Gsxrnz

Could be worse - they could have built a golf course instead of the hydroponics farm.

Hmmm.....where I come from they grow things other than vegetables with hydroponics!

Paint first. If you're worried about the tillers finger marks, grout etc getting on the walls, run shrinkwrap around the walls up to waist height. If you do have to touch up paint, use the paint from the same original can. There is a method of touching up walls using a brush that makes it invisible, assuming the walls are not aged. This method was taught to me by my Welsh brother-in-law, a professional painter for all of his working life.

That method is:

1. Use a 1" or 2" brush. An older brush is preferable - one that's been well used and well worn.

2. Get a very small amount of paint on the tips of the bristles.

3. Paint an old piece of wood, newspaper, any material. The object is to strip as much paint off the brush as possible, leaving the brush nearly empty of paint and almost "dry". Do this several times so the paint is distributed throughout the bristles, but still semi dry.

4. Paint the damaged area of the wall using a quick whisking type motion up/down/left/right/diagonal, with as light a touch as possible. Almost no paint will be applied, leaving no track marks or obvious signs of repair, but the damage will be hidden. Do this several times if necessary to mask the damage.

EDIT: I missed a point. Don't try and make the repair a regular shape, or conform to the damage you're repairing. "Feather" it randomly into the surrounding undamaged area so it looks like a half arsed paint job. Go away for a beer. come back in 10 minutes and you won't be able to find the repair.

If you do it correctly, the repair will be invisible. You can even do this on walls that have had a plaster repair. The trick is to apply the paint from a 99% dry brush - the colour is applied, the damage is covered, but the evidence of the repair is invisible. You can do large areas or small areas using this method - works like a dream even in deep/dark colours.

Otherwise If you dip a brush in the paint (or worse, use a roller) and apply it as though you would when normally painting a wall, it will be obvious to a blind man at 20 paces.

Renovated 4 houses in my lifetime, top to bottom, and only ever had professionals come in to check certifiable works (and issue certs) such as plumbing and electrical. Whoops - I laid carpet in one house but decided the cost of a carpetlayer was cheaper than the cockups I made, so always used them after that.

Never heard of a 100 year ban. Maybe he was blacklisted - but that usually (and I think rarely) happens in really high profile criminal cases or international fugitives etc. Blacklisted means prohibited to ever re-enter Thailand - a lifetime ban by all accounts.

I'd like to see what the stamp says in his passport.

Maybe the OP should have made this a poll.

Unless you're doing the work yourself there is no doubt you will have grief whichever way you do it. The least potential for grief is doing the walls first. The only disadvantage is that yes, a worker may put his hands on the wall and leave a print - easily washed off or retouched.

The worst outcome doing it the other way is that you'll have paint all over the floor that is much harder to deal with. And some dolt will tip a bucket over or put a roller down etc - yes, you can lay drop sheets and everything else, but believe me, tiles and carpet are the last thing to logically go down, even after all the electrical work is done, lights fitted, a/c installed etc.

If I was doing it myself it wouldn't matter because I'd be bloody careful either way. However, painting the walls first would be the better option and less likely to end up in a mess.

Just make sure your tillers are careful with the cement and grout etc. around the edges. If they make the odd flick of stuff on the walls it's easy enough to touch up the paint here and there.

"Most tourists were from ASEAN states at 6.3 million or 28 per cent overall". - So were does the "minority" 72% come from.

They're classifying ASEAN states as one location to get the 28%. I suppose they then classify the rest of the world by individual country, so obviously the ASEAN states will come out as a significant number.

Ouch!! Didn't the British army put bromide in the tea of the soldiers to dampen their sexual desires? Think I'll stay off the rice for a while.

If I saw that plate on a table by itself I'd be asking the staff how much for a breakfast selection from the buffet.

Assuming there was a robust system behind monitoring the RFID's, it might help with inventory management. But there isn't even a database now that records or monitors inventory movements or payments - how the hell will adding the cost of an RFID to the whole cocked up system do any good?

Monthly report to the Ministry - "....we cannot account for 2.5 million RFID tags. However, all the rice that we are supposed to have is still here and we are confident there is no corruption or theft. p.s please send more RFID's urgently as we need to lose some more."

Pattaya isn't an address. Your written Address, as you would use at Immigration fro 90 day etc should be something like:

123/45 Moo 10

Nongprue

Banglamung

Chonburi 20150

THAILAND

Edit: I use Pattaya when talking. If anybody (I talk to) has a fixation with that and implies any impropriety with living here, I give them an educated gobfull and get them on the back foot so fast that they fall over themselves apologising. As to the Pattaya bashers on TV......don't really care what they think, Tossers are allowed opinions too.

To tell the truth I never knew that you did not have to include Pattaya in your address. I have been here quite some time and didn't realize this so thank you. I actually use the identical example that you gave except mine would be:

123/45 Moo 10

Nongprue

Banglamung, Pattaya

Chonburi 20150

THAILAND

For sure you would still receive mail etc. without using the "Pattaya" word?

Yes my mail arrives Ok. The 123/45 Moo 10 is what gets it here. I think it generally describes the street/suburb (in our terms) of the greater Banglamung area.

I hope that's not your real address, or you could get some TV posters knocking at your door wanting you to join them for a drink, unless that was your idea in the first place.

Nope, the 123/45 is just made up, but it will be somebody's address. Even if it was mine, the chances of anybody (even a Thai) finding it are about as remote as winning the lottery. Only the post office can find an address like that in Thailand. It's meaningless for all practical purposes - TIT.

