CrazyExpat

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Meteorological Dept disagrees with city administration's rainfall figures The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday insisted that rainfall in the capital this month has been the highest in 100 years. "I have clear information," Sanya Sheenimit said in his capacity as chief of BMA's Drainage and Sewerage Department. He added that the total rainfall in the capital had reached 825.5 millimetres. Sanya went on to say he had already cleared up misunderstandings with the Meteorological Department's deputy director general Somchai Baimuang, who questioned BMA rainfall records on Thursday. Yesterday, Somchai reckoned that the BMA might have used statistical methods in determining the average rainfall figures for the 100-year period. "However, at the Meteorological Department, we use raw data and our database can only go back to between 30 and 50 years," he said. According to Somchai, rain levels should be based on data compiled at one measuring station. For full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Rain-highest-in-100-years-BMA-claims-30191368.html

The Bank of Thailand is likely to revise downward its economic growth forecast due to the weakening global economy that has continued to dampen merchandise exports although domestic consumption and tourism are still expanding. Private investment has decelerated but capital inflows last month reached Bt100 billion. "It is likely that the central bank will revise down the economic projection during the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee on October 17 as the weakening global economy has adversely affected exports," said Mathee Supapongse, senior director of the macroeconomic and monetary policy department. "However, as Thai exports also depend on imports, deceleration of exports will also reduce imports, so the net negative impact on the economy will not be much. The impact will be greater if the country faces only an export slowdown," he added. For full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/BOT-expected-to-lower-growth-forecast-30191352.html

ANGKOK, Sept twenty-eighth - Yongyuth Wichaidit said today that his resignation from the positions of Deputy prime Minister and Interior Minister Will be effective Monday, Reaffirming that he was not pressured to leave the Cabinet positions. He said his leadership in the ruling Pheu Thai Party and. Party membership in the House of Representatives-List Will remain intact. Yongyuth visited Wat Sa Ket in the Afternoon to Pay Homage to the Abbot. Some Red Shirt activists and Supporters of the Red Shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), including Former MP Jatuporn Prompan, Deputy Agriculture Minister Nattawut Saikua and Pheu Thai Spokesman Prompong Nopparit, appeared at the Temple to give Moral support. The National Anti. -Corruption Commission (NACC) earlier ruled that Mr Yongyuth had unlawfully endorsed the sale of monastic land owned by Wat Thammikaran to the Alpine Real Estate Co and the Alpine Golf and Sports Club Co while he held the position of deputy permanent secretary for interior. (MCOT online news). http://www.mcot.net/cfcustom/cache_page/418835.html

Suvarnabhumi Airport Hopes to See Great Improvement in Immigration checks, baggage claims and Internet service soon to cope with the increasing passenger load next year, Airport Director Somchai Sawasdeepon said today. The International Airport Will have 180th less Flights or ten million. less passengers Each Day after Budget Airline Thai AirAsia relocates to Don Mueang Airport on Monday. Mr Somchai said two hundred and fiftieth more Immigration Officials Will be on Duty at Suvarnabhumi Airport to accelerate Visa inspections, and reduce the Process from 50th minutes per passenger to the 20th minutes. Passengers. will find it more convenient with the visa checking areas three times larger while baggage claims must be finished within 30 minutes after a flight lands, with the first baggage delivered to a carousel in 20 minutes, Mr Somchai said, adding that a 15-30 minute. free Wi-Fi service also Will be Available. Suvarnabhumi Airport served 48.32 million passengers between Oct 2 011 and August this year, a 9.65 per Cent increase year-on-year. It is estimated that the total number will be 52.6 million passengers, or 301,477 flight, at the end of this fiscal year on Sunday Sept 30. It predicted an 8-9 per Cent growth next year with a Major increase in passengers from China, Malaysia and India. Airports of Thailand (AoT) has planned a second-phase development of Suvarnabhumi Project with an Investment of Bt65 billion to cope with 60th. million passengers by 2017. (MCOT online news). http://www.mcot.net/cfcustom/cache_page/418888.html

THAI's first A380 has just landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Plane Airbus A380 first flight of Thai Airways International at suvarnabhumi airport, arriving at the finish. http://www.thaiairways.com/

Welcome. We are glad to have you.

