Beetlejuice

There is hardly a time when I go out that I don`t see the aftermath of a motorbike accident, or on occasions actually witness a motorbike accident, mostly all involving young people.

I have friends and neighbors who have lost children from motorbike accidents and last year my wife`s cousin`s daughter was killed on her motorbike, and the list goes on.

Sorry to say; but it`s carnage out there and the only advice I can give, is for for those who have children, deter them from using motorbikes at all costs.

I remember watching this documentary with my wife at the time and we both concluded that the show was just another sensationalist melodrama.that portrays Thailand as a cesspit focusing on the poorer underprivileged of Thai society but placed in a Western perspective that this represents the majority of the country. Except for holiday programmes, rarely do these documentary show Thailand in a good light. There have been many such documentaries made like this over the years, focusing on Thai sex workers that all seem to portray Thailand in similar ways.

I can remember a UK documentary was made regarding the tragic murder of Kirsty Jones in Chiang Mai about 2000. The journalist was standing in some heaped up rubbish strewn Soi, that quite honestly appeared had been deliberately dumped there for the documentary while the journalist was explaining how dangerous a city Chiang Mai is and at the same time looking over his shoulders as if expecting to get mugged at any second. So exaggerated that it was laughable.

Pla was just another sex worker, one of thousands in Thailand, but there are probably millions of Plas worldwide and the stories could have been the same. I am never impressed by these documentaries and would never consider them as being 100% credible.

It`s all very simple, if people don`t like the comments they receive on social media, than don`t publish anything on there.

It always bewilders me why people upload personal details and photos of themselves on facebook and twitter? And if they do receive comments they consider insulting, then they can just click the unfriend button or delete their accounts.

Being insulted on facebook can be regarded as cyber bullying, which can lead to serious psychological trauma for young people, in some cases this had lead to suicides. Cyber bullying is not exclusive to Thailand and any signs of children or young adults being insulted on-line should be taken seriously and not let get out of hand.

We hired a night security guard for our moo-ban. He turned up 1st night with his own pillow/blanket. When it was pointed out that he was expected to stay awake, he quit! Most Thais in my experience are lazy. They want the money but will avoid the work.

You come across as a pompous, Thai bashing, self righteous twerp with a superiority complex.

Would you work 8 hours labour per day, having to live on the land, earning $65 per week for a foreigner who has no official jurisdiction over his employees or the said land whatsoever? That in my mind almost amounts to slave labour expecting the natives to be completely committed to the Massa farang big boss man and his Thai wife.

Gone are the days of the subservient Thai workers willing to give their all for a pittance and expected to be grateful for it. Over the years the working conditions and economy have substantially improved in Thailand, most can now stick two fingers up to what the OP is offering, as I would do in that situation.

I am certain that the OP`s set up will be short lived as the authorities are no longer turning a blind eye to these practices and hopefully those with such attitudes of inferiority as yourself and the OP towards the Thais, considering them all incompetent and lazy, which is an extreme form of racism, will never prosper here.

Perhaps you should just do it yourself, or get family members to chip in. Would you do that job for 9k a month (18k for 2 people)? Would you be enthusiastic?

I mean, not exactly going to create a better like is it? Can't save for a pension, can't get private health care, can't send the kids to a private school, can't eat out at restaurants, go to the cinema, bowling, can't go on a family holiday, can't pay a monthly payment on a car.

The wage might be higher than what is normally paid for this job, but it still isn't a fair wage and represents everything that is wrong with this country and indeed so many others.

It appears you have never employed staff in Thailand from this answer and have no idea of salaries, the salary is better than what anyone else is paying they could easily save well over half of that and most likely all of it, would you like to see their house? this was there house BEFORE they all decided they simply could not ne bothered to take care of it, second picture is their house now which requires NO cleaning on their part as they seemed unable to keep it clean. Free motorbike with Free fuel also so the 18k incudes , rice, electric, water, tv, fish, any vegetables on the land inc mango papaya banana lemon grass and a few others, they don't have any travel expenses or accommodation expenses or services bills.

Oh yeah I built t his staff house alone no help at all, all the work on the land I have also done at sometime so I know how hard/easy the job is,,,,,,,,,its EASY

You are suffering from a great misconception.

You provide the workers with their own communal accommodation, shared motorbike, Internet and some food on your illegally owed land to do the donkey work for your illegally run agricultural business, for a lifetime period you say.

This is not an average employer/employee situation, but rather you expect these people to be totally dedicated to serving you and the land, living and working on the land, obedient, subservient and all on your terms. This has tones of the 19th century slave workers who were expected to serve their white masters on the sugar plantations.

