http://teakdoor.com How much rent should I pay? Should I buy a car or bike? Does Lotus sell the cheapest toasters? Will soi food poison me? Are insects delicious? Should I marry a bar girl? en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:06:58 GMT vBulletin 60 http://teakdoor.com/images/td_default/misc/rss.jpg http://teakdoor.com http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/60485-your-thailand-stories.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:42:18 GMT Ok this is an old one from 2005 so involves Don Muang Airport rather than Suvarnabhumi Airport, so anyway, my mate makes his way to the Bangkok... Ok this is an old one from 2005 so involves Don Muang Airport rather than Suvarnabhumi Airport, so anyway, my mate makes his way to the Bangkok airport with his massive overstay, we all know it is 500baht per day and a maximum of 20,000baht, pretty easy to remember for the thickest of people, sadly Thai immigration don't make the grade on the thickest people.

So a quick run through of what happened, he gets to the airport and checks in then goes to pay his overstay, the Thai immigration officer spends a long time working out how many days it is due to there lack of mathmatic skills, I still remember my father applying for a 365 day visa, well it does fuking say how many days, the fuking idiot got the calendar out and was totally suprised it was a year, anyway back to the airport scum, th Thai immigration officer worked his fine out to like 60,000 odd baht, yet the maximum fine is 20,000baht, so he handed over the 20k baht like a good man that he is, he was quite shocked to hear from Thai immigration officials that they wanted more money, so being the nice chap that he is he told them to go fuck themselves, yep, Thailand and thais are great, only if your fucking them. ]]> Living In Thailand Forum dirtydog http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/60485-your-thailand-stories.html http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/60430-fake-immigration-visa-khao-san-road.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:23:41 GMT ok...so getting a fake diploma on khao san road would not be a good idea.. can someone, somehow, get a fake immigration visa on khao san road?....is... ok...so getting a fake diploma on khao san road would not be a good idea..
can someone, somehow, get a fake immigration visa on khao san road?....is it just a stamp that goes in your passport?....how often do police check your passport. i mean if you have an immigration visa you can own property, work, have your name in a house book, etc....
CAN I GET AN IMMIGRATION VISA ON KHAO SAN ROAD? AND WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? ]]> Living In Thailand Forum juno http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/60430-fake-immigration-visa-khao-san-road.html http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/60359-thais-learning-english.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:56:54 GMT My Thai girl friend is learning English and like most Thais is shy about speaking. Of course, we speak as much as I feel we can, but it's not the same as with others. We live in Pattaya and I would love to hear of any situation in which she can participate in English conversation without me being around.
Any suggestions? BTW, she is in class at AUA, which I strongly support and she's doing well(Level 8 out of 15). ]]> Living In Thailand Forum Baraka http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/60359-thais-learning-english.html http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/60354-coming-one-way-to-thailand.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:02:20 GMT Having a lovely Thai wife of 34 years, and having visited Thailand a few times over the last few years, we have decided to come and live permanently... Having a lovely Thai wife of 34 years, and having visited Thailand a few times over the last few years, we have decided to come and live permanently in the Land of Smiles. I am 68 and retired. My wife is 61. We own a good sized western style house located in Nonthaburi, a modern community a few miles North of Bangkok. My retirement income more than meets the amount that the Thai government requires for a retirement visa. Also, being married to a Thai who still maintains a Thai ID Card and Passport, in addition to her American Passport, helps. So, all of the basic necessities will be met. Housing, food, transportation, etc. I also have a Medicare Advantage plan that allows emergency medical care anywhere in the world. My wife can get medical care through her family's plan as it covers everyone in the house.

What I need help with is the views of people who have settled in Thailand permanently. The pros and cons. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I have traveled all over Thailand and love the entire country and its people. Living permanently in the country what do you keep yourself busy at? For those of you who are young and single or even old and single I already know what you keep busy at. However, my wife and I are interested in other more mundane things.

