hugh2121

Did Suthep not do the same but to a much greater degree? Was he not corrupt when deputy prime minister (unelected)? And what of the charges against Abhisit (murder, I believe)? It seems that sauce for the goose is not sauce for the gander.

This puzzles me but then it is America. Why puzzled? I thought the American constitution applied to the whole of the USA. So why is it only illegal in California? Either it violates the constitution nationwide or it does not violate it at all. I know different states have different laws but do they have different constitutions? What am I missing here? If people have been killed illegally, surely it was premeditated murder. I'm not making a judgement on capital punishment although I have my own views, only querying what the hell is going on this crazy country.

Hmmmm, no mention of traffic in the wrong lane at traffic lights either. It seems that lane markings for straight ahead, left turn or right turn only, mean nothing to the Thais. "Oh! but the queue in this lane is the shortest so I'll go there. I know I want to turn the other way but I can cut across, it's ok!"

By all means plug into a switched socket but first check the current rating for the switch against current used by the fan. In this instance I would prefer to use a switchless socket (most Thai switches are flimsy) and install a fan with a pull cord operated switch. That way an earth would not be necessary if the fan has a metal case but mounted out of reach. Most appliances in Thailand, even those with metal cases do not seem to have an earth wire connected to the plug but many have a terminal to connect an earth wire. Safety first. Check toasters, kettles, irons etc. on sale. 99% are unsafe and would not be permitted in Europe. A two pin plug is a dead (pun intended) giveaway. Most electrical equipment "Made in China" horrifies me.

I am a qualified electrical engineer and a qualified electronics engineer. I hope this post helps some people who are not as aware of electrical safety.

What happened, in fact, is that the $US declined against most currencies as did the THB but to a lesser extent.

I think this is what is called misinformation.

Highway 7 between Sri Racha and Banglamung intersection. Nearside lane has been so damaged by overweight lorries that I will not use it. Driving along in the middle lane yesterday at the max speed limit I was overtaken many times by cars and minibuses in the left hand lane which does seem to be illegal in Thailand. One of the vehicles which passed me on the left was a police car.

2years ago I bought a house in my Thai gf name and registered a separate 30 year lease at the land office with rent paid in advance for 30 years. Not a problem then. However, I understand that the army(NCPO) have decided that this practice is illegal as the house is bought with a foreigner's money. The Thai owner now MUST prove that it was bought from her own money and show where she got this money e.g. savings over period of time; bank loan; profits from a business etc. A gift from a foreigner, as I understand the new ruling, does not qualify and the house could become forfeit. Maybe the land office have been advised of this.

I understand also that the above information is not yet official.

ukforex.co.uk ozforex.co.au

Zero charges

Good exchange rate almost same as Thai bank.

Krung Sri charge 500 THB but K bank charge more.

All transfers to Thailand will take 3-4 working days. All other countries 1-2 days.

Krung Sri Bank. Max charge for receiving foreign transfer = 500 THB.

Open 2 accounts. Ordinary account has low interest, no annual charge for debit/atm card, no charge for transfers to another Krung Sri account, no charge for using any bank's atm anywhere in Thailand. Higher interest account without plastic, you can make 2 free transfers per month to your ordinary account by internet or personally in any branch. No fuss, no hassle.

I use uk forex (they also have ozforex) find them with google. No commission and will transfer money quickly. Exchange rate only slightly below Thai banks. They beat post office and banks hands down. They estimate 1 or 2 days to transfer your money to most countries in the world. Thailand is the only country where the estimate is 4 days. Hmmmm I wonder why.

And how much are Sutthep and Abisit worth?

Other countries should keep their beaks out of Thailand's internal affairs with one exception. I would agree with sanctions over Thailand's failure to stamp out slavery and human trafficking.

OK, so I don't have a smart phone or tablet.

Well outside my area for drinking and getting home anyway.

Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said the benefits from free-trade agreements normally were bilateral, and if the EU continued with this measure, it too would lose out on benefits.

Yeah right! Like 100% import tax on goods from the EU and 200% on cars. Don't see any "bilateral free trade agreement" there!

I was offered the same deal by Krung Sri Bank. After getting the paperwork fully translated I felt it was a con due to unclear headlines.

First year pay in 50,000. End of first year get 8% of 50,000

Second year pay in 50,000. End of second year get 8% of 50,000

Third year pay in 20,000. End of third year get 8% of 50,000

Fourth year pay in 50,000. End of fourth year get 8% of 50,000

Fifth year pay in 50,000. End of fifth year get 8% of 50,000

After fifth year stop paying in and stop getting interest.

End of year ELEVEN get back just over 200,000.(Don't remember exact figure)

Total profit was about 30,000 after 11 years on a total paid in of 250,000.

Ordinary fixed deposit account beats it but does not provide life assurance.

BUPA Thailand have many plans depending on what you want. If you insure before age 60 you can continue cover for life. Otherwise Cigna will provide cover for life from any age.

It's very interesting that TAT claim that tourism is down by about 10%. I met a guy at Big C in Pattaya today, a regular visitor. He arrived from UK a few days ago via EVA Air. On arrival at Suvarnabhumi he found immigration completely empty of arrivals except for 3 Thai people at the Thai passport desk. Always chocker block when I used to come through. Hmmmmmmmmmmm!

First I'm wondering why you allow your Jersey bank to make transfers for you. If you go to www.ukforex.co.uk and register with them you can make a free transfer or debit card transfer to them from your Jersey bank. UK Forex will change it into THB at a far better rate than any UK (or Jersey) bank. They will then transfer your THB to your nominated Thai bank totally free of any charges. I bank with Krung Sri and recently transferred £7,000. I think they charge a straight 0.2% of the amount received with a maximum charge of 500THB.

What book? I've searched but can't find a book on Thai traffic rules.

Are you proposing that Thailand should reject the democratic principle of one person, one vote? I do not know enough of Thai politics to express any view at all but please remember that the "clique" you refer were elected by a large majority of the population.

I'm told that a Thai equivalent to the Highway Code exists. Anyone know where I can buy one in Pattaya, Sri Racha, Chon Buri area? I've scoured all the bookshops but found nothing. Enquiries to assistants as to where to buy one I get the usual "Don't know" or "mai kaojai".

Many health insurers here will tell you the premium for your current age. They are not all up front with maybe doubling of cost at age 65 or 70. Also beware of plan age limits. You could faithfully pay premiums for maybe 10 years or more without making a claim, only to find that when you reach age 70 and might need the insurance you are declined renewal.

As far as cover is concerned, read carefully the terms and conditions, you only get what you pay for. A good private hospital will cost about 2000THB per day for room, 500 for food. Drugs and meds will be charged at prices inflated way above the price at a local pharmacy. They always want to keep you on a saline drip, in many cases unnecessarily as water is provided in the air conditioned room. A recent one night stay in excellent private hospital, preceded by visit to OPD with food poisoning cost me 14,000. Even though I refused take home meds. A long stay with a chronic condition can cost millions (THB). Look for insurance to cover the basics and go home for more intensive treatment is my advice.

No problem with Facebook at Sri Racha