pizzachang

On 8/27/2023 at 12:03 PM, webfact said:

In the video clip, the woman was wearing a bikini and a man was wearing underwear while doing erotic behaviors.

So is 'twerking' illegal in Thailand?

15 hours ago, bbko said:

Ghod I miss the US Consular outreach program where we could just walk-in and submit our forms and pay right there.

Yes, so much easier to pay in person and be id'ed in person. AND, actually SECURE.

3 hours ago, The Patriat said:

it took 6 1/2 weeks had made copies of identity page to hold while passport

So, I suppose you also had to make an arrangement with your bank to pre-verify your identity, for making a withdrawal from the "deposit account"  that you use to get funds into Thailand?  I use the monthly deposit (FTT) and usually have to withdraw some money for local expenses during a 30 day cycle - unlucky me - 6 1/2 weeks is longer than 30 days, so before I get the renewal done, I'll speak with the bank manager about the "problem". Thanks for your detailed response. "US citizen services" at the Consulate, now seems like an inconvenience, in this regard. I see that "other locations may not use the mail in renewal service" - just Thailand and maybe(? )some other countries/

On 8/18/2023 at 9:32 PM, The Patriat said:

So the B100 pays for the return envelope and postage...and is paid online?

So, I'm wondering why the "Checklist - U.S. Passport renewal by mail" states that "prepaid envelope cannot be accepted if you are applying for a U.S. passport in Thailand."  Is this only referring to a first -time application? I also reviewed the US Consulate instructions and it seems that signing my name in front of a Consular official is not required. This hardly seems 'secure' - anyone could mail in these documents other than photos "less than 6 months old".  I find this odd, since I renewed my passport in 2014, in person and it was so easy. I received my "expires in 2024" passport at the Consulate; now I just trust the Thai Post with all these documents and sign nothing?  I suspect the "payment' has become the "identity verification" -   the bank or paypal or c.c. verifies ?

On 8/18/2023 at 9:28 PM, The Patriat said:

On 8/18/2023 at 5:38 PM, Skeptic7 said:

So the B100 pays for the return envelope and postage...and is paid online? Do I have that correct? 

Yes this is correct data I renewed .y USA passport in june 2023 you go to the USA website here in Bangkok it tells you the complete steps you have to mail in your current us passport to prove who you really are

I renewed my US passport by making an appointment at the US Consulate in Chiang Mai.  So, I appeared in person with my old passport.  I have to renew by April 2024 - is the in-person option no longer available at the Consulate in CM?

3 hours ago, connda said:

Liberal govt led by Move Forward may be a pipe dream

Nyah.  Can't be a "pipe dream" as Pita wants cannabis to be criminalized again.
More like a Johnney Walker Blue Label dream.

Most of his ideas fit a conservative world view. "liberal" here must mean something akin to the classic definition

My actual question was intended  to be: Will using a VPN allow me to purchase/download a digital product key from (amazon) ? Company states they don't sell digital product keys outside the USA.

However, I appreciate all the reasonable suggestions, but wonder about the validity of internet product keys.  10 Euros seems too good to be true.

2 hours ago, MJCM said:

Why get a USB stick from the US? You can download the ISO from the Microsoft site and burn that to a usb stick you have and then install Windows 11 that way.

 

A key can be bought for a couple of USD online (ebay for example)

 

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

 

 

Guess I wasn't clear. I already have a non activated, free Windows 11.  I want a product key so I can activate my OS. 

2 hours ago, MJCM said:

Why get a USB stick from the US? You can download the ISO from the Microsoft site and burn that to a usb stick you have and then install Windows 11 that way.

 

A key can be bought for a couple of USD online (ebay for example)

 

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

 

 

I must not know how to do this, as I have tried the ISO Microsoft download but never worked for me. 

Does anyone know offhand if I can use VPN to purchase digital download [Windows 11] ? The (amazon ) company states the don't sell outside the USA, for digital but will send a flash drive - I don't really want to wait, unless there's no other way.

On 5/14/2023 at 8:24 AM, JimTripper said:

There is a medical cover for it’s use. People end up believing they are medical users when they actually just like getting high.

 

Users seem to forget that smoke of any kind is bad for human and mammal lungs. And something in smoke coats lung tissue. It's common experience for 'ex-smokers' of any substance to experience "tastes" for years after quitting.

Very strange, to say the least. This leaves the drug users supporting the military and at odds with most of the nation. 

On 5/5/2023 at 9:45 PM, DrJack54 said:

All applications for extensions based on marriage will be sent to other province for approval. 

