Bellacissa

More proof, if it were needed, is the plan cooked up between real estate developers and government officials to give away automatic free 20-year visas to foreigners who buy a condo in Pattaya costing three million baht or more. What a slap in the face to all those long-term resident expats - many married to Thais and supporting extended families - made to apply and pay annually for the privilege of staying another year in their adopted homeland..

Or, you could be like me. Under 50, already married to a non-Thai, already have a non-Thai child and want to live here through retirement in my adopted homeland. Not sure how that's a slap in the face to you since none of what you describe applies to me. Also, even if you have a Thai family, you are still welcome to get the Thai Elite visa. Nothing is stopping you from obtaining the same thing. In fact, you'll pay a lot less for it if you don't want the condo as well. Me? I want both. So, it's not a bad deal for me. If I decide to go for it, I'll be paying for the privilege to live here just like you do. Just like I already do. Just like we all do.

As far as not wanting to live in Pattaya, well, it takes a certain mentality to live here for sure. Especially as a woman. Thankfully, I have that mentality and it doesn't bother me a bit. I'd love to see a casino here, but only if it's done the right way. And I'm not convinced it can be done the right way here. I'm also not convinced that the townsfolk have the wherewithal to only spend money that they can afford to lose. Never go to a casino with anything other than pocket change. The house always wins.

I love a good casino, but I'm not sure Thailand is ready for that just yet. The checks and balances required to keep that industry regulated are staggering. As someone said, they are having a tough time getting lottery ticket pricing under control. Can you imagine trying to keep people from rigging slot machines and counting cards? And that's just on the consumer end. The back end of the casino is a huge operation that requires everyone keeping their hand out of the cookie jar in order for it to be successful. That's not something Thailand is particularly good at managing.

It might work if they brought in some experts from a country that has dealt with these issues and could set up the regulatory process for them, but I don't see that happening.

Incidentally, most Americans could care less who is in the White House. It has almost zero affect on anything in their day to day lives. Republican? Democrat? Alien from Mars? Doesn't matter. Congress will c-block the president at every turn regardless of which figurehead is currently sitting on the throne. The person on the throne will veto at will, money will change hands... but very, very little will change for the everyday American.

As far as Thailand goes, it's all about the money (for Thailand) and the position in SE Asia (for the US). With China's reclamation activities off the Philippines coast, I expect there will be a lot more pressure from the US for Thailand to get on with the elections sooner rather than later. I don't think the US cares who wins, quite frankly. They just can't be seen giving aid to a country under military rule. Get a vote done and then the US can counter the money coming in from China. The last thing the US needs is China having Thailand on its side (financially or militarily) right now.

As to what Obama can do to the average American and Asian you may want to check out the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the lack of cooperation from his own party and support from the Republicans . But maybe not because it contradicts your argument.

What can the President do to the average American? He can kill you. An American President killed 50,000 of my friends. His veto can be overridden.

Why does America want Thailand to have elections? It's the law. Foreign Assistance Act.

Oh, I'm not saying the sitting President can't affect the average American. Obamacare is a good example. Just that the person in the chair does not normally have an effect on the vast majority of the population. It's Congress that people should be up in arms about.

And yes, the Foreign Assistance Act is what I was referring to. As soon as elections are held and a new government is in place, the US can go right back to funding whatever they choose to fund here in Thailand. Until then, the US legally has to take the "election or less money for you" stance.

Is anyone shocked? Blindsided by this news maybe? No? Carry on...

Incidentally, most Americans could care less who is in the White House. It has almost zero affect on anything in their day to day lives. Republican? Democrat? Alien from Mars? Doesn't matter. Congress will c-block the president at every turn regardless of which figurehead is currently sitting on the throne. The person on the throne will veto at will, money will change hands... but very, very little will change for the everyday American.


As far as Thailand goes, it's all about the money (for Thailand) and the position in SE Asia (for the US). With China's reclamation activities off the Philippines coast, I expect there will be a lot more pressure from the US for Thailand to get on with the elections sooner rather than later. I don't think the US cares who wins, quite frankly. They just can't be seen giving aid to a country under military rule. Get a vote done and then the US can counter the money coming in from China. The last thing the US needs is China having Thailand on its side (financially or militarily) right now.

