phl

sorry to go off topic, but DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY, it simply does not work.

I have had 13 sessions and hair was not gone, it did though reduce the amount.

2 years later, everything returned back to original amounts.

Unless something drastic has happened in the past few years, laser hair removal is a waste of money and time.

Tony's gyms were up for sale, advertised on bahtsold ( 70 million if I remember correctly)

Life time membership or any membership may not be honored by the new owners if it's sold

The Pound was worth +/- 67 ThB in July 2007, ouch that must be hurting, anyone noticed?

In 2006 it was 82, feel the REAL pain now?

That time the euro was between 49 and 52

and?

Actually, not that easy to make a completely bogus change in a major article without it being contested and corrected. In this case, the original source is documented and referenced:

http://weekly.ahram....03/619/op13.htm.

Wouldn't haste to say it is AQ (or even that their claim is real), just wondered about the resemblance not being given much mention.

Not sure I got what you meant by "pointing at the same direction" - Same as Iran? Hezbollah? Not very likely. Also not sure as to where "it" (consider affiliated/offshoot organisations spread) operated from, and pretty sure that digging into their finances is a pain.

Well Hezbollah is Iran, not sure why you even separate them?

Take out Iran and Hezbollah is gone, just as all the other groups who get their funding from the same source

When asked to comment about a series of negative criticisms against her, Yingluck told Le Monde, "Yes, of course, all of these reproaches hurt me, I'm a human being!"

So as a therapy, she decided to spend a few hundred thousand euro's

OP... How often you read the news? And what kind?

You have never read about great music festivals in pattaya that brings thousands from Bkk? Just to name a few.

I lived in bkk for 5 years

-dirty

-traffic jams

-expansive accommodation

I moved to pattaya, where u have a big house for 16000b/month

Have plenty if parks or areas to walk my dogs

The air is even different color, while it may not be the cleanest, it sure is much cleaner than bkk.

Have cable Internet , cable tv at reasonable price with local news and the list goes on.

No doubt pattaya has a number of negatives going for it but has much more positives for me to enjoy living here

How and where does one obtain an International Driving Permit? The info I find via Google is confusing and contradictory. I am American with American Driver's License but living in China. I visit Thailand several times each year. Last visit I was surprised to be busted for driving without the IDP. From info gathered via internet, I incorrectly believed that the IDP was not necessary if one's driver's license was already in English.

what license do you have in China? the Chinese or American?

If you have Chinese, i assume you would need to go to the office which issues drivers license to get the IDP.

“Base of Jihad” sent statement claiming attack to Lebanese news site; Bulgarian Foreign Ministry denies group responsible.

http://www.jpost.com....aspx?id=278384

For any terror group or individual to act, there has to be financial backing. This backing can only come from very few places

Previously unknown?

In April 2002, the group assumed the name Qa'idat al-Jihad, which means "the base of Jihad".

http://en.wikipedia....Qaeda#Etymology

YOu do know that anyone can add or modify Wiki right?

Also perhaps what they mean is the group never carried out any operations or was not an active cell.

But lets assume you are right and it is known, it is also known where it operates from and who is backing it, which again points the finger into the same direction.

Directly or Indirectly there is no way out of it

so you are in the habit of trusting a total stranger and would prefer to let someone who just like you does not speak any language do the negotiating for you?

Yes i do fail to see the benefit of VP service, especially the ones who look like they are 9 months pregnant, do not speak a word of Thai and have no law enforcement or security background.

Well, yes. I do listen to the advices and am willing to learn from others. Heck I even ask people to help me when I don't understand something.

To listen and getting advice / help is naturally not the same as blindly trust someone.

I think I'm done with this discussion now. Thank you for sharing your point of view. I did learn from that as well.

Before you run away to do your homework, why do not you tell me some examples when VP helped someone, just a few be great.

Perhaps times when they helped people with a Jet ski problem, or an accident.

Looking forward to seeing the positive reports

LOL, great example, In this case last thing i will do is trust someone who does not even speak the native language to negotiate for me.

