Bintang

Hi,

Anyone know where to get the Free Gov Jabs .

Most info about Bangkok .

I'm looking for help to get here in Pattaya.

Thanks in Advance.

Not sure why you cannot do via

Mohprompt App.

Regards

bintang

HI,

My wife is concidering a hemroid operation in Thailand later this year.

Just wondering if anyone could offer any advice as to the cost in baht we'd could expect to pay. And any other things we may need to consider.

We'd be looking at getting it done in Bangkok.

Appericate any info you'd be kind enough to share.

Bintang

Hi ,

I'm an Australian man who meet my Thai wife(Pen) in Thailand in 1998.

My wife was upfront from the start that she had 2 childern for me it was not a problem as if I loved her then they were part of the package.

For me there was nohingt to think about. The boys were aged 7 (Bee) & 9 (Ben)

At first they were stand offish, but as time went on we got closer and closer.

It was a long drawn out process to get them her. And we were told by everyone that it was next to impossible for me to get a thai lady with 2 kids from a previous relationship out her. But being someone that believes anything is possible we tried anyway.

And finally on 25 Dec 1999 they arrived in Australia (my Christmas present).

My worry then was how they would be accepted in the local school with no real english to make the transition any easier. But to my surprise they fitted very quickly and with in 6 mths spoke better English than their mother.

They are 13 (Bee) & 15 (Ben) the younger starting at High School next year where his older brother currently goes. I now look back at the sweet innocent kids they were and long for them to be like that now.

But as with any young kids exposed to western life style they are both into Rap music, clothing and play basketball. There intrest in anything Thai other than a holiday is just plain boring.

They still occasionlly watch a Thai movie or tv, but as for plucking the white hair from their mums head or under her arms . Well that's only accomplaished by threats or bribes :-).

If it was not for them playing Basketball then they'd spend there life playing comptuer games or on the net. Just getting them to go outside for a walk is

a major drama.

Gone are the days when they used to play chess with a beer carton as the borad and beer tops to play with their grandpa.

But then I suppose its the same with any western kid.

We have a great realtionship their mum work hard and I'm a shiftworker.

So I spend more time with them than their mum. I'm the cook, cleaner

and Mr Mum. The washing well that's a teram event down the local laundry mat.

The older they get the harder it is to keep the relationship as close as it's been.

It's a fine balancing act to be a father and friend, only time will tell.

Work mates say you know they will not be there for you in your older year.

Your not there real father. I say it does not matter to me, I didn't bring them out here with the thought of them looking after me.

I brought them out to offer them a better opportunity in life. There is no guarantee

in a real father son relationship it will work out.

Good Luck to us all as in the end thats all we have

Reagrds

Bintang

Thanks George.....

We live in Australia so would we be be required to apply for a ID Card at local Consulate for the boys.

My wife and 2 boys are still thai citizens at present.  I will leave it up to the boys to decided if they want to change to

Australian citizenship up or not.

Just think it's something they should think about and have a say in rather than just making it for them.  And there is no great rush for them to decide.

Just one more thing if my wife becomes a Australian citizen will she be able to buy/ own land in Thailand ?

Thanks once again for your time and  the information

Bintang

Hi,

At what age are you required to get a thai id card.

Thanks for any info

Binatng  

Thank you Mr Bintang. I do too. There seem to be complications now. Hanh is ill.

We're going to the doctor's office today to find out why. I was about to take her to the emergency room at 2AM.

Thank you for your best wishes

Rgrds

Mr Vietnam  

Hi Mr Vietnam,

Sorry to hear Hanh is ill, I hope she is well soon.

Will say a pray to Buddha tonight for her speedy recovery.

Best Wishes

Bintang

Thank you Mr Bintang. Hanh of course likes the higher quality of life in general here I think. Although she shows no interest in socializing or going anywhere. I think she has some fears which is normal.

However, when we lived in Thailand, she was the same way, although of course this is a much higher standard of living. Even in Vietnam, after we got to the point of living together, we spent most of the time together.

Me? Prefer? Oh of course I wish I didn't make the mistakes I made. I would probably not be back here. It's really changing and I don't like it. I enjoy being on other places where people in general avoid me because of language or whatever. I'm pretty much an introvert although a lot of people wouldn't think so since I sound like a roaring cat in the business world. I am though.

I'm fortunate that Hanh seems to be essentially the same. It's a good match.

When the business is rebuilt, I think we'll give Asia another whirl though.

Rgrds

Mr Vietnam  

Hi Mr Vietnam,

I undertand what are saying that the standard of living is better, but that come with a cost.

I have a thai wife and to sons we live in Australia and have seen big changes in the boys since moving here.

They play the computer/playstation all day long given the chance.  We have to be dragged to play outside even tho we live mintues from the beach. Now they only listen to rap music and wear rapper clothes.

