likerdup1

1 hour ago, captpkapoor said:

Lots of Indian scientists at NASA, buddy!

"Lots"? A small percentage is a more accurate statement. Jet Propulsion Laboratory actually has very few Indians in ratio to the number of USA and European born scientists. Hey, I'm not saying that every Indian engineer out there is bad, just that in my experience I have worked with some who are not very good and not very logical or methodical...  well trained and educated engineers should be.  What do you do for a living buddy?

Silly and dumb.

Thai's don't shake hands and it is an insult and arrogant while in someone else's country to insist they follow YOUR CUSTOMS.

How insensitive it is to not even make an effort to understand the culture. I have studied the culture. Understand when to Wai and when not to. I have learned to speak Thai good enough to have an average conversation with any Thai person.

It baffles me that there are so many expats here that still speak pigeon English to Thai people that have been in country for years! Expats that have not made any effort to even try to speak the language. They go around making cultural mistakes every day. I see it all too often.

No wonder the Pattaya Thais can have such blase attitudes toward service compared with Thais in other parts of the country, even Bangkok there is quite a difference in the attitude of the local people. More friendly in Bangkok the in Pattaya. Pattaya has too many arrogant tourists who don't take even a few minutes to understand and adjust to the culture.

9 hours ago, ThomasThBKK said:

 

Why is it that only the US is mentioned whenever space comes up, Russia did as much if not more in that area.

Russia did quite a lot in the early space race but USA (with most of the credit going to a former Nazi sympathizing German Werner Van Braun) dominated space during the Apollo missions and continues to dominate. The JPL in Pasadena has had quite a number of successful Mars rover and lander spacecraft exceed mission expectations. No other country has a track record like that. What they do is EXTREMELY HARD!! USA dominates space travel hands down. Not to mention the recent Pluto fly by and Keiper belt object fly bys. The JPL scientist are space rock stars and NOBODY beats them in missions throughout the solar system. USA is the leader in space far and above any other country. Just look at this...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_missions_to_Mars

Be afraid, very afraid. How many Indians are holding Information Technology positions throughout the world. I've been in the IT industry and they hire some very sophomoric Indians to handle sensitive positions... Most of the engineering skills of these guys amount to trial and error systems engineering.. LOL, it's really a joke. I'm not surprised that even 50 years after USA put multiple manned spacecraft on the moon India is still struggling to put a robot there. When there is a problem they all ban together to figure out some stupid excuse for their mistakes.. Not ALL of the Indians I've worked with are poor engineers but more often than not it has been the case.

The made me produce my passport at the short time hotel the other day. Thailand is not what it used to be. Wow!!!

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

 

This sounds suspect.

 

Assuming the IT infrastructure could be put in place, surely banks cannot reveal details to any schmoe who rings in?

 

 

Not too hard to do, and it is Immigration, not just anybody. They can also easily call the bank while the farang is at the desk and have the farang put in the account PIN on the phone to allow them to listen to the automated messages of name, account number and account balance.

I heard the official say "we will confirm balances because we get fake letters before"

7 minutes ago, onera1961 said:

Just pay the fine. What is the big deal. I'm thinking of stop reporting 90-day and TM 30 altogether as my friend is doing. Life is too short to worry about bureaucratic procedures.  

The fine only becomes an issue when you show up at immigration wanting to do something like a renewal of extension of stay etc.. so travel where you want. But before you do business with immigration submit a TM30  that matches with whatever address the documentation you are going to give them has for whatever business you need to do.

The TM 30 reporting for an expat on a long term extension of stay only really becomes an issue when the expat renews the extension of stay and the address immigration has on record doesn't match with what is shown when applying for the extension.

So, I'll just travel where and when I want to and when it comes time to do my extension, just to be safe, I'll go in and report that I am back in my condo etc.. etc.. a few days before I apply. Otherwise it is the LANDLORDS who are on the hook for the TM30. Or on the document "House Master" who is responsible.

I've traveled to Bangkok several times and have changed condos in Pattaya during this time. I reported my condo relocation myself (because the LANDLORD didn't know what to do) and there was no problem at all even though their computer records may have shown I was in a hotel before etc.. etc..

They will NEVER be able to completely confirm the residence of all the expats and their reported addresses ... too much work and would cost them too much. Not enough man power or money to go around checking where foreigners are living all the time..

Again, as usual on this forum, too much misinformation, not enough people willing to just go to the immigration office and ask. Relying on guessing and inexperience. I have personally NEVER used an agent to take care of my Immigration business.  I have done 3 retirement visas myself since 2012 living in and out of the country since then.

So this TM30 business, only really impacts those who don't understand it and believe the fear mongers on this forum.

I have a handout from Chonburi immigration that says not more than 3 days old. Not sure if that includes weekends but I would not chance it. I'll go to get another extension of stay for my retirement visa next week and will get the bank letter confirming my balance of over 800K THB the day before or on that day.

