Baerboxer

And all of Thai firms bribe offcials. NEWS PLEASE.

Haven't you just committed slander and / or libel?

So what do you expect ?

You are from a nanny state with free health services for everybody. Now you have to be told that outside your country you have to use common sense and take your responsabilities.

No, it's not really free. People in employment pay NHS contributions and Tax at quite large rates. Those unfortunate enough to be unemployed, low income or destitute receive free treatment. It aims to create caring society as distinct from others, where only those with money have access to healthcare. There is also a thriving private healthcare sector in the UK which says something about the "free" option.

Exhibiting common sense and taking responsibility is good advice - wether travelling, living overseas or staying at home. Most Europeans I know, that live outside of their home countries are critical of their Embassy services. In most cases, these people are ones that take responsibility, have common sense but so expect a level and quality of service when needed.

If not a April first joke, then a step towards fascism...

or communism; or any other descriptive of a totalatarian state system that oppresses individual freedoms and democracy with state control. Sadly, seems more countires are heading this way. Totally in favour of stopping terrorism, but this will be open to leaks and misuse for sure.

You may wish to read this article which demonstrates that elderly white males are more likely to commit suicide. Its a known social phenomena and there are many reasons why.

http://www.prb.org/A...icideRates.aspx

For the poor guy involved, may his soul rest in peace.

Amen.

I speak enough Chinese and Japanese to get by but Thai is difficult for me to learn. Don't know why, just is.

English is the Universal Business language and becoming the social universal language. Conversational English is most important. I am not so concerned about the technical issues of English or spelling. Conversational English at least gets the lines of communication going. Most people who are learning English will never need to know the technical applications of the language or precise spelling.

Also American English is much easier to understand. I have spoken with a lot of farang English speakers and the British English is hard to understand at times.

Conversational English first then if the person wants to go on they can learn the technical after that.

I agree that Chinese seems easier to learn then Thai - I've found the same, both speaking and writing.

English should be taught correctly - i.e the Queen's English. Conversational English and written English are important and require a basic knolwedge of correct grammatical structure.

I have many American friends - from Lawyers and CEO's through to martial artists and engineers. They all speak more slowly and loudly than the aeverage British person, and their accents are less obstructive. I would find it hard to understand some strong distinctive British accents. (Try Glaswegian, Geordie or Scouse in full flow!).

I have met many teachers from India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, US and Philipinnes in various countries. At least 80% weren't capable of speaking or writing English correctly, particuarly the ones from Asia. Sadly, a lot of British 'teachers" here seem to fall into the same category.

Encouraging people to ignore correct spelling, grammar and use colloquial American, Australian or oher expressions will impede their ability to study and progress in their career. Anyone wanting to go and live in the UK, a Thai wife for instance, will require a good standard of English to understand and pass the citizenship test, if desired. I met many Thai wifes in the UK who spoke reasonable English but could not read, write and understand things like "double negatives". They need this for the tests.

The problem isn't necessarily that all Thais should learn English.

It's that the ones that do decide to learn English should be able to learn from better qualified English teachers.

You hit the nail rite on the head. Many areas might never need the English language as they will not be involved in business. Do you need English to work in a rice paddy or on a assembly line. The need for English is definitely there but not for 95% of the population.

Go to a market where they don't speak English and you will soon see that they can understand your needs. Just point on the other hand there are the ignorant ones who just stand there and blabber on in English and make no attempt to communicate.

I don't consider the British colonization as that I consider it the British attempt at rapeing the world.

People forget that China is just waking up and they might do better to learn some form of Chinese.

But to be fair about it China does have the largest English speaking population in the world.

Almost forgot last summer we visited Angkor Wat. There were many English speaking Cambodians but thy could not understand it.

Too many people live in the past - Euopean countries and the US had colonies. The Belgians have the worst record for mistreatment, the French didn't leave as much behind as the British and Americans in terms of educational and infrastructure systems. The "greater" Japanese empire and German "Lebensraum" colonization of East Europe were relatively short lived, but millions were totured and murdered. This is history - however it's better to move forward and focus on the future. English is the language of business and academia. There are more people learning English than anyother language. Putonghua and Spanish would be good second and third choices if you're linguistically proficient. If you live in a country you should also make the effort to learn the language. English teachers, like all other subject teachers, have to possess teaching skills as well as subject matter knowledge.

screw english, i'm learning mandarin

Very intelligent and perceoptive. And everyone in China is learning.............. English!

This is very sad, and unfortunately all too common.

How can someone be found "The man was found in a sitting position" whilst being hanged?

