James

Francois

My opinion is if they shut down illegal software sales in Panthip Plaza, the sale of illegal software will just move to a new venue. Either way,  it wont go away. Microsoft sets prices at unrealistically high prices that dont give an incentive for thai people to buy the legal version. Anyways, I  think these anti piracy campaigns happen all the time, and than go away without much change. The government does it just to appease western business, and put an image of partnership with the west on the front page. But, basically its all acting and show, and no action.

Also, it should be added that the man caught with the M 16 was carrying it for his protection, he travels by sea usually, and there are many indonesian pirates in the waters.  Its true he was stupid to bring it on land or to carry it in the open. But, as one who has traveled a lot by sea, it is totally necessary to keep guns for personal protection.

The area he was caught in, has a well known problem with muslim extremist, where the pattani liberation front who seeks to join a pan islamic state, has been blowing up Buddhist temples, Buddhist schools, and killing Thai police.  This problem of terrorism is really prevalent with muslim groups, and not among other groups. Atleast if you want to look into modern history.  Its true that not all muslims are terrorist,  but its also true that most terrorist are muslim.  In my opinion this is largely due to the fact that this behavior is rationalized amongst muslims as being acceptable. The quietly accept it or deny its true. That said, more terrorist come from the north east part of Pakistan than any other place on earth. The lack of state sponsored education in Pakistan produced a vacuum in which anti american/ western society mullahs taught a whole generation of muslims to hate and to learn only Quaranic studies. While religion is responsible for the creation of the Pakistani state, it is also responsible for much of the political problems since its existance. Here is a fact,  almost every leader of Pakistan has been overthrown by violence. The former Prime Minister is in exile in England, because if she returns she will likely be hung. The current government made up of the military oligarchy, will eventually fall to muslim populist too.  Pakistani like to blame america for their problems. They say that america did not rebuild Afghanistan after the war there with the communist. And, they like to blame America for poor trade status, that has hurt their export market. But, I think the root of Pakistans problem is lack of accountability of their government, and very low education, that has produced a population that is incapable of thinking beyound what the muslim clerics tell the to think. When comparing India to Pakistan its really sad.  India has a thriving economy in some segments of their population. While Pakistani per capital is a fraction of the already low Indian per capita. One has to question if Pakistan would have been better off if it never seperated from India. But that opportunity went out the window a long time ago, when Muslims decided they couldnt ever live side by side with Hindus, Christians, Buddhist, Jews, Jains, etc.   Im totally of subject now. hahaha.  But I guess I was disturbed that anyone could ever compare some stupid american tourist in the south of thailand to a hit squad of muslims extremist terrorist. It is not common sense to compare the two. One is stupid, the other has the intention of killing and scaring innocent people. By the way I dont hate pakistani. One of my  friends from University, his father was the highest general in Pakistan. He currently rules the country.  He is fully aware of the problems i have discussed, of course he would not bad mouth his country to me. But, I know he knows what I am saying is true. Anyways, have fun in Thailand  seeing this beautiful country and visiting with your girlfriend.   :cool:

Dilbert

To start, I agree 100% with Mr. Helper. I couldn't put explain it any better than he did. I think you should run for the hills. The fact that she confronted you with the dowry question that way, shows she is from the lowest class or very disrespectful, unless she is a funny person and was trying to shock you for humour sake. Which, I hightly doubt.

Again, you never mentioned if your fiance was a bargirl or married before, in which case her family should not get anything from you.

About the confrontation thing with the mother. NO NO NO! Never confront her in anyway, or you likely will suffer a fatal mistake. Im not kidding,  this could result in a hit on your life, or some other type of revenge. Life is cheap in Thailand. You can have someone eliminated for next to nothing. And, in this case it would likely be by family or neighbors even. Amongst the really poor and low class this is more so true. Any middle or upper class thai would not likely get rid of you unless it was for some serious money usually relating to business. This almost never happens. But for a poor village person to get pissed and take some revenge out on you it is nothing.

