Dakhar

The issue is further complicated by fact that a lot of women getting out of the red light business find jobs as maids or nannies because of their ability in English.

Far from being disadvantaged abused women they are more than willing to make a little cash on the side as it is a business they know better than tossing salad or washing clothes.

Not everyone is lucky enough to land a young good looking hi so farang and move to the west or build a mansion in Issan.

Or the pension stopped when the older farang hubby died and they are looking for work similar to what they did which is basically being a caretaker to an older gentleman.

In other words, such a maid is up for tossing all kindsa salad.

More "Cream sauce please..."

My maids make 'Nu Hin' look like a supermodel. No danger there at all.

Year 3 and 4 university office interns, that's another issue entirely.

No doubt.... Heng, you are my hero

In relative terms, 200 Baht is like nearly an Americans idea of 100 USD. Fifty baht for a cotton ball is like 25 USD in relative terms. I would say in relative terms this is an exhorbitant fee structure. If you want to charge American rates, or in relative terms American rates, you darn sure better deliver quality.

Haha what? You might want to brush up on your economics there, because in "relative terms" you are 100% wrong.

There are some things like standard medical service quality and costs that are pretty standard.

Also if you can't afford to pony up 200 baht for a medical visit you are skint and should probably borrow some money from your relatives for a plane ticket home.

250 Baht = average days labor for a Thai

100 USD = average days labor for an American

So a 250 Baht fee for a routine visit etc, I'd say thats steep for this economy.

I never stated I could not afford a 200 baht medical visit but nice attempt of a vieled insult.

The soon to be x-wife:

Takes me to buy her a house 100K USD paid out on a 250K house

Purchase 80K BAHT matching silicone

6K USD on house furnishings

2 weeks latter, announces to me she has a boy friend

After I cut every financial tie that I could, she now proclaims "she is the victim." I don't know if she is nuts, or just poor up-brining. Honestly, I suspect both. But in order to prevent loss of face, the story is, she lied about the boy friend, and I guess was going to bible study all night rather than sleeping with her boy friend.

The sad truth is, in the US, and as well as here, if there is NO evidence, it never occured. She has been advised by lawyers to stick to this rule of thumb and she will walk away un-scathed. (which she preety much has)So there is NO concept of honor, no concept of right or wrong, and no justice

Last time I was there (Phuket Bangkok Hospital, about three years ago) I asked the cashier for an explanation of the "Hospital Fee 200 Baht". The only reply I got "Sorry, no understand" and when I asked for the clarification in Thai she just grabbed my money and said nothing at all. Never again

Wondering why you're waisting your time because of 200 baht. Sorry, no understand. :jap:

Wow 200 Baht - and someone questioned that? Try any doctor, out patient or hospital in the West - USD6+ ???

In relative terms, 200 Baht is like nearly an Americans idea of 100 USD. Fifty baht for a cotton ball is like 25 USD in relative terms. I would say in relative terms this is an exhorbitant fee structure. If you want to charge American rates, or in relative terms American rates, you darn sure better deliver quality.

I know a girlt that got LasiK done in Thailand. The fee was 70,000 Baht, essentially the same as USA prices, but the service and follow up care is "top notch." She may have paid way tooooo much in relative terms, but at least she got value out her money.

Don't get too outraged about this happening in Thailand because charging foreign patients elevated rates is almost universal in most countries including the USA, UK, and Europe.

I come from Boston in the US where the hospital business is a major industry: Massachusetts General Hosp., Brigham and Women's Hosp., Lahey Clinic and Dana Farber Cancer Center; just to name a few of the major players.

Before 9/11, Patients subsidized by Middle Eastern Governments such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait provided the largest segment of these hospitals yearly income.

It was well known in the industry that these governments were charged "enhanced" rates for virtually every aspect of treatment, rates far above what domestic insurance providers paid for the same services.

The extent of all this became evident after 9/11 when visas became much more difficult for Middle Eastern patients to receive. The hospitals suddenly found themselves with 40%++ income shortfalls resulting in a lot of consolidations and mergers. Many of those patients now come to Thailand and India.

Hospitals in Great Britain and Europe had the same problem.

