Ajarn

All I can say is, if you don't live in california, no problem.. Sometimes.

I'm not a resident anymore of calif, but maintain a business address. About two years ago, I was hit for a tax levy on one of my accounts because they thought I was living there. My lawyer wrote to them explainng my situation. A couple of months later, the levy was removed.

No further word.

Still, it is a place with people acting individually....

Two years ago, a worker there tried to pressure me into paying her 100,000 baht..

But I have been here for a few years and I have some friends...

She is no longer employed there

I have also been told you instantly vomit on the floor at the mention of my name.

Unless you are looking for a problem, I'd suggest you keep out of it..

Typically the service charge is to take the place of the tip and it is spread amongst all the staff, including, admin, cleaners, kitchen security etc... from the owners side it can also be used as leverage against breakage and theft etc... from the customers position if the food and service is good a 15% tip is not much to give so with the 10% service there is still room to leave the server a little extra.

I have spoken to many workers in Thai establishments over the decades about these "service charges" and with a few notable exceptions, the money goes into the pocket of the owner and not to the workers. You have to understand that there are some Thai citizens people who get physically ill when they see Farangs give significant tips to workers who they consider to be sub-human.

Bullshit

I am living in the San Sai area and searching for a full time gardner.

The Landscaping was completed two months ago and everything growing full speed ahead.

The area is +/- 3200 square meters with sprinkler systems.

The salary is open and it will be required for the person to work at least 5 days per week.

Have most of the equipment (Lawnmowers, Trimmers, Ect).

Stand by for a name and phone number, hopefully by tomorrow. Your area benefits from an excellent gardening team which descends on gardens, does everything required, does it quickly and is superb at sweeping up and taking away left-overs. He speaks no English but will be a very good start point for finding a full timer.

Thanks and awaiting your reply.

Suntan

This sounds like the typical setup where they come and do the work for 300-500 baht.. About a half-hour, from memory. I'm pretty sure with that kind of money, they won't be interested in your full time work. Your best bet for a gardener is at http://chiangmainews.com/classifieds_job/ in my experience te best bet.. I've gotten 4 or 5 gardeners this way over the years

Yours questions would be better posted in Thai visa Real Estate, housing, house and land ownership forum. Do a search on there.

My advice rent don't buy. Good luck.

I agree with the 'rent don't buy' even with a wife who 'insists' it's a good deal...

My advice is, don't drive stupidly, like most farangs.

Always give yourself a safe 'out' in any situation.

If you are a driver who is constantly amazed at how bad Thai are at driving, maybe YOU should be the one not driving...

Kasem Store usually has a few pies for sale each year

Thank you Ajarn, that gives me some hope. Actually I also did not go with her to the interview today because everyone told us it would be a bad idea. By the way, I personally know of people who applied with absolutely NO documentation and after somewhat heated discussion, walked out with tourist visa. I also personally know a girl who was 'dating' someone at the Bkk US Consulate, she had no Uni. degree, no job, no working experience, but was given tourist visa on first attempt and by her own description...'everyone was so nice, they said with a smile....enjoy your trip!'

Well, remember corruption is much more common here.... Usually, I enjoy my benefit from it, sometimes I don't...

Yes, they do give visas to that women who are gf's of USA men, but it can be a hassle because they are 'not supposed to believe anything that is said'. That is there official policy... My wife went for a visa, and was turned down.The next week, I went with her, and after some discussion, my name was added to her visa, meaning that she HAD to travel with me. I don't know what their reason was for turning here down the first time, but they were convinced she was going to stay also...

Is that when the street lights come on, maybe?

He loses his power briefly, between 7-8 AM....

Hello, my friend (me) has a problem talking due to a stroke, and I'm looking for any suggestions.. In the last couple of years I tried diet and accupuncture and some other electrical device... I'm thinking now that maybe I should be seeking 'Doctors'.

If you have an experience, either positive or negative, I'd like to hear it, please.

Sounds to me like a BIG user is starting something that draws a lot of Power..

Just been offered 20,000 for my number plate. Buyer would take care of transfer costs etc.

What is the value of this plate? Anyone know how i could find out?

Also, if I did do the transfer, would it be easy for me to replace the plate with another one?

Piccie attached:-

Thanks in advance

Phil

For that price for a '9', I'd grab it. He must of been joking, I think

Reminds me of 'American Fried Rice' I see on many menus and involves using a large amount of Ketchup and a fried egg on the rice. I have never seen it in America, only foreign menus...

I'll pop an extra one in for you, and you can pick it up from Austired's place

Central Electric on Chang Moi, just before the Thai Military Bank has everything you will need

According to a phone call I made a couple of years ago to a Thai consulate in America, you must be in America in order to get your visa. Any other way is illegal.

I should ad that for 4 years, I sent my passport to America and got a non-im visa in return..

Yes, a 40,000 litre pool that gets 30 swimmers a day, will need a fair bit of attention. A private pool that size, which has 2 or 3 clean swimmers, with bodies not smeared with sickening beauty and health products, will need a lot less attention.

