MAJIC

This is strange information you have been given,

Esol with Citizenship attachments,are usually priced at £110 for a 12 week course,including the end of term exam,which on passing will give your Husband a CITY & GUILD at Entry Level 1.

The next Term Entry Level 2, is usually £90 including the End of Term Exam.

And so on.

I would cross reference the International Fees claim,with another Colledge,if I were you,especially as he now has FLR.

And it used to be so easy to bait this bunch. Oh well…

Maybe your using the wrong hook?

Dont hold your breath on a large rise in GBP to Baht exchange rate,after all it is a Seasonal Adjustment.

Right now we are coming to the end of the Thai Peak Holiday season,and as usual the Pound seems to strengthen,but in fact,there is less revenue from Tourism,so less need for Baht Manipulation,by the BOT.

I dont see the slight rise in the £ to Baht exchange rate, as a sign that the British Government is doing much to overcome the UK financial difficulties with only one Policy,so im not surprised at the latest lack of recovery figures.

i.e.... Reduce Goverment Spending,especially for those unfortunates who have to live on Public Benefits.

Cut/ Cameron and Slash/ Clegg are aptly named,thats the sum total of their idea of a positive effect on long term recovery,......Cut & Slash and nothing but talk of penalising the greedy Banks,up to now.

Sigh, Its the same old story I have heard from Politicians all my life,the Big Guys F*** up and the little Guys pick up the checkbin.

Youre clearly a commie who thinks the govt should keep on spending money they havent got, this is not Cameron or Cleggs fault .. but just to keep you happy they spent 16billion pound in the last month that they havent got .. thatll keep the kids of today happy to know theyre paying for economic illiterate baby boomers to run after farmers girls.

Sorry to disappoint you,I have never been a "Commie" and never will be.

And if the Baby Boomers want to spend their hard earned Pensions running after Farmers girls,then its up to them,how they spend their money,.

After working 40 years plus,paying their Taxes and National Insurance, they owe the kids of today nothing.

Surely you don't begrudge them from having a little fun in their twilight years?

If you think the govt should keep on spending money they havent got youre either a socialist of the worst order or economically illiterate.

But its those born after the 2nd WW that have had a trillion pound spent on their retirement that those leaving school now are going to pay for, your generation havent paid enough into the system as to what youre taking out. The profit on your property will be getting paid for by kids born today a nice scam set up by your generation.

Well make your mind up!

First I was a "Communist ",now I'm a "Socialist"

Seems like your anger stems from probably having to pay for your own Private Pension, and seems like you don't own your own House.And no doubt you are too Young to contemplate all those years of hard work ahead of you.

Obvious you are a Typical Tory who has missed out on,making your fortune, and now is full of jealousy,for the Generations that worked hard,paid their dues,and now have their place in the Sun.

I say,Good Luck to them,maybe you can work as hard for all of your working life and join them one day. But I doubt you will ever get the point.

You seem to choose to forget too much in your viewpoints.

"We live in a Captialist Society"

1. The Generation you are talking about,paid into the Pension System,through NI Contributions (not to mention Taxes) so that the elder generation could have their comfortable Retirement, i.e the money got paid in,and the Pensioners drew their Pensions out, as set up,after the Second World War. Its not the Pensioners of todays fault that this may not continue,in its present form.

The original Pension Scheme was ill conceived in the first place, i.e money was paid in by those working,and Pensions were drawn out by those that were Retired,and with no Investment for long term growth. (most likely Criminal if a Private Company was to do the same today)

Our Generation was proud to pay for our Retirees Restful Years,and certainly,didn't whinge about it, we just did it!

2. The Capitalist system brought about ,high house prices, and the large increases over the years,with no control by the "Baby Boomer" Generation, so after a period of decades,struggling to pay a Mortgage,and not using cheaper Public Accomodation (Council Housing) years later,it was worth more than it was initially. All brought about by "Market Forces" (as Thatcher was so fond of quoting) Oh! and by the way,it was her vote buying that sold off most of our Council Housing stock,at a vastly reduced price,shrewd political move, eh?

So why blame people for Capitialising on their hard earned assets, what are they supposed to do? give the profits back to the (for the most part) feckless youth of today?

Now if you really want to have a whinge about something intrinsic to the Financial meltdown, try the Paper Shuffling Greedy Banking System.

Oh! can I be a Liberal in future?

The Dreamer, landowner (3 Rais) with A Catfish Pool,called a Catfish Farm, and a few sticks of Rubber or Eucalyptus trees,called a Plantation, and not forgetting the Mansion they built for 300,000 baht.

