pineconehead

How about they go after the places that distribute this substance? Make Formalin, a restricted substance with access for limited uses, and lock down access to it.

Sorry I forgot we are talking about Thailand.

A number of unbelievable posts removed.

The whole thread is pretty unbelievable

^^ What he said, be tru dat.

The restaurant in Watanna mansion (soi 17 Ratchadapiesek) serves a green curry that is quite spicy hot. I like to order a pineapple plate to go with it. When things get to hot, I pop in a slice of pineapple and voila! I'm ready to go for more curry.

yes I'll echo thetry to catch him at it again, this time with a camera, BUT be bloody careful. For a foreigner I'd suggest trying to find out if they are on public record or a sex offenders list in their home countries. Some countries will inform the appropriate people in Thailand, others will try to extridite.

My last trip I saw some guy "borrow" a beggar boy on Sukumvit. By the child's posture trailing the Farang it was pretty obvious what was going on. Imanaged to keep track of this using my video camera and the overhead walkways. I took it to the BiB at the cop station at sukumvit and Ratchadapiesek. The did,t look to interested, but at least they took the memory card. Have say it fairly soured my whole trip.

Like the passport photo is going to help anyone as it is...sheesh

At the end of this all, only the lawyers will be happy, and have made themselves a handsome profit.

Not that I'm in this class by any means, but the whole thing did have me wondering. This all goes back to the confusion around "the ins and outs" of Thai visas. Of course the "elites" would have something like this.

I was surfing another Thailand site and came across a mention of old Khemer sites to visit, whn I googled the name this site: http://www.thailandelite.com/newcreate/tpc_news_view.php?id=6 popped up high up in the results. When I saw the "Visa privilege and Immigration service", I became curious.

Does this mean that they are running a no run visa run/renewal service? 5 year entry? Is this legit, and if so is it worth the money? I mean 2 mill baht isn't tea money now is it?

^^Kob Khun Krap

@ lopburi3; thanks I think I've figured that out by now. I thought there would have been more changes over the years with all the political upheaval that Thailand has experienced.

Very interesting points being made here all of which likely have a piece of the picture, I'll add mine. Visa run companies must make a pretty darn good amount of money to spread around. Even though the whole practice could be done away with so the 'visitor' would have more money to spend locally.

I also think that the control aspect of this is VERY important. Realistically, the Thai authorities probably figure that the type of person that engage in the 90 day shuffle, probably aren't the type they really want around for more than one or two (or is it three) 90 day periods (hence the recent posts about red stamping that I've seen here). They don't want the problems anymore than they have.

Even in America they can't afford to be complacent about this

Radioactive traces from Japan found in NW albacore tuna

LONGVIEW, Wash. -- Oregon State University researchers say they have found traces of radioactive cesium from last year's Japanese nuclear reactor disaster in West Coast albacore tuna.

http://www.nwcn.com/news/oregon/175914331.html

West coast Canadians are starting to talk about radioactivity in the Salmon stocks. I'll eat fish for one or two more seasons, and I think that will put an end to the salt water fishing here.

Right, so likely the other banks have followed suit or are about to. I wonder if they will try to add on a currency exchanging fee as well (I"m not well versed about this myself). I guess it'd be ok as long as you were cashing t-cheques worth more than you could draw from an atm.

Fortunately, no one was injured, as there are benches below and people walking about. He could have quite easily killed or paralyzed some innocent bystanders. My sympathies and condolences to the people who were forced to witness this event, and to the local cleaning staff who had to clean up the mess.

These were my immediate thoughts. I've seen the aftermath of a suicide, and the effect it had on me and others. Depression is such an insidious thing. You can do all the 'things', that you are supposed to, and still it will sneak up on you, or worse be waiting for you when you wake up in the morning. I just hope that have the consideration to be a little more discrete about my exit, if I were ever to go this route.

Having recently witnessed what the end of my Father's life was like, and what life had been for the last 15 years since Moms death, I dread what age has in store for the majority of males in North America. Especially the single ones that could be deemed "extraneous". I don't know I'd want to live the last 10 years of my life entombed in an extended care facility ANYWHERE.

We will likely never know what drove this man to do what he did. I'm just glad the repercussions are somewhat contained

You guys are all late to the party:

ps why can't I post links properly?

