Gsxrnz

...not much sympathy here for farang motocy drivers, who in my experience pose a far greater threat to pedestrians just trying to get across the road, than do most Thai pilots. Very aggressive; see an "open patch" of road ahead and accelerate to deny anyone else the use of it, including people waiting for a gap so they can get across; WAY too fast on the small, narrow sois; absurd speeds just inches from pedestrians going the same way doing their level best to negotiate whatever's left over after the food carts, parked service trucks, and traffic going the other way... If motos want more consideration from 4-wheel drivers, maybe they should show some to those on foot...

I don't disagree with most of your post, but you've lumped us all together as all being the same. I find the majority of falang riders are ok and you can actually recognise the potentially aggressive/idiot riders from how they sit, what they're wearing, what they do at the lights.

The ones that hold the handlebars while leaning over slightly and have their elbows in line with the mirrors are to be avoided as they're usually aggressive. They think they are indestructible and are the best rider on the road.

The ones that are lily white and have a stunned mullet look on their face and paddle their feet too much are inexperienced and fresh off the boat, to be avoided as they're totally unpredictable.

The ones that sit at the lights with the rear brake on while gunning the throttle are morons, but are useful as a pathfinder when the lights turn green as they hammer the throttle and invariably narrowly avoid T-boning a truck that ran the red light.

The real problem ones are the lily white paddlers, with elbows in line with the mirrors, gunning the throttle at the lights. And the irony is they don't have a clue how stupid they look, and they think the Thais around them are smiling in admiration and making nice comments, when in reality they're being tragically mocked and laughed at.

My son visited last year and after 3 days he told me that if I don't stop speaking pidgin English to him then he'd give me a thick ear. He told me that he even noticed that when I was talking to my friends that we were all using pidgin to varying degrees and it was driving him nuts.

I think we tend to tone down our use of complex words for the sake of our Thai wives or girlfriends when in mixed company and I've got into a bad habit of applying Thai syntax when using English. i.e I'll say "he go seven already, come back 15 minutes" rather than "he's just gone to the 7/11 but will be back in 15 minutes". And I'll say this to a native English speaker as well as a Thai. It's a bad habit I'll have to work on.

However we also play a game where we'll have a conversation using the most complex and convoluted words and varying levels of slang we can think of and it drives even good English speaking Thais crazy. They know we're speaking English but even if we're talking about normal everyday matters (as in the weather, or food, or whatever), they don't have a clue. And occasionally somebody will use a word that nobody else knows or disputes the correct meaning, and then it turns into a TV kind of discussion about the correct usage.....if you get my drift.

Then I will know not to waste my perusing that section of the forum on

the assumption that those TV members who have a glass half empty view of

the country and its people will only post in that section, leaving the

rest of us to enjoy a more productive and enjoyable dialogue elsewhere

on TV.

motion seconded!

Objection, your Honour!

Naming it "Complaints Forum" may create the impression that members express systematic and coherent points that follow common logic.

I was going to suggest it be called the "Grumpy Old Expats Forum" but decided that would be politically incorrect, and I'm all for being politically correct....at least some of the time, usually when I'm asleep.

Welcome to the forum!

We hope you enjoy your time here and decided to continue your membership.

Tip: That section already exists; it's goes by the euphemistic moniker "General topics"

Euphemistic being the operative word....obviously.

Can I have two please, and a small fries with a large coke....hold the ice.

I was on a forum in Thailand and I saw that one of it's members was so excited about what he was saying that he completely forgot how to use the English language and he put things like

tryed

becourse

garanty

batter

wacth

.......and what is your excuse? .....it's = it is. The possessive form is "its".

Incorrect. The apostophe is also used to show possession. From the OED:-

You use an apostrophe to show that a thing or person belongs or relates to someone or something: instead of saying the party of Ben or the weather of yesterday, you can write Ben’s party and yesterday’s weather.

'Its' would be the plural of 'It'. ie 'There were an awful lot of Its'

The funny thing is Gnasher, that you just disproved the very point you were attempting to make , but you don't realise it.

So, just out of curiosity, is there a written dress code for passport photos? Everyone is giving this guy a hard time, but I just extended my visa, and I didn't see anything in writing regarding my passport photo. I was dressed nice and had no problems, but is this just someone's judgement on what's classy and what's not?

There's no written code but it's a matter of good taste. Thais go out of their way when it comes to their outward presentation, particularly so when it comes to anything to do with officialdom.

Last time I got my pic taken for immigration, the chick at the photo shop gave me a jacket to wear. I pointed out that I was wearing a collared polo shirt, but she said no, not good enough for photo, must look nice always in photo - you go immigration yes?? Must look nice, put jacket on please.

