bendix

If you want 9 rai of land cleared why don't you just clear it or get it cleared yourself? I'm pretty sure that if I went to my wife every time I wanted something done I would have the same problems, especially if she didn't really want to do it.

With regards the child you are bringing up - seems you need to decide that he is your son too and not just hers.

It's not his land. It's her land.

That the OP has unilaterally decided to support his wife and her son is his decision. It doesn't automatically follow that he can just assume the right to do what he wants with her land - without her consent - as a quid pro quo.

The way I see it there are two types of threads started in this Forum,

one is the Thread containing a question the OP needs answered,and aside for a few honest replies who try to answer the question, it deteriorates in to an argument about the price of tea in China,

and the other is the Thread posting a real or imaginary question and or observation posted for entertainment value only, that usually goes all over the place.

That is why i laugh when ever some one asks a question, and there is always the inevitable reply "Use the search function" yea if i wanted to read hundreds of Threads, with thousand of unrelated replies trying to find the odd reply that answers the question.

We all know this, nothing new there

Today as I was reading some of the posts in the General Topics section , annoyed at some of the replies , the thought occurred to me,

The Moderators have to read every one of these!!!

So the question to the moderators is, How can you stand it? How do you keep your sanity?

End of rant .....

Ant way , to the Moderators I want to say. Thank you guys, and gals for doing such a thankless job and putting up with us.

Please read the forum rules. Posts discussing moderation will not be allowed and posters issued with suspensions

(unless they are blatant attempts to curry favour from moderators)

Ive posted before about an acquaintance of mine who exactly meets this profile: a westerner who originally came out here on a good expat deal, got caught up in the nightlife, lost a succession of gradually crappier jobs as a result and ended up smuggling cocaine to maintain his presence here, because he didnt want to go home. Ironically he's a former TV member and was a frequent letter writer to the Bkk Post and nation.

He came here 14 years ago with a Big Six accounting firm. He was fired fromthat role for missing work through sustained drunkeness, and got fired from a succession of even worse jobs. His last job was with one of those shonky Forestry Investment companies, again the subject of threads on here.

After losing that job he had nothing. He resorted to ridiculous business ideas - making and selling model boats was one that made me laugh, and another was to take photos and print business cards for bargirls that he met in the Beergarden, for chrissake.

After a while we kept wondering why he was making so many overseas trips to, of all places, Madagascar. He claimed he was consulting to a supermarket chain, but he would never be pinned down on details.

My mates and I were meant to meet him one night eighteen months ago and he never turned up. A couple of weeks later we found out he was arrested in a room above a Washington Square bar wiht several kilos of cocaine - caught in an international sting. He's now doing 20 odd years in a Thai prison.

The irony is he comes from a wealthy family in Australia. His parents used to give him money but after pissing it against a wall, they told him they would old support him back in Sydney, not here. He refused to go. The rest is history.

Life over, all so he could be the big man in Soi Cowboy.

It's sweet that the OP doesn't trust his wife or her friends.

Nice one.

What's your opinion on a Thai saying they don't like a foreigner who can speak Thai?

I for one would be wary of someone who didn't like my ability to speak the local language.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect App

I dont have one. It's not a view that I have ever heard expressed by anyone Thai, except in a jocular fashion by my secretary once who laughed with her colleagues that as I understood the language more, they would have to be more discrete in their gossip.

[Then she proceeds to teach her husband as much Thai as possible. So it's obviously not an issue between the husband and wife.

It's a rare mistake from you Bendix, it would be better for you to hold your hands up than cast aspersions upon this marriage.

Hands already held up, with a big mea culpa.

It's sweet that the OP doesn't trust his wife or her friends.

Nice one.

When did i say i don't trust my wife? I said i don't trust anyone that use's the line about falang speaking good Thai. I never said my wife say's it. It's her friends. So i don't trust her friends. Read again.

That was a poor and misjudged post by Bendix.

I read that your wife positively encourages you to speak Thai. She sounds fantastic, loving and trusting to me.

If it was, then mea maxima culpa.

My sense was that she imparted a view to her husband about what her friends thought. He countered by saying does that mean Thais who speak English are no good.

She laughed and said it wasn't the same thing which seems to suggest she is defending and supporting their position, and countering his view.

Either way, if my - admittedly - throw away post gave offence, I apologise.

Oh well.

I tried, at least.

But are you trying to claim that these guys **should** be trusting of these women and their friends? Either you're rooting for the Thai scammers or very naive. . .

I don't know who 'these women and their friends' are, and have no interest in them.

What I'm saying is that it's a tragedy that so many men marry people that they fundamentally don't trust, and I wonder what makes them do it.

"She just laughed and said it's not the same thing"

Doesn't this suggest she agrees with her friends?

People. Please - can we have one god-dam_n thread where the forum's obsession with paid for sex doesn't rear its juvenile head?

Just once . . .please?

It's sweet that the OP doesn't trust his wife or her friends.

Nice one.

This must be the oldest subject on TV.

There is only one legal way to own land in Thailand as a foreigner, and that is the one rai 40million baht investment route, and even that is subject to ministerial discretion and certain conditions..