RIP

Quite a few years ago people were found hanged in the sitting position, with their own belts, in one UK city. This included a local martial arts expert, who ran a "night club security" service company and a couple of his friends. They were sitting and near to the ground, hanging from railings. I believe suicide / misadventure was concluded in the absence of other evidence.

Bendix, your claim not to understand the connection or indeed the irony in the OP lacks credibility.

Not because you are a liar, I don't call you that, but because you live here and your wife is Thai.

And please I make no comment on her or her background - though you might have taken heed of my repeated advice never ever introduce your wife, girlfriend, family or anyone else you care about into this bed of vipers we know as Thaivisa - alas too late on that one.

Let's add some verscity.

You, your wife, I or anyone else, Thai or foreign might wish it not to be so but there is an indisputable immage, an asociation, a connection between Thailand, sex tourism and prostitution.

Furthermore and importantly a significant number of the relationships between foreigners and Thai women start in the sex industry, many never leave it.

I guarantee that in every genuine (non sex industry related) relationship between a foreign man and a Thai woman there is at some level a concern that the woman is not perceived as a prostitute - a concern to project a seperation between this genuine relationship and that other business.

This concern exists because the reality of the sex industry is all around us.

If you, i or anyone else says they do not like the inference, connection or even the irony in the OP, that is perfectly understandable.

But to deny being able to even see the connection is utter hogwash exposed as such by non other than your clear sensitivity to the topic.

Guesthouse nails it again.

The evidence of this is everywhere on this site.

People usually just say wife / girlfriend, but, here on Thaivisa, there always seems to be a qualifier stating that the said wife is not from a certain industry.

Sadly, I think Guesthouse is spot on. Thailand suffers from this racist stereotyping. I have found myself doing exactly this - over introducing my wife by qualification to ensure there was no incorrect connection. The assumptions people in the West make about Thai ladies is narrow minded to say the least. At one senior meeting in London, during lunch, I mentioned my wife was Thai. This drew a snigger and funny look from an Indian colleague. Another very senior colleague openly "roasted" him as both his sons have Thai wives whom they met at University. I had a chat later and he said much the same as me. He always mentioned they met at Uni when he introduced them.

Think you are the one to get over it and realise what Thailand really is.....in general....there are exceptions of course.

Yes, the exceptions are the vast majority.

Thailand's population: 60m ish?

Thailand's female population: 32m ish, a significant majority of whom would be under 40

Estimated number of prostitutes: 300,000? 500,000? I don't know.

Do the maths.

Well, Here is the right figures mate..... Sorry to disappoint you...

http://en.wikipedia....ion_in_Thailand

Which figures do you believe in this article? Looks like 200 to 300k seems the figure. Hardly conclusive research by the look of it.

Have a care.

All of the Members with Chinese/Thai wives with medical degrees, whose fathers own half of Bangkok will be outraged by such a post....

Are there only two kinds of Thai women that men marry, do you think? Just because some people don't marry hookers they found in Pattaya Soi 6, doesn't mean that they married Chinese / Thai wives with rich fathers.

There is a middle ground.

My wife's mother was from Issan and her father from Hat Yai. She has a degree from a second-rate university and rather than work in bars she chose to earn much less money working in an office. Now she owns a couple of small shops.

Thailand women are not either hookers at the one extreme or rich hiso girls at the other. 90% of them are in the middle, busy earning a living, dating guys, falling in love, getting married and living perfectly normal lives.

Is that so unusual?

Bendix, this is something that has always confused me, and I agree with you.

Why is it that on threads like these, guys that clearly married a hooker throw up the sarcastic response that guys who challenge or comment must have married a hi-so, university educated, Chinese?

Lets assume that 5% of Thai women are hookers and maybe 5% are hi-so Chinese. That leaves 90% of normal girls that are available. Them odds is pretty good for finding a normal Thai girl.

You make a good comment DLock. I know several guys who married whores they met whilst initially on holiday here. They always wanted to believe all thai girls were like their wives, apart from the HISO. This somehow enabled them to accept their wives' past more easily. They wouldn't have dreamed of marrying a whore in their own country, but justify it to themselves by pretending "it's different here". I know many thai ladies, not whores, who are interested in foreign husbands - because they are sick of the way thai men behave. Dating sites, introduction agencies etc are a conduit for this. I'm sure some whores and ex-whores use these, but so do a lot of others.

Yeah and both those countries are such a source of mail order brides exporting women (in mismatched age / / education / wealth) marriages world wide..

I have never seen a "mail order bride".