Please bear with me as I ask you to briefly use your imagination. Close your eyes. Imagine Machu Picchu at dawn cloaked in fog. Now imagine the fog slowly lifting to reveal an enormous ancient city perched on the edge of a mountain. Picture a sense of mystery being immersed in thousands of years of history as you walk between antiquated hewn stone structures. There is tranquility in the wind-blown stillness of the primeval site. You feel a renewed sense of kinship with the past and with your ancestors and feel a deep reverence for their lives and accomplishments. Now imagine the menacing sound of bulldozers closing in and men at work. Their heavy machinery rattles the ground. You hear workers rigging dynamite to these massive stone structures. There is a brief lull and then the deafening blow of multiple explosions as Machu Picchu is razed to the ground. Be at ease, Machu Piccu is a UNESCO protected site. But a very similar 2,600-year-old Buddhist site in Logar province, Afghanistan isn't so lucky. http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/22/opinion/afghanistan-buddha-site-mine/index.html

For many people, retirement means that there's finally time to take advantage of newfound freedom. If that definition of retirement appeals to you, an ideal destination when you leave the workforce may be Thailand. Known as “Land of Smiles,” the country has undergone significant social and economic development in the past decade. In 2011, the World Bank upgraded the nation's income categorization from a lower-middle income economy to upper-middle income. "Thailand boasts a very favorable cost of living structure for retirees," Jonathan Galaviz, Chief Economist at the Galaviz & Co. consultancy said in an e-mail. "The US dollar, even with its lower global value, still goes a long way." The tropical climate and low cost of living make Thailand an enticing destination. However, there are many other things the prospective expatriate will want to know in order to make an informed decision. CNBC.com consulted the Tourism Authority of Thailand, retirement experts, consulting specialists and others to gain insight into the nation’s economy, health care resources and other issues that retirees should weigh when relocating. Read ahead to find out more about making Thailand your own retirement haven. First Steps There’s no more crucial first step to assessing Thailand than visiting it. According to the Royal Thai Consulate-General in New York, passport holders from the U.S. are not required to carry a visa to visit as tourists. If you like what you see but aren’t ready to commit to a permanent move, then it will be necessary to obtain a non-immigrant visa-O-A. This type of visa is intended for “applicants ages 50 and above who wish to go to Thailand for a ’Long Stay’ period of 1 year.” For the rest of the story: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/how-to-retire-abroad--thailand.html

Been here several years and it is a great time. Put this on your calendar!

Looking for a nice use BMW motorcycle!

The release of Aung San Suu Kyi in late 2010 and the more recent easing of social, political and economic restrictions in Myanmar have turned the long-isolated nation from the pariah of Southeast Asia to the region's hottest travel destination. Around 425,000 foreigners visited Myanmar last year, according to the Ministry of Tourism, with the number projected to grow to 640,000 in 2012. But foreigners based in Thailand have long been traveling to Myanmar's deep south -- and just for one day. Strictly for visa runs as opposed to tourism, the trick allows them to skip across an international border and apply for a new 30-day tourist visa on return. Accomplished by longboat, the journey crosses the mouth of the Pak Chan River, a broad estuary that marks the maritime border between Thailand and Myanmar. On the Thai side sits Ranong, a prosperous provincial capital. On the other side lies Kawthaung, the southernmost point of mainland Myanmar and a key transit point on the Singapore-Calcutta shipping lane. http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/longboat-myanmar-982788

EXTENDING working holiday visas so backpackers can stay and work longer in agricultural jobs could make a difference to the chronic labour shortages facing Australia’s farming and rural sectors. Currently, backpackers under the age of 30 can visit Australia for 12 months under 417 visas where they are permitted to work six months of that time to help supplement their holidays. The time-frame can be extended to 24 months if the backpackers work in regional areas for three months, while using their first visa. Australia has reciprocal working holiday visa arrangements with the UK, Ireland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Malta, Cyprus, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea. Working holiday arrangements under the 462 visa classification also exist between Australia and Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Turkey, Chile and the US - encouraging cultural exchanges and closer ties. However, when those visas expire, rural employers often face the conundrum of having to let good workers go, having trained them and developed solid working rapports - even with a local labour shortage. For the full story: http://sl.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/agribusiness-and-general/general/move-to-extend-backpacker-labour/2620064.aspx