49 rai actually... and I let the 5 fish ponds go after the floods so apart from some rice, it's all pigs all the time now. Two point two mill, 826 sq m, inside pool, 4 bed/bath on 3 floors to be precise. Oh... and the wine cellar too, don't forget that.

And they were probably anti social and boring,back in their own Country.

Did I mention the moat and drawbridge?

Dont worry about it,it's no great loss!

Don't worry... I don't.

Darn,I should have remembered the Pig Farm.

Dont hold your breath on a large rise in GBP to Baht exchange rate,after all it is a Seasonal Adjustment.

Right now we are coming to the end of the Thai Peak Holiday season,and as usual the Pound seems to strengthen,but in fact,there is less revenue from Tourism,so less need for Baht Manipulation,by the BOT.

I dont see the slight rise in the £ to Baht exchange rate, as a sign that the British Government is doing much to overcome the UK financial difficulties with only one Policy,so im not surprised at the latest lack of recovery figures.

i.e.... Reduce Goverment Spending,especially for those unfortunates who have to live on Public Benefits.

Cut/ Cameron and Slash/ Clegg are aptly named,thats the sum total of their idea of a positive effect on long term recovery,......Cut & Slash and nothing but talk of penalising the greedy Banks,up to now.

Sigh, Its the same old story I have heard from Politicians all my life,the Big Guys F*** up and the little Guys pick up the checkbin.

Youre clearly a commie who thinks the govt should keep on spending money they havent got, this is not Cameron or Cleggs fault .. but just to keep you happy they spent 16billion pound in the last month that they havent got .. thatll keep the kids of today happy to know theyre paying for economic illiterate baby boomers to run after farmers girls.

Sorry to disappoint you,I have never been a "Commie" and never will be.

And if the Baby Boomers want to spend their hard earned Pensions running after Farmers girls,then its up to them,how they spend their money,.

After working 40 years plus,paying their Taxes and National Insurance, they owe the kids of today nothing.

Surely you don't begrudge them from having a little fun in their twilight years?

Assuming your Post is not a wind up?

Having had many Cats in my life,the first thing to remember is that Cats do not love anyone, except themselves,

When they sit on your lap or curl up and snuggle down with you on the Bed,they are looking for warmth and comfort,and "not doing it to please you"

When they rub against your leg and curl their tail around your leg,it means "feed me"

When they gently claw you,its not affection,its "exercising" and "flexing their claws"

Guess who commandeers your favourite armchair? when you want to watch TV?

And when you bring out that nice piece of fish,you were looking forward to,drives you mad until it gets some? same goes opening Tinned Fish.

My Wife and I rescued a Kitten/skeleton from the street,feeding from dustbins,wasn't long before it expected the best of everthing,and try and stroke it,if you could handle a good scratching and being bitten,that is.

As for licking you with affection,forget it, they have a salt deficiency.

They climb trees and kill young chicks in their nest, not from hunger,just for sport,same goes for mice,usually they play with them to death.

So no,your Cat is incapable of Love!

Selfish Creatures!

If true Love and companionship is needed,then best to get a Dog, in IMO

2 pages of replies, yet you still miss the point.

Yes I knew,but decided to be a bit more accurate and subtle.

Dont hold your breath on a large rise in GBP to Baht exchange rate,after all it is a Seasonal Adjustment.

Right now we are coming to the end of the Thai Peak Holiday season,and as usual the Pound seems to strengthen,but in fact,there is less revenue from Tourism,so less need for Baht Manipulation,by the BOT.

I dont see the slight rise in the £ to Baht exchange rate, as a sign that the British Government is doing much to overcome the UK financial difficulties with only one Policy,so im not surprised at the latest lack of recovery figures.

i.e.... Reduce Goverment Spending,especially for those unfortunates who have to live on Public Benefits.

Cut/ Cameron and Slash/ Clegg are aptly named,thats the sum total of their idea of a positive effect on long term recovery,......Cut & Slash and nothing but talk of penalising the greedy Banks,up to now.

Sigh, Its the same old story I have heard from Politicians all my life,the Big Guys F*** up and the little Guys pick up the checkbin.

Your experiences in Life is what Makes or Breaks you,

and Thailand will be no different,in that respect,

So there is no definative answer to your question.

Assuming your Post is not a wind up?

Having had many Cats in my life,the first thing to remember is that Cats do not love anyone, except themselves,

When they sit on your lap or curl up and snuggle down with you on the Bed,they are looking for warmth and comfort,and "not doing it to please you"

When they rub against your leg and curl their tail around your leg,it means "feed me"

When they gently claw you,its not affection,its "exercising" and "flexing their claws"

Guess who commandeers your favourite armchair? when you want to watch TV?