I think it is a scum. Just a one page landing page without any details about the property.

Kingdom is normally reserved and very difficult to setup in Thailand.

No,pictures of what properties. I would stay away from this rubbish and just go with a normal elite visa.

Incorrect. In the middle of the landing page is a button that says "SKIP TO MAIN SITE". Clicking through will take you to the full property site.

So, this is just for the well connected Very Rich Bastards ,,,,,, That leaves us normal people High & Dry,Thank you for the News,,,,,,

if I recall looking at the price list on these places, not sure if this include the mark up for the TE or not, the average prices run around 3 -5 million, so hardly very rich bastards buying the places... - as springing 3-5 million on place is hardly very rich bastard territory, not even rich bastard, or even bastard territory, so struggling to understand what you mean by "normal people" ?

But the 2013 price may be a bit different from the 2015 price

There was a member who was gonna email them, anything heard yet?

I'm not sure if my husband got around to emailing them yesterday. I'll check with him this afternoon.

Poor guys... They always look so disappointed when they find out I'm wearing a helmet AND have a valid IDP with a motorcycle endorsement.

well, i have read all of the current posts, what has me a bit concerned is that all of you are very negative on this scheme. Have anyone of you actually checked out what the real story is?

Agreed. There is a lot of negativity here but has anyone actually spoken to the developer offering the service?

I would say I'm very cautiously hopeful. We're emailing for more information today. I'll let you know what I find out.

well, i have read all of the current posts, what has me a bit concerned is that all of you are very negative on this scheme. Have anyone of you actually checked out what the real story is?

My husband is going to email them for more information tomorrow. We're actually interested IF the mark-up isn't 2 million baht to cover the cost of the elite and IF you can get it on the lower end condos. We've been considering the Thai Elite and we've been considering a condo. So, if we can get a two for one deal, we might consider that.

That being said, it still sounds a little too good to be true and we certainly won't be jumping on it without a whole lot of digging to find the real story. This isn't our first rodeo.

And it won't be your last if you're moving to Thailand!

I already live here. It's definitely a never-ending string of rodeos.

well, i have read all of the current posts, what has me a bit concerned is that all of you are very negative on this scheme. Have anyone of you actually checked out what the real story is?

My husband is going to email them for more information tomorrow. We're actually interested IF the mark-up isn't 2 million baht to cover the cost of the elite and IF you can get it on the lower end condos. We've been considering the Thai Elite and we've been considering a condo. So, if we can get a two for one deal, we might consider that.

That being said, it still sounds a little too good to be true and we certainly won't be jumping on it without a whole lot of digging to find the real story. This isn't our first rodeo.

http://www.thai-elite.com/

Anyone can get the visa without buying a condo. It's also transferable.

But if you were going to get the condo anyway, getting an elite visa would be a nice perk. If you weren't already in the market for a condo, then yeah, just get the elite on your own.

Let me say that I think the chance of the elite actually being "included" in the market price is highly unlikely. I'm sure you're paying for it one way or another.

This is the price list that I found from 2013.

However, it isn't from the condo developer itself, so I'm not entirely sure if there is extra mark-up on it or not.

I'm curious what the rationale behind having 100 people working the floor at a place like Big C really is. It seems like a complete waste of money for the employer. At any given time, in one department, you'll have 5 or 6 people. One is working (stocking shelves, helping a customer, pulling a pallet) and the other four are either talking to one another or sitting on the floor on their phones.

Is there some kind of legal minimum number of employees based on the company's tax bracket or something? I just can't imagine why an employer would voluntarily pay people when they're not needed. They could easily get by with 1 or 2 people per department and literally cut their employee wage budget in half.

Is it Thainess? Is it face? Is it just poor management? All of the above?

The typically sad thing here is that the airport issued an official apology.

Not because they are sorry, but to clam down the Muslim backlash which is 100% religion based.

The more the world does this, the louder they shout next time.

I have NEVER seen any muslim apologise for their behaviour to non-muslims.

