willyumiii

​For those of you who don't know this,Tabaco as originally used an a horse liniment,untell some idot found you can smoke it and it will calm you.Problem is they never under stode the down side of it.

What have you been smoking?

I do not believe your statement.

Native Americans ( Indians ) were growing and smoking tobacco long before the Spanish first introduced horses to the North American continent.

No horses means no horse liniment.

Smoke another and give it some thought!

Just like in America, the big corporations have the money needed to control the government for the benefit of the corporations

Are you trying to tell me that you think Thai government officials in Thailand are above taking huge amounts of money to influence their decisions?

I live in Chiang Mai, on the Outer Ring road near BoSang. Those of you who live here will know where I'm talking about. That puts me and my wife about 15 kilometers east of the city proper, and that's just fine with both of us. We live in a moo ban of about 100 houses, with only one other American and his Thai wife, and one German with his Thai family.

So, needless to say, we're "off the beaten path" of tourists and others out here, and don't really notice it till we go into the city. Then it's Big Change! Definitely more foreigners of various nationalities than there was when I moved here 7 years ago. The most notable difference is at CM Immigration. 7-8 years ago, you could show up just about any time of day and do your 90 day in 20 minutes or less. No long waits for Visa extensions, etc. Definitely not true any more. Now if you want a Marriage or Retirement extension, you have to get there around 4 am (or pay someone to do it for you), to get an early queue number. 90 day extensions can take 1-3 hours, depending on when you get there. Supposedly they are opening a new, bigger office near the Government Complex in Mae Rim, but so far it's only talk.

Most of the ones I have met are either Brits or Canadians, and surprisingly few Americans, but have no idea why in regards to that fact.

The one positive thing I've noted is that there are more good western style restaurants, so that's a plus.

For what it is worth...

I am American and I know a major factor with how many Americans visit or live in Thailand is the 20+ hour flight to get here and then return home.

If you are a large farang like me, 6 foot 3 inches, that is a very uncomfortable flight in a little airplane seat!

Most people who live in Thailand, do still like to visit friends and family back home from time to time.

I have had flights with difficulties that took more then 35 hours to get from BKK to San Francisco!

Keep in mind, the only flights from USA to Thailand are from California,( either San Francisco or L.A. ) and if you do not live in California, it requires other flights just to get to California.

I think this is the reason you see far fewer people in Thailand from USA than you do from Europe, Australia, or Asia.

Just about everything found in Thailand can be found much closer to USA as well.

In sheer numbers 75% of my friends that retired here moved back to the USA. Some are thinking of visiting South America, some are considering returning to try Vietnam or PI.

The only friends that remain here are because they have a wife and home here. The single guys all left. The married guys whose spouse had a U.S. Passport are gone. The hardcore guys that used to come whenever they had vacation time are going elsewhere.

The complaints range from the visa system is a pain to just a general feeling that Thailand has changed since they opened the floodgates to the Chinese a few years ago.

I retired here in February. I thought I and my wife who holds a U.S. Passport would live on the beach and relax. But the reality is this place has changed. The infrastructure is overwhelmed by masses of Chinese tourists. Their busses block traffic such that it feels like I'm in Bangkok at times. Their sheer numbers and lack of civility ruin the beach or any destination you take the family to. I came to Thailand because of its slow pace, nice beaches, etc. Sadly this looks more like a province in China than the Thailand I remembered.

Hopefully Hua Hin is better as we are going there next week. I heard Phuket is overrun with Chinese as well?

The Chinese influx doen't even register in my radar...not all of us live in Pattaya/Hua Hin and what not.

A quick rundown of reasons for me would be (in no particular order)

Higher prices (strong baht), not much rapport/fun with thais anymore, thai women have become 'ugly' in more ways than one,relatively difficult visas, no rapport among farangs (loners, alcoholics, nutcases, family types)

The only 'constant' left over is the eternal summer.

For many people this is not reaon enough to stay.

I know exactly what you mean!

Those damn "family types".

They ruin Thailand for everyone.

Not running around spending money like there is no tomorrow.

Making the bar girls feel neglected and depressed.

Not expecting the people of Thailand to be more like the people "back home".

Those "family types" they are very dangerous and very boring! (sarc )

I am a "family type" and would not have it anyother way.

This is not Disneyland for me...it is home.

I do not know if overall numbers have increased or decreased.

But, I do think the number of westerners has increased quite a bit here in Issan over the past few years.

Talking to them, I find many have lived in southern westernized Thailand previously and have either recently discovered the difference here in Issan, or have recently tired of the westernized style of life and tourist influence in the south.

As far as actual figures of those living in Thailand, would it be possible to gt some numbers from Thai Immigration on that?

In sheer numbers 75% of my friends that retired here moved back to the USA. Some are thinking of visiting South America, some are considering returning to try Vietnam or PI.

The only friends that remain here are because they have a wife and home here. The single guys all left. The married guys whose spouse had a U.S. Passport are gone. The hardcore guys that used to come whenever they had vacation time are going elsewhere.

