Jawnie

On April 1, I made the short trip to Cambodia for a 15-day visa exemption stay. I'm leaving Thailand permanently on April 15, but my current visa expired April 1. I was referred to Jack Golf as a visa run provider. When I called the number listed on the Jack Golf website -- 022511950 -- I got a different company. The new company, Bangkok Buddy, took over the phone number and visa run business. I should say at the outset, everything went perfectly smooth and as expected. The meeting place is still at Sukhumvit Soi 12 at 5am. I arrived at about 4:50am and there were 12 or so people already there and waiting. Tanya, of BB, was there with all of the necessary forms which you fill out on the spot including application, arrival/departure cards. The money, 2100 baht, was collected when we boarded the vans. We traveled in vans, not a nice, big air conditioned bus (I guess that's not the same as Jack Golf). We took a couple of very short rest breaks along the way and arrived at the border in about three hours. Btw, the driver was safe and careful at all times so no worries about a crazy van driver even if the van was somewhat cramped.

After we all passed through the Thai border, the BB assistant collected our passports and took them to immigration for the visas and exemptions. We were given a coupon for breakfast at a casino. We never really entered Cambodia (we couldn't anyway because we did not have passports) as the casino lies in a 'no man's land' between the Thai and Cambodian immigration offices. The buffet breakfast was decent and we hung out there for about an hour and headed back to the Thai immigration where BB staff gave us our passports with the Cambodian visa and Thai visa exemption stamp, along with a new, completed departure card. Some in our group stayed overnight because they were getting tourist visas while the rest loaded back into the van to Bangkok. We arrived in Bangkok at about 2:30pm in good shape.

All is well.

I've rented three places away from home while teaching. The normal practice was a security deposit and first month's rent up front and each month's rent in advance on the first of the month. The trick was getting the security deposit back I moved out.

I'm getting a lot of this kind of response, ie., that payment is made in advance - 'pay before stay'. However, one Thai friend, who is a very competent tax expert in Thailand, said it's typically paid in arrears, ie., for the past month. Hopefully, I can get him to glance at the sections of my lease that deal with this. Paying in arrears defies common sense and standard practice in the US, but.......

Yeah.....there's always a 'dance' with the landlord upon move out. I'm making sure every little thing in fixed and in good shape because I know they'll want to charge me for all the little stuff. In the US, there is the legal concept of 'normal wear and tear" which means landlords can't charge you for stuff that simple wears out through normal use over time - not so in Thailand, it seems.

I'm moving out of a room after more than two years and trying to understand what the last month's rent pays for (if this has been discussed, please give me the link). The manager says the monthly bill I get pays the rent for the previous month. In the US, where I am from, the month rent pays for the coming month so when I pay on 1 April, I am paying for April but the manager is saying I am paying for March. I don't know about Thai rental law in this regard. Anyone know for sure? Thanks.

I'm confused. The hotel operators say that "political calm" is the reason occupancy is way up. But, just last week, our fav, Gen. Prayuth, was complaining about the Thai PBS series regarding Article 112. Prayuth was quoted in the Bangkok Post saying, "He said airing the broadcast was inappropriate at a time of political conflict," and ""However, I must ask if this is an appropriate thing to do during this time when political conflicts remain sharp."

Do the hoteliers and Prayuth live in the same parts of Thailand, or....what?

Maybe one is trying to stir the pot to keep their own military job safe while the other is flying a false flag of calm hoping to increase profits at the hotels.

I dunno......

