anono222

The paper from the embassy will also have to be translated to Thai.  Once translated, you will go to a government provincial office and submit your papers to be checked and validated for marriage.  Once approved, you take it, and the wife's papers if she has some, to the local Amphur.  This was how it worked in Chiang Mai a couple of weeks ago.

President Trump is not nearly as deranged as you lot....  I mean really!

Who cares!  Get back to the business of making the US productive again.  All of this is nonsense and a gross waste of taxpayer money at this point. 

File this under "who cares."  Let's focus on productive things like infrastructure improvements, jobs and making the US great again.  Got no time for tripe!

44 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I have had countless experiences where I have very politely, and with a great deal of respect, asked Thai people to turn down their music, or quiet their dog, who had been barking for hours, or quiet down their child, who had been running around the movie theatre like a rabid monkey on amphetamines, screaming at the top of his lungs, and carrying on, during the movie! It has rarely gone well. Most Thai people do not handle what they perceive to be criticism well. Most Thai people, in my opinion have relatively low self esteem, for whatever reason. And most are not good communicators. In any language. Most cannot introspect, therefore it is very hard for them to admit they are the source of the problem.

 

I recently had a run in with a neighbor. I very politely asked them if there was anything they could do about their dog. A small yappy creature. It had been barking for hours on end, for many weeks. The only dog on the entire soi, that makes noise. The woman came out and told me off, in a very nasty manner. Ten minutes later she and her husband showed up at my house, and went on for 10 minutes. Incredibly nasty. Really low, really devoid of any sort of class, elegance, or manners. Just ranting and cursing. Finally my Thai wife, who was speaking to them patiently, told they to go home, and stay away from our house. Part of the problem is face. Many perceive the fact that you have asked them to do something, as a loss of face. It is nearly impossible for many of us to get into the mind of the average Thai, when it comes to face. It weakens this entire society, and tears at the very fabric of Thailand. It prevents the people, and the society from maturing, and moving forward. It is a boil on the face of the nation.

 

Now for my face rant- 

 

Face is no doubt, the greatest form of weakness, a human can engage in. Many will say it is societal, cultural, etc. No matter. It is the absolute and complete lack of the ability to introspect, and look within for the source of any problem, shortcoming, conflict, or issue. It is the polar opposite of spirituality, and therefore an absolute scourge on Buddha, and all of the precepts he taught. By practicing face, you are denying your spiritual heritage. You are refusing to man up. To take responsibility for your actions. If a man or a woman cannot, and will not take responsibility for their actions, the problems they create, the mistakes they make, and the issues they involve themselves in, what are they? Are they still an adult? Are they a complete individual, if they allow themselves to be limited by such infinitely small social convention? 

 

Who cares what people think of you? For those of us with high self esteem, it just does not matter. Sure, close friends and family. But strangers on the street? Who gives a rat's butt about this? It means nothing what they think, nor what they say about you. They count for nothing. They are just people, and people you do not know, nor will ever see again. Face is rife with self doubt, and by subscribing to this weakness, and man or woman is made a far lesser person. For those of us with high self esteem, we know who we are. What others think, what society thinks, what a guy or gal thinks, means less than zero.

Real men or women, simply own a situation, and take responsibility for their errors or mistakes. Small men, social deviants, or emotional adolescents deflect, obfuscate, attempt to confuse, and do everything in their power to deny that they made a mistake, or that they are responsible in any way, or on any level. They make up narratives about fake news, or alternative facts. Anything to avoid looking within, for the source of the problem. Anything.

 

 

Not much there I could argue with....  Well said!

Instead of complaining, one needs to take action.  Upon moving in with my lovely wife, I soon realized I would not be able to live with her without taking immediate action.  I hired a contractor to build onto the bedroom creating a cozy man-cave using soundproof block, while at the same time lining the existing section with the same block. After some paint and such at a cost of around 16,000Bt., I now have a room where I can spend quality time without having to endure the blatant disregard for others going on around me.  My wife tells me constantly about the neighbor's complaints about all the things happening around us.  She doesn't gloat to the friends, but she does appreciate the life improvements doing so created for us.  Much better result than risking life and limb marching yourself into the unknown. Just saying.... Cheers!

3 hours ago, stevenl said:

No way a rental company can decide if the renter has valid insurance and no exclusions on his/her policy.

However, motorcycle qualified is clearly indicated on most foreign licenses.  One of the main problems with rentals is people come here, the most dangerous place to ride in the world, with little or no riding experience at all.  This is a recipe for disaster that I am faced with at work every year.  No matter how much I try to explain to newcomers, they just don't get it and end up losing skin, breaking bones and missing work.  Renting to these folks is the equivalent of playing Russian roulette with the renter's lives and the rented motorcycle. Insanity at best!

7 hours ago, Ruffian Dick said:

I'm sure the "injured party" was just minding his own business when the foul beast attacked him "out of nowhere".

Word to the wise, don't pet an animal you don't know.

Shopping is an activity that should not include wild animals; also driving for that matter.  One shouldn't have to fear driving a motorcycle down your street or strolling through market.  As a dog handler and owner for years; I have learned even the faithful household pet can be unpredictable on occasion and can react unexpectedly.   So, for the safety of all, a word to the wiser.  Maintain an environment as free from danger for you and your family as possible; such as, not allowing soi dogs to rule the streets and shopping areas.