I was under the impression that all O visa, 1 year extensions are sent to Bangkok. If this were not the case, then surely the Immigration Office's top officer could simply review that day's applicants, the interviewer's "notes" and approve the application. Immigration recommend 30 - 45 days before the expirations date - right?

fb - for all their censoring, they sure aren't taking care of spam and fake ads. I get "IKEA" fake ads, job offers , that don't exist, and some of the 'click baits' even don't bother to change the "photo" of the account holder - just the name! It's almost as bad as you-tube and the fake "free energy" videos, which are for the purpose of site visits to view the video, I'm guessing, but I really don't know.

Well, you could change some of the layout; that will occur if you keep looking at the plan and think about practicality. 

  More importantly, consider insulation. This will save money in the long run. I have R36 in my attic space and I could even add more! Our house is much cooler (a/ off) than any of the uninsulated, Thai style houses in our neighborhood. Automatic vent fan (thermostically controlled) to exhaust the dead air above the insulation. And last, way more electrical outlets than the Thai - standard, which seems to rely on extension cords from the local hardware store/both inside and all-weather ones outside.

Another consideration (after years of maintenance on our home here) is access points for water, drains and electrical.  I'm looking right now at, having to break concrete to fix a water leak - you'll thank yourself for doing this down the road and it will raise resale value.

On 5/4/2023 at 4:42 PM, oldcpu said:

There was no requirement to go to one of my condo's bedrooms. That's a bit bizarre ?

It's not unusual - wife and I had this happen - IO wanted a photo of us sitting together on our bed!

"Fun" = drugs, intoxication.  There's a problem. 

Getting out of one's natural 'mind' = "fun".

 As long as this is the mindset and the people indulging are willing to take the risk of death, permanent injury, prison, hey go for it. It's natural selection in action.

Parents aren't happy though.

On 4/15/2023 at 4:06 PM, Ralf001 said:

Google "do swamp coolers work in humid climates"

 

As mentioned by others they are not suited to humid climates but should be ok if you only want to lower room temp by a few degrees........ dont expect it to do more than that though.

Those swamp coolers add extra moisture to the air. Low moisture air is easier to cool. Investing in 'attic space insulation' is a much better way to get lower daytime temperatures. Most Thai style roof/attic spaces can be insulated inexpensively with the R36 (shops even sell foil - covered batts) Adding a thermostatic vent fan, to exhaust hot air from the attic space will ensure a lower room temp. But, if you don't do that, the insulation will still keep your space cooler. The hot air will eventually invade your insulated space but much slower and during the rest of the year the room will be much cooler. I did this process and it really does work and I will add the exhaust fan, but haven't done that yet. Identical floor plan houses, in our moo baan, are "ovens" during the afternoons - without the attic insulation.

On 11/15/2022 at 9:21 AM, bamnutsak said:

Asssuming the van has a license then they can still sell flower. Whether they can get the "appropriate" license might be an issue? Not sure what new criteria might be required.

What actually happens will be similar to what happens everywhere - a black market develops and what used to be prosecution for 'selling illegal drugs', becomes prosecution for 'selling without a license'.

Will this include IO recognizing that foreign ATM cards can only withdraw money from foreign accounts? [Proving the "FTT link"]

On 10/26/2022 at 9:46 AM, bdenner said:

"For this privilege the foreigner must invest 40 million baht in a single project and must commit to three years."

No one with half a brain would do this: "Put all your eggs in one basket"!!!

That's a bit pricey, to say the least.

1 hour ago, sumongkhwai said:

Wife tells me that the guy who ran/owned the pre-school was a big boss in the area. The shooter had asked him for help with his job and court. Big boss said he couldn't help him because of the yaba issue so he wanted to get revenge against the big boss. Freakin coward.

Random drug-testing, is a standard procedure for critical/sensitive jobs. It seems the problem lies with follow-up procedures by government. Complacency is common to humans, but it is good to know some of the 'facts' about the motive. In reality, these crimes are rare and are sensationalizied by media. Illegal drug overdose, illegal drug sellers, kill far more children, teens and adults every year.

4 hours ago, wombat said:

Masks stop the spread of the common cold in public places...mandatory or optional I will continue to wear one when in public.

If that were true, then China would have been "cold free". Viruses are not "stopped" by masks. Viruses are less of a risk, if you don't touch your nose, eyes and mouth, after touching contaminated surfaces. A cough or sneeze in your immediate area can deposit viruses on surfaces or right at you; that much is true, but viruses aren't "stopped". A sick person may benefit others by wearing a mask, but they still can spread a virus. The reduction of particles they spread by sneeze, or cough may be reduced but never eliminated. Only a Level 4 lab mask can actually "stop" a virus. To date, I personally haven't seen substantiated claims about paper masks - plenty of claims from sources desiring compliance, though.

Well, it's way past time for this.

Even China's obsession with masks, did nothing to stop a virus, or even slow down the spread.