scoutman360

On ‎12‎/‎26‎/‎2018 at 10:27 PM, fforest1 said:

So whats going to happen to Sunrise Taco if Taco Bell comes to Bangkok...

No disrespect for the owner. He jumped at the opportunity to provide Thailand fast food Mexican when Taco Bell wasn't interested. But no one can compete with Taco Bell. I suspect that Sunrise will eventually fall and end.

Since I am a guy that grew up with Taco Bell, I am addicted. From California, McDonalds may be an industry giant, but every young guy always went to Taco Bell before hitting it home after a good night out.  

Max out your Provident Fund contributions (retirement fund). Also, contribute the maximum allowable to the RMF and LTF funds. This is another retirement fund contribution system that is non-employer related. The contributions are tax free and lower your annual income. If you are American, people argue that you would still have to pay taxes on the money anyway to the U.S. I believe, in your tax bracket, there are still benefits to contribute because you will not be able to utilize all your Foreign Tax Credits every year and will have carryovers. Long story.

They have fought to eliminate corruption more than the lip service I have seen in the past. So, I would vote for them until a better party steps forward.

Ummm. Sorry but I am confused. Why is this all about Trump? Other than the fact that the media is salivating at a good story to anger people for click bait? Last time I checked, Congress will override any presidential veto with a 2/3rds majority. So, here lies the problem... blame Congress? Or blame the divided citizens who put them in Congress? Or blame the media who divided the country? I seriously doubt the President has much to do with it.

I just renewed my 5 year license today at the Sukhumvit, Bang Chak BTS, land transportation office.

As pointed out by others in this thread for 5 year renewal

1. Certificate of address not needed (if you have a WP)

2. Copy of your license not needed

3. Medical certificate not needed

4. Only bring a copy of your Passport and Work Permit along with the originals.

5. Best to go around 12noon and get in the last batch of people being processed. Going early, you will be in the cattle pen with mops of people and will take you an extra hour.

6. Go after your license has expired for an extra year.

Points of notice

1. The dreaded peripheral vision test has been greatly improved. They removed that white light that used be pointed at your face and blind you. It is now a soft light above your head. Very easy to see the colors now.

2. My group of people didn't need to do the color vision test. I guess if you can see the colors for the other tests, that was good enough.

3. I noticed that the gas peddle test would go from GREEN to RED consistently between 3 and 5 seconds (start counting "1" the moment the peddle is pressed). 70% of the time, the RED light appeared at 5 seconds, and 30% at 3 seconds. During my test, when I counted past 3 seconds and the light was still green, I new it would turn red at 5 seconds. I hit the brake in record time, and the lady gave me a surprised smile at my impressive performance. ????

Your experience if valid, and I will confirm your same frustration. I have tried the baking soda, the bleach, the vinegar, the sun, etc., etc. I have even done control studies from washing clothes back in the U.S. and then again in Thailand. There are certain fabrics that absorb the bacteria/fungus here in the water and tend to stink after a few days sitting on the shelf. Back in the U.S., no problem.

I have not invested the money yet, but it seems the only solution is to buy a water filtration system along with washing in heated water AND drying on hot.

Dental work here is so cheap, there is no reason to contemplate. The best place I can recommend (because it has been mentioned here numerous times) is Bangkok Dental Hospital. Be careful because it seems all the clinics in Bangkok copy the same name. Here is the link. http://www.dentalhospitalbangkok.com/

I have been fitted with ceramic inlays, fillings, etc. with full satisfaction. They were always honest with me, and kept cost to a minimum. Other places were trying to insist I needed full root canal and crown. I highly recommend them. They will sort you out.  

I had similar problems once moved to Thailand. My solution was to wash thoroughly every day, rinse my feet with alcohol every day, and then apply an anti-fungal crème every day. The problem disappeared, but you must be diligent and persistent all the time to make sure it does not come back.  

No store, no person today, asked me if I wanted a bag. No store staff today refused to give me a plastic bag. Everyone I saw today, leaving many shops today, all people were given plastic bags. The 7-11 staff tonight swiftly pulled out their own bag in which I rejected and presented my own bag.

