Mr Brown

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate situation iamariva1957 . I have only just gone threw a similar nightmare myself.

In my case I decided in the end, that the stress and problems were to much and I moved on.

An old saying that goes; 'you cant pick your neighbor's is 100% spot on especially over here and there is NO guarantee that I wont be on the move again in the near future.

Anyway, good luck and I hope it works out for you in the long run.

Mmmm the Russians are really making a name for themselves in Phuket, The ice and snow is on its way to mother Russia and so are the many thousands of quality tourists heading for Phuket.

Oh dear! Yet another poster, who it appears has nothing better to do then to worry about what other people are wearing.

Its time to climb down from the dizzy heights that you are experiencing and concentrate more on what you do then concerning yourself about others.

I don't usually agree with the over the top flaming that can happen in these posts from time to time but your response opens yourself up to be absolute smashed or maybe that's your agenda. Your just looking for the response?

This is similar to. I don't like farang who wear shorts. You need to get over it..lol

Mmmm lots of Russians in Phuket at the moment and come high season the Island will be declared an annex of mother Russia there will be so many of them here.

Depending upon what type of bike you have and who you want to repair any problems. I would suggest speaking to or have someone ask any local motor bike repair shop could they send out their side car mechanic to at least get your bike back to their shop for repair, in the event your bike has problems. I would be confident to say that for a negotiable fee this might happen quiet easily.

As for AXA car insurance I have been advised that the roadside assistance aspect only refers to your vehicle being towed to a workshop for repair and not actual mechanical road side assistance that you might be used to in your own country. I will happily stand corrected on this. Should that not be the case.

Mmmm I don't know how long you have lived in the LOS. But its amazing that someone else wearing shorts would bother you so much. If the individuals concerned have acted inappropriately or were disrespectful I could understand your gripe. Otherwise no one really cares including the Thais. Personally if you believe in smart casual wear or if your inclined to wear a three piece suit that's your choice as it is the same choice of those that might like to wear shorts in a hot and humid climate.

A friend of mine recently told me that when he went to Phuket Land Transport Office he was told that he could only renew his initial DL for one year as he was on a Tourist Visa. He was told that if he had a long stay visa he would have been issued with a 5 year extension.

From what I've seen, many doctors like to make the problem go away by administering happy pills, of the family benzodiazepam. This includes valium and xanax, and many others. I strongly advise against this route. Long term and/or excessive dosages can lead to very serious addiction, and unimaginable horror when the victim is eventually forced into withdrawal. This may sound overly dramatic, but I have personal experience, and what I say is no exaggeration. It's best to find some natural way to deal with stress. I have several tools I use, including exercise, meditation, yoga, and focusing on my breath. Some of this stuff may sound fruity, but it actually works, and has no real drawbacks, except if one over exercises. In my experience, doctors just want to get the patient out the door with as little fuss as possible, and a prescription is an easy way to do this.

very true

for a number of years I suffered from a stress related illness. Mainly to do with my line of work that I used to do.

the medicos seen fit to prescribe benzodiazepam which I eventually became addicted to. Getting off the medication became more a daunting task then the actual illness itself.

During this period panic attacks where part of my every day existence. I found the best way to lesson the attack was to stop whatever I was doing and go somewhere relatively quiet and away from every one and after doing this for a few weeks I was able to control the attacks through relaxation techniques.

As for the benzodiazepam I haven't taken one for about 9 years and I will NEVER take another one again.

Good luck and I hope your well very soon.

I'd be interested to know how the young Swiss guy funded such a long stay here. I have my suspicions. It's possible his arrest for overstaying may have saved him from more serious charges in the future.

It amazes me how many younger people from many country's manage to fund their long term stay here.

Storm in a teacup regarding any reactions to his comments! The bigger picture is in focus here, for once

He's certainly not mincing words. 'Fed up, had it up to the back teeth with the pussy-footing around' comes to mind.

Just a question not only for yourself but others on here, do you think that the Thai Authorities will bring pressure on him to keep his mouth shut? TAT would probably despise the man and be glad to see the rear end of him. He has been pushing this issue for years and I say good on him but I do have some concerns that Thailand may just get fed up and say, revoke his work visa and kick him out of the country. He is not a diplomat so not protected in that way.

The Hon Consul Mr Cunningham would hold an Australian Government issued 'Official Passport' and that would cover him under the international Diplomatic Immunities Treaty. He is not a diplomat but he is acting as an Australian Government Official abroad.

