chunktal

Felt it in Nonthaburi 10th floor. Bedroom door swaying back and forth slightly (thought it was the kids mucking about) then slight dizzy feeling.

Figured it out after that.

I really wonder the opinion some of you have of your wives, they are thai, not mentally deficient. Thankfully you have informed her of the important information about the child she is carrying in HER body. Jebus!

Hmm, your opinion. Why cause stress to her? Thats the way I see it. anyway I did tell her what the dr said and she took it really well surprisingly.

Had this with my ex in Australia and with my wife here in Thailand and the problem I see is the way the doctors put it. I think we had 1 in 32 and 1 in 36 or something like that for each with the first one and both stressed out. Took some time to get them both calm and consider it in 31 in 32 and 35 in 36 odds, if that was the lottery I'd buy a ticket for sure. 3 kids later, all healthy and well.

I have a cousin with Downs and a friend here with a young daughter with Downs so am aware it happens but their parents still love them. Doesn't stop them from enjoying life, last I heard my cousin was doing computer programming.

Leave the extension as based on a "Thai Wife" and that way if the job does not work out or ends in the future, you can still stay, but if the extension is based on employment then you need to leave or change the reason agaiwn.

It is not up to the OP to leave it as-is in case the work doesn't pan out. As Soutpeel posted, it is up the Department of Labour office that has jurisdiction over the OP's application to state if they will permit a WP to be linked with the pre-exisiting 'O' (marriage) visa. I worked in Bangkok last year and the DoL office my sponsoring client worked through said a Non-B visa was the only one they would accept with regard to a WP so I had to get a new visa since I already had a 1-year Non-O.

I think I am correct in my understanding that if the local DoL request the OP get a new Non-B visa, it cannot be issued if there is already a current Non-O visa in the same passport.

No problem, just something for him to consider. I've worked in Bangkok for 7 years, first 2 the visa and extension were based on employment then the company I worked for changed the extension to one based on a Thai Wife when I got married and been on that since. When the original company closed and I had a 3 month break, I didn't have to leave or mess about changing visas or extensions. Then when I started working again they just got me a new WP. Pretty easy and even have a 2 year WP now.

Leave the extension as based on a "Thai Wife" and that way if the job does not work out or ends in the future, you can still stay, but if the extension is based on employment then you need to leave or change the reason again.

I wear size 15 US extra wide and need to import them. Every shop I looked at here told me they had 12's and all swear they are big 12's so I used to say sure bring them out. I'd put them next to my foot and my toes are way out past the end with the sales person looking at me like "cash or credit".

Gave up in the end and import them from the USA and pay the extra taxes and import duties, no choice. Google "shoe buy", and you should find the sites but like others have said, 10's and 11's shouldn't be a problem.

Not just taxis.

When a Thai is with a farang, most service providers expect the Thai companion to translate what the alien might want.

Sometimes you have to come right out and say "please listen to me, she doesn't know what I want".

Also keep in mind that Thais that are used to listening to us mangle their language can understand what we're trying to say much more easily than a Thai with little such experience.

Just like when you first came here you had no idea what most Thais were saying when they thought they were speaking English, but now your Thainglish listening comprehension is much better. Upcountry Thais with little contact with foreigners (which includes most taxi drivers outside the tourist ghettos) will find it very very difficult to even believe they can learn to understand what we're saying, so they don't even try in the first instance unless you force the issue.

A final factor is they don't like to be told which way to go. Calm insistence usually gets around that, but sometimes you need to get out and find another cab - paying off the first one properly of course.

Flip side is when we went back to Aus for a holiday and stopped at one of the road side diners going where we were going, my wife tried to order something in English and I got a blank stare from the lady behind the counter. She had spoken correctly, it just didn't seem to register.

Was funny when we went to a "Thai" restaurant though. My wife is just used to ordering for me to make life easy and hurry things along. The blank stare from the blond haired waitress after she'd finished ordering was priceless, the wife had slipped back into Thai while ordering. To be fair, she was concentrating on the menu, not looking at the waitress at the time.

RIP Michelle and condolences to her family and friends.

For those talking about stats of tourist murders in Australia, http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/1/0/9/%7B1090A187-AF82-4C69-BA67-4E8CBD6B9722%7Dtandi316.pdf is a link to an Australian Institute of Criminology report from 2006 for the period 1994-2003 (sorry but that is all I found in a quick Google search).

