Hugh Jarse

great respect for the law and very democratic of them of them as ever;

"we want democracy" they say while violently trying to overthrow a democratic government

That is one of the major problems here right now, the RED's do not believe the current administration have legitimacy (the right to rule) as they were not installed via the ballot box. The major disparity/imbalances between rich and poor is so wide that some major re-distribution of land ,wealth and assets is imperative for there to be any semblence of harmony in Thailand. The state must also stamp on tax evaders and insist on new inheritance tax legislation.

With the recent judgements against Thaksin and the large financial gains to the state, it is to be hoped that the Abhisit government will find some imaginative ways to put right some of the gross inequalities here in Thailand. To start with why not set up some universal child benefit scheme (payable to mothers ideally) and some decent free-primary school education and incentivise teachers with decent salaries . Other targets must include improved benefits to the elderley and infirm. The elites no doubt will be barracking on about how such benefits will lead to dependancy on the state but radical social policies are much needed. The governing elites and their patrons must make major changes to the social structure or be prepared for the major major upheavels that usually follow unjust rulers.(ie those who want to mainain a status quo.

When you say "Karon" do you mean Karon beach, or Karon Municipality? There are still buses that run between Patong and Phuket Town, and between Kata Beach (which is part of Karon Municipality) and Phuket Town. And unless I am mistaken they never went to Karon Beach. That would take them through Kata or Patong first and the powerful transportation monopoly, many call it a mafia, that has emerged on Phuket will not allow any competition to threaten the extortionate rates the tuk tuks and taxi's currently charge. (3 to 4 times that of Bangkok)

What has happened in the past when someone attempts to operate a bus between the beaches, they are pulled from their vehicles and beaten. Anytime a hotel or tour company tries to offer affordable alternatives, the tuk tuk/taxi mafia blockade them until they capitulate. The local government is unable or unwilling to step in and do anything about it. You will see this forum as well as the local foriegn run media here filled with the stories and complaints about the bad behavior of this seemingly omnipotent group and the sad state of transportation on the island. It's going to likely damage the image of Phuket tourism beyond repair unless the "big bosses" from Bangkok, whether they be the mafia or the government (kinda the same thing anyway) step in and gut the current outdated and mafia controlled transport systems here. Were not holding our breath.

In the mean time, do you best to avoid the tuk tuks as well as any advertiser you see advertising with them. (Rent a car or motorbike) Eventually something has to change or the tourists will go away.

Most helpful info. you provide on this essential service and how sad that the tuk -tuk cavaliers have got away with this scam for so long. The TAT have a lot to deal with right now getting numbers up once more and one hopes that the current administration will tackle these scumbags ripping off tourists and attacking reasonable competition. I no longer visit Phuket and advise others to avoid the place like the plague.

Most of the government's initiatives with regards to the UDD would make a good TV series. They could call it "Fear Factor."

Or what about 'far East Enders'?

all ayutthaya atms are free of the 150 charge

I HAVE also used Bank of Ayuthea ATM 's in 3 different provinces this week, inc. Bangkok and all were CHARGE FREE. They also gave the Visa rate so the earlier comment about dodgy exchange rates is WRONG.

His website is hosted in Thailand. Why doesn't the Gov take it down?

Because they aspire to a democratic system of governance perhaps?.and need to show that they are trying to behave in a like way. If you crush free speech then there is little hope of fruitful change. All societies have their outspoken critics (some may say nutters in this case).Let him go ahead and make himself look an idiot.

Why on earth this geezer is orchestrating all this from Hat Yai is curious ,to say the least. As there is no support from folks there for Thaksin et.al. Just down the road from Hat Yai ,however is is Songkhla from where one of his arch enemies is from: Prem. Tin S?

A storm in a tea-cup maybe or worse!

I'd definitely go with Nationwide - cheapest by far. If you have time before you leave the UK, set up an online account with them, it's easy and free, then if you have any problems here, they're relatively easy to contact. Don't forget to inform them that you're coming here, makes ATM withdrawals easier, and finally, open an account ASAP, as you'll need their portable bank card reader to bring with you, and setting this up takes a few days.

Also, try using the KrungThai bank ATM machines - have never been charged 150 baht for withdrawals there, unlike other Thai Banks.

Good look with the Muay Thai boxing, and make sure you have good health insurance cover, while you're here - you need to set this up, before you leave the UK.

Agree NAtionwide a good option as their fees are minimal. When in Thailand use Bank of Ayuthea (yellow ATM machines) as they are the only bank here not to charge the £3 withdrawal fee.You will only need Nationwides card reader if you are going to pay bils from here.

