ace

The US has fought 2 wars with China in the last 60 years, neither went well and at the time the military superiority was far greatrr than today. They have also stated under the current administration that military action is not on the table. Therefore China acts to implement its own version of the Monroe doctrine,

Aircon

Safety

Sun protection

Pollution protection

Shopping

Sounds

Can drive off to take a holiday from my holiday

And the clown car rolls on...lol. The repubs in the running for pres. couldn't and shouldn't get elected to dog catcher in a one dog town. Perhaps Bengasi wouldn't have happened at all if the repubs hadn't cut the funding for the State Dept. Then they could have had the protection they should have had. Bengasi, beating a dead horse. There are many, many real reasons Hillary shouldn't be pres. She is a neocon/neoliberal and a tool of Wall Street criminals and banksters. She hasn't kept her mouth shut on TPP and the fast tract that will be needed to screw the American worker even more for no reason. I'm for Sanders all the way, and no he is not a front for the Koch (John Birch Society) brothers. In fact if he by some chance got in, he would more than likely try to put them out of the business of buying our (used to be our) government. I'm hoping Hillary self destructs before the primary. Any Demo can beat the bat-shit crazy clown car.

The reason they died wasn't lack of protection. It was because SOMEONE stopped the CIA boys going to rescue them. No one in the govt. is saying who that was.

Oh give over with this old tosh, even your own party have said it's rubbish man.

Have they? The mercs on the ground specifically stated they were ordered to stand down.

As for the emails, it was clearly illegal. There are laws for the handling of government data. And it's not like setting up your own server, domain is something you do by mistake, or cause its the easy option.

Anyway, as a conservative, I hope she does get the nomination, but I'd bet against it.

i bet if the offer of money was put on the table a lot of ears would be pricked up standing to attention..then we can talk....http

Yeh expect negotiations have begun. They'd make more than they did selling them to their families for sure. Then when everyone's forgotten about it (couple of months) well....

Petrol station on Pattaya Nua has an oil change place

Look to China for what anti-corruption drives usually mean in totally corrupt societies.

In fact most of the playbook seems similar over the recent past.

Here's my sincere advice: Ask to see some condos that are 10 years old.

This is something that almost NO ONE does, and I promise you it will have a profound effect on your decision to buy in Pattaya (or Thailand).

Most foreigners come to Thailand with an unfortunate (and quite justifiable) pre-conception of how properties age. 10 years old, back in Farangland, is not particularly old for a condominium. In Thailand however, I think you will be floored.

I have seen absolutely dilapidated, crumbling pieces of crap that are LESS than 10 years old. By looking at the lobby and the facade of the building I can tell that at one time the buildings were probably beautiful, shiny, promising investments.

Just 10 years later, a massive portion of the value is gone, and the re-sale potential has gone up in smoke.

*This* is the problem with buying condos in Thailand. What YOU perceive as a long term investment is in fact a consumable, medium-term product.

I don't know how else to say it. And it frankly amazes me that people are so blinded by the shiny, glitzy new condos on the market (which are smaller every year!) without ever wondering "Where are the old ones?" In most European and American cities, there are stately, old and well-maintained buildings. Look hard around Thailand and tell me how many you find!

Is there a guide to condo buildings? Something like reviews of different projects by owners, ex-owners or renters?

I have been out of Pattaya for a while, but isn't Saranchol still in excellent condition after 20 years? I suppose building standards have dropped in that time, with average condo size.

Saranchol, Star & Sky beach, Golden, VT6, etc all in good condition, 20 years old. Some of the new builds though do look like they'd go over in a strong wind. Small too. I prefer Naklua as a location. Stay away from AD condos, very bad rep. I know to my cost. I like to own, and the costs are not comparable to London at all.

Ah well, it'll make a lovely water feature in a few years

i would think that implementing and enforcing parking restrictions, adding adequate off-road parking and a park & ride scheme would have been a little easier and quite effective. Not as glamorus or kick-back-tastic though. And the police would have to actually, well, police.

Anyone know what pub this is? I'm guessing it's a farang place yes?

No its a Thai place on 3rd rd near Nua. Looks a right dump from the outside.

There goes the TAT's projected revenue and GDP down by about 60%!!!

It's a shame that - even in the boom years - tourism is less than 10% of GDP, even with the flow-on income from tourists finding its way into the pockets of Thais who have no direct involvement with the horde.

Recorded, reported revenues maybe. Realistically, 15% easy. There's several million Thais in tourist related industry. -5% GDP will put Thailand into a solid recession. I believe rice only accounts for 8% of GDP, mostly a subsistence industry (FDI is the biggest ticket, also in trouble fwiw).

As far as I know it's not clear. The "crackdown" was to prevent people working here on a tourist visa, not paying tax, which some (mostly Russians I guess) do. If the immigration officer sees numerous back to back tourist visas, and is in a bad mood, it can be a problem.