Android phone, free app (search for daily roads or black box) and a dash mount. Works well, needs GPS on for speed data. Fairly configurable, you can adjust the length of each segment of recording, amount of room to use on the SD card, G force settings for automatically retaining video in a colision, lots more.

The good thing over some of the black box cameras available is you can replay instantly on your phone, don't need to get the SD card out or connect it to a computer to get the video. Also to retain any incdent, you just tap the screen and it saves a segment so if you see something or are in a minor incident that does not trigger the G force setting, its easy to save.

I have a Samsung Galaxy Note and had to take the video down from the max to 720p and H.263 otherwise it just records pink and green snow.

I'm still interested in a proper system hard wired in with front and rear cameras but this works well in the mean time.

Very interesting. I also like the idea of a hard wired system. Do you have any costs for that???

Saw this one for about $380US, Visiondrive VD-7000w. There is an 8000 series but have not found a price. It says it goes in the "Cigar" lighter but I figure there'd be someone here I could take one too and get it wired in as an accessory so when the engine is on it is on. I'll stick ith the Andriod one for now until I get a bit more time to look for one.

For the guy that says about the side impact, front and rear ould be enough, it can show you are driving straight (if you are) and if you have right of way (signs, lights, etc) so if you are hit on the side it at least gives you proof you can show the police of what you were doing before the motorbike embedded in your door.

Android phone, free app (search for daily roads or black box) and a dash mount. Works well, needs GPS on for speed data. Fairly configurable, you can adjust the length of each segment of recording, amount of room to use on the SD card, G force settings for automatically retaining video in a colision, lots more.

The good thing over some of the black box cameras available is you can replay instantly on your phone, don't need to get the SD card out or connect it to a computer to get the video. Also to retain any incdent, you just tap the screen and it saves a segment so if you see something or are in a minor incident that does not trigger the G force setting, its easy to save.

I have a Samsung Galaxy Note and had to take the video down from the max to 720p and H.263 otherwise it just records pink and green snow.

I'm still interested in a proper system hard wired in with front and rear cameras but this works well in the mean time.

Have a look at this thread and you may find something in there. Starts in 2008 and goes through to this month.

Some people in there have got it ar$e about as well but you may find what you are looking for in the CAT2call or 06 number answers. It has some links for further info, haven't clicked on any to check what they are about, you'll need to do that.

I've had a Ford Everest for about 6 months now and no complaints about it, suits what I was looking for. Was looking at a Fortuner to replace the Toyota Hilux Pre-runner we had but had a look around. Wanted something with height for the flooding we get when it rains but not a 4wd, no need for one. Something with more seats, family of 4 plus my sister and her kids visit from Aus or the sister-in-law and her kids visit so want seats for everyone.

I'm no car buff, what did it for me was that the Everest came with rear screen entertainment for the kids, sat-nav, rear camera and sensor where the equivilent Fortuners only had one of these, the rest were extras and the Everest was 300k less before adding on the extras. Not worried about resale value as I intend to keep this one for a few years so that did not worry me.

Only difference is the after sales service is a hell of a lot better at Toyota than Ford, even for just a Pre-runner, Toyota seemed a lot more interested.

<p>What is Truth?  What are Facts? There are no such things, - only perception!</p>

<p>Is your perception affected in any way?</p>

<p>Stop being her 'friend'! This might work wonders with your perception</p>

<p></p>

<p></p>g

<p></p>

If you look at the North Pole or the South Pole (perception), the sun still rises in the East (fact).

Had to go out but had a quick look in the Thai Labour Act, don't have the exact wording but I think. Section 67 is the one you need to look at. Refers to paying out of accrued annual leave, says it needs to be paid upon terminating employment or words to that effect.

The numbers of dead hasn't increased over the last two weeks, in both Thai reports and international reports. Suddenly the number rises by 20%.

I think a lot of us know probably, at a guesstimate, at least 40% of the deaths have been caused by electrocution, and not disease nor drowning, as a result of live cables in waters, or low electricity metres.

Somebody mentioned only yesterday about investing the 800Billion into education.