As for the fundamentals of how Thais prefer to work in agriculture, these jobs are mostly seasonal, they work on a temporary basis for a few weeks, then move on to other jobs. I have never known of Thais working long term on land unless they own it or working for relatives. And being realistic, for live in full time staff these days we are looking at a minimum of between 15000 to 20000 baht per head.

If as you state, you are desperate for loyal, competent staff, than why not advertise in the local Thai newspapers and the Thai job centres, giving your name, the name of your company, the work involved and the pay?

I would be interested to know what sort of visa you are on and whether you file tax returns here in Thailand? Because judging by your photos, you are running an agricultural business on a grand scale and those like yourself who are abusing the systems here in such ways place us all under scrutiny, not doing yourself or us any favours.

10 out of 10 for hilarity....all cobblers of course but amusing, Im off wild boar hunting now, the boys carry me in my chariot and gratefully kneel on the floor when I need a place to sit down or if I need somewhere to wipe my boots on. The other rosey eyed views are equally hilarious.

Your title to the thread; The Truth Really Does Hurt, is apt.

You are the type I have a strong disdain for in Thailand. You blatantly flaunt the fact that you and your wife are into illegal activities here that makes a mockery of Thai/ex-pat relationships that can strain the tolerances the Thais have towards us. It is people like you that create more hurdles for us ex-pats that abide by the laws and tow the line here. Please let me assure you, if I knew of your location and that of the said land, I would shop you to the authorities without hesitation. I certainly hope that in the not so distant future the authorities will latch onto your activities here and clamp down on you and others like you.

However which way you take my criticisms, that I couldn`t give a rat`s behind about, the fact is, it is you abusing the system and contravening the laws of Thailand, not me or the majority of us here. You are outrageous.

Perhaps you should just do it yourself, or get family members to chip in. Would you do that job for 9k a month (18k for 2 people)? Would you be enthusiastic?

I mean, not exactly going to create a better like is it? Can't save for a pension, can't get private health care, can't send the kids to a private school, can't eat out at restaurants, go to the cinema, bowling, can't go on a family holiday, can't pay a monthly payment on a car.

The wage might be higher than what is normally paid for this job, but it still isn't a fair wage and represents everything that is wrong with this country and indeed so many others.

It appears you have never employed staff in Thailand from this answer and have no idea of salaries, the salary is better than what anyone else is paying they could easily save well over half of that and most likely all of it, would you like to see their house? this was there house BEFORE they all decided they simply could not ne bothered to take care of it, second picture is their house now which requires NO cleaning on their part as they seemed unable to keep it clean. Free motorbike with Free fuel also so the 18k incudes , rice, electric, water, tv, fish, any vegetables on the land inc mango papaya banana lemon grass and a few others, they don't have any travel expenses or accommodation expenses or services bills.

Oh yeah I built t his staff house alone no help at all, all the work on the land I have also done at sometime so I know how hard/easy the job is,,,,,,,,,its EASY

You are suffering from a great misconception.

You provide the workers with their own communal accommodation, shared motorbike, Internet and some food on your illegally owed land to do the donkey work for your illegally run agricultural business, for a lifetime period you say.

This is not an average employer/employee situation, but rather you expect these people to be totally dedicated to serving you and the land, living and working on the land, obedient, subservient and all on your terms. This has tones of the 19th century slave workers who were expected to serve their white masters on the sugar plantations.

As for the fundamentals of how Thais prefer to work in agriculture, these jobs are mostly seasonal, they work on a temporary basis for a few weeks, then move on to other jobs. I have never known of Thais working long term on land unless they own it or working for relatives. And being realistic, for live in full time staff these days we are looking at a minimum of between 15000 to 20000 baht per head.

If as you state, you are desperate for loyal, competent staff, than why not advertise in the local Thai newspapers and the Thai job centres, giving your name, the name of your company, the work involved and the pay?

I would be interested to know what sort of visa you are on and whether you file tax returns here in Thailand? Because judging by your photos, you are running an agricultural business on a grand scale and those like yourself who are abusing the systems here in such ways place us all under scrutiny, not doing yourself or us any favours.

The Thai Tourist Police ARE real policemen and are all (except one) Thai nationals. They are a division of the Royal Thai Police, just as the Traffic Police, Highway Police, City Police, Border Police, and one or two other branches. Under Thai law, any time foreigners are detained for crimes, the Tourist Police are required to be called and be present.

There is also a group of foreign uniformed volunteers who work WITH the Tourist Police, most of whom can speak some Thai as well as one or two other foreign languages. They act as a liaison between the Police and the foreigners having difficulties. They also help foreign tourists with information. In some cities, they actively patrol along with the regular Tourist Police.

Have they got a name and how would you get in touch with them?

Exactly what I was thinking.

I have never known any Thai police, tourist or otherwise send personal and direct invitations to anyone. Unless it`s a communal messaged published on facebook, in the social media or a public on-line notice board?

