ekeheley

Maybe this will help, maybe not, but for what it's worth. I'm on my 3rd extension. For my first extension, late during the first ninety days, is for the remaining nine months of your first year. (after the first year, it's yearly, on the anniversary date of your visa). At that time I needed a medical certificate, (you don't need that anymore, they discontinued that requirement), which I got from a clinic across the street from Carrefour, on Central road, 200 baht. 5 min. I needed, and you STILL need.....a letter from the embassy stating your monthly "pension" income, and you need a NEW one every year now, since last year. The income can be from any source, pensions, annuities,etc, and no proof is needed for the letter. You are required to fill out a form, pay the fee at the cashiers cage, then swear, under "oath" that the statement is true. That's it for the letter, and you can now get a letter at the Dusit Thani hotel two or three times a year when the embassy visits but you have to inquire when they come, and I understand they're only there for about two hours in the morning. To avoid having to get a letter, you need 800,000 baht in a Thai bank, and it has to be there for at least three months before you apply for an extension, (and that's firm). If you don't have enough monthly income.......and don't have 800,000 baht in the bank either, then you need a combination of the two, (that would be your monthly income times twelve months, added to the amount you DO have in a Thai bank, and it has to equal 800,000 baht, or more). Even if you do have the amount in income, Immigration likes to see a bank book with a few thousand baht in it, and an occasional withdrawl from the bank to prove you're living on your own capital and not working illegally. When you go to the Immigration office for your extension you need the following: Completed application form. ONE passport photo. Your passport, and copies of all the pertinenet pages, the ID page, your visa page, the day you entered Thailand, and a copy of your entry card, with the number on it. (The one you filled out on the airplane) Your bankbook, and copies of each and every page. Your letter from the Embassy, if needed. A letter from your bank, certifying that you DO have an account, and the amount. (100/200 baht). 1900 baht., payable at Immigration. That's the FIRST thing they have you do. All these copies, and bank letter have to be timely, preferably yesterday, but the copies are cheap and there's plenty of places around, and if you forget anything, there's a copy shop right next door to the Imm. office that makes copies in seconds........and photos in minutes. You will be required by the immigration officer to sign each page of the copies, thereby "certifying" them. Unless you go in the afternoon, on a busy day, this whole thing shouldn't take over an hour, so get there early if you can, take a number from the dispensor relating to the task you're there for, and have a seat, or go outside and have a smoke if you're so inclined, but mainly, just relax. They're a friendly group. I took my girlfriend, (now my wife), with me. She speaks SOME Engrish, and it made the whole process so much easier for all concerned. I hope this infor ation helps someone, it was a pain to type. And very important.....don't forget, you have to report to Immigration every 90 days......good luck, ErnieK

If you've been over here a few times you already know that "things are different" here than they are in the west.....and a lot different. You absolutely cannot preform any kind of work, or employment, (even if it's free), without a "work permit".....you probably already know that. If you're caught doing any kind of work without one, the penalties are very severe, including deportation. A lot of work is avaiable in the teaching field, but you almost always have to have some form of formal education in the field of teaching, and a certificate to prove it. There are lots of teaching jobs available in English, and I know a couple guys who just walked in and told them they were experienced, and managed to get jobs, and in that case, the school arranges the "work permit" for you.....but the cases are rare. What ever endeavor you decide to go into, try to bring with you some sort of certificate, dioploma, certification.....etc, even if you have to go to one of the many phoney "diploma mills", some even on line.........otherwise.....good luck.....Ernie

My 2 cents worth, (actually 2 1/2 cents worth, which would be about one baht), (smile.) I opened my account in Jan., this yr. at BKK Bank, at Carrefour on Pattaya Klang Rd.,(Pattaya Central Rd,). My first deposit was in cash, which I had brought with me. Before I Left the US I talked to my bank, Citibank, and more or less set up the machinery to transfer, on line, funds from my Citi acct. to my Bkk bank acct.. Since I was coming over on a NI-O 90 day visa, and intended to extend it at the proper time, I needed the ability to "TT" (known as a "SWIFT" transfer), funds from my US acct. to my BKK acct., to bring up my balance to qualify me for a visa extension. (the funds have to come from outside Thailand). The sweet little teller behind the counter gave me a pre-printed form with all the information I needed to transfer funds as needed, including my account number at BKK Bank. Most any of the banks will do this for you, the only reason I chose the Carrefour branch of BKK bank is because it's handy, convenient if you're shopping, and has two ATM machines upstairs where the store is and an exchange booth downstairs, next to the food court. BKK bank charges 20 baht if you use an ATM other than their own, otherwise there's no charge for ATM use, and the limit, I believe, is 10,000 baht per transaction, but if you need more, and it worked for me, you just stick your card back in and get whatever more you need. To transfer (SWIFT) funds from my Citibank acct. in California to my BKK acct. in Pattaya, the cost is $30.00 per transfer, regardless of the size, and in all three times I've transferred it was in my Bkk acct. the next day, (except week-ends). The Carrefour branch in Pattaya is a two-teller, small branch, but I have seldom found a long line, and the two employees, one man and one lady, are very nice and helpful. Hope this helps someone....ErnieK

Here's my take on KAL.....Have flown them about four times, each time seemed a little better than the past. Now they have a new airport, haven't flown them since they opened the new one, but if it's at least as good as the old one it'll be GREAT. My only complaint about Korea was their schedule, and lo-o-o-o-o-ong layover from LAX to BKK. Other than that.....they're great. One nice touch, dunno if it's the same, if the lay-over was more than three hours KAL provided you with a box lunch, which consisted of a samich, chips, a piece of fruit, and a drink. I flew once on an upgrade to Bus. Class, (w/miles) and it was abolutely wonderful, compared to NWA economy. (groan). (Nothing.....and I mean NOTHING is as bad as NWA economy). And I've got 105,000 miles with them.....and 25 + thousand with Kal, and wish I could figure some way to use them. I'm just not too sharp. Don't forget to try Angel travel, or Orbitz, or Travelocity... China, (CI) has some pretty attractive prices right now, and their schedule isn't bad, at least from the west coast to BKK. If all else fails, ur gonna like KAL.....ErnieK..... (save a tree--eat a beaver).....