Gents Having gone through the UK courts, where my former wife had full custody, indeed the child will be returned (Subject to age / article 13 of the Hague convention) and of course how much money you have. I had little option but to stand-up in court to say no order, as it broke me both mentally and financially. I am now in a country where my former wife brought my son to me, and I have started a new custody case, but as expected the Thai courts have already told me they will award custody to my former wife, even though they know I cannot travel to Thailand to defend myself - once you annoy the Thai courts like I have you will never win irrespective of the best interest of the child. You do not have to go to your home country to start a new custody case you simply need residence in a country that has a legal system and in my opinion is neutral or has a system that is fair for both the mum and dad. England is not really fair to the dad and as many reports if American or any other country Thailand will not accept a foreign court order, so it means you best not think of returning to Thailand. Thailand may be signed up to a child abduction scheme but from what I understand and for sure experienced they do not and will not give you or your country's respect of accepting your home country court order. My former wife is having me charged here in the middle east for holding a minor, and even though and soon I hope it verdict will be not guilty; for sure it will not be recognized in Thailand and they will still pursue a similar charge in Thailand - for those who say they is no parental abduction law in Thailand; this only applies to cases that has not gone to court. The legal timeframes in Thailand can work in your favour, simply make sure you appoint a lawyer and make sure you start a new custody case in either your own country or a neutral country. Where I applied for custody the first hearing was within two weeks of making the application, an appeal will take about two months and the final Supreme Court will be concluded within a year. Thailand took 2 year for custody 3 years for the appeal and 4 years for the supreme court to conclude my case, which is not in the best interest of the child and any Thai lawyer will help the mum abuse the legal system - for sure the courts know this, as every time I reported neglect they simply hid behind the supreme court; yes they tried to get the mum to play ball; they even had to threaten her just to let my parents see the child, where they told me they could not force the mum to let my parents see their grandson they agreed it is a messed up system. Basically if your X is a pro, then if you do your homework and you are in a position to pay her off then yes like several expats in Thailand you will get the custody, but other than that if you want to stay in Thailand prepare for a very long battle and for sure a lot of heartache and without doubt a very frustrating times where Thai people will take you to limit that need controlling because as as soon as you break you have lost and the Thai courts will have great pleasure in telling you that you are not a fit father; and of course this is what her lawyer will be instructing her to do, and yes we can all agree Thai woman are expert in the arena of bring out the anger in men. Once you have damaged your credibility in the courts you will never win, even if you have the judge or complete panel replaces, and even if you do have the law on your side you will still lose as the courts will not lose face, even after an appeal and the Supreme court they are all connected in all states; in fact they all get shipped around. Personally I would never trust the Thai juvenile justice system; yet there are some who have won custody but in reality they are open and shut cases. Sadly and of course we are to blame as we have gone across waters, thus causing an international Ping-Pong situation, which is what the royal courts of justice in London told me. This was many years ago and at that time I was unwise of the law. Had I gone back to the UK and started a custody case as soon as I arrived rather than use the Thai courts then things would have been different. Even today some ten years on, Im still angry with myself for trusting the Thai law; however the Thai law has come a long way and for sure is acceptable to for those foreigners to win custody of their child. Obviously every situation is different such as my son was born in the UK and resided there for 2.5 years thus it could have been considered as his habitual home, where it was only six months of living in Thailand that my former wife had an affair with my friend I should have gone straight back; I have moved on, I now have my son where he is telling everybody he is not going to return to Thailand with his mum and husband (The reason I divorced her) hence his age also plays a major part to all this. Currently his mum hold his passport, but sooner he will get a new passport and then he will return to the UK and appoint his own lawyer thus irrespective of what the Thai courts does my UK lawyer has already submitted a referenced list as per the UK childrens act to the Oman courts (My former wife requested that we follow the British law) which plays a very strong weight towards the child's decision - thus unless the mum can prove the father is not a fit father then the child's wishes will be respected; this is also the signed convention of children rights in both where I'm currently staying and of course Thailand; it is just that the country where I'm currently residing has integrity and will stand by agreement where Thailand does not.

Could you insert a new paragraph every now and then? Thanks.

I'm talking about the side of the main ARL station, not across Asoke at the underground MRT station and parking lot. It's the new overhead walkway below the tracks coming out the ARL station and extending out to Asoke. It doesn't cross any roads or railroad tracks. The new elevated walkway does indeed turn to the left and away from the MRT station...that's my point. I'm familiar with the area and walk through often. I see the red line in the photo showing a proposed walkway from the ARL station crossing Asoke, then turning right to MRT, but the walkway currently installed doesn't look like that at all.

Jawnie, I'm not sure that I fully understand this.

Remember that the sat pic with the red lines is indicative of the alignment only. The fact that the link does a small left just before it hits Asoke/Ratchada due to a support pillar is negligible. A bit silly but negligible My greater concern is you stand near where the last link stanchion is located and then look directly east across Ratachada rd, you can see that the span across the road will have to angle back south to avoid the derelict building (which I assume is being demolished). Any span cannot cross the road at 90 degrees to the road as the building blocks it at the opposite side. Check that out as it is problematic.

Also, when reading your earlier post there are two points. Firstly, the route you discuss was the initial underground route for the link which is to the closest MRT entrance (wish I could remember the exit number) adjacent to Kamphaeng Phet 7 road. This could not be built as I mentioned earlier in the thread due to oil and water pipelines running along the railway line. An elevated link along this same route was unable to be built due to a height concern, which to be honest I never really understood.

