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It is my understanding that the events at Big C will be 17th through the 19th (Wednesday through Friday), which will be amateur magicians competing for an opportunity to appear on stage with the professional magicians at Alangkarn Theater on Saturday and Sunday (20th and 21st). The Big C part of the event is free. A portion of the ticket sales for the Alangkarn shows will go to the Father Ray Foundation.

I was at BHP this morning for my quartely visit to my cardiologist. After taking blood, there is usually a 45 minute wait for the results before I see the Doctor. Since one must fast before the blood test, I usually spend the wait time at Au Bon Pain (coffee and pastry or cookie). While I was waiting, there were two Thai technicians hooking up two computer stations (desk top, LCD panel) with a sign that says "complementary." The technician I talked to said these two computer stations have wireless Internet connection. However, when he tried to set up the connection, he experienced some problems, which he blamed on the current "outage" of TOT Internet because of the cable that was damaged. I asked if I brought my wireless notebook, could I connect to the Internet - he said yes you could. While he was trying to set up the connection, I noted the one he selected was not shown as encrypted. The two computer stations are on the ground floor near the escalators. I didn't think to ask if the wireless connection availability could also be accessed from the hospital rooms. Will be great if it does - but, of course, there is the issue of security (a small notebook would fit in the room safe).

I went to the Villa Market this morning (Monday about 10am) - I had no problem finding a parking space in the front lot (2nd Road entrance) and they were not too busy. Yes, they do have things that have been unavailable in other Pattaya markets. A a couple of months ago, I friend was in Bangkok and managed to find some corn meal for me (I do miss my cornbread). I didn't see any cornmeal at Villa today, but they did have corn bread mix (a brand I used in USA). The bf was rushing me a bit, so I didn't have the time to browse to my hearts content -- however, we did find most items we wanted, although several items that are also available at the other food stores in Pattaya were slightly higher in price. I think that I will continue to do most of my grocery shopping at Carrefour, Foodland, and Friendship because for the "regular" items, they are bit cheaper. For alcoholic beverages, I think Friendship has the best prices (for example, I like Coopers Stout, which is 79 baht at Friendship, 85 baht at Carrefour, 100 baht at Jomtien Food Mart and 106 baht at Villa). However, I'm not putting Villa down - I will definitely shop there for those items I can't get elsewhere- but, instead of a replacement store, I now have an added one to visit when shopping. Although not major, I think for a business that caters to the Expat community, the restaurant should include more English explanation of the choices, e.g., the menu shows American and other breakfast names in English, but does not tell you what you get or choices - this is all in Thai writing. The same with the main western dishes - the main item is shown in English, but you don't know what comes with it (potato, veggie, salad, etc.) as that is written only in Thai.

For those that may be interested, my room, nursing fee, hospital fee, and food was a daily charge of 7,400 baht (the lowest price room on offer) = total 14,800 baht for two days. The remainder of the 32,000 baht bill represented medication, doctor visits, lab tests, etc. Yes, it is great to have insurance. I am very fortunate in that regard - I do have to pay the bill and then file a claim with my USA health insurance -- my out of pocket for any hosptial stay is $100US and I have to pay 10% of the bill for outpatient care. I have enrolled the bf in BUPA, but when I did that about a year ago, it was before they opened the new wing and upped thier daily rate from 2,600 baht to 7,400 baht per day. A day or two after they opened their new wing and upped the rates, he did have to spend a night there -- ouch! (it seems that BHP's "Thai" rate doesn't apply if a farang is paying the freight (deposit required before they admiitted him as he didn't have his insurance card available -- that was because he was beaten and robbed, which was the reason for the hospital stay).

Eye tests are also available, I'm sure they can give you a prescription for reading glasses, which can then be obtained from the many optical shops around Pattaya (actually, if you get the eye test at the optical shop, it is free and you can avoid the 800 baht BHP fee.

Absolutley! Doctor visit to Bangkok Hospital Pattaya (BHP), definitely the most expensive medical facility in Pattaya, will cost 500 or 600 baht for doctor consultation, 200 baht for hospital fee (a one time per day fee no matter how many doctors you visit), plus fees for any tests and medicines. I just spent 2 nights 3 days in BHP for Dengue Fever - total cost including initial Doctor visit and blood test befoe admission was 32,239 baht covering Doctor, hospital stay for 2 nights, two additional blood test while inpatient, and medicines (IV, etc.) while in BHP and for home after being released. In USA, that would probably be 5 to 10 times as much -- also, in USA, the hospital doesn't give you a menu to choose your meal from (BHP's standard meal gives you a choice of two western or two oriental meals -- menu has choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for each day of the week. They also have an "alternate" menu if you wish to order from it and pay extra (includes choices such as club sandwich, hamburger, etc.) -- there is also a room service menu for au bon pain - a fridge with some cold drinks, a hot water jug along with instant coffee and tea bags, microwave, and in room electronic safe and a plate of fruit (apple, banana, etc) -- yeah, I had the cheapest room, geez, I hate to think what the more expensive rooms have. I don't like staying in the hospital, but if you have to stay, then BHP is almost like staying in a 4 star hotel (except in a hotel, they don't wake you up several times during the night to take your BP, temperature, etc.). Also, if you push your call button, they come on the intercom within a few seconds to ask what you need and, unlike USA hospitals, you don't hear a PA system calling Dr so and so continuously throughout the night. I just made my follow-up visit yesterday - cost was 937 baht (doctor and blood test - no prescriptions as he pronounced me recovered).

