Sunday, October 30, 2011
Immigration Horror Story
Occasionally I hear of horror stories some folks have experienced in dealing with Thai Immigration Services.
I tend to believe that the majority of these horror stories are not caused by immigration officials, rather by the traveler.
Was at the Sakon Nakhon Immigration office. The agent assisting me, very politely apologized for keeping me waiting.
He was asked by another agent to assist explaining to a customer why he had to return to the border after having just come from there.
I pretty much got the gist of the conversation.
The gentleman probably too much in a hurry, apparently did not understand border crossing procedure and did not legally enter the country.
He was given a departure card upon reentering Thailand. He needed to fill out this card and return to the agent to complete the entry process. Instead he took the blank departure card and left.
The departure card in his possession was both blank and not stamped.
Of course, rather than admitting to his mistake, the gentleman was furious at Thai immigration procedures and declared he had his fill of this country.
Even if he decides to leave the country at his earliest convenience, I'd strongly suggest he first return to the entry point where he came from and correct the entry. Otherwise he can expect further hassles when attempting to depart with a blank departure card.
I tend to believe that the majority of these horror stories are not caused by immigration officials, rather by the traveler.
Was at the Sakon Nakhon Immigration office. The agent assisting me, very politely apologized for keeping me waiting.
He was asked by another agent to assist explaining to a customer why he had to return to the border after having just come from there.
I pretty much got the gist of the conversation.
The gentleman probably too much in a hurry, apparently did not understand border crossing procedure and did not legally enter the country.
He was given a departure card upon reentering Thailand. He needed to fill out this card and return to the agent to complete the entry process. Instead he took the blank departure card and left.
The departure card in his possession was both blank and not stamped.
Of course, rather than admitting to his mistake, the gentleman was furious at Thai immigration procedures and declared he had his fill of this country.
Even if he decides to leave the country at his earliest convenience, I'd strongly suggest he first return to the entry point where he came from and correct the entry. Otherwise he can expect further hassles when attempting to depart with a blank departure card.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Bangkok Floods: Natural or Man Made Disaster
Just wondering: Do they have water taxis waiting at the Bangkok Airport?
- Kidding aside. Many people expect the Thai currency to weaken because of this disaster. That may well just be wishful thinking. As a comparison consider the natural disaster in Japan. It did nothing to weaken their currency, in fact it got stronger..
- Word in the media is that all this flooding is not really a natural disaster, but the result of man made stupidity. Supposedly a decision was made to not release water from dams to insure sufficient water for farming. When the heavy rains did arrive, water from the dams had to be released in large volumes to avoid bursting of the dams.
This is really just speculation, but the decision definitely was at least a contributing factor.
- Many empty shelves at the local market, but surprisingly there was a limited amount of milk on the shelves. Also plenty of potatoes, carrots, and onions, most likely from regional sources.
- Sakon YFC vs Burirum YFC Saturday 10 a.m. at the football field on ITU
- Cooling temperatures for the next few nights, then things should turn back to NORMAL, with plenty of humidity in the daily forcasts.
=
=
Thursday, October 27, 2011
A message to my Friends in Bangkok
by Iron Maiden
RUN TO THE HILLS
Possibly the worst weekend ahead for Bangkok: 28-31 October.
Incoming ocean currents will create a dam for water draining from the north.
MSNBC: Thai capital warned "massive" water on the way
is a very revealing article with some good information.
According to the article Bangkok is "...a city that accounts for 41% of Thailand's gross domestic product.."
RUN TO THE HILLS
Incoming ocean currents will create a dam for water draining from the north.
MSNBC: Thai capital warned "massive" water on the way
is a very revealing article with some good information.
According to the article Bangkok is "...a city that accounts for 41% of Thailand's gross domestic product.."
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Thailand announces Five Day Flood Escape Holiday
*
- Weather alert: Cooling trend, expect temperatures to drop to 18C (64.4) over the coming days.
- A health alert: has been issued in association with the cooling weather.
- Thailand announces Five Day Flood Escape Holiday: Thurs, Oct 27 - Mon Oct 31 , in 21 Provinces
- Chao Phraya on the brink Bangkok Post >>plenty photos<<
- WANTED: Crocodile Hunters in and around Bangkok New York Times
*
That health alert arrived a bit late for me,
Recuperating from a cold:
I sleep under a fan, not only to keep cool, but also to avoid mosquito bites while sleeping.
Days had been hot and humid. Late evenings had been pleasantly cool, after midnight it got a bit too chilly under the fan.
First a chest infection. I was coughing so hard, at times I was close to passing out.