When in thailand we tried to by them a few thai t-shirts or music.  They were not the least intrested.

When younger used to play chess with Grandpa with beer top

and cardboard for hours.

When last on Samui it was starting of the big hotels.  Has it lost it's charm totally yet.  Hope you get to return to Asia

before your new born is spoilt by her western surroundings.

Best wishes to Hanh and your good self

Bintang

Congratulations !!!

Mr Vietnam to you and the wife.

Whats the wife think of life in the USA ?

And just as imporant where would you like to live.

USA or ASIA ??

Bintang  

Qestion to those with kids, do you feel that your children will have a cool childhood in thailand compared to back home? Since most kids back home will be playing with play station these days... don't think so that's a memorable childhood hey? I think kids growing up here will have a wider perpestive about life overall.....

We have to 2 boys live in Australia, they have everything a kid would want and spend most of their time given the chance playing the computer all day.

Yet when in Thailand visiting family have a great time playing with brother, sister kids.  Sure there life has improved depending how you judge it.

But the thing I noticed is they have losted a certian quiet

and respectfulness they once had.  Growing up in Thailand

kids are exposed to some of the harder things in life and have a greater acceptance of others and no hang ups about sex.

Kids here when they get angry sware or call the other boys gay or poofter. I tell them I don't like them to use theses words.  Maybe it's part of being a (butch) male here in Oz ?

Their swearing certainly imporved since being here not sure if from the school yard or their mother. Hmmmmmmmm

I couldn't see that happening with a thai student or  am I wrong ?

Suppose it does not matter where you live, it's what you make of it and if you take the time to enjoy that matters.

Bintang

I read recently that a WiFi 'hotspot' has been set up at Don Muang airport. Anyway have any contact details for the service provider cos I can't seem to find their contact details.

cheers

25-06-03

Public broadband Internet to be launched in Bangkok

TelecomAsia outlines hotspot plans

BANGKOK: TelecomAsia is planning to set up 100 public broadband Internet kiosks as well as up to 100 Internet wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) hotspots in Bangkok this year.

TA director and general manager Noppadol Dej-udom noted that the broadband Internet kiosks will be dubbed "TA Stations" and the first four units will be set up in the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

The kiosks will complement TA's first public wireless Internet service in the convention centre, which it announced last week.

Mr Noppadol said each TA Station would be coin-operated and would also be installed at fastfood chain stores soon.

Around 50 kiosks will be set up initially and TA expects to increase the access service to 100 kiosks by the end of this year.

Each TA Station will also provide Wi-Fi access. As a result, one kiosk can serve not only those who use the kiosk, but also support up to eight concurrent Internet users nearby.

The stations will be linked to its high-speed fibre network.

"The kiosk will include a seat and a web cam for video chatting. Users can enjoy eating while surfing the Internet," Mr Noppadol noted.

Meanwhile, TA will launch its public wireless Internet hotspots at IT Mall Fortune Town before implementing further hotspots in office buildings, schools, department stores and airports.

Currently, the price for TA's broadband Internet service is 3 baht per minute.

Mr Noppadol said TA plans to set up 100 hotspots this year.

TA also has wireless Internet packages for home users and small and medium enterprises.

"We believe that when users try broadband, they will not want to come back to lower speeds. Therefore, we want to make the availability of the access as widespread as possible," he noted.

Source: Mobile Commerce

From Thaivisa.com

Binatng  

Hi mijan24,

Here's the latest about ANZ -Thai Military

Thai bank talk weighs on ANZ

By Anthony Hughes

June 21 2003

Investors have taken exception to the prospect that ANZ may soon invest up to $200 million in Thailand's Thai Military Bank.

The bank has been in talks for several months about a possible investment in the Thai business after chief executive John McFarlane signalled on April 9 that ANZ expects to invest 5 to 10 per cent of its capital in Asia over time.

According to Dow Jones, Thai Finance Minister Suchart Jaovisidha said yesterday that the Thai bank had reached a basic agreement for ANZ to take a 10 to 20 per cent stake.

But an ANZ spokesman said: "We were very surprised by these comments. There's still a considerable difference to go in terms of working through that opportunity and while they have a deadline for their recapitalisation in the next couple of weeks, our timeline is it will take another couple of weeks to finalise something."

ANZ investors gave a very clear signal that they would not look fondly on such a move, wiping 31c, or $470 million, off the value of the bank.

  advertisement

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The shares closed at $18.92.

Some analysts have questioned whether ANZ is serious about its Asian intentions but it already has an investment in PT Panin Bank in Indonesia and recently signed agreements for ventures in China and the Philippines.

