1 hour ago, Boon Mee said:

People who use "haha" at the end of  sentence always come off sounding plastic and fake to me. 

It is often used to prevent misunderstanding, I think, because written communication --such as here-- does not allow for people to check for understanding of read into other cues (intonation, facial,...).

25 minutes ago, Swimman said:

It is a personal choice if money is left 'doing nothing' not a requirement of the Thai authorities  Many wise people choose to have their money work by investing it in an interest-bearing account.

I think you took the "left sitting doing nothing" too literally. Granted, it is rather imprecise. Btw, wiser people use that extra money in better investment than that.

Those long flights with bad connections are rough on people. Funny no one remembers this!

Still, if this guy was medicated, ... guess what happens when you have big pharma ruling the FDA and medicating everyone for nothing + neo-capitalism? Wait for your 2 min. ads now, with a beautiful woman selling you ...

Maybe it is time for some to start eating better food (pizzas with faux-cheese anyone), drink less, work less to pay for the 2 mansions and 3 wives, sleep more (with one wife),... Maybe it is time for governments to stop opening the brown envelope. Maybe it is time for women and men to start voting better people in (not the most charismatic or the most handsome/beautiful).

Anyway, next week, we will get someone from France, Russia,... or Thailand doing the same. Connect the dots. 

3 hours ago, Xyzero said:

So many fish in the sea  makes one wonder why one would go back to the same fishing hole when the one that you caught was not eatable 

There are not that many fish in the sea anymore.

Income inequality is my guess. Most westerners cannot afford western woman (or a divorce) and most Thai women like the income. Love (or lust rather) is there somewhere ... at the start anyway, perhaps.

When a govn't gets a lot of its revenues from the alcohol taxes it imposes on alcoholic beverages, why would anyone think that they would want to reduce its use (which is one of the major reasons behind most accidents)? 

My advice is for them to go into the sugar business, as well! 

14 minutes ago, JAZZDOG said:

Like she hadn't found that out yet. Lavish life style funded by robbery and she had no clue. She's guilt as hell .

But, it was love (or lust, more exactly). Love can make you do crazy things ... like alcohol. Mmmm! Food for thoughts.

Today we are over 200 on https://aqicn.org/city/thailand/chiangmai/city-hall/.

So, I have decided to honour and adhere to the topic and present a solution. I have been told that we they allowed to meander here, which is odd because we couldn't do it on the smog, smoke thread. Hey, change is good!

So, for a solution, here is something recent: Greener and cheaper technique for biofuel production (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180406100547.htm)

Now, you must go beyond the title to find what I am looking for. 

Quote

 

Biofuels produced from unprocessed cellulosic materials such as plant biomass, as well as agriculture, horticultural and organic waste, are expected to meet growing energy demands without increasing greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the burning of fossil fuels. These cellulosic materials are in great abundance, environmentally friendly, and economically sustainable.

 

 

 

[...]

Quote

 

The novel technique developed by the NUS team could potentially be a game-changing technology for cost effective and sustainable biofuel production [and slash-and-burn agriculture*].

 

Spent mushroom compost -- typically composed of wheat straw and saw dust -- is the residual compost waste generated by mushroom farming. The microorganisms in the waste are left to evolve naturally for more than two years to obtain the unique TG57 strain.

 

The fermentation process is simple, and no complicated pre-treatment or genetic modification of the microorganisms is required. When cellulose is added, the bacterium simply digests it to produce butanol as the main product.

 

*Added by me.

So, if this is not obvious, the idea is that farmers could make money collecting the waste they burn. They could also use the fuel I suppose. 

Given the medical costs to treat children and people, in general, that develop respiratory diseases, I would think that this solution would be a win-win-win for all involved. Doctors and big pharma might not like it though. Maybe that is another problem.

Now, are there any Thais on TV that would be so kind and translate this, and give this to the government or university departments? Hey, maybe you can do it or know of someone. Complaining about a problem does not accomplish anything.

22 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

I had my doubts but when I saw the full heading  they were erased. What source could be more disinterested than the Russian Ministry of Defense?

‘We didn't see any patients with symptoms of chemical attack’ – hospital staff in Russian MoD video"

 

 

But you believe the US and UK defense departments, who have been shown several times to making allegations that proved to be false later AKA lying or erring (Blair with WMD in Iraq, as stated by himself, and the 2 Russian spies' poisoning which the UK provided ZERO links/evidence/proof to the Russians, for instance).

