jaapfries

Agreed. I planted five of these about 18months ago to break the afternoon sun. They were a bit slow to start with but have grown about two metres in the last 12months. They just seem to be spurting up quickly now and they love water .

The only thing I would advice you, is to initially plant these tree a bit closer together than a shown in the picture. That way, from a fairly early age, these trees will actually form a "green-barrier", without the large gaps in-between. I have always put these guys @ 2 meter intervals: works great ! !

Simply go to:

http://www.one2car.com/

and you will find the 2 brands you're looking for in abundance.

Brilliant site !

Cheers

It's as close to paradise I will ever get, living here is a great improvement over the country I left the U.S., that has become a police state. You-all that love the west can have it, While I enjoyed a good life in the states, there was to much racial hatred, to much Big brother looking over your shoulder, to much taxation, to much disunity, to many laws, to much regulation etc..

But having lived in the worst taught me to appreciate what I have found in Thailand, Freedom, to be myself and do as I please.

It is so sad to find Freedom away from the country that is supposed to be the free-est in the world, it most certainly is not!

Thank you Thailand for letting me live here, the issues that I can not vote own land or any other thing I can not do here is not material to me, it is what I am allowed to do and be free in the process.

Cheers

Well said; Kikoman; however: if it hadn't been for the good ol' U.S. of A., this little Dutchman would be speaking German now . . . . . . . .

Forever grateful !

Love Thailand !

Cheers,

JaapFrysian

amse, on 05 Dec 2013 - 11:29, said:

Thailand isn't the only country where you can't own land, so no complaints there. The cost of living is a 3rd of the USA, summer all year round, friendly Thai folks, little cussing going on, much less armed than the Americans and road rage is a minimum. I love it here and all my good Thai friends!

are you kidding me? Good friends with Thais?.....o, I forgot....you are speaking Thai language and can understand what they are talking about you, hahahaha

I've been here 21 year: have a number of VERY good Thai friends - has it ever occurred to you that YOU may be the cause of the "Darkling-Type" talk you are experiencing ? ? ? Grow-up and grow a little backbone, friend ! ! !

@LaoLover88: I think that was a pretty comprehensive summing-up of the subject-matter and I fully agree with you !

Don't take offence to what some posters write here, because they obviously have a 'tunnel-vision' with regards to Thailand.

Heck; the only thing you forgot to mention was that the Sailing is Great here too . . . . . . 555

Cheers,

Some regular used words by foreigners are very hard to find in Thai dictionaries

Like why?

Now perhaps this is one of the main structural problems in Thai society, not to question anything except when it is useful (prayood)

opposite world were we question in order to gain knowledge They question when its to late.

Oh well

A nice day anyway.

And your point is, exactly ? ? ? ?

Cheers,

'Proud To Be Frysian'

Siam Pools

Chris Green

0892555519

Give Chris a ring; he's a Brit, but he knows what he's talking about and he's a very straight professional.

February 2013

A Thai couple accused of kidnapping, torturing and enslaving a 12-year-old Karen girl for over five years, are on the run from authorities today after refusing to show up for police questioning, according to Thai media.

The Thai government has offered a THB 100,000 (USD$ 3,349) reward to anyone who can offer information that will help locate the fugitives. The Burmese embassy in Bangkok told DVB that it is the responsibility of the Thai government to ensure that the two are found and brought to justice.

“We have sent letters to the Thai foreign affairs urging for justified actions [against the couple]. Since they are hiding in Thailand, I believe Thai authorities should follow up with it,” said Naing Htun, Labour Ministry Director, speaking from the Burmese embassy in Bangkok.

It follows news that a young Karen girl – born to illegal migrant workers in Thailand – was brutally tortured and kept as a household slave in north-western Thailand for half a decade. Images of the young girl’s severely burned body circulating in the media have shocked the country and raised fresh questions over the mistreatment of Burmese migrants in Thailand.

The couple – identified as 35-year-old Natee Taengorn and 33-year-old Rattanakorn Piyaworatham – reportedly paid THB 700,000 (USD$ 23,441) in bail money to a local court last week, before absconding. The police learned that the couple had fled, after they took out over one million baht (USD$ 33,487) from their bank accounts.

“We will forfeit their bond and seek arrest warrants for them,” Superintendent Akkasorn Srisupat, from the Muang Kamphaengphet police station, told the Nation.

The child, known only as “Air”, told police that she was forced to work as the couple’s slave and subjected to gruesome torture, including being drenched in boiling hot water, while locked up in a dog cage. She said that her captors cut off a tip of her ear when she first tried to escape three years ago. Questions remain over why the girl was subsequently returned to her captors, who have been described as having “influential” connections.

The couple faces seven charges, including slavery, torture, forced labour and child trafficking. The pair initially denied the charges and told police that the girl “accidentally” injured herself with hot water. They were due to testify ahead of the Department of Special Investigation today.

