Sharp

The Russians are going no where they know who to pay , it's just a matter of amending the amount ,the TUK TUKs also know how corrupt the police etc are and that's why they have taken it upon themselves to try to do something about it .

Any bets on the Russians getting here in bigger numbers...

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I'm going to post this question but anyone who jumps in should realize at the beginning that I may not be able to respond with too many specifics due to the sensitive nature of this.

In the coming weeks I'll be trying to finalize some business with a business owner in Thailand. My main beef with this particular person (a westerner though connected to Thailand) is the sketchy nature of the contracts that come through them. The contract(s) they write aren't worth anything but one tactic this owner is famous for is when things go bad they will blame the other person for not living up to the questionable contract. In many cases, the victims of this particular scamster will have left some possessions for temporary storage and they will essentially hold the items over the head of the person or jerk them around on getting things back.

Essentially this is a matter of robbery in slow motion and the items in storage are on the premises.

I'm curious what options might exist outside of calling your embassy and asking for assistance in a filing a police report? Can you get a cop to a location and have them assist you? I might mention that this con artist has done this to people from a number of countries and is considered highly manipulative.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Regards.

I too had a similar problem to this although no contract just a case of not getting my personal items back so after knowing full well I would receive zero help I "employed" the services of some "nasty guys" got my stuff back haven't heard nothing for years since ,before anyone starts its a choice I took and knew very well the various out comes but I was fully prepared to except them ..

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I bet when Chalerm got back to the sanctity of his office, he had a few good slugs of ear medicine after that experience! Thida is becoming a real thorn in the side right now.

I particularly liked this line:

Chalerm tried to please the protesters by telling Mainueng he should not call red-shirt detainees "political prisoners" because they had done nothing wrong.

Mainueng argued that as the red-shirt detainees had done nothing wrong, why had the government not released them? The question appeared to put Chalerm in an awkward spot.

I hope Mr Mainueng has a sound and thorough medical insurance policy, as I doubt when Police Captain Chalerm got back to parliament the rantings from him that would have been forthcoming would have been 'Ministerial' in nature.

Agreed ...

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Both men tried to grab the gun, and during their struggle the gun automatically shot by itself twice.

Bad gun! Very bad gun...shooting twice by yourself. Go to your room!

Wwwooooaahhhhh,,,,,,,

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Greeting all,

Next week I will need to do a run out of BKK for my first Non-Imm B Visa for a job offer I have received here in Thailand. My company has basically given me a choice of KL or Penang to accomplish this.

My question is for those that have been to one or both cities....is do you have a preference? I would like to take 2-3 days to enjoy a little time in which ever city I end up choosing, so this can be your overall preference based on extracurricular activities such as site seeing, food, pubs, nightlife, etc., not just on your Visa experience...however feel free to chime in on that as well.

Any recommendation or "tips" in regards to this visa run for a Non-Imm B would be greatly appreciated. For example, reasonably priced hotels in a good central location???

Cheers & thanks in advance,

BK

Concorde hotel ,,,,,best location to IMHO ,,,,central to everything and used by many visa applicants ...

Remember to take your flight ticket with u I forgot last time and had to go back to get it ...ball ache ...

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.......

- Pickups

Mitsu Triton 2.4L Benzene - 433K

Mitsu Triton 2.5L Diesel - 495K

TATA Xenon 2.2L Diesel - 499K

Toyota Hilux 2.5L Diesel - 507K

Nissan Navara 2.5L Diesel - 510K

Isuzu D-Max Spark 2.5L Diesel - 513K

Very helpful. Could you identify which of these (or others not mentioned) is "best value" or "most truck for the money"? Thanks. Are any of these going through a major change in the near future, providing a reason to wait to buy?

Out of that list, I would personally eliminate the Benzene Triton and the TATA off-hand - form there it becomes a question of what's most important to you, as each have their strengths.

Triton Diesel - nicest interior, 128HP engine is solid, tray a little smaller than others here.

Hilux - weak engine (120HP) and aging, but huge dealer network (~400) and great residual value.

Navara - strongest engine (144HP) and biggest tray, but thirstier than others here.