He can make a will in Norway and have beneficiaries in any country in the world. His executor is legally bound to ensure the bequests are carried out.

If he has assets in Thailand, his Norwegian will has no bearing on those assets. He needs a will made out in Thailand.

EDIT: I suggest that he gets a copy of the woman's ID card and passport, and a copy of her address book and phone number. This will ensure correct legal identification for the executor and allow easy contact.

If he leaves something to "Noi" that works at the hotel next to the family Mart on Soi 7, the executor will not be happy - must have the full legal Thai name and address details.

Pattaya isn't an address. Your written Address, as you would use at Immigration fro 90 day etc should be something like:

123/45 Moo 10

Nongprue

Banglamung

Chonburi 20150

THAILAND

Edit: I use Pattaya when talking. If anybody (I talk to) has a fixation with that and implies any impropriety with living here, I give them an educated gobfull and get them on the back foot so fast that they fall over themselves apologising. As to the Pattaya bashers on TV......don't really care what they think, Tossers are allowed opinions too.

To tell the truth I never knew that you did not have to include Pattaya in your address. I have been here quite some time and didn't realize this so thank you. I actually use the identical example that you gave except mine would be:

123/45 Moo 10

Nongprue

Banglamung, Pattaya

Chonburi 20150

THAILAND

For sure you would still receive mail etc. without using the "Pattaya" word?

Yes my mail arrives Ok. The 123/45 Moo 10 is what gets it here. I think it generally describes the street/suburb (in our terms) of the greater Banglamung area.

I agree with the OP that there are a lot of pre-justice about Pattaya, but

mostly by very short-minded people.

Let's be honest about this. Most of these "short-minded" people jumping to conclusions are on the money.

Most people who post in the Pattaya forum on Thaivisa are probably the exception to the rule. It would be quite unexpected to outsiders that many people live normal lives in Pattaya.

It's best just to save these "short-minded" people the pain by being evasive.

With respect, the OP was talking about those of us that live here, or spend a considerable length of time here, or work offshore but consider Pattaya to be their home base. In that sense the people jumping to conclusions are not on the money.

Of the people I know well (say 20), and of maybe another thirty that I associate with regularly, all fit the above categories, all have Thai wives/children or long term relationships, most own houses or condos, and most have "a life" in the generally held view.

All of these people are of a character and demeanour whereby I would easily form friendships with them in Farangland - and they come from many different countries and backgrounds.

The two-week millionaires are generally a different kettle of fish. Have met many and found them to be OK people, and met many I would not care to meet again- just like it is in any society.

... however, you can't blame people for jumping to conclusions considering the nature of the place.

A lot of these "normal" people came here with other things on their mind... then they found someone special and settled down and started posting on Thaivisa forum about how normal they are.

So you know 50 normal people now? That doesn't change a thing. I know quite a few "normal" folk too, but I also know why they originally came here.

Generally in agreement with you, but nowhere did I use the word "normal" - that was your word. Of the "normal" folk you know, do you count yourself as one of "them" when you say "but I also know why they originally came here"? Before you ask - I would.

"Only dirty old farang man live Pattaya".

Home sweet home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1VgcxE9Lpw

I can't find an email address, but let's face it.....do you expect to get a reply from an email?

Try this phone number - or even better, do as the Thais almost invariably do when dealing with any form of government type administration and drop in and see them.

038 371 123-31

Directions:
From Dolphin Roundabout proceed along North Pattaya Road for about 500 m and you will see the City Hall Building on your right-hand side opposite Tesco Lotus.

EDIT: I just found this link to an email address for them, but I wouldn't hold your breath. http://allpattaya.com/contact-member?5022

Interest at 2.75% = 22,000B. At 1% it's 8,000B (before deduction of RWT) Is it really worth the hassle?

I know several guys that have had money in TD's in Thailand and all have had dramas. Try to "break" the investment and you pay a penalty - not just a reduced rate of interest.

Plus you have to file a tax return. While I like to make the best use of money for investment purposes I wouldn't consider this rate of return worth the (high possibility) of drama in either getting your visa extension or getting access to your money.

Of course if you have access to funds overseas and can afford to have your 800,000B locked in on a TD, no problems.....although 2.75% is a pitiful return.

TD"s not sure what that means? Why would I have to file a tax return?

2.75% might be low return to you but to me thats ok as i am lucky to be getting 1% in my home country and pay 33% tax.

But maybe your right regards locking away money I might need, you have me thinking now.

maybe some day i will retire to Thailand but for now i will go back home and try to make some more money for my retirement.

Pat

TD = Term Deposit. Tax return required if you want to claim back the RWT (Resident Witholding Tax) deducted at source by the bank.

I do find some signs a little confusing.

Interest at 2.75% = 22,000B. At 1% it's 8,000B (before deduction of RWT) Is it really worth the hassle?

I know several guys that have had money in TD's in Thailand and all have had dramas. Try to "break" the investment and you pay a penalty - not just a reduced rate of interest.

Plus you have to file a tax return. While I like to make the best use of money for investment purposes I wouldn't consider this rate of return worth the (high possibility) of drama in either getting your visa extension or getting access to your money.

Of course if you have access to funds overseas and can afford to have your 800,000B locked in on a TD, no problems.....although 2.75% is a pitiful return.

I'm curious about the frequent use of "hub" in Thai press releases.

Do they have a Thai word for hub that is used as we would use it in this context? According to my dictionary they only have "doom" which means the hub of a wheel.

Or are they using the actual English word "hub" as a loan word and can't find a more suitable alternative Thai word that suits the context?