Well I'm all for investing a large proportion of that into a fair few optic cables, and getting rid of the streets of unwanton dangerous wires that seem to be an acceptable way of life here. How many times have 'you' crossed a bridge and ended up touching a black piece of plastic, and jumping your hand off it as you recognise it is a live wire you are touching?

I have been to many Asian countries, and they don't have such inefficient wiring as Th does. Forget the education, that's at least beyond Victorian ages. The logistical supplies in this country, for major utilities like gas and electricity are Dickensian, except for a few candles... Anybody have a gas supply from a pipe from the street? Nope, A Calor gas bottle, as used for caravanning around Europe in the 70's. Even European camp-sites now have gas pipes to supply arriving caravans.

My point is; Quite a number of young innocents would not be dead if the power lines and gas supplies were Westernised here. That costs a lot less than every eleven year old receiving hacked and illegitemate laptops!

-m.

The "live wire" you are touching is actually the telephone cable (often a great big bundle of them), the power cables are a little bit higher up and are not sheathed in plastic. Not saying that they are not dangerously close in places, but you should be aware of the difference. Fibre optic cable is also a telecommunications cable, not an electrical cable so running fibre will have no impact on the power cables.

Staying, Meung Tong Thani not far from Impact. On the 10th floor so no worries about flooding and stocked up on food and water.

Drove up to central bang na today to pay bills and do some shopping, All upper parking levels closed, parking only in B0 and B1 levels, no spots available except the 'reserved' area for 20 baht per hour. In the end we parked in Big C and walked over. seems that maybe all the upper levels are full of cars that are sheltering, fair enough, but to then start charging on the two levels that were open seems a bit much to me.

Ok, yes I know, 20baht is nothing, but it is a shopping centre and people want to park their cars there for shopping, why start charging the shoppers, why not charge those filling the place up with their cars ??

regards

I wish they did something like that at Central Chaeng Wattana, there has been no where to park but out on the street the last couple of times we been there. I've got a 3 year old and an 8 month pregnant wife so parking on a busy road is a safety concern.

20 baht an hour to for a couple of hours shopping and bill paying is ok, leaving your car there for the duration, it might be a deterant though. Seems a fair enough way to keep some spots for customers open, if they said it was for customers only but it is free, how many people are going to drive away because they didn't really want to buy anything?

Traffic around gov complexes, Chaeng Wattana, is 6 lanes of barely moving traffic. /via@RichardBarrow

I can confirm it, was out there to get some more food and water a couple of hours ago and it is jam packed with cars. Mainly due to people parking 2 abreast on the bridges and overpasses so only one lane of traffic going over them. It was quicker to use the side roads with the traffic lights than try and go over the bridges. The army barracks across from Tesco is flooding. The klong beside it has come up over night and is now starting to over flow.

The road was still ok, just a big traffic jam.

Lot of people panicing, some standing there watching. My guys have been told that if they need or want to go home it is ok and they can stay there if they need to (same instructions as through the coup, the riots etc) but they are to call in once a day to confirm that they are still safe or anytime if they need help or re-locating until it is over.

I DONT confirm that.

I have leave immigration at about 11h15 after taking some lunch, and i arrived at my Hotel near Panthip Plazza, 40 mn later.

Big traffic for sure, but its ok as usual.

Dont have to panic or to make people panicing.................

It might have been ok then but it was jam packed when I was there at about 10am. Not trying to make anyone panic, in fact the opposite as it is the people that are panicing and parking their cars on the bridges that are jamming up the traffic. People need to stay calm and prepare, if the are going to evacuate, do so early or make sure that they are prepared to defend their homes or ride it out if that is not possible. Just need some common sense.

I give my staff the same instructions now as during the previous problems, personal safety come first, work can wait. They are all capable of making an assessment of their own situation, they all know the options they have open to them should they need/want to relocate for the duration of the floods and I let them decide individually what they want to do.

They just had on the news that Chaeng Watthana is starting to flood and may get up to 1m in the Central Chaeng Watthana area. That is just what they are saying, where I am near Impact there is nothing so I cannot say if the report is correct or not sorry.