I renewed at the end of June. At that time, they were taking the photocopy and giving the Embassy letter back. However, two friends that renewed in August confirmed that Immigration is now taking the original Embassy letter - one friend used a letter that was around 4 years old - so, at least in August, they were not requiring the letter be less than a year old -- I'm sure we will hear more on the subject along with the "map to your house" requirement.

Is it all for naught? The UK Honorary Consul in Pattaya announced at the Pattaya City Expat Club this morning that the Col commanding the Patttaya Immigration office told him that he has recieved new instructions from Bangkok -- the requirement for the Ministry of Foriegn Affairs stamp beginning October 1st for Embassy letters verifying income has been cancelled. Don't shoot me, I am just the messenger! However, he said this requirement, which has been in place somtime for those renewing based on marriage to a Thai will not change. I'm sure this will generate a lot of he's wrong, he's right. So, we will really find out when we get a report from someone renewing their retirement visa in October without the stamp being required. He did say that he expects that Immigration will continue to take the original letter, thus requiring a new one each year.

Hi Jinks, Serving cokes, soda, and . . . I seem to recall something about no "parties" serving alcohol on election day -- there was a story going around a few years back about a farang being arrested for having a party on election eve night serving alcohol to other farangs in attendance -- true??? Who knows as such things both true and untrue tend to circulate in the expat community. Anyway, I did a google and found this in an old edition of Pattya Mail: Election laws of municipalities (year) 2482, amended 2523, section 12CH states: “...as of 18:00 hours on the day before the election until the end of the day of the election, it is forbidden for anyone to sell, distribute, give away alcohol or have parties or social events that have alcohol served...” Section 76 states: “...whoever breaks this law is subject to a fine of no more than 10,000 baht or jail of no more than 1 year or both...” (emphasis added) However, more recent articles seem to show the authorities seem to be enforcing only the "selling" of alcohol. Anyway, it appears the ban will be over with at 6pm on the 23rd (election day) -- it is the evening (after 6pm) of the 22nd that will be affected by the ban.

The Managing Director of Pattaya Today is also the Honorary British Consul in Pattaya. In addressing the Pattaya City Expats Club about the new requirements, he also mentioned that Pattaya Immigration would process renewals up to 90 days early (I have done it as much as 3 weeks early). A close friend of mine had a renewal date in October. So, he went to Pattaya Immigration a couple of weeks ago to see if he could renew his retirement visa without the hassle of going to Bangkok to get a Ministy stamp on his Embassy letter. Pattaya Immigration renewed his visa without any questioning of why he was doing it a coouple of months early. They accepted his Embassy letter, which was about 4 years old - they did take the original this time (previously they were accepting photocopies and giving back the original). His visa was renewed to October 2008 (one year from it's expiration date). So, if anyone is due to renew in October and November using their Embassy "inocme" letter, they may want to try to renew early to avoid the hassle of getting the ministry stamp. Of course, this is Thailand, so the rules could change at anytime.

It is available in some areas from Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT), but it is expensive when compared to the other ADSL services offerred by TOT and TT&T. CAT is the "long distance" telephone provider. Because they are prohibited from offering regular telephone service, they provide ADSL only. IMO it is the best ADSL service in Thailand. When I moved to my present house last November, it did not have an existing telephone service - CAT had a "promotion" at the time for free installation and the 13th month free when signing a 12 month contract - the cost with VAT is 2,782 baht per month - In my case, I paid another 2,400 baht because they had to run a line for over a kilometer to connect my house to their junction box on Jomtien Beach Road. However, if your location is close, there is no additional charge for running the connecting line. Also, CAT installed the line when they said they would and sent 4 people to handle the connection to the service after the line installation (1 to physically connect the line, 1 to assist in setting up the modem, etc. to connect with the service, and 2 to watch -- ). My friends that use TOT or TT&T ADSL complain of frequent outages and slow performance - but they do pay around 900 to 1000 baht per month. In the 8 months I have been using CAT ADSL, I have experienced an outage only twice - both lasted for 2-4 hours. However, the friends that recommended CAT to me said to expect a disconnect every so often (usually every 2-3 days) as CAT forces you to reconnect for a new IP address (they charge substantilly more for a static address). Reconnection simply involves rebooting the modem. As to speed, I am very pleased - my usual download speed exceeds 1000 kbps and upload is usually greater than 500 kbps.