Can someone give me a hint where I can find one? I mean, not in a Western magazine, but a real one?

In general any thai online dating site.. like the one in the OP, is a common modern day start.

Why only "thai" online dating sites? All the others, are different then? Social media has become a starting point for many relationships.

I donot know about Krabi, but if juvenile delinquents like these three, are being caught here in Cha'am, the first thing the police will do is beat them all up, severely, just for starters!

Secondly, if the same teenagers or adults for that matter, are being caught on a regularly basis here in Petchaburi province, for crimes like theft, robbery, b&e or ya ba, they take them into a rice field, never to be heard of again....

The police commissioner simply tells his officers that he never wants to see that particular person ever again.

I'm told that this happens in many more provinces too.....

I like that type of justice!

Justice ????????

“All of them have been charged with armed robbery and receiving stolen property,” Lt Col Chatchawan said.

I have been told that unless the witnesses are there to testify in court, the charges are dropped. I imagine the same will happen here. Arrested to satisfy German Embassy, period. Trial date? Safely after German girls go home.

In a lot of societies like Australia for instance, the prosecution will want a conviction in a serious crime such as this and that requires the victim and key witnesses to be available. The prosection would accomadate the victim in the country and bare the costs and take care of visa requirements. The court could even make an order at the request of the prosection that immigration extend a visa. But hey Australia is a different society.

Yes - a former penal colony

Two issues here

1. Isn't it time the Thai government and/or various political groups stopped the ingenuous posturing regarding the PR image of the Kingdom regarding prostitution? Prostitution is, has been, and always will be, merely a service job which thrives within any socio-economic environment offering few other options. As the oldest profession, It has no moral backdrop, no political affiliation or sexual bias. If you represent a nation as a government appointee, take a look first at your educational system, your empowerment culture for all genders/sexual preferences, the values you impart to the next generation regarding materialism, sexuality, inequality and opportunity. First and foremost, take a long hard look, with your sons and daughters in mind, at both government and parental responsibility/provision; legal enforcement; role modelling; and how your national policy assists, promotes and affords a lifestyle which makes prostitution redundant.

Then, take your argument to the media and try to change the image.

The facts are that the consumers of such a socio-economic culture are not the problem; supply and demand are intimate and symbiotic partners in this exchange. It is the job of the nation, its government and cultural representatives to tailor its reality to prevent this kind of prevalent SEA/Pattaya PR.

Simply, educate the population to raise the bar for its children, and most importantly, offer social/financial support for the most vulnerable groups in society: especially women and children of both genders.

2. The second issue is less wordy. Anyone: male, female, other, of all nationalities: look at your life and your choices. Not against any highly moral or religious backdrop: that is every person's own choice and private concern. Simply, to participants of this forum (and I am looking at the banner Ad right now on this forum as I type...asking me which AsianBeauty.com I prefer ?? ) why respond to this kind of news with some kind of morbid pissing competition as to whether Pattaya, Hanoi or Mexico City is, in fact, the biggest brothel?? Don't you have some laundry to do, or something???

Ref point 1: Many people may be driven to prostitution by socio-economic issues. Although other threads on this forum have debated the fact that they always have a choice. America, Western Europe and Australia all have prostitution and those involved are not all near poverty. Some make extremely good money - and see the work as easier than other less profitable options. This is their choice. Prostitution is a commonality of societies regardless of genetic, history, religious, cultural or educational evolution. Changes in so called "developed" countries have not led to the disappearence of prostitution.

Ref point 2: Presumably you completed the laundry before posting a comment?

So your point is everyone is the same? America, Western Europe, Australia (I think you forgot a number of other developed countries [singapore, Monaco, Japan]) are all the exact same as Thailand. They all have prostitution, so they're the same? And the exact nature and level of prostitution is the same as well? I assume the legal standards are similar...as are the enforcement standards? Would you like some property on the moon? I sell all kinds of deeds to unique, revisionist concepts of property! I promise you will satisfied with your investment when you look at yourself in the mirror because everything is just the same level of quality, including your investments...

No - I didn't say everyone is the same. Read the comments again.

Monaco is in Western Europe.

Good luck with your selling career. Commission only?

Two issues here

1. Isn't it time the Thai government and/or various political groups stopped the ingenuous posturing regarding the PR image of the Kingdom regarding prostitution? Prostitution is, has been, and always will be, merely a service job which thrives within any socio-economic environment offering few other options. As the oldest profession, It has no moral backdrop, no political affiliation or sexual bias. If you represent a nation as a government appointee, take a look first at your educational system, your empowerment culture for all genders/sexual preferences, the values you impart to the next generation regarding materialism, sexuality, inequality and opportunity. First and foremost, take a long hard look, with your sons and daughters in mind, at both government and parental responsibility/provision; legal enforcement; role modelling; and how your national policy assists, promotes and affords a lifestyle which makes prostitution redundant.