At Chonburi immigration the extension desk personnel are very approachable. I have gone there twice and asked them about a couple of things for me. They gave me the handout the last time I was there.

I suggest just going to the Phuket office and politely find a time in between their "customers" to ask the question. They may have a handout as well.

On 5/21/2019 at 3:10 PM, Orton Rd said:

AA is about not taking responsibility- I have a 'disease' only the grace of the fairy in the sky can save me. Founded by a Christian fundamentalist originally Christian but changed later to 'spiritual' Of limited help but if it works thank yourself not God.

And your qualifications for making such a blanket statement? Self appointed Doctor and expert on alcoholism?

On 8/3/2019 at 11:33 AM, Beggar said:

"I believe I am an alcoholic. But I am not sure if there are different types of alcoholic?

I mean, I can go weeks at a time without drinking - I don't "need" a drink. I do not drink at home. But any excuse to go out drinking, and I am there. My "problem" is that when I start, I cannot stop. If I went for a beer after work, I would continue on drinking with anyone that will participate, until 2,3,4, or even 5am. I don't get hangovers. I don't feel sick. "

 

I think there are different types of addictions. I was addicted to nicotine. It took me a whole year to quit smoking and it was a very hard time for me. Perhaps some people have the same experience with alcohol. In respect of alcohol I am like you. I don't need it. And if I drink too much I have no problems at all the next day. And I don't get really drunken. I just get very tired. But I am still fully concentrated. Often I cook complicated things before I sleep. The only problem is that I forget this sometimes and have to check the garbage bin and the fridge next day to find out that I cooked. But luckily such drinking sessions are not often. And I also have a strict rule that I never drink alcohol outside my condo. 

The book "Alcoholics Anonymous" describes alcoholism as an "Allergy of the body" coupled with an "Obsession of the mind"

And allergy is an "abnormal reaction to a substance"

At the beginning of the AA book in the chapter "The Doctors Opinion" the doctor goes on to describe how the allergy works in alcoholics. In short it means that alcoholics can't stop drinking once they start. Moderation is extremely difficult if not impossible for chronic or "real" alcoholics.

There are people with drinking problems that are not necessarily alcoholic IF they can moderate or stop altogether using their own will power. These people are considered "hard drinkers" in the AA book. Page 20 and 21.

In the AA book they also describe the "mental obsession" The mental obsession makes it very difficult for an alcoholic to stay sober for as along as they may want to. Most "real" alcoholics as described in the AA book want to stop but cannot do it permanently on their own will power. They cannot at CERTAIN TIMES use their own will power to keep from that first drink.

so in short - alcoholism is a LACK OF THE ABILITY TO CONTROL ONES DRINKING. -- this is as described by Alcoholics Anonymous.

the medical community may have many definitions or "symptoms" but it doesn't matter to me. I fit the description AA gives so I use AA's solution to abstain from drinking. I cannot safely drink even one drink because I'll just keep going once I start.

I also found that trying to keep from drinking on my own didn't usually work for more than about 2 months... most of the time less. I tried for 3 years. Then I went to AA and asked for help, got a sponsor and started doing the 12 steps. That was 26 years ago and I am grateful to AA's simple 12 step program for my sobriety.

On 7/4/2019 at 4:55 PM, taichiplanet said:

if you get the wife to do it then lao khao not needed

If you get the water buffalo to do it just need some weeds and a turd shovel.

50 minutes ago, uhuh said:

Dr Warin is Dr Leekpai.

His full name is Dr Warin Leekpai

ah, well there you go! I stand corrected although I was pretty sure the receptionist told me there were two Doctors practicing there... my Thai still could use some help LOL!!

3 minutes ago, FredGallaher said:

You correct but its not always a one to one ratio. Depends in strength. Using sequentially will work if there's a rinse step in between. I'd recommend: rinse, vinegar ( actually dilute acidic acid), rinse, Baking Soda ( sodium bicarbonate) then rinse again. The acid and base steps can be reversed.

thank you, makes good sense. I eat salad daily and buy vegetables at Makro each week. I've been just using tap water but a good rinse in baking soda and then vinegar sounds like the best way to go to avoid any chemical residue being consumed.

57 minutes ago, uhuh said:

BPH dental department is very good but overpriced

Dr Ramin (German dentist) is good,  more expensive than a Thai dentist (maybe 50% more), near Jomtien

Dr Warin (Opposite BigC Pattaya Klang) is the place to go if you need to save money (BPH quoted 20000, Ramin 12000, Warin solved the problem for 700 - ask me in 5 years whether it was a lasting solution)

 

Did a bit more searching around. Dr. Warin's office is called "Dental Care Center" and is quite about 1/2 kilometre down from Big C Pattaya Klang. I know because I have seen Dr. Leekpai at that same office. I had a bit of a bad experience with Leekpai as he did a quick and dirty filling on me that fell out after 1 month. I saw a Dr. in Bangkok who re did the filling and it is still in place 3 years. So I might try Warin or Leekpai again but stress that they be thorough. Many of these Thai dentists like to not use anesthetic and go ahead and drill for fillings. I don't like this because I think it makes them less likely to be thorough when drilling out the damaged portion of the tooth..sine the patient may experience pain with out the numbing down provided by the anesthetic... if they leave any bacteria or decay and put a filling over it... then you are in for a root canal later on... not FUN!!