... or as I used to say even in the US before moving to Thailand:

You can be right and dead at the same time.

Well I was going to wait to the end for this post but your avatar is pertinent to it.

So here goes. Back home we called them the hat people. Get in set themselves up mirrors and all that start the car and then using both hands pull their hat down then precede to grab the wheel at the ten o clock and two o clock positions and begin to creep into traffic slowing the other traffic down while they creep along.

Yep, we have hat people too, but generally this species is non-aggressive and does things so slowly that they are predictable at 500 meters. The GOM's are a different breed entirely as per my earlier post. Have o be careful though because occasionally you get a hybrid and a GOM can wear a hat, thus causing confusion. Best advice is that if you see what to all intents and purposes is a hat person, but displays behavious as though they are a GOM, treat them as you would a GOM not wearing a hat.

I think the GOM count on this thread is about 6 now isn't it? Although a couple could be hat people I suppose.

Freedom of speech refers to political speech, not name-calling and or vulgarities.

Not so, I'm afraid. No such specificity or limitation is implied in the phrase (or typically in law, as far as I know) nor are they by any means universally perceived.

As far as you know indeed.

Yes, indeed.You imply, in a gratuitously derisive way, that I'm wrong or uninformed. I used the phrase precisely because I recognized that I might be, so please inform me. Which law specifies that "freedom of speech" is a right limited only to "political speech"?

I think you're maybe confusing "freedom of expression" with "freedom of speech".. However, I could be wrong and I don't want to offend anyone, so if I'm wrong feel free to express freely what you think.

Here's an interesting link regarding Conversational Terrorism that we could all take a few hints from. It will take 10 minutes to read it, and is somewhat enlightening.

The following is a brief synopsis of what the article is about, but I still suggest you follow the link for clearer definition and examples - it's quite a good read.

"First, we have the Ad Hominem Variants where you attack the person as a way to avoid truth, science, or logic which might otherwise prove you wrong. Next are the Sleight of Mind Fallacies, which act as "mental magic" to make sure the unwanted subject disappears. Then, we move on to Delay Tactics, which are subtle means to buy time when put on the spot. Then, the ever popular Question as Opportunity ploys, where any question can be deftly averted. Finally, we have the Cheap Shot Tactics and Irritants, which are basically "below the belt" punches."

http://www.vandruff.com/art_converse.html

Since a Thai smile has numerous meanings, all smiles, by law, must be followed up with an explanation. As in, "...of course I'm a man; did you really think a woman can perform fellatio this awsome?"

T

Is that anecdotal or do you have more to tell?

I would ban the sealing of plastic bags with those goddamn rubber bands!

T

Awesome reply!! I've nearly lost my eye three times over those sodding things, and spilt numerous bags of assorted (allegedly) edible crap over the floor 'cause I used my teeth on the other end.

1. It should be mandatory.

2. Under no circumstances should they extend the 30 baht scheme to farangs.

It's a scheme for the Thai working class and poor, not a scheme to assist farangs in lifestyle decisions.

I think it's ridiculous.......RIDICULOUS!......that anyone in all conscience would try to use up the few precious resources available to the Thai poor.

Just in case your confused, I think it's ridiculous.

Just so you know.

So what do you think foreigners with Thai wife and children should do?

Those who are too old to get any insurance?

Those who are too poor to afford insurance?

Are you suggesting they should desert their wife and family and move back to their home country?

What would you suggest they do?

In most civilised countries married foreigners already living in that country are allowed citizenship.

I can empathize with people in this position. However everybody has points in their life when they should have or could have considered the ramifications of this sort of issue and taken steps to protect themselves (to the best of their ability and affordability) from any form of future disaster, be it health, accident, or not being able to provide for their health care in their old age.

This probably sounds pompous (Blether, can I borrow your flameproof suit?), but I made serious sacrifices when I was younger to make sure I am well protected with life insurances, health insurances, travel insurances etc. I commenced policies at a young age when it was obvious there were no pre-existing conditions etc. I'm still making sacrifices today to ensure that I am as well protected as I can - and believe me the premiums get more the older you get.

Some policies expire at 70, some at 78, so when I get there in 20 odd years I'm striving to ensure I have enough savings to live comfortably and the ability to pay for health care.

Flamers: make sure you have the gas tanks fully charged!

Gsxrnz as a 50 something you are full of fire and hormones, and the premiums for good cover worldwide are pretty reasonable. I just hope that you have a very big pot when you are 70 because that is when many policies cease to cover you - even without pre-existing conditions. If after that age you are unlucky enough to have your hips wear out, or have a heart problem or even have a couple of bouts of Dengue Fever then you had better have a 5 or 6 million baht pot to spend on your health care,if you are going to use the International Hospitals.

