Estrada

"Gas cylinders in deep South to be changed for security".

The insurgents are laughing as they will now have a lot of old metal gas cylinders at give away prices!

So what? composite cylinders can't be blown up with detonators? maybe less damage, but still

damage non the less....and so instead one cylinder they will use two of them, where is the solution

here?

No... they are explosion proof. Check the manufactures web sites.

The same will happen as what happened to the bus lanes.

Please look at this link to super rich locations.

They are close to where you are, and easy to get to via BTS:

Bad luck on having to do the exchange ... have a safe journey.

http://www.superrich1965.com/location.php

But please note on the list that only some sell you GBPs. The branches on the BTS stations only buy GBPs not sell. At the airport they sell GBPs although the exchange rate is less by B0.40 per GBP bought. So GBP 1,000 would cost you B400 more than going to the Head office Rajadamri or Silom Branch.

If they ever get around to building a Nuclear Power Plant here in Thailand,

I will be on the first plane out.with someone like Somchai Simpson at the

controls. Lets see how they get on with the Fast Trains first !.

regards Worgeordie

You better get the next flight out then. Thailand has been operating Nuclear Power Plants for the last 53 years, since 1962. there are now two plants. France has 58 reactors, the UK only 16 although we started out as World Leaders in the Technology. Thailand has a 53 year proven track record of safely operating Nuclear Power Plants.

It is not advisable to let your passport, I.D., driving licences or credit cards out of your sight unless you want them copied by criminals.

99% to have been a fix. But they could hardly have given the award to the dregs of humanity that appear on the BBC documentary about Suvarnbhumi Airport.

Ever seen a Thai couple having an argument? Due to the culture of non-confrontation, they just give each other the silent treatment until one of them breaks. They are not good at discussing feelings. You could wait for her to think hard about your relationship or better still find another love interest.

I have never had a problem with True getting bills delivered to my house and I have several accounts. I have had problems with SIMs stopping working and they replaced them straight away at their shop. The only real problem I have had is with their pre-paid when they discontinued my number and kept my money, also with registering my address for my prepaid SIM. However that was sorted out by the shop and now the prepaid can be extended by 6 months by paying around B10. I also have true internet and they are very helpful if I have a problem. So I am happy with their service over the last 20 years I have been with them. We also have AIS and DTAC whose service is much the same.

I have banked with Bangkok Bank Seacon Square for 20years with a savings account and a business account. Last month I tried to open a time deposit account as usual for my 800K and they first asked me if I was American as the don't want the hassle with reporting. I told them I was not and they said that is OK but I must provide a letter from my Embassy of proof of residence. I told them I had banked with them for 20years and that they had the proof of residence because they send me statements every month to my home address. I also told them that the Embassy cannot provide proof of residence without a letter from them giving proof of residence as these details are only known by them. In fact only your bank knows where you actually live, Immigration and your embassy only have your word for it, not proof.

In the end I called the Bank Manager over and she told me it was a new regulation which all the banks are supposed to follow, but that it was illogical as indeed the only the Bank for sure knows where I live. So after 30 minutes of debate, I got my Time Deposit Account with passport only (driving license no longer accepted).

The problem all started with America World Police's requirements for foreign banks to provide information on their countryman's financial dealings abroad.

This is BS as the MRTA just announced that it will be officially opened on December 5th 2016. The Transport Minister knows that there is no way that speeding up the delivery of the trains is going to help open the track earlier, as the are a lot of unfinished M&E work to be completed. The first test runs are likely to be in August as previously stated. He is being pressurized from above to complete the job and has given up trying to explain to his bosses why it cannot be ready in April 2016.

There is gold, and there is gold jewelry.

Does anyone have an estimate of how many baht worth of gold there is in say 100,000 baht of jewelry?

For sure, in Europe buying jewelry as an investment in gold would be ridiculous.

