soalbundy

You can get the confirmation of pension by post through a German consulate, I have just done so, payment through bank transfer.

Srisuwan Janya has , to quote Churchill, all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.

I used to use my German ATM at the Bangkok bank, no problems, then one day it told me there were 'issues' but other banks accepted the card. I complained to Bangkok bank and the issue was resolved but 3 months later the same problem occurred, it seems to be a technical administrative problem.

They're too busy scamming each other.

Even the ancient Romans and Greeks complained about their youth, nothing changes.

Even nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

It isn't only the UK taking refugees. The UK has a huge amount of debt and now they are attacking the triple lock on pensions (hit the weakest as usual), pretty desperate if you ask me, the UK already has the worst pensions of the major European countries.

A new take on 'snitches get stitches', in India they get the chop.

Well, that was embarrassing.

That will depend on the standard of living for the majority, when that starts to significantly fall and an unfair disparity between the haves and have nots becomes apparent then yes corruption will rise but honesty is deeply ingrained in Western society, especially in the Northern European countries so I doubt we will reach Asian proportions, if that were to happen it would have worldwide ramifications, trust keeps the money rolling.

Yes of course there is corruption in the West but it isn't widespread. I am British and have lived and worked in several European countries, the police and the civil service can be trusted and the laws generally make sense and apply to all. The corruption that does exist is usually in the higher elements of society, politicians, bankers, CEO's etc. but they have to look over their shoulders and fear the consequences, unlike in Thailand. In Thailand corruption is widespread because there is no stigma attached to it, it is de facto 'normal'.

Well he is certainly in trouble, he has opened a can of worms and other police chiefs and the top brass must be worried that their own wealth accumulation becomes transparent, corruption needs the darkness not the light of public scrutiny so he may even find himself having to commit suicide with a little help from his colleagues. Afterwards he can be exonerated, the press were at fault for forcing an innocent man to take his own life which should take care of any further meddling by the press. If the top brass need a new PR man I am available.... for a price.

I am not courageous and go with the flow. Only the young can change society because they have no fear of consequences which is why you get 18 year old's on a battlefield instead of 40 year old's. Revolutions in outlook start with the students demonstrating, from anti-nuclear demonstrations in the UK to anti-Vietnam war in America (where a lot of students were killed in Kent university) Widespread corruption starts from need, I remember reading that police corruption in America only ended when they were given a decent living wage. Wages for civil servants in Thailand are poor so it is no wonder that corruption exists and is taken advantage of by the hi-so's. This isn't my country so I regard the situation as a 'What is' event, I don't find it good but it also doesn't affect me, even if it did I would keep my mouth shut. I wasn't trying to belittle you, outrage from Western people is understandable because they are used to a different governmental system but asking that someone take up the torch and carry the flame of change is asking a lot especially in a society where people can disappear without too much being done about it, it is also unrealistic because corruption is endemic throughout Asia and is also not unknown in the West, greed seems to be a human trait so putting your life or liberty on the line to change it would be a hopeless undertaking. Yes by degrees things do change but only over time when the wealth of the general public improves and trust in the legal system is there. Make no mistake, if bad economic times returned to the West corruption would bloom very quickly.

You are asking for someone to be a hero while you hide in the bunker. These reporters have grown up with this way of life, corruption is like the morning sun, it just is. Would an Englishman bother himself about the obscene wealth of the British royal family ? No because it has always been that way, it almost goes unnoticed.

Let us not be too quick to judge.....it's possible that he is just good at saving.

I get that sometimes but not with food but instead with liquids, it seems air gets trapped not allowing the liquid to continue its journey downwards, maybe drinking too fast.

I notice that they require a credit card or debit card. I don't have a credit card but have a Bangkok bank master card can they debit pounds from my Baht account using that?

In my village there are several cows with this infection, a vet has been called in to treat them, it's quite distressing to see especially one bull calf with whom I have a friendly relationship, it takes a long time for any results.

Beggars becoming choosers.

scobalob

It's not so much the ban that worries me as to what happens when I get back, I presume I am duty bound to report my trip and since this is a village it will be reported for me before I get back.

surin

What happens if I travel by car to Bangkok to visit the embassy and return to my village the same day, am I going to be quarantined, if so for how long and where?

Me too, was only able to upload my passport, refused because I didn't supply visa info.