I think that you may be getting caught up in the first stairs exit from the link which exits north down to Ratchada rd? (posted in TBGs first 2 pics) I would doubt that many people will end up using these stairs which are essentially for people to get to the bus stop which is further north. Some people wanting a taxi north probably will use it, I for one will. No need for escalators here as most likely only a few will use it.

See LakeGeneve's 13:31 post w/pics...it's the first photo. That's the walkway I'm describing.

Haha, now I am even more confused!!! You want me to look at the pic that I posted?

Yes we are all discussing the one, same walkway (are there any others?) but you refer to it eliminating 200m - though I suspect it will in fact be longer, not shorter - and turning left, then you describe more direct route asking why it doesn't go towards the closest MRT entrance. My response , I thought, was to try to answer that query. Anyway.......

The reason I say that the walk will be approximately 200 meters shorter is because with the new walk installed, passengers go directly out of the building from platform where the ticket booth and turnstiles are. This eliminates the backtracking and walking back toward the center of the station, down two escalators to the exit and then walking on the road toward Asoke. That's where the 200-/+ are eliminated....

So what is going on? I have asked a thai rail person to query the exact issue.

And I received a most prompt reply......

The max operating speed has been reduced to 80kph due to the fact that the track is degrading quicker than it should due to over usage and a lack of appropriate maintenance leading to roughness and in some cases some cracked rail. This has a greater impact upon the turnouts and is reporting leading to some cracking primarily at turnouts - which ultimately could cause a derailment at a turnout.

The SRTET needs to purchase a new rail grinding maintenance vehicle to smooth the track & turnouts AND/OR in the long term replace the whole track.

I am a bit surprised by this as the track is rated at 60 and I would have thought it would be very durable for this line.

No prices for guessing in which country the track and turnouts were manufactured.....

Wow, I was expecting some kind of maintenance issue but that has genuinely shocked me. "Over usage" from four/five trains an hour for the last two years?? Shocking.

Coupled with the rapidly deteriorating condition of Makkasan station, the walkway going up with no escalators and the future for the line looks bleak. I have staunchly defended it in the past and always maintained that Makkasan was not a white elephant and all would come good in the end. But now I'm not so sure.

And the SRT might get their mits on a couple of other mass transit routes too? Heaven forbid.

My days of using the ARL are certainly over for the foreseeable future.

Aside from the numerous pedestrian design flaws, there's on HUGE one lurking out there. That is the configuration of the track just outside of Makassan station headed toward Ramkamhaeng. Have you ever noticed how strongly the train lurches upon immediately leaving the station? There is a definite lurch which means the curve of the track there is improperly designed and the curve of the track is too sharp. Often, the train operator will pass this area slowly before picking up speed. The problem is that that area of track receives a high amount of stress each time a train passed, stressing the track at the point many times higher than normal. My fear is not that there will be a catastrophic failure of the track - it doesn't need to be. But, the stress on that exact point will eventually cause a failure there. A failure of a track would put the whole system into complete disarray while the track was repaired. It may not even be possible to repair a section of track where the track has broken loose of it's foundation. But, there's definitely a functional design problem there that will fail one day.

I walk the portion between Makassan and Petchaburi MRT on most days. This new walkway will eliminate approximately 200 meters of walking between the two stations - that's a step in the right direct. However, the way the new overhead walkway is configured, it makes a turn to the left when walking toward MRT and then down to the street. My question is why doesn't turn to the right, toward MRT? True, it would need to extend over the railroad tracks and four-lane road, but shouldn't sort of be the point, eliminate the need for pedestrians to cross roadtracks and a busy road?

Right now, everyone coming and going must cross railroad tracks and a very busy street. Turning the overhead walkway toward MRT over these would make the walked infinitely better. However, it isn't, and the current configuration turns pedestrians away from the station putting them on a narrow, poorly-maintained sidewalk and now will need to cross the service road for Makkassan, along with tracks and other roadway.

Eh? It does turn towards the MRT and will drop you where the small car park used to be next to the MRT entrance. So it does cross Asoke and the railway tracks. All in all a massive step (actually many steps) in the right direction. But please please please let there be escalators. That will be a horrendous mistake if there won't be any.