And when you bring out that nice piece of fish,you were looking forward to,drives you mad until it gets some? same goes opening Tinned Fish.

My Wife and I rescued a Kitten/skeleton from the street,feeding from dustbins,wasn't long before it expected the best of everthing,and try and stroke it,if you could handle a good scratching and being bitten,that is.

As for licking you with affection,forget it, they have a salt deficiency.

They climb trees and kill young chicks in their nest, not from hunger,just for sport,same goes for mice,usually they play with them to death.

So no,your Cat is incapable of Love!

Selfish Creatures!

If true Love and companionship is needed,then best to get a Dog, in IMO

Yes,usually see them around in Tesco Lotus and other Supermarkets or Multi Complexes.

They Just roll into Town once a month to do the Shopping,often with a Pickup full of Thais,who have come to see the Great Metropolis. Like in the old Cowboy days, and then its back to the Bush and reality.

It's Just the type that has gone Native,don't speak because they don't want anything to remind them that they are not Thais,and never will be.

The Dreamer, landowner (3 Rais) with A Catfish Pool,called a Catfish Farm, and a few sticks of Rubber or Eucalyptus trees,called a Plantation, and not forgetting the Mansion they built for 300,000 baht.

And they were probably anti social and boring,back in their own Country.

Dont worry about it,it's no great loss!

Most private pensions create a lump sum of money.

That lump sum can then be used in several ways.

1) Buy an annuity from the pension provider

2) Buy an annuity from another pension provider

3) Put into a draw-down pension fund.

1) is usually least profitable for the pensioner, but makes the most money for the pension fund provider.

2) often provides the best monthly return, but gone when you die.

3) allows you to keep the entire amount of money for you and your family

You can take the pension in any form you like from age 55 and up (as far as I know)

Keeping it in Barclays will most likely be your worst option. IMHO

You really need to consult a pension advisor.

(PS UK pension funds have generally been doing really well in the last 4 years)

Hey there thanks for your reply, Barclays has said I can only take my pension with the UK state one, I guess that was the type of top up plan I got myself into.

In PM's I have already said the private pension is small due to past circumstances and a pension adviser would probably cost me more than the pension is worth. :lol:

It sounds to me by your Postings,that you may have done the same as me in the mid eighties,which was, Contract out of SERPS,on the advice of Barclays,

This was as you rightly stated a Government of the day Insentive,to start your own Private Pension,topped up by year on year Government Top Ups to Barclays into your Private Pension.

I was advised by Barclays at the age of 54,that it would be beneficial for me to Contract back into SERPS,which I then did.

Later I drew the Pension,together with a 25% Lump Sum. I am still drawing this Private Pension,which I believe will have little or no effect on my Pension at age 65,other than for Tax Threshold purposes.

Whether you had a different version of the scheme with Barclays is difficult to say? Perhaps your age at the time made it not possible for you to contract back into SERPS.at the right age,i.e 54 years of age,or maybe it was your age when you joined the Barclays Pension Scheme?

I remember at the time,of my decision,that I didn't have much time to make up my mind,to Contract back in, or stay out of SERPS. Also Government Regulations,are constantly being changed.

It is correct that this Pension has to be paid into a UK Bank Account,I believe this is for UK Tax purposes,as the Pension was generated in the UK,then it is Taxable,but nothing to stop you from transferring it to Thailand, afterwards.

I'm sure Barclays would explain things to you,in more detail, if you were to write to them.

She'll take care of him in a homely sort of way that I feel western women have forgotten how to do. When mr farng and his young thai wife are back in farang land the women will be sniggering he's old enough to be her father and the womens husband will be sniggering the lucky b*****d

How very true!

And why shouldn't the old Guy have a new Sports Car, if that's what he and she want, or is that too young for him as well?

Seems that penniless youth are the chief complainers,of the age difference,and rely on their attraction and pulling power,with the nonsense "Love" theory.

The word "Love"in a Romantic sense, throughout most of History was non existant, and is a fairly modern Invention, and merely a chemical inbalance,with a limited shelf life,for the Romantics!

No-one has any sympathy for Ireland or Greece because they were partying on other peoples money for more than 10 years. The Celtic Tiger economy never existed. Its time to pay the piper and they dont like it. Solution??? Emigrate.

No jalansanitwong - you are totally wrong !

You have swallowed the banksters propaganga hook line and sinker.