Russians openly selling Yabba across from Central Festival in Pattaya. However they are not Russian mafia... Just misunderstood criminals...lol

Even if there are Russians selling openly selling Yabba.. which I personally doubt. If the drug pusher was a from another nationality nobody would ever suggest it's got anything to do with Mafia.. but as soon as it's perceived to be Russian it all changes...why?

So you know for a fact that its not happening ['which you personally doubt'] or are you just looking to stretch out the debate?

Russians openly selling Yabba across from Central Festival in Pattaya. However they are not Russian mafia... Just misunderstood criminals...lol

Chiang Mai is a great place. But wait until the Russian Mob take a more vested interest in it. Then the situation will deteriorate dramatically.

Dear OP.

I'll tell what I'll do. Next time you are at a loose end in Bangkok and wish to see another side of life, one which is in direct contrast to the one you seem to believe is all inclusive of the Ex Pat 'Community' here. I extend an invitation to you. (outer BKK Suburbs) Get in touch and come out here for a drink and BBQ in my Soi, Moo Baan. Sing along with us, as the blokes drag out their guitars and belt out numbers from CCR, Eagles, John Denver, Bee Gees, Everly Bros, Mamas and Papas, Lionel Ritchie, etc. When we are not doing that we talk about things most blokes anywhere like to talk about - Football, (even if it is English Soccer), food, work, females and sex, alcohol, music, cars, home improvement and maintenance, just about everything. Not a lot different to what most blokes at home talk about at BBQs and social gatherings. We even visit the odd Karaoke Bar or Snooker Room when we are in the mood. We consciously avoid Thai Politics though. For obvious reasons. Too polarising.

I have quite a diverse group of good friends.

One of them, who holds a Senior Management position at Saha Farm Lop Buri, at Sat Night Drinks last week he was telling me about what was going on up there, showing me the pics he personally took on his Galaxy S4 of the recent fire damage at the factory. The slaughter area destroyed, 3 machines at 2 Mil Baht each, plus all the overheads had fallen in, but the Sausage Manufacturing area survived. Another has his own Electrical, Security and Access control company with some big contracts in progress such as Mahindol Uni, another is a Childrens Toy Importer and supplies Villa Markets etc., an interior designer, a 'rag trade' wholesaler, a very, very senior government official, a pest controller, a professional driver, bookings manager for one of the most famous hotels in the Kingdom, Thai Inter Ground Crew, even a Copper. And they are all good friends. Plus their wives and children. I attend Tam Boons, Buats, Weddings, Funerals, weekends at the beach, concerts and many other social events at the invitation of my thai friends. I truly love it. Never a cross word or a blue.

I don't have much to do with other farangs here, simply because there are none around here. I can go months without talking face to face with one. Doesn't mean I am anti social. On the contrary. I am quite a sociable person. Not so good at singing though, but I do my best.

I treat everyone with respect - and, a certain amount of trust, until they may prove themselves unworthy of it.

I am not a mug. I have been traveling and living in Asia now for a total of 43 years. 30 years married to a Thai. (My 26 YO Australian/Thai son is staying with me at the moment). 10 years experience in Oz as a Thai Restaurant Owner, Since I was 16, every girl friend I ever had, bar two, were in Asia. I came very close to marrying a Filippina in 1979. I still think about her from time to time. She was a great girl. As a matter of a fact when I first came to Asia, the girls I had 'relations' with, would, if it were nowadays, qualify to be listed on a Sex Offenders Register!

How I feel, think and live my life, and what I post here about Asia/Thailand I do so, mostly from experience - not what I read here or in a book, nor what I see on (my Samsung) TV,

I would not take this forum too seriously. Narks are everywhere. Sometimes the best reaction is no reaction at all.

As I said, give me a call. (BTW, everyone here drinks Whisky & Soda, or to a much lesser extent, beer. If you want anything else then you will have to BYO. Sorry 'bout that.

In closing, The invitation is there. To quote and old Thai saying - 'Up to you'. I would like you to see that all is not as bad or stereotypical as you think. My glass if neither half full nor half empty - It's Chokkas!

Hi mate,

After reading your thread can you count me in for a beer sing-a-long and a real; good time

Cheers matey, well said!

I have a similar situation happening next door to where I live. There is a work site in situ with several houses being constructed.

Up until last week the workers would continue from 7am until whenever. Now I am talking about angle grinders, tile cutters and general noise from building works. The noise level was becoming unbearable. Knowing full well that complaining was a waste of time I have sat back and put up with it. Hoping that the local Thai community would finally get the jack of all the noise and make a complaint that might have some substance.

