DLock

That's one of the Cameroonians who destroyed my marriage.

I hope he gets locked up, but I know he's going to be released soon.

Do tell.

Do you guys also get angry at the comments made by a ventriloquist dummy?

You know she's just a puppet right?

She just reads what is put in front of her. She is just playing politics until her Brother gets home.

i have a thai friend who just called her child google.

now in the future when he googles his own name, will he mistakenly believe he is the holder of all knowledge, and get a god complex.

Just wait till he tries to by the domain of his own name.

There are a few websites listing shophouses for sale.

http://www.shophousesbangkok.com for example.

But it's usually when I am driving and see a phone number on an interesting looking shophouse that gets me interested.

I am only starting to look more seriously in the area that I currently live and work (Bang Rak). There seem to be quite a few for sale. Some are surprisingly expensive for what they are. If I find the right one, I will "buy" it.

Places like Singapore embraced shophouses as residential or trendy offices years ago. I'm just surprised Bangkok has not seen a developer buy up a row of older shophouses and convert to trendy townhouses...

The first thing to consider is that you are unable to own it.

....

....

Still interested?

Really? I was not aware of this at all.

No one has ever raised this on Thai Visa.

The fact that foreigners are not allowed to own land in their own name in Thailand has been mentioned and discussed very many times.

If you are married to a Thai lady you can get around this but it is more problematic if you are a single guy.

But you could still achieve what you want if you can find a shophouse owner willing to negotiate terms for a long lease over the property

With respect, I was being sarcastic.

I have several companies that own several properties, some mine, some investments.

Some properties are long term lease, others are owned by my companies.

Just to avoid confusion, my companies are set up as 51% Thai owned, with me as Director and preferential shares and controlling voting rights. I also have signed, blank share transfers for the Thai shareholders as backup. The Thai shareholders all have loan agreements for their share value. They are not nominees.

Can we just assume that we all understand the Thai laws and various methods for property "ownership"?

The first thing to consider is that you are unable to own it.

....

....

Still interested?

Really? I was not aware of this at all.

No one has ever raised this on Thai Visa.

I have a 2-bedroom condo in BKK and considering a 3 bedroom condo, but the jump from 2 bedroom to 3 bedroom is considerable.

Instead, I have been considering buying an old shophouse close to my office, gutting it and converting it to a fresh residential property over multiple levels.

Has anyone done it, or considered it and given up?

I'd be interested in how easy it was and the challenges they faced.

Recently I had Cotto redesign my bathrooms and it was an expensive renovation. Their installation team requested 100% of the job upfront. I said that I would not pay 100% up front and they said it was policy and would not negotiate, so I cancelled the job.

The same week, I replaced my entire water system from well pumps, pressure pumps, filters and hot water heaters - he asked for zero money upfront, paid for all the equipment, installed it and only when I was satisfied gave me an itemized bill that I paid immediately.

I was really surprised at Cotto's audacity and this little plumbers trust.

My point in replies to this topic is that all the prima donnas out there are quick to bag the BG or anyone they believe do not measure up to their own so called moral standard and then have hubby post their misdirected and discriminate unfounded views on TV.

Re: Vietnam War, other than just Americans posted in Thailand there were other farang nationalities here and Bangkok was the R&R capital during the era, attracting hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of serviceman for 7 days at a time. My point was that many of the Mothers and Grandmothers of today's so called educated ladies (whom you all wish us to believe were vestal virgins when you married them) were more than likely associated in some way with earnings from the sex industry during the Vietnam conflict. We are not talking about a niche market we are talking about a massive change in the Thai's income and the countries overall prosperity. The majority of the wealth was accumulated in Bangkok by Bangkok families.

Why even bother to reply to my post if you cannot be bothered to read it in its entirety.

I married a nurse in 1971 (deceased) and am now married to an ex bar girl. The difference between the two - Jack Shit Gentlemen.

So, you married a 5%er.

Congratulations.

I understand you point of view.

I understand the dual pricing complaints. They are valid.

