Caspersfriend

The reason there hasn't been any announcements, I suspect, is because there aren't enough details yet known.

Thanks for your reply Nancy.

I don't think Marc is authorized to send press releases on behalf of the government. Just because they've leased space at Promenada doesn't mean Immigration is moving. Maybe someone told him that, but that doesn't mean it's actually going to happen. I know in the U.S., the federal gov't would sometimes "plan" to do something, sign a lease and then there would be a change of plans and the building would sit empty for the life of the lease.

Hello Nancy,

You are respected on this forum as being knowledgeable and well-connected in these matters.

Why is there so much speculation and so little fact being reported?

We are not discussing a matter of national security, but simply a possible change which has implications to all of us who are obliged to extend our tenure via the government immigration office.

If indeed there is to be a different location for all or any functions of the immigration services then why, in your opinion, do they not simply announce it?

To other readers: I have been here for a while and do understand the way things are. I would however like to hear Nancy's opinion on this specific situation.

Why was the 'security' camera there? Appears to be a static camera in an elevated position and so presumably for surveillance of what appears to be an innocuous rural junction. If it's an accident black-spot why no police presence?

I don't think Marc is authorized to send press releases on behalf of the government. Just because they've leased space at Promenada doesn't mean Immigration is moving. Maybe someone told him that, but that doesn't mean it's actually going to happen. I know in the U.S., the federal gov't would sometimes "plan" to do something, sign a lease and then there would be a change of plans and the building would sit empty for the life of the lease.

This comment is only based on hearsay but I wouldn't expect units at Promenada are expensive to lease these days; especially for those who have connections. I am told there are a lot of buy one get one free sales much of the time. Governments all over the world are renowned for wasting money.

Alowing sum minites to corruct tipos witout the 'endited' repert appealing wuld be an appresiated inprovement

FWIW there is an email doing the rounds:

Marc Vermeulen
Director Promenada

I have no idea who Michael is, it was not he who forwarded the email to me, nor whether this Marc Vermeulen exists/actually originated the message.

"If these Government 'testing' stations were to, at very least, check that the wipers were efficient and the lights actually"

Nothing to do with government, all are private run by insurance companies, some good some not so.

One of many reasons why many do not bother to post.

Pedantic corrections being more significant than the issue being addressed.

The Thai way. "I have considered this in great detail and therefore pass it to 'another party' ....who receives said proposal for consideration and, after consideration, then passes it onto 'another party' >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ad infinitum.

Not one person in this 'administration' can make a binding decision - nor should they!

Actually checked the wipers - that's unusual - the guy must have been bored. Wipers - one of a number of reasons why many Thais slow down to 20kph whenever it rains. Whether it's rainy or sunny the main reason is of course using a smart-phone they can't understand. The phone may be smart .........................

If these Government 'testing' stations were to, at very least, check that the wipers were efficient and the lights actually worked there would immediately be a significant reduction in accidents across the nation; for a period after the test anyway. Anyone ever seen the BIB pulling over those with no lights after sunset? Would appear to me as a major cash-cow for them and could even save a few lives.

Make the bonuses paid to those at the top end of the pyramid performance-related and they probably wouldn't need to sack anyone on a lower level.

Never happen of course.

Ministry of Public Health

What a misnomer that is!

Nearly every person in the region has a problem digesting milk, however they are being encouraged to consume more. http://milk.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000661 Obviously those in the dairy industry will suggest these figures are inaccurate.

Should the question not be: Why are the Immigration Department not using the conduits available to them [ ThaiVisa/Chiang Mai Expats Club/Chiang Mai Citylife] to let those of us who are affected by any proposed changes know what is going on? All three 'conduits' have connections within the Immigration Department. Without any official declaration there is merely rumour and speculation, and so life goes on as before; until you arrive at 4am for your visa extension at the airport site to find a vacant lot!

Will the parties for no-moon be in the same locations as those for full-moon?

Just in case a passing waif asks for directions.

What water is safe? What food is safe? My lovely was born in the south and the seafood she eats [without the slightest problem] would put me in the ICU.

As for the water - maybe safer to drink beer - as those before us and those before them have.

Whether it arrives via the tap/faucet, the vending machine, or in a bottle [that may well have been sitting in a the sun a while] there will always be 'bugs' in it that can cause some people problems; especially if you grew up in a different part of the world.

"if you build it, he will come" Not always!

Considering the pollution and the poor driving it's unlikely to be a free ride.

Someone 'up there' has been to Holland [or wherever] and sees this as the 'in' thing to be doing.

