dancw3

I totally agree about all the chronic malcontents who seem to monopolize this forum, though I've just assumed that they're the people who don't have anything to do with their time except complain in forums. I traveled regularly to Thailand for many years before moving here. Its still the real world and not perfect, but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else, and don't plan to. In general, I love Thailand and Thai women, been happily married to one for 5 years and I know I"m far from alone in this respect. You have to wonder about these people who have such a difficult time in Thailand. Maybe Thailand for whatever reason attracts an inordinate number of loser farangs. People with such negative attitudes aren't going to be happy anywhere.

My preferred drink is gin and tonic and I've been buying tonic water in Bangkok for quite some time up until about a month ago. Non of the 5 or 6 places I've bought it in the past have it in stock, and I've not been able to get an answer as to when they will. Other people have told me they have had similar experiences. The supply of tonic water seems to have dried up. Does anyone know what's going on, or more important when tonic water will return to Bangkok or better yet if there still exists a source of tonic water in Bangkok?

am in the market to buy a motorbike in the next month or so.

I quite like the look of the Fino but havent yet test riden one. Has anyone got one that would like to comment.

the bike is going to be used for general trips to 7-11 and local markets, bank etc and not long trips- have a car for that.

cheers

Yep. I got one for my Thai girlfriend but she uses my Yamaha Nouvo and I use her Fino. The Yamaha Nouvo is theoretically the best bike in the Yamaha lineup in my opinion. It has large 16 inch diameter wheels and tires for greater stability. It weighs around 30 to 35 pounds more than the Fino, and there are some nice touches all around. For instance, the Nouvo has an automatic choke. It has substantial under the seat storage. The Fino does not. So when it comes to getting a lot of groceries, my girlfriend will use my Nouvo over her Fino. The Nouvo also has two shocks on the rear, the Fino like the Mio and the Honda Click has a single shock absorber so for the big loads the Nouvo is better. And for some reason although the Fino, Mio and Nouvo all share the same 115 cc. engine, my nouvo accelerates faster than her Fino.

Okay.....all that's on paper and on paper I would not personally drive the Fino. But I live in Pattaya where one is not going to go very fast anyway due to traffic and the insane driving of many if not most Thais. Truth is, the way I drive and under these driving conditions I could easily be happy with the Fino. It is by far the best looking motorbike around. Ying and I can sit in a bar together and look out on the Fino as I admire its peerless Italian inspired lines. And for some reason, this particular Fino has better brakes than my Nouvo. It's very quiet and it's extremely agile and smooth. It's a very nice machine and it only costs 40,000 baht. On the other hand Nouvos are now going for around 48,000 baht so it's a steal as well. Going at speeds past 35 miles an hour or so, the Nouvo is going to seem more stable but 35 miles an hour is fast enough to get you somewhere here in Pattaya in a hurry. I'd say it is up to you. The two bikes feel substantually different from each other when you drive them but both drive very well within their respective limitations and both represent as far as I'm concerned the state of the art in motorbike evolutionary development and design. For driving in city environments such as Pattaya both bikes are very superior to machines like the Phantom and 150 cc. Honda discussed at length here let alone bigger bikes like 400's, Honda Steeds or anything similar. Do note that I mentioned driving under conditions similar to what Pattaya offers. If I lived upcountry and found I was driving under different conditions I might well think otherwise.

Try riding one of each, then makeup your own mind.

"insane driving of many if not most Thais"? I rode motorcycles for many years in the USA and now I live in Thailand and ride. I'll take Thai drivers over American drivers any time. Anyone who has ridden in the USA very long has experienced at least once some auto driver trying to kill them. Or maybe in some cases they just think its fun to try to run a motorcycle off the road. Its hard to differentiate between crazy and homocidal.

am in the market to buy a motorbike in the next month or so.

I quite like the look of the Fino but havent yet test riden one. Has anyone got one that would like to comment.

the bike is going to be used for general trips to 7-11 and local markets, bank etc and not long trips- have a car for that.

cheers

I bought one of the first ones out last November for my girlfriend, though in Bangkok traffic I am usually the one driving. I've had many bikes, the last two HDs, and have been surprised at how much I like the Fino. The initial attraction for my GF was the looks, and I also like the neo-retro look of the little scooter. We buzz all around BKK on this thing, and I have zero complaints. While some have commented on the lack of dual rear shocks, we have not found it to be a problem. The brakes are good (get the model with front disk brakes, not the cheaper one with drum).