I did, once. I was in a hotel bar in a Muslim country when a Muslim man got way too drunk and started singing to our table. He was not in our party and none of us knew him - we were all westerners. He was perfectly friendly, but because Muslims being intoxicated in Muslim countries is frowned upon, the man was escorted out by two (for lack of a better word) bouncers. The bouncers came back to our table afterwards and profusely apologized for the behavior of the drunken man. And all that without a word by us saying that we had any problem.

So yes, it does happen. Perhaps you just haven't met the right Muslims.

He doesn't seem to have had a problem with it. I think this is just people with no dog in the hunt trying to stir things up for the sake of stirring things up. I had my bra inspected when I set off something in the body scanner in Amsterdam. I wasn't offended. They're just doing their job and I'm happy for any extra security measures they have.

My husband got a good laugh out of seeing me with my arms outstretched and some lady running her hands all around my bra. We have a running joke about my "dangerous boobs" now.

Anyone who drinks or has drunk in thailand and drives Car /Motor bike.

Has driven home at some point in time DUI.

Bunch of Hypocrites.

Wrong. If there is even the remote possibility that I might have a drink while I'm out, I take a motorcy taxi from my home to the venue. For 100 - 200 baht, it's well worth it to me to not have to worry about it. If I'm on my bike and someone wants to go have drinks, I either decline or I take the bike home and come back on a taxi.

It's not worth the risk of death or imprisonment. Ever.

Does getting it chipped allow you to play Xbox One games? I'm a PC gamer and clueless about the consoles. I know the One games aren't backwards compatible, so I'm just wondering if they'd be playable on the 360.

A Claymore mine? Yeesh... I hope there aren't many of those floating around the general population.

Besides, even if I'm on the far left hand side of the left hand lane, there still isn't room for a car or truck to fit in the lane with me. I ride a PCX 150. Not a 'big bike' but certainly not small enough to fit in a lane with another car right next to me unless it's a Mini Cooper or something. I still need that space between the car in front of me and the car behind me. Moving over a foot and a half to the left won't change that.

Staying on the far left when it's safe to do so, is not only common sense but allows vehicles with much greater mass to safely pass you. Most Thais stay on the left-unless passing, because it enables both scooters and cars to move at a constant flow without massive bottlenecks.

If everyone on 2 wheels did as you and felt entitled to as much space as a car, you could be sure the traffic would be much worse.

You realize that I'm talking about being in the center of the left lane, correct? I'm in the left lane, but not on the far left side (right up against the curb) of the left lane. There is no reason for a car to attempt to be in the left lane WITH me. They won't fit even if I'm as far over to the left as humanly possible. There just isn't enough space for the both of us in that one lane. They can pass in the next lane over, no problem. My being in the center of the left lane does not impede that.

Excellent. Thank you!

I don't tip because it's an American custom, I tip because it's a nice thing to do. I consider it part of my contribution to the local economy. It's the same reason that I try to buy things from the local shops instead of Big C when I can. I might pay a few more baht, but it's pennies to me and might put food on the table for the woman running the store. I also put all of my coins (and sometimes more) into the Father Ray boxes at local stores. What am I going to do with a ton of baht coins laying around the house? The charities could really use them.

Also, the Thai friends that I go out with always tip wherever we go. They agree that it's a nice gesture. These are not hi-so Thais or girls living off their boyfriend's money, they work for every baht they get. I intentionally waited to see what they tipped before I laid down my money the first time we went out. I did that because 1) I wanted to see if tipping was appropriate here and 2) I didn't want to look like a big-spending, obnoxious prat if I threw down 200 baht when they were only tipping 20. Turns out, 10% is about right.

Shame you were doing real good till then

I'm not sure what you mean. I didn't want to embarrass my friends by tipping if it wasn't appropriate (having just got off the plane, I wasn't sure) or by tipping more than they could afford. On my own, I tend to tip a little higher, but face is a big thing around here and these are my friends, so I didn't want to offend anyone my first time out. Is that a problem?

Just to start

Have you ever considered your friends tip because you are there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

but when they are out alone or with family they dont tip ?

That big old face thing when with the Farangs !!!!!! . i bet not

Who are you to say 10% is about right, ?

