arminbkk

I sometimes buy DVD's on Sukhumvit and will overhear the guy charging the other foreigner 100 baht, Indians 120 baht, per DVD, while I get one for 80 baht.

Then again I've been told Thais get one for 50 baht but have never witnessed that at that particular spot.

yeah, that's a very clever example... as all together we rip (literally) off someone else... not much to complain for anyone paying "a little more" in THIS case, right...?!

It is a clever example because it encompasses a lot of the examples and reasons given in the posts so far: charge extra because a person is not Thai, charge extra because a person is a tourist not a person working here (which they know that I do), charging extra because one doesn't like a certain person (rude curt Indians), charging extra because the buyer is ignorant of the price etc.

Now when a rude Indian interrupts while I am talking with the vendor and just cuts in between (which is how it usually goes), then yeah, I will be the last to point out to him that he is being overcharged.

No, its a BAD example, because in that case the buyer and seller informally agreed already that ripping someone off is perfectly fine. Why else would one buy a ripped DVD otherwise (I am not pointing fingers, I am guilty myself sometimes...). But once we agree to that rule then it's plain silly to complain that the other guys just was cleverer in playing that card...

It was an example toward "why do farang get charged extra" by Thai, or in other words, why do Thais charge this foreigner this price and that foreigner that price, for one and the same thing? There are quite a few reasons for why Thais do that (as given by other posters before) and what I wrote was relating a situation in which I witnessed different pricing for one and the same thing.

I was not playing any card: I have always been charged the lower price.

I was just a buyer who overheard the seller charging another person a different price for the same thing I was buying or had asked about.

Now the fact that I overhear this almost every time I happen to stand there, makes it a common thing.

Now if you are on about why I let this vendor rip off another guy: firstly, I did not like the other guy's attitude and behavior and I guess the Thai guy didn't either

(hence why he probably overcharged him, hence why my example was a "clever" example),

secondly, why would I piss off a Thai guy on the sidewalk of Sukhumvit at soi 11? That would be stupid.

Ok, I asked a Thai (who went out to a few of Suthep's rallies) what Suthep wants. Here's what I got:

1) Get rid of the current government and the Shinawatra clan

2) Have HM the King appoint a new administration as part of a reform led by Suthep himself (i.e. he will recommend who)

His movement sees it as democracy has failed in Thailand, with getting a bad corrupt government each time because votes are bought.

In their opinion, if left to a democratic election, Thailand will end up with the same incompetent, corrupt government, be it PTP or Democrats,

because that's what the majority votes for and the majority, which comprises the north and northeast, are poor people that can be bought.

Therefore, the idea of democratically elected government should be abandoned, at least for say 4 years, and an administration, as formed under #2 above,

should get Thailand back on track first.

I add that this person is not a fan of Suthep, considers him "insincere", but since he wants this PTP government gone, this person joins his rallies and supports him.

This person follows today's rally events on Facebook and calls today's events "sanook" (while working in an office).

Ok, so the above just comes from 1 Thai person, but at least I asked a Thai.

I sometimes buy DVD's on Sukhumvit and will overhear the guy charging the other foreigner 100 baht, Indians 120 baht, per DVD, while I get one for 80 baht.

Then again I've been told Thais get one for 50 baht but have never witnessed that at that particular spot.

yeah, that's a very clever example... as all together we rip (literally) off someone else... not much to complain for anyone paying "a little more" in THIS case, right...?!

It is a clever example because it encompasses a lot of the examples and reasons given in the posts so far: charge extra because a person is not Thai, charge extra because a person is a tourist not a person working here (which they know that I do), charging extra because one doesn't like a certain person (rude curt Indians), charging extra because the buyer is ignorant of the price etc.

Now when a rude Indian interrupts while I am talking with the vendor and just cuts in between (which is how it usually goes), then yeah, I will be the last to point out to him that he is being overcharged.

I sometimes buy DVD's on Sukhumvit and will overhear the guy charging the other foreigner 100 baht, Indians 120 baht, per DVD, while I get one for 80 baht.

Then again I've been told Thais get one for 50 baht but have never witnessed that at that particular spot.