For the purpose you've identified - similar to mine - you should be quite happy with it.

HDs????? Harley Davidsons???? I thought you said you liked motorcycles

As you don't have kick backs etc in the Netherlands and every other country?. Don't you have anything better to do than complain. Unfortunately this site seems to be loaded with chronic malcontents to put it politely. Get a life!

I'm in the same exact situation as the starter of the thread.

I live in Pathum Thani... (I work in Samkhok which is obviously closed) I've been under water here for a couple weeks, having to take a rowboat to the local Tesco for supplies. But the apartment I'm living in has run out of water to sell us.

My fiance and I are going to take a boat to the Tesco and catch two military vehicles and a taxi to Bangkok.

The agency I work for is horrible and lies to me all the time. They haven't helped at all with my documents as far as Non-B and work permits and stuff. I'm working, but only with a Tourist Visa.

My visa runs out November fourth and my fiance (from Laos) has a visa that runs out on the 3rd.

We are doing the only thing we can, and that's getting the heck outta here.

I wouldn't trust Thai immigration to help you at all. Take your situation into your own hands and get outta dodge on your own. It's the only sure way...

Cambodia, here I come! lol

So your having some unspecified problem with some agency that is supposed to be getting you work papers and your working illegally and panicking I don't see what that has to do with someone asking about over staying their visa during the flooding or why your asking someone else to panic. Worse case they have to pay the over stay fine. No big deal..

Inching to all parts of the city slowly but surely. Now if dykes break anywhere its crises there. If you want to ride this craze out for the next two months good luck. Looks like a slow train wreck. Supply lines are being cut slowly to choke the city off in the weeks to come. Get out now easily while u can otherwise youll say " i wish i coulda woulda but didnt" good luck Kokers.

How do you like THAT folks? From predictions of 20 cm or a little more to "mega waves". And the preparations amount to diddley, What happened to that US Marine flood assessment team from last week? They must have dropped in, seen the nuthouse at Don Muang, and skidaddled back to their aircraft carrier, saying "no hope".

"Mega Wave"??? I see that in the headline, but I'm not aware of any official or anyone else saying it. Probably something some reporter coined to make for a dramatic headline. All the predictions I've seen are for 50 to 100 cm (might have been one of as much as 150 cm, I can't remember). Hardly a mega wave, but hey, I don't know exactly what a mega wave is. I don't particularly like it when the press sensationalizes things this way, particularly when it can scare people.

I've read all the posts to this point and believe them all. This includes the description of the officers' apparant attitudes, as well as the one post that applauded said attitudes. It is true that the American officials often act in a way that is absolutely astounding and embarassing to the core. What makes this so embarassing is that it is totally unnecessary. There are a hundred ways to say "no" without being rude, accusative, nasty, or threatening.

But I want to sick to the OP's request.

To understand this visa process you must embrace the idea that the officials start off with the belief that whatever they are told is most likely not true. They make it clear even on their website that they have one singleminded purpose, and that it to make sure that everyone granted a visa leaves the country when they are told. Maybe a better way to put their position would be "We know you are trying to trick us, and we're not going to let you." That's it. They think you are going to overstay, and they've got lots of experience to show they're probably right, so you've got to make it appear that there isn't a snowball's chance that you'll stay a minute longer than granted. Once you understand that principle, then everything else falls into place.

Bringing documentation is important, but I've been directly involved in only three cases - all of which received visas - and in 2/3 of them I know for a fact that the documentation wasd almost an afterthought. The first case took place six years ago. At that time my brother owned a business which imported Thai textiles. He got his company (meaning my brother - there were no other employees) to send a letter to his Thai supplier asking him to send a representative to meetings in the USA so they could better understand what was needed at both ends of this business connection. The Thai business owner then chose his daughter (surprise) and all the documentation was submitted to the US embassy. I do not know whether they were read, or what the girl looked like when she appeared, or any other detail. I do know that The embassy issued a 90 day visa with little ado. The girl has yet to return to Thailand, which kind of proved that there is a real basis for the distrust between officer and candidate.