Then, take your argument to the media and try to change the image.

The facts are that the consumers of such a socio-economic culture are not the problem; supply and demand are intimate and symbiotic partners in this exchange. It is the job of the nation, its government and cultural representatives to tailor its reality to prevent this kind of prevalent SEA/Pattaya PR.

Simply, educate the population to raise the bar for its children, and most importantly, offer social/financial support for the most vulnerable groups in society: especially women and children of both genders.

2. The second issue is less wordy. Anyone: male, female, other, of all nationalities: look at your life and your choices. Not against any highly moral or religious backdrop: that is every person's own choice and private concern. Simply, to participants of this forum (and I am looking at the banner Ad right now on this forum as I type...asking me which AsianBeauty.com I prefer ?? ) why respond to this kind of news with some kind of morbid pissing competition as to whether Pattaya, Hanoi or Mexico City is, in fact, the biggest brothel?? Don't you have some laundry to do, or something???

Ref point 1: Many people may be driven to prostitution by socio-economic issues. Although other threads on this forum have debated the fact that they always have a choice. America, Western Europe and Australia all have prostitution and those involved are not all near poverty. Some make extremely good money - and see the work as easier than other less profitable options. This is their choice. Prostitution is a commonality of societies regardless of genetic, history, religious, cultural or educational evolution. Changes in so called "developed" countries have not led to the disappearence of prostitution.

Ref point 2: Presumably you completed the laundry before posting a comment?

If this is a competition for concentration of putas on one area, I don't think you can beat Mexico City. When I was there I wandered off into the "wrong" neighborhood and it was mind boggling, miles and miles of street walkers straight out of a Fellini movie. For me it was about as sexually appealing as a can of paint but it did make an impression. Never saw anything in Thailand to come close.

I believe the largest brothel in the world was in Saigon, "The Hall of Mirrors" with 1200 ladies.

Cologne has a 12 storey brothel with around 120 whores, 80 staff, amenities etc. 1200 "ladies" - must be 10 times bigger ??

Well Pattaya is one of if not the largest red light district on earth. While other Asian countries have just as much if not more prostitution, they don't usually allow foreigners while Pattaya is aimed at them

Can you name any country that doesn't have prostitution? Some are legal, some illegal but "open" others illegall and more underground. The Philipinnes is rife with whores, and they all look for the foreigners. Big Chinese cities, HK, Macau all full of East European and South American as well as Asian whores. US and Western Europe pretty open. Thailand suffers this bad publicity but in reality is far from the worst.

Wow! Beauty truly lies in the eye of the beholder. I can find 100 ladies at any mall in Thailand within an hour that IMHO are 100 times prettier than this lady or the runner-ups. Maybe a little harsh but jeez Louise...that's the best Thailand can muster???

Beauty lies in the eyes of the beer holder !!!

With a population of 70 million, greater than that of the UK, it stands to reason than expansion of the existing airports and even additional airports will be necessary to accommodate growth. London has Heathrow, plus Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, City and St. Pancras. EasyBus and others offer efficient shuttle services.

What does not stand to reason, is that whatever the government does, this and/or the next, the Thai bashers here will criticise whoever - it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't, scenario. Foreigners here expect everything the way they like it, as though there is no one else to consider, and for a fraction of the price 'back home'.

As an interim plan, if moving domestic flights to Don Mueang can take a bit of pressure of Suvarnabhumi, then why shouldn't they. Many of you may be retired, but the world hasn't. All renovations entail some degree of inconvenience. Live with it.

Not sure what correalation the size of population 70m to 60m is to the number of users of airports - tourists, business, tansits etc. Don't let anyone fool you - St.Pancras is a train station! You can check-in there and get a direct train to Heathrow. But, don't buy a ticket to land there!

Excuse me, am I missing something here? Three hours is a norm at Heathrow for non-EU passport holders. I don't get what the fuss is about. Never occurred to me to complain because we're either immigrants and students. Although paying tax without any recourses to public funds, we are still treated as if we're coming to UK to take. So complaining is the last thing on our mind.