I'm talking about the side of the main ARL station, not across Asoke at the underground MRT station and parking lot. It's the new overhead walkway below the tracks coming out the ARL station and extending out to Asoke. It doesn't cross any roads or railroad tracks. The new elevated walkway does indeed turn to the left and away from the MRT station...that's my point. I'm familiar with the area and walk through often. I see the red line in the photo showing a proposed walkway from the ARL station crossing Asoke, then turning right to MRT, but the walkway currently installed doesn't look like that at all.

Jawnie, I'm not sure that I fully understand this.

Remember that the sat pic with the red lines is indicative of the alignment only. The fact that the link does a small left just before it hits Asoke/Ratchada due to a support pillar is negligible. A bit silly but negligible My greater concern is you stand near where the last link stanchion is located and then look directly east across Ratachada rd, you can see that the span across the road will have to angle back south to avoid the derelict building (which I assume is being demolished). Any span cannot cross the road at 90 degrees to the road as the building blocks it at the opposite side. Check that out as it is problematic.

Also, when reading your earlier post there are two points. Firstly, the route you discuss was the initial underground route for the link which is to the closest MRT entrance (wish I could remember the exit number) adjacent to Kamphaeng Phet 7 road. This could not be built as I mentioned earlier in the thread due to oil and water pipelines running along the railway line. An elevated link along this same route was unable to be built due to a height concern, which to be honest I never really understood.

I think that you may be getting caught up in the first stairs exit from the link which exits north down to Ratchada rd? (posted in TBGs first 2 pics) I would doubt that many people will end up using these stairs which are essentially for people to get to the bus stop which is further north. Some people wanting a taxi north probably will use it, I for one will. No need for escalators here as most likely only a few will use it.

See LakeGeneve's 13:31 post w/pics...it's the first photo. That's the walkway I'm describing.

I've had a similar situation for nearly two years. My time isn't broken up like yours but I, too, have a lot of time on my hands. I'm from the US and I was always very active there: outdoor exercise on a bike or walking; as a Buddhist, I attended temple there regularly; and as a community activist, I was always involved in local politics. Well, none of that is possible here in Thailand: the weather is too hot, the Buddhism is very different, and we all know about the politics.

I came to the realization several months ago that I'm pretty unfulfilled here in Thailand....and I will soon be returning to the US for good. I feel that I'm not being the person I really am and that I'm not progressing as a person nor contributing to society in a good way. I have nothing bad to say about Thailand but it's just not for me.

You might keep an open mind that your situation could be similar to mine.

Will be very interested to find out what they're really doing with the stairs/escalators issue on the Makkasan walkway.

I was by Makkasan today, and it looked like there will be at least two entrances to the elevated walkway

--one at the corner where the ARL Makkasan Station is located.

--the other across the other side of Asoke Road where the MRT is located.

Here's what the ARL corner stairs/walkup looked like today:

2013-03-21 12.23.45.jpg 2013-03-21 12.24.01.jpg

Here's what the MRT stairs/walkup looked like today:

2013-03-21 12.30.01.jpg 2013-03-21 12.30.06.jpg

There are no structures or framework in the ARL photos that appear to be for escalators.

Will be very interested to find out what they're really doing with the stairs/escalators issue on the Makkasan walkway.

I was by Makkasan today, and it looked like there will be at least two entrances to the elevated walkway

--one at the corner where the ARL Makkasan Station is located.

--the other across the other side of Asoke Road where the MRT is located.

Here's what the ARL corner stairs/walkup looked like today:

2013-03-21 12.23.45.jpg 2013-03-21 12.24.01.jpg

Here's what the MRT stairs/walkup looked like today:

2013-03-21 12.30.01.jpg 2013-03-21 12.30.06.jpg

I walk the portion between Makassan and Petchaburi MRT on most days. This new walkway will eliminate approximately 200 meters of walking between the two stations - that's a step in the right direct. However, the way the new overhead walkway is configured, it makes a turn to the left when walking toward MRT and then down to the street. My question is why doesn't turn to the right, toward MRT? True, it would need to extend over the railroad tracks and four-lane road, but shouldn't sort of be the point, eliminate the need for pedestrians to cross roadtracks and a busy road?

Right now, everyone coming and going must cross railroad tracks and a very busy street. Turning the overhead walkway toward MRT over these would make the walked infinitely better. However, it isn't, and the current configuration turns pedestrians away from the station putting them on a narrow, poorly-maintained sidewalk and now will need to cross the service road for Makkassan, along with tracks and other roadway.