In the next case, the Thai lady applying for eh visa had formerly been a teacher. She was now self-employed by a Thai division of an American company and had visited many countries on her Thai visa including Switzerland. The American company wrote to discuss her new promotion, her new duties and the six week training session she was to receive in New York. The letters were very specific as to dates and times, including references to hotel arrangements, transport, etc. The candidate brought all these plus har tax records, her house registration, car registration, and teaching license to the embassy. The interviewer took the documentation but never read a single item. She merely flipped through them and handed the packet back. She asked only about the company and the candidate's duties. In the end, the interviewer asked to see a sample of the products the company sold, and the candidate said she did not have any with her. The result was that the officer told her in a fairly haughty manner that she was denied a visa, but she COULD return with a sample if she wanted. It was clear that teh officer thought she had just about been successfully scammed. Her tone varied between sounding aloof and uninterested, to slightly hostile and disbelieving, and finally shooed the candidate away in an accusative manner.

The candidate returned a few days later, and again without seeing a single bit of documentary evidence - or even the requested sample - the officer smiled and announced "I'm giving you a ten year approval. Good luck," and it was over.

The third case came two years later. It was the mother of the last mentioned candidate. Her story was that her daughter lived with an American in Thailand. During those years, the American's elderly father came to spend many months with the Thai family and they all got very close. The father then returned to America where his health declined. Now the candidate and the American had a child, which the father had never seen, and everyone at the Thai end wanted to visit the father perhaps for the last time. Yep, the mother also got a 10 year stamp - this time without even the second visit.

So what made these work? Nobody knows, but I have very strong opinions. First of all, the daughter dressed in business clothes. Not sexy clothes, not party clothes. Strictly business. She is beautiful, but she seemed high class. She stood out in a room full of other beautiful ladies who looked, well, more attractive. You know what I mean. YEs, some looked like hookers, but most just were wearing their Sunday best, and that was a mistake. Skip the heels, or at least anything over an inch. The fact is that the immigration officer pretty much assumes that every woman under age 45 who applies is going to run away in the USA and become a prostitute. So don't feed that image. Don't look too sexy, and don't look financially desperate.

Sure it probably was important that the candidate had all the supporting stuff. But the decision both times seems to have been 90% made before the candidate even opened her mouth. Her apearance and demeanor took center stage.

When this candidate was turned down on her first visit she was so depressed that she almost refused to ever return. But when she came back, she walked up tp the window, smiled, and waied the officer (the same one from before). She quietly identified herself and the officer said that she was suprised to see her again. Then without another word, she told the candidate that she would get the visa. I believe down to my toes that it was the smile and appearance of respectful confidence that turned the tide. A wai goes a long way here.

In the case of this lady's mother, well, the mother owned a house, was leaving several other daughters and her husband behind, could not speak English so she would be travelling with her daughter, and was past streetwalking age, so it was easy. Still, she dressed like a respectful elder, and looked like the kind of person anyone would want to help.

So I guess my main advice is to follow all protocol, assemble all documentation, and remember that the first impression may be the whole ballgame.

Good luck.

I think this is likely an accurate analysis, especially considering the seemingly inconsistent results various applicants get. With some going to the embassy with very solid qualification and documentation getting rejected and others who would seem much less qualified getting rejected. And in general when dealing with government agencies or big businesses, coming across as like able, presentable and profession able is very important., I also thought is was interesting about them watching you on camera in the waiting room. I wasn't aware of that and I doubt many people are, but it is a good thing to know. I thought it was also good that you pointed out the likely bias, that they believe most Thai women will stay in the USA and become prostitutes. Its rubbish, but given the extreme politialy correctness in the USA and the way Thailand is often portrayed therem, almost certainly true of at least some of the embassy personnel.

No, don't work for the Embassy. But I did get two K2 visas. The entire burden of proof is on the visa applicant(s). You were not the applicant being interviewed, that is why she told you to go take a seat. I accompanied one of the K2 applicants to the Embassy, but I knew I shouldn't ask to help at the window, or interviews.