The Irish people had no say at all in what their banks did - which

was to advance money to other institutions ( certainly without the knowledge of the public )

and those institutions lost the money speculating on derivatives.

Now the tax payers are being asked / made to cover these losses !

You have to be joking If people connected to the old IRA

are prepared to allow the citizens of Ireland to be finacially raped this

way i will be amazed- then they have lost their fighting spirit and this is worth fighting for far more than

British rule.

I dont know the full story behind other Euro countries but

i now know the truth behind the Irish situation and it is theft !

Yes the banksters should pay every dime by taking a haircut

- not the Irish public !

If you are suggesting that the IRA are something to be looked up to then you are a $%%$%^%.

Maybe we should be celebrating the Muslim heroes for helping the US construction industry?

I am not suggesting that for one moment but its obvious that it is every man

for himself now. You cannot rely on the politicians to protect you because

they are in bed with the banksters and corporations.

In some US states you can justifiably shoot someone simply

if you think they are going to physically harm you so yes the

world has changed for the worst. But it doesnt mean the innocent Irish

people should simply bend over and listen to what the EU tell them to do

They did so quite happily,while taking massive handouts from the likes of France,Germany,UK, the 3 main paymasters for the EEC Fiasco!

So now whats the difference? now that there is nothing in it for them, they cant have it all their own way.

They were living on EEC money for far too long,and many Irish became very wealthy,

now the Gravy train has dried up,it's the usual Payback time!

What with Greece and Portugal,and several other Bankrupt Countries being accepted into the European Community,

It looks like the European Dream may well turn to a Bankrupt Disaster.

I think you are all trying to be too Technical here,its simply the usual stitch up the Farangs,I can't see any other logical reason.

Good old fashioned greed would be my first bet,and lack of competition. :jap:

Seems like you are all assuming this woman is guilty, even without knowing the evidence. If you think Thai justice is bad, then you lot are even worse. You would have people locked up just because they are poor. All the evidence you need is that she is poor and her husband was rich. You lot are shocking. This woman may have arranged the murder of her husband, but it could also be her boyfriend who did it without her knowledge. You lot are too quick to jump to conclusions.

If you don't like it here and keep saying how bad it is, then please go home. Stop whinging and complaining all the time. If many Thais don't like you, it's got nothing to do with you being farang, but has everything to do with your appalling attitude. Even I don't like most of you.

Now you can take that to the bank, one of the main reasons I left the Farang world is because most, were inconsiderate, caring mostly for their own pleasures and the hell with everything and everyone else, I say most, not all, Thais are more in touch with their heart, family and will do whatever it takes to help and protect it, to many farangs think because they have some coin that they can run and rule a family and also be a drinking, uncaring slob, just wanting to get laid and be taken care of, I'm not saying a thing about this sad case, as I know nothing about it and will not ass-u me.

There are many beautiful relationships here, but the farang knew who and what he was and also met a person, that not only wanted to be taken care of, but also was in love, If one does not know themselves, how in the hell are they going to know somebody else.

Many of the farangs here, had nothing going for them where they came from, and know nothing about women, they are just looking for some love before they die and are so hungry for it, that they let the little head out-rule whats left of the big head, and their will be bad situations because of it.

I'm not saying that I have the answers, I've been married 5 times and have had 30 plus live-ins and I will rehearse till I die.

A very bad, sad thing that happened, but let's get all the answers (if we can) and not be so quick to judge and start un-smart shit like getting back.

If you've been married five times you obviously are in no position to offer 'relationship' advice and clearly have no idea about women!

Fortunately you'll be far better off here, as long as you keep providing money to the wife and her family.

The victim in this case made the fatal mistake of letting his wife know how much money he had, and she told her Thai b/f...

Yes, there are v rare cases in the West of a wife having her husband murdered because she's so greedy that she wants EVERYTHING NOW. The point a previous poster is missing is that it really is v rare in the West, but far more common here.

Yes it is very rare to get your Husband Murdered in the West,

More times than not ,They just Kill them Financially,with the Divorce Courts Blessing,

using misguided,outdated, Draconian Laws.

This is good news even it does no matter what will be the result. Maybe some Thai wifes will change their minds about killing husbands...

I can't grasp your logic here,

surely if the wife walks free,assuming she was involved, to commit Murder,

then the effect would be to signal,that Murdering your Husband would be profitable,

or have I missed something?

Not only Thai girls disappear (not all) but they face internet and chat scam!

I've witnessed 2 Thai friends girls who in different times were affected by chatting scam, it was always the same idiot guy from England (an immigrant by his poor English language skill) whom tried to send gifts to them later it was understood it was a scam.