Still, it is believed that there is in fact less than a 50 per cent chance that ANZ will proceed with the investment in Thai Military Bank, which is recapitalising to ensure it can stay in business after absorbing massive bad debt provisions.

The Thai Government also indicated it would buy some shares in the bank.

Mr McFarlane told investors after the half-year results that it was important that ANZ look abroad for growth to ensure it had a strong future.

However, it would not be making the big bets that cost in dearly in the past, such as the former South Asian arm, ANZ Grindlays, which was sold.

Some analysts had hoped ANZ would apply any spare capital to buying back its own shares, but it did not announce a buyback at its half-yearly results.

Bintang  ???

Gee.  Never have found a Thai who could not work around little problems like not knowing an ATM from a computer game.  Hope your luck holds.  

They just give the card to someone else.  I am always behind the 'chosen one' with ten cards and a list of pins making withdrawls.

My Luck run out My wife's friend (Aussie) has shown her how to use it. And dam it all see's remebered the pin number.

I knew I should have asked for 29 digits.  

So I got her a credit card which is like to our account.

And you guess it no ordinary card would do other than a Gold Card..

Everything has to be the biggest and best.

Even me !!!   (only around the gut ) ???

I think have not been able to see below belly for a while.

The reason being we are trasfering money to whoever.

The last thing you'd want to do is let them have access to your account

In that case you open a new account for this use only at your home country bank.  You send/take atm card to friend.  Provide PIN.  They then use to withdraw funds.  You control by the amount/time you deposit into this new account.  It works.

Hi, lopburi3

Did this with wife worked Ok until the ATM (thai) eat the card.

Had a bit of trouble explaining to Oz bank how a thai ATm eat the card.  

Ma & Pa not ATM savy.

The wife can never remember her Pin number, has a card for show.

Impress her freinds....

Saves me heaps    

Hi Surin,

The reason being we are trasfering money to whoever.

The last thing you'd want to do is let them have access to your account.

Thanks mijan 24 :-)

I fogot to mention you can transfer from your Westpac account to Thailand from home.

I've used it to transfer money to Ma & Pa ( Bank of Bangkok)

As well as other Thai Banks...

The other banks too longer as it depends on them to how quick the transfer on and if they charge for this....

As with most banks they will check the money has left your account and there bank Weatpc.  But from there on if you want to chase it up they charge $30 or more to trace.

Took up to 2 weeks with non Bank of Bangkok transfer.

Regards

Bintang

From The Australian Newspaper- Sydney

Arrests uncover embassy bomb plot

By Kimina Lyall, Southeast Asia correspondent, Bangkok

June 11, 2003

ARRESTS by Thai police have revealed that Jemaah Islamiah resurrected its Singapore plans to bomb an Australian embassy, this time moving the location to Bangkok.

The Australian understands the Australian embassy was one of five missions targeted in the Bangkok plan, which involved senior Singaporean and Malaysian JI members who were also plotting to target tourists in the Thai tourist resorts of Phuket and Pattaya.

The revelations yesterday came as Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in Washington on a five-day official visit, during which he is expected to stress Thailand's commitment to the war on terrorism.

Since September 11 and again after the Bali bombings, Mr Thaksin denied terrorists were operating in Thailand.

But in recent weeks evidence that Thailand has become a new hub of JI activity has mounted.

In mid-May, the Thai Special Branch arrested 42-year-old Singaporean Arifin bin Ali, also known as John Wong Ah Hung, a senior JI leader who was wanted by Singapore for his involvement in a 2001 plan to bomb embassies.

Thai police yesterday arrested three men in southern Thailand who were connected with the embassy plot, and, The Australian understands, with a Cambodian cell broken up by Cambodian police last month.

Soon after Arifin's arrest, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade revised its travel warning regarding Thailand, adding the popular seaside town of Pattaya to its list for the first time and specifying that the Australian embassy in Bangkok had increased its security. The Singapore Government issued a statement saying Arifin had been sent to Singapore, where he has been detained under its controversial Internal Security Act. Describing him as a "senior member" of JI, it said he trained in explosives in the notorious Abu Bakar training camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the southern Philippines in 1999.

After the arrests of JI members in Singapore in December 2001, Arifin fled to Malaysia and then travelled with other JI members to Thailand.

There, they resurrected the foiled Singapore plan to bomb Western embassies and the Israeli mission, and also planned to hijack a plane in Bangkok and crash it into Singapore's Changi airport.

"Arifin has disclosed . . . that he is involved with a group of like-minded individuals in planning terrorist attacks against certain targets in Thailand. Five foreign embassies, including the Singapore embassy in Bangkok, were among those targeted," the Singapore statement said.

Wetspac is link with Bank Of Bangkok any money sent is there with in a day or two.

Cost $20 to send via net

Think it's $30 at the counter

Hope this helps

Bintang