RE: The Douma poisoning that looks like wasn't, as corroborated by an eye witness. How much more evidence do you need to show that the US/UK do lie ... from time to time, to advance their sales of arms and such? There is plenty of evidence in the past to show that they do want to police the world (and advance their agenda ... and sell arms). Not to say that the others are not doing the same, from time to time.

4 minutes ago, Khun Han said:

 

Including the former Commander of British Armed Forces in Iraq General Shaw, who gets abruptly cut off by his Sky News interviewer for such questioning:

 

 

Anyone not believing that we are being fed an agenda by the msm needs to start believing it now.

This commander must be a troll! LOL

5 minutes ago, HLover said:

I think he meant the other countries...

The statement demanded a more precise antecedent. But, Russia and Syria seem to be happy with their respective leader. As to Iran, well, that's another story.

At least, whistleblowers/people who hold opposing views are not put in jail (or slammed with the threat of jail or stuck in an embassy/consulate/another country or killed). Hard to know which countries I am talking about here too!

Not sure why people don't use black or dark grey grout! It looks just as good and it will remain looking good. There are sealers as well.

3 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

If you are a British national, yes you can,  yes they do.

 

also in in some countries you can cash in your pension for a lump some so current statements are required.

Oh! Email would be excellent. I better check (or lay the seed). Maybe I will get a tree in a few years! LOL

2 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

It does, linked from that page Issuance of visa

ISSUANCE OF VISA
	1. Transit Visa 2. Tourist Visa 3. Non-Immigrant Visa 4. Diplomatic Visa 5. Official Visa 6. Courtesy Visa

Thanks. Interesting.

I figured it would be there somewhere (LOL), but under "issuance of visa"? Who would have thought it?

It is miscategorized.

The question is "Why is it buried there and not in/under --at least-- one of the 6 categories?" Is it an error or is it deliberately there to obfuscate and --in fact-- prevent people from knowing that there are many other types of visas?

9 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Pinned topics are often a waste of space since nobody reads them.

For example this pinned topic has links for downloading police orders and etc. 

I appreciate the consistently excellent information you --and others-- provide (some of it not shown on the links you gave as there are some unwritten rules or behaviour), but please do consider replying with the  pinned topic you linked me (and maybe specifying the number that applies, as name like "police orders" means absolutely nothing to explain where the information is).  Great work from whoever did this, btw. That would save you time and quickly get more people using those, I think. Not sure if this would work, but I am thinking that a title like  "ALL rules about ALL of the visas." or  "ALL rules about ALL of the extensions of visas." would be a bit more transparent than police order XY.Z ("Police order # XYZ" should be in bracket, if at all.). I am willing to edit it and advise TV on what it could look like. No obligation, of course. 

So, if people like you referred to it more, it would get used more. This is just a friendly suggestion.

How about a title like: 

"ALL laws and RULES on visas, extensions, immigration matters, and work permits"

instead of ...

"Laws, regulations, Police Orders, etc. related to visas, immigration matters, and work permits"

Compare:

"ALL LAWS and RULES on visas, extensions, immigration matters, and work permits"

or

"Laws, regulations, Police Orders, etc. related to visas, immigration matters, and work permits"

Incidentally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (http://mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908) does not even list (as far as I can see) all visas (just the retirement visas). 

6 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

That is neither idiotic nor tyrannical. You have to provide proof of current income (usually last financial year or most recent pension payments/statements) not what you were getting 2, 3, 4 or 5 years ago.

I could provide an official statement from the pension plan that would stipulate that I will be getting this until x years though (in my case 4 years, at least).

It is true that a pension plan could go belly up, but how likely is it that an official, public, say, teacher plan could? It is also true that the amount could change when one gets to be a certain age (60 or 65) if one gets in trouble with tax authorities, say. I guess I hate filling paper 3000 times, which is often the case with these guys. I guess we have to because there are idiots who cheat.

That letter is exactly the same as it was written before. It is probably activated by one push of a button. Can't I just sent an email to the consulate and then proceed? Can't they not reply with an email and the letter? I pay using cc. Less pollution and less wasted time. 

