leo12345

Phuket has changed for the worse, but only in the eyes of the people there to see it change.

For first timers they think its paradise.

I am sure all tourist areas of the world and their long staying expats have seen changes that they dont like.

But many of the stated problems are everywhere in the world.

Wherever makes you happy is where you should be.

Excellent post.

For 6 years i went to Phuket 3 times a year but for all the usual reasons I now give it a wide berth! Pattaya is a lot cheaper and welcoming and I find the locals and expats no problem..Phuket sucks big time.. But I do not live their either...

I lived and worked in Phuket and the south for 3 years. I have some great friends and i can differenciate between the money hungry ones who are;

Tuk tuks and vendors hom are not Phuket natives.

I moved to BKK because I need more of the citry life and better work options.

Where i live i have thai neighbours om are good friends, invite me over to eat & drink, bring me food to my home and never ask me for anything.

If you make an effort to adapt to the county yo are living in and adapt to the culture things work quite fine.

I wait to see how business owners cope with 300 baht per day minimum and 15000 baht salary out of university.

And when these salaries do go up, how will that affect costs of living expenses? As that will have to go up to meet the wage increase.

The Thai Government is the 13th richest government in the world as by 2011 stastitistics.

Makes you wonder.....

I guess I need to ask what do you think the qualifications of a Prime Minister should be?

There have been many (Heads of State) who appear to lack academic background.

I think many of you could be under estimating her greatly.

I thought it was a good article, shows she has a common sense aspect.

The comments I have read seem be preconceived notions anyway.

Preconceived???

So under 60 days expence qualifies somebody to run a country, (If she will be doing it 100% indepently).

I call it a blind gamble or a window blind covering behind the scenes

The Thai oven is where you grill food and coverwith a bowl

Its all quite obvious why she is PM.

Let's just hope she does not screw it up even more.

A flash handbag and a pretty smile can only go so far

Depending on the situation it means, yes sir, acknowledged and it is also a reply to sawadeekap

Boob Boom usually means $$

I guess everyone knows who you hang out with.

How intelligently assumptuous of you.

I guess you must pay in THB then

Oh, and don`t forget to leave 4 plastic water bottles half filled with water next to your wheels....to stop any dogs (if you have any ?) pissing on your pride and joy... piss WILL damage your alloys over time..

Actually, they have "no piss" tire shine now and it works quite well.

Really? Where may I find this product?

The farangs without helmets and with/without their family riding along....they are generally such good riders with superior riding skillst hat they never have accidents..

at least that's what they tell me

Hopefully a member of a non crash helmet wearing family will enlighten us all as too why they risk their lives and their family's lives doing this.. I for one would like to know the answer!!

When in Rome do as the Romans do

Wow so as a parent you let your children on a motorbike with no protection just because this is what Thai people do, irresponsible to say the least springs to mind!! still it's their responsibility and they would have to live with the consequences, up to them!!

I would never even le them on a motorbike in Thailand

Love it and Thaimatized

Holden Cruze is fast becoming one of the most popular cars in OZ now.

But I am still waiting to test drive the new civic before i go shopping.

Phuket has changed for the worse, but only in the eyes of the people there to see it change.

For first timers they think its paradise.

I am sure all tourist areas of the world and their long staying expats have seen changes that they dont like.

But many of the stated problems are everywhere in the world.

Wherever makes you happy is where you should be.

She probably just wanted to show you how much she loves you

Boob Boom usually means $$

One generalization is sure, Any Thai driving an expensive car has not been trained in the art of indicating when changing lanes and lead foot driving.

This is not being harsh as i see this every day from every Benz and BMW

As mentioned before make sure you hold the conversation by yourself.

If there are points you do not understand then call your wife to translate only a word you do not understand.

Make sure after that you ask her to get the builder a glass of water or something so that she will leave.

You also have to be there 99% opf the time to see what they are doing or something WILL go wrong.

You might feelt the best about loosing your temper, however if you received the wrong petrol for your car and tried to talk to him after you would have had a much harder problem.

The two main grass types I have seen here is Japanese and Malaysian.

Malaysian grass has wider leaves and does not need too much sun.

However Japanese looks better, grows faster, but needs alot of sun and frequent watering.

I feel that due to our infamous reputation we put up a shield as to who we accept as a friend.

However the things i like to do and the people that share my interests are scarce.

If it wasn't for my wife and kids i would have been gone

We have had 5 nannies all ranging from 5500 - 10000.

The best one was the cheapest but she started stealing so we had to finish her.

The one we have now is 10,000 because we wanted someone with experience.

I would not say she is the best but she is ok.

Be careful of nannies that know too much and push on the "feel sorry" factor to get their job higher paid and less work.

At the end of the day this is someone who will be in your house and aropund your families so make sure you get the right one.

Thanks all for all the useful advice.

I think I will wait and see what happens with the new govt regarding processing.

And will definitely look further into Mario 2008 post.

Go to Laem Singh beach on a sunday afternoon.

Nice beach, good vibe

I know someone who invented the 3rd face

if you get into a taxi and the driver says "ok ok", get out and change taxis

I have been in Thailand working now for nearly 6 years.

I am married with 2 children.

I currently live on a non B visa and hold a work permit.

We bought a house 1 year ago.

What are my chances of ability to stay here as a resident?

Note I am only 34, so a long time before eligeble for retirement.