Washing these things off with a shower beforehand can greatly extend the life of your sand filter media. The oils and waxes contained in them don't break down very well and tend to gum up sand filters. (Take apart one after a few years and see what I mean.)

If there's one thing I could do to improve the quality of our pools it would be to find a way to make people take cleaning themselves off before using them seriously. Too many people think a pool is like a bathtub. :annoyed:

Well, my pool is my bathtub.. I even shampoo and shave.

I'm the only one who ever swims in it, so who is to care?

And it only means I have to change the water 1 or 2 times per year, and no more chemicals.

That is B.S. about DVD's and tapes not being sold. I just bought some yesterday at my normal place for a normal price...

I could find Spotlight blindfolded and with a gag on to stop me from asking anyone directions!

As I recall George, I think you are the one who told me about the 'housewives' in a soi off of Nimenheimen about 15 years ago.

On Feb 7th, the wife used the new Rimping Supermarket for the first time. Usually, we use the two older stores -- and never have had a problem with the Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) scam. In fact, looking at the credit card slips, the two older stores don't even have the DCC option. (See the following post if DCC doesn't ring a bell.)

But I hadn't briefed the wife on DCC, and when she checked out of the new Rimping, they used DCC, instantly converting to dollars. The dollar amount was posted on the slip, along with the conversion rate and Thai baht amount. But they never asked if she wanted 'Thai baht or foreign currency,' as Visa and MC say they're supposed to. And even tho' the wife knew there was something a little different about the credit slip, she signed anyway, as, I suspect, would many folks have done if not fully aware of DCC.

Result. She paid over 7% more than she would have if she had been given -- and used -- the option for Thai baht!!! (The exchange rate they used: 32.573. The Interbank Exchange rate used by MasterCared that day: 34.90.)

Interestingly, on the credit slip, next to the signature, it says: "I have chosen not to use the MasterCard currency conversion process and agree that I will have no recourse against MasterCard concerning the currency conversion." Ah, now an ironclad screwjob, as before this was added apparently some disenchanted customers had gone after MasterCard for their 'overpayments.' Now, door shut.

The same day I bought a Nok Air ticket at the airport, using my MasterCard. The credit slip I signed had no dollars mentioned, but the signature line had the following: "I have choosen (sic) not to pay in USD but to settle the payment in THB." This statement, which I confirmed later, means the particular merchant *has* the DCC option, but the option was not used, either because the customer requested Thai baht only, or because (as in the Nok Air case) the merchant automatically gave the better deal to the customer.

Home Pro in CM will automatically use DCC -- unless you insist on Thai baht only. I had to get a supervisor to drive the point home with a particular cashier, but have had no problems since. A cashier even explained about how 'button 1' is for Thai baht only,' while 'button 2' is foreign currency. And that management 'would like us to use button 2.' I bet they would....!!

I have subsequently talked to a supervisor at the new Rimping, and she assures me the cashiers have been briefed about the customer's right to insist on Thai baht only. But I haven't been back to check it out. Would really be nice if the stores would do what they're supposed to and ask up front: "Thai baht or foreign currency?" Easier than having to void a slip that comes out in dollars and asks me to waive my rights.

So far, the 3 merchants mentioned above are the only ones I know of using DCC -- but I'm sure there are many others out there -- or will be. But so far I personally know that Carrefour, Robinson's, and Global don't -- or at least didn't as of January.

The DCC is also used by Siam TV. I bought a TV in there about 8 months ago now and I queried why the amount on the credit slip was in Sterling. Faces all went blank and if I remember correctly they assured me the amount would be in Baht. It was charged in Sterling and the TV cost another 2000 baht because of it.

So another retailer to be aware of!

Why did you pay an extra 2000 baht??

Sounds to me like your brain wasn't working

I think the shame here should lie with you for bringing your petty bullshit here and spreading it around

If you speak some Thai then the solution is simple - walk around the city, the market, the streets, anywhere there are Thai people and TALK TO THEM. You can get a good foundation in Thai from books but to converse you need to speak and to do it often. Thais are very helpfull with farung trying to speak/learn Thai. I used to have regular spots where I would speak to the staff and they would encourage me to speak and comment on my progress. Keep your phrase book with you and a small dictionary helps as well but avoid trying to construct sentences by just looking up words. Use the phrase book at a restaurant and use the point and speak method. With a little encouragement the Thais will correct your pronunciation and you will improve.

It is much more fun, cheaper, and more usefull than sitting in a classroom learning "my plane has been delayed - when is the next flight to Pattaya?"

Good luck

CB

IMO trying to go into detail with an everyday Thai about words would be like trying to get or give directions.....mindbendingly slow with an occasional glimpse of light. Maybe OK if you have the patience of a saint and matching time to spare.

While I was a teacher, I found it very easy to talk about 'how to get..?' with students, because it is almost a direction translation, to Thai/English, so it is very easy to give directions if you know some simple Thai and English.

As for a school for a couple of hours per day, I recommend AUA, and Ajarn Oranute as the teacher...