16 hours ago, Tug said:

Let’s all hope a deal can be worked out I personally don’t like seeing farmers losing their farms gm closing factory’s paying 25%more for things but sadly seeing this guy in action I’m not holding my breath

When NAFTA was integrated, there were lots of American losers. Were you just as concerned by the President when that happened? When the Pacific Trade Agreement took place, there were enormous American family and business losers. Change will certainly have winners and losers. The overall goal is the overall health of the country and the greater good. We must not be short sighted. Simple math: the U.S. gives China $500 billion EVERY YEAR, they give the U.S. back only $150 billion EVERY YEAR.  If one knows how to balance their checkbook, it is easy to understand what the President is doing. The U.S. is going broke with these current trade deals, and China is buying up and investing in countries around the world with U.S. money.

With the U.S. trade deficit with China riding at $350B per year, along with all other western countries adding more to that, they don't need to fight us. China can buy any corner of the world they want. Cash.

Take note of "no alcohol" holidays .. Check

Buy alcohol before the holiday .. Check

A few months ago, I decided to bring my own bags to the store every time I shop. I have reduced my plastic bag consumption by 95% with very little effort. Sometimes, other Thais behind me in line see what I am doing and they then refuse a bag also.

The biggest problem is always 7-11 when they argue and always try to double bag the heavy stuff. My tired old 3 month old bag still keeps going strong with large whiskey and soda bottles. Never broken a bag yet.

3 hours ago, Katipo said:

I love it when the unusually rich tell others to donate. But then I guess they didn't become unusually rich due to their generosity.

I was 16 years old working at my first job in a gas station. I told my boss, "Why is it that the Hells Angels come here with 15 bikers every weekend, and one guy pays for everyone gives us a generous tip for doing nothing. But the limo drivers and rich people come in and are so stingy, never tip, and complain about everything and leave angry?". He said, "That's why the rich have money."

Since foreigners are mostly exposed to the lower echelons of the Thai female society, I am not surprised they think this is the norm.

My ex was a professional beautician back in the States, and colored my hair 15 years. No one knew it was colored because (1) she was a real pro with training, and (2) there are real professional color lines available in the U.S. The only thing I see in Thailand is that off the shelf, cheap, DIY home product. Absolution garbage.

I never cared for Khoa San. Just a smelly dirty place. Last time I was there was to only meet a date who lived nearby. I see the Thai's turn up their nose when they see the backpacker types walk by. I watch cheap Charlies huddle around watered down drinks and cheap street food. If they don't come back, no loss to Thailand at all. Thailand is growing up. As for country revenue, it would be a tough argument to say it is a loss.

On ‎9‎/‎19‎/‎2018 at 9:04 PM, madusa said:

I watched a french documentary on warlords controlling the drugs business in the golden triangle. This was an old documentary in the early 1980s. The warlord had a small army of young boys and men. They control quite a vast area and they made the laws of course.

So tourists would do well if they understand Thailand is controlled by warlords, from big to small, they make the laws within the laws(the legal ones)

If only those Indians had understood the little warlords control the area they wouldn't have to suffer the indignity of being whack .

The normal tourists don't understand the hierarchy of warlords . If they offend the big one they get into real trouble. They have men ready to do you in. You cannot win.

The warlords control the bars, pubs, prostitution etc., they are the big brothers. And of course close friends of the laws. They are buddies that's why you cannot win. If you do won for any reasons then it would be an exception.

Completely agree 10 years ago. Today, anyone savy enough to have their smart phone tethered to the cloud can video uploaded in real time to Facebook or anywhere safe for a million You Tube viewers to watch. They are doomed. Recent videos have shown that Thai authorities react quickly to these public videos of mafia behaving badly. This is the only way it is going to stop.

Can an LTF or RMF fund qualify for the 800,000 thb requirement? I have that money locked up for a very long time. Hope it will suffice.

Racist article. Nothing to do with the truth or facts.

Racist article.

21 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I recall seeing the futility of black people trying to hail a taxi in S Korea in 1990.

I recall chatting with Chinese people in Guandong in the late 90s who were emigrating to the US and they told me that their greatest fear was being killed by black people.

I certainly have the most empathy and remorse for their pain. I think that is not at all relevant today.  You are talking about 20 yrs ago.