Like many Gen-Xers, my present outlook on retirement falls somewhere between doom and gloom. I fear a stock market collapse could decimate my investments as I near retirement – a fate that befell many retirees following the 2008 financial crisis. I'm highly skeptical that Social Security will be much help, if any, and I fret that I won't have enough money set aside to keep up with rising costs for everything from food and gas to housing. Recently, however, I've started to consider whether retiring overseas might be a good strategy. Moving to countries like Mexico, Ecuador and Thailand, where the cost of living can be far lower than in the U.S., can turn a modest nest egg into something more substantial. "It's really not for everybody, but there are many places where your dollar can go a lot further abroad than it can here," says Gabrielle Redford, editorial projects manager for AARP The Magazine. Americans have been retiring abroad for many years, some seeking a more adventurous and culturally exotic experience, others looking to save money. It's hard to gauge how many there are, as the Census doesn't track Americans living abroad. The State Department estimates 6.3 million Americans live outside the U.S., but that only accounts for those who voluntarily report their status to U.S. embassies. Still, many countries have established enclaves of American retirees. And the fallout from the 2007-2009 recession appears to have fueled greater interest. "We hear anecdotally from readers that many more people are looking into these options," Redford says. Doug Hall is such a retiree. The 61-year-old Atlanta resident retired in February and is planning on moving to Mexico City once he figures out whether to sell his house or rent it out. For More Information: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120919/us-on-the-money-retiring-overseas/

UK immigration staff are taking longer than usual to process applications for UK visas made in Thailand, according to a statement made by the UK Border Agency. The statement appeared on the UKBA website on 31st August 2012. It warned Thais that the UKBA office in the British Embassy in Bangkok is currently experiencing a very high volume of visa applications and tells Thais that they should be sure to apply early so that their visas arrive before they are due to travel. The UKBA says that the delay has been caused by the large number of Thai students applying to the UK immigration authorities for Tier 4 student visas. However, the weight of applications means that all UK visa applications for all types of visa are being delayed. There are various types of UK visas some of which come under the Tier visa points based system. Among these are • Tier 1 visas for highly skilled migrants, entrepreneurs and investors, • Tier 2 visas for skilled migrants, • Tier 4 visas for students and • Tier 5 visas for temporary workers and working holiday makers The UK also issues other types of visas which are not issued under the points based system. Among these are visas to visit the UK for various reasons such as leisure, business, marriage or medical treatment. Family members of UK citizens can also apply for visas not governed by the points-based system. Processing of these visas is also affected. The UKBA warns all those who wish to apply for a visa from the Bangkok Embassy to apply early. Its statement reminds Thais that they can apply for a visa up to 3 months before travelling to the UK. The UKBA says that it aims to process non-settlement visas within 15 working days and settlement visas within 12 weeks. For more information: http://www.workpermit.com/news/2012-09-04/uk-immigration-warns-thais-to-apply-early-for-uk-visas-because-of-backlog

Uzbek President Islam Karimov has signed a decree on the simplification of visa procedures for Thai citizens, the Uzbektourism press service said on Tuesday. In addition, the requirement of having to produce tourist vouchers Uzbektourism or other tourism organizations abolished. It is expected that the decision will increase the flow of tourists, expanding the partnership between the two countries and create a positive image of Uzbekistan, the press service of the national tour said. Earlier, the Thai government had decided to include Uzbekistan in the list of countries which citizens are eligible to obtain a visa on arrival in Thailand. According to the State Statistics Committee, the Uzbek-Thai trade turnover amounted to $70.5 million in 2011, including the Uzbek exports amounted to $61.7 million, import - $8.8 million. Foreign trade figures in 2011 showed a four-fold increase in the balance of trade between the two countries compared to previous years. There has been a mutual willingness to further strengthen mutually beneficial relations, diversification of cooperation in order to implement the existing profound potential of the Uzbek-Thai partnership during the years of diplomatic relations. For More Info: http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/uzbekistan/2059643.html