In Chiang Mai it is crazy time for new bicycle and walkways where they will rarely/never be used. Ignoring the privacy and security concerns of those who live adjacent to them. Just because the instruction to do so came from 'those in authority' shouldn't mean you ignore the needs of the people you are supposed to be serving. TIT.

We used to get all of our TV through a ten foot motorised sat dish. Then when TrueVisions upgraded to HD we went over to the small dish and suffered their overpriced Platinum package for a while before we ditched them, and their repeats, now view everything via Internet.

As the big black monstrosity is still sitting there it would be handy to use it for the guest accommodation. Is it worth the bother as it would need to be moved and set up again?

Anyone [other than the resident comedians] any suggestions? English language movies and series preferably with subtitles. Thanks

Unless you're prepared to spring for another satellite subscription package I doubt you'll find many English language programming available in the Free-To-Air/FreeView channels available on the 10 or so satellites we can receive.

I would think that if you have everything working via the Internet that you'd just add that to the guest accommodation (maybe via an Android set top box). Probably cheaper to add a second Internet connection if you lack the bandwidth to support additional stream users.

Thanks. We have FO and so it wouldn't big a big job to loop a connection across for another Android box. I have searched around and haven't found any sat packages that are worth the subscription, for us anyway. I can plant some flowering climbers around the dish and turn it into a feature, of sorts, but it just seems such a waste.

so you are intending to use a big sat dish as guest accommodation ? sounds to me sort of like a similar project as converting a shipping container

for similar use please tell me i have read this all incorrectly

In the sure knowledge that a certain faction would not take the post seriously I admit to leaving a very obvious lure.

STRIKE - first one out is a Clown fish

Wouldn't work too well in the rainy season anyway.

We used to get all of our TV through a ten foot motorised sat dish. Then when TrueVisions upgraded to HD we went over to the small dish and suffered their overpriced Platinum package for a while before we ditched them, and their repeats, now view everything via Internet.

As the big black monstrosity is still sitting there it would be handy to use it for the guest accommodation. Is it worth the bother as it would need to be moved and set up again?

Anyone [other than the resident comedians] any suggestions? English language movies and series preferably with subtitles. Thanks

This at least part of the reason for such delays at CM Imm:

At the Chiang Mai Expats club they had the chief from immigration come in with two others in a prepared talk.

from a couple friends who attended the above expats meeting,said it was a complete fizzer

and they were very disappointed with the prepared talks etc etc

and left with the strong feeling

mission impossible

a very lovely morning to all

Police Colonel Rutjapong Saravanangkool said officials had mooted plans that would allow foreigners to use a keycard or something similar when checking in at convenience stores. He would push this idea over the next year and hoped to make it a reality, he added.

90-day check-ins

All foreigners in Thailand must check-in with Immigration every 90 days. They can do so in person at the Immigration office, or submit the forms by registered mail or via a third party. Police Colonel Rutjapong said the Chiang Mai Immigration office is almost at capacity, and encouraged people not to report there in person if possible.

http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=4557

And then:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-21027103

Animism is allegedly [if not apparently in this case] a deep and profound associate belief of many who practice Buddhism.

Animistic followers believe that "Every living thing has a soul" and Buddhists believe in Karma.

Animism is apparently most-prevalent in the north east and that is where most of the trading of dogs for their meat goes on.

This Kid looked eerily similar to the CCTV footage we saw on the night of the crime.

We are told the boys father is connected to a certain person. (high up)

Comments removed as the thread is following the same inane path as so many others - shame

I have read the Thai Constitution and understand it

http://www.isaanlawyers.com/constitution%20thailand%202007%20-%202550.pdf

I guess the best Constitution ever written is the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing certain rights much like the UN Declaration of Human Rights. BUT the key to making any democracy work

1. is the political WILL to enforce the law and put people who abuse power in prison

and like the author said

2. We need to promote the values of integrity and honesty, as well as emphasising the wisdom of placing the public interest over personal benefit. The focus should be on our younger generation, who are the future of this country.

OR ... they can do like the USA and legalize bribes in the form of campaign contributions. Voila! ... end of political corruption.

Even if it were "the best Constitution ever written" is if for the people - all people?

Would you put the US forward as a country that enjoys true Democracy - one person - one vote? You don't appear deluded so I doubt it.

Corruption rules as everywhere else it seems,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Democratic_Is_the_American_Constitution%3F

Americans and Australians should enjoy the ability to 'swear' whatever they wish to in order to get an extension. Chances are the vast majority will be enjoying the prosperity of their endeavours and country's economy and are telling it as it is, but those who don't actually meet the Immigration requirement may soon have a problem. As TIT 'soon' may be tomorrow or never but rumour has it that false declarations are next on the list to be investigated. No links or official statements available - just 'informed' hearsay.