Thaiquila

To those who spout the tired old line that diet and exercise are the only treatment for obesity, consider it is a lousy suggestion. Statistics show that something like 99 percent of obese people who do lose weight actually keep the weight off for any significant length of time. So it is indeed a ripe area for medical research. Not saying this new med is the magic bullet, because so far there isn't one, but I am sure over time science will come up with a better odds than ONE percent.

I think not.

I am a little beffudled by Washington's reaction.

But it is not all that surprising, considering:

Midterm US elections are coming up in November, and the Bush party is now poised to lose both the house and the senate based on the war in Iraq which is being justified as bringing "democracy" to Iraq. To simplistic minds, Thaksin represented "democracy" because he was "elected" and any military coup, even a well justified coup, certainly does not present a face of democracy. So it is just keeping with the party line.

The US has been pretty good and consistent in opposing the brutal military regime in Burma. While there are no signs this current coup will be a Thai Burma, again, the simplistic line is to always oppose military coups in SE Asia.

The US was a great supporter of Marcos for most of his corrupt, brutal, thieving regime. I have always seen Thaksin as similar to Marcos. Probably Thaksin was a pretty reliable predictable friend, especially with the "war on terror" so in that context, change would be seen as bad.

Most Americans could care less about Thailand and couldn't come close to finding it on a map.

I am sure if this coup turns out nicely, there won't be any problem with US-Thai government relations.

But not good enough for Bush and Rice.

Curious ...

if you can do self check in with an eticket, it is less likely any human agent will peruse your passport or ask any questions.

Don't think this would work. Etickets domestically are fine. But at some point your ticket has to indicate 'documents checked' if you're flying internationally. So, an agent has to intervene at some point to issue the ticket getting you over the large pond.

If you're going to be denied boarding because of no return ticket out of Thailand, I would think this would be better found out at your homeplate, not on the opposite Coast.

I never implied it would always work.

On a trip last year I checked in this way (and had a visa) but nobody EVER looked at my passport or asked any questions. The return was five months out.

Northwest Airlines. The people that had helping auto checkins seemed less competent basically. Just my experience.

Yeah, the issue is the airline.

They can deny boarding because they don't want any liability to pay your flight back if denied entry into Thailand (which obviously they know little about if they think your situation would be a problem, but thats another story).

It would be safer to arrive with either an air ticket out under 30 days or a tourist visa. You can take a chance and it worked for you before, just be aware you are taking a chance.

You didn't say where you are flying from, but I have a tip. If coming from the US and transferring to another city in the US before flying to Asia, if you can do self check in with an eticket, it is less likely any human agent will peruse your passport or ask any questions.

I would be amazed if the US government normally pays for expensive medical airlifts for citizens. Injured military, well connected (who probably have medical evac insurance anyway), and perhaps victims of "terrorism" perhaps, but everyday people, I don't think so! If you are merely broke need a simple flight home, you can appeal for help to get home, but you will owe the money to the government. Another exception to get a free flight is to confess to a high profile murder.

Rimonabant (brand name ‘Acomplia') is available in Europe, but not yet (or maybe ever?) in the US. It seems like this is the biggest thing yet in pharmaceutical obesity treatment. No blood pressure side effects.

So, anyone know if this is available in Thailand? How much for a 20 mg. pill?

Hey, more free publicity!

My personal opinion is Buenos Aires Argentina is a better investment. Condos are still amazing bargains in a city that feels like a mix of Paris, Madrid, and New York, and their currency will come back before too long. Plus they have their own Broadway style district, except it is in Spanish.

Do you own property in BA Thaiquila? I was interested in a loft there last year but it seems that almost all properties are sold in cash! USD also, as in carry your briefcase to the seller and hand it over... the whole thing seemed kind of scary to me. Is that really the case, or was I being fooled...?

I don't own there. They have an easy (little needed) pension based visa but I don't have a pension and I wasn't interested in their investment visa, even though the amount needed is minimal, you have to run an actual producing business, like a farm. Yes, I have heard about the cash in suitcases. I think you can wire it in first to an Argy bank. Trouble is Argy banks are scary and make Thai banks look good, remember they confiscated people's money during the financial meltdown some years ago. Reasons it is still cheap. But people are still buying there all the time with local assistance, including many Hollywood celebs. Indications are that mortgages will eventually become common for locals, likely to raise values in the long run.

I would agree with that. The market does not behave the same way as in the west. Best plan is to buy to live in it or rent, and if you you end up selling for profit, consider yourself lucky, not something you can expect for sure.

Well, so money is everything in Thailand. Being American, I hardly notice the difference ...

Isn't it really windy in the beachfront of Brazil? I ask because I know 2 guys that paid a lot for waterfront and are trapped inside.