First thing i would do is find someone who does speak native and my language to help me sort it out.

What makes you think that VP has been through any cases? and what makes you think he knows the law?

You just might not have the luxury to find an person who speaks perfectly your local language and the language of the country on an environment you basically know nothing about.

But if you fail to see benefits of having this kind of service around, then It's not my task to teach it to you. Maybe some others do valuate the service it can help them or their countryman.

so you are in the habit of trusting a total stranger and would prefer to let someone who just like you does not speak any language do the negotiating for you?

Yes i do fail to see the benefit of VP service, especially the ones who look like they are 9 months pregnant, do not speak a word of Thai and have no law enforcement or security background.

Don't think my mrs would have a very good opinion of yourself as she does my communicating, as a TPV to help farangs. Works realy well AND is appreciated by those with a problem. You might be smug now but there may come a time when you wish you had transam's phone number.

I already wish for that number, could be very useful on those lonely cold nights

Actually you were simply lucky, because your USA drivers license is NOT an acceptable form of license. An international license is the only acceptable license.

Rubbish!

Major car rental companies (Budget, Avis and the like) accept foreign licenses from most anywhere. You think they would jeopardise there insurance position by encouraging customers to break the law?

A visitor CAN use his/her drivers license for a limited time!

Sorry, but no.

Have you ever read the rental contract? Sometimes the websites give information, and sometimes they do not. The honest rental franchises are transparent;

Let's look at AVIS; http://www.avisthail..._guide_info.php

Renter Information

- Minimum renter age is 23 years.

- Renter must hold Driving License or International Driving License at least one year.

- Renter must have a valid major credit card.

By driving license they mean a Thai drivers license as stated in the rental contract. That's why the web site states;

Other terms and conditions of the rental are subject to the conditions at the reverse side of Rental Agreement which will be provided upon rental.

Anyone can rent an automobile if they have an accepted credit card and are age 23. Only legally licensed drivers are allowed to drive. Big difference. The rental contract makes reference to a valid Thai license holder or an IDL holder as being legally allowed to drive.

Now let's look at Budget. I like Budget because it is more specific;

Terms and Conditions on the Rental Agreement for Use The wording on the rental agreement for use is as follows:

3) USE RESTRICTIONS: The Vehicle will not be used or operated by anyone:

A. who is not an Authorized Driver;

One then has to go to the master rental agreement because the rental contract states;

Additional Terms and Conditiond for Fastbreak Rentals in Thailand

1.0 About Your Rental Agreement

1.1 The Worldwide Master Rental Agreement made between You and Budget comprises of:

-t he Worldwide Terms and Conditions;

One then has to go look for what is an Authorized driver. Aside from the obligation to declare all drivers there is this nugget;

Who May Drive the Car

• You represent that you are a capable and validly licensed driver. You agree that we have the right to verify that your license has been validly issued and is in good standing; and that we may refuse to rent to you if your license has been suspended, revoked, otherwise restricted in any way, or if your driving record is unsatisfactory to us.
  

In Thailand, the law is that one must have a valid Thai drivers license. A foreign driver's license is accepted if it is validated by the International Drivers Permit/License.

Do I really need to go through all the rental contracts to prove my point? I am not a member of the Thai bar, but my employers employ professional law firms and in the travel guidelines that are published, the legal counsel position is that foreign driving licenses are only accepted if accompanied by the International attestation that the foreign license is valid at the time of of the IDL issue.

You don't have to believe me, but I caution you of one clause common to all rental contracts; Any false or misleading statement will invalidate the rental contract.

This is obviously your interpretation and comments are yours NOT LAW!

LOOK AT @collectskulls post 25 all renters clearly states Thai OR Current License OR International Permit if the drivers license is not in english.

I would love to be present if you ever rent a car and have an accident to watch you argue with insurance company using the "this is your interpretation" as an argument point

“Base of Jihad” sent statement claiming attack to Lebanese news site; Bulgarian Foreign Ministry denies group responsible.

http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=278384

For any terror group or individual to act, there has to be financial backing. This backing can only come from very few places

LOL, great example, In this case last thing i will do is trust someone who does not even speak the native language to negotiate for me.