39 minutes ago, uhuh said:

BPH dental department is very good but overpriced

Dr Ramin (German dentist) is good,  more expensive than a Thai dentist (maybe 50% more), near Jomtien

Dr Warin (Opposite BigC Pattaya Klang) is the place to go if you need to save money (BPH quoted 20000, Ramin 12000, Warin solved the problem for 700 - ask me in 5 years whether it was a lasting solution) 

 

Dr. Warin sounds like the right choice for me thank you. Do you know the name of the clinic? Can't find his name in Google search or google maps

2 minutes ago, oxysong said:

Could be Happy Smile by now,maybe utter confusion rampant.     If and when you arrive (hopefully) you will be pleased, I like the staff too,to a point, reception is a pleasure to deal with

OK, sure I understand. Do you happen to know the Dentists name. what I am of course interested in is the particular dentist and their skill. So, you say it was a female dentist that you saw. Do you know her name? Just in case the shop changed hands and another dentist owns it and runs it now ...

thanks kindly, likerdup1

48 minutes ago, oxysong said:

dozens coming up I guess. Just one I have been with for years,woman, Smile dentist,next door but one to Pattaya's finest optician First Optic. So professional and caring,makes me wonder why she does not practice abroad,beautiful sense of humour,cheap too,20 mins in the chair clean/polish 600 baht.   Had tooth extraction couple of years ago,did not realise a slightly built woman as her could manage a King Kong sized molar. Really good  Soi 17,or other way rear of Tukcom down to junction,turn left about 200 metres on right

There is a Happy Dental Clinic next door to First Optic.

https://goo.gl/maps/wgPLKpyDZUcnwmNeA

On 6/27/2019 at 1:33 PM, SiamAndy said:

To create the solution, what should the ratio of baking soda or white vinegar to water be?

Baking Soda is a "base" in chemist terms and Vinegar is an Acid in chemist terms. If you put equal amount of each in water they chemically cancel each other out... .. for Acid burns one would apply something alkaline to cancel it. I would assume you should use EITHER vinegar OR baking soda. Not both together

36 minutes ago, oxysong said:

dozens coming up I guess. Just one I have been with for years,woman, Smile dentist,next door but one to Pattaya's finest optician First Optic. So professional and caring,makes me wonder why she does not practice abroad,beautiful sense of humour,cheap too,20 mins in the chair clean/polish 600 baht.   Had tooth extraction couple of years ago,did not realise a slightly built woman as her could manage a King Kong sized molar. Really good  Soi 17,or other way rear of Tukcom down to junction,turn left about 200 metres on right

Thanks for your help, but I don't quite understand. Are you recommending Smile Dentist next door to First Optic? please clarify.. don't quite understand what you've written. Where / what street is the dental clinic on? Is it on Soi 17? .... looking on Google maps there are two Smile Dental clinics on 3rd road. So are you saying there is another one named Smile Dentist next door to First Optic?

I am in need of a dental check up and possible filling work. I live in the Pattaya Jomtien area and looking for any recommendations. Looking for reputable and thorough dentist.

thank you in advance for any help. Please only recommendations from personal experience.

On 5/21/2019 at 2:51 PM, Wilson Smith said:

The goal of the "program" is a spiritual awakening" !!!!! The principles of the program are spiritual. Everything about AA is spiritual. Yes "faith without works is dead" so lets go to where this statement comes from, "Turn our will over to the care of God" sound spiritual? yes this is the faith, now that one has turned his will over to the care of God, the action is to do the action steps which then produces a spiritual awakening "we suddenly realize God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves"

 

If it is not a spiritual program, please let us know what kind of program is it?   

You are absolutely correct on this... BUT AGAIN. The Big Book only describes alcoholism as a spiritual malady ONCE. It goes in depth descrbing it as a physical allergy coupled with a mental obsession. Any of the good AA Big Book teachers will tell you this. Joe and Charlie. Bob D and Scott L etc.. etc.. The spiritual awakening overcomes the mental obsession.

On 5/21/2019 at 9:35 AM, Wilson Smith said:

Dude you are delusional, good luck on your journey! 

If that's the best you can do - call me names... then I bid good luck to you and suggest you get a good sponsor, study the book and really take and informed look at what the AA program is. With the handle "wilson smith" I am surprised you have such a lack of understanding of what our literature states.