Appreciate the assistance and look forward to some really useful information. ]]> Living In Thailand Forum Floridathunderstorm http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/60354-coming-one-way-to-thailand.html http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/60111-purolator-fed-express-or-such.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:55:22 GMT Hi...I want to get something of value, about 12,000 baht in value, shipped from Cha Am to Chaweng. What's the best way to do it. Someone with insurance would be good. I have a friend who lives in Cha Am. He is on his way there soon and I would like to send a little care package with him for my GF and then have him send it on to Chaweng; and no, it's nothing illegal...I don't remember seeing a Fed Ex or Purolator or such on Samui. Can someone set me straight? ]]> Living In Thailand Forum slunky http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/60111-purolator-fed-express-or-such.html http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/60052-anyone-has-slingbox-here.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:02:03 GMT hi Guys, do you any thai guys who have slingbox setups specifically connected to truevisions? maybe you can exchange with me. im in need of... hi Guys,

do you any thai guys who have slingbox setups specifically connected to truevisions?

maybe you can exchange with me. im in need of truesports thailand or supersports south african channels. i can offer US DirecTV or Sky UK.

email me up at regi_mclub[at]yahoo.com or PM me...

thanks guys... ]]> Living In Thailand Forum rafasm http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/60052-anyone-has-slingbox-here.html http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59898-thinking-about-living-in-thailand-advice.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:22:11 GMT Hi, I need some advice from people experienced to living in Thailand. I currently work from home and manage some large websites which pay me... Hi,

I need some advice from people experienced to living in Thailand. I currently work from home and manage some large websites which pay me reasonable commissions every month (about £4,000) and I am thinking about living in Thailand. I am looking for somewhere that I can relax, enjoy and work and not worry about the cold.

I have lived overseas in the past in Costa Rica which was great but moved back to the UK for a couple of years as my friends all returned back home and to work for large corporates. I am thinking about Phuket or surrounding areas but need advice from more experienced people here.

Can I live as a perpuatual tourist and just leave every 90 days, or do i need some kind of extended tourist visa? how does it work? also what is the expat community like? anyone else doing the same as me?

Your advice great appreciated,

Simon ]]> Living In Thailand Forum simonhere http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59898-thinking-about-living-in-thailand-advice.html http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59618-has-winter-arrived.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:01:14 GMT Lovely cool day today. Very cool tonight. No need for the airconditioner. Lovely cool day today.
Very cool tonight.
No need for the airconditioner. ]]> Living In Thailand Forum good2bhappy http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59618-has-winter-arrived.html http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59532-1968-first-time-in-bangkok.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:17:58 GMT As I prepare to travel to Bangkok in November for my annual visa run from the Philippines, it occurred to me that it was Thanksgiving 1968 when I... As I prepare to travel to Bangkok in November for my annual visa run from the Philippines, it occurred to me that it was Thanksgiving 1968 when I made my first trip to the LOS. Hard to imagine it was 41 years ago! Nineteen years old, and fresh from the mountains of the northern part of what was then South Vietnam. A young, 19 year old Sergeant in the 101st Airborne. After hours of waiting, finally on the plane! Land in Thailand and get the obligatory VD lectures, a bit on local culture and customs, and we are cut loose.

Immediately are grabbed up by a cab driver, who has joints, cold beer, and the addresses of lovely young virgins. Off we go! Get some civilian clothes and check into one of the R&R hotels, I believe it was the Grace or the Nana. No go-go bars back then (it would be another year or so before Rick Menard would open the first go-go bar, The Grand Prix, on a quiet little soi called Pat Pong). All the action was up around Rama IV, in Thai-style dancehalls. Lovely young ladies who, as I recall, spoke much better English than the bargirls of today. They must have been able to communicate, since at that time I spoke no Thai.

Five days of debauchery, and then back to the war for another six months. Armed with photos of my Thai honey, two cheap suits, and a star sapphire ring (and no VD). I swore then I would be back, and since then, I have lived in the LOS for six years, and visited at least annually.

Fond memories of a simpler time in the LOS....... ]]> Living In Thailand Forum Davis Knowlton http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59532-1968-first-time-in-bangkok.html http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59449-lines.html Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:36:10 GMT A friend of mine just wrote this on his blog, he speaks great Thai and I thought it interesting enough to share.

"The other day after classes I went outside the school and ordered a snack. There were a number of students who had already ordered ahead of me. I waited.

After I’d waited a while the vendor made a comment about my patience. He wondered that I didn’t tell him to serve me, the teacher, before the students. I told him I didn’t mind waiting my turn.

