Me too.
Made an appointment online a week in advance. Went in, sat down. My name was called within five minutes. Out of there within 30 minutes. The waiting room was quiet and nearly empty. Much nicer experience than in years past.

It's never acceptable to steal. Even if you're a maid on 5k a month or a guy who's had no raise for 15 years. If you don't like the conditions of your employment there are options. Improve yourself through training and education. Look for a new job. Move to a different location. Theft is inexcusable...

I wouldn't leave 140 baht laying around a hotel room.
How ignorant can these people really be?

It's not right for the maid to steal it, but really, some people are just asking for it.

Thailand is not a nation of laws. It's that simple. If you're deluded enough to believe it is, you'll likely pay heavily. If you expect rational, reasoned treatment from police here, you are, in essence, expecting a crack-addict holding you up at gunpoint to follow specified rules of respect and dec...

I grew up on a lake, frozen every winter, and played hockey for two weeks straight every Christmas break. And every weekend from November to March. I'm not canadian or scandinavian (still trying to figure out that comment).

Japanese have hundreds of tombs they'll never exhume because it'll prove they're from Korean descent. They guard them with nationalistic fervor.
Asian pride is far stronger than the Portsmouf/Souf'ampron piss-weak inbred imbeciles arguing over some kickball game.
No offense intended, of course.

Robinsons have them expensive ~5-6K
Tesco has them cheap ~3-4K

I used to have one with a spring-loaded wind-up knob that would swing it for 30-40 minutes. Haven't seen those here.

For a good belly laugh, check out the baby hi-chair at Robinson's. Flimsy, plastic Chinese crap -- B11,000.

I was once a supporter of Aek too.
Only had to small procedures there several years ago (paid cash, didn't even file a claim).
Fast and easy and professional. Seems like times have changed.

I've been watching the baht-dollar dance for awhile. I will not transfer money to Thailand on or shortly after the beginning of a month. It often, not always, seems to dip unfavorably beginning the last few days of the month and recovers about the 4th or 5th day of the new month. This happens irresp...

self help if you know the battery model number

Best option by far, very helpful to the OP.

I was treated like someone who would try and trick them with some kind of scam and told to go away and come back with photos of my house and contents. It's a mind game -- they're trying to convince you they're honest, responsible and thorough. Even if they insured you, the first time you make a cla...

That's the Thai retail technique. What you want is of little or no consequence to the sales clerks. They seem know what you want more than you do. When you ask for something, indeed, when you initially walk into the store, they're not receptive to your desires. They really don't care what you want. ...

It'll be a bloodbath. They better issue helmets.


As if a Thai would wear a helmet.

the cliam represenative ... told to go home and come back wiht the card and they would bill AIA. We got back within 30 mins. New ball game take claim yuorself. Unbelievable. A major international hospital makes patients schlep their insurance claims across town to the insurance company to be sorted...

Budweiser, individual of Beers.

My brother in law graduated from Udon Rajabat with a 4-year degree in Accounting about four years ago.
He finally landed a government job at a local (small) dam (where there are oddly about 10 full time employees)
His salary is a whopping 4,500/month.

I will never understand this place.

Anybody who buys IKEA furniture is either very convinced of a product name, or of very bad taste. I've lived in many places around the world, and experienced a variance of furniture ranging from exotic-opulent -- to fruit-crate-basic. IKEA, for some reason has a cult following. Maybe it's the food t...

That scenario would require Thai re-entry visa, a multiple (or at least double) entry visa to Laos, wait three days for a Vietnam visa, travel to Vietnam, back to Laos and back into Thailand. What an ass-tear for a journey of 400 km, no wonder nobody does it. From the bridge at Mukdahan to Dong Hoi,...

I wonder if it's possible to get visas for Vietnam at the embassy in Vientiane? It's a shame it's so difficult to get to Vietnam from here (Udon / NK area). The sea is much closer to us than Bangkok, Pattaya and much nicer than many spots in central Thailand. Checking Google Earth, it's only 340 km ...

I would wear the panties if they are expensive, but thats me...

I would bring a few crisply folded 1000 baht notes instead.