Edited to add: the guy will also tell me which DVD's are actually good quality and which are not, while not telling the others.

You obviously haven't been listening to what Suthep was saying on stage yesterday. Calling for a return to something similar to the pre-1932 system.

Really, that's what it has been about all along, with the smokescreen of removing this government through allegations of corruption and malfeasance.

The right wing PAD were very vocal about returning Thailand to an undemocratic system also, this is just a continuation of their earlier attempts to consolidate power, overthrow an elected government and return Thailand to the dark ages.

It really is quite terrifying that educated Westerners can't see what is happening here.

I consider myself educated, however, not able to read or write Thai. And asking Thais, all one gets is "I hate Thaksin", "Thaksin out".

And that's from educated, middle-class Thais. One never gets far talking politics with a Thai.

It is a boring subject to them.

The ones I talk to consider all parties the same, money grabbing corrupted bunch. And then change the topic.

Makes it a bit hard to get to the bottom of it.

But, in my opinion, as far as Thailand is concerned, beyond political parties, it is clear that the Thai system is wrong.

I highly doubt Suthep or whatever other person or party is going to/can change that.

Suthep announces the aims which is an abandonment of the current democratic process.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/116332/suthep-calls-for-change-to-administration-system-by-the-monarchy-in-true-form/

Let's for a moment entertain this claim, the next question is then: what does it mean for foreigners residing, working, vacationing here?

What is Mr. Suthep's stance on that?

I think Mr. Suthep has a right to voice his opinion and his desires, but he should stick to rallying to gather votes for the next election,

not push for a complete collapse right here and now.

I recently asked a good-looking Thai girl why she did not have a boyfriend yet.

She said she could not find one good enough.

Then I asked what her type was.

She, jokingly, answered:"handsome, rich and stupid".

I asked another girl (just chatting on a dating site) why she was not looking for guys more in her (younger) age bracket.

She said:"I want man, not boy".

Oh, and one of the funniest, and most honest, introduction on a profile (again, dating site) I've read was a girl saying:

"I want a boyfriend to pay for my expenses and my tuition".

I think GreenSnapper's post (#38) comes closest.

Thai women want the same as most women, someone nice, handsome, same age, financially secure, can support family.

But the first three often seem dispensable.

If they can (meaning they have the age and looks) they will go for at least financially secure.

You will not often see a Thai guy at the bottom of the ladder with a nice good-looking Thai girl (i.e. what Thai guys would consider a

nice good-looking Thai girl).

Thanks isawasnake.

I came to the same conclusion and will go to a RD office to seek a refund.

I've asked some Thai people and one of them called the RD call center and was told it was possible to apply for a refund.

I'll just bring with me copies of the submitted tax form with attachments, tax payment receipt and a calculation summary.

Will post later how it works out.

Following a news article about the tax rates being lowered for fiscal year 2013, I decided to go ahead and calculate my probable tax liability for 2013 (I know the year is not over yet, but I had no work to do so to kill time….).

I also posted in this current thread: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/682769-individual-income-tax-structure-changed-thailand/

Following a bit of research I then checked my tax declaration over 2012 and now think the income tax was calculated wrong and I paid too much. The mistake made was: the tax rate of 10% (2012) was applied to the entire amount of taxable income, without accounting for exemption of first THB 150,000.

It was calculated like this (not my actual figures but close):

Taxable income (after all deductions and allowances): Baht 250,000.00

Payable tax: 10% x Baht 250,000.00 = Baht 25,000.

(Taxable income between income bracket 150,000 and 500,000 was 10% for year 2012)

Withheld tax = Baht 12,000 (does not include Social Security Fund)

Total tax: Baht 25,000 minus Baht 12,000 (withheld) = Baht 13,000 to be paid.

How it should have been calculated:

Payable tax: 10% x Baht 100,000 (i.e. Baht 250,000 – Baht 150,000 exemption) = Baht 10,000

Total tax: Baht 10,000 – Baht 12,000 (i.e. withheld tax) = Baht 2,000 to be refunded.