Eh? It does turn towards the MRT and will drop you where the small car park used to be next to the MRT entrance. So it does cross Asoke and the railway tracks. All in all a massive step (actually many steps) in the right direction. But please please please let there be escalators. That will be a horrendous mistake if there won't be any.

I'm talking about the side of the main ARL station, not across Asoke at the underground MRT station and parking lot. It's the new overhead walkway below the tracks coming out the ARL station and extending out to Asoke. It doesn't cross any roads or railroad tracks. The new elevated walkway does indeed turn to the left and away from the MRT station...that's my point. I'm familiar with the area and walk through often. I see the red line in the photo showing a proposed walkway from the ARL station crossing Asoke, then turning right to MRT, but the walkway currently installed doesn't look like that at all.

If you haven't lived in Bangkok then, yes, move to Bangkok if you want a change. It's a great place....but it's still Thailand. Knowing what I know now about Bangkok and in your position, move to Bangkok and don't look back for at least a year or two.

Will be very interested to find out what they're really doing with the stairs/escalators issue on the Makkasan walkway.

I was by Makkasan today, and it looked like there will be at least two entrances to the elevated walkway

--one at the corner where the ARL Makkasan Station is located.

--the other across the other side of Asoke Road where the MRT is located.

Here's what the ARL corner stairs/walkup looked like today:

2013-03-21 12.23.45.jpg 2013-03-21 12.24.01.jpg

Here's what the MRT stairs/walkup looked like today:

2013-03-21 12.30.01.jpg 2013-03-21 12.30.06.jpg

I walk the portion between Makassan and Petchaburi MRT on most days. This new walkway will eliminate approximately 200 meters of walking between the two stations - that's a step in the right direct. However, the way the new overhead walkway is configured, it makes a turn to the left when walking toward MRT and then down to the street. My question is why doesn't turn to the right, toward MRT? True, it would need to extend over the railroad tracks and four-lane road, but shouldn't sort of be the point, eliminate the need for pedestrians to cross roadtracks and a busy road?

Right now, everyone coming and going must cross railroad tracks and a very busy street. Turning the overhead walkway toward MRT over these would make the walked infinitely better. However, it isn't, and the current configuration turns pedestrians away from the station putting them on a narrow, poorly-maintained sidewalk and now will need to cross the service road for Makkassan, along with tracks and other roadway.

Of course, there are design, cost, and engineering challenges to do this, but, you only build it one time. On the other hand, all system users will need to deal with this every day and in many cases, more that once a day. In addition, the stair configuration forces literally everyone to make a 'switch back' when getting on/off the stairs. This forces pedestrians going in both directions into each others path as they walk in opposite directions when getting on and off the stairs. Frankly, this feature of switch-backs at the tops/bottoms of stairs and escalators in endemic through out the system and could be an entire topic of discussion itself. As another poster has mentioned, the stair being installed does not appear to be for an escalator. It would be beyond imagination to not install a mechanical escalator there - without it, there will be lots and lots of people carried their bags and babies on the stairs. A large curb cutout will be needed at the Makassan access road but I'm not holding my breath for that.

All of these design deficiencies could have been corrected in the planning process with even the smallest amount of public input. Moreover, I simply flabbergasted that such basic ideas and principles are so overlooked in the designs of these public transit buildings. It all seems to have been designed without any thought about the pedestrian users.

The construction of the pedestrian link between the CAT and MRT Phetchaburi station is now occurring on both sides of Asoke/Ratchada rd. Expected to be completed by March.

This is the alignment of the bridge;

Installation of extra escalators at 3 stations has also finally begun. Pic of Phayathai station platform;

This is certainly an 'interesting' new development. Just as there are people who never have something nice to say, there are those who won't admit to the faults of things. I use ARL many times each week. After nearly 2.5 years, I am still astounded by how poorly the stations are designed. To me, it's pretty obvious that passenger access to stations was not really on anyone's mind while designing the stations. My issues most concern the amount of walking and zig-zagging up and down stairs from the train platforms to the street. Makkasan station is a disgrace with regard to 'walkability' in this regard...I mean, the so-called connection between ARL and MRT takes pedestrians across railroad tracks and a busy street. Similarly, at PT, why doesn't the escalator simply go straight up/down between platforms rather than the long walk with all the zig-zagging up and down?

