Rhoel

Hi Pete/MM I have notice this month that my avator disappeared - I thought it might have been down to something I did on my site. So I went onto the My Controls area here and checked the URL was right ... I discovered its there and it displays perfectly. Yet on posts, it's missing. I did a reload and still nothing shows. Its a puzzlement! It should look like this Rhoel

There is a hotel in up on Suthisan Road that charges 1200B a night. However, if you stay there, they give you a nice little laminated loyalty card which entitles you to stay there again any time for 500B. Iys basically a loyalty card. This might be a better option. You get a card on your first time bar fine, at the standard rate. If you come back and barfine again, then you get the discount. You might the rider on the card which says this only applies after, say 9pm, at night. The card basically provides an incentive for customers to come back. It's the founding principal of loyalty cards for all businesses: You want to provide the specials for your most loyal customers. The card could also be used to get 5-10% discount on the drinks bill as well. Such a card would go down well with the locals - and let's face it, it is often the custom of the expats which keeps bars nad clubs afloat during the off-season. As for the hotel in Bangkok, the loyalty card works for me. I have been back there at least 4 times. This might be a better way of generating repeat business. Rhoel MM: hint, hint, FLB might want to experiment with this idea too. ;-)

I have a cable and conbo lock system for my Sony Viao - I chain it to anything from the fridge to the A/c piping duct. Not an absolutely theft proof but a deterant to casual theives. The other solution of course is to handcuff your BG to the bed - kinky and practical all at the same time Rhoel BTW, the Viao can overheat in Thailand - I retuerned mine to Sony BKK because of thermal shutdown - they just cleaned the filters and other vents and returned it: Overall, best laptop I ever invested in.

I have had affidavits sworn hear and sent to the UK - to date, they have all been accepted. As for the Form D80 UK divorce, an email to the destination department may be advised. The Embassy should also be able to help. Rhoel

I have a UK based PayPal ... it will not allow me to add a Thai bank to the account list :-( Rhoel

Last month, I had a great time at my local Bangkok Bank. I didn't want a credit card, just a debit card I can use to book online flights - the current ATM debit card they issue has no numbers on the back so no online payments: My European ATM/debit cards can be used online - if you have money in your account, you can spend it online. The Thai ATM cards cane be used as a Debit Card in stores etc, as they belong to VISA - for some reason, you can't go online with a standard issue card. T.I.T. So I go to see my branch t osee what they can do - they offer me a credit card. Thank you but no thank you, I don't want to lock up 200K, I just want to pay for my regular flights to Sukhothai without having to make a special trip to the airport for the airline to swipe my ATM card - they have a very good online booking service and the only thing which doesn't work is my bank card. Big discussion breaks out in Thai. Please wait sir. They called another bank advisor over and I explain it again to him. It seems that nobody in the bank has any idea of what an online ATM card is. Little green men from mars strolling into their bank would have caused less consternation. They drag the woman's daughter into the discussion as she speaks really good english - she understands perfectly the problem - I need a ATM card with 3 numbers on the back, just like my Euro one: Girl relays it to her mother who tells the other guy - they look at my EURO card in awe. Lots of head nodding and out come 10 sheets of paper for me to fill in. I fill them in, signing at the places the three of them point to. I get to the last page ... there at the top of the page, in small English lettering, is the words "Credit Card Application". I ask again: Q: this application is for a credit card, right? You said the card wasn't a credit card. A: Kar Pom (yes sir). Q: Sorry, is that yes, it is a credit card or yes, it is not credit card. A: Credit card. Q: But you said it wasn't a credit card. A: yes ... you can book online with card. Q: So I have to keep 200,000B locked up juat so I can spend 1600B. A: Kar Pom. I forget and ask a negative question. Q: Do you don't have ATM card I can use online. A: yes. This confuses me. Q: Sorry, you not have. A: Not have. (So its yes, we not have online card - great language Tinglish). We get back on track. Q: But one hour ago you said you had online ATM card. A: Kar Pom. We have next year. (pause) .... maybe. I do like Thais - they just hate saying no, 'cos it might make you upset. So wasting an full hour isn't going to upset me? The airline proved to be very helpful, they told me the only Bank which has such a card is Kasikorn. Next problem - the only bank not in my district is of course .... Karsikorn. The only reason it doesn't drive me crazy is because I know living in the UK is so much worse. And the benefits here are just ............ well last night, I was walking home - I passed a bar. Suddenly, a girl I have never seem before rushes out, gives me one hell of a cuddle then dashes back into the bar again. I don't know why, her mates thought it was hilarious. It did make this old man very happy. T.I.T. Its never predictable. Rhoel.