The Thai applicant must establish to the satisfaction of the ICE officer that the tourist visa applicant will leave the US when the visa expires. There is no checklist of hoops as if you are trying to get a drivers licence. Basically, you don't get one unless you're wealthy. Her assets in Thailand don't sound too impressive to me. Your stint in the Peace Corps doesn't (and shouldn't) mean squat. They also consider the demeanor and appearance of the applicant. Any chance you made a big stink when she told you to take a seat? That did not help her application.

Yes, some parts of the process are subjective and are left to the judgement of the officer. In fact, even if she got a US visa, do you realize that the ICE officer at the US port of entry can refuse to accept it?

I was always treated professionally by the US Embassy staff. Your Gestapo flourish, again, is childish.

Given the postings about Thai women who have gotten visas with much less qualifications, I think you comment about him acting like a child and the rejection completely understandable is really obnoxious. But I think that the Nazi characterization is inaccurate. It should have been politically correct instead of Nazi. The woman was obviously threatened by Thai women and assuming the Thai woman was a prostitute. And that is wrong and blatant discrimination and something should have been done about it. But I think the Ambassador's . comment about it being illegal for him to intercede is telling. Its probably very touchy and politically dangerous for him to intercede. He would need some very serious motivation to intercede.

At a border you don't get an extension. You can get a new permission to stay for 2 weeks, for more one would have to go to an embassy and request a visa. They can get an extension of stay if they have a work permit and meet the minimum income requirements.

Minimum income requirements are for retirement and marriage visas, not work permits.

If the courts decide that because they are Thai they must be before a Thai court

Then all Australians should be sent back to Australia and not face a Thai Court for the same reasons

Isn't it funny we read of a Thai on the run in Cambodia that states he will not face a Thai court as they do not give true justice and her is happy to face an international court and if proved guilty is happy to face the decision now we have the complete opposite

Guess like my Thai Wife

Thais never do any thing wrong

ha ha

Don't know that it has anything to do with Thais. Generally when people are involved in legal proceedings they will go for the route that appears to be to their advantage, what ever it might be.. Nothing surprising in the above. AS for you Thai wife. I very much prefer my Thai wife to my first wife who was American. And to all my former western girl friends for that matter. Actually I remember that always right as a common theme with western women. God. Its amazing, all the Thai bashers who contribute to this forum If you don't like Thais, what are you doing here?

3 tweets, none of them seem to have an agenda, for once in your lives people, accept that everything is not rosy in Thailand and things do happen, no need to be politically correct and say it also happens to Thais when there is no proof of this, in this instance it has happened to two westerners so lets just accept that it has happened to 2 westerners without assuming that it also happened to thais.

the tweets are

Ebriel Elizabeth Briel .@andrewhurd @LilMsEditor @Cambodonut @bm_ @legalnomads Random attack near BTS Asoke, just at us.We're up in a few hrs 4 the doctors-'night! 12 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply » Ebriel Elizabeth Briel @ @bkkjase Asoke, s/o sprayed us from BTS steps near Robinson. My husband lost the conjunctuva in his eyes, will be ok.I've just a burnt scalp 12 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply » Ebriel Elizabeth Briel We were attacked in #Bangkok tonight - someone sprayed acid -or bleach- at our faces. @BumrungradH says this is the 3rd they've seen lately.

What's political correctness got to do with it? Every time something bad happens to a farang, the whole crew of chronic malcontents starts complaining about Thais, the police etc. With such bad attitudes, no wonder they're unhappy. I remember the Swede getting killed in Pattaya. The same crew was complaining about how bad Thais are to farangs, how incompetient the police are etc. A day later the police had caught the killers and they were two Swedes. Yes the other cases could have been attacks on farangs. Then again maybe the attacker is a farang for all we know. And in any case crimes like this happen everywhere, not just in Thailand. But my guess is the other acid attacks were not on farangs, since we heard nothing about them until this attack. Attacks on farangs get a lot more attention in the press and on line.

A guy on one of the other forums said that "Thai's are not violent". I guess somebody needs to adjust his opinion to include people outside his home.

