abrahamzvi

1 hour ago, Ralf61 said:

no problem with that one, as long as those points are well "manned" with appropriate officials:

 

See ,my remarks below

1 hour ago, jaywalker said:

Well, that's a teacher, but sleeping it off w/ the cops around might be difficult, due to all their snoring.

I hope you know what you would face if you made a remark of this sort in the US. Quite frankly, I wish we had the same attitude here in Thailand as well. Just to avoid any wrong conclusions, I am neither a woman not Thai. Sorry. I really wanted to comment on the comment to which you were answering.

On 12/14/2017 at 2:33 PM, Gregster said:

 

 

Many thanks. Will pass on.

He divorced his (Western) wife after he caught her cheating. Hence his aversion now towards Western women.

His daughter is fully aware her mother cheated and she is also aware her Dad wants a GF from a different culture.

It made no difference, the daughter is not backing down on her position.

 

 

I know from my own experience how hurting a situation like this is. However, at the end of the day, it is the life of your friend and not his daughter's.  Also, it will be her and her kids who will be suffering and probably within a year or two, she will learn to accept, perhaps not like, her father's partner.

23 hours ago, spermwhale said:

Just so you all know:
The fine for being caught with an  e-cig is 100,000 baht and/or 1 year in jail max. 

I'd advise if you are going to use these things that you do so at home and never in public. We are living in a police state so don't forget it. 

Whether one lives in a "police state", or in a western democratic one, an offence is an offence and breaking the laws in any country carries a sanction, i.e. punishment. The same goes for the US, UK and other countries.

Whether one agrees or disagrees with the arrest of the person, the fact is that it is illegal to smoke or carry E Cigarettes and fluid and is considered an offence under the laws of Thailand. An offence carries a punishment and we al have to accept it. If we, as foreigners, as guests, do not like it, we shouldn't live here or even visit Thailand. I know quite a few people (including me) who wouldn't live in, or visit countries where the consumption of alcohol is an offence. All I am trying to say is that people should accept the fact that breaking laws, whether one agrees or disagrees to such laws, is a punishable offence.

2 hours ago, TVGerry said:

Dunno why people are making so much noise. TG may not be the best airline out there but it sure beats the European airlines like BA or Lufhthansa. Let's not even bother to mention the American airlines. They may lag behind SIA or Cathay Pacific or EVA but then again those airlines are 5 star airlines. Anyway, an extra $30 on economy and $45 on business to Europe? Yeah that's gonna break our bank!

I most certainly have nothing against Thai Airways, I do fly TG quite often. However, to say that they beat Lufthansa, is going too far. I have been flying Lufthnsa on long routes quite often in either Business or First class, and I really cannot complain on either. Their service, is absolutely excellent.

A super choice of the new Minister!

4 hours ago, Langsuan Man said:

Any lawyer in Thailand that is charging you for a will based upon the size of your estate is planning on ripping you off 

 

Now a lawyer charging to probate a will through the Thai courts MAY be able to charge based upon the value of the estate but that would be a % based upon approval by the court

 

The most common trick that they pull is they  prepare a will for you and then offer to keep the original for safekeeping with the promise to "probate" if for you.  Only problem with this kind offer is that you are no longer around to determine if the will he presents to the court is the same will you executed

 

Never let a lawyer keep an original of anything, especially something that they "notarized" for you

 

There is a reason that Thais rate lawyers just behind policemen and politicians  

I think it is very wrong to generalize. There are some awful lawyers, but there are some very honest, decent and professional working lawyers in Thailand . I know few both in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Regarding the fees for a will, I paid less than BHT20,000, for a rather complicated will, which can be registered with an Amphur, which has been done in my case by the lawyer.

Congratulations to the State of Israel for a President Rivlin. Although I disagree with many of his views, I think that all Israelis should be proud of having a Peoples President like President Rivlin, a President of ALL Israelis, irrespective of their origins, gender or religions.

No, I have never done anything that could be considered illegal and quite frankly, I think that the present "coming out" of the awful behaviour and attitudes of "powerful" people towards women is most welcome. It is time that men realise that women are their equals and are not there to be treated as sex objects, or symbols.

However, if complimenting a lady , helping a lady into a coat or a jacket, getting up when a lady joins or leaves the table, or similar acts of good manners, are considered as sexual harassment, I am a culprit, and a big one!