Spotted this news item in the Bangkok Post. The days of unlimited renewal look like they are over - 90 days to be the limit. Hello Cambodia. Bangkok Post 2006-09-10 Rhoel

The only additional advice I can give here was given to me by another legal business. If you earn money outside Thailand (internet for example) and spend it here (via rent/restaurants and supporting a Thai Family), the Thai authorities will not get too excited about it. If you start earning money from within Thailand, then they will be very interested in it. BTW, you will not be permitted to have a wholly owned company there - there must be Thai partners. From memory, you must also have 2 million baht to invest in the enterprise. There is s further complication. I have a full work permit: Yet I am not allowed to run a side internet business or do any work which isn't written down in my work permit. As a result, I do not have any internet or offshore business interests ;-) A good business lawyer is worth consulting. Rhoel

Couple of things to consider. Have the right visa - if you are involved with business get a Non-I B. Getting caught working without and you will be deported, period. Being here - time and again, people being in the right place at the right time have fallen into jobs. I am no exception - I came here to teach and discovered a company looking for staff in my specialist field - 8 hours later, I was in Chiang Mai being asked how much salary I was looking for, when I could start, etc. generally, you will not get Western wages. Expect up to a quarter of the Western rate - that is no problem since the cost of living here is 1/4 that of the west. Thais get 6 days annual leave (excluding bank/public holidays (of which there are many) - you might have to negotate a special rate if you expect to return to "home" every year. You have a choice - you can work ïn Thailand or you can "work abroad" but be resident here. In other words, if you can retire here officially, and have you income from overseas, this is one way of residing long term. Many run off-shore companies successfully. Not speaking good Thai is not generally a problem but if you do, then it will greatly help in your dealing with the Thais - especially if they don't know you speak Thai well: My spoke Thai is dreadful but I understand (and read) alot more Thai than I admit to - it can be useful to know if they are not being 100% upfront about something. Never piss the officials off, ever. If they loose face, you'll have bucklies chance of getting anything done in your favour. What was a possible before, becomes a no way afterways Thai officials love paperwork and lots of stamps - I counted 37 on one girls desk at the work permit office. Remember to bring your licence AND international driving licence with you. I forgot my International was only for 1 year and now its expired, I have to go through the whole driving test routine. Sort your medical insurance out in advance - if you have any previous illnesses, pay special attention as the exclusions and refusals by BUPA and others are high. Hope that adds to the list, and leaves room for people to build on.It woud be helpful to know your age and your area of expertize. Rhoel

Love 'em. Personally, I dislike starfish I'll get my coat.

I came out here to teach and accidentally fell into the same occupation I had in theUK (animation) ... I was in the right place at the right time to see an ad in the BKK - an email to the CEO's secretary and I was travelling to Chiang Mai a few hours later - still there 1 year plus: Had I been in the UK, I'd never have got the job, period. Its a gamble but if you take the chance, get in he right place and network, a surprisingly high number of doors open. You can add writers to the list of work here - I write as well, publishing stuff here (technical and fiction) and abroad (travel and fiction) ... get one novel accepted and you probably wont have to worry too much about the pension plan ... a guy I drink with did just that: His book is not a million seller, but his publisher liked the potential of his first book to advance him a second. He is now on this third (he does one a year). Writing is one of the few things yo ucan still do until you fall into a coffin. Exporting is another good source of income for expats. At least three guys in the condo block are linked in some way to exporting. Others sell directly on eBay (but avoid selling counterfiet as Ebay closes down your account) - one guys makes a good living selling lamps (whicjh is a constant surprise considering the miniscule profit per lamp). Teak furniture, garden stoneware and motor parts are good earners. And internet business still seem to make some people in beer and BG's - get it right and adsense can be worthwhile. Sitting at home thinking about it and playing safe isn't going to get you here working. Hope this helps. Rhoel

