Ulic

We shall see, I certainly hope so. A straight forward fix, all it needed was the budget to do it. Just up to the big wigs to stop skimming

from the maintenance budget. Not like the maintenance guys are incapable. Actually surprised how quickly they were able to get it done.

Sabre rattling and chest thumping as far as I am concerned.

Get a DNA test, then if you are the father, send 6,000 baht a month to the grandmother or whoever is

looking after your child. Also try to be in your child's life as much as possible. Not just because you will

regret it later if you don't, but because it is also the right thing to do.

Give extra money for extra expenses, school, toys, birthdays etc. I know you don't want to be a cash cow

but you should shoulder your responsibilities in a proper manner.

1/ Get clearance from the wife.

2/ Throw away the scissors.

3/ Sell off the ducks.

4/ Be sure to let us know how it turns out.

Start with asking for the full 3 months, negotiate down to two if they pay up front and with no fuss.

If they are looking to pay nothing no loss going the Thai labour law route. Put feelers out for a new

job.

All the suggestions you need. All the combinations and permutations as they say. Let us know what you choose

and how it turns out. I would just swing by the pawn shop let them know it was stolen and you want to get it back

for the price they paid. He only got a few baht on the cost for sure. They know it was stolen. If they want to involve

the police it is up to them. I would not. Tell the GF he is no longer welcome, move on lesson leaned.

Almost like a cat and mouse. Promise something in the future, delay. delay, delay, see what the reaction is, give a little

then promise something in the future again, see how that goes with all the delays you can. Then replace those in charge

and say negotiations have to start over again. Repeat as is necessary.

"You guys are so mean, quit picking on me. We're the good guys."

We are working hard to combat corruption but if we can pass our reconciliation bill all cases will be dismissed.

No convictions, no corruption. All cleaned up in one move. LOL

It's all fine until the collapse then everyone points to the other guy. Engineers, building permits, inspectors. The owner

throws up his hands and says as far as he knows everything was in order. Especially if the current owner sells the

building. Best to shut the hotel down refund all the guests there money, give them a little extra for the inconvenience add

everything to the bill the owner will have to pay to take the top floors down, plus interest. Fix a date for the fine to be paid.

Sell the hotel to pay the bill if the owner does not pay. May take some time. But it would send a clear message

to other property owners/developers to make sure all bribes to get the correct permits and inspections done must be paid.

You can't have these people going ahead and doing work without the correct thick envelopes being dispersed appropriately.

Other than the pressure of parking illegally and taking up spots meant for residents/tourists the black taxis are not

the problem. It is the legal taxi, mafia and the outrageous rates they charge. No meters, 35% kickbacks to them from

Gem shops and tourist venues. laying siege to hotels so no other taxis can pick up guests in "there territory" it is the

system that is the issue not the black taxi's. Easy to pick on them.

NOT insurance!!! Just a fee you'll pay. You'll get no medical "coverage" for it. This description of it as "insurance" has now been so widely & often repeated, it's going to come as quite a shock when foreigners who've paid it start walking into hospitals expecting free care...

Theoretically, these funds will go to reimburse hospitals that have had to treat deadbeat foreigners out-of-pocket.

From what I have read in articles not TV posts it is insurance. Limited to between 200-300 thousand baht. What people have to understand is

would be like travel insurance you purchase in your home country, it is for emergencies. You can't fly in pay your 500 baht and go book a MRI

or some other diagnostic procedure. For those you would have to go home and use your countries health care system.

They have pretty much closed down around the world but as you are talking about a small area of a existing

shop there is not much danger of a big loss. If it does not work out just sell the inventory to a hotel for there

guests or something like that. Of course there would be copyright laws as most DVD are bootlegs and that

is what would be rented I am sure. (no offence) I think your main issue would be with the police and the

possibility they would want a slice.

Apples and Oranges. A completely different experience. Both are great in there own way. As a tourist you spend much more money

per day as generally you are here for two weeks. You are out and about every day travelling around on a mission so to speak.

Day night go, go, go,. Living hear things are more relaxed, no real schedule just an agenda of things you want to do the next

week, month etc. You have the lay of the land, you keep learning about new things. Of course ex-pats like to bitch and TV

allows them to moan about Thai politics and Thai non-sensibilities. Still enjoying what Thailand has to offer as I am in my

first year hear. Other adventures on the chalkboard of life next year before returning to Thailand in the future.

The one thing you can take to the bank, the TAT is going to hit its forecast number.