Last week, a delegation from the Burmese embassy visited the Kamphaengphet Children and Families Shelter, where the young girl is being cared for, to present her with THB 25,000 (US$ 837) to assist with her medical expenses. They have also offered to help provide legal aid.

According to doctors at the Kamphaengphet hospital, 50 percent of the girl’s skin has been seriously burned, subsequently fusing her left arm to the side of her torso, and she required immediate surgery. But the girl is said to be receiving trauma counselling and socializing well with others, although she still shudders at the sight of hot things.

Subject matter on Youtube [be warned; very graphic!]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1zp024ZM04

I would like to know what Law-Enforcement has done/accomplished to catch this horrible couple - and what is the status with this little girl today ? ? ?

no driving licence.

failing to stop when told to.

you have broken the law twice.

pay 500bht.to pass go.

hopefully they will have your car reg.no.

6months in the slammer.

what do you think about that.

Apparently; very few people are aware of the fact that, when driving in Thailand on a license OTHER THAN a Thai license, is only valid for 6 months (from date of last entry into the Kingdom). This means that after the expiry of 6 months, you MUST HAVE a Thai License. If you don not - and you are involved in an accident, you may find yourself neck-deep in serious trouble; both of a financial - and a legal kind. Insurance companies will NOT pay-out if you find yourself in this situation: be warned ! ! !

Suggestion to all posters,

For heavens sake, as well as your own, read your so very important post over a time or two before being in such a rush to push the send button.

Others may consider what you are saying much more if they can read and understand your writing. If it looks like gibberish and that you didn't even have the time to proof read, it will probably be considered the post of a moron. ..... and rightly so.

In a country which is purported to be a "Democracy", where the Military has, in fact, the last (and deciding) voice, is a country in deep trouble ! ! !

In the picture they look too happy to be concerned about much.

I agree Pib; when I first opened this page, I thought I had wandered into the "promo" of some new Game-Show too ! ! ! !

Curious how this all going to end-up . . . . . .

Won't make a blind bit of difference whatever the Ruskies do; it'll take at least a couple generations as there are inept perps all around the buses, too. If you want to make a point, start sending them to Burma and Cam, that'll really pee them off (the Thais... and the Russians )!

. . . . . soon to be joined by the Burmese and the Cambodians . . . . . . . . .

Is The Nation published in Thai?

The same newspaper carries a story where Thailand ranks #55 out of 60 in english proficiency.

One would hardly expect such a publication to reflect 'Thai Opinion'.

For my part, I found it an interesting analysis of the situation, especially given the audience.

"One would hardly expect such a publication to reflect 'Thai Opinion'."

I don't think Fox Noise expresses anything remotely like the "fair and balanced" view of American opinion they claim, but obviously (unfortunately?) they do express a legitimate "American Opinion" for that part of the population that keeps them (and Rupert Murdoch) alive and financially healthy.

Democracy does imply the sometimes inconvenient reality of many legitimate and contrary opinions.

"Thailand ranks #55 out of 60 in english [sic] proficiency."

Proficiency in English is neither a marker for intelligence (at least not for people for whom it is a 2nd or 3rd language) nor a requisite for having a legitimate opinion as many German, Japanese, Chinese, French ... people can attest. Actually amongst the native English speaking membership of Thai Visa, if a demonstrable proficiency in the language were required before permitting the expression of opinions, the forum would probably have folded long ago.

@Suradit69 - Brilliantly worded ! ! Totally agreed !

You may want to consider a career in writing; you do it very well and you make a lot of sense too !)

Cheers,

I speak Russian Fluently, it is NOT an easy language, however it is NOT as hard as Thai as it is not tonal.

The problem with Russian is that many words can be changed without any specific rule and while you may learn the basics, you may find not being able to understand anything people say.

reading and writing is somewhat easy, as alphabet is the same as English,. in terms of appearance.

Getting the spelling right and grammar, should not even be a concern, as in Russian, in schools kids learn it for 10 years and still do not know it well.

So if you spell wrong or write wrong, it would not be a big deal.

It is a very rich language, one of the richest if not the richest in the world. There are words to explain, describe almost anything and everything.hence Russian known writers and poets.

Let me just say this to give you some idea, my grandmother, Romanian born, was raised in Russian from the age of 15 and by 65 she still did not know it all.

She spoke it fluently at a street level, but had no knowledge of specifics at all-medical, legal or anything alike.

Now to the main point, why would you want to learn it? it is pretty much useless, even if you learn to speak it and will speak with your neighbors, you may find yourself even more far apart, as Russian Culture is something not too many can or do accept.

@Lemoncake: That is a very interesting analogy of a "language" and - inspite of having a few Russian mates - I never realized that "It is a very rich language, one of the richest if not the richest in the world. There are words to explain, describe almost anything and everything.hence Russian known writers and poets."

I just want to thank you for that pretty amazing piece of information.

It suddenly makes perfect sense to me (viz. the numerous very famous Russian Writers & Poets).