Last Tuesday the noise from an angle grinder was so loud and continuous I had to leave my house for the day. On returning at 6pm in the evening the noise level was unacceptable. The noise of the angle grinder continued through to 11pm that night. Finally I managed to close my eyes and I was awaken at 0130 am.

Absolutely sick to death of the situation. I spent all day working out how I could do something about the noise. But to my surprise that evening the noise stopped at 6pm and there hasn't been a peep from the building site after 6pm, since that night with the angle grinder debacle at 0130am.

So I am thinking the local Thai community had a gut full of the noise and the angle grinder blasting away at 0130am was the last straw.

I am currently in Pattaya for a couple of weeks and my 60 day tourist visa is
about to expire. I went to the immigration office in Jomtien to obtain a 30 day
extension. I arrived at about 0830 and there were around 90 punters in front of
me, probably because of the public holiday yesterday and the public holiday on
Monday, everyone was attempting to get in early.

I waited patiently for an hour and when my number was finally called presented
myself in front of a female immigration officer, who after checking my
application started to babble on about the passport photo, I had submitted with
my application. When I sort clarification of what the issue was with the photo.
I was abruptly told that photo no good. I give you 30 day extension Bangkok not
happy, so no can do. Again I ask what the problem with photo. Passport stamped
and I get nothing except the date stamped 02 May 2013 until 06 May 2013. Still
no reason. So I politely ask again and was abruptly told you have singlet on in
photo, Bangkok not happy I give you 30 days.

My passport and 1900 baht was taken to the cashier I received my passport back and
was down 1900 baht.

I was about to crank up the volume and though better of it. I had recently
applied for two separate extensions through the Phuket Immigration office
using the same photos without an issue. But unfortunately this morning I came up against an immigration officer who was clearly having a bad day.

I find KBank to be excellent. As for transfer of funds between Australia and the LOS. It usually takes about 3 hours for KBank to deposit the funds from my
National Australia Bank account, in Australia.

Col Arun said the robber was “Middle East looking” with fair skin??????

Sounds like the same crowd of Russians that moved into my apartment complex in Rawai nine days ago.

On the first night they almost drove a hired vehicle into the swimming pool. Music blaring day and night. Not one ounce of consideration for anyone but themselves.

After all negotiation continued to fall on deaf ears. I have moved to alternative accommodation until someone decides to empty out the trash.

To make things worse. One of my neighbours has told me that it now appears that the people I am talking about, may have been linked to the savage assault at Surin a couple of days ago.

Yes there is good and bad amongst all nationalities. But it certainly appears that there are certain types of individual/s coming out of Russia that are not afraid to let their hair down at the expense of everyone else.

Is he actually on the run? Is anyone actually actively looking for him in Sweden? I think the headline is a bit misleading .. Sounds like he was handed his passport by the police, released and simply booked and caught a flight home... now he's in Sweden unless someone fights for extradition I sincerely doubt anyone is actively seeking him in Sweden as he's not been charged with anything there.

The jurisdiction of the Thai police ends in Thailand, so an active arrest warrant in Thailand when the Thai police know full well he's in Sweden is useless. If this isn't a blatant case of police/ court corruption in Thailand I don't know what is. Since when were murderers granted leave to travel home to spend Xmas with their family?

sounds like your right, he'll get off scott free. what about Interpol? do they have any authority in a situation like this?

Interpol will only put a Red Flag on the offender, if both the Thais and Swedes request international arrest warrants. The Interpol warrant would then allow any country that recognizes Interpol to arrest the offender based on the issuing warrant.

There is not a single one of these "Superstars" who would make me try to visit that party. I guess I will be able to hear the noise from my home anyway...

I'm sorry that you'll have to put up with the noise! I really don't understand how playing CD's or records makes a DJ a "superstar." I guess I'm old and worked as an audio engineer for too many real "superstars" to understand...

You have certainly nailed it with that comment 'still a beach bum'

There is a very good hair salon next to the banks on the first level of the Tesco Lotus complex near Chalong circle. 300 baht.

But you cannot buy motorbike on tourist visa, you need at least edu visa or now some trustworthy Thai

I brought are car last week. Had the Blue book changed to my name, no problems. I am on a Tourist Visa.

just an observance, why do so many Russians, ( men and women) have so many tattoo's ? many look like ex cons with their bodies covered in ink.

They're probably Australians, not Russians. Strine can also sound like Russian to the uninitiated.

Yep totally agree. They are more than likely from Oz or NZ. I am Australian but don’t have a body covered with ink. The younger oz guy/girl is making the tattooist a very wealthy profession in oz. No problem with the tatts as long as the attitude stays back in OZ/NZ.