I understand your frustration-point but I guess that:

1. you're wearing a turban or a headscarf, maybe the one with only your eyes (???) visible or worse the one which do not distinct you any longer from a garbage bin outside your door;

2. you do not have a white skin (and I do not feel disturbed by this in anyway, but maybe the immigration officers in Heathrow do). Regret to say that in my country I carefully avoid rows where africans are queuing up... These are definitely the "slow" rows...;

3. You are dressed like an Arab NOT with the white-only turban, but the "white and red" kitchen towel, the one that Yasser Arafat was wearing all the time;

4. You are NOT holder of a diplomatic passport;

5. You are NOT an UN-employee;

6. You did NOT shave before presenting to the immigration officer and wear a long beard (like the Talibans) perhaps spreading a strange odour around;

7. You are a travestite;

If you're not one of the above, then you have been very unfortunate to have to wait so long... It's very unfortunate! But remember, carefully avoid to be one of the cases above: it may help!

I apologize if I have offended you but my only aim was to be helpful! You're welcome!

Well well someone has never have to queue as a non-European in their own country, have they? I'm a Thai women (born and bred), I'm a Buddist so no need for turban. I have long black hair like a typical Thai woman. I do work in the City in this country. I have a genuine work permit. I have tan skin but not black because a lot of golfing. There's only ONE row for international passport (non-UK/non-EU) and you do get stuck there for three hours, at least, if you're lucky. I'm queuing along with all the blacks (sorry I can't avoid queuing up where Africans are - there's only ONE row), arabs, Americans, Mexicans, Chinese, Japanese etc. I have been in and out in from YOUR country for five years and the experiences are consistent at Heathrow.

I'm sorry you are so ignorant and still have some courage to challenge a person with experience that you have never had. I was writing on other thread how much I love English people because they are so civilised, open-minded and full of humility. I may have to retract that unfortunately.

Oh well, maybe not, I might just need to add I only love English in England because they can become quite a <deleted> outside their own country.

You are right - the non-EU immigration at Heathrow is awfull. It's slow, and I've heard the officers being unecessarily rude on some occasions. The UK is not the only European country like this, and the US can also be daunting. Anyone who thinks Thailand is bad should try certain Middle East countries. I have flown a lot over the last 25 years and on average Thailand has been one of the best for immigration - time waiting and civility. Please don't paint all British the same - we're not all <deleted>! And I'm embarrased at how your teated when you arrive at Heathrow.

I have a friend, ahem, who hasn't done a 90 day report in 3 years. Multiple entry non-B visa renewal every year no problems, no worries

Just to be clear for others here, B business visas typically don't require 90 day reports. The visa itself is valid for a year, but the holder is required to exit Thailand by land or air every 90 days...hence the reason for no 90 day reporting.

That's in contrast to retirement extensions, where the holder doesn't have to exit Thailand anytime during the year, but does have to do 90 day reports.

BTW, as for the airport, if you have a Thai spouse, typically departure Immigration will let the two of you go thru the (often shorter) Thai citizen lines instead of going separate and you standing in the longer foreigner lines.

I cannot answer for Thailand, but it is a little known fact that British Customs and Excise are NOT ALLOWED to split up married couples travelling together. Your Thai wife can accompany you through the British passport holders booths even if she is travelling on a Thai passport.

HMRC do not have responsibility for checking passports. But, you are correct to say that a foreign spouse travelling with their UK partner will be allowed throught the the EU channel at Immigration.

I went out very early last Thursday, 22nd. From check-in, through immigration and security less than 6 minutes! Arrived back last night at 11.05pm and was in taxi by 11.50pm. Only had hand luggage but stopped off at duty free to buy something. The immigration was very well staffed and excellently organised. No problems at all.

I recently got similar emails from "Bank of America", and Citigroup. Kind of funny because I do not have a Bank of America Account. The emails had all the proper looking logos and trademarks. They were actually saying due to changes on their website I had to click on the following link and enter all my information for verification. Of course that html page had blocks for my name, social, address, security questions, etc.

Near the end of the email, the horrible english grammar really did make it pretty obvious it was fake as one of the sentences made no grammatical sense at all. I did call my citigroup card and they confirmed there is a bunch of email scams out there right now.

I have had several of these recently, all suposedly from European banks - none of which I bank with. The latest contained logos and even a dummy set of 'Terms and Conditons" to make it look real. Everyone needs to be alert to these scams.

What's the benefit of switching from marriage to retired? I am presently processing a marriage visa but I intend to work.

Retirement is immediate with only financial proof required for paperwork. But it is not an option if you intend to work.

Thank you Lopburi. I have a marriage support but the IP are always "suggesting" I should go for retirement. Never understood why before. From you comments, I guess is less paperwork for them and quicker for me. Thanks again.