I would be interested to see the said message with the OP`s personal details erased?

Interesting!

What type of work and how skilled do they need to be?

Yes, the wages sound very reasonable if you're in the rural North.

To be honest this is a dream turning sour slowly, i thought buy some land get some staff sit back and enjoy growing trees,

Reality is have ended up doing it all myself which is no joke, Im not the only one, my Wife thought the same, shes is seeing how lazy people are "now" want everything but want to do nothing for it, her words..

Im in Sam Roi Yot area inland 16km form the sea RURAL, checked the locals for staff prices, the work is simple, see ANY weed pull it out, feed fish twice a day once in morning once at night ( they get free fish too 60cm long), water trees once a day. cut hedge once a week..................doesnt need a brain surgery degree does it.

Not only that to make it easy for them we have petrol hedge cutter, sprinklers grass strimmers.

What weve also told them is "look its hot working on the land" they can choose the hours they work, we suggested 6 am to 10 am then 3pm to 7pm but up to them but 8 hours a day 6 days a week.

It is because the Thais are wising up.

These days they prefer legitimate employments that covers them for insurance in the case of accidents and sickness, proper registered paid wages that includes them in the Thai social security and pension schemes, are paid during the official holidays and time off with pay for personal holidays per year.

It`s 9000 baht per month, no matter even if you try to make it sound more attractive by explaining this as 18000 baht for two persons, which in today`s terms 9000 baht and a free bowl of rice is no big deal for full time employment. In fact they can probably earn more per year by working officially on rice farms, picking fruits during the lum yai season and working other jobs in-between, that many of the locals do down my way.

Also if I were you, I would not advertise too much the area where you and your wife are operating your illegal business on land you are not entitled to own, which makes your whole argument totally academic in the first place.

.

Adult development in Thailand below average, too.

And that`s your opinion, is it, genius? And so we have another Thai bashing thread with contributions from morons who are under an illusion that they are somehow intellectually superior, that I can assure you, come across as being totally the opposite.

The main problem is that in Thailand, how good is the education one receives is only what one can afford. There are still the majority of Thais who do have have the funding to send their children onto further education once they have graduated from school. Many once reaching adulthood, have no degrees or qualifications, therefore their future career prospects and abilities are extremely limited.

In Thailand, those going on to further education after school can be regarded as the privileged minority, having the good fortune to have families who can financially support them throughout their whole education and archiving degrees and reaching a high standard of educational levels.

Today`s world is much more competitive than in my younger days, when young people could begin their careers as apprentices and work their way up the ladder. But that has all changed Today employers want 18 up to early 20s year olds, with 50 years experience to work for school leavers wages. This is now the same the world over, not exclusive to Thailand.

Child development depends on how much resources their parents have to ply in them and the reason why, that when families are poor it is very difficult to break the mode that could continue on for generations.

My advice is, avoid any of the Arab, Indian and African countries and Eastern Europe.

The western world claims to be tolerant and the lands of the free, but in fact those societies are still deeply engrained with racism and homophobia, your ladyboy friend maybe subject to prejudice in certain areas.

Countries that are more liberal and accepting of transgenders are Israel, most of the south east Asian countries and probably Holland and most of the Scandinavian countries who are also quite liberal.

Regardless to popular belief, the world is not everybody`s oyster. Very sad, but true. Those who take on someone who is considered a minority or different, have to also share in their uphill struggles for rights and the extreme prejudices against them. Perhaps attitudes will change in the future, but I doubt whether this will happen in my lifetime.

Most likely the power supply in the tv over-heated and then ignited dust particles in the back of the screen. My Tv did something almost similar. Basically the power point in the Tv blew and luckily I turned it off before it could start a fire. Luckily there was no damage to anything so a local guy who for a hobby fixes electrical goods replaced my broken power point for 1,800 baht and it has been running like a dream since. Typical that my warranty had expired for the TV just two months previous.

As regarding the OP, check that all the wiring and power points in your home are in order and grounded properly.

I check mine every year, never take safety for granted in Thailand.

I have seen them for sale in the local markets and at fairs.

It`s a case of coming across them, have no idea if they are sold anywhere permanently?

Glow stick blows up in kids face.

Why would anyone want to pay money and help fuel these institutions of animal cruelty and suffering?

The tigers are drugged and made to be obedient by fear and brutality. I sincerely hope they increase their prices for stupid tourists even more, that deters them from visiting these places and eventually these so-called tiger kingdoms go out of business completely.

I was standing watching it spontaneously combust while it was on...

Is your home properly grounded? Or if you are English, earthed?

When the set is not in use, is it actually switched off or left on standby?

