tookwan cottage

Pollution, worst traffic jams in the world, lack of green space, terrible for cycling and walking, mono cultural, and as ugly as sin.

Yet, Monocle loves BKK. That is most likely because they actually immersed themselves in the city with an open and sharp mind, rather than the insipid "analysis" you provide.

You must have been in another country then.

In the Thailand I know, most people work at least 8 hours a day.

You mean they are on the job for 8 hours a day (maybe), I am talking about actually getting something done.

Talking on your phone, facebook, games, eating, picking zits, etc., does NOT count.

Ahh, more sanctimony from someone who is probably a citizen of the same nation that the beer-bellied sloths—who disgust all of the human senses and roam throughout Thailand—are from. So, so lazy, huh? Which is probably why Westerners love paying slave wages to workers, many of whom are Thai, to build their massive construction projects that are going up constantly? Those types just love workers doing nothing all day, even though their pay rates actually warrant nothing more than nose-picking.

Maybe spend less time on this mediocre online platform and try some introspection to come to terms with your ignorance?

According to the reputable Pew Research Center, though, only 25% are happy with the manner in which the political system is being run: http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/02/12/discontent-with-politics-common-in-many-emerging-and-developing-nations/political-satisfaction-report-03/.

There is no limit on how many tourist visas you can get. Some embassies and consulates set there own limit on how many you can get from them. For example Vientiane count the ones you get back to back from them and have a limit of 3 but with financial and address proof you can get more.

You should be able to do most of your trips by getting visa exempt entries if you are entering by air and spending time outside the country between trips. Just always be able to show financial proof. Having the equivalent of 20k bath in cash with you would be good to have with you in case you a pulled aside for questioning.

ubonjoe makes matters clear yet again. Thank you kindly—again.

Like every other race, there are good Chinese and bad Chinese. I've experienced both. The good was a guy I used to work with who told me I had my head up my arse so politely I burst out laughing. The bad was another person working for me who used racism as a cop-out for his poor performance.

Chiang Mai is a long way from Bangkok in terms of Chinese influence - remember, Thaksin is Chinese descent, and this is where Thaksin's power base is.

You do realize that "Chinese" is not a "race"—which is a questionable term, anyway—right?

I love how Westerners are more than happy to luxuriate in the wealth that Chinese slaves create for them, but stand up in indignation as soon as they find out about Chinese migration.

Yes, I see them taking over CM as you describe.

And that's just the start. They are all over the world doing the same thing.

My advice to young people is to learn to say "Yes, boss" in Mandarin.

We farangs in CM do not need to learn any more about the Thai culture. We need to learn about the Chinese culture instead.

Wai-ing is history; spitting and yelling is the future.

You do realize they are the world's most-populous nation, right? With an ancient culture, right? Oh, of course, you want them to stay in their native country, where they belong, right?

Yes, I see them taking over CM as you describe.

And that's just the start. They are all over the world doing the same thing.

My advice to young people is to learn to say "Yes, boss" in Mandarin.

We farangs in CM do not need to learn any more about the Thai culture. We need to learn about the Chinese culture instead.

Wai-ing is history; spitting and yelling is the future.

So all Chinese spit & yell do they?

Yep. They are yelling at the ignorant Westerners who can't help but include everyone else in their simple-minded view of the world.

The latter will be fine. Plus, if you get there before it opens, don't bother joining the end of the queue—it dissolves once the doors open, so just stand right at the entrance, as no-one will bother you.

I guess it's too late to recommend working hard and living simply?

You found out the hard way not to trust anyone in Thailand,

especially when money or property is involved,just hope you

are able to get back on your feet again,it would also be nice

if you could get some justice,but that rarely happens.

regards Worgeordie

Then why does my landlord treat me so well and fairly in money-related concerns?? I had a difficult period last year, and he has only been kind. Oh, I see, you have a massive tar brush in your hand. Gotcha!

What is the best method for showing proof of income if you don't have a Thai bank account, and don't have a bank book? I think it's been 10 years since I've even seen one.

Why don't you print out your online statements, or activate paper statements from your financial institution? Even if you are solely a Western Union recipient, then you could keep and present the paperwork. Plus, WU has an online system now too.

To me success means to be happy in your new environment.

Thailand is beautiful, that's for sure, but as I already wrote in some other thread, I am not quite happy here, because Thailand is more for old, retired expat community, not for young expats.

Unlucky. If you can't enjoy the Kingdom as a young expat, especially if you have financial connections to the West, then you are most likely mediocre. Not you, per say, just the vast majority.

What do you mean by financial connections to the west ? You mean they are digital pikeys ?