Surely seasonal. When I was there, no wind. Just skimpy bathing suits. Or maybe I didn't notice the wind?

In the US under the current system if you show up at an airport with either a 1 way ticket or return ticket which returns OVER 30 days, WITHOUT A VISA, you most definitely WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE AIRLINE. I think the same from UK as well? So IT IS THE AIRLINES BUSINESS, OK?????

The ticket agents have information for each target country, and in the US anway, they ENFORCE the rules. That is because if they board you and you don't get in, they will be liable for all of the expenses to get you home. Understand now?

Those rules are super simple. The new rules are super complex. The airlines will not be bothered with studying every stamp in your passport.

This is incorrect with respect to the U.S. On July 28 I flew from the U.S. to Bangkok and my return flight was September 5 (41 days). The airline only cared that I had a round-trip ticket. I paid an 11-day overstay at the airport on the way home. The same thing happened on a previous trip of 35 days.

You likely got an agent who didn't enforce or know the airline rule. Call the airline and ask them their policy.

I mentioned Calcutta kind of as a joke.

I like Bangkok and it is getting better, but to compare it to New York or London just doesn't cut it.

These world class cities are CULTURAL CAPITALS.

They produce great art, theater, music, etc. in abundance.

What is the typical family outing in Bangkok? An aircon shopping mall.

And don't forget some of the downsides of Thailand at the moment:

-- Muslim unrest and terrorism

-- unstable government

-- not a world class educational system

-- tendency towards censorship

-- future of real democracy in great question

-- bird flu issues

-- visa issues for foreigners, foreigners not treated equally, unable to buy land, etc.

-- Bangkok pollution still bad but traffic has improved (skytrain)

Of course, the plus side, is Asia is on the rise again, and China will be the big story this century. So long term, Thailand could be well positioned.

My personal opinion is Buenos Aires Argentina is a better investment. Condos are still amazing bargains in a city that feels like a mix of Paris, Madrid, and New York, and their currency will come back before too long. Plus they have their own Broadway style district, except it is in Spanish.

Well, a decent condo in San Franisco is not 500 million US. More like 700,000 to a million. Of course, you can spend more. Your poll didn't include any downside choices.

I don't think it is valid to compare Bangkok to New York or London, but you could compare it to Kuala Lumpur or Calcutta.

Yeah, you sound crazy! Join the club.

Sounds like y'all can afford to retire lots of places, including Australia.

Another case where these visa rules are making it too difficult for the kind of people you would THINK Thailand would really want to stay!

They definitely cannot use that condo for the investment visa.

All I can think of is to sell the condo, export the money, then import the money and go for the 10 million baht investment visa based on a fixed asset investment. Not sure if one such visa would cover a farang spouse. Last I heard spouses can be covered with one retirement visa, but there was some controversy about that for awhile.

If you are just looking for a basic, cheapish hotel near the train station, try Bangkok Centre (accross the street from the station) or Mandarin (one short subway stop away towards Silom). Both are tourist oriented hotels, not many sex tourists at either. Mandarin is nicer. Can book cheaply on most Thailand online hotel sites.

Had a great experience with Dr O for a minor complaint. Quick and accurate diagnosis and treatment. Costs probably less than a farang hospital but more than a Thai oriented clinic. The doctor speaks English, French, German, and Thai. If he finds something more serious, he will refer you off.

My only comment is not much of a "bedside manner" maybe a Swiss thing?

What EVIDENCE do you have that this change was not targetted at FARANGS as well as non-farang non-Thais?

I don't see that at all, especially in the wake of the Karr fiasco major league loss of Thai face. Hard to get more farang than Karr.

And how many BURMESE do you think went for the 3 million baht investment visa, JUST CANCELLED!

when arriving at don meuang your passport is put through an electronic reader , i read that all entry and exit points in thailand now have those readers.

it should be an easy matter for the computers to be programmed to show, once your details have come up on the screen , the number of days in the country over the past 12 months .

all the delays and page turning and manual counting of days just wont happen.

Oh yeah???

It is quite clear that system isn't implemented yet.

And what about at the BOARDING time abroad?

How are the airlines supposed to know whether to board or not to board?

Some vague electronic advancement in future?

Great. Maybe better to have that system in place BEFORE announcing the rule change.

Please stop STEREOTYPING the incredible DIVERSITY of people doing 30 day stamp runs. There are as many reasons as people doing it. Sexpats? They fall into ALL visa classes.

I think you assume way too much rationale and long term strategy to these changes. Just look at how incredibly POORLY they have been announced and communicated, with no thought as to the real implications.

And consider another problem with Thailand's long term future: GLOBAL WARMING. That will bring famine, not riches.

Really rich people will mostly continue to be attracted to the places they have always been attracted to, and it is not Thailand.