There are NO other legal ways to do this.

Singapore hotels are ridiculously pricey. I too like Royal Plaza on Scotts, but that's closer to US$250 these days and that's at the low end of the price range.

I would say it's next to impossible to get a decent room - especially for 4 people - for 90 bucks without resorting to hostels.

You don't like the traffic here ?

Leave the country

(Following the precept of David48)

You have a special gift aneliane. You could pick a fight in an empty convent.

I think the Agatha Christie suggestion is a good one, and agree that Harry Potter books would be too long.

I think short books - that don't insult their intelligence - but are written in an easy way like all good writing should be are perfect. My wife picked up some PG Wodehouse short stories recently and loved them. Don't laugh, but the Winnie the Pooh stuff is good too.

More recently, she has started a new approach: reading a novel in English, but with a Thai transalated edition alongside it. Oscar Wilde's Portait of Dorian Grey is easy to get in both languages, and a lot of the more popular titles or more mainstream fiction too.

. and heck whats up with the single poster appearing out of nowhere?

the plot thickens .........I suspect fowl play

I'm more interested to hear the testimony of the [sic] "two stff members"

I'm also curious as to something that hasn't been properly explained yet: Was there any zucchini on offer, and was it advertised?

Despite banking with SCB for many years they refused a credit card unless I deposited twice the amount the would give me on a card, of course I refused and I tried kasikorn, despite not having an account with them they gave me a card. Once I had built up a credit history with the one card I found other banks falling over themselves to say yes, including scb.

In answer to your question, I think kasikorn would be the best option for your first try.

Even then, extremely unlikely I would say.

The key here is not what assets you have, but what income streams you have - and residency status - to service the debt.

You might get lucky, but I wouldnt hold my breath.

Is it possible ?

sure, anything is possible,

is it probable ?

This is difficult to predict, as there are so many variables.

but in the next 10 years I am willing to place the probability factor, closer to 1% than 15%

the 1% is so that the possibility remains open.

Having said all that, As western currencies decline in value, depleting the purchasing power of westerners, and the cost of living in Thailand increasing, I can see how the number of westerners living here might decrease on it's own.

Of course there is always the chance that Thais might read some of the negative posts about them in some forums, how, many westerners talk about them, and the negative attitude of some of us toward them. and I would not blame them if they chased us in the sea with pitchforks and knives.

Ps: I wonder (let's say in the interest of discussion) How Americans,(or for that matter any westerner) would react, if they read in a forum (as we read posts about Thais in a regular basis) ,Muslims,living in their country, describing them as "lazy" "stupid" "thief's" "whores"and other words that I cant bring my self to write.

Imagine how they will react toward them.

I think we better take stock of our selves, behave with more respect toward our hosts, or we could very well make the OP question a reality.

Try reading the UK newspaper forums... They are FULL of hatred against immigrants. It used to be mainly the Moslems and Eastern Europeans, but a recent case (somewhere in the North of England) where a group of Asians 'groomed' and raped local young girls (from poor backgrounds) has led to one hell of a lot of Asian immigrant bashing - they believe all Asians are looking for young girls to sell off as prostitutes!

Edit - And, as far as I can see the UK is far less racist than many other European countries. i.e. BNP receive v little support.

Good post.

You ignore a source of anti-immigrant and anti-foreigner sentiment that is even closer to our hearts - TV itself. We have threads today talking about the filthy habits of the natives, for example. We regularly get diatribes from little Englanders moaning about immigrants invading their country, totally oblivious to the irony that they themselves are guests in this country.

The difference is that little Englanders in Thailand have to jump through hoops, prove they are self-sufficient before they are granted entry. In England immigrants fom certain countries just say the magic words " asylum " and they are in. I have no objection to even to this fiddle if they intend to work and support themselves, but many have no such intentions. Some are given mansions in central London ( worth 1 or 2 Million GBP) at a cost to the taxpayer of 2000 GBP per month. All because they have big families. Working families ( immigrant or native ) have to make do with what they can afford regardless of how big their families are. This is what infuriates hard working people doing their best for their families, others making no effort are given, for nothing, what they could never afford if they were working. Just name me 1 other country in the world which is stupid enough to do this. I would be all in favour of helping others if it was in proportion but this is so distorted that criminal gangs are making fortunes bringing asylum seekers (usually bogus and merely economic migrants) to England.

Here you go Tommo. Another one for you. It's like manna from heaven, particularly given the peculiar irony of this posters name.

I couldn't have scripted it better.

We regularly get diatribes from little Englanders moaning about immigrants invading their country, totally oblivious to the irony that they themselves are guests in this country.

Could you provide a link to a post like this please, I can't seem to find it.

As you used the word 'regularly', it might be more appropriate for you to provide links to three or more posts of this type.

Try the uk pension thread, of which you are a frequent contributor.

It's laced with explicit posts resenting immigrants arriving in the UK, mostly from posters who . . .have recently arrived in Thailand.

Is the OP really such an ass or is this just some type of weird joke I've stumbled across?