Genuine Thai Jewelry is 96.5% pure. As of today's Gold Bullion Price your B100,000 worth of jewelry is 5.59 Baht (2.69 ounces of 0.08kgs)

Prediction is $850/oz by end of year and will likely fall a lot further in 2016, possibly to $400/oz. Gold is a safe haven in time of crisis so wait for the next global stock market crash, which is likely to happen in 2019, then buy.

"Sansern said a recent ban on alcohol sales within 300 meters (feet) of educational institutes should be strictly followed"

So is it optional? 300 metres OR 300 feet?

Once again, staggered by the feeble standard of editing in the "media" here

I have read the order signed by General Prayut and it definitely states 300metres and no mention of feet. So no confusion, it is 300metres. The question is why is Patpong exempted as the only "special entertainment center" despite being within 300Metres of a Girls Convent School?

Fortunately the Cosmos Finishing School For Girls in Patpong is exempted from this ban.

Look at your toes to get market direction !

My toes are pointing up!

Again?....this is news?

On my first assignment in BKK in 1988, in converstaion with the military attache at the Bristish Embassy, one of the things he told me was:

Parts of Bangkok and nearby provinces were at great risk of sinking in the next 15 years if no action is taken to prevent it.

or something along those lines.

So Bangkok should have sunk back in 2003 or maybe it never will. Can someone point me to a serious research someone has done on this and not some blog?

I have done serious research on this since 1982 when JICA started drawing up the action plan which became the King's Master Plan for Bangkok. There have been 4 master plans so far but essentially they are the same plan. There was to be a complete wall along the Chaophraya River Bangkok which is partially complete and a sea wall. A barrage from the West to the East side some distance from the mouth of the river on the lines of the barrages in the Nederland. I recommended that all pumping of artesian water by industry and the MWA cease in 1994. As far as I understand this was done. Certainly MWA ceased all pumping of underground water. Most of Bangkok now sinks by less than 10mm/year so in 100years it will have sunk by 1metre. However the construction of high rises, roads and infrastructure necessitates leads to the raising of the land levels within Bangkok. Indeed the BMA and MOT have already lifted the road levels in many areas by 1metre. I made a power point presentation for AMCHAM, but I don't think I can attach here. If you are really interested you can find much of the information by searching AIT & JICA web sites or going to their libraries. The BMA and MWA also have similar presentations. All the essential flood prevention works should have been completed by 2010 prior to the last disastrous floods, but the major part that this expert is alluding to, was put on hold when Thaksin was removed by the 2006 coup.

I have been investing in the SET for 20 years and know the market. I am not interested in the SET index, however it will go up in the second half and fall in the 1st half of next year then rise again in the second half. That is the investment pattern. So if you have money leave it in for the 6 months you indicated then sell at the high. However if you want to make money invest in shares with a good volume turnover, a 5 to 8%+ dividend and an upside of 20-50%+ such as BTS (infrastructure), Advance, Intuch, THCOM (Communications affected by new 4G awards and Digital Technology).

Earlier he blamed the water shortage on the previous rice scheme using too much water. Now the previous govt. did not manage the dams.

Oh and 14 students were agitated by a 'politician outside the country'. And the bombs in the south are due to the two political parties.

There's only one thing leaky here.

"Now the previous govt. did not manage the dams." And he is exactly RIGHT. Yingluk ordered the operating curves of the major storage dams changed to a lower level because she did not want to be blamed for mismanagement of another flood. Between Jan and July 2012, 7.5 billion Cubic Metres of additional water (ie over and above normal level reduction) were dumped from Bhumipol and Sirikit Dams, the 2 largest, despite obvious evidence an el Nino event was imminent.

From October 2012 the levels in these dams dropped below the new lower storage levels and have never recovered back to that operating level.

http://www.thaiwater.net/DATA/REPORT/php/rid_dam_1.php?lang=en

Clicking on each dam will produce an inter-active graph (which I can't link to) giving daily levels in each of the dams.

His statement regarding catchment areas sounds off to me, but the allegation that Yingluk AGAIN mismanaged dams is indisputable.

