PattayaMale

They wanted front and back. I crossed out the last 2 numbers on the copy of the front and the same 2 numbers plus the 3 security code from the back.

Ok so I went to today to renew my retirement visa and have it transfered into my new passport. I brought my pension letter form the US embassy and the letter from my bank saying I had an account with 358 baht in it and the TM 7. They DID ask for a copy of my ATM card. I said I was not comfortable giving all the numbers. They said "up to you". So I went and made a copy and crossed out the last five numbers. I took it back in and they said "OK". They then did all there stamping and I paid the 1900 baht. The whole process took 40 minutes including the wait for my number

I went to immigration today since my retirement visa expires Nov 2. I wanted to make sure I knew from them what was needed. I was told I just needed the letter for US embasy for my pension and a letter from the bank showing that I have a Thai account and fill out the form they gave me. I asked about the stamp from the foreign ministry and the credit card copies. They said neither were needed, I guess I will find out for sure Nov. 2

Pig and Whistle soi 7 or 8

About Pattaya Bangkok Hospital. I checked their checkup prices vs Bumrungrad in Bangkok. Why is the price for almost the same tests 20,000 baht more in Pattaya? I paid 13,000 yesterday for a comprhensive checkup at Bumrungrad after seeing the price for the same tests were about 40,000 at Bangkok Pattaya,,,,,and they have wi-fi throughout in Bumrungrad

The article does not give the time? Anyone know the time of the event?

I bought 2 strip loin beef steaks at Villa Market today. They looked fresh and well marbled. Since I have not found very good steak in Thailand even at Foodland and Friendship I was not expecting too much. WRONG!! They were fantastic! I paid about 270 baht for 300 grams each. I simply heated my BBQ put some black pepper on the steaks and cooked them until medium (pink inside). The steaks were the most tender and juiciest I have had in Thailand...as good as any I have eaten in the USA too! Villa Market is great

$$

"you must have a LOT of additional ammenities.."...GaySacGuy Sunee has some very good ammenities that is hard to find at many 5 star hotels...at least at those prices......

Thinking selfishly I note reports that the referendum is on Sunday 19th August and the Cabinet are thinking of making the Monday a Public Holiday. What days will the bars open?.....wowpow Must be British

My Thai friend thinks that Thaskin should come back to power because the current government is not "good". He did not like Thaskin before the coup, but now thinks he was doing good things for the poor and this government has not. He said he will not cast his vote because "it doesn't matter"

Wow! For those that have not attended the "Meet and Greet......." I have never been asked my posting handle at those functions. Rainwalker is a wonderful host. In fact I had to ask the owners of Memories which one was Rainwalker the first time I went. He certainly is not walking around asking for attention no matter what Ear Wig says. For those of you that are new and not sure, Ear Wig loves to se how many replies he can get to his posts. I think he may just enjoy the banter since he usually makes little sense, in my opinion. It is a nice gesture by Rainwalker to pay the tab which must be quite high as so many show up. Some who have probably never bought anyone else even one drink, stagger out having met many new friends, thanks to Rainwalker bringing so many together for a great party.

It does seem that there would be no reason to store cash at home, except that the Thai banks are asking for 30% interest free for a year and not allowing you to take out of the country more than the equivilant of $5000 (depends on the bank and official). I tried to find a safety deposit box at a bank and have had no luck. So what are the choices? My ATM allows a limited cash withdrawl each day and each week. I can make purchases with my credit card but for large amounts I pay a visa fee, an ATM fee, a bank fee and currency exchange fee. So lets say I want to buy a car. I can't get a loan here so must pay cash. I need to build that amount over several weeks. Over 1 million baht for a car and so......

Ok 1) In that have Los Angeles I would go to the same place to eat maybe 2 times a week. It seemed that they did not even recognize me after 2 months of and several large tips. Here in Thiland the staff is very friendly and even the owners remember your name after 2 or 3 visits. I feel welcomed. 2) I have found many people my age that have similar interets and fun to talk with. 3) The attitude towatds gay men seems more accepting by most people. You can joke with people and feel welcomed. Most Thais that I meet are happy. 4)I can afford to live a more comfortable life. A house similar to what I have here would cost at least 7 times more. 5) The entertainment.

Thanks for your effort and information wowpow. This may sound weird but the reason I was looking for one at a bank is that in case I am robbed while at home and am asked to open the safe...which I would do in a second..nothing would be there but condoms and lube

Today I set out on South Pattaya Road to my bank to open a safe deposit box. I was amazed when they told me that they were all full and had been for 10 years. I went to a different bank that my Thai friend has his account and was told the same thing! Anyone in Pattaya know of a branch that has any available?

Could it also be that some "butterflies" feel superior? Maybe it is different, not superiority but contentment. I have had the same friend for almost 8 years now. And before that had an exclusive relationship for 18 years (not sure he was exclusive). The time in between these 2 relationships I was very much a "butterfly". For me it was not as satisfying even though I sometimes envy those like Wowpow that are "butterflies". For me it is just that I feel more satisfied. Cetainly not superior. I often feel that the butterflies are more secure in themselves and have greater fun.

Geezer, Who is George?

I think that different points of view are very vaild and necessary for a board. I also think that pesonal attacks or lecturing members who make up the board community is very wrong!! In my view, one of the moderators, has a way too large ego, and thinks that all that matters is his self-importance. Although some of his post at times are quite good, at times his "tone" is that of a bully. There was a comment about a closed Board. To me it did not matter what reason it closed. It simply became poorly moderated to the point that most post were from 1 person, whose ego drove people away. So my input would be to make sure that people feel welcomed and valued, even if they have differnt views. But I certainly think that nasty personal attacks have no place. It is a fine line. But a good moderator can do it. Also, I wish there was a place I could save posts that I would want to refer to later. Maybe this is all ready possible and I just don't know how to use it.