The moron is very skilled, after he gains enough trust he will offer to send very "expensive" gifts, I'm talking about a value of $5,000 and up depending on what is the target's financial capability.

The delivery always goes through some countries and suspiciously a delivery company based in north Africa sustains the dirty game!

Obviously the target is to steal money: suddenly the box results awaiting somewhere in North Africa or Singapore because of "unspecified" problems so the re-delivering and handling company cannot send it to the recipient unless the girl (the recipient) cash the amount of money then the sweet "lover" (the scammer) will give the money back when he the following week or month will go to Thailand to meet her honey.

It seems that Thai girls have no chance to report the scam because it's too much complicated or because ashamed and suffering for the loss of their money.

I still have copy of the delivering document which shows details of the scammer, delivery routes and handling and re-delivering company.

I will post it on request.

Sounds more like a Nigerian 419 Scam to me?

And why not report him to the Authorities,if you know the Scammers name?

Its frightening to realise that anyone of us,through circumstances, or self induced could end up on the streets like this,

Sad to descend so far,that one can't get back up.......... Lost in Los!

I'm another one who can't quite work out the Isaan connection. My guess is that the thread is really about the limited English picked up by people from the NE working in low-paid service jobs in tourist resorts. Of course, there are plenty of well-educated professionals from the NE who can speak pretty good English. My guess though is that those who haven't shaken off their NE accents may have more trouble with certain English language sounds than central Thais. The 'r' sound is one obvious example, and I fancy that there may be problems with 'ch' and 'th'. What do other people think?

[/quot

Cancelled

Double Post.

I'm another one who can't quite work out the Isaan connection. My guess is that the thread is really about the limited English picked up by people from the NE working in low-paid service jobs in tourist resorts. Of course, there are plenty of well-educated professionals from the NE who can speak pretty good English. My guess though is that those who haven't shaken off their NE accents may have more trouble with certain English language sounds than central Thais. The 'r' sound is one obvious example, and I fancy that there may be problems with 'ch' and 'th'. What do other people think?

Problems with L too,

hence Footbon & Schoon (sic) and most noticeable spoken from Thai School Teachers.

My wife and I have a language policy with our Daughter,she speaks to her for the most part in Thai,

and I only speak to her in English,so she never hears "Pidgin English"and my poor attempts at Thai,

the result is she is fluent in both languages.

As for those that speak too loudly,its a way of domineering a conversation.

whichever Nationality,its very irritating ,regardless of whether the content is of any interest or not.

If the "Google-Meter" is a fair measure, (and online news stories are perhaps only the tip of the iceberg), then it is easy to conclude that the Thai police seem to have a very good track record of targeting foreigners. In fact, I am thinking that the skill and enthusiasm of the Thai police in these matters could perhaps be utilized to spawn a new "thrill-seeker" style of "realism-tourism".. (I'm also thinking that HousePainter could write a fine piece of humour from this angle…)

The Statistics, from a Web-Centric point of view..

If you do a "focused" Google (key words in parenthesis) you get the following raw results.. (I used http://www.google.com.sg for this exercise in relatively uncensored news gathering..)

"Thai Police" + "Extortion" = 29,400 results (and a few fit the profile…)

"Thai Police" + "kidnap" + "foreigner" = 4,190 results (I thought it would have been more..)

"Thai police" + "Murder" + "foreigner" = 13,900 results (I hoped for a lower number..)

A few no-parenthesis Googles..

Thai police murder British Couple - -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murders_of_Adam_Lloyd_and_Vanessa_Arscott

Thai police kill Canadian (193,00 results, this story stays, and stays on the blogosphere..)

http://www.andrew-drummond.com/2008/07/19/canadians-protest-murder-by-thai-police-july-19-08/

Then there are other news stories, where the hidden story of the police crime against the foreigner is way more interesting than the public story..

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/14/headlines/headlines_30031870.php http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/thai-police-arrested-over-kidnapping/2007/04/14/1175971400598.html?s_cid=rss_smh

JD

"UK Police" + "Extortion" = 155,000 results

"UK Police" + "kidnap" + "foreigner" = 31,800 results

"UK Police" + "Murder" + "foreigner" = 51,200 results

Unqualified stats are meaningless.

I presume you mean,your search results are referring to the cases worked on by UK Police,and not their criminal involvement.

Find out whats the cheapest network,and then buy a new Sim Card.

Dtac has been expensive in the past.

Two Men drowning their sorrows in a Bar

Male 1. "I feel terrible my wife's just left me"

Male 2. "So has mine,she ran off with my best mate".......... gawd I miss him!