I work in the health care industry, and I am an allied health care provider. From what I saw, if you were over 65yrs old, and a non US national, your fees would be the same as "Medicare Rates" which is around 60-80% off of what the the regular fee is. I worked along the US/Mexican border and we say MANY Mexican Nationals making the best of this policy.

You fools scoffing at the Thai navy here should note that these are highly experienced thai navy seals..who also train with the U.S. UDT teams. They also run ops in the south daily and other military conflict zones. They aren't as chickensh*t as you think and are actually quite competent. They are probably deploying to gain live arms experience with seaboarding operations.

Roger that Rambone....

"War ships" looked like the boats that "Fish & Game" wardens use back home.

Aren't we all on our high horses tonight. Im sure not one of us has ever drove after drinking in Thailand. Tragic as it is, wait till a few more facts come out. As someone mentioned, there should be some cctv in that area, maybe that will change the picture some. That is a dangerous roundabout at the best of times, and giving way is not the way it is done here, bigger is always right.

I don't drink and I certainly do not do illegal drugs... I dont fit in to your category of common, I hope the dude gets no mercy

I have a crazy idea...........

Find a company in your home country that also has a presence in Thailand.

Get a job with that company in your home country.

Express your interest in being transferred to Thailand when a position here becomes available.

Id say that's how 90% farang get good jobs here in Thailand.

That is assuming this "highly specailized skill" that the OP has, is required by his employers, and his employers are a multi-national company with a prescense in Thailand.... and then they would want this individual, with no experience or back ground in Asia studies, culture, economics etc, to come and work in Thailand....

States he has special skill, but yet dares not state what they are....

must not be all that special

She ran away, refused to talk to you (OP)

I'd say she does not want your help, end of story....

I am not sure if u noticed, but there are thousands of girls in the same situation...

If being "charitable" does it for you... you can deposit money in my bank account

Im thinking the OP is suffering from a type of "envy."

Regardless, I imagine "it" is a "small" issue.

there is more to this story.... "Johns" wife is already working the bar, she just doesn't let John know about it....

rapid state of decay

Hmmm, I never said that "I" did not enjoy China. I am very fond of the place, warts and all. But I have to say, hairy arm pits on women are a major turn off for me. But I love Chinese history, I love the vastness of the country, and the way the Chinese have "come so far" in such a short amount of time.

But in regards to cigarette smoke, right or wrong yada yada yada... Fortunatley, there is something called science, and sciece "says" second hand smoke is in fact "bad." So if you think that poisoning you neighbor is "OK" then I guess that your "up-brining" has a way to go.

Got Bush?

Hmmm, I never said that "I" did not enjoy China. I am very fond of the place, warts and all. But I have to say, hairy arm pits on women are a major turn off for me. But I love Chinese history, I love the vastness of the country, and the way the Chinese have "come so far" in such a short amount of time.

But in regards to cigarette smoke, right or wrong yada yada yada... Fortunatley, there is something called science, and sciece "says" second hand smoke is in fact "bad." So if you think that poisoning you neighbor is "OK" then I guess that your "up-brining" has a way to go.

The story makes no sense

OK the wife's parents gave you 2 months of the monthly amount you'd been giving them for 18 years, without ever feeling the need to give you a 'rebate' previously

I've no doubt this makes them FAR better than the average in-laws, but its not exactly incredibly generous behaviour.

This story is not about credits and rebates. It is exactly people like you that can only find fault with expats or others who happen to have had a good experience living in Thailand. I guess you have been ripped off so may times that you are full of angst.

Did you ask her if she wanted the money "back now, or spread out over the next few months."

Love you indeed.

I'd love you too...

I prefer a quiet American to an ugly one any day. Unfortunately, the former are overwhelmed by the latter.

To form this opinion it is obvious to me that you have met very few Americans, USA population is made up from people of every country in the world so it would suggest that you are a narrow minded bigot with a general dislike of everything not associated with your place of origin, but then again perhaps you dislike that place too.