No, I mean the mediocre and gormless who continue to recycle "jokes" that became old very quickly after never being humorous in the first place, and therefore spend the vast majority of their time on an insipid discussion forum to reassure the uncaring public that they are "so happy". When, in actual fact, they barely spend time away from their tech devices because it would require a process of introspection that terrifies them for what it would reveal: they are in fact completely miserable with the vapid urges that they are chained to, as well as the people who they are either married, attracted or related to who can't stand them, and merely tolerate them for material gain.

I am hoping the Aussie$ to Yuan will be of some benefit to my business in Australia. Everything I sell is made in China!

Maybe pay the windfall to the uber-exploited Chinese slaves you are living off. Top work cobba!

To me success means to be happy in your new environment.

Thailand is beautiful, that's for sure, but as I already wrote in some other thread, I am not quite happy here, because Thailand is more for old, retired expat community, not for young expats.

Unlucky. If you can't enjoy the Kingdom as a young expat, especially if you have financial connections to the West, then you are most likely mediocre. Not you, per say, just the vast majority.

"Okay" infrastructure? I think it is excellent -- in BKK, anyway.

Here we go.

holidays.jpg

Wow, for reliable info, go to Thai Visa? I'm beginning to have serious doubts. What happened to the 4th, which is a Sunday?

And of course immigration staff at border crossings work as usual.

Anyway, my point was, I would have expected tourism to be of enough importance to facilitate the traveler, and reopen immigration on the 2nd. I'm a bit disappointed in UJ, because, unlike his usual self, he assumes that everyone on a TV is aware that they can extend theirs weeks before it expires. Tourists do not know this, and even most of those who have been here for years do not either, unless they have been reading on this forum for extensive periods of time.

Why, where did the 4th disappear to? I can see it in the image I posted, but if you know something we don't know ...

Here we go.

4 Jan. is on a Sunday. immigration is open till 30 Dec. and is open again at 2 Jan..

Can someone please confirm that the 2nd is the reopening date and not the 5th please??

I have stopped having the fan on while sleeping. It took me a while to actually do it due to disbelief. In BKK, that is.

YES. And it makes me very happy.

Take your card to a Bangkok bank and don't use the ATM. Use the window where they change money just outside the bank. I use my Charles Schwab Visa Debit Card at the money window that's on the outside of the Bangkok bank between Sukhumvit Soi 8 and 10. More accurately between Suk Soi 8 and Chuvit Park.

I ask for XX,XXX baht and they give me the amount I asked with no fee. I check my bank and Schwab gives me at or better than the wire (T/T) rate from the bank. Schwab charges me 0 zero fees for foreign transactions. You must bring your passport to do this. You do not need to belong to Bangkok Bank. Also you can take out more than the 20-25k that most ATMs allow.

I have no other experience at any other Bangkok Bank so your mileage may vary at other locations. I found this out this method when I went into the bank and asked to take out more than 25k in one shot. The fellow walked me out to the money window and that"s how I found this out.

I take the money I get from the window then walk right into the bank and deposit to my account.

Hope this helps. If you are able to do this at other Bangkok Bank locations post your experience in this thread. Or any other bank for that matter.

I just read this again, and you are definitely a deity. Thank you!

Take your card to a Bangkok bank and don't use the ATM. Use the window where they change money just outside the bank. I use my Charles Schwab Visa Debit Card at the money window that's on the outside of the Bangkok bank between Sukhumvit Soi 8 and 10. More accurately between Suk Soi 8 and Chuvit Park.

I ask for XX,XXX baht and they give me the amount I asked with no fee. I check my bank and Schwab gives me at or better than the wire (T/T) rate from the bank. Schwab charges me 0 zero fees for foreign transactions. You must bring your passport to do this. You do not need to belong to Bangkok Bank. Also you can take out more than the 20-25k that most ATMs allow.

I have no other experience at any other Bangkok Bank so your mileage may vary at other locations. I found this out this method when I went into the bank and asked to take out more than 25k in one shot. The fellow walked me out to the money window and that"s how I found this out.

I take the money I get from the window then walk right into the bank and deposit to my account.

Hope this helps. If you are able to do this at other Bangkok Bank locations post your experience in this thread. Or any other bank for that matter.

If this can work for my debit card, I will hunt you down and kneel at your feet in pure honor! Thank you so much for sharing this!!

Just to avoid confusion, Jan 4 is a Sunday.

Love threads like this, as they are purely composed of useful information. Thanks guys.

Do you know how disappointed I am because it is fake snow?? I was highly skeptical, but you gotta watch the headlines!