But this stadium is more than a tourist attraction. It is what Madison Square Garden is to boxing. I have been there dozens of times.

Admittedly the place could do with some maintenance and cleaning, but it's sad to knock down such an iconic stadium. It has seen some epic fights and champions. Pity the army doesn't spend a fraction of the cost of a new building on fixing up Lumpini.

Interestingly women cannot fight at Lumpini and it is one of the few places in Thailand where gambling is legal.

Am I to understand that every member who posted with shock and horror at blokes hooking up with BG's married virgin nuns. Come on you lot, be it they worked in a bar, did tricks to pay for their Uni degree or belonged to the hosties mile high club what bloody difference does it make. If it is only the BG's that are the bad girls, their is a lot of female public servants, politicians and the like with skeletons in the closet. Maybe all the ex bar girls should have their foreheads tattooed so the high moralized element amongst us can truly recognise them instead of making unjustified presumptions based on looks, body art or clothing. I have heard it a million times over the past 40 years - my wife was the cook or the cashier or worked hard to put herself through Uni. Never the brush, just the broom handle. I don't know what makes me pewk more, your self bloody righteous or your bullshit. Get over it and get on with living.

Given that bargirls are maybe 5% of the Thai female population (source : my guess), then there is 95% of the female Thai population that are not bargirls.

Why do you talk about guys marrying the "cook" or the "cashier" instead of the whore?

You do realize that there is more to Thailand female population than just bar workers, right?

The kid forgot about this weeks ago.

Daddy's lawyers will handle it...and anyway he paid the money.

What is there to think about?

He was out partying in the back-up Lamborghini on Saturday.

"... until they are forced to either stop what they are doing, or to relocate, which is the more likely option." Nope. I bet that they eventually take the Chiangmai option. There also used to be police sweeps along Loikroh Rd. No more of that. The trannies got organized and off the street and took over half the frigging bars on the strip! The're really gobbling up all the business now.

Really?

Which bars are you talking about in Chiang Mai?

What strip?

I only know of one pretty sad kathoey bar in the boxing stadium bars.

TC, while I can understand your point, in Europe, people would not dream of suggesting a VW over a BMW. Two different categories of cars, as far as prestige is concerned (and I guess in these price ranges, that is all that really matters for the buyers).

You have to understand that the buyer is paying for the brand (the badge), or the "face", and does not care much if it is cramped, bad quality etc. All that counts is the name and the knowledge that there is a lot of money behind. Otherwise, who would buy a porsche 911 or a Ferrari?

Hence, even if VW does excellent reliable and comfortable cars, it is not the main criterion for buyers at this level of revenues.

I get that. But then, let the beemer devalue and THEN get one.

For example, what's wrong with a previously loved 2010 520d for 2.5 million? Cheaper than a 3 series, AND you get more car

http://showroom.one2...ar_id=g11120569

Nothing's wrong with you and me (or maybe just the high mileage, and lack of knowledge of the history of the car). For some others, new car with red plates, means additional prestige in Thai society. That's all. Their call on that one, even if you and I may find it a bad allocation of resources (esp. if bought on finance!).

Well, before plopping down 2.5 million on a pre-loved Beemer I would find everything about it. There's a place in Bangkok that does that and gives you a complete diagnosis of the car. They don't repair cars, they just have set fees and inspect everything.

thaicruze, I wanted to have a car fully checked by one of those companies, but you have to take the car to them.

The dealer (2nd hand BMW) wouldn't allow me, and refused to do it himself.

How do most people use services like this?

But you didn't answer any of the questions.

I'm not judging your girlfriend, more questioning why someone from a decent family would get such a cheap tattoo in such an obvious location, and why she dresses the way she does. What does her family think about it? What do you really think about it? Would you prefer she didn't have it?

My wife is from a decent family and there is absolutely no way she would ever get a tattoo, or her family would allow it.

And to be honest, she does pre-judge girls with tattoos.

Uhhh...maybe she wanted to get the tattoo. Maybe she dresses the way she does because she wants to.

Hahaha how could a family "not allow it'? Come on...

