rezbin

People... watch the youtube video.. you will realize these are not hydrogen, or helium balloons. They are your run of the mill, air filled balloons. They don't float when dropped or thrown (as shown in the video).

With regards to the balloons (and the video posted above), the balloons the guy had were not hydrogen, or helium, or any other 'lighter than air' gas. In the cam video of the incident, the guy throws the balloons, and they fell, never floated away, so I would suspect it was filled with air, or other inert gas.

One of the rules for no balloons (according to my wife) is not due to the gas held in the balloon, but the noise it makes when somebody pops them on the BTS. The sound can confused with a gunshot, or a bomb causing mass panic.

My wife has been fallowing this story on Sanook, and the arguing will not stop. Some are so mad, that they actually found (and publicized) the guys work information (address, etc..). What they plan on doing with this information is unknown, but with the heat in the thread there, I don't suspect anything good.

I actually did a little testing, and found that the best performance (world-wide), is to VPN to Singapore, which will give you low latency (~75ms) to their server, and better access to US and European servers, much better than what Thailand provides directly anyhow.

This does not resolve hulu or other US-only services, but it does help for all other types of general traffic.

I use HMA myself for business, and find that the US vpn connections vary a lot in performance. I found good luck with Vegas, and also use pptp as opposed to openvpn, as it seems to perform better overall, especially for web traffic like Hulu.

I just did a quick test here, and our 3BB, TOT, Sophon, CAT, and True connections are working without issues outside of Thailand.

Why even bother? Police corruption is a major issue, and they simply want to smack the hands of the offenders. I suspect the 'higher-ups' are just as guilty, and they would want the same treatment when they are found out. Setting up the precedence for their own inevitable smack down.

Based on the new construction going on in Tukcom right now (new units in the basement, renovation of the food hall, repairing the floors and toilets, etc), I would think they are opening a second branch, and won't be closing this one down. It gets far too much business, and opening a second branch makes sense.

During my stay here, I met a nice British fellow that was on a 30 day holiday (second time here). He was enjoying himself quite a bit and decided to stay 5 extra days over this with full knowledge, but not knowing the penalties. He went to the soi 8 police because he did not know what he had to do, if anything. They simply told him to go to Jomtien soi 5, and even got a baht bus to bring him there (on his penny of course, 200 baht). He paid a small overstay file, and they issued him an extension without any problems. -- I guess it all depends on who you talk too.

I've been working here for a few years now (4), and have had to deal with immigration on many occasions (including the 90-day check-ins).

To be honest, immigration (Jomtien soi 5) can be a little hectic at times, especially on Mondays, or after a major holiday, however I have always felt that the staff there were very courteous, and understanding. Not once have we had to give 'tee money', or anything else out of the ordinary, and have always been treated quite civil. One time, one of my co-workers was a little late (ie. 3 days) on his visa renewal and had to fly out of the country on business in two days (obviously needing a visa to get back - this was a big oversight on our layers part who keeps tabs on the renewal dates). He was granted a complementary 60 day visa stamp w/ re-entry on the spot without having to pay more than what was needed to cover the overstay.

When he got back, he hit Laem Chabang's BOI office and they revoked the 60-day, and have him his new 1-year stamp (and WP the next day).

No corruption from the immigration officers, or BOI office in Bangkok and Laem Chabang during our entire employment here (including company creation, et'all).

On the first week of being here, I lost my passport on a baht bus and was panicking.. I went to the police on soi 8 to file a report. They simply told me to go to Bangkok and get a new passport issues - but not after waiting 1 week to see if the passport will show up at the police station. They had a big box of lost passports they got me to shuffle through at the time.

I came back one week later, and lo and behold, my passport showed up, brought in by the baht-bus driver (he also attached a note with his phone, taxi number, and name). I gave the guy 1k baht for his trouble, and I have to say he was quite happy. The police never asked me for anything, except for, I think 100 baht to file the report or something like that on the first day.. but nothing once I claimed my passport.

