Sceptict11

The latest Cochrane Database review (2012) concludes that Serenoa repens was not more effective than placebo for treatment of urinary symptoms consistent with BPH

ref http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001423.pub3/abstract

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

To be fair other Embassy's use the same system for "certifying" income.

An interesting comment about Phuket. I can imagine there will be a few(many) very upset Americans (and others ?)

As a Brit I have always had to provide evidence of income to the Embassy before they will issue a letter.

cheeryble

Thank you very much for that link.

The paper is of course academic and would prove to be a "difficult" read for those without a scientific background.

I am now looking for papers of equivalent stature which examine the risks/benefits of herbal and other "natural" products.

I suspect I am on a hopeless quest !

Leave Thailand , enter different country (you may have to buy an "on arrival visa") , leave the different country and enter Thailand using your second entry. Make sure you enter your visa number on the Entry card .

I live on Phuket Island

Its interesting that when " foreign managed businesses" get caught out the first words uttered are "corruption" and " extortion". Making these noises does not lessen culpability.

For example I am personally aware of a "foreign managed business" which had no Thai staff ! The owner was arrested and put before the court.

Recently there have been many arrests on the island involving time share touts , illegal travel agents and people working without permits. All arrested, charged and taken to court.

Those who stand on the sidelines and shout "corruption and extortion" should look at themselves and either come up with the evidence or shut up.

Believe what you want to beileve; the two companies I referred to above are both legitimate, long term businesses, with significant numbers of Thai employees, not bogus or illegitimate operations (of which thre are a certainly few).

However I have no intention of embarrsing the managers by naming the companies and I am also not sure if forum rules would allow it anyway.

But don't be distracted by the issue of scum bag time share and illegitimate travel agents, these are small fish in big pond. Many expats who live life reading the english language newspapers and chatting to their mates do not appreciate the misery that tax paying, 100% legitimate business owners and managers are put under by the various significantly corrupt police divisions that operate here.

Yes, sure they might have been stung for the odd few hundred THB for not wearing a helmet, but generaly the expat community do not have much dealing with the darker side of Phuket's Police as expats per se are not seen as a particularrly fertile territory for income, they are more useful as a dressing to hide the darker goings on that happen here.

Businesses (most all of them - Thai owned as well) are targeted for extortion and corrupt payments by the police on a regular monthly basis. Whatever kind of company you run you will find it impossible to satisfy the full gamut of regulations and compete without running into some division of the BIB who for example pull your company vehicles up and find something wrong with the vehicle or the workers, then offer for a few thousand pcm to give you 'free passage or insurance for the month', or call round to your office to find something awry.

For an example in case, to transport workers you need a blue plated vehicle, to transport customers you need a green/white/yellow plated vehicle, to transport goods you need a white/green/ 40/80 registration vehicle. So to move goods, workers and customers and to be 100% legit you need a miniumum of three types of vehicle - you are normally competing with companies who pay approx 2,000 THB pcm to each police division they drive in to use only one vehicle for all three areas - very cost effective investment - hence corruption is fuelled as it is often cheaper to pay this 'whiskey money' than to meet the letter of the law; corrupt police know this and exploit it to the full.

Rumour has it that police officers from other regions pay significant amounts of cash for a posting to say Phuket, where as a civil servant with a miserable goverment salary you can quickly build a healthy retirement nest egg.

Trust me, I know as an active (and legitimate) business owner here that Phuket stinks of corruption and extortion, but it is certainly not clearly visible to your average expat.

Oh and by the way, I love this country and it's people (on balance) and have no desire to return to the country of my birth, so I am in Rome.

Interesting.

A good friend of mine has run a legitimate business here on Phuket for the past 9 years. He employs 14-15 Thai staff and has never been subject to demands for "extra" payment(s).

He was subject to a recent "inspection" -- a joint operation between the police, immigration and the labour department. He was instantly able to satisfy the officials queries. The officials thanked him and moved on. Absolutely no demands for any tea money.

I live on Phuket Island

Its interesting that when " foreign managed businesses" get caught out the first words uttered are "corruption" and " extortion". Making these noises does not lessen culpability.

For example I am personally aware of a "foreign managed business" which had no Thai staff ! The owner was arrested and put before the court.

Recently there have been many arrests on the island involving time share touts , illegal travel agents and people working without permits. All arrested, charged and taken to court.

Those who stand on the sidelines and shout "corruption and extortion" should look at themselves and either come up with the evidence or shut up.

How does one undertake research into the prostate problem and know what treatment is good/bad/indifferent/dangerous?

Doubt you have a visa ---30 days would seem like a "visa exempt" entry. You might get a 7 day extension at your nearest immigration office but that is all.

For more (60-90 days) you will have obtain a tourist visa at a Thai consulate in a nearby country.

You do not tell us about how long your Bhutan trip will last.

cwmkpg

Thank you !

I hope you explained to your wife why I "shouted" in my last post !

jbrain

My (Thai) wife is very aware of the rules !

She marks the calender with the days when 90 day reports are due and when my extension of stay is due for renewal !

Your remarks could/would be viewed as being offensive by many Thai people -----my wife included!

If you have the financials apply for an extension of stay and purchase a multi re-entry permit once your extension has been approved

cwmkpg

I absolutely agree with your sentiment but "overstay" is generated by cheap charlies, who live on the edge , constantly ducking and diving and who dont have a valid visa !

somo

You have read the advise and you, of course, are free to accept or reject that advice. You may do as you please, based on your understanding of the requirements.

Please don't cry when your plan fails !

If you look at your "visa" you will note a "use before" date ----------that is the expiry date !

If you have a 1 year visa it will expire one year from the date of issue NOT one year from the date it was first used .

The problem is mainly associated with Americans who are addicted to narcotic analgesia.

No analgesic will provide !00% pain relief unless taken in dangerous and life threatening dosages.

A more realistic expectation of pain being reduced to a tolerable level would benefit many.

Prescription analgesic abuse in the USA has reached monumental levels and is the cause of many deaths.

Doubt you will be able to qualify for a "one year" visa.

Suspect your options will be limited to a Tourist visa or possibly an EDU (education visa)

Someone with more knowledge than me will be along soon.

Go to your local book shop and buy the following book.

"Lonely Planet South-East Asia on a Shoestring"

Well researched and authoritative the book is an invaluable resource and well worth purchasing.

pianoman

If what you assert is true why does the UN employ so many interpreters ?

The site promotes a Dr.T who makes various claims , unfortunately, if you look carefully one notices the following

"The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The information on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."

Such a disclaimer is a sure sign of a quack attempting to avoid regulatory authority

Well I am pleased that your experience has been good !

Guess you have never attempted to do businesses with a French, German or Swiss town hall or the local Police ?

The European Union has 23 "official" and "working" languages !

Within Europe there are many successful businessmen/academics etc but none speak 23 languages and English is not widely spoken in continental Europe.

Even in countries such as Sweden, with a long history of teaching a second/third language, cannot claim 100% of government employees are competent in the use of another language.

I suspect ASIAN will "interpreting" official documentation for many years to come!

As a matter of interest how many languages do TV members expect Thai officials to be fluent in using ?

Ref http://ec.europa.eu/languages/languages-of-europe/eu-languages_en.htm

You need to provide more detail to enable members to respond

ie. Age, Nationality, how long you expect to stay beyond 90 days

"students will learn faster. Guaranteed"

I suspect if there was "evidence" it would have been produced.

Its the sort of statement which in the West would attract the attention of regulatory bodies resulting in fines and a requirement to remove the statement from advertisements -----

Unless valid scientific proof could be provided as to the truthfullness of the statement !