Looked at a brand new Honda Wave on the weekend - several models from maual to auto. Prices were 38000-42000B. This included onroad tacx and insurance. They we re even happy to do some mods for that price too. Remember if you are buying it for you, you'll need permission from immigration. You can buy it in her name but if you split, you lose your bike. If yor buying it for her sone, the best to put it in her name. Rhoel

I'm actually working here and would retire if I had the financial independance (not there yet). I live in Chiang Mai. Its not Pattaya or Bangkok. The weather is generally better (cooler) yet still has enough bars to keep me happy. It also has a heap of interesting stuff to do in and around the city; If you head up into the hills, there's more than enough to keep you busy for weeks on end. Commercially, some falangs up here run export businesses part time, or have internet based companies providing information and services. The is also an active writers group here - seems many a novel has been penned her: Chiang Mai is also a good place for travel writers to be based - good frequent flights to the outside world, cheap and comfortable over-night trains to Bangkok, plus the city is large enough to support a good IT service/products sale. It's rare I have to get something sent from Bangkok. Ther is much more to Thailand than Pattaya - living in Korat or Nong Khai may be cheaper but its both hot and socially isolating for the non-thai speaker. Chaing Mai (and Chiang Rai) are very good places to be a retiree. Rhoel

I have a work permit and pay taxes here - I was told by the admin girls it was the 30B deal ... I do carry a certificate which is in Thai, telling em which hospital I can go to. Finally got arounfd to claiming back my 70,000 from BUPA - I'll follow up on Gary's post and talk to Liberty ... having more than one line of insurance looks best for me at present. I'll post more when I have the details. Rhoel

No problems in Chiang Mai - easy to obtain without prescription (UK mate takes them under doctors instruction to alleviate depression caused by S.A.D syndrome - he finds wintering here better than the prozac).

Thanks guys - I am fortunate in that I have a legal blue workbook so I don't have to have run over to immigration. Asfor the rest of it, ... I'll keep you posted: Should be applying just after Songkran - the thought of riding a bike around during Songkran is just too scary to contemplate. I'm applying for both car and bike as I have access to both. Should be interesting. Thanks again for the fast replies. Rhoel.

I am in the situation where have a full ten year UK licence with is okay for motorbike, cars and trucks. My internation ran out some 6 months ago and I am not even sure its here in Thialand. I nthis situation, what paper work/procedure should I follow to get a licence for here. Do I need to sit new tests, can iuse the clean UK one, can I even drive here on the UK one? TIA Rhoel

I try to please :-) Seriously, there are work arounds and I'm now discoveingg them: Fortunately, it's only because BUPA started making stupid exclusions, I started to find better and cheaper alternatives. I'll post more later once I have more (english) paperwork. Curiously, when I went to STA's office here they denied all knowledge of VSO type insurance: No, STA only do foriegn travel, not for Thialnad. I later found out that it was just that rep's office which didn't have the relevant paperwork - head office did: It pays to check out the website first and get the head office to mail the right stuff to you. Rhoel