If it is real, then the fact that this has turned into a 6 page diatribe against all Thais simply because a neighbour pee'd on your lawn already shows the type of person you are. I'm guessing you are old, cynical and paranoid, and because of your partner you have built quite a lavish house in an Isaan village somewhere because it is a cheaper place to live but you have not tried or been able to fit in with any of your new neighbours so you've willingly outcast yourself and talk bad about everyone around you, and yet you still wonder why people make a pilgrimage to come from their homes to piss all over yours, and you are asking us why this could possible be??

I also just built a house in an Isaan village and live here full time but I'm young and easy going, I try to talk as much Thai and Isaan as I can, and I socialise and help out my neighbours and family here whenever I can. For the record nobody has come and pee'd on my lawn or tried to scam, rob or fight me, in fact quite the opposite as people have been very generous, helpful and caring, so you must be doing something wrong.

There are a couple of miserable old hermit farangs in this village who have never uttered a word to me in 2 years but it just amuses me that people make an effort to be so anti-social.

So where is it you live? It would be pretty funny if it turns out you are one of the miserable farangs in my village!

Move to a friendlier place in Thailand if it bothers you so much, but try not to be yourself as much as possible.

I stopped reading this post after the first seven words, nodded in affirmation, smiled at how easily this chap had summed up the situation and went to make a cup of tea.

Unfortunately, Mr. Zuchini, you are wrong again. My real name is not Fattylurch. But good try.

I was indeed near the carving station when you approached. There was chicken. I know this because I had just had some. On occasions, some food has been known to be eaten and therefore is replaced within a minute or two. Perhaps you went to the carvery station just after the chicken was finished and before it had been replaced. I don't know why any restaurant/pub would set out empty chaffing dishes. In fact, the chicken had only just returned to that station after three weeks away (we served turkey for a short time).

Another issue that was mentioned by another poster was that the cheeses were limited to two. Again, perhaps they had just been eaten because I regularly checked the buffet, so did the Exectuive Sous Chef and also a number of other cooks. I remember seeing a few varieties of cheese. We do try to check things as regularly as possible and top up as necessary.

Mr. Zuchini, you are right in the fact that I have an interest in presenting the pub in the best possible light, but I am pretty sure that my responses on Thai Visa have been quite forthcoming and perhaps a little firm, surely indicating that I am not your typical "yes sir, you are right sir, sorry sir" type of manager. I tell it like it is.

As I said in my previous post, I doubt you will find anywhere that says anything other than the price is 490. There may be some advertising that lists gammon but as this is not now available, the advertising is being redone. I hope this will be completed within a month or so.

Yes you did ask the staff why drinks were listed. They were listed because you ordered them...It does not say anywhere that soft drinks are included. Coffe or tea is, however, included in the 490 price.

Prices of drinks are always a sensitive topic. The price of soft drinks on Sunday are the same as the rest of the week. There is no increasing prices to cover costs of the buffet. In fact we offer longer happy hours on alcoholic drinks on Sundays. The price reflects the nature of the Huntsman....it is a hotel pub/restaurant, with hotel quality food and service. There are many places where one can buy cheap drinks...but I would assume that many things are compromised on, such as cable TV from a number of countries, hygiene standards, comfort levels, in addition to live music and many other things. There are many roadside bars that offer low-priced drinks. Personally, I don't like choking on exhaust fumes and balancing atop a plastic chair whilst trying to enjoy a beer.

As I said, I am always available for a chat with any customer and I do my best to explain clearly but also to listen to customers' comments and issues.

You, sir, have the patience of a saint. Particularly for a big fella.

I applaud you.

To demonstrate my contrition to theoldgit, and as a gesture of goodwill to the OP, I would like to recommend we all club together and buy mr zucchini a ham. Oh, and a chicken. Then, perhaps we can move on with out lives, and relax knowing Mrs zuchini has something to eat next sunday.

I'll get the ball rolling with 50 baht.

Anyone else?

Wasn't that hard was it? Even though you felt the need to be your usual patronising and sarcastic self.

Patronising and sarcastic? I'm offended.

I was trying to demonstrate exactly how much respect I feel for you. Did I get it about right?

It will take about an hour to get to suk 18 on the slow airport rail link, and about 30 minutes using the express service. I use the slow one for 40 baht, plus 20 baht on the bts. The fast one I never used but I think it is at least twice the cost.

I'd say youd be looking at about an hour in the cab, you'll get 90% of the way in 10% of the time, and that last 10% will take up 90% of your time That will be at least 250 or 300.

Maybe people can correct my figures a little. Anyway, if i were you id just jump on the slow airport link, unless you have loads of baggage

No way would it take an hour on Saturday morning. 30-40 tops. I do it regularly around that time.

50 for airport pickup. 70 for tolls. 200 meter.

It is of course made worse when somebody latches onto incorrect facts and replies to others, who have already advised that the information given by the OP and in an out of date review are incorrect, that it must be right because the OP, an old review, and an old TV thread say so.

You're quite right of course, theoldgit. I am wrong. It won't happen again, and I am forever in your debt to revealing to me - finally, and so candidly - the error of my ways.

Better?