sambum

4 hours ago, Chongalulu said:

The American changed his mind at the last minute leaving the horse stood up at the altar . Hence the long face... 😢 

So instead of "I do" he said "Neigh"? ("Nay" as apposed to "aye" -  for those not familiar with Scottish terminology, or House of Commons parlance!))

1 hour ago, cnx101 said:

Really to a horse

I remember reading many years ago about an American who wanted to get married to his horse because "they both loved each other so much"! And they say some religious sects are weird!

5 hours ago, n00dle said:

What are you on about?

Sorry - misunderstanding - having a bad/senior day! 

17 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Much ago about nothing. It is a set of boobs. Such misplaced prudishness. Such inane silliness. 

Also about:-

 "She booked a hotel room but could not pay for it. She borrowed money to pay a taxi fare and said she only had a credit card. She walked topless around the hotel and asked everyone she met for money. She also ordered food but could not pay for it"

As for "Phuket hotel boob: Portuguese guest’s topless strut causes chaos", I agree with you, but expect more "inane silliness" from Thaiger in the days/weeks/months ahead! I think the Editor/Sub Editor in charge of headlines must have worked for 2 particular UK tabloids in  previous life i.e. The N***s o* t** World, and The S*n!!!

"As of now, no official department has taken action on the issue."

She's not a "Farang"!

4 hours ago, ChipButty said:

You might be right, I know a Thai girl who is a pharmacist and speaks fluent Russian, a lot of Russians go to her because of that, I doubt anyone in that hospital can speak Russian, I can tell you I have been in there a few times and English is not that good, infact once a nurse asking me questions in English was so bad I told her to speak Thai, your English is crap, and she was an arrogant piece of <deleted>,

I think if I was a Thai nurse asking questions in English was told to "Speak Thai, your English is crap", I would be a bit miffed too! 

Being pedantic, yours isn't brilliant either - were you not taught to use "full stops" at your school?

As has been said before - the Government wanted them - now they,ve got them - warts and all!

Seriously, what type of people are "rude and aggressive" towards people who are trying to help them? (Don't answer that - I already know - starts with "R" and has two "S's" in the middle!)

"IN AN UNPRECEDENTED MOVE TO deter future coup attempts, legislation has been prepared to empower a Prime Minister to suspend any military commanders from duty if suspected of hatching one."

Sounds like there's been "rumblings"!

And an ideal opportunity for career minded individuals to step up a rung by "fingering" their superiors!

23 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Exactly. Perhaps ex-pats should be given a bit more credit, in this formula? We do bring in alot of stable income.  Even the rural folks benefit. Alot of the nicer houses in the poorer farming areas were built with money from expats. Alot of trucks, cars and income is from expats. Countless businesses, employing many. To say it is insignificant, is a blatant misunderstanding of Thai economics. Thousands of hotels, restaurants, countless airlines and many tour companies, also benefit.

 

By comparison, an average ex-pat spends how much per month? I would say alot of us spend 50,000 to upwards of 100,000 baht a month. I know I do. No value in that? I know some live on less. However, since the average GDP of the nation is around $570, that means about 20,000 baht a month?

 

I think xenophobia is utterly rampant, in all segments of the government here, from the feds right on down to the local amphur. However, I do not think most Thai people are that way. I think most either like us, or are indifferent to us. Which I can handle. 

 

I think ex-pats should be treated with the kind of respect and acknowledgement we deserve.

If there was decency abs wisdom within the govt. they should say we have decided to change our policies, and we now realize how much you guys bring to the table.

 

An immigration officer will now come to your home to renew your visa, to show our appreciation, of your continued support. You will only be required to sign one form, and we will give you a five year, multiple entry visa. Free of charge.

And we will include a 10,000 baht voucher, good for any hotel in the country, for one year. 

 

Princely treatment. Thank you so much for helping to rescue our economy and our people. We appreciate it, and aim to show it for a change! We are past the era of thugs like the big joke.