I'm afraid I have to go with ballpoint on this one. I am a 5th generation Texan and have been to 39 of the 50 states, lived in 5 of the states and one of the Territories so you could say that I have met a few Americans over the years. I too prefer the quiet Americans but they are getting harder to find every day. Ever watched Fox News? Hardly the quiet American there. With the passing of my aunts' and uncles' generation, the quiet American is slipping away. While it was present before September 11, ethnocentrism has surged to levels not seen since the depths of the cold war and it is not just focused on Muslims of whatever stripe. It has continued to work itself closer to a siege mentality of us against "them" with us becoming a smaller and smaller group ... not quite to the family level yet but heading in that direction.

To quote Dennis MIller, "of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong."

I am a Texan too.... a bayou boy to be exact. I too have have seen most of America, that said, I too have seen most of main land China. Enough so, I learned to speak Mandarin. Because I have seen both side, China v/s America... The Chinese make American look meek and humble. Trying "standing in line" with the Chinese and see what happens... Or try enjoying a peaceful meal without cigarette smoke at a restarount in China. They have no regard for thier neighbor, close of far.

rubbing alcohol will work just as well

I used to go to work with a heavy jacket and boots, but then again I was raising cattle in Canada.

I have never been to a restaurant in Thailand where folks wear suits. It makes it too hard to sit at those little tin tables.

At the end of the day, its still Thailand. A place where paper clips are "signed out" at the work place and toilet paper is considered a luxury item.

Life is WAY too short to worry about such things

Man oh man, this dinner crowd sounds a bit "stuffy" for my likes.

I assume you went to the hospital because you care about your son, but if you really care, do you honestly think that to see his parents getting into this sort of stuff will benefit him? there are other ways around to do your part and still keep in mind that whatever she does, your son will still see her as his mom, be carefull there, better restart a new life, good for you and good for them, good luck.

No I do not, and yes I am bowing out, as she walks away with 4 million baht all dedicated handed over in the name of "child support." Well they ever see a stang of it? Good question....

You are right, "be careful, restart a new life & good luck."

I have a little hope when they get old enough they would like to stay with me. The trouble is, how do I keep contact with them in order to do so, short of have a tatoo of my e-mail placed on my son's arm, I don't think there is a way.

Beyond this story, my in-laws provide my visa, all though it is clear she cheated on me.... on step out of line, and I am gone! So I did not file charges, get the police involevd etc. I just keep the recordings as a saftey net if I ever need to use them to keep me out of jail.... and maybe one day allow my sons to hear their mother... with the hope that the understand, that dad tried his best

Good luck to us all

Folks, I didn't marry a bar girl, I think I married something much worse. Honestly, I think she has an issue called "Borderline Personality Disorder." I have gone through 10 years with her, and finally her last straw was when she told me I was no longer "her husband" and she was the wife of another man. So I am guessing by that, they have "known" each other under the biblical since.

Regardless, we have been seperated for about 8 months now.

Well, things are so bad with her mental state, that I have to have my audi recorder "on" every time I am near here.

So the story is, I went to go visit my son at the hospital, she was there, and her father along with his gir friend was also there. Any how, as I was visiting my son, she exploded and attacked me, with really no provication on my part. She was hitting, and scratching like a banshee... & she literally jumped on my back and began to rake my neck with her finger nails. It was a total fiasco, fortunatley her father pulled her off of me, and pinned her to the couch.

Like I said, I recorded the whole event. I wish I could get custody of the kids, but I rather doubt I could, even with her explosive personality & the evidence of it. This is the second time she has assaulted me like this.... I don't think any one would care, because really I out weigh her almost 3 fold. But what I fear is, she has learned she can not physically harm me with her fists.... I fear in the future, she will use a weapon of some sort. If I retaliate and harm her out of protection... I could easily get in to BIG trouble.

So, for now, I have resolved to stay away from her, which aslo means I do not get to see my children. I think ultimatley, if I insisted on seeing my boys I could end up in jail etc.

I'm am really in a fix for the time being.

I like the pizza at "Que Passa" they have a very wide menu. http://www.quepasa-th.com/Que_Pasa/Que_Pasa.html

another place i frequent is near Broomsgrove private school on Ramkamhaeng Road... but it is kind of a "fancy" type set up.

Que Pasa, is more of a relaxed enviroment, a good place to just go and hang out and eat with friends... good food, good times, with good friends and they even have root beer!