When I attend classes in the morning and need to commute between 8-9am, the boarding and riding experiences are AWFUL. The trains are packed and often people can't board, even shy Thai ladies are barging onto the trains - there isn't a "Thai smile" anywhere to be found. Finally, because I'm only traveling one stop, I now use motorcycle taxi and avoid the ARL. This fix certainly isn't a game-changer in making it better.

In the US, where I'm from, designs for large public buildings like ARL are required by law to be reviewed by the public and the agency in charge is required to hold public hearings on such projects where accessiblity issues are discussed. To me, the benefits of this process are obvious when reviewing all of the design and operations issues with ARL.

Thanks, everybody. Yeah, for all the reasons - cost, risk, fun in Cambodia, it seems better to make the run. Since I've never done it, can anyone give me any info or a link for making the run like with whom, what happens at the border, etc? Thanks a lot.

I'm on an ED visa. My current extension expires 26 April but the Ministry of Education authorization to my school expires April 1. Hence, my visa expires April 1 and I am leaving Thailand, permanently, April 15. There's no way I'm going to pay 23,000+ baht for a new Ministry letter to be legal for two weeks. My thought is to simply overstay for 15 days and pay the penalty at the airport.

Any thoughts regarding how much the fine will be at the airport for the 15 day overstay?

Or, could I take a one day trip to Cambodia on April 1 and return on a 15 day exemption, ie, no visa but with permission to stay for 15 days w/o a visa?

Get a new passport - first! Your passport is your only official international identification. When it expires, you will not have a current and valid ID. Your US, UK, AUS, etc., id will not help you (except at your embassy). At that point, the only place you can go, internationally, is home. All visas will expire when your passport expires and you will be in violation of the country's, any country's, immigration laws. In Thailand, you must have at least six months validity remaining on your passport. Also, you must obtain a re-entry permit before leaving the country.

Damn, my wifi must be playing up too. sorry bout that.

Thanks for the info but it doesn't get to the problem. Some online forums are saying this is a known issue but there isn't a known fix yet. One guy replaced his HD at Apple service but still had the same problem. One guy replaced the Airport card and everything is okay. But, Apple service doesn't have a consistent fix for this yet.

I've been in Thailand for two years on an ED visa in Bangkok. It has gone smoothly the entire time. I attend class regularly even though I'm a pretty awful student. One quarter I barely attended for various reasons, but the school gave me the required paper work for the 3 month extension.

I renewed my 90-day extension one month ago and it was the same as always - no one month probationary stamp....never had one. Twice I've gone through the process of applying to the MOE of permission to stay one year (subject to the 3-month renewals/extensions).

The re-entry permit has nothing to do with your ED visa. The re-entry permit simply allows you to re-enter the country after you leave, for whatever reason, only during the validity of your current visa. You don't get the re-entry permit as part of the ED visa process, they are separate. I got one re-entry permit one time. It was valid only until the expiration of the visa extension of the time. I've never had any type of one-month probation as part of the ED visa.

Service in Thailand just is not the same as you'll get in the US, UK, or western country. Get used to it and learn to go with it. I've had good service experience with Apple repairs, good and bad (slooooow) service for camera repairs, really awful service just trying to buy an large HP monitor. It's cultural and you ain't in Kansas anymore...

Find a yoga school or studio that isn't based in Buddhism or have it in their course. Yoga doesn't have to be practiced within the a Buddhist context.

Twice in the last week my Macbook lost wireless access. It is working fine at night but in the morning, the wireless icon is blank (no radiating waves) and the error messages reads, "Airport card not installed" and it will not connect to any network.

Apple service at Fortune Tower fixed it the first time saying it had something to do with the location in the settings, although it seemed they really did not know. They also said I should reinstall the OS, after backing everything up.

It happened again, ie., working at night but not working in the morning. I want it fixed but reinstalling the OS and all of the apps, programs, etc. seems like over-kill.

Anyone ever experienced this or have any thoughts?

"You seem to believe that you may only follow a spiritual path if you believe in a religion. This is completely wrong. All religions are false, but this does not stop someone who knows religion is a load of crap from taking a spiritual path."

"The word spiritual has evolved (no pun intended) to be associated with the private realm of thought and experience while the word religious is tied solely to the public realm of membership in a religious institution with official denominational doctrines."

Well, here we are again, splitting hairs on the definition of 'religion' and 'spirituality'. Not sure why you are on this board if you have such a negative view of

religions. For regardless of the semantic give-and-take about whether Buddhism is a religion or philosophy or a spiritual path, etc., the fact is that Buddhism is all of those. You seem to believe that a religion can't possibly be a spiritual path which is simply not true.

