kiaora1968

Cheaper if you book direct with the operator, Roong Reaung Coach, instead of though an agent! 473 baht... https://rrcticket.com/customer/Webhome?_=0.6858102015771568

On my phone (Android), I'm using a free app, Pure Tuber, which acts as a YouTube mirror app. You can connect to your YouTube account through it, and you keep all your playlists. Not only does it remove the ads, but you can also continue listening to the music with the screen turned off, or while using other apps, with Pure Tuber in the background. I downloaded a similar app for my Android TV, SmartTube Beta, but installation is trickier. I first had to download the APK on my phone, send it to my tv via another app "send files to tv", and install it there...

I've done it solo several times already and the online booking system for appointment makes it now so easy and fast. Be prepared in advance and all will go well. This is what you should prepare: -TM7 application for extension of stay -STM.2 acknowledgement of terms and conditions -one pass photo (didn't really matter anymore if blue or white background) -passport: copy of front (photo) page. Copy of last entry stamp (with TM6 if you got one when you last entered Thailand). Copy of first non O visa. Copy of last extension. -copy of last 90 days report (if applicable) -copy of TM30 -copy of updated bank passbook showing one year of transactions (updated on the day you apply for the extension) and copy of the front page. -original bank statement, done on the day you apply for the extension -1900 baht All copies must be signed. I went to my bank in the morning of my 2pm appointment to get the bank statement and update my passbook. I received it immediately (100 baht, Bangkok Bank). I was at immigration at 1:45pm and gave all the documents at the information window, by the entrance of the main building. They were checked and the immigration officer kept everything by his side until...2pm, time of my appointment. I saw him go to the "retirement" counter at exactly 2pm, with my passport and documents. 5 minutes later I was called for the photo. Another 20 minutes wait and the extension was ready. Smooth like a breeze...

I did just that last year and wrote about my experience here: I should just add that, in Belgium, they cut the corners of every page of the old passport. However, I explained that the relevant "Thai stamp" pages (conversion to Non O, last extension, re-entry permit...) should be left intact, I clearly marked them with tape, and they accepted without any question.

9 years ago I bought some cheap laminate at Home Pro. The top layer was as breakable as glass and after many small accidents and chips on the surface, I decided to change it. For laminate, go for the 8mm ones, on top of a 2mm foam underlay, that will be much more stable than a 4mm laminate! I found a much wider choice at Baan & Beyond, for very reasonable prices. There were in stock so I could see the real colour and feel their texture. They also stock PVC flooring planks (not linoleum, the planks look and feel like real wood/laminate) which is completely water resistant. I might go that way for my next renovation.

When I applied for my extension last year, these were the documents I had to provide: -TM7 application for extension of stay -STM.2 acknowledgement of terms and conditions -one pass photo (didn't really matter anymore if blue or white background) -passport: copy of front (photo) page. Copy of last entry stamp with TM6. Copy of first non O visa. Copy of last extension. -copy of last 90 days report -copy of TM30 -copy of updated bank passbook showing one year of transactions (updated on the day you apply for the extension) and copy of the front page. -original bank statement, done on the day you apply for the extension All copies must be signed. The whole process took about 3 hours. I went to my bank at 9am, got the letter and the passbook updated in no time, immigration by 9:30am. There you enter the parking lot through the metal detector area, tell the staff you come for visa extension, receive a little "clearance" sticker and a queuing number. This queuing number is for the documents check area, under the "tent", on the left hand side of the building. You sit down until your number is called. After checking the documents, you'll get a "pass" and you'll go inside the main building to the info desk. They'll quickly check the documents again and give you a new queuing number. Wait until your number is called. The extension process starts there and then ????

The info line I mentioned was the one inside the building. There was nobody queuing at all, as I said. Loads of people were waiting outside though, under the covered space in front of the building, to have their documents checked... I didn't lose a single minute so no big deal ????

This is my experience at Chiangmai immigration, to transfer the stamps (I am on a Non Immigrant O extension -retirement- since 2018) from my old passport to my new passport, renewed in Europe prior to coming back to Thailand. I entered Thailand last June, with my new passport, showed my reentry permit from my old passport (with cut corners) to the immigration officer, and my new passport was stamped with permission of stay until the expiry of my last extension (somewhere in November 2022). 2 months later, today (!), I decided to take the trip to the Chiangmai immigration office by the airport. No remark at all that I was late... I arrived at immigration at 12:50pm, during lunch break. I filled in the "transfer stamps" document (Chiang Mai version, don't download it from online, it would be useless) and went to the copy shop (they are also closed between 12pm and 1pm (I had to wait 5 minutes outside their doors) to copy the following: Old passport: -Photo page; -All pages containing "Thai stamps" since my last TR visa from 2018, that was converted to a Non Immigrant O visa (90 days) before being extended yearly. -I didn't copy every page from my old passport, even the ones with old TR visas or visa exemption stamps, prior to 2018... New passport: -Photo page; -Arrival stamp page with my TM6 card. TM30 As I had received my new passport in my country of residence, I didn't receive an embassy letter of course, and I wasn't asked for one either. And as I came back to Thailand 2 months ago, I didn't have to produce any 90 days report. I signed all copies. I went to the info counter inside the immigration building at 13:05pm. They checked my copies and I was directed to counter number 3. New quick check of all the documents/passports, and I received a queue number. About 5 minutes later, my number was called at counter number 3, I gave everything to the immigration officer and I sat down until the transfer was ready. I was out at 2:15pm. The transfer was completely free of charge. Damage: 18 baht for the copies. I think that I could have skipped the info desk check, by going straight to counter number 3, but there was no queue at all, so no time lost.

You can't bring meat products into Thailand, that's sure. On my flight to Bangkok, last week, Etihad made an announcement that bringing meat products into Thailand is subject to a fine of maximum 200k baht and a 2 years jail term... I would say good luck for obtaining an import permit for private import/consumption. Yoghurt, cheese, biscuits etc shouldn't be a problem though.

I extended my permission of stay 3 weeks ago. Painless process. First, on the parking lot, in front of the main car entrance, they'll check your temperature, give you a little sticker that you'll stick to your clothes, and give you a waiting number. With that number, you'll go under the temporary tent, on the left of the parking, and sit while waiting to be called. Your documents will be checked there. There can be a long wait. For my extension, I had to wait about one hour as there was only one person on duty. Once checked and validated, you'll get a big cardboard number and you can enter the main building. Report to the information counters, submit your documents once again, and you'll get another queuing number. That's it. Same documents as before.

I second islandguy with his preference for Street Pizza. But although they have many decent Italian style pizzas, the ones that I prefer are the ones that you won't find in any other restaurants. The Chiangmai style, Nar Wad, and my favourite ever: the Sri Racha pizza, where the tomato base is replaced by Sri Racha sauce, a little bit spicy. So, if you are after real Italian (or American style) pizza, there are dozens of alternatives that might please you more. But if you fancy to try something a little bit different, have a go at this place! Oh, the owner is also visiting my table every time as I am a very (very!) frequent customer, but I've never been pushed to buy something in any way. Just the opposite in fact, as I was offered a free glass of wine many times!!!