Thais will not tip 10 % if its a very large bill ?

Well, as we got to know each other a little better, I asked my friend that very question. She said that some Thais do not tip. But she considers it to be the right thing to do, so she does. She believes in giving extra for good service. And yes, I've seen her tip around 10% no matter the size of the bill. I'm not saying 10% is correct morally or even culturally, but amongst my particular set of Thai friends, it's the average.

I think you might be painting all Thais with the same broad brush. Generosity is not a given, obviously, but there are some very gracious and generous people here. Luckily, I'm friends with a few them. This girl doesn't have much, but what she has, she shares. I find that commendable and it makes me even happier to spread the relative wealth that I have.

I don't tip because it's an American custom, I tip because it's a nice thing to do. I consider it part of my contribution to the local economy. It's the same reason that I try to buy things from the local shops instead of Big C when I can. I might pay a few more baht, but it's pennies to me and might put food on the table for the woman running the store. I also put all of my coins (and sometimes more) into the Father Ray boxes at local stores. What am I going to do with a ton of baht coins laying around the house? The charities could really use them.

Also, the Thai friends that I go out with always tip wherever we go. They agree that it's a nice gesture. These are not hi-so Thais or girls living off their boyfriend's money, they work for every baht they get. I intentionally waited to see what they tipped before I laid down my money the first time we went out. I did that because 1) I wanted to see if tipping was appropriate here and 2) I didn't want to look like a big-spending, obnoxious prat if I threw down 200 baht when they were only tipping 20. Turns out, 10% is about right.

Shame you were doing real good till then

I'm not sure what you mean. I didn't want to embarrass my friends by tipping if it wasn't appropriate (having just got off the plane, I wasn't sure) or by tipping more than they could afford. On my own, I tend to tip a little higher, but face is a big thing around here and these are my friends, so I didn't want to offend anyone my first time out. Is that a problem?

I don't tip because it's an American custom, I tip because it's a nice thing to do. I consider it part of my contribution to the local economy. It's the same reason that I try to buy things from the local shops instead of Big C when I can. I might pay a few more baht, but it's pennies to me and might put food on the table for the woman running the store. I also put all of my coins (and sometimes more) into the Father Ray boxes at local stores. What am I going to do with a ton of baht coins laying around the house? The charities could really use them.

Also, the Thai friends that I go out with always tip wherever we go. They agree that it's a nice gesture. These are not hi-so Thais or girls living off their boyfriend's money, they work for every baht they get. I intentionally waited to see what they tipped before I laid down my money the first time we went out. I did that because 1) I wanted to see if tipping was appropriate here and 2) I didn't want to look like a big-spending, obnoxious prat if I threw down 200 baht when they were only tipping 20. Turns out, 10% is about right.

Many of you advocating for riding your bike in the center of the lane are being as selfish as the Thais you often criticize. You've brought your entitled 'my way or the highway' western mindset which will not serve you well in Thailand.

Given the high number scooters on the road, how practical would it be if most scooters occupied the center of the lane? The roads would be backed up for miles as youre essentially giving each person on two wheels the space of a car. How do you think this scenario would play out in your home country if the same percentage of scooters were on the road? Not very well I believe.

Many Farang don't seem to understand that theyre in a developing country where laws, regulations and driving habits are still evolving. As such, you need to adapt to the culture and go with the flow instead of expecting Thais to respect your sense of entitlement.

I am adapting my driving to Thai roads. In the states, I wouldn't be worried about people driving the wrong direction up the freeway (unless drunk - it happens occasionally) or cars pulling out of side streets directly onto 8 lane freeways or people pushing hand carts up the road instead of the sidewalk. So, I've adapted by moving over a little to avoid all of the obstacles that would not exist where I originally got my motorcycle license. I don't see how that is failing to adapt. I'd say we're adapting pretty well.

Besides, even if I'm on the far left hand side of the left hand lane, there still isn't room for a car or truck to fit in the lane with me. I ride a PCX 150. Not a 'big bike' but certainly not small enough to fit in a lane with another car right next to me unless it's a Mini Cooper or something. I still need that space between the car in front of me and the car behind me. Moving over a foot and a half to the left won't change that.