversation was great. First time in about 4 months ago I drank 4 bottles of the Argentinian red wine and my wife found me on the steps to the apartment in soi three!! Second time was also great chatting to other people at the bar but having a few glasses of Bass. Excellent set up!

Hi, Does anybody know a method of finding out specific information about the New Airport layout? I have tried the official and other websites but my issue is not covered on the arrivals floor plans. Specifically, where is the Yellow Fever health check desk? It should be before immigration because those travelling in from parts of Africa (including Ghana) have to have our arrivals card stamped. It was ideally situated at Don Muang,cos it wasn't obvious for those un initiated and I was always able to get their first!! Please help this luck continue!!!

Hi Jte, Please keep me updated on her progress..we are looking at building anywhere between Nakon sawan and Kamphaengphet...including Klong Klung / Tamaklua.Her estimate certainly seems very low unless she already owns the land. I have to say I don't fancy NSWN as a town particulaly access and parking at the Big C.

How about off plan in Naklua..Nova Mirage??

Perhaps you should check out Petes mail "Tale from Issan" I think its called, then PM him

I use her to/fm West Africa on Emerates or Etheopian. She was recommended to me by a very longtime Pattaya expat who has used her to Europe aswell.

Hi Carpe Diem. 1. I always purchace my return tickets in Thailand so when I return it is effevtevely on a one way ticket. I have been doing this for years no problem EXCEPT once for a Kiwi mate who does the same thing and was marched off once at arrivals immigration and made to pay for a single back to NZ, despite pointing at his NON O. Yes it is unusual, but it was a time when NZ and Thailand were doing tit for tat changes to the visa agreements ( 7 or 8 years ago).and the current situation with visas is rather dynamic isn't it!!! 2. I can fully recommend buying tickets from Suteera Y

Yes mate, I understand..nobody has given positive feedback. Using me as an example I have already alluded to the fact that I am one out of four that married in '96 that divorced after 8 years. The other three are living good, fruitful existances on the edge of large towns around Thailand in beautifull houses that happen to be each of the kind mentioned ( Farang style, thai brick style and thai wooden style). As for me I will go for a small farang style in Kamphaengphet, once bitten forever shy I am affraid. My only remaining advice try to build in whatever style you wish but not stick

It was the same advice that was given to me by a Farang living in the next village many years ago. ( he had been there 20 years but now sadly deceased)..unfortunately I didn't heed his advice. If you spend over a million on a car and put it in your name then you have physical and financial security.i.e. Your "insurance" against anything going tits up in your life. I am fifty years old now and know enough about life to understand that there are potential disasters out there, everywhere. If one happens to you at any time and you can't cope just jump in YOUR car, drive to Pattaya, sell it and

I lived in Isaan for several years. I eventually got divorced and am much happier living in Kamphaenphet. You are both right regarding building a house in the countryside .No matter what you do legally and with pre nuptial agreements, if you seperate or divorce you will NEVER live there afterwards by yourself even if you own it. This may only change if you are unfortunate enough to become widowers where friends or even sisters of your departed wife want to jump in ( This happened to a friend). So don't spend too much...even to the state of only having one room with aircon if you need it. I

When I first moved to Pattaya ( I am WASP) it was two black friends that showed me the ropes so you will definately have no problem in most places.. The issue here is "most places". This is purely because (as has already been said) some girls do have some preferences and this could either be lucky or unlucky for you.As an added point one of my friends is Singaporean Indian. Most bars will NOT let him in alone but it's OK if he is with me.Life is shit sometimes isn't it