15 hours ago, dfdgfdfdgs said:

Whilst this is undoubtedly a good idea if you want to preserve human life, it doesn't say much for personal freedom.  If people want to drive around without protecting their head, let them.  Helmet or no helmet, the damage to anybody you crash into will be the same.

 

I wish I could drive my motorbike in the UK 2 minutes down the road to the shop and back without having to worry about where the helmet is.  A lot of people go to Thailand to get away from nanny and 'open prison' states.  Thais are some of the most free people in the world, let them do what they like.

Statistics have proven that most accidents occur within a couple of miles of your home.  My wife had never had an accident until last year; just going to the market for some sticky rice ya know!  A dog ran out in front of her and she bounced; will never get on a motorcycle without a helmet again.  Personal freedoms aside, the overall cost to society in health care, lost productivity and general safety is uncountable.  Countries that have implemented mandatory helmets have proven helmets, speed limits and laws, and safety belts do make a difference; accept it and move on.

4 hours ago, Lupatria said:

How long will it take the typical answer 'honest songthaew driver returned lost bag with 80.000 baht to foreign tourist' to appear?

Helpless South Korean child no less!

Doesn't anyone do any research before setting off on something like this. Coming to the No. 1 country for road deaths and rampant road rage is not a good plan.  Can't feel sorry for the OP, do more diligence next time, lucky you are alive.

On 12/17/2017 at 8:08 AM, Xonax said:

Let them charge a small amount for plastic bags, but at the same time Thailand need to get a proper recycling system in place.  Garbage Recycling plants is long overdue in Thailand, while they are investing in submarines and high-speed trains.

It is just a myth, that cotton / canvas bags are better for the environment than plastic bags.

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/09/to-tote-or-note-to-tote/498557/

http://www.businessinsider.com/reusable-tote-bags-are-worse-than-plastic-2016-11

I have used the same Makro canvas bag for six years and still going.  Can't help but feel like that is better than throwing away a pile of plastic every time I go somewhere.

Sorry guys; had to skip to the end.  Don't really care which side you are on with this stuff, but it makes no difference.  Good examples of why people choose not to live among those who pontificate in this manner.  I too am sorry to be from the USA, but it has little to do with the country.  For the most part, it has to do with the level of uncivil angst one must endure to be there.  At least here, I can take advantage of the advice of those who say you can leave these threads to fester and spew as they will.  So, have at it!

Ouch... opening so wide it was irresistible.  Cheers

Must have been a short bed.

Excellent,

I will tell the wife; she'll be happy to hear about this. 

Really can't buy into the having a seizure and can't remember anything; will say the video is not his friend in all this.  You can clearly see him make changes in direction to avoid doing the head on with oncoming traffic.  Thus, alertly choosing the lesser impact of measly motorcycles. At least that is what I see; sure others may not agree.  Stand by my original statement as of the Doctor deliberately running over the security guard.  Those of you who would argue this is not third world, stay tuned.  You haven't seen anything yet!  No wonder I can barely force my wife to leave the house these days; when we do go somewhere, she is terrified from the time we leave to the moment we get back.

That is what I was thinking.  Every time I have been in a transport van, I have sat next row back on his left so I can see the dash.  On more than one occasion I have taken photos in a fashion noted by the driver and asked or insisted they slow down.  Guess that is not normal, but I never did fit into that group.  If I am going to die, I am least going to protest a bit.

It's a military dictatorship and your existence here can change without notice or recourse at the drop of a hat.  What that would mean financially; who knows?  Just saying.....

Obviously, the purpose of the barrier is to mame and destroy the bodies of people who are ejected from motorcycles due to fate, not stop trucks from plunging to the ground below.  Think I would rather my fate be something more in line with winning the lottery.  Cheers...

The reenactment is a total farce! Obviously the police did not see the video because they have the position of the body totally incorrect.  More hype to get this attempted murderer off is all I see here. 

You can buy a single apple, or bulk if you like at Makro, so I certainly see no need for Costco given the up front membership.  WalMart is a different topic indeed.  I do miss WalMart, and Olive Garden for that matter.

Go back to a corrupt political system that has torn down everything I believe to be of value; think not!  Blame all politicians red or blue, no high ground for either one.  Not sure about the current leader, time will tell. Before I left, I found myself screaming at a TV in a room by myself.  Haven't done that for a while.  Now I enjoy my time with family and friends. Granted there are issues that do get me going, but I do know who is running the show and what I can expect from them.  Family is all dead, so I haven't crossed a border in nine years; not sure I would survive the 40 hour trip back there anyway. Thus, no plans on returning, just prepaid the keeper of the flame at the temple to torch me good upon my demise. Hope I don't smell...  

40 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Who?

Visa service company.  My time is worth paying a service to do the leg work.  Currently out for 90-Day.  They don't get too excited since you have a window of days to report. Should get it back today or tomorrow.  Cheers...

8 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

No

They do a under consideration stamp on the date you apply and give your passport back to you.

Got to be a service...  they have had mine for four days now.