It's like banging your head against a brick wall with some of you people. There are some people here that think nothing has changed in Thailand in 100 years.

"...you people"?

Are you saying that because I am African American?

Perhaps nothing has changed in 100 years in some peoples minds.

TheBlether, why did she get the tattoo on her leg?

And I am unclear why she would dress like that, be seen with an older faring and let everyone make the obvious assumption.

It's not classy or "modern" in the least.

It just seems like a poorly inked, nothing tattoo done to be part of the cool kids.

I'm surprised you posted this to be honest.

Teenage rebellion.......her father died tragically and she went mad for a while. Others have told me the story and she regrets to this day putting her mother through turmoil.

I agree it's needing redone, it's up to her to decide what to do about it.

As for the earlier question about the shorts, that's daywear, you'll see her wearing a dress most nights. Now surely we're not going down another road that young Thai women that wear shorts are tramps are we????

Thanks for the reasoned response.

I still don't really understand showing it off the way she is, as it isn't really a nice or "hip" tattoo, but I can't judge her for having it.

Perhaps you can offer to have it lasered?

I don't mind the questions re my lady, I know I took a risk when I posted the photo.

Yes I have met her family, her family on one side are wealthy, her cousin is just back from Montreal after completing a degree in French. The family own several businesses and they intend to target the Francophone tourist market to aid expansion as everyone is Fluent in English already. Bizarrely the exception to the rule was my lady, her English was poor when I met her.

Last month her cousin paid for his mother and 3 aunts to fly down to BKK and then move on to Hua Hin for a family holiday in a top class hotel. Money is no object in that side of the family.

Her family on the other side are not as wealthy, she hardly sees them as her Dad died when she was a teenager, she has no siblings, only her Mum. I have visited their home, decent size and they own a used car dealership. The last time I saw them 22 of them showed up at my ladies restaurant for dinner, how much did that cost me? Zilch. Ya refused to allow me to pay for the meal, told me the family has it's own money and I should concentrate on my lady.

Incidentally I met my lady when she worked in a hotel in CM, she worked in the cafe to help fund her through her degree.

I will point out that there are several TV members including females who know my lady and some have known her for years, I'll let the first mention that she was involved in the sex trade go as that is the automatic assumption. I posted the photo to challenge the assumption.

Too many guys here have a blinkered view of Thai women, some know that there is a vast army out there that won't interact with farangs, that despise the farangs for treating them all like prostitutes, and despise the women that sell their bodies.

Some of you will never know just how reviled you are in Thailand. Thais have the same attitude to hookers that we have, the old stories run true about rough hookers catching the desparate men, and building Hooker Height dripping in Gold and comparing I phones.

You wouldn't marry a rough hooker in your own country would ya? So why do it in Thailand?

A lot of you are selling yourselves short, there are plenty of good women in Thailand that would love to date a good farang man. Don't be seen with bar girls as you will mark yourself out as monger right away and disqualify yourself. Where to find these women?

Everywhere.....they cut your hair, wait at your table, own the little cafe you frequent, you get the idea. They would never reduce themselves to prostitution, they would rather work for 6,000 baht a month than shame themselves. These are the ladies that you will meet every day in life, that's before you start meeting the ladies in the Thai economy such as nurses, bank workers etc

Look around yourself, you are surrounded by good women who revile the sex trade, and revile mongers. If you are looking

To meet a good Thai woman, look outside the girlie bars. There are plenty waiting for you.

But you didn't answer any of the questions.

I'm not judging your girlfriend, more questioning why someone from a decent family would get such a cheap tattoo in such an obvious location, and why she dresses the way she does. What does her family think about it? What do you really think about it? Would you prefer she didn't have it?

My wife is from a decent family and there is absolutely no way she would ever get a tattoo, or her family would allow it.

And to be honest, she does pre-judge girls with tattoos.

TheBlether, why did she get the tattoo on her leg?

And I am unclear why she would dress like that, be seen with an older faring and let everyone make the obvious assumption.

It's not classy or "modern" in the least.

