Sarana

The more of these threads I read, the less I feel like returning to Thailand

Drug addiction is a social problem not solved by police intervention but by medical and psychological trestments. This is a very frightening development in the Thai peace and reconciliation. It is a blatant abuse of power.

When you start to describe your tourists as trash, they will get trashed by their trash.

Wow, I thought about going down there as an alternative to Koh Samui.

Of course, no one deserves to die like that..

Especially they do not want original wife around or someone else who looks like her, as errant husband may fall into conversation and all the English his wife knows is "time for pussy" or "pour me another beer."

I think they need to change the promo photo to Thai wife as this is more the rule. Original wife is the exception. And what if the farang wife, not always origimal, wants to retire in Thailand too, she will be subjected to the cruelest torments as I have been.Thai wife 45 treats retired farang husband 65 as the ATM machine. Just turn off pussy for a day she can get fridge, TV, smartphone etc.And that's how her brothers, first husband and parents want it.

The bottom line is the Thais cannot bear seeing others having a good time. They are paying off their SUV and shop rent, think farang eating, drinking and resort lifestyle is a waste of money. They don't understand leisure or retirement, you are just lazy, good for nothing and happy to take your money but envy your lifestyle.

One day I was swimming near resort bungalows and a teenage Russian boy called the Manager on his mobile to report me. They both waited and watched me get out of the water. My bike was not parked on his land but on a vacant block next door. I dressed quickly with them both watching me. Just to make a point, I went back and rented one of his bungalows and his wife gave me poisoned dried mango and had to see a doctor. They then sprayed my bedsheets and clothes with pesticide and put a rat in the roof. Just to let me know what a pest I was..they also connected the artesian water to the shower in case I wasn't itchy or scratchy enough.Then they switched off the with fi so I would miss the World Cup and so did the Junta on the TV channels. So all the same mentality. Spoilsports.

Yes, this happened to many times and as an Australia, where the beaches are free and we provide showers, toilets and beachcombing free as well as no littering, it is even more insulting when I know it is crown land. But if I use their showers and chairs I should buy a drink in their restaurant at least. But sitting on the sand is free although somtimes have to go through private property to access the beach...

Actually, one hour for visa ext is normal and you need to arrive fully one hour before 12 before they go for lunch and for sure they are not going to do your work in their lunch hour. So come back at one, out by 2pm. Up to you to be on time and considerate of them.

I have never had a problem with immigration as U always made a habit of leaving expensive pens on the counter...

Actually, this case is quite controversial because firstly (beastly) they found a web can used for child porn before the kids picked up from the street were dissected by specialist doctor(s) who harvested their body parts for illegal organ trade

The house was owned and racket operated by Pander and Koli was just the servant who disposed of the bone and gristle over the back fence noticed by the neighbors. Pander got off, doctors disappeared, someone forgot the webcam and Koli took the rap. Disgusting people all.

Hmmm, I still think they should lower the rate for singles although I do spend all my income every month and could spend a lot more lavishly or less if I had a Thai wife...

I have to recount this story as so typical of my stay. I stop at a noodle shop for bowl of Thai noodles. Thai businessman pulls up in a Mercedes. He gets his order before mine. He pays less for more, including free prawn crackers. Cook laughs and flirts with him. Waitresses run around in a tizzy. Some lottery seller walks over and gives him a shitload of money. I pay more, get less and lots of frowns and grimaces. Like what the dark is a farang doing in a roadside noodle shop. Get yr ass back into the a/c canteen and eat the plastic food for 50b. Bum!

To Opine is a word favoured by the Indians from the colonial era and others educated in English as a second language who do not realize that is archaic and no longer in common usage. It is rather like using the word 'bagged' for just about any award that is generally used in school or college but not outside it. Like saying he 'bagged'

the Wimbledon men's singles title would seem a

bit juvenile. As for 'Taylor made' sic, spelling error.

He meant 'Tailor made' that means made specially for you.

Oh, I forgot, our refugees land without valid visa or

Passport and complain if they don't get first class medical treatment or accommodation free.

I planned to retire in Thailand. I spent 7 months the first year and four months the second year. I rented a house and a scooter. I cooked myself and went beachcombing and smorkelling.I spent time in Cambodia and returned to Australia in between visits to Thailand. People complained I was living there because they saw me again on my second visit. Mature age women are very visible and mercilessly harassed. That's the reason for the visa crackdown. Since I left Thailand and have not returned the whole thing has fizzled out. Do not advise your Mom to retire inThailand. I was also checking it out on Tourist visas before applying for Retirement visa (too expensive for me. Singles should only have to have 500,000 baht income/deposit.)

UK rules is not talking about Retirement visas but about retired people who want to vacation in the sun for six months of the year. They can get a double entry 60X60 day TR visa in the UK or US (country of residence) and come for five months. Cannot e tend the first 60 day TR but can extend the second. I think one bordet run is required to activate second TR. People can fly to KL, Vientiane. Yangon, Saigon or any other destination they fancy and spend a few days before flying back.

Fly from Pakse to Siem Reap or Vientiane in half an hour.

Pakse is the worst place I have ever been with the rudest people.

Thanks for the "heads-up" on Pakse...

I am assembling a "bucket list" of places to visit before reaching Nirvana...

Pakse...will be high on my list...I like places where people show their true disdain for foreigners...all the while...eagerly taking one's money...

Still have a few more places in Thailand...border towns are the best bet for true expressions at this time...

The best thing about Pakse is the airport, with direct cafe flights out of town.

Savanakhet is off the main backpacker trail, with no direct express bus from Vientiane although the bus from Thaket may stop there. Its a handy town with a Thai Consulate and Immigration dept to serve the Friendship bridge. Check the guidebook for places to stay as there is nothing on the river except really expensive resort rooms by the hour. Nothing much to see as the historic town is a shell with only one good cafe. Otherwise no nightlight althoughthe bright lights of Thailand glitter across the river. Southern Laos is almost a dead loss except for the Bolaven plateau. Pakse is the worst place I have ever been with the rudest people.

I rented several houses on the island and definetlyowners not interested in renting in low season as sitsitting on fat bank balances of last two years cold winters on Europe. Also happy to take your advance and harass you into leaving as well as connecting your elec meter to their house or resort garden lights, no WiFi, artesian water in the house as cheaper than govt water and coveting your stove, elec appliances, even your fitness and leisure. They want all you have, even your health.

I rented several houses on the island and definetlyowners not interested in renting in low season as sitsitting on fat bank balances of last two years cold winters on Europe. Also happy to take your advance and harass you into leaving as well as connecting your elec meter to their house or resort garden lights, no WiFi, artesian water in the house as cheaper than govt water and coveting your stove, elec appliances, even your fitness and leisure. They want all you have, even your health.