An Elite card is looking more and more attractive, ????

A lot of counterfeiting went on with Traveler Checks in the past which made a lot of the merchants and banks wary of them. 

Most high end hotels will still cash them if you're staying there, 

Good luck.

13 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

That was no 'touchdown' the descent velocity was, clearly, too high and the vehicle crash-landed.

 

Indeed, the way Elon stated it sounds less terrible than  'it crash landed"

15 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

 ...That is one of the fundamental laws .

Nothing is , or will ever be , " forever ' .

Buddhist figured that out long ago,

Everything is temporary.

4 hours ago, swissie said:

 ... At some point in the past, every technological/medical achievement of today was "science fiction" before.  ...
 

Very true,
Science fiction writers, from Verne to Kubiak have predicted the future with alarming accuracy, from submarines, spaceships to AI, 

"If you can imagine it, you can create it"
 William Arthur Ward
 

On 11/18/2020 at 9:25 PM, cormanr7 said:

...  I am not a fan of virtual tourism. Nothing can replace the real thing. 

Agree fully,  that smell of humidity and mildew when hitting a SE airport after a long haul,

then the vivid colors of green, the gentle cackle of island gals in the background while enjoying that first cold beer.  ????

On 6/19/2020 at 7:55 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

...  And then there is of course the question of the motivation. Long time ago "back home" I was young and slim and most of the young and pretty girls were not interested in me. Now, in Thailand, older and fatter, I get all the attention I want. 

I have a feeling it's your wallet that's getting attention  ????

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

The initial Elite offering was for life... it didn't end (and cost 1MB, $26,000 at the time).

 

I like the no 90 day reporting, no TM30 and offering Work Permit status for Elite Members - this would perhaps attract a lot more membership. 

 

I also agree that the Elite name was / is just idiotic - just call it something else like a 'long stay visa' etc... That said, I suspect many of the ill thought out negative comments about the Elite visa are by people who are simply unable to intelligently think past the silly name. No Thai Elite member cares what its called, they just want the Visa and in some cases the perks. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agreed, The "Elite" handle sounds a little pretentious,  
something along the lines of Extended Visa XX, etc,

For life should be an option again and / or at least discounted renewal.

From what I have heard the "help" with the 90 day reporting is actually very convenient, as is the fast-tracking thru immigration, customs, etc, when flying in. 

On 11/26/2019 at 5:25 PM, NCC1701A said:

i know what i am going to say is a stereotypical comment about Indian people, but I saw it with my own eyes. I could not believe how they were grinding the massage ladies on price in Pattaya. I stood there and watched for a while outside a large shop. The one lady was holding her ground but it was brutal. 

Yes indeed, and I saw it with my own eyes many times also.

Similar incident, Indian trying to get money back after eating entire meal at a McD's, claiming it didn't taste good.

He would not yield, thinking his strategy of holding up the line would somehow influence the staff. 

He obviously didn't know Thais.

More "True Stories of Over-the-Top Cheap Charlies",

Yes, another Indian, well dressed, in protracted confrontation at the McDonalds in Ptty,

Had eaten entire meal then complained it was not good and wanted money back.

He absolutely would not yield and his strategy of wearing down the staff was commendable, went on for a least 30 mins, 

But Thais aren't easily coerced, the manager came over the counter with what appeared to be a cricket bat, 

Said Indian finally left proclaiming to give bad reviews on Yelp and other, lol,

It's the small things in life that make me smile ????

Starbucks uniformity, AC, wi-fi and clean bathrooms are what determine is higher cost-point,

Agree, the coffee is mediocre,

It's the coffee drinking environment that makes it a success.

An added plus is it filters out Cheap Charlies, miscreants and wastrells, lol   

Sometimes you just need a good troll post to put a smile on your face,

Whether generated by an AI bot or professional troller I admire the commitment to go all in on this one,

... marriage considerations after two days, ... bar girl.., scary boyfriend,... robbery ..., 

If only it closed with mention of baht bus mafia, buffalos, missing cell phone. 

15 hours ago, mauGR1 said:

Honestly, that's the first time i hear this story, but although one may superficially agree with the moral of the story, i think it's most important to understand the source of the suffering.

According to Lord Buddha, pls correct me if i'm wrong, the most powerful source of suffering is attachment, and i find myself in full agreement.

I understood it was more specifically "Personal Desire",

17 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Good advice. The authorities cannot prosecute for  declared controlled substances, only confiscate them.

Keep in mind it's also about quantity, 

More than 100 + they could charge you with intent to distribute,

... I can swear there ain't no Heaven,

and I pray there ain't no Hell,

But I won't know by living,

only my dying will tell, ....

And When I Die, (Blood, Sweat and Tears), 

12 hours ago, giddyup said:

What about just the physical capabilities, ie paralysed or too ill to move?

There is legal euthanasia in places,

I believe in the Netherlands with two Doctor's signatures, a contracted 3rd party can help with self-deliberation ala Kevorkian style,

There was a PBS documentary on it, patient had ALS, like Stephen Hawking, 

It all looked quite pleasant with soothing music, environment, etc.

With the aging global population, those with some means I think services like this will be commonplace, lets hope.

Like many have indicating, few really fear death itself, just the process.

I recall a simple axiom my car mechanic told me when I inquired on a repair, 

.. well, it'll run until it doesn't, .. 

I've adopted that as a simple precept in life ????

As previous poster(s) have alluded to, and also told to me by several divorce lawyers in the States, pretty much any prenup can be over-turned or thrown out, 

Usual arguments, one party did not fully understand implications, was under duress, etc,

Do not know legal specifics for Canada or LOS,

I think the concept of a prenup or similar contract is still a good idea regardless.

Good luck.

10 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Aside from permit to have it in LOS you need a separate permit to bring it onto the country with you. Google Thai FDA nar otics permit for travelers for the form and procedure.

Bringing in is advisable if you can get the permit as the products available here are not quality controlled. Potency not uniform plus pesticide content.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

What's your opinion on the efficacy of CBD,

I've read that it's suppose to be effective for inflammation and may have a mild analgesic effect, then again it could just be placebo effect.   

1 hour ago, FritsSikkink said:

2 reasons:

Foreigners who are have a big problem (health or financially) and think this is the only way out.

Very low balconies which is a problem for people who are very drunk.

 

 

You got that right,

Some balconies are so short I don't even venture out on the deck lest a freak gust of wind sends me flying ????

In practice it wouldn't be very effective, 

If traffic had to stop for pedestrians at busy crosswalks they'd never get going again ????. 

What's needed is more over-walks like Sukhumvit has.

12 hours ago, CNXexpat said:

Yes, at tourist places. As written before, at one Thai place they refused my tip because they had no idea for what and at a second place the owner brought the money I left on the table to me on my way to the car because he thought I forgot it. 

I would then tip them again for bringing my money, ????

Seriously, never saw that happen but if it did I would explain the service was great and it is the custom from where I come from to acknowledge that by leaving a tip, 

I think at that point they would graciously accept.