He obviously haven't seen any of those ANTI-Sanook sanook morons during Songkran that shoot, stab, bash, kill.

Always the malcontents looking to complain about Thailand. Non of this is unique to Thailand. Happens everywhere.

I don't like Thaksin and believe the current Govt is a step backwards for THailand ...... But on this minimum wage issue ...

if they implement it (along with their other costly initiatives) ... it will probably bring inflation and a weakening of the Thai Baht ..... which should increase exports, etc etc etc ...

Yes of course prices for cooking oil, rice, sugar, oil and everything else etc will go up, but for the average laborer or construction worker he think's he's flush because he's making twice as much.

Also a significant weakening of the baht would help bail out the Govt's rice scheme.

Some number cruncher at the finance ministry only has to work out the formula, i.e. ..... if the baht falls to say 50 baht = 1 US$, then 300 baht ain't such a high wage for the multinationals that compete in this part of Asia.

Don't misunderstand me .... I think they are playing with fire and it's very risky for the economy when they make radical and sudden changes like this ... but run-away inflation or hyper inflation could indeed bail this Govt out re their campaign promises .... although it would be terrible for the country, although most people wouldn't understand this 'cause and effect' .... many would probably praise the Govt (and Thaksin) for ripping them off again.

All these complaint about raising the minimum wage remind me of the talk before minimum wage increases in the USA Every time an increase is considered, the business interests warn that it will result in inflation, lost j jobs etc. But there is no data to back up those arguments. There have been quite a few minimum wage increase in the USA and the data doesn't show that any of them resulted in inflation or lost jobs. If anything it appears that the economy has done better after each minimum wage increase. Businesses just don't like minimum wages or minimum wage increase, so they argue that there will be all these dire consequences, despite having no data to back it up, knowing not many people are going to ask about the data anyway.

Sounds nasty.... But for some reason, I can't help but think some pieces were left out of this story, perhaps a history of overstays, or something else... Either way, I am sure Mr Kent is happy to be back home again!

Yes. I agree. I've heard of many cases where people over stayed their visa much longer. In some cases over a year and didn't go to jail and weren't even charged the maximum fine. I heard second hand recently about a guy who had been in Thailand for years without a visa, running a business. They didn't even throw him in jail, though he's apparently in big trouble, mostly for not paying taxes. I bet there is something unsaid here. One possibility is he lost his temper and was really obnoxious with the police.

Usually, there is more to these stories than the information that is initially presented. The news reports tend to fixate on gory details and often offer exagerated descriptions. It may very well turn out that there was no bag over his head, nor tape. Too many times we read reports that are rife with inaccuracies.

This reminds me of the Swede killed in Pattaya a couple weeks ago. All kinds of comments about how dangerous Thailand is for farangs and how bad the police are. Then a day later the police had found the killers (not bad police work) and they were a couple Swedes.

If an autopsy is needed?

That's a strange comment or is this a huge misinterpretation?

Although the cause of death may appear obvious, an autopsy must be conducted in order to legally establish the cause of death and forward ahead as a murder investigation..

Do a search on Google and you will be amazed at how many farangs meet a drastic end per year in Thailand. It`s almost wholesale slaughter and if this wasn't so tragic it could almost be classified as a joke.

I have to wonder what these people are doing here, what and who they become involved with?

Absurd. Another chronic miscontent,, I suppose. You come to a conclusion as to what the murder rate for foreigners is based on a Google search??

<br />How does this happen in plain view of neighbors?   How does this happen in a supposedly guarded Luxury Villa?   How do 12 people go un-noticed?   He obviously annoyed someone too much, but seriously!  How, why, why, why.... It's mind boggling.  This illustrates just how helpful Thai's are not in these situations.<br />

When poor people selling second hand CD's on Bangkok streets have been given prison terms of up to 5 years... a PM rip the Country off for $BILLIONS get 5 years Prison,RUNS AWAY then constantly cause problems for the Country HE gets amnesty (it will happen just as He will be PM again) ...THE PLACE IS INSANE

I find this charade totally sickening but this shows Thailand exactly what it's morals and principles are, to elect someone with only 6 weeks political canvassing experience ;never been an MP –Phu yai bahn or Kamnan into the highest Government office of the land is beyond a joke.