Many good points were raised about moving thigs to Thailand. I am using a company that a friend of mine used when he shipped his furniture. The name is Siam International. They have offices in Bangkok and Los Angeles. They take care of all the paperwork and custom release. I do have to supply my passport and visa, etc. I also appreciate the concern about me wanting to return to Los Angeles if I don't like Thailand. I have been visiting for 5 months for 8 years now so feel pretty good about my decision. But if something happens and I do return, I would refurnish in Los Angeles. I would not ship my stuff back from Thailand. But the advice is well taken and I agree people should carefully consider furniture storage if not sure. Thanks Wowpow for the posting of the requirements.

Thanks for the advice about voltage converters which do step up or down say 220v to 110v. The problem is that the don't seem to change the cycles from 60 USA) to 50 (Thailand). It may not be a real problem for small things like a small blender but for things like Refrigerators or convection ovens and clothes dryers it can be I have been told. At least that is what Kitchen Aid and Frigidaire told me. The Siemens AG sale happens towards the end of November or first of December. I found out about it by an ad in the Bangkok Post. The sale is done over a two period (Saturday, Sunday). All of the products from washer, dryers, refridgerators, coffee makes, toasters, air extractors, are discounted deeply. This is not used or damaged products just not the current model year. We arrived at about 10am in Bangkok at the Siemens AG headquarters. After we parked, we took the elevators to the ground floor and to a large plaza area where they had over100 items all grouped by products under these large tents. They had roped barricades surrounding the entire area. When we arrived, they had just closed the first sale. They loaded things on to trucks that had all ready been purchased on the first round or wheeled them aside and brought in more items. This took about 3 hours. During that time we had to wait outside the roped area. On each item there was a sale receipt. The idea is that when they open for each round, people run to whatever they want to buy and the first one there puts there name on the sale receipt and tears off a copy which has a unique number and the price on it to another tent where you pay for it. My friend and I split up and knew that we could probably each get to one item. I got to the washing machine and he got to the oven air extractor. We then met at the cashier. At the cashier there are hundreds of people waiting to pay, cash or credit card. Before getting to the actual cashier they give you a number so they call you up by number. This took another 3 hours. But the savings for us was well worth the wait. After you pay, you can go to another tent and arrange for delivery. Delivery takes 2 or 3 days from Bangkok to Pattaya and cost 500 baht total. When the delivery arrives you check the items purchased and sign that they aren't damaged and that you received it. The warranty period is the same as at the store. The other interesting thing is that as you are waiting to pay, they auction off items that people tried to buy but whose credit card was not accepted. We bought a 4500 (regular price) toaster for 800 baht. You must have a sense of humor to get through the day!

Actually the shipping is fairly reasonable from Los Angeles. To ship a container (20'x8'x8') from Los Angeles is only $1100. For me it is pretty good cost savings because if I had to replace the furniture I am bringing (my Bedroom set is $6000, 2 lazy-boy leather chairs $2800, Dinning room set $5000, Weber BBQ $1100, art work...etc), I think I would have to pay much more than $1100 for the quality of what I have. Even with what I am packing I only have a little more than a half of the container filled. Since the electric is different voltage and cycles in Thailand I am selling all my electric appliances. I did buy a 220v 50cycle garbage disposal since when I was getting bids to redo the kitchen of the house I bought, they wanted $400 and it can be bought online in USA for $90. And I bought a 220v 50cycle bread making machine for $96. The one I saw in Bangkok at Central was almost $200 and had less features. My desktop Vaio computer operates on both 110v and 220v (there is a switch in the back) same with the LCD monitor, so I am sending that. I earlier took my laptops and left them. Small stuff like dishes, pots pans, will be given away...I did buy some 500 thread count sheets (on sale) since I could not find those at a reasonable price in Thailand, but I am sure they exist. By the way, Siemens AG, has a once a year sale in Bangkok. It is a bit of a hassle since they put all the items they need to move to make way for the next year models in one large outside area. Then several hundred customers line up behind barriers until they open the area. Then people run at the same time to claim what they want. Since it is a deep discounted sale, people seem to loose control. (I had to knock down 2 elderly ladies to get the washing machine I wanted ). A 42,000 baht price reduced to 10,000 baht. So maybe others have found some things harder to find or much more expensive in Thailand and can give me a heads up. Thanks

Based on the "what items do you miss most...", Gaybutton mentioned a bread machine, since it might be hard to find in Thailand. Some big items in Thailand also seem to be more expensive. Like a good BBQ Grill. When you retire, a person can take in a shipment of personal household stuff with no or low tarriff (cars, motorbikes excluded). I am shipping my stuff to Thailand in April and am wondering if anyone that lives there now, wishes they would have bought and shipped something.

Sorry I did not make myself clear about colonics. I gave that as an example. I was wondering really about a weight-loss program that would be similar to what GayThailand went through but in Thailand. And at a smaller fee. Thanks wowpow, I have sent sent and email to Fairtex asking if they have a similar program. I hope GT can get some rates posted. .....Maybe another business opportunity for GT, or ...Monty

I wonder if a program like this is available in Thailand. I know friends that have gone for a week or so to ??Hua Hin?? for bowel detox programs. Anyone know?