So I paid Baht 13,000 when I should have been refunded Baht 2,000 therefore my refund should be Baht 15,000.

Can anyone confirm the above is correct?

And if yes, how do I go about getting the Baht 15,000 refunded to me still?

So if let's say you have an annual income in 2013 of THB 400,000 then you are taxed 5% on THB 300,000 and 10% on THB 100,000 (i.e. THB 400K - THB 300K), so

therefore tax at THB 15,000 + THB 10,000 respectively and thus total THB 25,000 (before deducting withheld tax)?

I was going to write 'you cannot find an oil massage around Nana?" but realized it was the prize that concerns you.

I don't think there are any places around Nana where an oil massage costs less than Baht 250 an hour.

Last time I went to any massage was over 2 years ago, but I don't think prices have dropped since then.

It was usually at least 350 - 400 baht per hour for an oil massage.

So I am anxious to know also if there is a place around there that offers oil massages at or below Baht 250 an hour.

"Religion is to keep the poor from killing the rich" - Napoleon Bonaparte

I don't believe in religion.

If all that claim to be religious would actually follow all religious teachings, including Buddhist following Buddhist teachings,

there would not be much wrong in the world.

But there is.

For Thais, I think it is a habit, they are exposed to it from an early age, it is expected. It often looks like a routine action.

Of course, Buddhism does not threaten with a hell. They basically have to do merit, give alms, wai to spirit houses, to compensate for sins.

Also, going to a temple is not exactly the same as attending a Christian or Catholic mass, is it? It is not

sitting quietly for a few hours on a hard wooden bench.

Going to a temple, you just light some incense sticks, do a repetitive bow, make a donation, wai the Buddha statue, and be on your way.

At Thai weddings or house blessings or car blessings or whatever, you never see people quietly listening to the monks' chants.

Everybody keeps talking, moving, eating and drinking. I only hear them say it is good for luck to make merit, but never say

they don't drink alcohol because they are Buddhist.

It is peculiar, especially since there are quite a few words in Thai have an "R", even start with one: rong rian (school), mai roo (don't know), to name two.

I understand that the actual proper way to pronounce Thai words is with the "R", not the "L".

But comparing it a bit, using "L" requires less effort that "R".

I guess that could be the answer.

I learned that Thais are not the all friendly, accepting, unprejudiced, happy with little, true peaceful Buddhist, considerate, smiling people that I first saw them to be.

And I thought I would see/meet many friendly farangs here, happy to be able to live in this 'paradise' and therefore visibly happier than in their own country.

But I guess they learned the same as me.

I could add positives, but you asked about misconceptions, so.

Do you need a real one or just a certificate saying there was a test?

If the latter, maybe Sukhumvit 11 Clinic, in soi 11 Sukhumvit?

Our experience after 3 weeks in Bangkok is that the biggest problem is taxi drivers cherry picking fares - it can take 3 to 5 attempts to get a driver to take us where we want to go. Of the guys that do accept our fare, we have not yet experienced anything except friendliness and good manners. Of course the fact that my wife speaks Thai helps and the son and heir is a source of constant interest. No one has asked to go 'off meter' and all have seemed happy with the 20-30 baht tip on top of the meter fare.

Why are you tipping on top of the taxi fare? Are you mad? Tipping taxi drivers is absolutely not required in Thailand.

I see no reason why one shouldn't tip a taxi driver has done a good job. I always make sure they get a small tip, if they are polite, go the correct way and don't drive like an idiot.

But that is what is normally expected from them, for the normal fare.

I don't like to tip, but I will usually round up the fare: for example 46 will be 50. When going home late at night after going out; fare is 84 baht ..... I will give 100.

Some of the situations desribed in the comments, especially the one where people (the posters) do react, are I think good examples

of the Thai 'lose face' thing: doing nothing (thus letting yourself get walked all over) or letting everyone know that person is in the wrong....

with both someone is losing face.

But 'doing nothing' is sure not going to escalate things.

It does not happen to me often, but I usually go to the same branches.

They 'know' me. So in the situation that possum1931 (post #46) described, the staff will attend to me first, not have me, or anyone else, wait.