First thing i would do is find someone who does speak native and my language to help me sort it out.

What makes you think that VP has been through any cases? and what makes you think he knows the law?

You just might not have the luxury to find an person who speaks perfectly your local language and the language of the country on an environment you basically know nothing about.

But if you fail to see benefits of having this kind of service around, then It's not my task to teach it to you. Maybe some others do valuate the service it can help them or their countryman.

so you are in the habit of trusting a total stranger and would prefer to let someone who just like you does not speak any language do the negotiating for you?

Yes i do fail to see the benefit of VP service, especially the ones who look like they are 9 months pregnant, do not speak a word of Thai and have no law enforcement or security background.

Very few foreigners come here and open a brothel.(in its dictionary definition), almost all the foreign run bars do not have pay for play on the premises.

Also the vast majority of pimping is done by Thais renting out their 'girlfriends'. That said it does not make it right. However where I come from rapists and child molesters are considered much lower life forms than pimps. I've not even considered where lawyers and real estate agents here are placed in the life form hierarchy.

Where you come from, do they also consider raping and child molesting as a job?

The op said "Where I come from,pimps are considered the lowest form of life" I was just saying that I consider that rapists and child molesters much lower, nothing to do with jobs. The lawyer/estate agent remark was flippant and should not have been said.

It's the Audi TT's isn't it ? dam_n right as well. They should leave the hairdresser cars to the hairdressers.

Disclaimer: I would probably make a mess in my pants if I saw an Audi TT now after years of the crap cars in Thailand.

TT is old news, the Audi R8 Spyder,is the ones that makes me feel just so.................. wet and i am a man

Well you obviously took offence at his comments, I thought you had to be one or the other.

thinking is NOT always the best option as i am neither

The "huh" post meant " what do you mean, because it did not make sense"

Nether did your response to his post. He never mentioned anything about jobs.

being a pimp is a job, no?

being a rapist or child molester is a mental illness, no?

So why compare apples to oranges?

Very few foreigners come here and open a brothel.(in its dictionary definition), almost all the foreign run bars do not have pay for play on the premises.

Also the vast majority of pimping is done by Thais renting out their 'girlfriends'. That said it does not make it right. However where I come from rapists and child molesters are considered much lower life forms than pimps. I've not even considered where lawyers and real estate agents here are placed in the life form hierarchy.

Where you come from, do they also consider raping and child molesting as a job?

The op said "Where I come from,pimps are considered the lowest form of life" I was just saying that I consider that rapists and child molesters much lower, nothing to do with jobs. The lawyer/estate agent remark was flippant and should not have been said.

i am with you now

Really? how would they be able to help a tourist when they do not speak Thai?

You mean they can tell them where the nearest McDonalds is

Yes. They can do that one.

Put yourself in the role of an tourist. You are on your 2 week vacation on East-Timor. You rent an motorbike and the unavoidable happens.. you crash your motorbike to another. You and the local lady who was riding the other motorbike both get hurt.. not a lot, but some.

It's time to go to the police station to get things solved out. In this case, would like if there would be an voluntary tourist police, who has went trough tens of similar cases, or would you like to go through the process and the paperwork by yourself?

LOL, great example, In this case last thing i will do is trust someone who does not even speak the native language to negotiate for me.

First thing i would do is find someone who does speak native and my language to help me sort it out.

What makes you think that VP has been through any cases? and what makes you think he knows the law?

Well you obviously took offence at his comments, I thought you had to be one or the other.

thinking is NOT always the best option as i am neither

The "huh" post meant " what do you mean, because it did not make sense"

No one here is defending the parents, they must be devastated of course, but they are ultimately the ones responsible for their kid.

However; common sense dictates that these dogs should not be allowed to roam the streets anymore, as they have demonstrated they are a threat to safety. In the same way lions are not allowed to walk down the sois in Thailand.