D-Max - weakest engine (115HP) but best fuel economy. Newest design in this price range, huge dealer network, engine lasts forever.

If I was going to be hauling a full ton all the time, or spend the bulk of my driving in the mountains (but not doing huge KM's) it'd be the Navara.

If I was going to be travelling in the provinces regularly and minimizing down-time was my primary concern, it'd be the Hilux.

If I was going to do monster KM's, or ride quality was the primary criteria, it'd be the D-Max.

If I was looking for the best deal, and a general all-rounder, it'd be the Triton.

Agreed .....

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Skilled labourers see daily wages climb

Thanapat Kitjakosol

The Nation

Keep Moo Road day-labour market thriving; workers earning between Bt500-Bt900

BANGKOK: -- While SMEs are crying over the blanket Bt300 wage, fierce competition in some industries and the scarcity of skilled workers is pushing the daily pay of some above Bt500.

For the past eight years, Narong Jampatho, 30, a tile layer, has never found difficulty in finding someone willing to pay him Bt700 per day, allowing him to earn Bt20,000 a month. Some of his relatives from Nong Bua Lamphu are also in Bangkok at his persuasion.

"It's not a permanent job, but I enjoy my freedom. I work to get paid and rest when I want to. Working for a company is tiring and pays less. The government's wage hike policy has no merit for us, as we've been earning at least Bt500 a day since the floods," he said.

Narong is one of about 10,000 workers living along Keep Moo Road, which, according to the master's thesis of a Sri Pathum University student, is now the country's largest day labour market, mostly for the construction industry.

Most are from northeastern provinces like Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket and Surin. Mixing with them are migrants from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos who can speak Thai. They demand at least Bt500 a day, while the very skilled ones can command Bt900.

Prakiat Kaewkhamharn, 48, an electrical system contractor, said he pays Bt600 for tile layers. "It's high but we have to take it, as we can't find other workers."

At dawn every day, the day workers line up for one kilometre on the small road, which connects to Ram Intra Road, waiting for contractors or employers. It has become the usual scene for contractors in their pickup trucks to show up, while even individuals who want to do small-scale renovations to their houses bypass builders and come and pick up workers with the skills they require.

BURGEONING DEMAND FOR SKILLED WORKERS

For big or small projects, wage negotiations are necessary as the skilled workers quote at least Bt500. These contractors have to yield to get the best workers at the lowest rates.

Thanks to the burgeoning demand for skilled workers due to the 2011 flood and recovery in property sales, these workers can insist on above-normal rates for their work.

Five years ago, only 3,000 workers sold their labour here, estimates Prasit Sakuma, a Muslim community leader. Their numbers shot up last year, when the need for extra labour to fix flood damage was very high. About 70-80 per cent of them would find jobs every day, while the rest, who had low skills or were choosy or lazy, could get hired every few days.

According to the thesis authored in 2011 by Phinyo Bunchuay, the community's original members were only 935, mostly Muslims, in 185 households. The paper's estimate of the total pool of workers by then is 5,000-8,000.

"The workers bring in good money, with Bt2.5 million in cash circulating every day. The areas that used to be farms and weed patches are now full of housing and apartments," said Usaman Kaewkes, leader of a nearby Muslim community that shares the Arabic name of Keep Moo with an old mosque in the neighbourhood.

Most of the many accommodations for low-income earners are low-priced quarters built in and around the road. The area is also filled with mom-and-pop shops and grocery stores whose sales have surged along with the increase of workers living there and those living elsewhere who come and go.

Land prices have also soared to Bt10 million per rai from Bt2 million just 10 years ago.

However, the hordes of workers migrating to Bangkok looking for better opportunities means more crime, and especially frequent drunken brawls among workers, which is not welcomed by the original, mostly Muslim residents of the area.

The Islamic culture was under threat, with booze being widely sold and drunk. However, about 80 per cent of the workers behave and police have taken care of the troublemakers.

Keep Moo Road could grow more famous, as the labour deficit - now topping the list of business risks for property and construction firms in 2013 - could worsen. With a low unemployment rate of 0.6 per cent, or only 232,400 jobless, the construction, infrastructure and manufacturing industries are now facing a shortfall of about 200,000 hands.

