arithai12

I think the lady nailed it. If she lived in Isaan, 10k would be ok but she wouldn't easily find a job as unqualified worker. In Bangkok, 10k is not enough but there's many others ready to take the job if you pass so no incentive to increase the wage.

I think this says a lot. First they want the elephant to make money with the tourists, then they kick them out when no tourists. And the elephant should stay away somewhere of course. Who's the hypocrite again?

Wow. Phuket is also usually fixed fare from the airport, 1000B for 1:15h drive to Rawai. Samui makes that look cheap! But as you said, to be fair it's excellent service in well kept modern cars. And if on the route, there is the opion of the Smartbus: 100B 2h to Rawai.

There are times when the refusal is justified. Especially in a megacity like Bangkok at strange hours with very far destinations that will make the driver waste gas and time with an empty return trip. If they want to enforce no-refusals, then they should revise the fare system and the number of licences. There are also times when the refusal is justified on the basis of the customer being unruly or perceived as a threat or having oversized baggage and so on. So.... it requires a little more than just asking the public to report, in the era of social media some people tend to make a fuss over nothing.

I don't disagree that higher wages would be nice in principle, however a) it wouldn't solve the debt problem, if anything exacerbate it. It is in Thai mentality that "face" is paramount, and that means buying not only beyond their means for themselves, but also for their extended families. Double the wages, double the debts. b) Thailand has low wages yes, but also very low unemployment. A school teacher finds a job in no time, back in my country they can wait years. Go in a restaurant or in a hospital, there will be 3x more than necessary waiters and nurses. Basically, the higher wage is split in 3 to accomodate 3x more workers (substitute the number you want for 3).

I would go and ask the bank.

Where is the "sad" icon when we need it. Are you seriously suggesting that smoking cannabis recreationally gives permanent effects? You mention 2 of them, and then you say "some of these". So which of the two is permanent, reduced memory or impaired logic? With links to demonstrated medical studies please.

Maybe, but your examples confirm his point. The rubber tappers were presumably in a forest inhabited by elephants. The peasant annoyed the mother elephant accidentally, but still he annoyed her. The monk, was he praying inside a temple or in the middle of a forest? The thing is, how do you tell an elephant that it should stay within some territory? And that that territory is shrinking all the time? I also find the article incomplete, if it doesn't mention how many elephants were killed by humans in the same period, be it for ivory, for expanding farming activities, hit by trucks, overworked to death.

Well, stupid law as already stated, but widespread if one reads the original (well researched) CNN article. Amazing how rape and sex trafficking victims still have to defend themselves and are subject additionally to years behind bars. While if someone shoots an intruder entering their home then it's ok. Let's not even mention the racial component.

I bet von der Leyen & co don't have a clue what is their shopping or heating bill in Brussels or how much it costs to fly them around, but sure let's eject members states who have objections about the role of the EU in the never-ending mess in Ukraine. The problem is, it's not only Hungary.

Once upon a time I took a bus from Phuket Town to Ranong, it was 8 excruciating hours with my knees in my mouth and thankfully I still had a bladder of steel at the time. Perhaps connections have improved by now, but I would much rather fly to Penang or KL than repeat that ordeal.

Can't miss a chance to bash right? The kids tried the (slightly pathetic, but then they are really young kids) cover up, and the police found out the real story immediately. So, what exactly is your problem with Thailand's finest in this case? What would you have done or the finest of your country have done differently and presumably much better?

You will find several videos about the 1st class cabin on youtube.

The police doesn't need to monitor social media, the so-called netizens do that egregiously and report to the police who is obliged to follow up. Just like in any country. You only need to look at the pictures to know that he lied, there are several vehicles around him. Why do I have the feeling that all shields up to defend the guy is because he is farang?

I have seen burka-wearing women do that, so I think it's possible also with a covid mask. Just as an aside, I agree with your post.

I think so, and I think it's already happening. In CM, it's more common to see people without mask. And in Phuket where I am now, it's the norm. This said, I don't think we'll get back to zero masks. Those at risk will want to play safe whenever possible.

As I reported elsewhere, I flew AA domestic CM-HKT 3 days ago, no masks required (about 70% wearing it), also meals served during the flight. So the different experience might be actually just a difference in timing?

Flew CM-Phuket 3 days ago. No checks at check-in or arrival. On the plane, many without mask and meals were served during the flight.

You obviously are, good, but remember that this is not your personal thread, you didn't start it, and the actual OP was asking for comments in general so I think you are being harsh in calling people trolls when they are doing just that. Maybe you should start your own "story of my LTR". And since we are at it, here's my 2 cents: I really don't see the big deal in obtaining this LTR vis-a-vis the complications, at least for many of us who are already here since many years on regular retirement/marriage extensions. I think it's aimed at attracting rich newcomers. But clearly you decided it's good for you, wish you the best.

When in their usual environment (=social stigma) they do not dare. When abroad, they feel "free". Not too different from Catholics that go to church every Sunday in their home country and despise prostitutes if they see them while driving with their wives, and then on arrival in Thailand they run to the go-go chapel at night.

Chiang Mai is in Northern Thailand I think. No flooding there at least that I know of - it does rain on and off as it should in this season. Plenty of tourists. Ping river level very high, but still about 1m below critical.

I disagree in general - and I am prepared to be flamed. For the person in question, the nearest IO might not be that far (she joined a University we just read), and since they would be the ones actually issuing the relevant papers they are also the best to give information. The notion that this forum can help people is true and sometimes it is indeed the case. Esp. for those living abroad or very far from IO and not so good with internet. At the same time, it is often also not true. Please refer to a current thread on "how to spend 800k" or along this line, and you will find a wild zoo of different, contraddictory, confusing, incorrect "help" posts from people who also do not miss the opportunity to insult each other. Amusing yes, helpful no.

Not "to leave Thailand". But check what the requirements are for your destination, and also some airlines might have their own requirements at chec=k-in. As for your return to Thailand, at the moment they are checking when you land that you are vaccinated, or that you have had a negative test in the 72h prior (or give you a test right there at their discretion). Your hospital document should be ok. In case you want to be super-safe, an Intl Covid yellow booklet can be requested at the your local Dept of Health branch. In CM it's a matter of 2 weeks/ 50 baht, but YMMV.

Search for "netiquette uppercase" and you will see that using uppercase is usually understood as shouting. In your case it was just one word so ... more like emphasis perhaps.

I share much of your reproach about the Biden's administration, a shame indeed. But if you are implying that Trump was better, or a return to Trump would improve things, then I disagreee. Think of the mess he did with Iran. As for NK, Trump and Kim looked like enthusiastic buddies at first, but things cooled off after that. The thing is, the real foreign policy maker in the US is the Army and the weapons market, not much that any President can do.