3 back to back visa exempt entries (30days) is clearly limited now.

I've found that the old 200baht+ paracetamol prescription is practiced nearly everywhere, even smaller clinics, you just have to be aware and refuse it. Funny stroy, I used to have Thai health insurance from my job. I went to the specified government hospital (dental dept.) to "test it out" . Charge was about half the cost of a private place, but the procedure wasn't as great and i had to wait quite a while, no appointment. When I went to pay, they pulled out a sign, in English, said "Foreigner charge 600 baht" haha :-)

Anyway, can anyone recommend a good clinic for ENT in or near Pattaya?

I just replaced the one for my Honda City at the new dealership near the Ambassador. I think it was 1800B. Got a free espresso and car wash. In and out in 45 minutes. Great service and nice, new dealership.

I (now) use one of the other new dealerships near the Ambassador and am delighted to finally be rid of the a*swipe dealers in Pattaya. They wont be seeing me again in this lifetime.

My place near the Ambassador also gives a free car wash with every visit (actually a lot better wash than the ones I pay 180B for in town). Good, quick and polite service but the coffee there is only instant.

Anyone know if these places (near Ambassador) handle (old) Toyotas?

Yes she's the best:

DOCTOR NAME/CENTER : DR. ANNA JARUWAN, DERMATOLOGY CENTER

Only 1 Mcds yes, but i doubt you'll find much on sukhumvit in that price range.

I have a cheap 1 for sale as i just use my car now, just emailed you.

You can also look on Baht&Sold

How much wine & cheese do we get in the alotted time?

Regarding a double torist visa, has there been any clarification on the amount of time required to be outside the country between exiting and re-entering? 5 days? 7? More?

Thankyou for arranging this.

My question: The housing and condominium market is integral to the stability of Thai banks and the Thai economy, as it is in all economies globally. In this context would the department consider lowering the investment visa based (property value) requirements to, for example, 5m baht ? This would benefit foreign investors and Thais alike.

.... If they want me to carry my passport, no problem. If a copy will cut it, fine. If I'm not sure which one to follow, I'll carry the passport.

Precisely my point.

But seriousley, thanks for the info i guess it's "as you were" again.

Really? Perhaps he should tell the original source:"We have asked the Interior Ministry to approve harsher punishment," Immigration Division spokesman Colonel Worawat Amornwiwat said.

The problem and it is a huge problem is that Thai officials are coming out with statements that basically say if you don't have a passport with you we may, or may not IMPRISON you. If you have a valid tourist visa we may or may NOT let you in the country.

One cannot logically operate in such an environment and people who are not wanted criminals or sex tourists will simply go elsewhere myself included. Anyone want a condo?........

I'm pretty sure you can't transfer more than the original purchase price out of Thailand if you sell a condo ie, buy for 2m sell for 3m (lol) u can only xfer 2m out.
As to the op buying freehold property here conveys 0 rights. Nada.

I love these soft openings it's such a thai thing, does anyone else do it? It's like we're completely not ready but what the heck let's go get some $$$$ :-) And 1290 for 1 day really? That's steep.

I found Toyo tires to better than cockpit.

Specially for LP tires. There's a few around on Sukhumvit.

Can anyone recommend an exam centre to take the Cisco CCNA exam? I guess Bangkok if so near the BTS would be good. I've tried emailing a few but unfortunately none have replied as yet.

Stressed out I got ready for the run a few days ago. Decided to take a more experimental route than normal, taking the 407 bus overnight up from Pattay to Nong Kai, tuk-tuk to the bridge. Thought I'd sleep in the VIP seats on the VIP bus. It was quite comfy but sleeping was tricky, unless you're a real heavy sleeper I wouldn't recommend it. Does arrive 06:30 which is handy but I would stick to the Bangkok - Udon flight 200 baht mini bus - bridge route.

So I have a "dirty" passport. Saw it down soi 6 last week - on the wrong side! Only joking, but I have just done 3x Visa exemption back to back, previous tourist visas, many previous 30 day runs. I did have a non-imm B and WP up to March which might have helped but then I also have 2 overstays this year for 3 and 2 days respectively (stupid mistakes one by me one by my previous employer). Many cambodian visas, writing, all that.

Stayed at the Dong...... hotel across from the consulate. Visa app went smoothly as expected, don't think they have a problem giving the visas, just whether you can use them is the question.

Headed back the next day, obvious runner, got to immigration filled in the arrive depart card in the queue hardly had time to finish it in fact left off the visa number handed over the passport and card, said "I have visa" and no worries through I went without as much as a question.

So there you go. Maybe I got lucky, maybe they decided that stopping people with a genuine tourist visa because you don't like the way they look might not be so good for the tourist industry or international law (probably not that one), or maybe they decided to wait until August but it was all smooth and easy for me. Even managed to get Nok Air shuttle to the airport and did a walk on to DM. Not doing that bus again.

Hope that's useful.