Bank of Thailand data also show that the labour market has tightened. Employment was up 0.7 per cent to 39.2 million as of September from the same month last year, while the average paycheque also rose by 7.9 per cent.

The rush for manpower is anticipated to pick up when the government's mega infrastructure projects are kicked off. While they will attract minimum-wage workers, it also means abundant openings are out there for skilled ones who can charge well above Bt300 a day.

Keep Moo Road: located in northern Bangkok, off Ram-Indra Road

Population

10,000 Workers

935 residents, mostly Muslims

Daily hire rates

Bt500 for basic labour

Bt500-Bt900 for skilled work

Skilled workers:

breakdown in types of work

Bt600-Bt700: Tiler

Bt800: Welder

Bt600-Bt900: Plasterer

Bt600-Bt800: Carpenter

Bt600-Bt700: Electrician

Bt700: Painter

Bt500-Bt600: Planter/gardener

-- The Nation 2013-01-28

I find paying per square meter with some trades is the better option or likes of the election per fix ...first fix ,second fix,final ...it Definatly works out cheaper ....as day work prices they tend to relax and do want they want ...

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Thanks for all of the replies, sorry for the delay, i have not logged in since i posted this question.

Very interesting contrast of advice, I have been visiting thailand every english winter for 2 or 3 months,

mostly to Hua Hin but have been all over, south and north and Korat where my wifes family live, dont

think I could there cause I feel isolated when im there. Have many friends in Hua Hin, farang and thai

and this is where I wish to settle although it is probably more expensive than other places. I agree about

not buying a condo or a house at first, should rent for a while.

I eat thai food at home now every day, the wifes cooking is the best i,ve tasted, I dont drink alcohol, only

water but I love my coffee and the odd cup of cappucicno, when in thailand I know where to eat good

food for 40 bht a time ,fried rice or fried veg and boiled rice, I walk most places or if too far I take motor

bike taxi, I do and can live very simply, its free to walk and sit on the beach looking out to the sea.

Im a self employed builder, its very hard work and the body aint getting any younger and it feels like

im working just to survive, pay the bills and give it to the tax man.

I feel "at home" in thailand, have done since i first went in 2000, my heart is telling me to go, life is too

short, dont die regretting some thing you didnt do but always wanted to so once again........................

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ADVICE AND PERSONAL STORIES, I shall take it all on board and make

a decision and keep you all posted.

Good luck man ....to be honest most of the replies are correct IMHO but I kinda thinking you have made your mind up already so book the ticket and good luck to you again mate .

By the way the wife is the major player in this if anyone can make the financials work I'm sure she can .

Cheers ...keep posted ..

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the end of the tuk tuk? please

Happened in Pattaya ....

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Did Pattaya have a pervasive organised crime syndicate controlling them?

As I remember although along time ago there was a couple of shootings amongst other violent out breaks and rumours the syndicate members moved elsewhere ....Phuket was mentioned back then so that might be the reason we r where we are today ,the problem was moved here possibly....

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More guns in schools... what could go wrong?

Thai police too...there the biggest villains around although the south could be where they move all the ones to inactive duty pending prosecution ..

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the end of the tuk tuk? please

Happened in Pattaya ....

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Insomnia Bangkok was sold last year to the same people who own Q Bar, Coyote Mexican restaurants, The Australian Bar and Bash. It was renamed "Insanity" and, from what I've heard, it's gone completely downhill.

I think they've got a Facebook page and if there are any offers, they should be listed there.

really, now that i did not know, but have not ventured that way in a few months. when did Eclipse buy them?

i think you can add Soi 8 pub to the list as wel as AVA

Ive heard It's not just Eclipse it's a consortium and Eclipse r partners as they r in most of their newly acquired business's .

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I've heard it's the bosses of the Tuk Tuk and Taxis so as to aliminate the opposition from coming in it's being set up to assist them by dropping off in places where they still need taxis or tuk tuks... Let's wait n see we will soon known...

That's funny.... Air tax though

Thanks for all your input.

I have started and failed a few self learn courses, but seem to become easily distracted and nothing seems to stick.

Trust me I really do want to learn.

