jomama

I agree absolutely. It is the old "if you don't like it, then leave" thing.

My advice is leave. That's what I did after 13 years. I look back on it and wonder what the h*ll I was thinking. The place is beguiling in a dark sort of way, I guess. I feel like I just emerged from some zombie-like experience. Bizarre really. 20 months after leaving I'm still shocked at the cr*p I was willing to tolerate. I personally witnessed more than 10 people killed on the roads, knew others who were killed in accidents or murdered, had one outrageous bad experience after another with landlords, wife's family, place of employment, etc.

You are indeed lucky. If your daughter had succumbed (thank God she is OK), there would have been no recourse or responsible party. As a Thai neighbor said to me about his three yapping dogs: "This is not your country. You can say nothing. If you don't like it leave." Check out the threads on the Pai shooting and Kirsty Jones case (the Kirsty case went a long way toward finally souring me irrevocably on the place). Just be thankful your not left with that awful type of loss -- made much worse by a bunch of outrageous BS trying to explain it away.

This "fire" isn't going to be put out by next week, but it will never be extinguished until it is recognized, not ignored, more people are educated to it, and action taken at different levels from individual to international to douse the flames.

...and not let one's obsession with a tourist-related business "cloud" one's judgment or obscure the reality

Maybe more info than you need, but this was in the NY Times:

Bracing for Games, China Sets Rules That Complicate Life for Foreigners

BEIJING — In little more than 100 days, China will open its arms to a deluge of foreigners, many of whom will be pleasantly surprised to find a dizzying array of designer boutiques and painfully hip martini bars that divert expatriates and middle-class Chinese in this once dowdy capital.

Outside a visa application office in Hong Kong. China has imposed new restrictions on visas that concern many foreigners.

But even as Beijing is promising to welcome 1.5 million visitors to the Olympic Games, public security officials are tightening controls over daily life and introducing visa restrictions that are causing anxiety among the 250,000 foreigners who have settled here in recent years.

The visa rules, which were introduced last week with little explanation, restrict many visitors to 30-day stays, replacing flexible, multiple-entry visas that had allowed people to remain for up to a year. The new rules make it harder for foreigners to live and work in Beijing without applying for residency permits, which can be difficult to obtain. The restrictions are also complicating the lives of businesspeople in Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore used to crossing the border with ease.

“I can’t begin to explain how serious this is going to be,” said Richard Vuylsteke, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. “A barrier like this is going to have a real ripple effect on business.”

The government wants to present a blemish-free image of Beijing for the Olympics. Police officers have cleared away street beggars and closed down shops selling pirated DVDs, while also forcing some migrant workers to go back to the countryside.

Over the last month the police have raided bars and clubs suspected of harboring drug dealers. An operation two weeks ago that netted a group of French teenagers has provoked charges of heavy-handed police tactics.

Other restrictions can seem random, like a decision on Wednesday that forced the cancellation of a popular music festival a week before its start. Organizers of the eight-year-old event, the Midi Festival, said officials had told them they were concerned about security. More than 80 bands, many of them from abroad, were scheduled to perform.

But most of the fear and consternation has been prompted by the new visa rules, which have thousands of foreign residents scrambling for black market documents — or contemplating leaving. Residents who in the past could apply locally to extend yearlong tourist or business visas have been instructed to return home and apply for the short-term visas at the Chinese Embassy in their home countries.

Some, like Desmond McGarry, a jazz musician who has lived here since 2002, said they would probably leave. For Mr. McGarry, returning to Canada would mean abandoning his apartment and a network of friends. “It’s been very comfortable until now, even if we existed in a gray zone,” he said. “Maybe I’ll leave and try to come back in the fall when things calm down.”

The new visa rules come at a time of heightened tensions in Beijing and other cities, where public anger has been directed at Western governments and overseas news organizations seen as sympathetic to Tibetan independence. Over the last week, that discontent has fueled demonstrations at the French Embassy in Beijing and at outlets of Carrefour, a French supermarket chain whose executives have been accused of aligning themselves with the Dalai Lama. Some foreign residents are nervously awaiting next Thursday, the first day of a planned Carrefour boycott.

Although the majority of foreigners say they have seen no change in the behavior of their Chinese neighbors and co-workers, some French residents complain that nationalist ire is seeping into their daily lives. One businessman who plays tennis at a Chinese sports club said acquaintances refused to join him on the court last weekend.

More ominously, the owner of a popular French restaurant here said he was denied a visa extension on Wednesday by an official who simply told him, “It’s because you’re French.” The man, who asked that his name and business not be printed for fear of antagonizing the authorities, said he was in a panic. “My whole life is here,” he said.

Most Westerners readily acknowledge that they enjoy privileged lives, including unspoken immunity from the tangle of rules that can complicate the lives of average Chinese.

That may be about to change. Last week English-language signs began appearing on Beijing streets and in high-end apartment buildings directing foreigners not staying in hotels to register with the police. The regulations, which are not new but are rarely enforced, promise steep fines for those who do not comply.