Dont forget to photocopy important docs. ie passports driving licence etc. so if you lose them in Thailand you have a copy to help you.

All the best and enjoy your trip.

Do they promote anti-scam and more safety policies? That would be a big enhancement to promote tourism on the long run.

Attracting rich tourists to Thailand was a cornerstone of the Thaksin regimes tourism policy.This present campaign is aimed at young travellers and tourists. As such it is a silly directive. Are they serious? Most young travellers here are travelling on budgets that allow them to stay in 100-500 baht a night places . You have to target a broad range of visitors to ensure that it is not just the corporates that benefit but the small to medium sized operators. Tourists staying in resorts do not really benefit the little people so litle trickle-down occurs. Many parts of the country are inundated with upmarket places to stay, and few customers.

There are so many other parts of south-east Asia offering much more affordable venues and places to visit.At some of these upmarket venues in Thailand staff have been so poorly trained that they can barely converse in English; to say nothing of other European and Nordic languages.

Thailand has a very negative image right now and must of course do something drastically and swiftly to ensure that tourists feel safe here. Phuket and Pattaya(both have reputations of being danger zones) are obvious places to start as there is so little control over the real power wielders there and only piecemeal changes will occur. If the Red shirts continue with their highly organised demo's and the upheavels reach the levels they did in 2008 then Thailand will really struggle and perhaps should focus more on agricultural exports.

I wonder how long this woman in charge will last in her new post? Good luck anyway!

Ooh thats not good. Was it one of the dive boats?

Yeah, it was one of those "dive" speedboats!

LOL!

<deleted> is wrong with you people?!?!

Relax Perkie, it was just a storm in a teacup!

I stopped taking my family to Phuket for the simple reason you can't go anywhere without being ripped off severely or having to argue to get a decent price ( I mean 200 baht for a tuk tuk to go 100m in Patong is a joke ) - it ruins the holiday and there plenty of other beaches in Thailand where it doesn't happen

I too have stopped taking my family there because of rip offs and cheats who operate most of the transport there . Kata beach is so full of scams best to give it a wide birth. This attack is outrageous and deserves to be reported internationally. Hope the local authorities can try and do something to improve safety and regulate transport on the island.

600 still isn't that much, but you gotta love the Thai style increase, not 10% or 20%, but 500%

You farang. You rich. You pay.

600B is nothing! Employers have to pay 40000B a year for each Burmese refugee they employ. Admitedly they only pay them a cup of sugar and a bag of rice a day but looks like the Ferrang have it good to me? Don't quote me on that I heard it from a Thai guy!

My wife owns her own business, manages and works it, and pays her sister and sister in law when needed. When I found out 2 yrs ago, that I needed a work permit to assist her, even though I took no income from the business, I made the decision not to lift a finger inside the shop. She was not happy, but understood grudgingly that I refuse to pay to work for free. I remain the domestic engineer. That in itself keeps me out of trouble. Thank the gods I have my own retirement income to contribute to this marriage. I read in other posts that a work permit is required even for volunteer work, be it at a Wat, with the neighbors' personal projects, a school helping students with english, or whatever. With laws like these, the Thai populace, not knowing these laws, wonder why so many farang sit on barstools every day, and the govt employees think we know how to do nothing, or are lazy, living off the lower cost of living here. Go Figure. For the smart a## that questions my paying a rediculous 100 or now 600 baht, the answer is; Its the principle.

Some good points here, particularly the issue about foreigners doing voluntary work. I have given up all volunteering-teaching mainly- because of the idiocy of this rule. Many retirees,gap year students etc. looking to contribute in some way to the host society are unaware of the need to get work permits and the ones that do just carry on helping out . How short sighted that the political elites -and their patrons- fail to see that not all foreigners (farangs) are degenerates and that as guests in Thailand they can ,and do, make a positive contribution , to many sectors of society that the Thai state, fails to reach.

Looking right out my window I can easily see a haze over Doi Suthep, and, given that it is December, wonder where it is coming from? True, come Feb. - March it will be much worse.

To answer Xenophes original enquiry; I have interviewed many Thai's about this and the general consensus (if you can get an honest answer) is we have always done things this way.. foreigners should understand this... if you dont like it , find somewhere else to live.

I try and get away during march April and can thoroughly recommend southern Thailand to Xenophanes.

PS Anyone have any answers to these questions : 1. Are northern Thai farmers pyromaniacs? And,

2 Why are the senior civil servants responsible for public health in Bangok and Chiang Mai so inept at dealing with this age old problem. It is not just about corporate interests and elites maintaining monoplies is it?