As for travel insurance, it is available from a few companies for the 70+ travellers, BUT the cost is almost the same as the airfare LHR-BKK for 14 days cover - then look at the list of exclusions.

Insurance companies are all about collecting premiums they are not about wanting to pay out. Always read the small print before you buy - a hassle I know but a sure money saver.

EDIT - loved the hormone comment by the way, made my day!

This should be interesting!

Everything and anything for sale in Thailand is negotiable, including rents. Had an American on transfer for 6 months rent a house in the same village in Jomtien as me. His secretary secured the rental online and probably thought it was a bargain by New York standards. He was paying more than 3 times what I was paying for the same standard of house, and for the same 6 month lease period.

The longer you lease, the more discount. A typical comparison using hypothetical numbers might be:

1 month - 15,000

6 months - 12,000/mth (or less, and might include electricity/water/cable TV etc, or might not)

12 months 10,000/mth ( ditto)

And the most powerful negotiating tool is your feet. If things aren't going your way in negotiating a lease, just smile, thank them for their time, and say you have a better value offer somewhere else. A counter offer will inevitably be forthcoming.

Don't forget that you will pay a bond and if you leave before the lease period, you forfeit your bond. Take photos of the inside and outside, make sure the landlord sees you doing this as evidence of damages that can be claimed later etc.

Ask for a comprehensive list of all the assets in the property and make sure it is all there. Bit annoying to be leaving after 6 months and they tell you there's a missing TV, a fan, and 15 teaspoons!!

Interesting story about the American. We have been renting for 7 years and we have a short term and long term rate. We provide many free services included in the rent such as wifi, tv, drinking water, airport transfers, plus others they can pay for such as housekeeping and laundry, which we execute for the resident. Our view, which is borne out by being booked nearly 100% throughout the year, is our rates are non negotiable. It might be of course that we are not charging enough - God forbid

Maybe you could increase your rates. 100% occupancy implies that it is overly competitively priced. I've seen the same house advertised on multiple websites and the "rent" varies dramatically. I guess the owner figures that if some Wally pays twice the normal rate because they booked online without doing the research, sum nom na!

For "theblether" and his "I totally agree" buddies who I'm glad have the resources to be unworried with this new possible effort to rid Thailand of terrible terrible Farang who used to be welcomed with open arms

"theblether" has a tendancy to expound about the situation of others when he hasn't a clue as to the "actual" facts or the "actual" circumstances surrounding or contributing to the situation as a whole. He bases his opinions on his limited worldly knowledge as if his limited worldly knowdledge is all knowing and all seeing. He seems to be an intelligent person but his "I have all the answers and know all truth" approach to things he knows little about does discredit to his intelligence and tends to put it in question. If you guys can put your egos aside that I just unjustly stepped on and read and think maybe you will use your intelligence to whip up just a smidgen of understanding and empathy for us really stupid Farang that operates below your financial and intelligence level

For "Gsxrnz"

You said "I have long term travel insurance which I renew every year. Costs about NZD500 for a year and has all the necessary cover I need for both living in Thailand and travelling overseas".

That's great Gsxrnz care to share the name of this amazing company and the name of their amazing NZD500 ($428USD) a year health insurance policy, if their is such a thing myself AOA and all other stupid ... financially challenged non-planning low life Farlang would probably be able to scrape together the USD required to get this extremly low cost non-existant health insurance

For "AnotherOneAmerican"

I know exactly what you are talking about and what your delima is. I'm in the same boat ........ which our govt is always rocking one way or another

Now that I pis*ed everybody off let me share my story. Which I've not done in 7 years but this thread got to me and I'll probably spend wasted time justifying my position to the others who are above my station in life. All of my adult life I had no need for health ibsurance. I went into the US Army right out of school. Spent ny time in the Army playing 1st chair trumpet in Army band. I was an excellent trumpet player. Because of my education and high IQ (137 not bragging just a fact) the US Army wanted me to go to Officer Candidate School(OCS) and become an officer and stay in US Army til I retire. I knew from the git go that military "do it our way not the right way" life was not for me. So I left after 4 years. In the private sector I had no need for health insurance as I was eligible to go to any VA (Military hospital for ex-military) for free for the rest of my life. VA hospitals are all over USA and most are excellent (better than private). Bottom line .... I never needed and never bought "private" health insurance. Never planned for or needed health insurance

Fast forward to 2006. I'm now 68 years old, living on Social Security no stocks bonds investments etc .... nothing zero zilch nada I worked in the TV industry advertising industry and real estate sales owned a couple my own bars even had the first after hours joint in Phoenix AZ back in 1962 I spent all my life making good money and spending it all on one long party(yes I know very dumb yadda yadda yadda) In 2006 US govt getting unbearable (police state) , prices (inflation) going up and social life really really boring. Had been researching for 3 years a country to move to based on many criteria that would offer me a better quality life style on my limited fixed income for the few years I had left. Thailand was the obvious choice for me. Sold my paid for home and left for Thailand who did not require health insurance as a condition to stay or live in Thailand

Now I will quickley update my last 7 years in Thailand without any explanations or justifications.