If the dog owners could prove they could keep their killer dogs from ever coming in contact with the public again, then your lion argument has some merit.

But this is not the case.

If someone steps on your head while you sleeping, what would be your reaction?

OP clearly states that the dogs have never ever been aggressive(so much for the killer dogs comment ), which indicates both dogs were provoked.

Kids of that age, are not exactly very gentle, especially those raised without much supervision.

Clearly no one even saw how the attack started and what provoked it.

Yes dogs should be removed into a shelter perhaps but certainly not put down.

Very few foreigners come here and open a brothel.(in its dictionary definition), almost all the foreign run bars do not have pay for play on the premises.

Also the vast majority of pimping is done by Thais renting out their 'girlfriends'. That said it does not make it right. However where I come from rapists and child molesters are considered much lower life forms than pimps. I've not even considered where lawyers and real estate agents here are placed in the life form hierarchy.

Where you come from, do they also consider raping and child molesting as a job?

Lawyer or Real Estate agent?

huh?

You are only somewhat correct.

The volunteer police is there to assist police in doing their job. Part of the job is assisting tourists due to language barrier.

However, considering that VP (most of them) do not speak any Thai, it defeats the whole purpose.

They are not connected to BIB, especially the foreigners, if anything they are a laughing stock.

As already mentioned on similar threads, if they were told to loose the "police" from the title and the uniform, you may find vast majority will also loose the interest in doing the "job"

Compared to the tourists they have better knowledge of local environment and procedures. Therefore they still are able to help, even if they would not talk Thai.

If someone is willing to donate their time helping others, even if that gives an ego boost for them.. why not? Somebody is adding value to the society, which should be a good thing. I guess I just fail to comprehend what is wrong with that.

Really? how would they be able to help a tourist when they do not speak Thai?

You mean they can tell them where the nearest McDonalds is

If they want to be in the spotlight then they can be the subject to criticism, they are not koala bears or a protected species...I notice a lot of comments made about Thai cops. Whats the difference in this thread? As I said before if you pay people to do a job it generally weeds out the undesireables

Although both have 'police' in their titles, I put the groups to very different categories.

Real police is paid to maintain the law and help people against criminals. This in theory in this country. If a police is abusing his powers, he should be immediately kicked out of the service and charged for his actions. Given the fact that a police has been misusing the trust given to him, the punishment should be double than what is given to a civil. I know this is not happening here.

Voluntary police is not paid, they are using their free time helping tourists in troubles. I think that is pretty good thing. In theory.

As far as I know, they don't have any more power than any of us. They might be better connected to BiB, but that's it.

I have not have many encounters with the voluntary police. I have few times stopped to ask directions, which I do for normal police as well. Have never had an bad experience in this way.

If there is some old chap, who is proudly showing his badge and his uniform.. I might find that slightly hilarious but at the same time I can be happy for him to get the joy the moment. Naturally if someone is trying to abuse his powers, I let them to know what I feel about it.

You are only somewhat correct.

The volunteer police is there to assist police in doing their job. Part of the job is assisting tourists due to language barrier.

However, considering that VP (most of them) do not speak any Thai, it defeats the whole purpose.

They are not connected to BIB, especially the foreigners, if anything they are a laughing stock.

As already mentioned on similar threads, if they were told to loose the "police" from the title and the uniform, you may find vast majority will also loose the interest in doing the "job"

Have you been asked to pay your bar tab again ?

what is a bar tap?, i never pay anything, they always pay me to leave

I think that's what the beer comes out of.

Either that or it's when the bar girl/cashier tries it on with you while texting to her 'boyfriend' with her other hand.

i see you have met my little darling , she is indeed multi-skilled

Front page advertisement in the latest edition of the owners' media outlet "Pattaya Times" saying they have moved to larger offices, also stating they are taking further legal action against Andrew Drummond

Thats interesting, because according to Drummon, case was pretty much thrown out and Noyles also decided to drop all the charges.

So is he re-filing the same charges or something new?

Have you been asked to pay your bar tab again ?

what is a bar tap?, i never pay anything, they always pay me to leave