16 hours ago, Halfaboy said:

I would expect that with unfavorable exchange rate lots of British pensioners would return to  the UK. Maybe I don't have up to date info but so far I hardly heard about this.

 

If this situation of exchange rates continues for a extended period of time would you expect a substantial exodus exodus ?

If that happens, it wouldn't be the first time expatriates had tomove back home due to exchange rates. The last example of this, as far as I know, was Spain. In the 80s and 90s, some areas in the south of Spain were populated by British expatriates to the extent of 70-80%. The pound was high in Spanish Pesetas and the cost of living was low. It all changed when the Pesetas were converted to Euros and the rate of exchange of the Pound dropped drastically, added to the increase in the Spanish cost of leaving. Thousands of British expatriates had to return home, as they could no longer either exist or live reasonably comfortably in Spain on their income in Sterling. This could happen here or in some other countries. My personal advice to any expatriate anywhere, is to leave a certain base at home, to which one can return to when circumstances make it necessary.

Just now, DUS said:

 

You what?

Just now, DUS said:

 

You what?

What is your guess????

3 hours ago, DUS said:

Yeah, the UK would be so much better off with no imports and no bloody foreigners! 

 

/ironyoff

 

 

When I read such stupid and arrogant comments, all I can say is wait and see and then return to the UK. Maybe also Thailand will be better off without "bloody foreigners" of your views. Best of British Luck!

10 hours ago, rickudon said:

It will probably be a hard Brexit. The UK government is backtracking on it's half-hearted promises made to the EU last month, and the EU commission says without any further clarification the December talks will not happen. And Tin lady refused to say to the CBI what the Brexit terms being negotiated will be, says 'wait until March 2019'. How the hell can companies make plans for trading with the EU? Most of the CBI would prefer Corbyn, at least they know where they stand. The EU itself is resigned to Hard Brexit, says 60% plus chance now. Remember, even if a deal was struck with the EU commission, it has to be ratified by all 27 other members. That will not happen overnight.

 

So, unless Brexit is binned, chance of any deal on trade (and everything else) is very low by March 2019, let alone ready to be implemented. Even flights to the EU could stop while access rights are renegotiated.

 

This is possibly the worst UK government since the 1688 revolution ........

If you are right, all one can say is that that will end up in more than a disaster for the UK. Even Corbyn, couldn't be as a disastrous PM.....

On 11/5/2017 at 2:54 AM, George FmplesdaCosteedback said:

The basket case Greece was not the only country that fiddled the books and the ERM was ignored by several others*. The EU in its obsession for a bureaucratic takeover of Europe turned a blind eye to what went on.

Economically Germany has been the main winner, merely adjusting prices to cover the low exchange rate of the Euro compared to what the Deutschmark would now be.

You need to dig deep to find out what happened, as most reports brush over it.

 

*A clip from Wiki:

"As part of the EU treaty, all of the EU Member States are obliged to adhere to the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), which as a framework to ensure price stability and fiscal responsibility, has adopted identical limits for governments budget deficit and debt as the convergence criteria. Due to the fact that several countries did not exercise a sufficient level of fiscal responsibility during the first 10 years of the euro's lifetime - ".  France was one.

 

I fail to see why all the doom mongers continue this rhetoric against the UK shaking free of the overbearing EU when it is no dead cat or still born, more a reborn lion cub soon to be released back into the world.

All the Armageddon predictions have proved wrong to date, and that can continue without internal sabotage.

The EU are shaking in their high heals about the loss of income, and will make negotiations (not that they are negotiating, just dictating so far) as difficult as possible in fear the whole House Of Cards will tumble.

It seems the remaoners are determined to ensure the UK fails and is forced to become a European State, relinquishing all power to mostly appointed bureaucrats in Brussels (and Strasbourg).

Two "little corporals" failed before don't forget.

 

So where is the sense in denying democracy?

It is not the future I want for my kids and grand kids...

 

Getting a visa or work permit is a small price to pay to travel to and from Europe to retain what was a long and bloody fight for an independent democracy in the UK.

 

 

 

 

An "Independent Democracy" only works if the economic conditions allow it to. I doubt that with a collapsing currency, unemployment of 10% and higher, inflation of 10% or more - in short a collapsing economy - a proper democracy can work.It's really fertile ground for extreme right or left populists and not for democrats. Please beware of a "hard Brexit", it will be a disaster for the UK!

