silsburyhill

If the government was serious about even starting tacking the corruption it should double or triple the salaries of government officials and servants, including the police officers FIRST

This old chestnut again. It's far too late. They would simply take the increased salary and keep topping up with their corrupt practices.

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Then issue a "code of conduct" making it clear what practices are forbidden. Then enforce the regulation and start sacking if not jailing people acting in the old ways.

Issuing of a code of conduct I would have thought to have been a 'given' when first being accepted for the job to enforce their laws. 'And start sacking/jailing' [sic]. Well. They've had plenty of time to do that and it's never happened and never will.

My personal recommendation, for what it's worth, is for the government to do some field trips to see how other countries have successfully reduced, if not totally eliminated, their own corruption. But this will never happen either.

Others will advise on the charges but yes, there is a recieving charge here also although 900 baht sounds high. I suspect that high charge is a result of the Thai bank recieving baht and not foriegn currency, your friend in the UK should have sent Pounds with instructions to convert to Baht in Thailand, that way he/you would have got a much much better exchange rate plus the recieving charge would likely have been lower.

Thank you Chiang Mai. An intelligent and helpful response. I will pass the information on.

my advice is "refrain from transferring peanuts amounts." the fees expressed in percentage are too high.

Well, thanks for this. Sometimes 'peanuts amounts' are very welcome for monkeys like me.

Seems to me your logic is a bit lacking. Since the loggers have not stopped trying. You are advocating the same policies applied to the people involved in the Drug Trade and Terrorism. Both of which are continuing to occur and it could be argued that the policy has increased the occurence of each.

Don't lump this in with drugs and terrorism policies that are certainly stupid and failed approaches. It is clear that simply arresting people like Cambodia advocates has likewise proven to be a failed approach in their own country. Defenseless tigers, elephants, forests and the like must be vigorously protected or they will be gone to the detriment of all of us and those that follow. You won't get any sympathy from me for taking on armed bandits stealing from all of us. Though imperfect, I don't see a better solution.

I see your point, I really do. However, the rise in poaching of elephants, rhinos, tigers 'and the like', has reached astronomical proportions despite a 'shoot any poacher on sight policy'. I couldn't give a flying one re the poachers/loggers, but if this shoot to kill policy is failing to protect these species, we must find a way that does or it will simply continue until nothing is left. Any recommendations?

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What is wrong with farming tiger

In an endangered species like the Bengal tigers that Plodprasop was illegally sending to China, their very limited gene pool is ruined through the incestuous breeding program the tiger farm utilized.

Limiting the genetic diversity can lead to extinction.

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Don't hold your breath for a reply to this very salient point. It'll fly right over this particular poster's head

I've recently received a transfer of 250 GBP from a bank in the UK to Siam Commercial Bank here in Thailand.

The sender has told me that the amount in Thai Baht, given him by his UK bank, is 12,020. I received just over 11,000 THB.

I questioned this and he told me his bank in the UK charges him 25 GBP transfer charge, and that they'd told him 'there may be charges at the receiving bank in Thailand'. And so it seems that the sender gets charged 25GBP to send, and the Thai bank charges ANOTHER 900 THB to receive?! Making a total off around 43.70 GBP to send a measly 250! Almost a fifth of the amount sent, deducted. Is this correct? Does anyone else have this charge? Or is my Thai bank (SCB) bank attempting to pull a fast one. As if .... Thanks.

I love their ads

'Crackdown on loan sharks' ... again

What does he mean 'better prime minister than he was'?

meh just look at mad men's first or second season. They showed the main guy with his family going to a park for a picnic. When it was over they took the carpet and threw everything that was on it(trash) on the grass then just left. They usually keep everything accurate so 40-50years ago it was like this for farangs too.

So give it a few more hundred years for thais

I saw that episode. And I've noticed signs, mostly handwritten, in Thai popping up everywhere around the sois of Sai Yuan sayin 'haam ting kya' 'don't dump your trash here'. Actually spotted a Thai guy stop his motorbike and pick a couple of plastic bags from the roadside and put in his basket to dispatch at nearest bin

Doesn't stop the odd dumpings of a variety of household/builders trash everywhere there isn't one (sign) though. But things do seem to be slowly improving. Agree, education key.

Something has to be done at Nai Harn. Particularly 'lagoon' end.

WRONG. I understand you're a leuk krung and all that? And you seem like a nice guy, but seriously, anyone of any nationality deserves a little consideration, if not respect. Yes, even here.

I had a similar situation many years ago and my Thai partner was more pissed off than even I, humble farang though I am. Grovel.

Upshot was, neighbour moved.

I do wish people would stop bending over here.