I think its time to have a reality check. Even if your fiance claims her love to you, do you really think she is going to leave her family behind for good. That will never happen. Her family is the center of her life, no matter what she says. Eventually every thai person returns to the family unit. Family is much more closely knit and unified than in northern american culture, anglo culture. This doesnt imply the family is a healthy relationship, it just means they are more dependent on each other.  Eventually something will go wrong or a fight will occur between you and the fiance. Where do you think she will run to? You have no support system if something goes wrong like in any healthy marriage. So when she needs to get away , etc.  She will have a family telling her to leave you, steal from you, etc.

Now, what is really keeping you from meeting a nice thai girl? I dont care if you are not a heartthrob, surely you can do better than this. Ok, maybe you might have to choose a girl a little closer to your age,  but still younger . And, maybe it takes time, maybe even 6 months, etc., or whatever time to get to know a nice girl. But, bottomline its possible.  Dont be another farang who falls for the little brown isarn girls. There are a million stories about it going bad. No joke! It so predicatable, and sad to see that. And, you sound like a nice man, who deserves better. I could understand if you were some rude and crass jerk who's life revolves around bargirls. But you dont sound like that type of loser. I think you should re evaluate the situation.   Just dont take any sh*t from that girls sh*t hole family.  Trust me, they sound like bad news. Best of luck!!

Some of your desires conflict slightly.  If your asking about getting a job in Thailand its unlikely you will find one on your remote island near your hut! From what I heard, unless you get hired outside Thailand or set up a company, the only thing you can be employed as here, is an english teacher. Which, from what I heard is equivalent to being paid minimum wage in Canada. The salary is extremely low for us westerners. Save your time ,and just holiday here, and work in Canada.

Im not an expert,  but why cant you just get a double entry tourist visa from the Thai embassy in Canada. Seems easy enough, use a Visa service if you need to expedite it. And, if you need to stay longer in Thailand just do a border run.

And by the rare chance you get a job on the remote island, you just have to leave the country and visit the thai consulate in Laos and get the proper visa. I think you have to leave no matter what if you want to get any type of new visa status.

By the way $1200 USD is enough to live quite well in Bangkok. I know several people who live on that budget range. And, they are living nicely. Especially if you want to live outside Bangkok, thats a lot of money. Of course I know other people living on four or five times that much a month, that barely get by. But, they are seriously having too much fun and living in apartments that cost over 2000 USD a month. Which, is not necessary.

About living on remote beaches, you might not want to be too far from the long arm of the law. They do have pirates in the waters here. Why not try somewhere a little more populated, like on the island of Phuket.  Lots of tourism, but its a  really big island with open space too. You should come over and check the sea coast out first and see what tickles your interest. Seeing that I dont care for naughty nightlife nor the cheapo tourist scene,  I like Hua Hin. Its free of all the squalor and crap that plagues most of the tourist areas here.  You could start researching areas online or buy some travel books, etc. Best bet is to come over and spend a week or two going up and down the coast. Its not as expensive as you might think. Im sure others have better input than I do, Im a total amateur on the subject, so stay tuned!  :cool:

Dr. Pat Pong

I will be arriving on a double entry tourist Visa, which was issued in Washington DC.   I still do not think this negates the airlines regulations.  I am sure Immigration in Bangkok could care less.  What I am worried about is my little friends at China Airlines giving me a problem. Again,  seems wierd that they would be concerned about me, being a liability, especially since I am an american passport holder, look smart, and have money on my person to proof that I can support myself more than adequately . Again, really this regulation seems stupid to me. What about farang who continue their plans out of the Kingdom on land. Someone going on to Malaysia is expected to have a outbound air ticket,  when in fact they might just as easy cross the border on foot. Seems unreasonable!

James

Dilbert,

Remember the number of your provider?  Sounds like a good deal. Also, do you remember set up fee?  Thanks

James

Any idea if China Airlines demands a return ticket prior to departure ?? I am going back to Thailand, and haven't decided when im returning. Likely, I will be traveling around a bit. Anyways , just asking, because I dont want some angry Mandarin keeping me at the gate.  If no one has a clue I will just call the airlines themselves. But didnt want to ask them in case it sounded to shady to them  

James

Fester

Could you provide more detail on the timeframe  required for remittance of cash to be applied against the working capital requirement? For example does the 2 million baht have to be remitted within 12 months? If so there has to be a way around this. You said there was some theory on creative accounting that could help. I had a few ideas and was wondering if it was similiar to your ideas. I would love to discuss further.  Many Thanks!

James   ::