He responded by saying that foreigners like to wait in line. I’m not sure that I like waiting in lines, but I do think the system of lines is better than people pushing each other around.

He went on to say something that particularly caught me; he said, “Thai people do not like to wait in line. They prefer to cut the line. If they cannot cut the line, they will try to buy the line.” ]]> Living In Thailand Forum MeMock http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59449-lines.html http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59365-how-to-get-wp-freelance-teaching.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:36:47 GMT i am 24 years old, married to a thai, planning to be p.r. in thailand by getting 3 x 1 year marriage visa and than immigration visa. i dont have any... i am 24 years old, married to a thai, planning to be p.r. in thailand by getting 3 x 1 year marriage visa and than immigration visa. i dont have any skills in teaching and only got my h.s. diploma. i am planning to open up a small store, sell Buddha frames, and freelance teaching. the only problem is that when i went to obtain a work visa or a work permit, they told me they cant give one for freelance. i need to be working in a school. they told me i am not aloud to teach from home or at peoples homes. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? HOW CAN I GET A WORK PERMIT FOR FREELANCE TEACHING? i am worried about surviving in thailand if i cant teach as extra income apart from selling cigarettes, beer, pop, coffee, and Buddha frames.

does anybody have any advice on what my options are? i am living just outside Bangkok and i did try to get a job at some schools (but you need a B.A. or some kind of training). should i just teach at home without a wp? (i kinda want to do everything liegal because my wife is 7 months pregnant and i dont really have extra money to pay any fines).

thanks guys. ]]> Living In Thailand Forum juno http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59365-how-to-get-wp-freelance-teaching.html http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59328-products-suppliers-needed-o-g-industries.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:47:57 GMT Possibly in the wrong section of TD, please move it to the correct area if required. One part of our little company here does Freight Forwarding... Possibly in the wrong section of TD, please move it to the correct area if required.


One part of our little company here does Freight Forwarding and attached to that is a trading arm. One of our customers has requested us to source an supply the following products . . .

This is a new area for me and doing a web search has brought up some names but I have no idea as to their quality or reputation . . . I'd be grateful for any help, s I know some here are in the industry:

1. Production Chemical Contract
Corrosion Inhibitor Integrity Chemical Interim Contract

2. Production Chemical Contract
Corrosion Inhibitor Oilfield Chemical Contract

3. Marine Vessels Lubes

4. Mechanical Hoses - SBM Hoses

5. Mechanical Pipe Fittings ]]> Living In Thailand Forum panama hat http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59328-products-suppliers-needed-o-g-industries.html http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59222-sports-channels-on-true-tv.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:19:06 GMT Hello Does anybody know if the Thai True sports channels show any rugby matches from The UK ? If not is South African sat TV (most the pubs... Hello



Does anybody know if the Thai True sports channels show any rugby matches from The UK ? If not is South African sat TV (most the pubs have this i see ) the best option ? and how does one go about getting it here in Thailand ?

Thanks ]]> Living In Thailand Forum jimmymck http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59222-sports-channels-on-true-tv.html http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59166-places-you-can-buy-western-style.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:37:41 GMT Here are some places in Thailand I enjoy going to for Western goods and services. If you have a store or anything place you go to that offers things... Here are some places in Thailand I enjoy going to for Western goods and services. If you have a store or anything place you go to that offers things that are just like back home, then post them here.

Here are some of my favorites -

For furniture -

LA-Z-BOY THAILAND MARKETING
Ethan Allen Design Center219/2 Sukhumvit Road
Between Soi 15 And 17
Bangkok 10110
ethanallen.com - Ethan Allen


For tools and other household goods that are the same quality as back home -

True Value Thailand - Quality for your home hardware, home improvement and gardening

For cook ware and kitchen supplies -

Verasu.com-Main ]]> Living In Thailand Forum chitown http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59166-places-you-can-buy-western-style.html http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59001-the-best-retirement-havens-thailand-2-a.html Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:32:40 GMT Forbes magazine has just released their 2009, Best Places to Retire list... Seems even with all the turmoil in Thailand, it still ranks #2 on their... Forbes magazine has just released their 2009, Best Places to Retire list... Seems even with all the turmoil in Thailand, it still ranks #2 on their list...

best-retirement-havens: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance
The Best Retirement Havens

by Richard C. Morais
Friday, October 23, 2009provided by


We found spots offering good health care, culture and affordability.