So at the moment I am slowwwly going through High Speed Thai, so I am learning to read and write. I just need to get myself into a routine and dedicate at least an hour or two each day. As I am way out in the sticks, I am the only farang for miles, so it is essential for me to learn......I refer to my OP relating the sleep analogy.

Cheers.

Forget reading or writing just start slowly to learn the way the wifey speaks ask wot it means then write it down the way you would say it ...

I.E.

Im going to the market....

Pom bai pat ta lad kap.

This is only way I do it but it works for me mostly ....might not for others but give it a try.

Good luck man...

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Pm me for a great lawyer from Singapore based in Phuket..

Why make laws that the BiB have no interest in policing.

Oh they do its another exortion avenue ....

Let me know how you get on Xylophone as will be doing the journey a few times this year

Cheers

Pensit and Law,,, Singaporen great

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I see a trend with long stay folks having a hard time raising the money to stay here on our 'paradise' island. Reasons - poor exchange rate and fixed income, or poor returns on investments, etc. So they move on to what is reputed to be a cheaper area for living. Just my 1 cents worth

I am considering getting out of Phuket - nothing to do with money, just fed up to the back teeth with the "mafias" (i.e. bunches of thugs who don't understand the concept of competition and want to be the same as the big boys in Bangkok playing monopoly), the pathetic infrastructure (roads, traffic, water, electric, etc), the corrupt police and the useless governor who needs to grow a pair and get the <deleted>' army in to sort out the shit here.

Ah! That's better.

Yep you did it for me do....arrrrrrrhhhhhh

I live full time in Phuket, and after several years of quiet observation and reflection, I would like to suggest that there is a ray of hope on the horizon regarding the end of the tuk-tuk strangle hold on this island.

The end of tuk tuks on Phuket will not come abruptly, in the wake of a island wide shake down on corruption.

Anyone who thinks that such and intervention will occur is deluded.

But do not lose hope, because as I type, the end of the Phuket tuk tuk is already underway.

There is a subtle but relentless change taking place right now in Phuket. It is the profile of the type of tourist that are visiting.

The Scandies have moved on to more environmentally pristine destinations. The Europeans and Yanks are broke. And the Australian bogans that are still arriving in droves are about to have the value of their mortgaged homes clipped by more than 50 percent. Upside down mortgages are going to be the new fashion in bogan ville Australia and the cry of "OI OI OI" in Bangla road will fade to a distant memory.

Phuket's new mass tourism source markets are the likes of working class Siberian Russians, Iranians, Indians, Chinese and Koreans.

And in case you need reminding these are the types of tourists that:

• Order hot water from reception to prepare one minute noodles in their room
  
• Buy all of their beverages at 7 Eleven
  
• Buy all of their groceries for their two week holiday at Tesco
  
• Rent a single room and have 12 people stay inside
  
• Are too cheap to buy sunscreen for their kids (Russians)
  
• Make bids to freelancers in hundreds, not thousands, of THB
  
• Haggle over the price of a happy meal at the Mcdonalds at Bang Tao
  
• etc...
  

Someone who prepares their own noodles in their room, certainly is not going to pay a tuk tuk driver 200THB per person for his family to be driven 800 metres.

And so with the inevitable change in the socio-economic profile of its mass tourists, so too will come the end of the Phuket tuk tuk.

As the revenue of the tuk tuk drivers steadily declines the opposition to, and violence against, other operators, such as the Russian tour operators at Karon, will continue to steadily increase.

And, under the stark light of falling demand, the oversupply of tuk tuks will be manifestly obvious, and the drivers, already having violently culled all the legal transportation competitors on the island, will start to feed on themselves.

Thai authorities need not intervene to rid Phuket of its tuk tuks, the free market is already doing it for them.

Totally agree with your statement also I've been living here over a decade and it is going to change be it slowly it's certainly going to happen...

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That's was me so wots the issue exactly ...

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Where ever your feet r on the ground nothing to do with stamps

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She wouldn't even understand English ..

Can someone post that youtube video of her trying to speak English. It's hilarious. I'll post it myself if i can find it

Is it this one?

wwwooooaaaahhhhh i have no idea ....its the first time ive heard English words and havent understood a word....