Because the government has not issued formal guidelines about the new visa rules, rumors and uncertainty have been rife, and travel agents say that a handful of tourists have been denied visas without evident rationale.

Cloris Yip, the manager of Smiley Travel in Hong Kong, cited the example of two tourists, a Swiss and a German; the Swiss citizen received a 30-day visa while his German companion was given one for five days. The men, she said, canceled their trip.

“Maybe the Chinese government is not so happy with the Germans right now,” Ms. Yip said. “Maybe they think some foreigners want to protest Tibet during the Games. Either way, you cannot argue or negotiate.”

Businessmen are also feeling powerless. Hong Kong executives accustomed to visiting mainland factories or construction projects every few days are now spending one day each week waiting for new single- or double-entry visas.

“Everyone is affected by it, and they are very unhappy,” said Seth Peterson, a vice president of Techtronic Industries Company, which manufactures vacuum cleaners and power tools in southern China.

Asked about the restrictions, Jiang Yu, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, insisted that there had been no change in visa rules. “The Chinese people will welcome foreign friends in a warm, enthusiastic and open-minded way,” she said during a news conference on Tuesday.

Whether or not these are just temporary measures, those who depend on foreign expertise for their businesses say the impact has been real. Collin Crowell, the managing editor of City Weekend, an English-language entertainment guide in Beijing, said the new requirements were causing consternation among the magazine’s freelance writers.

And Raluca Riquet, an event planner who is organizing art shows for the summer, said she was struggling to find curators with valid visas.

“We’ll find a solution, but it’s not so easy,” said Ms. Riquet, who holds dual French and Romanian citizenship. “The government really wants to control everything and everybody before the Olympics. For us foreigners, it’s a really big change.”

Wow thats bloody ridiculous ... this is certainly causing me to re-evalute my travel plans. You'd think they would be streamlining tourist

visa processing with the olympics looming ...

It's exactly because of the Olympics. The last thing they want is people entering on a tourist visa and staging a protest. Even the expats who have lived in China for a long time are having difficulty with visas -- and China has stopped giving visas to the mainland issued in Hong Kong, triggering some sharp questions from well-established businesspeople and chambers of commerce. The rumor is they will are even planning to stop foreigners on the street and ask for their passports to ensure valid visas. It is expected to ease after the Games.

Smoke and fire:

I suppose bookshop owners who flame those that disagree about pollution should be careful when disputing the spelling of authors' names -- especially after they've been corrected by a Scandinavian linguist over a renowned Danish writer ... how do you spell wrong on all counts?

One can understand that business owners don't like negative publicity -- but its hard to build a smokescreen big enough to hide the real smokescreen outside. Even government officials admit the seriousness of the problem. It's one of the reasons I finally moved away from Chiang Mai after more than a decade.

The facts are: its really is that bad and it's not going to change. The system has always been to burn off everything beginning in January and unless the government/society can provide refuse collection, jobs for slash-and-burn farmers and a generations-long educational effort, it ain't going to change. Just hold your breath and wait for rain -- a bit usually comes at Songkran ...

Up to you which way you want to go........personally i wouldn't take such medications long term because the condition will never go away

I have had two severe outbreaks before and went into complete remission both times. I now live in Beijing, where the cold, dry weather -- combined with a year of over-doing alcohol -- has brought on the third severe attack. When I lived in Thailand, I used moderate amounts of sun and salt baths, combined with coal tar (no side effects at all) and it cleared. That's why I 'm coming to Thailand for 10 days to get some sea and sun, but I want the backup meds just in case.

I know about methotrexate -- it is the very last choice. I took it once for two months and will only take it in a crisis (like complete coverage of my entire body). I quite drinking two months ago and it is getting a bit better, but the cold, biting wind makes it tough.

In my case, it's alchol, not diet, that triggered it.

Thanks for all the responses, guys! Yes, a lot of people have psoriasis, but it's mostly kept secret because it's so unattractive and freaks other people out. Thais used to point at my legs when I was suffereing and yell aids! (the say aid). I stopped wearing shorts. So most people keep it secret and covered.

There is a lot of information on the net about psorasis.

If you are prepared to make dietary changes and take some herbal supplements i think you can greatly alleviate the symptoms.

Fish oil is good for psorasis along with B vitamins but you also need to make dietary changes to help overcome this condition.

It is an inflammatory condition and associated with an acidic system.

So you need to cut out things like yeast and sugar and get your system alkaline eating alkaline foods.

Stress is a definite contributing factor.

I have very mild psorasis which gets worse if i am under a lot of stress.

Beer is really bad for such a conditon and probably if you are going to drink you should stick to vodka with soda.

Thanks "doctor", but I have had this for years and know it all too well. I need to see a doctor because I want to get some coal tar, steroid lotions and possibly methrothrexate. Your advice is not necssarily wrong, but only scratches the surface -- no pun intended. Thanks, though.