The wait for a visa to visit Thailand just got shorter. The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Mumbai has announced that the processing of a visa application will be completed within 24 hours instead of the norm of around three working days. According to the new system put in place by the Royal Thai Consulate-General, visa applications will be accepted at Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra through CKGS, a global travel consultancy firm. Ahmedabad in Gujarat, Panji in Goa, and Indore in Madhya Pradesh are other centres in western India where such a facility will be made available. As per records with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, about 9.17 lakh Indians visited the country last year. Officials expect the number to jump by around 16% in the coming years. On an average, about 80% of the visitors are tourists. Also, around 65,000 persons of Indian origin are settled in Thailand. “The number of travellers to Thailand, who go there mainly to spend weekends or for short trips, is fast increasing. This process [of quick visa approval] will definitely help such travellers,” said an official. The US embassy had announced a similar move on Wednesday. Those filing an application for a US visa after September 26 can pay the fees through funds transfer and collect their documents from 33 centres in India. http://www.dnaindia....-24-hrs_1738235 Also read: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-06/mumbai/33648602_1_visa-applications-thai-visas-cox-and-kings

Four countries in the South East Asian sub-region are considering creating one common visa zone in a bid to attract a larger number of international tourists. Tourism ministers of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar discussed the possibility of creating a unified visa zone for international tourists traveling within the Mekong river sub-region at a conference held in Ho Chi Minh this weekend. The idea is to minimize the large number of visas currently required to a single permit that would allow travelers to tour the countries. The aim of the project is to attract over 25 million foreign tourists between 2013 and 2015, out of which 4 million are expected to travel within at least two of the four countries. The four countries received over 12 million international visitors in 2011, a 14.5 percent increase over 2010. The countries calculate that around 2.1 million tourists traveled within the zone. Thailand is considering joining the program after it settles its bilateral agreement with Cambodia. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Travel/Chunk-HT-UI-TravelSectionPage-TravelStories/Common-tourist-visa-for-S-East-Asian-countries/Article1-933006.aspx

The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand has been informed by the Royal Thai Police that a demonstration involving several hundred people is planned on Wireless Road in front of the Embassy beginning between 1 PM and 2 PM on Tuesday, September 18. Demonstrators will assemble at Lumpini Park and march to the Embassy. The large number of demonstrators is expected to disrupt traffic in the area. Consequently, the Embassy will be closing to the public at noon and non-essential personnel will be sent home. Visa and citizen services appointments scheduled for the afternoon of September 18 are being cancelled and rescheduled for later dates. The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok is not aware at this time of any specific threat to U.S. citizens in Thailand. As a general precaution, the U.S. Embassy advises you to exercise caution and to be aware of your surroundings, particularly around large crowds or gatherings. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence with little or no warning. You should avoid areas that may be targeted for demonstrations and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations or large gatherings. You should monitor local media to keep updated with the latest information about demonstrations and areas to avoid. http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/091812securitymessage.html

Thailand is one of my favorite places in the world, an exotic gem, where the architecture and artistry are matched only by the friendliness of the people; where every flavor is more pleasing than the last; and where Buddhism binds the culture seamlessly. If you're reading this, you are already probably a fan of Thai food, and for good reason. Thai food is an exceptional combination of exotic sweet, tangy and peppery spices, fresh ingredients, and stunning presentation, and most who try it are hooked for life. I recently had the pleasure of scouting Access Trips' brand new Thai culinary tour, Flavors & Culture of Exotic Siam. Our cooking tours feature the perfect balance of cultural "must sees" and magical secret spots and Thailand is no exception. When not out exploring, I worked with talented local chefs, learning to cook delicious Thai food that I have easily been able to replicate at home, much to the delight of my family. From tangy salads to rich, hearty soups and delectable curries, I enjoyed three cooking classes, preparing some of Thailand's most exotically spicy and delicious meals. Riding a traditional long-tail boat up Bangkok's Chao Phraya River to Chef Tam's ancestral home set the tone for the first cooking class. After a tour of her lush herb gardens that overlook a quiet Bangkok "klong" or canal, and an explanation of the various herbs used in Thai cuisine, we headed to an open air kitchen where I learned to prepare Phad Thai, coconut chicken soup, coconut pancakes and sumptuous wok-fried ground chicken with basil. In two additional cooking courses in Chiang Mai, I learned additional recipes, from rich home-style curries to Thai-style banana fritters. In addition to cooking, I enjoyed warm Thai hospitality and friendly smiles, as I wandered local markets, listened to the monks chant at Wat Po, and stumbled upon a parade celebrating the birth of Buddha. Deep in Bangkok's Chinatown, a single circular banquet table awaited as I passed through the doors of an unmarked Chinese shop house. Within minutes, plate after plate of steaming fresh Chinese food was brought out to the table. I sampled shrimp dumplings topped with fried shallots and garlic, Chef Jok's signature steamed crabs (he used to be a crab vendor), and at least six other dishes. I will have to go back! For the full story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tamar-lowell/flavors-of-thailand_b_1895352.html

