Dr. Burrito

Hi,

I'm just curious if mobile operators in Thailand are able to charge premium rates for calls to special programs or programs on domestic calls?

Say for example, charging 40 baht or more for a call rather than the normal rate and with full knowledge of the user as well that they are being charged this rate. For the purposes of this question, it would be calls into a special prize line where they are trying to win a contest, rather than downloading something.

Thanks for any information. Also, if anyone has really solid contacts at the local telcos and is interested in some business perhaps, then please send me a PM.

Thanks,

Dr. B

Can't say that I know them, actually. I do think though, saying dirty tricks are illegal is hardly a true statement. There are so many unpleasant rules in the law, that if properly enforced, do massive damage to any company or individual in any country. Coming from the states, the tort system alone is proof of that.

But lawyers as earlier suggested are just a useless path in my opinion, at least in this country.

That said, skeletons in closets here are a painful thing to have some government official investigating, at least I would think anyway, and I know these guys are operating way outside the proper path of the law, which is something I can at least say, I am not. That said, knowing someone is not operating correctly doesn't make me qualified to know how to use it against them. I've only every really sought 'revenge' if that is what you want to call it, once in my my life, and that time, I admit it was very satisfying, because it kept other people from getting screwed down the road.

This time, it has cut too deep, and I don't really care to bleed alone. Call it vindictive if you will, or bad karma, or anything else, but at least if this clown learns a lesson, maybe someone else in the future won't go through the same crap.

if its legal its not dirty! its means you are not a good businessman!

You sure as hel_l got that right, it seems anyway.

Guess everything is <deleted> paperwork trail hel_l from now on, even crossing the street with one of these bozos.

Dr. B

As a farang and doing business with both Thais and other farang from time to time, I have come to the conclusion the farang are more devious, etc, than most of the Thais. Having recently, and I hope this time for the last time, been done by yet another farang, I am curious about what DIRTY TRICKS, legal ones mind you, one has as recourse against these illegally formed, non-work permit issuing, probably tax avoiding companies.

I am assuming there are various government agencies that love to poke their noses into doors and discover bad bookkeeping and other inappropriate practices.

Any experiences or opinions about how to do it, and again, I mean 100% legally. Being legal doesn't mean it's not a ditry trick.

Dr. B

It's the lack of qualifying their potential client before they call that kills them. Just the fact an investment adviser would call me is funny. Don't you need cash to invest?

Dr. B

Well, if you are in Bangkok proper, then one of the best teacher's I know of Tony. His number is 0847172587

I believe he now teaches at both Ekkamai 42 range and at Nuan Chan

He used to run a David Ledbetter Academy.

He took a lot of strokes off my score.

Dr. B

The Thailand PGA Tour is separate of the Asian Tour and the information I have from a friend with the same goal is he tried and it was shot down. According to him anyway, a Westerner, it is only for Thais, but I can certainly stand corrected if someone has better information.

Certainly if you are wanting to take this up with any gusto and regularity, then do as Gluestick said, find the pro at your driving range. Getting lessons from the start will put you ahead of people such as myself entrenched in bad habits and muscle memory that refuses to be corrected.

I've tried listening to 88FM, but other than Paul Jackson, I can't stomach the clowns and other personalities they have on the air.

I say that, but I stopped listening several months ago, perhaps they have changed them, or at least I hope so, then I could try it again.

Hilarious, obviously it didn't happen

Well, who comes up with this sort of stuff anyway? 50 billion baht? What did this fellow think, that he was in Dubai or something?

Gotta give this Lawes fellow credit though for having cajones big as a bowling ball or admit he was, or possibly still is, completely off his rocker.

Dr. B

Ran across this in a search on google about one of the principals.

Whatever happened with this laughable idea anyway?

Dr. B

<font color='#000000'>Bt50 billion sought for Hollywood dream world

Published on Aug 30, 2003

A group of companies is looking for investors for a grandiose plan to turn Thailand into the "Hollywood of Asia".

The Hollywood of Asia project will cost Bt50 billion and include a film studio, a theme park, a university, a golf course, a Grand Prix race circuit, and a hotel and housing complexes.

A monorail will connect all facilities on the purpose-built complex, which will also include satellite broadcast facilities.

The umbrella firm for the group of companies behind the project is Location Thailand, headed by Australian-born Ric Lawes.

It wants investors to put up Bt50 billion to build the facilities.

Location Thailand and its partners will build a state-of-the-art international multistage film production studio, an "eco" theme park, and a transport service including stretch limousines for visiting stars.

It also said it would build an internationally accredited university for degrees in disciplines suited to the film industry.

A monorail will connect all the facilities, which will also include an international golf course, a Grand Prix race circuit, and hotel and housing complexes for movie crews and their families.

"The capital investment in this project will translate into more than 20,000 jobs in Thailand," Lawes said.

"[it will also] contribute to a massive increase in tourism, and an estimated increase in gross domestic product for goods and services of around Bt 1.2 billion per annum."

The first stage of the project would take seven years to build, and it would take 15 years to full completion.

"The average US film can be filmed in Thailand at less than half the cost of a US production," Lawes said.

"With ongoing problems from the Screen Actors Guild and unions like the militant Teamsters, costs in the US are always likely to be an issue. Delays in production are extremely costly and can break a producer."

But Lawes admitted that even with lower costs, Hollywood movies made in Thailand could still exceed their budgets.

An example of this is ' The Beach', a movie shot in 1999 in a number of locations around Thailand.

The first step in the Hollywood of Asia project was to identify local personnel with the experience to represent Thailand at an international level, Lawes said.

"The next step is to train and educate people to handle the increase in demand for crews and equipment," he said.