And we apologize for all of his abuse. We realize we have been moving the country backwards. 

And Covid has given us all some time to reflect.

We are going to start changing things, and attempt to move the nation forward, instead of backwards.

 

Nice thought - I was going to include a pic, but my last one got removed by "The Mods", so :- 

"Porkers might defy gravity and sprout wings"!

On 4/20/2024 at 5:26 PM, BestB said:

That’s the difference between being a tourist and someone living full time.

 

while internet speeds are impressive getting connected , reconnected or disconnected from the service may turn into a ww3 , as more than often simple things are turned into a nightmare.

you say thailsnd plowed ahead? In what regard? 
 

let me tell you , I opened a new company and no one knows what license I require to get . Each government office points finger at each other while I go in circles 

 

my visa has been same for 25 years and yet every year they require same documents over and over again and sadly enough it is the same officer manning same counter who has seen me 25 years and not once have I had just a nod , forget about a smile or a small talk.

 

even bar scene. There are there to entertain and get drinks from foreigners and yet speak even less English than they did a decade ago 

 

 

"my visa has been same for 25 years and yet every year they require same documents over and over again and sadly enough it is the same officer manning same counter who has seen me 25 years and not once have I had just a nod , forget about a smile or a small talk."

Couldn't agree more! Especially the text that I have highlighted! 

Maybe someone on here can explain why they need the same documentation year after year after year? For instance, I can understand them needing a Kor Ror 2 form every year to prove that you are still married, but why do they need a copy of your Marriage Certificate EVERY YEAR? That is just one instance of what I consider to be unnnecessary paperwork - there are many more! 

Surely these details can be/are kept on a computer, so they could just put in your name/passport number, and press "Enter" and print off a "check list"?

Very frustrating in this day and age - no wonder Thailand in many respects is still considered a Third World Country!!! 

3 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

I would have thought they'd become "ex pat" only after they'd left?

Doh!

Just now, spidermike007 said:

Tens of thousands have left. I cannot provide proof of this but a dear friend of mine is very close to one of the top foreign attorneys in Bangkok, and he said that over the last 5 years he doesn't have enough time in the day to handle all the appointments that are booked by foreigners leaving Thailand and working to create some sort of legal disposition of their assets here. 

 

I am happy here. But many are not. 

I have heard that quite a few are opting to leave and go to  Cambodia where they seem to have an easier time. 

7 minutes ago, superal said:

Well , the elite Thai have suppressed the lower classes and maybe have the same plan for the expat . Certainly see nothing to encourage a non wealthy ex pat retiree to Thailand . Ex pats in Thailand have no standing , no voice or representation . As for the embassies , are they still here ? Expats are seen by the Thai as walking ATMs . Two tier pricing , visa rules and expenses , now possible tax on income or the hassle to prove otherwise . Not only are Brits avoiding Thai holidays but there have been reports of ex pat retirees leaving Thailand .

"As for the embassies , are they still here ?'

Well, you occasionally see "The British Embassy are providing help and assistance at this time", in the event of a death or missing persons case and on checking Google there is still an Embassy in Bangkok - whether they do much "helping" is open to debate!

1 minute ago, superal said:

Well , the elite Thai have suppressed the lower classes and maybe have the same plan for the expat . Certainly see nothing to encourage a non wealthy ex pat retiree to Thailand . Ex pats in Thailand have no standing , no voice or representation . As for the embassies , are they still here ? Expats are seen by the Thai as walking ATMs . Two tier pricing , visa rules and expenses , now possible tax on income or the hassle to prove otherwise . Not only are Brits avoiding Thai holidays but there have been reports of ex pat retirees leaving Thailand .

I think that the article is agreeing with you - as do I!

(I think the fact that on a visa extension application expats are listed as "Aliens" quite telling!)