I've learned from experience when it gets that bad to head for the couch. Passing out and hitting your head on the tiled cement floor leaves lasting memories (headaches).
I tried a home remedy of jasmine tea, honey, cinnamon, licorice. Surprisingly reduced the coughing and chest pains by the following day. There was a tsunami coming out of my sinus. Used a box of tissues in eight hours. Needless to say I spent three days mostly prone.
Except last night when I had visitors!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
And the winner is undefeated Yothasing
Team Yothasing finished the season undefeated, winning every game.
Unfortunately I did not attend the final game due to chest and nasal infection.
I did however support the team, as usual with refreshments.
This time the team celebrated their victory at the local all you can eat restaurant.
Thought football season is over for a while.
In a way I was correct. The provincial games are completed.
The Inter-Provincial games start tomorrow.
My soi (alley) was invaded by a team from Buriram.
The team will be staying in the apartment building across the street from my house.
The games are being played at the university campus, some miles away, an indication that apartments and hotels in the area seemed to be full
Unfortunately I did not attend the final game due to chest and nasal infection.
I did however support the team, as usual with refreshments.
This time the team celebrated their victory at the local all you can eat restaurant.
Thought football season is over for a while.
In a way I was correct. The provincial games are completed.
The Inter-Provincial games start tomorrow.
My soi (alley) was invaded by a team from Buriram.
The team will be staying in the apartment building across the street from my house.
The games are being played at the university campus, some miles away, an indication that apartments and hotels in the area seemed to be full
Bangkok Domestic Airport CLOSED, NOK Air suspends operations
Bangkok Post: NOK Air suspends all flights until November 1
ALJAZEERA Flood waters enter Bangkok's domestic airport
Also noted earlier in the day. Flow of water has been greatly hampered due to canals being full of vegetation and other debris. Something which should have been considered weeks ago!!
Loi Krathong Celebrations start early
Loi Krathong is still weeks away, yet fireworks seem to be on sale already.
They've been going off for the past two days, early mornings and late night.
I don't mind them all that much, but my two dogs sure do.
Thunderstorms or fireworks and they want to hide behind the washer or under the bed.
Generally most ma and pa stores display legal fireworks on the sidewalk.
Quite often you can find a bigger bang for your money, but it's not openly displayed.
Local Loi Krathong celebrations begin with a parade from the city monument to the lake park.
While revelers float their Krathongs on the lake throughout the evening
WIKIPEDIA
One of the recent Wax Castle Festival concerts
Don't miss these
Headlines that caught my attention
Plenty headlines regarding the rise of prices for both rice and sugar. Both prices continue to escalate.
'Sugar premium up as much as 44%' reads one of the latest headlines
Bangkok Post
Silicon Republic
CarBuzz
News Com Au
CBS New York
From my Inbox
Drunk at the Train platform
They've been going off for the past two days, early mornings and late night.
I don't mind them all that much, but my two dogs sure do.
Thunderstorms or fireworks and they want to hide behind the washer or under the bed.
Generally most ma and pa stores display legal fireworks on the sidewalk.
Quite often you can find a bigger bang for your money, but it's not openly displayed.
Local Loi Krathong celebrations begin with a parade from the city monument to the lake park.
While revelers float their Krathongs on the lake throughout the evening
WIKIPEDIA
- "...the act of floating away the candle raft is symbolic of letting go of all one's grudges, anger and defilements, so that one can start life afresh on a better foot.
One of the recent Wax Castle Festival concerts
Don't miss these
Headlines that caught my attention
Plenty headlines regarding the rise of prices for both rice and sugar. Both prices continue to escalate.
'Sugar premium up as much as 44%' reads one of the latest headlines
Bangkok Post
- Bangkok Soaking (pictures and maps)
Silicon Republic
- Germany’s Rosat satellite debris scatters over northern Thailand
CarBuzz
- View of $12,000,000 worth of Honda's underwater
- Pink is just a figment of your imagination
- Lady Liberty gets high tech birthday presents
From my Inbox
Drunk at the Train platform
Monday, October 24, 2011
Toilet Training Asia Style
New Tourist reservations down by almost 75% according to Press TV
The airport depicted in the above video is the old airport, now used primarily for domestic flights.
Local Tourism seems to not be suffering. Have noted a number of regulars have returned for their 'winter' vacation, and there are plenty of new faces around town.
Some people still need special instructions on using a western toilet
The airport depicted in the above video is the old airport, now used primarily for domestic flights.
Local Tourism seems to not be suffering. Have noted a number of regulars have returned for their 'winter' vacation, and there are plenty of new faces around town.
Some people still need special instructions on using a western toilet
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)