There is a place in Jomtien Complex that sells small storage bins. I seem to recall that their sign out front also said they had safe deposit boxes to rent on a monthly basis (I don't recall how much, but seemed very high when compared to what banks in US charge). My recollection seems to be confirmed - when I did a google for Pattaya Safe Deposit boxes, the following was posted on a message board link -http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/ : There is a safety deposit box, hire Company on the ground floor of the Jomtien Complex Condominium ,in Jomtien . Safety deposit box place on Soi Post Office

Last year, I opted to get a medical certificate from Dr. Mongkol (his clinic is across from Foodmart and opposite Pan Pan on Thapraya Road - Jomtien aea). He charged 150 baht - But, unlike reports about other clinics, he actually met with me and gave me a brief physical. As I previously mentioned, Immigration is no longer requiring the medical certificate for renewals. As to the Embassy letter - copy vs original - A friend told me that the US Embassy folks told him he would need to get another original the following year when he got his during an outreach visit to Pattaya. I was there at the same time for other business and I mentioned to the Embassy lady that I had used a copy on my preceding renewal and was told I could use a copy again the next time -- she expressed surprise as she understood they required an original each time. So, it appears the practice in Bangkok is different than the one in Pattaya -- apparently up to the local Immigration office. In that regard, I have found - especially the last couple of years - that Pattaya Immigration is very efficient and usually very easy to deal with -- unlike stories you can read on Thai Visa about other locations. So, at least IMHO, we are fortunate to have our Immigration needs taken care of by that office.

GB, I believe you are correct on letter contents, but like you, I don't know for sure as it is in Thai. A recent letter (original) from the bank is required for initial application and each annual renewal. It doesn't matter whether you are qualifying on 800K in the bank, embassy letter on monthyly income only, or a combination of the two. I have heard that the letter needs to be within 5 days of the application -- for myself, I go to the bank and get it the day before I make the application - fee is 200 baht at Bangkok Bank. My branch is the one on the way from South Road heading toward Jomtien. It used to be obtained at the customer service counter (take a number), which opened when the bank opened. This was changed two years ago and is now obtained from the Currency Exchange Counter, which doesn't open until 10am (I think), but it might be 11am.

I agree with the answers given to the questions asked. The US Embassy ACS section has a "form" letter, which you complete with your income and passport information. You will be directed to the cashier to pay the fee (about $30 US - they take US dollars, Thai baht, or credit card). You return your documents to the window along with receipt - usually will be required to wait until your name is called by a consular officer who will then "adminsiter an oath" on the accuracy of document and then put the Embassy seal on the letter and sign it (in essence, notarizing the statement - the $30 fee by the ways is the standard notary fee for the first document - as i recall, any additional documents are $20 each -- I went through that process when I sold my house in USA and had to have my signature notarized on several closing documents). The ACS section makes periodic visits to Pattaya - their next one is scheduled for May 25th (Friday) from 8:00am to 12:00pm at the Dusit Resort on Beach Road. According to their announcement, their next visit after this will be in August or September. They do provide notarial services and have the "income" letter form available - they do request that you have exact change in dollars or Thai baht (I don't believe credit card payment is an option for the outreach visits). I have no first hand knowlege regarding other Embassies, but have heard that they often require some evidence or proof of the income. When I go to Thai Immigration, I always take along documents showing my retirement income and records showing I have transferred funds into Thailand equivalent to the requirement (800,000 baht during the year - monthly income requirement is 1/12 of that amount). I have never been asked by Thai Immigration for anything more than the "Embassy letter," but being the "worry wart" that I am, I like to be prepared "just in case." A medical certificate is no longer required for "renewal" of the retirement visa, but is still required for the initial application -- two friends have renewed since that change in policy and were not required to have the Certificate. A photocopy of the passbook and original of letter from your Thai bank wil be needed - I usually copy the face page of the bank book and the last page showing the balance -- the date of the balance and the letter should be very recent - I have heard different numbers for the days that will be accepted - I usually get them the day before I go to Immigrtation for renewal. I also suggest you take your original bank pass book with you in case they want to compare it to the origianal. Generally, IMO Pattaya Immigration staff are efficient and easy to deal with. However, they are Government officials and expect you to show proper respect -- dress nicely, be polite, and smile a lot.