Just a quick up date: I discovered that I have insurace cover through my work - the certificate is in Thai and I suspect its the 30B Thai deal. The named hospital isn't a bad one, certainly as good as many in my home area in the UK. The discussions with BUPA are now offically closed - they have refused to reconsider the 70,000B premium on providing just half cover: They say its a all or nothing deal - an easy choice: Becuase I now know I have the basic Thai insurance, its given me the a little breathing space and the ability to tell them to shove it. I have to go to their offices next week to reclaim my premium. If they refuse to refund all, I have a lawyer ready in the wings to give them hell. A work collegue just added another possible to the list of insurers - Aythutiaya Bank (of however the fook you spell it). They have a combined health/life insurance whch gives good cover and in the event of your death, will fly your body home if the doctors really fuck up. Just to really piss the insurers off, I went looking at a new Yamaha motocycle today - 54,000B with all the trimmings. It is tempting - I've lived in Chiagn Mai now for 18 months and haven't seen that much of it - jsut not a practical option using tuk-tuks or Songtells: A bike is a good option as you can stop it anywhere and hop off and take a piture or whatever. I have looked at buying a car but the asking price is just stupid. I'll keep you all posted on the A.Bank deal when I have more information. For those in the UK, STA do a one year insurance for those staying outside the UK for mor than 3 month - the omly downside is the policy laspes if you return to the UK. It's used mainly by the VSO and back-packer brigade but the policy seemed not to have an age limit ... if you are out here teaching, writing that best-selling novel or just avoiding the winter horrors, it is well worth checking out. Rhoel

Recently my UK medical insurance ran out and I applied to BUPA for insurance cover here. They started throwing in a heap of exclusions related to a minor heart complaint 15 years ago: A change of lifestyle and diet ordered by my specialists earned me a clean bill of health. They said they would write a check on that. My UK insurance were happy with the prognosis and gave me 100% worldwode cover. Now BUPA TH have decided that they will only provide cover with excludions on all heart related conditions Considering that one day I might find myself in ICU with some caredio-vascular condition not related to the original condition, I am worried that someone from BUPA will walk up and say tough, we aren't going to cover the bill. Unfortunately, the only way I can renew my UK cover is to go back to the UK to re-sign - just cannot be done remotely. What options do people suggest. Take the risk or find another medical company. And what other companies are there in LOS. TIA Rhoel

If you have animation experience, email me. Chiang mai has one of the largest animation facilities in Thailand

Having a Degree helps a lot. Some things like teaching and other professional jobs require a degree just to get the work permit. Remember too that having a business visa does not give you the right to paid work in Thailand. You still ahve to apply fior the work permit ... and that is not an easy process. Once you have your blue book (the work permit) you must have it with you at all times when working ... had the immigration guys stop by my office on Friday (with tw o boys in Brown) just to check :-). No permit, and you are in a heap of shit. I also know of two writers here, employed by US/European companies. They can do their work anywhere in the world. They don't work here, just live with their Thai wives. Their money is paid into off-shore banks and they pull down by ATM. Not legal but the authorities turn a blind eye to that one (you are bringing in foreign investment). Technical authoring is another job done mainly by Falangs - native English speakers do something that few Thais can do, write English in an English way. Difficult to explain but read something that a Thai degree write has done and you know a non-English speaker did it. But teaching in schools is still the biggest opportunity for falangs. But you should have a degree, preferably not one bought in Babgkok. Life degrees are generally acceptable if issued from a reputable university.

Best advice I know s to plan what you are going to do here - have a hobby, paint, play golf, do charity owrk or wahtever. If you don't, you may sadly fall into the trap others have done, of drinking all day because there seems nothing else to do ... check the Pattaya City News site and there are far too many dead falangs who have literally drunk themselves to death. Consider too booking in for a few months of daily Thai lessons - it will be beneficial with the bonus of meeting others living here. There is lots to do. I have just past my first year of living here fulltime and havent regreted the move - life has been anything but dull: In fact, my life here is now much more rewarding than the one I had back in Blighty. I hope I can manage the 2nd, 3rd etc anniveraries and still say I am enjoying it this much. Rhoel

For a thread about Not Football, you guys have done well to turn it into a discussion about the game. Interesting to see the not watch vote is creeping ahead.

THe results so far have surprised me ... roughly 50-50 for would vs wouldn't.. That sort of relects the even split I saw in the bar up here in Chiang Mai. To miss-quote the famous mis-quote, "Its a game of two halves"