The complaints range from the visa system is a pain to just a general feeling that Thailand has changed since they opened the floodgates to the Chinese a few years ago.

I retired here in February. I thought I and my wife who holds a U.S. Passport would live on the beach and relax. But the reality is this place has changed. The infrastructure is overwhelmed by masses of Chinese tourists. Their busses block traffic such that it feels like I'm in Bangkok at times. Their sheer numbers and lack of civility ruin the beach or any destination you take the family to. I came to Thailand because of its slow pace, nice beaches, etc. Sadly this looks more like a province in China than the Thailand I remembered.

Hopefully Hua Hin is better as we are going there next week. I heard Phuket is overrun with Chinese as well?

Those darn Asians!

Why do they need to visit Asia?

Once Americans were considered the rudist tourists.

I always thought the Germans were very harsh and rude..

Then came the damn Russians!

Now it's the Chinese....

Who's next?

Seems there is always someone not to like!

It still thinks like a 3rd world country.

And the advantage of a first world country is???

Is this why so many TV members have left the first world to live in the Third world?

My wife's niece has been staying with us for about 3 weeks. I found out about a week ago from my wife as we were in Tesco that the kid needed underwear. She only had two pairs of underwear which I found surprising as her mom gave the kids tablet pcs. [emoji52]

Some here maybe interested in your wife's niece's knickers.

But does it have anything to do with the topic?.

Why would your wife's niece not be your niece as well?

Is she a worker who is heavily in debt?

I am confused!

"PEOPLE OF COLOR"

I get confused when people refer to " people of color"!

We all have color, don't we?

There really are no white, red ,black or yellow people.

We are all shades of brown, some lighter, some darker.

The only people who are not "people of color" are the transparent people.

and I can see right through those people!

Its still a boring shit hole

such a nice comment.

Remember...only the boring get bored.

Life is what you make it, wherever you are.

Up to you!

Should I be late or should I be early?

Do you really need to ask?

Let's be honest.

A lot of the TV Thai bashers here are in Thailand because their pensions, savings,or income from outside Thailand " go further " here allowing you to live better here than in your home country.

Many of you who live pretty well in Thailand would be living much closer to the poverty line in your home country.

The fact that you live better than the average working Thai adds to your false sense of superiority over those you love to look down on and constantly bash on this forum.

If Thais were paid better and could live as well as you, would you leave the country and look for another place to boost your egos?

If the answer is yes, that's one more reason to raise the wage.

Maybe putting restriction on the institutions who lend money to those without the means to pay it back is as big an issue as the wages being paid?

I sincerely feel sorry for the Thai people, especially anyone working for 300 baht/day. Prices everywhere are going up, especially food, so I just don't know how they survive. Here in Canada, one could say the minimum wage is very good compared to Thailand, but if you don't own your own house or condo fully, rent and heat costs alone could almost take away all your months wages. Many people here are in the same situation in that they owe a lot of money to the banks. On top of that Winters are very long and there is no beach or sunshine to cheer you up.

Thai minimum wage workers are no different to other countries minimum wage workers.

The only difference is a large number of minimum wage workers in other countries take a second job to earn more, while in Thailand, its hard to get them to do OT let alone work on day off with extra pay.

Most min wage jobs in Thailand require the worker to work 12 hours per day , 6 days per week.

That does not leave a lot of hours for a second job, or overtime , or even to spend a little time with your family...does it?

If i recall correctly last minimum wage was not enough, so it was hiked to 300, now its also not enough.

So once its hiked again, again it will not be enough.

Said it before and will say it again, stay in the same job for longer than 3 months, do little more than play on the phone and laze around, and you will not be getting minimum wage.

As for usual willyumii drivel, if those work conditions are not suitable, can always either go to labor department or change jobs.

Not to mention minimum wage workers also get free meal and out of 12 hours at work, will be lucky to actually work for half that.

Farmers get to steal take home lots of products and work for few month a year if that.

PS. May be if they stopped drinking 100 baht worth of thai whisky on nightly basis, they might have an extra 100 to spend on food

Just what are you accusing the farmers of stealing?

A bag of rice every few months when it is ready for harvest?

Some unprocessed tapioca that can not be eaten?

Or maybe a few stalks of unprocessed sugar cane?

These are the crops grown here and you can see they are not something anyone would want to "steal".

Do you know anything about farming in Thailand?

It must be nice to know so much and still not care about anyone but yourself.

P.S. a bottle of whiskey Thai is only 50 baht!

The min wage is now 300 baht per day.

Most jobs require the worker to work a 12 hour day to earn that 300 baht.

That comes to 25 baht per hour.......that's about $0.70 usd. / hour

Even if the min wage were to jump to the mentioned 491 baht per day, that would only be about 40 baht per hour.

That's $1.10 usd / hour

Can anyone be expected to live on those wages?

Is is any wonder why so many go into debt, just to survive?