Well, when I was younger I thought like that. And I have gotten into it with my neighbors in the past...and I have generally regretted it.

It's not about a "Thai cultural thing" and it's not about showing who is boss. It's about being able to go to your own home and be peaceful. Like not worrying what the neighbor is going to do in retalation to what you did, or having uncomfortable moments being in the presence of someone you are at odds with. If it's your neighbors, you see them alot. That's a fact. Try to work it out peaceably.

Maybe your neighbor will move. Maybe the neighbor will wait with a baseball bat in a dark alley for you to come home. Thais can be a wee bit unpredictable in that regards. In any event, even not in Thailand, I try and resolve things with my neighbors whenever possible.

And P.S. I am not a nice guy. I clearly have "Jerk" under my membership to advise those around me that, yes,I am a jerk (except when dealing with my neighbors because I have to live with them.)

Again, you are making assumptions (as I seem to have, given your 'PS').

I am no 'roid head and conduct myself in a peaceful and respectful manner, which is returned. I have, (no, please trust me on this), absolutely no reason to fear any of my neighbours. And despite the constant 'they'll be out to get at you with a baseball bat/broken bottle/AK47/lao kao'd up mates, have yet to view a post on this very popular expat forum from someone stating that they have. If I am in error, missed one, please do let me have the link.

In the meantime, enough with the 'show 'em who's boss' routine and after er, having a word, conduct yourself in a mindful manner. Neither vengeful nor subservient. Bearing is the key. Same as with irritable/ing dogs. It works. Promise

Assume that the Recycle Bin is missing from the Desktop.

Try this 'Windows Key' and E together or

START>ALL Programmes>Accessories>Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer should be displayed. In the left hand pane at the bottom you should have 'RecycleBin', click on it and contents should open in Right hand pane.

You can now drag the Recycle bin to the desktop from the left pane if you want it there permanently.

Thank you

quote name='submaniac' timestamp='1341978942' post='5473493']

There is a universal rule that I like to adhere to, and it applies in Thailand, USA, UK, Madagascar, Pakistan, or anywhere--> Try not to get into fights with your neighbors because you have to live there. I know it's annoying, but for goodness sake don't lose your cool about it or otherwise you may have to find another place to live. It's not about being right, it's about coming home without having to worry about getting into a war with someone.

Let your wife deal with it. It seems that she is not as angry as you are about it. Not to say you shouldn't be angry, but being angry will not help your situation. Just have her keep on talking to the owner. Complaint POLITELY in the morning as you have been doing, and keep doing it until the message sinks in. Do not escalate the situation because there is not a situation with a possibility of a "win" scenario.

WRONG. I understand you're a leuk krung and all that? And you seem like a nice guy, but seriously, anyone of any nationality deserves a little consideration, if not respect. Yes, even here.

I had a similar situation many years ago and my Thai partner was more pissed off than even I, humble farang though I am. Grovel.

Upshot was, neighbour moved.

I do wish people would stop bending over here.

Friend wants to visit for longer than his usual 30 day 'available on arrival' stay. Many years now, but I remember sending passport and an application form off to Hull whilst still in the UK and they returned passport with 90 day stamp, after 60 days used to have to extend the remaining 30 days at local Imm.

Has this changed? Anyone know the current fee? Downloadable application form? Thanks

I'm running XP and a couple of days ago got carried away during a clear out to free up some space, and deleted some files (photos) to the recycle bin'. The files were on an external hard drive and opened in ACD Pro as a slideshow.

I can't find the 'recycle bin', even under search, and the photos were just numbers, can I get them back? Anyone?

A Thai friend of mine was incensed when this 'you people' was aimed at her, for it's often being used in the singular imparts a pejorative tone. Also a farang friend took umbrage when he heard it being used against Thais. Of course it's racist. The phrase 'You people' is rarely used in a friendly way is it? 'You people are so great' might not be though ...

I have a resident Keelback same as this. It keeps my frog population down.

NO snake is a threat here unless it's threatened. And I mean aimed towards with a large stick/scythe. Even if you were to find a Cobra/Python in your kitchen, just leave it an exit, go have a coffee/beer, and by the time you get back, it's gone. don't call the idiot Thais who'll kill anything without firstly identifying whether it's dangerous or not. A dead snake's better than a live one. bahtwise, to them.

There is no property "boom" in Bangkok. Condo prices in particular are trickling up, barely in line with inflation. Land costs are the main factor for increasing prices, not greed by developers.

Greed by landowners then?

The DSI is supposed to investigate crimes, not get involved in politics. I have no idea whether this guy is guilty or not but the DSI needs to be independent of any and all political parties, regardless of their status. If someone complains, investigate, period.