The people of Thailand have been brainwashed they deserve all they get as this Government will end just as all the other Frankenstein Children of TRT have ended.

An Almost Trillionaire with NO experience of Government running one of the most promising economies in Asia..give me a break, it stinks as does Thaksin grinning on TV with his "el Diablo" hand gestures; this man is sick, a power hungry megalomaniac that will most probably sell his sisters soul just to get his snout back into the trough. These are the type of people who are destroying peoples lives thro greed and corruption.

The power of money…if you are planning to invest here be very very careful as the Nationalistic Xenophobes are back (for now)

Thailand? There are many examples of the above in the USA and I'm sure most other countries. Nothing unique to Thailand. Its politics. And of course in almost any country the wealthy get lighter jail sentences relative to their crimes than poor people. Poor people don't have any influence, can't hire good lawyers, etc.

First off, the word election should not continue to be used. When the votes are all bought, it simply becomes an exercise in how much money needs to be spent in order to get the front position at the feeding trough. A sad day for Thailand....... Thaksin has proven to be anti farang in the past, guess we will have to keep a close eye on what he does, and have an exit strategy to another country

Do you think this any better than the money poured into parties and the media in the USA? Come on. It is time to shut up, especially if you are a farang, and let them get on with it. Besides, both sides were dishing out money.

Being from the USA, I'll second that emotion. Its just a different more effective way of buying votes in the USA and I doubt that its much better in Europe. And of more importance with all the money the wealthy interests spend lobbying and contributing to campaigns, they basically own all the elected representatives after they've been elected no matter which party they belong to. I really take exception to the superior attitude many people on this forum take toward the Thai democracy. Its not like any of the western democracies are anywhere near perfect.

People are losing posting rights and being suspended left and right for not paying attention to the two pinned topics. Read them and follow them.

"Two pinned tops". What are you referring to?

Everybody i spoke to here in thailand voting for Yingluck

Same here! People on this forum been so out of tough with Thais I am sure 90% live overseas but are experts.

This next thing they will say everyone was paid to vote red

Unfortunately the poor have been paid to vote. Thailand will stay in the corruption zone.

The corruption zone? Given the Democrats have been in for the last 5 years (actually effectively a lot longer than that) you must be referring to the Democrats. All the talk on this forum about corruption. You think corruption is unique to Thaksin (and for all I know the charges were put up to get rid of him)? This is politics. Of course there is corruption and I'm not talking about just Thailand. I'm from the USA and there is certainly a lot of corruption back there. Pretty much all the politicians there are for all practical purposes owned by the wealthy interests.

Everybody i spoke to here in thailand voting for Yingluck

Not surprising if your username is any indication what people you speak to.

Lovely people I am sure, but not very educated.

The only difference between those from a privileged background to those from a less fortunate one is money- not IQ!

I've talked to many educated intelligent Thais who are Red Shirt supporters. Maybe you just don't get out enough.

Watch out! If this law is passed, there will be a rush of over 50 year old foreign men into Thailand.

And there will be a baby boom of half breed bastards on the laps of the government - because he is not permitted to get married by law.

I don't understand. Why would this law cause a rush of over 50 year old foreigners into Thailand? I would think it would be the opposite.

I wonder what the probability is of this proposal actually becoming law. Does anyone have any idea? I'm not very familiar with Thai politics, but in the USA, a pretty small percentage of proposals actually become law.

As to it being inappropriate for older men to marry young women, isn't it pretty common in Thai culture? Don't a lot of older Thai men marry young women? I read the results of a poll done a couple years ago that said that a large majority of Thai parents would prefer their daughters marry older men. They see older men as being more stable and reliable. And if they're so concerned about the 400,000 baht, why don't they just change that to $800,000 baht to be consistent with the retirement visa. This doesn't really affect me, since I'm already married to a Thai woman, but its still pretty distressing. I wonder if someone isn't proposing it just because the Cambodians are doing it. Or maybe there is some international pressure to do it. As far as I know Thais have nothing against older men marrying younger women, but western societies definitely do. I hate to see Thailand become politically correct. Its one of the many things I like about Thailand. Political correctness hasn't taken hold here.