33 minutes ago, retarius said:

Thailand will regret not being nicer and more unctuous to the Great British Tourist and Ex-Pat. 

Remember during the  days of Covid-19, when the ex pat community played a great part in keeping Thai businesses going - especially the family owned small businesses? And where I live organised "food parcels" for the poorer section of the Thai community?

Obviously, the Thai Government don't, because they seem hell bent on making it more difficult for the average ex pat to stay here - taxing pensions? making it more difficult to get a visa extension? (apparently to deter criminals?) 

Maybe someone "in Government" might read this article and do something about it? 

 "Streamlining visa and work permit processes, and fostering a welcoming environment in Immigration Offices for  foreign businesses, all those who need to acquire a visa or extension. 

But that won't happen - only last week they were saying that they were going to make it more difficult for ex pats to deter the criminal fraternity from coming to Thailand? 😕🤪

23 hours ago, mikebell said:

Taxing pensions?  Owning houses?  Once they have driven the Brits out, who will be next?

Perhaps they could open negotiations with the British Government regarding a "reciprocal agreement" the lack of which means that British pensioners living here have their pensions "frozen" at the rate they were getting when they first moved here?

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

That happens everywhere.

I cannot remember the last time that I took a taxi in Bangkok and did not have to argue about putting the meter on.

I do not even bother trying in Phuket or Samui.

If the Police were doing their job, and they wanted to curb these practices, they could do it easily by confiscating the licence of any driver who has a "Meter Taxi" sign but no meter, or one that "no work", or is it a case of the tail wagging the dog? Maybe the Police are being told to turn a blind eye in return for ????

20 minutes ago, jonbsails said:

Running a palm plantation is NOT easy living. To make that commitment, (and obviously there is a family involved), my opinion is....they were there, had been there running their plantation, and for the love of all things holy, permit them to stay. I doubt he and his family have a plan "B". 

This truly is a land of contrasts. I have been here 8 years  (after 2 years of military service in 1970-72) and STILL have a difficult time reconciling the evil that resides here. I suppose it is my fault ( the difficulty reconciling, NOT the evil) as this evil permeates the entire earth. 

My heart simply breaks for this family.

Would anyone in this ASEAN News community be willing to help this family in some small way?

I could swing 1000 baht and not upset my monthly budget. I am not a big poster here, am not proficient in computer tasks. Someone set it up...? Or am I just a maudlin old man?

 

Sounds like your heart's in the right place, mate! 

4 hours ago, cncltd1973 said:

police will need to interview the surrounding neighbors and the land office to find out who is wanting this concession the most. let's see some old fashioned detective work

"... let's see some old fashioned detective work" Yeah - right - in LOS?

"..............  five members of a Russian gang have been apprehended for the kidnapping and extortion of a Belarusian couple in Phuket"

"Oh, those Russians!" ("Rasputin" - Boney M)The Government wanted them, now they've got them - warts and all!!! 

11 hours ago, swerve said:

Too many foreigners in Thailand.  Some southern islands are overrun. I feel bad for the Thai public that has to put up with this.

Blame TAT and your Government!!!

4 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Same thing ourselves whenever we did visit a Thai island in the past - the prices are ridiculous.  IMO the people on those islands are of the view that tourists are to be ripped off - not that there is any difference all over the world. But in Thailand there is very little (if any) control by authorities to at least try to limit to ripping off.  I can remember Prayut tryng to stop the taxi mafia in Phuket ripping off tourists after they had just started to return to the island during Covid. They basically told him to go fornicate himself - just like they do to anyone that tries to 'control' them.  That attitude is rampant in Thailand - especially in the islands. 

Years ago I was talking to a Thai bloke at golf in Chiang Mai, and he said something like - "Thais are always ripping each other off, why should we not rip off Falangs when they are happy to pay stupid money".   Fair enough point. 

Same with the taxi mafia in Samui. At one time they tried to make "Meter Taxis" use their meters. Strange how many meters "not work!"