You still don't say if you follow a spiritual path or what that path may be. May I suggest that if you are following your own 'spiritual path' ,ie, one devoid of the teachings of any particular religion, that you are hardly in any position to comment on their efficacy.

Quote - Not sure why you are on this board if you have such a negative view of

religions.

Because the last time I checked, it was still ok to have an opposing view.

Quote - You seem to believe that a religion can't possibly be a spiritual path which is simply not true.

No I don't believe that at all and I have not said that. I am stating (again) that you dont need to be religious to follow a spiritual path. A concept that seems to be beyond you.

Quote - May I suggest that if you are following your own 'spiritual path' ,ie, one devoid of the teachings of any particular religion, that you are hardly in any position to comment on their efficacy.

Yes, you may suggest that. However I disagree with you. I am in a perfectly fine position to comment on the bizarre behaviour of my fellow man.

Disagree all you want but it's very apparent you have little or no actual knowledge of the practice of Buddhism. So, yes, you have the right to comment but it's obviously an uninformed opinion- what's up with that? Still wondering why you are posting on a Buddhist blog with only negative things to say about it, especially since your aren't Buddhist.

Because the actual question the OP asked was "Why are you (or conversely WHY ARE YOU NOT) a Buddhist", which is as clear an invitation to non-Buddhists to post and explain why they are not Buddhists as it is possible to make.

Apart from the open invitation, the comments have no credibility and indicate no real background on the subject. Sure, post away on subjects you know nothing about....

"You seem to believe that you may only follow a spiritual path if you believe in a religion. This is completely wrong. All religions are false, but this does not stop someone who knows religion is a load of crap from taking a spiritual path."

"The word spiritual has evolved (no pun intended) to be associated with the private realm of thought and experience while the word religious is tied solely to the public realm of membership in a religious institution with official denominational doctrines."

Well, here we are again, splitting hairs on the definition of 'religion' and 'spirituality'. Not sure why you are on this board if you have such a negative view of

religions. For regardless of the semantic give-and-take about whether Buddhism is a religion or philosophy or a spiritual path, etc., the fact is that Buddhism is all of those. You seem to believe that a religion can't possibly be a spiritual path which is simply not true.

You still don't say if you follow a spiritual path or what that path may be. May I suggest that if you are following your own 'spiritual path' ,ie, one devoid of the teachings of any particular religion, that you are hardly in any position to comment on their efficacy.

Quote - Not sure why you are on this board if you have such a negative view of

religions.

Because the last time I checked, it was still ok to have an opposing view.

Quote - You seem to believe that a religion can't possibly be a spiritual path which is simply not true.

No I don't believe that at all and I have not said that. I am stating (again) that you dont need to be religious to follow a spiritual path. A concept that seems to be beyond you.

Quote - May I suggest that if you are following your own 'spiritual path' ,ie, one devoid of the teachings of any particular religion, that you are hardly in any position to comment on their efficacy.

Yes, you may suggest that. However I disagree with you. I am in a perfectly fine position to comment on the bizarre behaviour of my fellow man.

Disagree all you want but it's very apparent you have little or no actual knowledge of the practice of Buddhism. So, yes, you have the right to comment but it's obviously an uninformed opinion- what's up with that? Still wondering why you are posting on a Buddhist blog with only negative things to say about it, especially since your aren't Buddhist.

"You seem to believe that you may only follow a spiritual path if you believe in a religion. This is completely wrong. All religions are false, but this does not stop someone who knows religion is a load of crap from taking a spiritual path."

"The word spiritual has evolved (no pun intended) to be associated with the private realm of thought and experience while the word religious is tied solely to the public realm of membership in a religious institution with official denominational doctrines."

Well, here we are again, splitting hairs on the definition of 'religion' and 'spirituality'. Not sure why you are on this board if you have such a negative view of
religions. For regardless of the semantic give-and-take about whether Buddhism is a religion or philosophy or a spiritual path, etc., the fact is that Buddhism is all of those. You seem to believe that a religion can't possibly be a spiritual path which is simply not true.

You still don't say if you follow a spiritual path or what that path may be. May I suggest that if you are following your own 'spiritual path' ,ie, one devoid of the teachings of any particular religion, that you are hardly in any position to comment on their efficacy.