Landed in Phuket (of course) April 2006. Had a non-stop alcohol soaked party for 3 months (of course) Met a 26 year old Thai woman and we were highly attracted to one another for all the obvious Farang and Thai reasons (of course) lived together for a few months then got married. She has 2 boys 6 and 7 yrs old when we met. We bought new Honda Phantom and a used Ford Aspire We lived in Phuket (rented home) for 2 years decided that Phuket was getting to expensive. I'm now 70 she's 28 We jumped on motorcycle (a reminder that I'm in excellent health) and drove north towards Bangkok Spent 1 week looking for a place we liked and cheaper to live. Found Tha Yang (2.5 hours south of Bankok 1 hour North of Hua Hin) a nice small to med sized town/village. Rented house and moved.

2 Years ago we took the last of our money $30k USD 1million Thai baht (lost rest in stock market dhuuuu) bought small piece of land and built a very very nice 3 bedroom 2 bath 1650 sq ft home here in Tha Yang. We are very happy with home and area. Send boys to private school in Phetchaburi, expensive but want them to a get good education. I'm now 75, my wife is 32 and boys are 13 and 14. We are all very happy love one another, a well established loving thriving family. I'm in excellent health for my age but no life insurance

And now "Most" of the financially secure and "I know it all" Farang who post here want to say to me."Too bad about that insurance thing buddy but you need to pack your bags leave your wife and sons who you love and they love you because you are gonna get sick one of these days and we don't want you to be a burden on anyone"

Now my wife and sons (who will have to quit school) can go to work in field picking vegetables and live on 6,000 baht a month instead of 32,000 not to mention that Thai economy now has 32,000 less baht coming in a month and a nice loving family of four is now miserable and sad, no love but hey now nobody has to worry about me or AnotherOneAmerican and thousands just like us dragging down the Thai economy

Thanks for the empathy understanding and intelligent conclusions guys ....... I really admire all deep thinkers

Somehow I doubt that any foreigner would be allowed to join the Thai national scheme at 30b/month, and I really don't see anything wrong with that. In the same way, I would expect a visitor to my country to have some form of insurance or be able to pay for their own medical costs if they have an issue while travelling there.

I have long term travel insurance which I renew every year. Costs about NZD500 for a year and has all the necessary cover I need for both living in Thailand and travelling overseas.

I'd consider it very unwise for anybody living as an expat or travelling anywhere in the world not to have appropriate insurances in place. As to Insurances in your domestic country, well they're all different so everybody has to make their own call based on their circumstances and government policy.

I think it actually is a good idea for any government to require travel/medical insurances before entry is allowed into the country - not just Thailand. It sure would solve a lot of hard-up stories from travellers here that get injured or sick and didn't have the wisdom to think that maybe a foreign government doesn't have the same obligations to look after me as my own government.

If you live in Thailand how come you can get long-term travel/medical insurance from New Zealand? As far as I am aware, non-residents of a state can't get such insurance unless they are resident of that state - it seemed to apply in the UK. Can you illuminate us on this in case others could get the same?

If you meet the residency definition in your policy wording or are able to meet the residency wording in the policy, then no problems. Read my other posts to get a better understanding of it as I've already explained in those posts.

Quote function not working worth a flip so heres' a quote from Gsxrnz

"I think I'll leave this thread alone - just wanted to give some general advice but ended up defending my foresightedness - life's a bummer ain't it. Cheers "

Probably wouldn't have had to defend it so vigorously if your "general advice" wasn't "Make a lot of money so you can afford to be triple covered so even if the first and second layers don't come through, you're still alright (Jack)"

Or, to boil it down to a very common analogy, "Why don't them homeless people just buy homes????"

yawn.

This probably sounds pompous (Blether, can I borrow your flameproof suit?), but I made serious sacrifices when I was younger to make sure I am well protected with life insurances, health insurances, travel insurances etc. I commenced policies at a young age when it was obvious there were no pre-existing conditions etc. I'm still making sacrifices today to ensure that I am as well protected as I can - and believe me the premiums get more the older you get.

