KimoMax

Highly Improbable that Protesters would be able to take a large stock pile of weaponry into the stadium they had not seized.

Let alone, Leave that weaponry behind

Great!..A Coup!...this will really place a lot of confidence with the rest of the world.

Should raise the value of my Sterling to the Baht, at least.

Every cloud.........

thats about the best thing that will come out of it

After the 2006 Coup the Baht got stronger and eventually gained to where it was at the beginning of 2013.

Be Cautious askng the Currency Gods to help due to a Coup

Very doubtful the Ainti-Governmen Protesters would shoot at Rescue Personnel who are heping those persons injured from the conflict. Especially since the bullet reportedly passed thru a Rescue Vehicle before hitting the Female Rescue person in the chest.

A sniper's aim is not usually that bad.

With all the Corruption and Blatant Lies; It is Impossible to Believe just about Anything from the Govrnment, Police, or even the Protest Groups without Absolute Undisputed Facts and Evidence.

Given the Totality of the Police's Claims about all the Facts of their Reported Case; Too many Holes in the Story.

TIT (This Is Thailand)

US expresses wish to see peace process in Thailand

BANGKOK, 21 December 2013 (NNT) The US Embassy in Bangkok has confirmed its neutrality towards the Thai political situation while emphasizing its support for a peace dialogue between conflicting parties.

In an interview with the press, US Embassy Spokesman Walter M. Braunohler strongly rejected the anti-government protesters accusation that the US was responding to their movement with bias. The spokesmans denial came after supporters of the Student and People Network for Thailands Reform gathered in front of the embassy compound to demand a replacement of US Ambassador Kristie Kenney.

The group claimed that Mrs Kenney had taken a stance supporting the Yingluck Shinawatra administration which could be deemed as an intervention in Thailands internal affairs.

Mr Braunohler clarified that the US was only hopeful that all factions of Thai people would agree to enter into a peace dialogue and together end their conflicts through democratic means. He said the embassy was well aware of the fact that the current political turmoil was an internal issue that would need to be solved by the Thai people themselves.

-- NNT 2013-12-21

They got caught supporting the Thaksin regime and now they are back peddling, yet with every statement they make, they just bolster the fact that they are in fact interfering with Thai internal affairs.

They had better learn once and for all to keep their comments to themselves. This is sod all to do with the USA.

Next time they just might not be so fortunate and could lose that little bit of prime Bangkok land they call America.

Your post was good for a laugh. No actual facts stated...just baseless assumptions. And the part about America possibly losing the embassy! Really had me rolling.

On Thurssday afternoon during the anti-government protest at the US Embassy I was on Wireless Road.

The Main Protest Speaker wisely announced "WARNING ! The Fences are Electrified ! and told Protesters to not to attempt to storm the US Embassy.

(Suthep went to School in the USA at a University there. He knows the US would not tolerate anyone attmpting to Storm a US Embassy.) Especially after Bengazi, Libia last year.

The Embassy is guarded by US Military inside, and the Embassies are constructed to defy Intrusion.

In the end; the Protesters made their point, and the US Ambassador clarified not taking any sides in Thai Politics and made an updated statement.

Informational: Many Countries made statements recently supporting Democracy to End the Thai Political Conflicts. The US was not alone making such statements..........

Thanks for the Great Info......................

You do not apply for an O-A visa, you simply now apply for an extension of stay based on retirement and show the income verification letter as well as proof of address, as that will determine if you can use that immigraiton office or not.

An extension of stay based upon retirement is not a OA visa.

You will need proof of address for Pattaya. Just a hotel receipt or such will not be enough.

I do have proof of address from an apartment.

I am slightly confused now as to the Extension of Stay response from ubonjoe.

Just clarifying that I should apply for an Extension of Stay based on Retirement ?

So it does not matter if the Visa was an O or an O-A ?

I have previousely had several O-A Visa's, but somehow on my last application while in my Country I got a O Marriage Visa (I do have a valid Thai Wife and Marriage).

My current O Marriage Visa expires the end of December this year.

I am currently traveling on Holiday in the Pattaya area and will not be back to my home residence until after my current Visa Expires.

The Wife is not traveling with me and is home taking care of her ailing elderly Mother.