But, I understand that no one ever will question the efficiency of their procedures, especially as it relates to the customer. They must have the easiest job on the planet since no one can complain.

5 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

That is the latest police order that went into effect August 29th of 2014.

Good to know it is the latest. They could have an effective date on these! 

5 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

For marriage it is clause 2.18

Thanks. I figured that part. LOL

Maybe each part of the whole order should be pinned on TV, creating several pins that could then be discussed and given details to the unwritten rules (that could be pinned once they are ascertained).

2 hours ago, elviajero said:

I think you are asking about getting a new income letter using an old income letter. If so, I doubt any embassy would accept past letters to get a new one.

Yes! I sort of knew that would be the answer. Why would an official letter become useless after 6 months, even as a way to make a new one! Idiocy, tyranny, and bureaucracy rime! I wish I could tell them how stupid and how dysfunctional they are, sometimes. I will try to see the stupid reaction on the face of the bureaucrat or the "Don't tell me what I can accept I make the stupid rules" smirk!

Quote

You can only get an income letter from your countries Embassy. I don't know your nationality, but the documentation (proof) you need to supply varies. Those that want proof/evidence of income usually want to see a document, from the source, showing the amount received .

Thanks. As I have already gotten one, I am aware of the process, including going to the right consulate. 

I wonder if this PDF from the govn't is still valid. I realize it is dated 2014, btw, hence the question.

http://www.pcecnews.com/permNL/Immigration Bureau order 327-2557 (2014) - extension criteria & conditions en.pdf

24 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

There is no combination of income and money in the bank allowed for an extension based upon marriage. That is only for a retirement extension.

Oh! Thanks. But, you can use your wife's income to add to your income. Right?

1 hour ago, elviajero said:

Yes. You need a new letter every year. Letters are usually only valid for a maximum of 6 months.

Very helpful answer. Thank you.

Lastly, I wonder if past (original) letters were acceptable, they should be accepted as evidence to get a new one. Please state which consulate, as it could vary.

13 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

If it's in the bank it must be there for 2 months before you apply, it should be the same everywhere (ask your immigration office for a definitive answer). It must be in an account in your name only (no joint accounts)

 

you can do the income option as you need 40,000 per month, you are a little over that, but if your income is in a foreign currency be careful of the exchange rate as you are only about 10% above the threshold. You will have the added joy of getting the income certified.

Thanks a lot for specifying the 2 months' and the non-joint account's stipulations. 

I recalculated my income and it looks like I am actually over 600 K. Btw, my bank account is not a joint account. BTW, the consulate gave a before tax income. I forgot about that.

Just to help others in the same predicament, when is the income exchange rate determined to pass the immigration test. Is it when you verify the income at one's consulate or is it done when the IO gives the okay, or when the extension starts?

Does this verification of income need to take place every year/every time you apply or can you use the "letter" from the consulate year after year? I noticed that when I did this a year ago, the consulate gave both the foreign currency and converted the money in Bahts, but gave a monthly income. Obviously exchange rates change, but a smart IO would be able to connect the dots, wouldn't they?

I hear you can use both income and bank income to qualify for the retirement visa/extension. Is that true for this one too?

Every year, at around this time of the year, farmers (of legal or illegal substances) all over the region burn the waste or residue products of their crop that are laced with pesticides. In some areas of the North, in particular, there are forest fires that are either lit as a result of this burning or are set by thunderstorm, ... which compound the problem. Car/tuk tuk, songthaews' exhausts and other street or even yard  burning/cooking also add to the problem as well. There are also coal fire plants releasing particles in the air too. Pollution is a big issue in SEA and Thailand or it should be.

The health hazard to citizens created by these burnings are high. While it is true that the rich and the powerful can go to coastal regions and avoid most of the pollution and that many can afford air purifiers (car and home), high quality face masks,  and a/c that enable them to reduce their exposure to the toxic chemicals and particles, the vast majority of citizens cannot (although 3M face masks at 100 B. lasting for one month are quite affordable). 

Complaining about the problem does little to alleviate it. In fact, it probably channels the energy away from addressing or fixing the problem. 

What are the solutions that are or could be implemented to incentivize farmers, citizens, industry, and governments to take action and reduce pollution?

While it is likely that some measures were put in place in the past, Rome was not built in one day. Sidney, Chicago, London either!