Banharn and his party were looking after the control philosophy for the dams, not Yingluck. I gave a talk to the American Chamber of Commerce and some Government advisors at the time. I have all the data on rainfall and capacity of reservoirs and dams required. The problem at the time of the floods was that the heavy rains fell mainly in the Yom River basin catchment area which was where the Yom River Dam/reservoir was supposed to have been built, but was cancelled in 2006 following another coup. During the last floods and recent rainfall patterns, there have been only light rains in the catchment areas feeding the existing dams/reservoirs. The dams serve to store excess rains during the monsoon to regulate the down stream flow in the rivers but also they need to store enough water to cover the irrigation/drinking water requirements during periods of drought. Without the Yom River Dam/reservoir there has always been a higher risk of floods or water shortage because they cannot control the water flow properly without the Yom River Dam and reservoirs which was stopped due to environmentalists demonstrating against it.

So the PM isn't responsible for the decisions of her (very minor) coalition partners in her government? That's a new one.

Are you denying that the data I linked to was accurate? Did you look at it?

How exactly does the lack of a dam alter my statement that normal storage was dumped from the existing dams?

Obviously you have no idea of Thai politics. To say that Past P.M. Banharn is a very minor player is very naïve. It was a coalition Government and Banharn's party were in control of the dams, Yingluck could not go up against his decision. As an expert and consultant in water engineering having followed and been involved in the King's Master Plan for flood prevention and water conservation since 1982 I am fully aware of the real cause of the flooding and water shortages is caused by non implementation of phase III of the King's Master Plan.

Earlier he blamed the water shortage on the previous rice scheme using too much water. Now the previous govt. did not manage the dams.

Oh and 14 students were agitated by a 'politician outside the country'. And the bombs in the south are due to the two political parties.

There's only one thing leaky here.

"Now the previous govt. did not manage the dams." And he is exactly RIGHT. Yingluk ordered the operating curves of the major storage dams changed to a lower level because she did not want to be blamed for mismanagement of another flood. Between Jan and July 2012, 7.5 billion Cubic Metres of additional water (ie over and above normal level reduction) were dumped from Bhumipol and Sirikit Dams, the 2 largest, despite obvious evidence an el Nino event was imminent.

From October 2012 the levels in these dams dropped below the new lower storage levels and have never recovered back to that operating level.

http://www.thaiwater.net/DATA/REPORT/php/rid_dam_1.php?lang=en

Clicking on each dam will produce an inter-active graph (which I can't link to) giving daily levels in each of the dams.

His statement regarding catchment areas sounds off to me, but the allegation that Yingluk AGAIN mismanaged dams is indisputable.

Banharn and his party were looking after the control philosophy for the dams, not Yingluck. I gave a talk to the American Chamber of Commerce and some Government advisors at the time. I have all the data on rainfall and capacity of reservoirs and dams required. The problem at the time of the floods was that the heavy rains fell mainly in the Yom River basin catchment area which was where the Yom River Dam/reservoir was supposed to have been built, but was cancelled in 2006 following another coup. During the last floods and recent rainfall patterns, there have been only light rains in the catchment areas feeding the existing dams/reservoirs. The dams serve to store excess rains during the monsoon to regulate the down stream flow in the rivers but also they need to store enough water to cover the irrigation/drinking water requirements during periods of drought. Without the Yom River Dam/reservoir there has always been a higher risk of floods or water shortage because they cannot control the water flow properly without the Yom River Dam and reservoirs which was stopped due to environmentalists demonstrating against it.

Immigration officers prefer the fixed term deposit account which has one deposit of B800,000 plus, in you name only, within a Thai bank. That makes their job easy as they do not have to leaf through pages of deposits, withdrawals, added interest etc to make sure you haven't gone below the B800K even for one day which is a basis for rejection. Some years ago they would only accept savings deposit accounts but later allowed Fixed Time Deposit Accounts for the reason given. I just took a new Fixed Time Deposit out for 7 months @1.875% at Bangkok Bank. Only hassle is that due to "America World Police' they don't like to open them for Americans due to the paperwork and reporting involved. They asked me if I was American and only when I told them I was not American they allowed me to open an account (My previous Time deposits and savings account have been with the Bank for 21 years). However they told me that there was a new rule and that I had to produce a letter from my embassy confirming my current address. I told them that this was totally illogical since the Embassy would need a letter proving my address from the Bank, in order to write to them confirming my address.