I personally believe that how people dress does have an influence on the ways they are viewed and treated

It`s a case of first impressions and if ex-pats turn up at Immigration dressed like slobs, then they will be considered as slobs

Keeping up appearances determines people`s attitudes towards us and the levels of credibility they bestow upon us.

Rights to do what? Seize airports, threaten to close down banks, cause economic chaos, mob takeovers of streets in Bangkok, declare certain areas as their territories, set fire to shopping malls, riot in the streets, bomb properties, mob lynch innocent people, threaten those who disagree with them with violence and bring the country into civil war, all under the umbrella of corrupt politicians and so-called leaders.

Thailand does not need the west`s human rights laws here and do gooders telling them how to morally run the country. I hope this present government remains in power forever, long may they reign.

Immigration will be located directly below Tom n Toms. Directly next to it will be an office. And next to that a copy shop. The Burmese building across the street will remain.

The current immigration will have it's last day on the 12th of June. On the 15th they will be at Promenada.

There is direct access to the parking garage from that location, so immigration can open at anytime they see fit.

I know the gm at Promenada, so this is accurate.

I have heard that moving to a larger premises is under consideration. This may involve either a specific section or the whole Immigration department.

As for this happening next month, I wouldn`t raise your hopes on this one. Regarding the improvement of so-called on-line services and better general facilities, the chaos will continue until a definite decision is made, the go ahead approved with budgeting and accomplished. In my opinion it won`t be happening soon, but hoping I am wrong.

Avaaz is just an amateur website for starting petitions, the petitions do not appear to be set up by any official body or charity and quite frankly seem a waste of time.

Once signed up to the site, filled in details and clicked send, where is the information actually sent and who sees it?

The only power outrages I receive is when they deliver the bill.

Back in 1971 when in my late teens, I used to commute to work by train from Liverpool Street station in London.

Every morning I used to see a porter, a man in his mid 40s, bending down, picking up discarded food from the station platforms and eating it while making some strange grunting noises. I used to laugh at the guy during the time, believing him to be some sort of loon.

After a few weeks I asked the station foreman, what is wrong with that guy? He replied, his name is Porter Geoffrey and he was a Japanese prisoner of war for 2 years, staved and beaten, almost on the brink of death after liberation. I took another look at Geoffrey only this time seeing him in a different light, I cried. A couple of weeks later the porter was gone from the station, have no idea what happened to him.

I can still see him in my mind and the memory of those events has haunted me up to this present day.

Looks like the Japanese will be building railways in Thailand again soon.

This time their strict codes of compliance and discipline (health and safety) will ensure that few lives are lost during the construction.

Funny old world, isn't it?

So true, how very ironic this is.

I can`t even envisage this mass slaughter that was on such an unprecedented scale, figures that go way above my head and the horrors the survivors must have endured and witnessed.

Events during WW2, including the Holocaust, mass slaughter of civilians all over Europe and Asia, the Rape of Nanking, the fall of Russia and so on, to me is difficult to comprehend, it`s almost like some nightmarish sci-fi movie but of course it was a reality and the worse part is, that it`s not ancient history, still in living memory for many that took place not only in Asia but also in the so-called civilised world.

I hope and pray that my children are never involved in a war as were my parents and grandparents.

RIP Harry and thank you.

Unfortunately for foreigners to openly own land you will have to change the national anthem as a section of it is rendered variously as saying:

Nation of the people; belonging to the Thais in every respect. Land of Thailand belongs to the Thais. Every inch of Thailand belongs to the Thais.

Many Thai people consider it is their nationalistic duty not to cede the land of Thailand either to foreign nations or to foreigners.

The main reason for not allowing foreign land ownership--and I agree with it--is that if it were possible, Thais wouldn't be able to restrain themselves from selling off every last square meter of the country. Some people just find cash irresistible.

The most common sense post so far.

Going back two generations here in Thailand, Thais had no idea how much the value of land would appreciate in the future. When parents died and the land was inherited by their children and land values began to increase, many could not resist selling it, the take the money and run and why wait to see what happens tomorrow philosophy.

Of course this resulted in the younger generations of Thais having no legacy from their families, only the more savvy among them realised the potential of owning land especially in the inner city areas and are now sitting on a fortune,

Love to see a Thai version of James Bond.

Where his gun and Martini, shaken but not stirred is pixeled out, Blofeld is a katoey, the Bond girl does not wear a bikini, the Bond car is a Toyota, Miss Money Penny becomes Khun Money baht, he would be totally obedient and never question M`s authority, his special gadgets consisting of a Songkran water pistol and a wooden catapult and making love to the girl at the end is considered indecent and forbidden.

Ok tried BKKBTHB as the SWIFT and got 'Please enter a valid Bank Identifier Code (SWIFT BIC).'

Guess she will need to call her bank and find that out

You should have entered BKKBTHBK

Correct. End of thread.