I do not pretend to know about the situation in Bangkok and some of the larger cities in the south.

There are a few things about minimum wage I know to be true here in the north I have never seen mentioned on a TV post before that I think should be known.

1) Most people who work for Min wage are required to work 12 hours per day to get that 300 baht

.

2) Most min wage jobs require the worker to work 6 days per week.

That breaks down to 25 baht per hour.

A 72 our week pays 1800 baht

or 7,200 baht per month

3( Another important fact I never hear mentioned is that farm labor (working in the hot sun 12 hours per day ) does not pay 300 baht per day.

Farm labor is only paid 200 baht per day....legal or not, that is the fact in northern Thailand.

Can you imagine trying to support yourself on these wages with only one day per week off to take care of business at home?

Now, try to imagine supporting a family on these wages...even with two adults working 6 days per week!

LPDR, Laos Peoples Democratic Republic

Very close and in Thailand's neighborhood.

who knows?

Maybe someday we will see PDRT or Peoples Democratic Republic of Thailand?

At least these countries admit the are a republic!

USA claims to be a democracy and wants to "give " democracy to the world.

But the USA is actually a republic itself, not a democracy!

...frickin stupid....tell me one country that is EVER prepared for an earthquake....what a mindless world it has become

Scottie...is that transporter working yet?

Less bad attitude and a little more thought is in order here I think.

Many places have prepared for earthquakes.

In California, where I come from there have been very strict building codes that are enforced that keep earthquake damage and loss of life to a minimum.

There are also restrictions on where new buildings can be constructed .

Without these building restrictions in place, the damage and loss of life would be many times greater than it is.

People are instructed on how to prepare survival kits described by other posters in this thread.

They are also educated about where to go and what to do in the event of a large quake

This is called being prepared for an earthquake.

No, no one knows how to stop quake, but you can be ready for one and reduce damage and increase safety.

Frigin Stupid is the guy who lives in your bathroom...check the mirror and take a good look at him

They are also educated about where to go and what to do in the event of a large quake. Yeppery Bob. Ya'll head to the SuperDome. The guberment will take guud care o' ya'll.

Some people ignore history at their own peril. lol

"They are also educated about where to go and what to do in the event of a large quake."

I guess I was not clear enough for some of you.

I am saying they are educated about how to take care of themselves.

Things like , what parts of a building structurally provide the most protection, like doorways and bathrooms.

Things like not running outside during a quake.

Things like getting emergence supplies together before the quake hits..

​Things like knowing where and how to turn off the gas to your house to help prevent fires after the quake.

As for the "SUPERDOME", I believe that was about a hurricane? ( I know it was, I was flown back east the day Hurricane Katrina hit to assist in reestablishing the utility systems in Florida and spent a month doing so)

My post has nothing to do with the incompetence of the Bush administration and the failures of his friend in charge of FEMA.

Some people do not ignore history...they never bother to learn it...and they still spout off!

On April 13, the village managed to raise a fund of Bt415,000 mostly from young people who are working in other provinces. He said the construction may have to be waited until next year when more donations are collected.

Will the 415k baht still be there next year?

I'd say 50/50, perhaps 30/70.

The 415k was used to build the first part of the road and construction stopped when the money ran out!

These people deserve praise, not the ridicule of a cynic like you!

Don't let facts get in you way.

Keep on bashing anyway.

...frickin stupid....tell me one country that is EVER prepared for an earthquake....what a mindless world it has become

Scottie...is that transporter working yet?

Less bad attitude and a little more thought is in order here I think.

Many places have prepared for earthquakes.

In California, where I come from there have been very strict building codes that are enforced that keep earthquake damage and loss of life to a minimum.

There are also restrictions on where new buildings can be constructed .

Without these building restrictions in place, the damage and loss of life would be many times greater than it is.

People are instructed on how to prepare survival kits described by other posters in this thread.

They are also educated about where to go and what to do in the event of a large quake

This is called being prepared for an earthquake.

No, no one knows how to stop quake, but you can be ready for one and reduce damage and increase safety.

Frigin Stupid is the guy who lives in your bathroom...check the mirror and take a good look at him

I was also born and lived most of my life in earthquake prone California.

I have experienced many quakes and seen the damage they can do.

Any place in the world can and does have major quakes.

For some places, it has been so long sinc a quake that there is no "recorded" history of them, but geological evidence proves they have happened.

They can and will happen again.

I worry a lot when I look at Thailand and try to imagine the effects of a MAJOR quake.

Unlike california where everything is built with quakes in mind, Thailand is not prepared at all.

Most construction in thailand is of cinder block with no reinforcement that will collapse and crush people in a quake

In California, most residences are built of wood that will bend, twist and give in a quake without collapsing on the occupants.

I fear that if and when a major quake hits Thailand the damage and death toll will be staggering.

Thailand needs to have and enforce some stringent building codes to protect it's people.

The Mai Pen Rai attitude will not save a single life.