It looks like the problem with the USA Government requirements for reporting is making things much worse for us, as customers. So you may have problems opening a new account.

Which immigration office are you using as Fixed Term Deposits (not possible to withdrawn the money) are not allowed for extensions.

Only accounts which have the money readily available are accepted.

Your information is incorrect. The Fixed Term Deposit (printed as "Fixed Deposit Account" together with the fixed time period on the Bangkok Bank Passbook) is very much accepted by Chaengwattana Immigration Office. I have used this method for 5 years. Of course it is always possible to withdraw the money from a fixed term deposit account, so the money is readily available. The immigration officer likes the Fixed Deposit Account as it only has one entry and so it is easy for him to check against the bank letter that your deposit has not dipped below B800K, against the bank letter which you can get downstairs in the Government Centre.

Immigration officers prefer the fixed term deposit account which has one deposit of B800,000 plus, in you name only, within a Thai bank. That makes their job easy as they do not have to leaf through pages of deposits, withdrawals, added interest etc to make sure you haven't gone below the B800K even for one day which is a basis for rejection. Some years ago they would only accept savings deposit accounts but later allowed Fixed Time Deposit Accounts for the reason given. I just took a new Fixed Time Deposit out for 7 months @1.875% at Bangkok Bank. Only hassle is that due to "America World Police' they don't like to open them for Americans due to the paperwork and reporting involved. They asked me if I was American and only when I told them I was not American they allowed me to open an account (My previous Time deposits and savings account have been with the Bank for 21 years). However they told me that there was a new rule and that I had to produce a letter from my embassy confirming my current address. I told them that this was totally illogical since the Embassy would need a letter proving my address from the Bank, in order to write to them confirming my address.

It looks like the problem with the USA Government requirements for reporting is making things much worse for us, as customers. So you may have problems opening a new account.

I am on a visa exempt entry and will shortly be applying for a Non Imm O visa intending to retire.

I have had over Bt 1 million in a Thai bank account for years.

In 2005 I brought funds in to Thailand for a condo purchase and still have the documentation; does this satisfy the requirement that the funds come from outside Thailand, or do I have to transfer another Bt800k?

Thanks.

Yes... If you are applying at Chaengwattana Government Building you just go to your Bank in the basement under the immigration office and get a statement letter that your funds have been there for 2 months, at least for first application and 3 months for your next 1 year extension. However, if the balance has dropped below B800,000, even for one day, then you will be asked to come back when the deposit has aged two months without falling below B800,000. The proof of where the money came from is a help, if they ask, although they have never asked me for proof for my B800,000. As you are on a visa exempt entry they will issue you a NON-"O" stamped for Retirement ("For Chewit" in Thai) and probably give you a 3 month extension of stay and ask you to come back in 2 months. When you come back, you will need to pop down to the branch of your Thai bank in the basement for the letter stating that the B800,000+ has been untouched in your account for the last 2 months and then with the application form, bank letter and fee, you will get your 1 year extension of stay based on retirement. This will be back dated so that it will add only10 months to the 2 months you already will have been given. The letter from the Bank should always be dated the same day as you visit immigration otherwise they will not accept it, so best use the banks next to immigration.

Murdered, not assassinated

Assassinated not murdered, he was a prominent person and political figure. Assassination is the murder of a prominent person or political figure by a surprise attack, usually for payment or political reasons.

A lot of possibilities why he was on a hit list. He was a former Democrat Party, Party List candidate, close to Abhisit Vejjajiva and President of the Entertainment Establishment Owners Association.