Th rice scheme has gone 100% according to plan. "We will give you a 40% premium for your rice if you vote for us

and we get into power." Enough said, how much the country looses is not out concern. Much like the Greek governments

for 35 years. Promise the people anything and everything get elected don't worry about paying the piper that will not be for

a few decades. By then pockets will be lined and you will not be in power and all will be forgotten after the spin doctors

have done there work.

He didn't drink to much, he was over-served.

The pot calling the kettle black. Both sides want to be in power so they can feed at the trough.

I had a two day overstay as I was flying out of Phuket. I was shown to the office to pay the fine. Told to pay

1,500 baht. Told him I thought it was 1000. Had to pay 1,500 when I got the receipt it was for a 1000.

Also stopped here in Pattaya on my scooter. Wearing my helmet, had my licence, been stopped a hundred

times before. no troubles. Told to produce my international licence. It was at my condo. I had never needed

it before. Told me the fine was 600 baht, I could pay him direct or leave my bike, go to the police station

pay the fine, find my way back, show it had been paid and be on my way. I offered 200, he said 500,

I said 300, he said 400, I gave him 300 and got on my bike and left. Needless to say my international

licence which does not have a Thai translation in now under the seat of my bike.

One other story but it is not my story. I have a Thai friend (lady) that owns a small bar in Patong.

She tells me she makes a monthly payoffs to police, city officials etc.. so she can remain open.

It is a small bar with a couple of pool tables. Never asked what the amounts were but it sure

does squeeze her.

I think the OP makes some very valid points. The the Caribbean and Thailand could well see a significant bump in

the numbers from Brittan. Nothing compared to the numbers from Russia and China but significant percentage

increase from their numbers of last few years.

Thanks for the replies so far. It seems that the general consensus is to sell ASAP and that is my gut feeling too.

But my home currency is US$ and I don't have much faith in that hanging in there for much longer.

All the holdings are with a reputable broker [Fidelity] and their [cash] money market pays next to nothing in interest, but is secure.

Assume that the THB is not too secure now and I have way too much invested here already.

I'm past my mid 60's and can live out my life, but would like to leave something for my Thai family.

What about gold [physical or futures or mining]??

And no resources here in LOS for US financial planning??

I do like the advice that has been offered. One more piece, things take longer than people predict but when they do they

happen faster than thought possible. I do think the US stock market will move up 15-20% higher before another correction.

While I think the US dollar is in for a rough ride I think that day is quite some time off. Many countries work hard to keep

there countries currencies strength vs the USD in a favourable range for trading but don't want it too low as imports like

oil and industrial machinery get to expensive. Picking the top or the bottom of a market is a bit of a mugs game. When you think it

is overvalued based on what you have read and it makes sense to you and your experience sell or buy. Try to invest in

companies that you understand. There products, there management etc.. Unless the there is inflation I am not a fan of gold.

Even though the US/ Japan/ are printing money like drunken sailors I don't see the inflation yet.

Best of luck

A lot of overreaction. Stay away from the protests, use common sense. Enjoy your vacation.

Well I do not feel sorry for him, his own bloody fault.

You may not feel sorry for him because you you are being judgemental. He was just supporting the local

economy in a far more effective way than the UN or any NGO ever has. Poor guy has his picture on the

internet with this story, I feel very sorry for him on both accounts.

Tourists have to learn the reason they get robbed in disproportionate numbers is two main reasons.

I/ They tend to carry a lot of cash and expensive phones/ jewelry

2/ If they do not catch the perpetrators before the tourist leaves they are off scott free as there is

no longer a witness or complainant.

This is not unique to Thailand. The state of Florida received so much bad press after several English tourists

were murdered and so many tourists were being robbed with impunity the set up a separate budget to fly

tourists back to the state to be witnesses at court cases. Rental cars were debadged so they could not be identified.

Long term tourists who flock down from Canada to escape the winter can put Florida plates on there cars.

In short the state wanted the tourists to blend in.

Not really sure how effective it has been. But they had to do something as the British press

was printing up unfavourable headlines about vacationing in Florida.

All great advice here. I recommend a combination depending on if you will be a regular visitor. If you will be then open a Thai bank account.

If not or on your first visit bring some cash and large denomination travellers checks. There are security issues with card skimming

and Thai banks do not make getting a refund easy. So if you open a Thai account read some of the recommendations found on this site

to minimize the loss if your card is skimmed. A couple of bank cards and credit cards in case the ATM swallows your card is wise. This

has happened to me in the USA. I was able to get them back the next day both times by showing up at the bank the next day at opening.

The machines had at least 60 cards in them. If I had used a stand alone machine and not one at a bank branch things would have been

much more difficult.