I hold a professional class license for medium sized trucks with air brakes up to (including 5 tonnes), to get that license I had to take professional training, including accident anticipation, & avoidance. I was trained that all variables must be consciously taken into account for the safe responsible operation of a vehicle, even things like; dark clothes and no street lights/dark night that have plaid a very large factor here. Other conditions like street composition (blind alleys, encroaching foliage, other obscuring features) also can play a big part. I was taught that no vehicle should be operated at any speed in excess of the need to stop in under 40 yards. But that is here under ideal conditions. What I saw in LoS was something VASTLY different.

It is really tragic for both parties and other witnesses. Sometimes you just can't anticipate what people will do. I've seen at least three pedestrians die by their own actions involving large vehicles (truck/buses). I don't know what the heck these people were thinking and no one else ever will. The worst thing is that people with little or no at the scene knowledge will always have an 'opinion'.

I hope the relatives of the Finnish guy get past this soon, and I hope the driver drives slower in the future.

Someone mentioned Tcheques, dont they have a % per amount fee on them now?

Thank-you 55jay, I was "sort of" aware that 'subject to change without notice' was SOP here. And your point is quite valid. I guess I am a little confused about all the in and outs of what it takes to retire here, and since it is still some time away I was hoping I could get a sense of how it all works there, and how it might change. Many people tell me that things are so variable that in some cases officials aren't even up to date (like the whole buzz around how to get a bank account in LoS, or even the grandfathering rules mentioned here.)

@Ubonjoe; I am still a bit unsure of the use of 'seasoning' thats why I asked. Different slang terms etc etc etc.

That is true up until recently, as most of the rest of the country is so pre-occupied with other things that many now would almost welcome the opportunity to ditch Quebec. Progressive or not, the rest of the country is tired of packing Quebec's separatists around. Further, the fact that the Quebec provincial Government is deeply in debt means they can "huff 'n' puff " all they want but they won't likely cut the purse strings.

So, back on topic. Separatism as a political weapon might not have the same effect here as 238 years is a long time to try to resurrect a past kingdom, even if it was as a "democratic republic". And lastly, the bit about "4 million out of 6 million" of people support this idea. I saw recently on either the "Bangkok post" or the "National" web site a short video asking peoples from Issarn about if they wanted to vote, and other questions related to democracy practices. One question was "how do you feel about people from the North selling their votes" (or something to that effect). One person answered VERY wisely (paraphrasing here) "All people sell their votes to both sides, then go out and vote what they want anyways" "Both sides buy votes". If I had to point out one statement as an indicator of a bluff or as indication out right spuriousness, it is the bit about "Any attempt to stage a coup or to shut down Thailand would result in a struggle to create an independent Lanna Republic, which he insisted would continue to respect HM the King as head of state." so tell me why would a monarch of a united country be willing to allow someone to use separatist ideas to break up a nation?

The may think that they have a majority, but I'd rather gamble on that a large portion of their majority are just saying what they want to hear at any given time. After all avoiding conflict, and saving face is the Thai way.

Isn't it?

So this seasoning is the "must be held in a Thai Bank for 3 months" arraignment? What is this "police order change"? Pmarlins links show me the immigration page but I am not able to access any of the documents listed...fun'n'games the Thai immigration way

My intent here is to learn about what has changed over a period of time related to retirement visas in LoS, so that I can look over historical data and information and maybe get an idea of may be coming up in the future.

Thanks in advance for any thoughtful and well reasoned insightful posts.

I'm a reformed smoker (the worst sort). I find close contact with no air flow with people smoking leaves me nauseous. Having said that I am a total hypocrite, because when I am angry or upset I smoke....cigars, Cubans purito sized preferably.

The last time I smoked consistently for any amount of time was my last trip to LoS. Since then I've had maybe one or two. I did notice that there was a lot of smoking around me comparative to say North America. I also was warned about the tourist police and tossing your buts in the street (too keep an ashtray of some sort handy at all times).

Personally I equate cigarette smoking as slavery, emotional turmoil; anger or uncertainty manifested.

I don't know enough about other countries, but in Canada, you are allowed to resist invasion, & assault, so long as only "reasonable force" is used. That being said the whole scenario changes if the assailant suffers any serious or permanent injury. Then they come after you. Kudos from Grandpa, personally I hope he spun the rapists head but good.