However, I do see it happen to others often. Some posters say that it is normal in Thailand, but I've heard from Thais

and from their expressions when it happens, that it is not so normal.

It is usually the more 'low-so' people that do it.

So in that respect, it is similar to the West.

What I also see often, at BTS, but especially MRT.....a person will wait but stand quite back from the door, 2 meters or more. Everybody else queues behind this person.

What I do, but only if the queue is not long yet, is I will just go stand near the door. I don't consider that jumping the queue as there is not really a queue yet.

I think he'd rather be 1.85 or around that height.

Well at least the mention of safety belts is on the increase, in the article at least a passenger comments on it, which he will probably also do in the Thai language news,

thereby increasing awareness positively, even if only a little bit.

These big VIP buses usually drive very fast.

Before the apologist come in force, we know accidents happen everywhere, but it is clearly very common here.

There is a similar thread going, "Neighbors from Hell".

There are just inconsiderate people, among Thai and foreigner alike, in many different kinds of situations.

I can appreciate that Thailand is not the same as the West, but the OP's neighbor can also wait until 8am, still cool enough.

It's never really quiet in Thailand, not even in the country side.

Whenever I visit my home country, I am always amazed at how quiet it is, especially before 8am.

Driving against the flow of traffic was the killer, I'm sure we all agree.

I'm not being flippant but I'm sure nobody agrees with that; the impact is what killed the unfortunate girl.

I agree with MMarlow.

And would add in speculation that someone was driving too fast, to create enough of an impact to result in enough injury to which the unfortunately lady succumbed.

From the photos, what the ladies impacted was most likely much heavier also.

But yeah, had they driven on the right side of the road, we would not be reading this now. I think that was what wooloomooloo was saying.

Thais in general are rather inconsiderate of how what they do affects others.

Just my impression.

Maybe it is because Thais don't complain, not quickly anyway. So everybody can just go ahead with what

they are doing.

As for 'bad neighbor' issue: I understand that is always in the top 2 of most annoying things in western countries.

I realized later the same happens in Thailand. Another disappointment.

I live in an apartment building in Bangkok, not real problems from neighbors, except for a couple that fight regularly next door.

When I lived in Ubon, we had a neighbor who was always up at 0530, and of course outside, TV on and sound level up

so as to not neglect the hearing impaired, cooking and all the sounds and smells that go with that.

Then karaoke in the afternoon. And TV and cooking again in the evening.

We finally moved. My wife owned that house by the way so we needed to sell it first.

As for a solution to OP's problem: cannot think of anything really.

OP has to deal with laborers and this is how they are, same as in the west.

And they don't like to be told to tone down. He could get really friendly with them, but then just might find himself

drinking and playing cards himself all night every night.

He could get other Thai neighbors to talk to their boss when he is around.

My heartfelt condolences to all involved!

"A tour bus carrying elderly Buddhist devotees plunged into a ravine in northern Thailand on Wednesday, leaving at least 20 people dead and 16 injured, police said."

"The victims were returning from a religious ceremony when the vehicle left the road,...."

How does a Buddhist explain this?

Seriously. Is it (partly) put down to bad karma? Is that why safe driving and vehicle maintenance are not important issues?

The question begs...what would YOU do if it happened to you?

Me, I would be too lazy to run after him.

However, I never strawl along unaware of my surroundings, so it would likely not happen to me.

Some posters respond "it is just a prank, let's all have a laugh and move on":

1. Regardless of where I am, I would not appreciate it.

2. This is Thailand, Thais would not consider this a prank, you can joke that someone is fat and ugly, but

you cannot touch their head with your foot/shoe.

Try this with any Thai, even a friend, and you will have a problem.

I often use the second class air con sleeper BKK-UBON (12 hour trip!!!). I am 1.84 cm so that would be...6.03 feet?

I feel the lower bunk is already 5 - 10 cm too short for me. I can compensate a bit by lying

diagonal, but I never really sleep comfortable. Would add that I keep a plastic bag with most

valuable belongings under the mattras as a precaution.

Word of advice to OP: try to get a bunk not too close to the door, too noisy.