Some policies expire at 70, some at 78, so when I get there in 20 odd years I'm striving to ensure I have enough savings to live comfortably and the ability to pay for health care.

It's very rare for a private health insurance policy taken out in one country, to be valid in (or when you move to) another country.

Same for travel insurance, only valid when you travel on business or on holiday, not valid when you move to another country.

You must have chosen very carefully, or not read the fine print.

I do fine print for a living. Travel Insurance covers me anywhere in the world except NZ (and Antarctica, but no real plans of travelling there due to the very infrequent flight schedule and far from healthy climate). My Health insurances, Loss of Income Insurances and Accident Insurances in NZ partially cover while overseas and cover me 100% if/when I repatriate myself home, either voluntarily or as the result of an illness or accident sustained overseas. Death cover of course applies worldwide.

Edit: The Travel policy I have doesn't differentiate in the way you suggest. I'm not a resident of Thailand, my country of residence is NZ. Regardless, the Insurer allows for long term travelling and that's what I am technically doing - I have regular trips home to ensure I am a NZ tax resident in accordance with NZ tax laws (and therefore definition of residency) etc.

He talks and I quote when you move to live here your travel and income replacement cover will only cover you for a certain amount of time travel cover is usually up to 12 months and the income protection has a built in sabatical allowance but it will not be full covereage for you may not be working to the same earnings as b4 when in Thailand that is if you can get a job here. Your health cover will become nile and void if you live in another country but they will still take your prems off you but if you got sick here they would not pay you over here. The only way there coverage would help you as long as you kept paying the NZ one prems is if you could get back to the N.Z. and then you could use it to go to a private hospital.

How I know all this is because like you I am a from the N.Z too and had 2 covers for some time both in each country till I decided that this place Thailand was to be my home. Also you can freeze the heath cover payments depending on the amount of time you have been with them I think it is for 2 year after 10 years coverage . Also I sold this cover for 30 years with AXA HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE AND INCOME PROTECTION.

So NZ health cover will not cover you here if you live here, travel cover will cover you upto 12 months unless they find out you live here then they will not pay your claim. Income protection will cover you for a certain time too while over seas but not for allways even if you still pay the prems it is in there fine print. You will be like me if you live in thailand need to have a health policy I have the NZI one but it is Thailand based and as you said before life cover is world wide you can die any where they dont mind and will pay out.

Ok, didn't really want to get this detailed but I appreciate what you say and am much in agreement. Read my posts and you will see that I have taken steps to maintain validity of both health and travel insurance to ensure I have coverage. I am technically a traveller and have clarified that with my insurance company. Re the Loss of Income insurance, I'm self employed and have a nominated amount of coverage, so if I have a bike crash in Thailand and cannot work, and get repatriated to NZ by my travel insurance, the LOI insurance kicks in, as does my private health insurance. So does my ACC coverage (being a kiwi you'll understand that), as I also pay a nominated premium/coverage being self employed - ACC is the first point of coverage and what they don't cover my private cover will. I don't need the LOI if I'm am incapacitated in Thailand because my income is from dividends and director's fees from NZ companies. if I ever do make a claim on my LOI insurance it will be a bonus because 80% of my annual income will continue unabated anyway - not from ACC but from private income.

I think I'll leave this thread alone - just wanted to give some general advice but ended up defending my foresightedness - life's a bummer ain't it. Cheers

Don't rely upon getting smart with your insurance companies, Uberimes Fides comes in to play which means that you are obliged to declare all material of interest to your coverage.

We all know stories of people who were unjustly denied coverage because of some minor infraction, it's a poor plan.

Good advice. I have an annual review with my broker and go out of my way to inform him of all relevant facts. I hate the annual medical checkup though, particularly the manual check for prostate cancer.

I've lived in Thailand for 2 1/2 years apart from 18 weeks when I was in NZ. So I think I live here and do have their problems. My point is that I have coverage and go out of my way to incur costs to ensure that the cover remains valid. In other words, I recognise the importance of health cover and not only pay the premiums but also incur additional costs to maintain the best possible coverage through managing my residency position. Anybody "living" here can do the same if they choose to or want to.

Gsx

This thread is about people moving to Thailand, you haven't, so you don't have their problems.

Worldwide health Insurance for tourists is a doddle.

Many people aren't happy to defraud their insurance companies.

Many people would be scared of getting caught.

You are dead right, and at the same time many people are able to comply with both the law and the terms of their insurance policies as I thought I had quite clearly explained.

Your idea of compliance and your insurance companies idea of compliance, may not actually be the same.