MunkyBoogar

In a perfect world strict screening may work but our world is far from perfect. That is why I used Japan as an example. Even though private gun ownership is low and very restricted in Japan, the underbelly of society still manages to get pistols and rifles into the country. It takes a lot of work to obtain and maintain a Japanese gun (shotgun and air rifle) ownership permit but this only works because the right to privately own weapon was taken away a very long time ago. It is easier to control weapons when there a very few in ownership.

The T21 shooting was more about a combination greed, corruption, class-ism and ignorance that turned a controllable situation into mass murder. 

1 minute ago, steven100 said:

you have the makings of a typical american gun lobbiest ....  but if your not i applogize.

I am not a gun lobbyist. I just fail to see how private gun ownership in Thailand has anything to do with the T21 shooting where MILITARY weapons were utilized. Please explain this to me in great detail.

I was in Korat and mere minutes from heading to T21 when it all transpired. I lost friends and am absolutely disgusted by the loss of innocent life.

Just now, steven100 said:

does Japan have mass mall shootings   ?

Did Japan have a Sarin gas attack? Like I said, nutjobs do not need a gun.

15 minutes ago, steven100 said:

all this farang garbage talk about you can buy a gun in the US and Thailand and anywhere.

Well, i'd like to add that countries with the most strict gun laws don't experience school shootings or mall massacres ... it just doesn't happen because nut cases cannot get a gun.

 

Thank god for common sense ....   in some countries ... 

Japan has strict gun laws but the Mafia still manages to get guns into the country. Who needs a gun when you can mow people down with a vehicle and then stab them with a long blade. Or maybe use Sarin gas or poison the curry at a social event. Nut cases do not need a gun to kill and making gun ownership illegal does not prevent people for obtaining them.

Private gun ownership had nothing to do with this shooting. The Col and his mother-in-law were with the Col's gun as a result of them running a real estate scam.

On 4/14/2019 at 1:17 PM, Kieran00001 said:

 

They have not singled out Caucasian people, its either you're a Thai national or you're foreign, if you get residency they you get the discount, and there are locals discounts the world over, Californian residents get into Disneyland cheaper than non-locals, for instance.

And California residents also pay California taxes that are 10 times more than the average salary in Thailand. So let's flip it: Say Cali residents get a 30% while all other US citizens pay full price. Well hell, you are a foreign tourist who can obviously afford to travel abroad so we are going to mark up the price by 300%. Imagine having to pay 2 or 3 thousand dollars just to enjoy a crowded amusement park. 

On several occasions parks and tourist traps (Wat Pho, Phimai, one of the Floating markets near BKK, a Temple in Chiang Mai, and more) have tried to charge my Thai wife the farang price because they thought she was a Chinese tourist. The look of embarrassment on the Thai staff was absolutely hilarious every time she produced her Thai ID card or license.

On one occasion I met up with my wife and her friends at a restaurant after drinking with some friends. My wife and her 4 friends had been there for 2 hours. After I showed up an english menu with different prices was produced. Beers that were 80baht for them suddenly became 150baht, the food prices doubled and there were actually less items on the english menu. Let's just say, all 5 women at the table had some choice words for the staff and restaurant owner. The sad part is I had been to this place several times and had always paid the Thai price but on this particular day there was a huge group of German tourist present. I really wanted to just leave without a fuss but the ladies were HEATED. A business owner sitting nearby that I knew in passing told the owner he would also leave with his group of 20 people if the issue was handled properly. I didn't feel comfortable after all of the ruckus so we changed venues after having a couple drinks without ordering food. The food and atmosphere at this place is actually really good so I went there again a year later with my wife and her family while we were visiting. Guess what? We were charged the normal Thai price because I was the only farang in the group of 12 people but there were also no other farang present. 

The whole argument of "we make more" is just silly. Theoretically, a Thai citizen who arrives in a car baht or on a big bike that cost more than 300k should pay the same price as farang. Or they can use the gold standard; if a Thai person has more than 1 gold showing on them they have to pay the farang price.... lol. 

I usually knuckle up and just pay the extra 3$ to 9$ to enter places because I know putting up a fuss really will not make a difference. Making a Thai person "lose face" causes too many problems even if it was unintentional.

Spray the affected area with vinegar, sprinkle baking soda over the same area and then use a brush to scrub the spot

Wash and then enjoy your spotless shirt.

Why did you have to get a new passport? Not enough pages or about to expire?

As long as you have both passports immigration will most likely move your stamp. Call your embassy to get more information.

As long as you are attending an accredited (recognized) establishment you shouldn't have any problems.

A better question is, What do you want to study?

Choosing a degree just because it is recognized internationally does not necessarily lead to a good career.

Milagro is decent juice! Not as smooth as KAH but still very good.

Jose Cuervo Reserva De La Familia is definitely one of my favorites but my top extra anejo choices are Don Julio Real, Don Julio 1942, and KAH Extra Anejo.

My favorite silvers are Tres Generaciones, KAH, Fortaleza, Deleon and Don Julio.  I have a little bit of everything from Joven to Extra Anejo. I even have a few bottles of Mezcal.

9 minutes ago, stanleycoin said:

Tequila is only ever endured,   it can never be enjoyed.

unless you are missing a few senses  

 

That only applies to crappy Tequila or over-indulging in any liquor!  The attached pic is a perfect example of BAD Tequila! This Suntory Tequila is the worst swill on the planet.

rapacious

I was actually talking about the LA-EA4 that allows A-mount lenses to be used on E-mount bodies. I actually own the LA-EA2 and I use to mount my older Minolta glass on my wife's NEX3 and NEX6.

A7 line look nice but feel awkward in my hands when using ZA glass or my minolta glass. Actually I have been shooting with the vert grip since my A100/700/900 days so even my A99 feels unbalanced and awkward without the VG. I am hoping there will be a version of the A99II(or whatever is called) that has a builtin VG since this will supposedly be a pro-level camera.

E-mount cameras are too cramped. I will stick with my A99 until its replacement arrives next year. I have too many A-mount lenses and I have no desire to use adapters.

I am in Japan. Which lenses are you looking to purchase? There are several shops near me that have second hand e-mount lenses.

I used the previous model Sigma 50/1.4 on my Sony A900 and I loved it. I only needed to make a slight back focus micro adjustment to get absolutely fabulous pics. The color was much better than the Sony 50/1.4, the images were much sharper and the bokeh was superb. I have since move on to a Zeiss 50/1.4 with my A99 but I will suggest the Sigma 50/1.4 to anybody who wants an excellent lens for walk around and low light shooting at an excellent price.