I was unable to get the Embassy Income verification letter from the Chiang Mai Consulate. I checked on-line for Consulate appointments as of last month and NO Appointments were available from the last weeks of November thru the New Year.

I did travel to the Embassy in Bangkok and got a current Income Verification while on my way to the Pattaya area.

I was unable to apply for the visa extension prior to leaving on Holiday.

I have all the required Documents (Marriage Certificate, Current Kor Ror 2, Copy of Wife's ID card etc). But the Wife is not with me, and I am not at our house, but instead, staying on Holiday at a address in Pattaya

However; I wish to just change status to a O-A Retired Visa (less hastles). I have more than enough retirement income to meet the requirements.

How and Can I change my Visa to a O-A Retirement Visa at Jomtien instead of a Visa Extension of the O Marriage Visa ?

I do understand I must use a Pattaya area Residence, and not my usual Home in Thailand address.

And here we go. Now can understand more of who is backing Super Suthep... No wonder!

http://www.chiangraitimes.com/news/20951.html

As in the Game of Chess: "CHECK"

Suthep is the Public Mouthpiece. Playing a word game against the current Government's Position.

The more outrageous the Demands, The more it Forces the Military's Hands to Act Sooner than Later.

The End Result would be nearly the same as what Suthep is Suggesting. Difference would be that If the Military did step in, then the Military would have to re-establish a Government. Same as in previous Military Takeovers.

The Caretaker Government is Hoping to hold out with public support for the Elections and Their Grass Roots Support.

The next Saga of this Drama is still to be determined.

But anyone living her long enough knows how it wil probably play out.

It is the Thai way of Politics. Can't truely evaluate Thailand or it's Politics without being a Thai.

Unknown for now who will be able to declare "Check Mate".

New Nick: Khun Zhack Mi Hoff.

His Bad Boy reputation is Shot after that beating and knifing.

Parents are allowed to do Corpral Punishment in Thailand. Just like the western world 40 + years ago.

Police won't do anything about Domestic matters as long as there are no serious injuries.

The Prosecuters and Police should hold the Parents accountable to Pay for the thefts and injuries.

It's not the Rabbits and Deers you have to Protect yourself from.

I do not think Guns are illegal in Thailand, but owners of guns must have a government permit, or be a Bad Guy/Girl.

Visitor Tourist Visa to the USA is ALL up to her qualfying since you are not legally married.

She will have to show Ties to Thailand and an obligation to return.

Bank accounts, property, Business, Job, letters on Business letterhead from her Boss (if she has one) that she will have a job when returning.

Bank account must show enough funds to cover the trip.

Yes, you can supply a letter saying you will pay for and sponsor her trip. The US Embassy may or may not even look at your letter.

Yes, give her your Original Passport and any supporting evidence or letters that you have resided together and have maintained a relationship for _______ Blank amount of time.

Copies of your Bank Statements showing money.

Remember, the official may not even look at your stuff, but good to be prepared just in case the interviewer does want to see your supporting her and your passport.

If you have a Job here, a letter from your employer will also help showing you will have a job whe you return to Thailand. If Retired, paperwork to show you receive a pension. Can be a W-2 etc.

The main thing is for her NOT to Lie.......................

She must Return to Thailand at the end of her allowed stay and she can not work in the USA.

If you are her boyfriend and support her, she needs to say so, not that you are just a friend sponsoring her.

Lies disqualify people quickly.

Remember the interviewers are good at spotting a lie and asking other questions to trip up a lying applicant.

Good luck. If she does get a Tourist Visa, they are good for Multiple entries for 10 years.

Each entry is limited to 6 months at a time.

Can a Re-Entry Permit still be obtained at BKK (Swampy) Airport ?

Where are they located and what Hours?

The person investing in the home with thier Own Finances should always take care to never loose what they can not afford.

Tread Cautiously ..........

Don't pay cash for a vehicle unless it is wholy in your name (the foreigner).

Better to finance it with the misse's Credit with your down payment.

If things go sour, you can walk away.

Many ways to protect yourself with a house and property.

Not going to get into details here, but talk with other Expats that have experience in doing a 30 year Lease of the Land and other legal paperwork.

Remember that you can Never Own the Land in Thailand, but you can own the Dwelling.