Traffic around gov complexes, Chaeng Wattana, is 6 lanes of barely moving traffic. /via@RichardBarrow

I can confirm it, was out there to get some more food and water a couple of hours ago and it is jam packed with cars. Mainly due to people parking 2 abreast on the bridges and overpasses so only one lane of traffic going over them. It was quicker to use the side roads with the traffic lights than try and go over the bridges. The army barracks across from Tesco is flooding. The klong beside it has come up over night and is now starting to over flow.

The road was still ok, just a big traffic jam.

Lot of people panicing, some standing there watching. My guys have been told that if they need or want to go home it is ok and they can stay there if they need to (same instructions as through the coup, the riots etc) but they are to call in once a day to confirm that they are still safe or anytime if they need help or re-locating until it is over.

Went there this afternoon - not the remotest sign of water anywhere. Came from Bang Kapi along Ram Indra, which bore no sign of any water neither. Had a long look down the handful of klongs I crossed on the way - could have been in the dry season on this hot and sunny afternoon. Well, there was one sign of things not being quite normal all over - when I got my number there were 92 people in the queue for 90 day reporting, about 10 times as many as I'm used to. Took them only about 1 1/2 hour to get through to me - i.e. a workspeed of 1 man per minute.

One of my guys came through from Ram Indra and along Chaeng Watthana this morning past the Government Complex and the Expressway to get to work. He said it is still clear all the way through still with no flooding. Only problem he had was all of the cars that are being parked up on the overpasses and bridges that are blocking traffic a bit.

If you are coming from the South and take the Expressway to Chaeng Watthana you will have no problem getting there.

All my staff took off a couple of hours ago, some live in the 7 Bangkok districts listed in the news as going to flood. I discussed it with one of the guys who uses Chaeng Watthana to get to work and he said that they are reporting that parts of Chaeng Watthana will be flooded tomorrow.

I expect it to be the Pak Kret end, one of the girls lives near there and this side of the river is starting to flood now. Also the other end at Bang Khen (one of the districts listed).

You should be ok if you come on the expressway and get off at Chaeng Watthana. I'll try and give an update in the morning for you if I hear anything or go for a drive.

BKK Post said the Government Center on Chang Wattana was being used as an evac point for flood refugees so sounds like it is open.

Remember, you can extend a visa 30 days before it expires, so probably better to go now rather than wait.

Mac

I know, but its a bit complicated and i have to make report 90 days in the same time.

I live in the area and drove from Central Chaeng Watthana down past the Government offices and on to where they are doing the overpass of the round about past McDonalds. Only problems were a broken down truck on the overpass at IT City Laksi and the road works at the roundabout itself. You should be ok on Thursday but parking may be a problem as said.

I'll try and post again if it changes before then, usually driving in the area or some of my staff come through there for work in the morning so can ask them.

How is Chaeng Wattana and Samsenai, Pathumthani doing?

Been to Chaeng Wattana the day before yesterday and it was dry there, no water, at least around the immigration area

I live near Impact, no problems here today. Was at The Avenue on Chaeng Watthana at lunch and traffic was running fine in both directions. I think they are opening the Government Complex up as an evacuation centre so it is still accessable. The car is on the second floor parking in case though.

Are you sure it's a lump sum 3 months severance?

I thought it is 1 month per year worked.

He will not get 3 months, it will be 1 month + pro-rata... to get the full 3 months you are correct.... 3 years, my mistake, didnt read his OP correctly.

This may help if you can prove you worked there. From the Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (A.D 1998) so not sure if there is a more up to date version but this is the one I have.

Chapter 11 - Severence Pay.

Nothing in it about pro-rata, Section 118 (3) employed 1 year to 3 years shall be entitled to a 90 day payment equivalent to the last rate of pay.

I scanned it but it was too big a file to attach, I'll try again in a bit for you.

My girl friend wants to buy me a return ticket on China airlines from Amsterdam too Bangkok. She wants to buy it in Thailand because it's cheaper, can this be done or would I get problems at the airport?

Just one question for you, is your girlfriend telling you she will buy you the ticket or is she saying "send me the money and I will buy the ticket for you"?

Be careful if it is the second one.

Can't work on a retirement or ed visa/extension and your circumstances may change where you need or want to work again in the future, consider the wife extension of stay. If you see a job you like and change your mind at least then you can apply for a new work permit without needing to change your reason for extension of stay.

Nothing stopping you from studying on this extension either if you like.