I was in the branch office today at Future park to change my address.

There were a lot of people I guess because it's Friday before the holiday of the King's birthday.

I'll ask about the pamphlet in English next time.

Does anyone know if Bangkok bank is still the only bank that allows a savings account without a work permit?

I met another American there today and he said that Bangkok bank is the only bank that Social Security will deposit your monthly pension.

Again, this may only be the case for us without work permits.

He also said you can sign up for the SSA deposit at the American embassy in Bangkok. It takes about 2 months to start.

I had a bit of trouble opening a Thai bank account at first as they always asked for a work permit. I then said I have a one year visa, a retirement visa and it says employment prohibited. So, they talked about it and said okay. So, now I have an acoount with Siam Commercial, and two with Bangkok Bank. I had to open a second Bangkok Bank account because Bank of America shut down my internet transfers to my older first account. No one could explain why. Someone finally said you cannot transfer funds internationally from the internet. I argued with them and it got me no where as usual. So, I just opened another account with a different account number it worked fine again. The fee just increased. Now B of A charges $3, Bangkok Bank charges $5 to $10 and 200 to 500 baht now, before it was just the $3 B of A fee. And now if you use your B of A ATM card, B of A charges $5, visa charges 1% and the Thai bank gets you for another 200 Baht or whatever it is. Guess the banks are making money again!

Try BAnk of Ayuthea (yellow logos) their fees are most reasonable and less monkey business with their charges for using foreign ATM cards.

What a fitting name, "Takki."

Takki Shagger is better! or Take that you shag! More variations to follow! As if any country would fall for this change of name?

You mean with confessing the same kind of confession that was extracted from that self proclaimed American pedophile which was flown back first class only to figure out that he was not even in the country?

The problem with confessions is, especially in Thailand, that they hardly bear any weight. Half the poor inside prisons have confessed to a crime they did not or not commit on their own. The justice system is so flawed that you would ask Hun Sen to repair it. Without a lawyer present people get sentenced to life or worse. Have a look at how many times a Prime Minister, Minister of Justice or other hi-rake appears on TV and promises to catch someone within the next week. They always catch someone... not necessarily the one who did it. Besides if you have no money and appear in court you have two possibilities. Fighting the case, which you will lose due to lack of funds, or confessing which will half your sentence. Got the point?

You need to write a play or screenpay about this as it would make riveting viewing as well as shame the current legal system and its failings.

Don't worry about it, the paperwork will take 50 years..... By that time maybe the Thai's will have grasped the benefits of maintenance....???? AND perhaps, solar powered energy, so cheap if only import tax were not so high!

At last word there was to be a Memorial Service for Lou on the 14th. I should be able to get the info on where and what time, and then post tomorrow afternoon or evening.

Still no particulars on his passing.

LOu suffered massive head wounds following a collision with an 18 wheel lorry. He and passengers (both recovering now and out of hospital ) were returning from Pitsanulok in a brand new Pick-up truck, when the incident occured.

He was a lovely and most amiable man, knowledgeable of world and local affairs, modest and always a delight to be with as he was such a great/brilliant conversationalist, witty and a practical joker. He was a giant in more ways than one and possessed that rare quality of making everybody feel important including the downtrodden , doing menial jobs for low pay and little recognition.

This wise owl will be dearly missed and not be forgotten. RIP. A memorial service ,yet to be confirmed , is likely to be on the 21st Nov. 2009

Now we have another expat to add to the list. I did not know this man but his name was Barry and was apparently known around the Thapae Gate area. He was from Canada . The word I had was that he was found dead in a guest house around Thapae Gate.

Barry from Canada. If anyone has any more information, please add it, as I'm sure there are friends and accquaintances out there who would like to give their final respects

G

In the 19th century Thailand was not yet 100% united behind the Chakri dynasty. The country was still tied to a strong local patron-client social structure that was at odds with a unified central government. As a means to cajole the local lords (caos) to accept sovereignty from Bangkok without rebelling, the throne in Bangkok handed out to ruling families titled names akin to the feudal titles in Europe, a Thai version of a Duchy. Thus the ruling families in the larger muangs were given names such as Na Chiang Mai, Na Ayuttaya, etc. Since these families were landed aristocracy, they continue to be powerful families within the broader society. Although now enough time has passed that not all that bear the name are of such high status and some of the fruit has fallen far from the tree. But in general it notes that the great great grandparents were local rulers.