Can anyone recommend one?

How far is that?

Thanks!

Sattahip.

Go through the town heading east to Rayong, turn right at the crossroads to the naval Dock, approx 10k down this road just before the main enterance to the naval base turn left and follow the road down to the beach. Plenty of parking food and drinks for sale as well.

There was a thread some time back which had photographs.

I would like to stay in a decent hotel, enjor the amenities of the city and yet spend time at beach with clean water -- is that possible?

Thanks

Unfortunately the whole story sums up part of Thailand:

* Drunken, armed policeman, who has a history of drunkenness, yet is still employed and still armed

* Drunken, abusive foreign woman, who has a history of drunkeness and problems, yet is still there and still drunk

Why do you think she stayed in Thailand and he stayed employed?

Wow, what a society!

After living there for 14 years, all in all, I would say its a fun place to visit.

Especially if you're drunk.

Dutch man arrested for forging ex-wife's signature

Nonglak said Dahan later fell in love with a transgender and filed for a divorce.

An only in Pattaya tale of romance

And only in Thailand -- it could be an unsubstantiated allegation that is repeated by the police and printed by the newspaper. It could be entirely untrue. It might have a whole lot more to do with 60 million baht.

We're all OK so long as we wear the right color.

A bit desparate isn't it?

Dunno, but it sounds like true love to me...

Ya, might be better than the ex-wife.

I know someone who privately tutors students from Prem, Lanna, and American-Pacific. She cannot tell a world of difference between the students who take ESL (not native speakers of English).

What about the former "Nakorn Payap"? They are now called Nakornpayap --one word -- and have a new shiny logo that looks like something from Star Trek ?

I know someone who privately tutors students from Prem, Lanna, and American-Pacific. She cannot tell a world of difference between the students who take ESL (not native speakers of English).

I was in O'Malley's about 3 weeks ago with some old friends (Yes I do have some friends). I must say there was absolutely nothing wrong with the service or the quality of the Kilkenny. I was with a group of about 6 people and not once did we have to wait for service.

The staff greeted us warmly as we came in the door, especially by my dear friend Rose who I have known for 10 years or more when she was working in another establishment not too far from O'Malley's.

Mind you Rose recognises various qualities in patrons and shows respect to those that deserve it.

Is Rose his wife? If so I know her too.

Whether these specific charges are true or not, one statement is:

Saam nahm naa

dumb farang ...explination ....where I can speak thai well enough to understand an explination

Hey Wizzard,

While you're learning Thai, perhaps you should take a few English language classes too ... just a wild piece of advice to a self-appointed expert. Incidentally Thai is a formal noun and the name of a language, people and culture and should be capitalized.

But hey, why bother with the details?

I wonder who's dumb?

And then Chiang Mai might be a nice place to visit once again...

S

And perhaps there wouldn't be so many alcohol ...reliant budget retirees and those that know everything about Thailand after being here for 2 years.

C'mon Blinky...we've tipped a few. I'm American and normally well behaved. Put the firewater in me, however, I can get obnoxious too. But at least I don't do it at breakfast in a public restaurant when I'm sober.

I am not interested in what ESL teachers make but more in the lines of: hotel industry, NGO consultant, IT work, international school teacher, consulate/govt, project manager, university researcher, etc.

Wow, you have all those professional skills?

But honestly those jobs are few and far between.

Yes, clear cut clarification would be great, but this reminds me of the arguments over which TEFL school is best. Nobody's been to all of them; nobody has a statistically valid sample. A fistfight and a death threat do not define either campus; most students don't get car-sick going up a mountain. Even the most fervent evangelicals cannot convert some students; they're not that smart, usually. A friend of mine is an ESL tutor and has students at three of the schools, but she can't draw conclusions based on those few examples.

Good post.

In China and Hong Kong, they're still talking about the crisis of '97. They seem to have a wary eye on Thailand because that's where it originated last time and are concerned that it could happen again.

I'm not smart enough to know if other countries have been able insulate themselves from problems if Thailand crashes out again.

I know that there have been a series of moves by the Chinese government to cool the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, including higher taxes on stock transactions, higher interest rates for deposits in an attempt to draw liquidity into consumer savings in banks and sanctions against banking officials who loaned large amounts that was illegally used for stock market speculation. There have been record numbers of new small players in the stock market. It has every sign of a bubble. If frightened, these unsophisticated stock players could sell in a panic.

What a load of rubbish.

As you know doubt know the fight at the football match involved two pupils from APIS and NIS and was followed up by death threats from the APIS Phys Ed. teacher to all and sundry. I know of no other trouble with other schools.

That is accurate. Some kid from APIS who was over 18 years old and covered with tatoos started the fight. The NIS kids ended it and the APIS student needed dental surgery. NIS has a fine PE teacher and the players behave themselves very well in sports. The death threat was indeed made at the time -- he said "do you know who these students parents are -- bullets are cheap in Thailand." I believe he was Iranian.