"Unfortunately, the current market situation bogs down at around three major productions happening at one time."

Lawes said the Hollywood of Asia project section handling the educational aspects would conduct 15 hours of lectures weekly, and about 40 hours practical instruction working on productions. This was the only way to enhance accreditation among Thai involved in the movie industry, he said.

Ken Ywin

-- THE NATION 2003-08-30</font>

Another great teacher who also works at Tee Off on 42 as well as at Nuanchan is Tony (affectionately called Big Tony). He's a Thai-American who used to run a Leadbetter Academy.

He is expensive, but he knows the golf swing as well as anyone I have ever met. His instruction is not general, it is specific and exact. He has helped my game immensely.

His number is 0847172587

Dr. B

when expats go native and do business with no regard for western business ethics.

Maccaroni Man hit it for me. We recently brought in a contract from overseas and handed it over to an expat to help us, as we were simply swamped. We thought we were dealing with a straight shooter, when in fact he has made an art, and I guess a decent living given what he took us for, of creating opaque accounting and bundles of lies so thick he can use them for a bridge to hel_l.

I will never easily trust another expat again, which means them getting a contract from us will be a painful process for all concerned, but lesson learned.

I can only guess he and people like him fled to distant locations where they could hide from their resumes of failure and deceit. Hopefully, this fellow is at the end of his run here, as the more we dig, the more we find he has utterly ruined his reputation here now as well. Perhaps expat communities in Russia or China will be his next victims.

Dr. B

What does anyone know of KIS over near Ming Jai (not sure of spelling)?

Thanks,

Dr. B

Get in touch with the people at Witch's Tavern on ThongLor. They go out the last Wednesday of every month

Dr. B

Hi;

we are looking to find a beautiful place to shoot a commercial near Chiang Mai. I would reckon the resorts are the best place to start. Does anyone know of a great place in the hills/mountains with a view to die for at sunset?

What I have heard of through a friend is something called MON KAEW DOI KHAM and PANVIMAN. Is this one place or two? I found a link to Panviman and it looks very nice, but still trying to get information on the other, unless it is one and the same.

Thanks

Dr. B

There is a place on Sukhumvit 25, Thailand Hotel that has good rates, private baths and is steps from Sukhumvit itself and a short walk to the Asoke station.

Everyone I know that has stayed there has been more than pleased for the value and price.

Dr. B

We need to build a database of foreign talent available in Thailand between the ages of 25-35, male and female.

This is primarily for print jobs, but might apply to commercials or films from time to time. The print jobs pay better for sure, usually starting at 7,500 baht per day and going up from there depending on the media buy and market.

Extra jobs for commercials and films are probably 2,000 - 3,000 baht a day at best.

Interested parties please send recent photos and particulars (age, weight, sizes, etc) by PM along with a contact number.

We have two big print jobs coming later in May and in June, so please send any pictures quickly.

Thanks,

Dr. B

The bakery at Bei Otto on Sukhumvit 20 sells some very, very nice loaf bread.

MultGrain, Kraft Korn and more.

Dr. B

In a previous life, I worked with my Dad, raising sweet potatoes, tomatoes, watermelons, corn and cattle on about 1500 acres in Texas. The one thing it had in common I guess with farming here is sheer manpower needs, but the gear we could put on the ground there when needed would never be found here I am sure.

Not farming at present and not sure I will again, but if I did, it would probably be similar products if I could rent enough of Issan to do it right.

Dr. B

We have a neighbor with a yappy little mutt. He's mostly harmless, but he always charges from the gate, full bark on and scares the bejesus out of my little ones, which is totally unacceptable.

I tried introducing the little chappie to my kids, but neither party was having that and the behavior continued.

Finally, one terrified kid episode too many, I knocked on my neighbors door and simply explained enough was enough. I kept calm with her about it and explained it just wasn't right having her little dog scaring the &lt;deleted&gt; out of my kids and occasionally depositing fecal matter in the street (but admittedly, not often).

She kindly agreed and the little guy has been locked inside ever since, as my offer to help discipline the little guy rather worried her I think.

They aren't as friendly with us when we walk by as before, but they do keep the dog locked away so sometimes common sense and manners do work here.

Dr. B

I'm not sure what they sell, but there is a nice looking tea shop on Thong Lor, the odd number side of the street fairly close to Sukhumvit. They might have some nice offerings.

Sorry I can' be more specific.

Dr. B

ps; no doubt, Chinatown has plenty

Golf and sleep, lots of both.

Hi Folks,

A mate asked me where he could buy good old vinyl LP's and I had no idea.

Any answers to this rather simple queston?

Thanks,

Dr. B

Well, if he's only an associate, you don't owe the guy anything after all.

Associate or Friend...it shouldn't matter. If your company is in a position that it NEEDS this type of association, then your company is doomed to fail by this very association.

On the other hand, if you are a well-organized and progressive company, then you don't need this association to jeopardize your business.

Open your umbrella and walk through this storm to sunnier pastures.

Nah, we won't die without their services. Mostly, it's that he and his mates seem like nice enough guys and I'd rather see them do well than bad. He and I used to both work at another place before he went into business for himself, so there has been a continuing association based on that more than anything else.

On the other hand, if they are on the slippery slope, then so be it too.

I think I might have misspoke above to when I said scares me think of what would happen if I did it. I wasn't referring to doing business with them so much as what would happen if we were organized the same way and taking such chances, though doing business with them is clearly not the best option either.

That said, given the amount of proxy firms 'owned' by foreigners here, perhaps he is insulated by sheer volume. For his sake, I certainly hope so anyway.

Dr. B