BANGKOK – IPhone fanatics lined up in their droves across Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong to pick up the latest version of Apple Inc AAPL +0.20%.’s smartphone Friday. But enthusiasm also raged in Thailand – a country where the iPhone 5 won’t go on sale until later this year. Customers here are flocking to crowded shopping warrens such as Mahboonkrong in downtown Bangkok to place deposits on phones smuggled in from places such as Hong Kong, Singapore and even the United States. One vendor in MBK – as it is known – said his team will try to bring over 100 phones into Thailand, and so far more than 80 people have handed over deposits of 5,000 baht, or $160, per phone. This contraband comes at a price, however. The an unlocked, top-end 64 gigabyte iPhone 5 will cost 43,000 baht, or $1,387, compared with about $927 in Hong Kong. The cheaper 16GB version goes for 35,000 baht, with the 32GB version selling for 39,000 baht. For the full story: http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2012/09/21/in-thailand-smuggled-iphones-go-for-up-to-1400/

The iconic Rolls-Royce brand will open a new ‘boutique’ in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. This is the first time the British luxury carmaker is reaching out directly to its customers at an upmarket luxury mall in Asia. “We’re the world’s ultimate luxury brand, so we should appear alongside other luxury brands,” Rolls-Royce Motors Cars CEO Müller-Ötvös told the Financial Times earlier this month. “In Seoul, for example, our dealer is located alongside Louis Vuitton and Prada, not on the typical car-dealer mile.” The new boutique, to be operational in the fourth quarter of the year, will feature additional Rolls-Royce products and complement the other Rolls-Royce Rama 3 showroom in Bangkok, a two-storey seven-car showroom with a special delivery room for customers. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/rolls-royce-open-boutique-dealership-luxury-mall-bangkok-thailand-article-1.1164577#ixzz27A29jXaM

(Reuters) - After months of negotiations and failed promises, a proposed multi-billion dollar Myanmar port and special economic zone that could transform Southeast Asian trade appears back on track. Thai banks aim to keep the project afloat with short-term loans until an expected Japanese loan of up to $3.2 billion can be secured, officials and sources familiar with negotiations told Reuters. Thailand's largest construction firm, Italian-Thai Development Pcl ITD.BK, signed a deal in 2010 to build a deep-sea port and Special Economic Zone SEZ.L in southern Myanmar's coastal Dawei into Southeast Asia's largest industrial complex. But the project foundered, as the Thai builder failed to secure $8.5 billion to finance construction of its first phase -- roads, utilities and a port. For the full Story: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/21/uk-myanmar-thailand-dawei-idUSLNE88K00R20120921

PATTANI, Thailand — Suspected Muslim insurgents detonated a car bomb in southern Thailand that killed six people Friday after businesses received warnings against opening on the Muslim holy day. The suspects opened fire on a gold shop in Pattani province's Sai Buri district, hurting no one and fleeing, police Col. Asis U-mayee said. When security forces arrived at the scene, a bomb hidden in a gas canister in a nearby pickup truck went off, he said. A border patrol volunteer, an administrative official and four civilians were killed. Twelve police officers were among the 44 people wounded. Security officials said the pickup truck containing the bomb had been stolen in a Sept. 7 attack in which three women were killed. For the full story: http://www.ajc.com/a...-warning/nSG9G/

The capture of several high-profile transnational suspects in Thailand in recent months owes a debt to a US information-pooling model, the Immigration Police Bureau says. The new approach to intelligence sharing is helping catch suspects who might previously have gone undetected, it says. Vital information about key criminal suspects from local and national security offices is combined and shared among crimebusters, including those in other countries when a crime-tracking operation goes global. Pol Maj Gen Preecha Thimamontri, commander of Immigration Division 2, said the IPB is emulating the Fusion Centers model created by the US government after the 9/11 terror attacks. Each security agency, from local to federal level, pools information for analyzing and predicting threats. For the full article: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crimes/287013/us-influence-helps-nail-foreign-felons