Forbes cannot promise retirees "paradise on $30 a day." Quite the opposite. We promise seniors wishing to move out of the U.S. that they will not find paradise anywhere. Each country is unique -- with assets and liabilities -- and the key to successful retirement as an ex-pat is carefully matching your own personal priorities and finances to the country that has caught your eye.

To help matters along, Forbes has compiled its own list of the 10 best retirement havens, based on a wide variety of criteria ranging from safety to retiree-friendly visa requirements to decent medical care. The countries on our hit list: Austria, Thailand, Italy, Panama, Ireland, Australia, France, Malaysia, Spain and Canada.

No place is perfect. Some countries rank high in one area but lower in others. Australia is, by one well-regarded rating, the Country Brand Index, the most livable place in the world. But if you plan to return to the U.S. frequently, Australia makes for a long slog. Canada is No. 2 in the Country Brand ratings and certainly convenient for Americans, but its harsh winters are well-known. Italy scores high on quality of life, medical care, and even cost of living and climate for retirees residing in the Southern parts of the country. But its complicated taxes and bureaucracy require patience.

So, the key to any decision: Know yourself and do your homework.

If you're a sun-worshiper determined to protect your assets from overreaching Western governments, consider countries like Panama or Malaysia.

If you are solidly middle-class with a taste for high culture, then there are pleasant surprises to be found in Europe. Who would have known, for example, that France is so friendly to American retirees? Or consider Ireland. Its top personal income tax rate is 43 percent. That's not terribly appealing on the surface, but a couple over 65 is entirely exempt from Irish tax on any income below $59,000.

Are you eager to live abroad but totally tone-deaf to foreign languages? That's a fine argument for Australia, Ireland or Canada. The key to lowering costs and receiving first-rate medical and other services in foreign countries is the ability to "work the system," and to do that, you have to speak the local language passably well. Sheila Trifari, an American who had cancer while retired in Paris, says she received excellent medical care precisely because she was fluent in French and could work her way through the local medical establishment.

On the other hand, going totally native can bring on unexpected and powerful bouts of homesickness. Kathleen de Carbuccia, president of the Association of Americans Resident Overseas, recommends that prospective retirees seek out cities, towns or villages where there is an existing American or English-speaking ex-pat community. Fellow ex-pats will be of great help during those inevitable moments when cultures clash, and they'll perhaps help you see the humor in the situation.

Decent and affordable medical care is a key issue for retirees, of course. Most nations, when a retiree applies for a visa at their consulates, require proof of income, such as private or public pension payments and bank account statements, as well as proof of private medical insurance. They don't want seniors who haven't paid into their health care systems to become a burden on the locals who have been paying into the system all their lives.

Don't panic. Finding coverage is eminently doable, and we have laid out how to go about it.

But listen to Donald Johnson, an 80-year-old American retiree in Paris, when he says, "The largest advantage we have is our health care [in France.] We are not sure we could afford to return to the U.S., where health care costs are completely out of control." In short, factor the costs of medical care into your overall analysis, because in many cases even the costlier E.U. countries become attractive when the quality and cost of medical care is included in a retiree's projected budget.

Look for the unexpected snafu in your plans: Most American retirees abroad receive their income in U.S. dollars; their expenses are in a foreign currency. Managing this currency risk is one of the most difficult elements of living abroad, and it is likely to be a growing issue, as we enter a period of prolonged dollar weakness.

So, be wise. If you calculate you'll have to live month-to-month on your pension and Social Security payments while in a European city, then consider village life, or one of our lower-cost alternatives, like Thailand, where you'll have enough income to maintain a cash reserve and a fine quality of life. No one, after all, wants to be forced home when the dollar drops 25 percent, as it can sometimes do in a period of just a couple of years.

But there is a means, on our list, to eliminate even the currency risk, if that is your priority. Exotic Panama, that sunny nation in Central America, gateway between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, has adopted the U.S. dollar as its official currency. Move there and your assets and liabilities are matched.

So, retire abroad, by all means, for it can be richly rewarding. But do so with eyes wide open. ]]> Living In Thailand Forum Muadib http://teakdoor.com/living-in-thailand-forum/59001-the-best-retirement-havens-thailand-2-a.html