On 11/4/2017 at 8:19 PM, simoh1490 said:

Poster chiang mai (rest in peace) was whipped up one side and down the other for almost two years for suggesting 42 was possible, now you come along and suggest 39 might become a reality,  it's heresy and treason many will say! Personally, I'm thinking 35 (plus or minus 10%) is in order, almost certainly within five years!

It all depends on the terms of Brexit. If it is a "hard Brexit",which I don't believe will be the case, it could go down further than even 35 to the THB, or even on a par basis to the US$. However, if a sensible and good Brexit is negotiated (like Norway or Iceland) than we can see the Pound going back to 45-48 o the THB. The British economy has the potential, but not without the advantages of free trade with the EU. Brexit is bad enough, a hard one is really bad!

7 minutes ago, Petesie80 said:

At least there was a happy ending.

How do you know? Maybe not!

17 hours ago, milys said:

I would instead say what a stupid german john who takes a hooker to his room and has that kind of money available for the woman to steal. Obvoiusly he hasn't learned much in life at the rape age of 74.

Rape (at the age of 74?), or ripe?

3 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

Why would a tourist have that much money in cash ? Even in large denomination bills, thats a suitcase full of money.

And not in the safe etc. More to this story I think.

 

In EURO 500 notes there would have been 12 notes, in EURO 200 notes, 30 notes. One doesn't need a suitcase to keep 12, 30, or even 60 notes. Your question about the safe is justified, but how many of us are so careful? 

Another question is, where did the man pick the "lady" up? If , as I assume from the street, the whole story is no surprise. I am not an angel, but it escapes my mind, how people can be that stupid and/or careless to take to one's hotel room a "lady" from the street. She could have drugged him, stolen more than she did, or even killed him. Aren't there enough agencies, clubs etc. where one can get a girl and take her, or have her sent, to the hotel room?

1 minute ago, Ochomo said:

 

Disgusting!!!

On 10/15/2017 at 3:46 PM, Surasak said:

Voted in by the eu parliament, NOT by the general public!

And who voted for the European Parliament? By your logic, Mrs May is not an elected, democratic PM.

On 10/15/2017 at 3:51 PM, Surasak said:

Maybe so,but 21 miles of sea separates us from the mainland of europe.

And how far is it to the USA?

4 hours ago, vogie said:

What with dimwits like Juncker, he was not voted in, so he cannot be voted out, do we have to wait untill he dies before we see any change. 

It seems to me you don't even know recent history. Mr. Junker was voted in. He won an election with a majority over Martin Schulz, the SPD German candidate.

7 hours ago, Credo said:

It seemed like a good idea, but in hindsight, I think it would be better for the UK to have stayed in the EU.   

It never was a good idea. UK belongs to and in Europe and can only flourish there. The Brexit was an idea of people who have learnt nothing from history, know nothing about economics and misleading the population with misinformation and  fear mongering.

On 10/11/2017 at 9:59 AM, Eloquent pilgrim said:

With respect, any laws applying to asylum seekers or refugees are irrelevant to this issue. He is a British citizen that has been living in  Thailand and now wants to bring his wife, who is a Thai national, to live in the UK. The only law that is relevant is the law governing bringing a spouse from a non EU country; as I have said before he should have made sure that he was fully aware of those rules and if he did not then it is irresponsible, especially as it has meant leaving a wife and young daughter behind.

 

To the best of my knowledge, we do not even know if he has made an application for her (and the daughter) or if he just realised that he does not meet the minimum income requirement, and did not bother to waste money on an application that would of failed; either way, he cannot expect to be excused from the relative law just because he was a bit part celebrity 30 years ago. I have 2 friends that have brought their Thai wives back to live in the UK, they fulfilled the income criteria that the law demands, and so must he ..... and again, as I have said before, I hope that he is sending monthly maintenance payments for his daughter ?? ✌️✌️

As far as referring to the existing laws is concerned, you are right. However, as I stated before, I consider the laws you are referring to as anti social and unjust. Why should a poor man, or woman, not earning the minimum required by law, be barred from leading a family life, which is really a generations old social tradition. This principle, people leading a family life (with wife/husband and children) irrespective of their income, is applied to refugees, a principle which, I emphasize, I fully support. However this principle does not apply to the country's own citizens. Does this make sense, does this make a society healthy and just?!!!