I know I know, even I forget what a pathetic little country this has been, still is, always will be. Even it's neighbours look down on it.

I was talking to a neighbour who was amazed at the fact that although it was common knowledge that a local English bar owner who'd been selling ice/cocaine, whatever, having been 'caught', was flown out of the country by the local police captain, now 'colonel' post haste. Even after his being bought off for, rough estimate 3m baht, and that the 'king's police'? (assuming the CSD?) had still allowed not only this farang bar owner to re enter Thailand to be able to sort out his affairs, and nothing was done, no, not even an inactive post, was forthcoming for the scum police bought and paid for captain/colonel. So even the 'king's police' could not/would not stamp this particular bit of corruption out. What hope for this silly country?

And the really stupid part is the constant preoccupation with the ridiculous notion (for that is what it is folks) of 'face' by both farang and Thai alike. Idiots! Back to your sandpit.

Back to the OP. In that area I see much less foreigner through traffic. There may be a market for Thais, but I don't see many foreigners buying there. IMO less potential than the Sai Yuan area higher up.

The reason you wouldn't have seen many foreigners buying 'there' is because .... there's nothing for them to buy

However, a 7/11's appeal - like them or not - is glaringly obvious. Availability to a larger selection of goods at a more competitive price to Thais and farang alike.

As an aside re, again, location, do you seriously envisage the newly opened branch of the closeby Farang restaurant packing up? We are talking about a place erstwhile located behind Big C and Index with a hardly spectacular view.

I am in no way attempting to sway opinion, I am looking for pragmatism.

Insurance companies are the biggest scam artists in the world.

Together with the Bangkok International (what a joke, nursing staff can't even speak the International language). Coincidentally a friend of mine was quoted this exact same amount for repairing two small bones in one foot after a fall.

Oddly, the Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok, (same company, different branch), charges 75% LESS. Rip off Phuket indeed.

Yes but the Japs are extrmely disciplined. Exactly the opposite as Thais! How can this Country compare itself with Japan? There is 1 universe between the 2 Countries. And here the offials are mostly corrupt. Maybe they would use the youngs for commit crimes for them... That's how i see the things. Also here there is an unbelievable rate of illetrate officials too!

I just had a horrible vision of Thailand opening the first Fagin's School for Pickpockets.

Thai kids don't 'pickpocket'. Some older kids do, but petty thievery is rare in comparison to the West. Penalties much harsher. No 'hug a hoodie' here

And I do wish a certain poster in particular would stop calling them 'Japs'. The war's over get over it.

They know how to build railways too.

And have much better taste.

Also, are adults expected to give up their seats to kids on public transport?

You are forgetting Thailand is the culture of the child.

The mosque isn't an issue, the 7/11 on the way to the Nai Harn end is closer than this. Also, booze isn't the motivating factor, particularly given the limited sales times. It's simply that there's virtually nothing apart from packs of Mama noodles at the other two. My point is that even the Thais prefer a 7/11 to the local m&p's, given more choice and cheaper pricing.

Also, this has nothing to do with Supercheap. Although a 'version' of it is under construction right in front of those ugly 'Portugese style' houses farther toward the Viset Road end.

I will be having nothing at all to do with the place other than being the patron of a Thai national family member recently graduated from business school. And again, my idea, and I believe a better one than the old farang guy regularly seen checking up on his teeluk at yet another newly opened massage parlor nestled in between several others.

Thank you all for your input.

Firstly, my idea, no arm twisting from Thai relatives, am thinking of investing in a 7/11 franchise in the top half of Sai Yuan. Not really my cup of tea, but believe this area could well do without yet another massage parlor and believe risk minimal with 7/11's. And please save me the retail advice, have long experience already. Thanks. I also have an idea re outlay.

There are already three 7/11 outlets along this very long soi, but the area between the 7/11 located at the Viset Road end, and the one opposite the small Tops has a dearth of anything that anyone living in the area actually needs.

Nothing other than two very small convenience (read the odd can of mackerel/pack of mosquito coils) stores at over and above prices, (they tell me they buy from retail shops and sell at a couple of baht higher only). Whilst I appreciate their trying to make a living, hardly competitive marketing is it? Not to mention being of any practical use to the local community.

One of these shops selling women's clothing does have a small 'fridge selling basic Thai beer and whiskey, along the entire 4-5 km stretch of 'beauty'/laundry/massage and yet more 'beauty' shops. To wit, there's bugger all other than getting a massage and your laundry done. And this where a new branch of the well known Thai/Italian fusion Farang restaurant has recently opened.

Good idea? Would have posted in the Business forum, but this pertains to just one small patch of Phuket.