Without being to inquisitive, where did you find your tickiet at $717.00 for CI. The best I could find was on Orbitz at 753.60, plus 19.95 for second day delivery by Fedex. Thanks for any info.....ErnieK

I have 105 thousand NWA miles and in ten months haven't been able to get a flight. Does anyone know how to use these miles on another airline. Sure would like to get rid of them and not have to fly Northwest, ever again. If there's a way, except giving them away, I'd like some advice.....Thanks, Ernie

Suggest you check those same sites frequently, as often as daily. I have seen bargains pop-up suddenly.....and often. Orbitz is pretty reliable, and a little easier to navigate than Travelocity, but they're both good. Happy New Year to everyone, and I am REALLY upset about the recent tragedy down south. If it's your thing, now would be a good time to pray......ErnieK

I've got over 105,000 miles with NWA. Unfortunately, as many of you know, you can't find an award flight with them.....at least I can't.....! Does anyone have any information, or directions on how I can redeem these miles anyplace else...? I really don't care to fly Northwest and their "zoo" of aged flight attendent hippos any more anyway. There are so many other attractive alternatives. Help would be appreciated.....thanks, ErnieK (Save a tree.....eat a beaver)

From experience.....the Apex "sucks". Management will try to rip you off at any and every opportunity. The ONLY good thing good about the Apex is the buffet, but it's not as good as Diana Inn, which has an A/C restaurant, right down the street, on 2nd rd... Their rooms are filthy, lacking in any kind of maintenance and the employees are rude and insulting.....ErnieK

I think you'll like KE. When I first started coming to LOS. 10 yrs ago I flew Korean Air the first couple years, and accumulated quite a little bank of miles, and at that time you had to use them up and you couldn't carry them over from year to year. They have changed their policy, due to competition I suppose, and now they're good "forever", at least for now. I quit for the very reason stated before.....the rediculously long layovers in Seoul. Haven't used since they go to Inchon. I rather liked the airport in Seoul cause they had some pretty good "duty free" shops. And I've still got 25K (plus) miles, maybe enough for half a round trip upgrade. I'll have to check it out. The last trip I took, (in June this yr.) I flew Japan Air, and it was just about as good as it gets. From LAX to Japan I had one of the newer planes with the tv on the back of the seat in front of you, and, in addition to the three or four movies, and short subjects availalble, they had a selection of video games, such as solitaire, poker, etc.....and quite a variety of music on the sound system. It was a 747.....from Japan to Bkk, tho, it was back to the usual, on one of the older planes. The service was very good, the food was betteer than average, and they had a good selection of beer on board.....including Singha. All in all I'd say you won't be disappointed with JAL Good luck.....chok dee...etc.....Ernie

Take a look at this site...itasoftware.com... They don't book or sell tickets but some guys at Boston University started this site and it's got loads of information on it concerning available flights to just about everywhere. After the window comes up, click on the upper right corner on "fares" and you'll get a window to type in your destination and dates, etc. and it will give you all the flights, and prices for that. If you find a flight, and price you like, click on "details" and it will give you all the particulars for that flight that you can print out and take to your agent for booking. Good luck. ErnieK P.S....orbitz.com... which is owned by the arlines, is also a pretty good site to order tickets. They only add five, or ten dollars to the price of the ticket, for their service. Unfortunately you have to pay FEDEX $19.95 for second day delivery, in addition to the ticket price.

Angeltravel is good, and may I suggest these others: www.orbitz.com www.sidestep.com www.netstar.com www.itasoftware.com That price from Boston seems outrageous and I'm positive you can improve on that. Good luck and happy hjolidays......Ernie

Here are some web sites you might try. I'm on dial-up and some of them take a minute to load, but YMMV. sidestep.com netster.com yahootravel.com orbitz.com airfareplanet.com Good luck.....Ernie

All those sites are good, am familiar with all of them. Here's another one...www.sidestep.com.....let it load, it takes a few seconds, then type in the nec. info and click search. It will give you a pretty good list, starting with the cheapest. If nothing fits, try another date, and try both PHX & LAX. Also, try this: go to www.evaair.com When the home page is loaded it will show somewhere in the middle an icon that reads "special deals". Just to the right of that is a hot spot that reads "hot fares". Click on that for whatever promotions they have at the moment. I have noticed they don't list PHX but LAX is O.K..as well as SFO and SEA. You can get almost the same results by going to www.singaporeair.com and www.chinaair.com. good luck whatever you decide.....I've not flown Eva but I've heard nothing but good about them and they have a class called "Evergreen" which is like business class but only slightly higher than economy. I'm going that way next trip. .....ErnieK

There are some very good prices on travelocity.com and orbitz.com also. NW for 609.20 tax incl, and about the same for United, but the best seems to be Japan Air for 585.00 including tax. Both these sights charge a five dollar service charge, (travelocity & orbitz). Two other pretty good sites are thaifly.com and sidestep.com, which uses orbitz, but they list most of the airlines on your chosen dates and their prices starting with the cheapest, and list all their schedules. By the way. all three of those mentioned go thru Japan, a good choice.