Now.. My wife's brother drives a low-rider isuzu (modified) which is illegal in Thailand, and quite frankly, very inconvenient due to the inability to go over speed bumps or steep inclines head-on. He gets stopped quite often on the Sukhumvit because of this.. he is given a choice of 100 baht now (on the down-low), or a 1000 baht fine at the police station.. Of course he chooses the former, and they let him go without issues. This happens daily as he worked in Rayong at the time.

Now with his new Toyota, he hasn't been stopped once in the past 6 months, except on a few occasions where they do random checks. None of those times he had to pay the police a thing.

I guess the moral of the story is.. There is a level of corruption, but mostly beneficial to westerners (my brother-in-law is Thai fwiw). If you step out of line, or do something deliberately stupid, or simply act like a dick then you can expect some repercussions.

It has many health benefits, and some also consider it a steroid alternative.

@softgeorge..

The main point of the seminar is not teaching us what is right or what is wrong.. The point is 'what if' we get in a sticky situation, and say... kill somebody, either by accident, or in rage. What are our rights, and how does the Thai legal system work.

All in all, it was quite valuable.

@SabaiBKK,

I totally agree. These seminars are quite good, and the one on civil law will be especially useful. I am very thankful they have dedicated the time to do all this... and not to mention, free for us to participate.

.. and it's over.

All in all, not tooo bad, but I think the beginning ran a little long with the introduction to the Thai Legal System bit.

@SabaiBKK,

I've not seen any news worthy posts or articles regarding this. If you can track down the URL, I am quite interested.

I know a Chinese firm purchased 49% or so of sanook last year if I recall. From what I hear, they are still in Bangkok, with Thai staff running it.

the statute of limitations for murder is 15 years? Did I hear that right?

They are answering our questions now.. The speaker is getting a little confused, but good stuff non the less.

@Wavefloater.. a popular Thai ran website that comes to mind, is sanook.com.

sanook is chinese owned

Yes, it is Thai owned and operated.

% [whois.apnic.net node-2]

% Whois data copyright terms http://www.apnic.net...bcopyright.html

inetnum: 203.107.128.0 - 203.107.255.255

netname: COMNET-TH

descr: KSC Commercial Internet Co. Ltd.

descr: 2/4 Samaggi Insurance Tower 10th Fl.,

descr: Viphavadee-Rangsit RD

descr: Thungsonghong, Laksi

descr: Bangkok 10210

country: TH

[--- snip ---]

----------------

Server IP 203.107.164.221

Country Thailand

Region Krung Thep

City Bangkok

Internet Service Provider Ksc Commercial Internet Co. Ltd

Server Host Name 203.107.164.221

They mentioned on the video that they will answer thaivisa and expat club questions after the presenter is finished with his 'what rights do criminals have' speech.

@Wavefloater.. a popular Thai ran website that comes to mind, is sanook.com.

The video they are showing is more suited to a 5th grade school room, but interesting non the less.

My work place has 3BB, TOT, and Sophon Cable (in Pattaya). The streaming works flawlessly over all three. I hope those of you with issues can get it sorted out soon, as they will continue about 2:45pm.

The video is valuable, thank you for streaming it!

Also, the presenter's English is more than adequate, and easy enough to understand.

I am married and have a family, and am interested in the property laws.. I hope some of the questions presented in the thaivisa Q&A thread are answered.

The TOPS member card does have it's benefits, and is easy (and free) to get. The baked goods are quite good, as is the meat selection and pricing. Really, we have rarely had anything to complain about going there, and have always considered it the 'cheaper' alternative to Central, and far more convenient then going to the larger supermarkets.

Tops and Friendship (both near our condo) are quite good, and comparable in price, though Tops is more 'Family' friendly as far as products go.

I've found Tops (here, in Pattaya) to be quite reasonable in price, comparable to the larger supermarkets, and cheaper than Central Food Hall. It's fresh produce is a little higher priced in some areas, but my wife typically gets this from the outdoor markets anyhow. Processed foods, and baby supplies are all 'on par' price wise.

>> staff members will need counseling support as they realise how close they were to being shot. <<

Would this not indicate that they were in fact NOT shot, and instead were injured by shattered glass, or something similar when the car was shot at?