Do you have a source(s) for this posting?

Here another tip: Check the computers from the policemen involved in the crackdown too, the tip is not even anonymous (only losers do so). But if you are using software that is stolen, why pay the middleman? Either pay the developer or pay nothing get it from a torrent site.

Or simply download Open Office software , which is compatible with MS Office'stuff and it is free. More tha adequate for most PC's and businesses www.openoffice.com

In my case (underlined). When the banks here started the 150 baht per transaction charge the normally smooth withdrawal of funds at the ATMs (using foreign cards) seemed to change and I began to have great difficulty in drawing over 10,000 baht per day. On one or two occasions I was allowed to withdraw up close to my 300 pound per day limit, but mostly I got the message "Transaction invalid, please contact your bank".

My Uk bank assured me that my daily limit applied anywhere in the world. The local banks told me their machines were working correctly and to contact my UK bank. In the end I had to admit defeat and started withdrawing my money over the counter, which is a pain for me and the bank's staff. I've heard that some banks refuse to do this because of the work involved, but my bank, Siam Commercial still does.

At the moment, I'm in the process of organising an account with Currency Direct in anticipation of SC stopping over the counter withdrawals. This way I'll be able to make transfers from the UK without having to pay the bank transfer charge.

I'm a little paranoid about posting on these boards because of all the would-be comics, smart alecs and downright nasty so and so's that hover around here. For their benefit, I've underlined 'In my case".

My UK bank/building society allows £300 per day , but I am unable to withdraw more than 10,000 baht per day, c. £196 at present from a Thai ATM. Why, I wonder? Are there any Thai bank employees reading who can throw light on this?

PS Bank of Ayuthea (Yellow ATM's) still not charging the 150 baht fee for foreign issued ATM debit cards

What immigration office did you go to Syd as that seems like a very harsh decision to me?

Any chance of going higher up?

Failing that how about a trip to KL for a multi entry, much cheaper than going home to blighty.

Yes, you must report this to the minister responsible cc it also to the PM's office. Clearly a dullard /space cadet misread your visa and what an inconvenience for you. Good luck. What a bunch of incompetents and what makes this example so bad is nobody could correct the error.

Here is a good list of bike shops in Chiang Mai:

http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycl...shops-t633.html

Good luck,

Chris

Thanks for this link ,will be checking some of these places out. Can you recommend a shop that specialises in BMW. I am looking for one of their little 650 trails bikes in particulat.

Thanks.

I can't help but wonder if those who no problems had "legal" copies of XP and those who had problems didn't ?

You may have hit the nail on the head here as I too had no problems. Too many folks using dodgy software and then screaming Ya boo .

I leave Heathrow tomorrow for 2 weeks in Cha Am, is this going to affect my holiday at all?

Thanks

It wont affect your holiday in any way. Enjoy it, the rain the storms and the lightning shows and dont take the local press (newspapers) at all seriously.don't forget to tip the waiters/esses and put 20 baht under your pilows for room services.

You can do your extension during the last 30 days of any 90 dat entry. It appears that you are almost there now.

You will need to have 800K baht in the bank for 60 days or 65K baht income or a combination of the 2 totaling 800K baht.

Are you sure that you need all of this if a foreigner is married to a Thai?

The only reason her ILR might be revoked is if there was proof that she gained it by deception, but proving that it was not her intention, at the time of the application, to remain with her husband is virtually impossible. Mere suspicion is not enough.

What a wonderful rule I ponder to think which jackass made that one up

It's very sad to know that many people from foreign lands will stoop so low to get an ILR. The Home office would know the official figures but the general public will never know the the full extent of this sham marriage fiasco. By cross correlating divorce dates with ILR's one will see the true intent of many a group.

In my case I worked out that my Thai wife married me for an ILR. I divorced her before her time was up so she could not get one. A few months after the divorce was settled she had already got herself another British husband. These girls are ruthless, cold, calculating and not very nice people.

Betrayal of trust is a very disgusting thing and unfortunately there is no law to stop it.

micky44 OK we do not know anything about this relationship but I think it's quite obvious what this particular ladies intention is.

mego You will have to except that the time you spent with your Thai wife was a complete lie, something quite difficult to swallow

Don't generalise until you know both sides of the story. What kind of hostel? A battered wives hostel?

I recalled a similar case of a relatively, well educated Thai wife who married a Brit, and he made her life hel_l. She had to go to Women's Aid and get help there as he was punching her and she was fearful of him.

You dont get hostel accmodation and state benefits that easy, if you do there is likely to be good reason.