GB, Your friend is substantially correct. I and several other friends use the Embassy letter to quqlify for the "retirement" visa (12 month extension of "O" visa based on meeting retirement qualifications). I used the same letter my first 3 times (2003, 2004, & 2005). I renewed my passport in March 2006 and obtained a new letter at that time. I used the new letter in 2006. When you go to Immigration, be sure to have the original and a copy of the Embassy letter. They will accept the copy (signed and dated by the applicant as is the norm for photocopies of original documents). HOWEVER, they will often ask to see the original letter and sometimes the lady Captain will rub her finger across the Embassy letter's "embossed stamp" to verify it is the original. I have "heard" that Immigration will accept the same letter several times, but if it is starting to get dated (3-5 years), they may ask for another "original." Me and my friends make it a habit to go to Immigration 2-3 weeks before the visa expires to re-apply. So if Immigration should suddenly want a new letter, there is time to take care of it before the visa expires. Also, on the retirement visa issue, another friend that uses the 800k on deposit to qualify each year confirmed with Immigration a few months before that for "renewal" they do not require the full 800k be on deposit for 3 months -- that is for new applicants. So, he "topped up" his bank account about a week before going in to renew his visa for another year -- no problems encountered. Of course, all that being said, this is Thailand, so the rules could change tomorrow.

"If his gay victims were carrying an ATM card, he would call them and ask for an extra B2000 - the price of getting their cellphone back. He would ask them for the PIN number, then withdraw the B2000 cash, though one news report said he did not bother to return the cellphones, but sell them." Just ripped off by this guy and you give him your ATM PIN

Hmmmmm! As I recall, the telephone shops are on the 2nd (1st for some our European friends), whereas the CD's etc are on upper floors -- so it would not have been necessary to pass the other shops for the raid. Sorry, couldn't resist -- in fact I tend to agree, if the "order of the day" was to check shops selling telephones, it wouldn't matter that adjacent shops were selling pirated software.

GB, are you sure you are not in Turkey? Kidding you since I recently read that a Court in Turkey had ordered YouTube blocked. I just tried it and had no problem connecting.

I agree with GayThailand's comment, but what if you are not near your computer that has these copies? Although I have my information on a laptop computer that I usually take with me when traveling, there is always the possiblity of a hard drive crash. Also, for some, their computer may be a desk top and thus have no computer when traveling. One solution is to also have copies on a USB thumb drive and take it with you when traveling. Allso, there are several "free" email services that keep your emails on their servers (gmail, excite, yahoo, hotmail, etc.). As an added precaution, I have sent an email to myself with file attachment(s) containing copies of these documents. That way, if needed, I can access these copies from any internet connected computer.

Yesterday, I called from Thailand on Skype to my Niece in USA - to her cell phone. Rate shown being charged was .017 euro.

On Gaybutton's recommendation - I second the motion! I just recently started using Skype and am very pleased -- so far, no problems with quality. My niece in USA does not have broadband, so I call to her cell phone or home phone - about 2 cents per minute. The first time, she said the quality was much better than when I was using TOT/CAT. A close friend, at my suggestion, just downloaded Skype - we have talked 2 or 3 times computer to computer (free) and the quality has been very good. One feature I would like to mention -- before when I called "800" numbers in USA, I had to pay for the Thailand to USA call plus listen to the operater first say in Thai and then in English that I would be charged for the call before it went through. Well, with Skype, calling an "800" or "888" number is FREE. This is especially good since most of these numbers are to businesses that have an endless stream of voice mail options and then put you "on hold" continuously telling you to stay on the line because your call is "important to us." At least with Skype I can play "solitaire" or otherwise use the computer to occupy my time while waiting for them to answer my "important" call.

Travelerjim- Amen and Thank You!

No problem earlier - However, as of the moment, I am also getting the censor page.

What do you want to pay? That pretty much sums it up IMO. I obtained BUPA for my bf -- they have 4 plans with different premiums based on the amout of coverage (goes up with age). At the time, I thought the plan we chose was was pretty good since my last stay at BPH (IMO, the best, but most expensive hospital in Pattay was 2,000 for the room plus 500 for food and another 6 or 700 for nursing fee). So, we chose the plan that pays 2,000 per day for room and nursing (me figuring I could take care of the difference). The annual premium was a little over 8,000 baht. Well, we had need to use it recently - BPH now charges 5,000 baht for the room , 500 for food, and another 2,400 baht for rnursing and "hospital" fee (have to pay for that new wing). BUPA has plans that pay more, but the premiums are higher. Also, if you want outpatient care, that also costs more (but has limits on the number of visits per year).