Thanks for sharing that.

Cheers,

Random craziness, and certainly not news.

NOT NEWS ? ? ? - NOT NEWS ? ? ? - oh; I see; so when these Red Ruckers show their true intentions ("create mahem" ! !) that is NOT noteworthy ? ?

Well; I beg to differ and observe that this is very significant, since it tells you that 'the other side' is obviously feeling that it is in a vulnerable position, hence their failed attempts to incite violence . . . . .

Mind you; that is just my humble opinion . . . . . . .probably not shared by many ? ? ? ?

Refused to name the persons who hired him? Seriously? The guards need some shaking up if they couldn't get the info required. Just because they lost the nutcrackers doesn't mean that a damp piece of rawhide around the plums wouldn't squeeze the info out of him before the sun sets.

@BlackHeart: I just loved that ! ! - You must be an avid reader & fan of Louis L'Amour, correct ? ? This business with the 'damp piece of rawhide" is straight out of "Last Of The Breed" - great stuff ! ! ! !

When the first press-releases came out, about this new Marina, it clearly stated that there would be ample accommodation for 'visiting yachts' hence opening-up a new little industry. Nobody anyone has talked to seems to know anything about the purpose of this marina.

One of these days I will meet-up with Pattaya's Mayor (Khun Ittipong) and I will ask him if he knows what the story is. If/When I find out I will post my findings on this forum.

Keep your fingers X-ed.

The country name from a Dutch citizen is The Netherlands. Although often used, "Holland" is just a small part from The Netherlands.

@Arjen: Correct; that is why I refer to myself as being from "The Netherlands", never from "Holland", since I am, in fact, a "Frysian" . . . . . pretty hilarious, but also true.

He was on the run for the Dutch police for over 12 years and was tracked down by a Dutch crime reporter acting on a tip.

This guy Pascal is a poor excuse for a human-being and gives the Dutch in general and the Frisians in particular, a very bad name. He should be banged-up in the Bangkok-Hilton for a few year, before extradition to The Netherlands, because the Dutch Justice system will treat him with velvet gloves, unfortunately.

Anyway; kudos to the Real Pursuers who got this guy arrested, which includes our Journalist, the Dutch Int. Recherche and a good friend of mine who shall remain anonymous, but whose efforts should be applauded loudly, just like an enthusiastic audience would have for legends like Elvis Presley and the like !

Still a proud Frysian

Totally disagree, re:Pascal's behavior giving Dutch people a bad name. Agree, re: the Dutch judicial system being far too lenient. But where do you draw the line of extremes, between harsh treatment (to fit the crime) and humane punishment (to fit the crime). From my "limited" American point of view, the world could learn much from the Dutch, especially in that regard

I beg to differ with that last Poster: The legal system in The Netherlands is FAR too lenient when it comes to violent crimes committed there. Recently, a self-confessed murderer received 16 years, which - in practical terms - means that he will 'do' possibly 7 to 8 years and then, in a prison which is more like a 3 star Hotel than a real prison. These inmates have access to computers, TV, brilliant sports facilities, you name it: they've got it. In fact, it wasn't that long ago that in some prison the inmates went on strike because they were "bored" with only the 1 choice of beer provided with their Sunday Dinner . . . . . . . Oh nooooo; the Dutch Legal System is totally warped and hardly represents "punishment", which is what it SHOULD be.

He was on the run for the Dutch police for over 12 years and was tracked down by a Dutch crime reporter acting on a tip.

This guy Pascal is a poor excuse for a human-being and gives the Dutch in general and the Frisians in particular, a very bad name. He should be banged-up in the Bangkok-Hilton for a few year, before extradition to The Netherlands, because the Dutch Justice system will treat him with velvet gloves, unfortunately.

Anyway; kudos to the Real Pursuers who got this guy arrested, which includes our Journalist, the Dutch Int. Recherche and a good friend of mine who shall remain anonymous, but whose efforts should be applauded loudly, just like an enthusiastic audience would have for legends like Elvis Presley and the like !

Still a proud Frysian

Another "great" side-effect of this Red-Shirt-Demo-Nonsense is that visitors/supporters to this cacaphonic-event (the Sound-Levels make your car-windows shudder ! !) are now also using the entire stretch of road (Soi Kaotaloh), from the Ralway-Road all the way to Sukhumvit, as their private Car-park by taking-up the North-Side of this, already narrow road, making it that much more difficult AND time-consuming to get from A to B ! ! ! Ridiculous that the traffic-cops permit people to park their cars smack-bang on a public road-way ! !

If you need to be in that area, it's better to avoid this particular soi and go around to Soi 89

Send me a "PM" and I'll introduce you to a really excellent builder chappy who is not expensive, but does very good work.

There is a lot of commotion going on on that corner (Sukhumvit <> Kao Taloh), combined with very loud Thai music and hundreds of red flags. I'm just assuming it's some kind of "Red Shirt" promotion, but does anyone know any details ?