Thai divorces are not always easy. Especially if the other party will not cooperate and sign at the Ampur. Then you have to go to Court.

And that can take a long time and is a hastle.

If the relationship works out fine, then great, but if not, Be Prepared ahead of time.

Anyone here longer than a Holiday toursit should attempt and begin to learn Central Bangkok Thai.

Most people speak and understand that dialect. The elders in the coutryside often have limited ability to speak BKK Thai, but just about all Thai TV is in Central Bangkok Thai. Most Thails from 0 - 50 something speak BKK Thai as well as the regional dialects.

Don't worry about the regional dialects. Maybe learn a few words here and there until you has been in that area for a while and are good at Central Bangkok Thai.

Thai is very "Tonal" similar to singing. The wrong Tones can have a totally different meaning.

I found it a good source to view and listen to some popular thai Kareoke Songs with Thai Subtitle words in ABC's.

Most Thai words are not long. It is just a matter of proper speaking grammer to get it right.

Learn a few phrases.

In our own Countries, we expect foreigners to at least make an attempt to speak some of our own language.

Thailand people feel no differantly than we do about foreigners trying to communicate in the Country's language.

Even if you haev a girlfriend, wife, secretary etc., They will not always be with you, and get tired if you consistantly expect them to translate for you.

But don't try to spek thai unless you are speaking it with the proper tones.

Going crazy wet plus loud music on Third Road since early morning. Lots of nasty pick-ups.

I had half a mind taking my GF to BuaKhao where she could Len Nahm with her friends but she kindly decided to take a motocy taxi instead and leave me dry at home. She went off at 12 with her iPad and handbag tucked safely (I hope !!) in plastic bags.

It's our first Songkran together here in Pattaya and she doesn't quite understand why I hate this water madness.

She is young, 25yo, and loves it. She was at it all day yesterday on BuaKhao and this morning said that her arm is Jep from all the water buckets throwing.

Tomorrow will be a bright new day.

I just hope that I don't encounter yobs and louts who think it's OK to go on with the 'fun' for a few more days !!

She gonna use her Ipad to throw water

Oh I see now

It's our first Songkran together here in Pattaya

I didn't phrase that one right !!

It's not my first Sogkran - by far.

It's not her first Songkran - she certainly never missed one before in LOS (a Ubon girl).

Just that we're not together during previous Songkran.

She just Skyped me briefly from BuaKhao so I guess that, so far, the iPad is safe.

BTW she told me that from what she saw yesterday on BuaKhao it seemed to her things are quieter this year than last.

I'll get a full report tonight !!

The Comment "it seemed things quieter this year than last year".

After implying it was her first Songkran in Pattaya ........... Priceless

Chonburi (Pattaya/Jomtien), Nonthaburi and Phuket are amongst the most accident free Provinces.

(Places where there are many Foreigners and Tourists).

This should say something about "Who are the crazy Drunk and Speeding drivers".

Sold all of my holdings yesterday.

Made a profit from what I had bought it for.

Holding the funds instead until the roller coaster gold ride is over.

Will see where prices settle, and proceed from there if it was a good gamble or not on my part.

But I am still ahead of the game by selling in case things tumble further.

If prices increase to where they were and remain stable, will just have to buy less gold and less % of my speculative funds.

Reading all the Comments, appears most have never been anywhere in Thailand but Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. And have not been to Thailand when Bars in Bangkok were open until they wanted to close.

Sukhumvit did not have after hours street bars until the BIB enforced the 2:00am closing times.

Things were more contained and orderly back then

In most areas of Thailand, Bars are supposed to close at Midnight. Many of them stay open later until 1 or 2am unless the BIB come by after midnight and tell them to close.

But the connected Thai Disco's are open until about 4:00am.

Rarely up country do the BIB close the Thai Disco's before 3 or 4am.

So Now Pattaya has joined the rest of the Western World.

Traffic, Slums, Crime, Corruption are far worse in most Western Cities and Communities.

If one wants Solitude: Go live in the middle of nowhere. See how fast you miss all the western aspects of life.

Give me Pattaya any day (or Night)

The Thai Motorbike Taxi Guys had No Business in this Fight.

That is probably why you don't see a report of any arrests of the establishment empolyees or owners.