It just seems like a poorly inked, nothing tattoo done to be part of the cool kids.

I'm surprised you posted this to be honest.

Just back from following the wife around at the outdoor market at prince Royals and Index... didn't hear anything but nagging.

That's because I was crying on the inside...spent hours at Prince's market myself with two boys/monks (relatives of wifey) who stopped and perused at EVERY amulet seller and general purveyor of stones/carvings/etchings/rubbings/ointments/icons.

Ended up sweating like a wookie at a waxing but can't drink water as the monks won't..... but they did knock of my 1.25 litre refrigerated Sprite when we got home. B*st*rds........

Back to the OP...same here zip nil nada siren wise whole time I was there....

"Ended up sweating like a wookie at a waxing".

That's funny.

Planning to move our company, we requested tariff for phone/internet connection. We expected this to be awfully expensive since no wiring so far in that area.

Cost of wiring up to the plot: 7 THB/meter. At this rate you can afford some distance from civilization. there were existing poles (old, unused) they will use to support their new line.

Mitker, I had looked into that and the cost was similar, but TOT and 3BBB both told me that the Internet connection on that line would be very weak so I did not do it.

I am having to put a dedicated Internet line in from 3BB and it is not cheap per month.

You might want to confirm where the nearest repeater's are and if the Internet signal will be strong.

I didn't realize there were so many pro-surfers on TV.

Sure, it's not Pipeline, but more than enough fun for beginners and some fun at the beach.

Why the hate?

Thanks for the pictures Mac.

"BANGKOK: -- Bangkok police will seek an arrest warrant to apprehend Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya – who is a suspect in the hit-and-run Ferrari accident that left a Thonglor policeman dead – if he does not turn himself in for questioning soon."

The word "soon" has given the police plenty of outs on issuing this warrant.

The kid will turn up when all his "defense" ducks are in a row.

Right now he is content to watch Scooby Doo cartoons and eat Fruit Loops out of the box in his jim-jams.

Ok, who took the jam out of your doughnut?

Here's one thing to consider....after reading this entire thread....has anybody ever

considered that the lady in question may be a professional model?

I'm married to one. Here's how it goes...clothed, bikini and "sexy" (can be nude

but hands, hair, objects etc must cover nipples & lower bits) pix are OK with the

wife. Home movies & topless are OK as long as I fully understand said footage

and pix never make it to the internet...I could easily end up missing a piece of

my anatomy and most likely end up paying her a lot more than 3 Mil Baht and

of course possiblysome jail time too boot.

Reason...Thai models, the "legit" ones anyway who work with agencies

such as Ford or Elite have a reputation to protect...that's why they earn

an excellent salary and get all those other job perks their Western

counterparts get.

Now if the lady in question isn't a professional or perhaps I should say;

a legit modeling agency model...and she reckons the girls who pose for

internet pictures get a lotta money...she's <deleted> dreaming. Simple nude

shoots, depending on the model start around 3500Baht for the shoot

which usually lasts about 2 hours. If the nude model has experience

of course she can command a higher modeling fee but 3 Million Baht

...Hah! Just sip satang from a pro photog who knows a bunch of models

of all persuasions.

Take it from one who was married to a top "legit" as you call it model, and also a top actress in feature films, that your head will probably be more comfortable when you pull it out of the sand. Working for 3500 baht for a couple of hours? Enjoy the perks like U.S. counterparts of Elite and Wilhelmina Models? You can't be serious. Even the average girls at the top modeling agencies have minimums twenty to fifty times that and they don't work by the hour because two hours or ten hours, the day is shot and there is no time to book another job on the same day. Having worked in that industry as a photographer for enough decades to know, those girls don't do anything like you have described. Partial nudity? Sure, in the context of a shoot for a bonafide client and always in the presence of a professional staff. Posing for some guy with hands covering vital spots with the promise they won't be posted on the Internet? OMG, a little coffee is in order.

We book models regularly and I can guarantee you will not get any "professional" model (as in works for an agency) for 3,500 baht - her travel fee alone will be more than this.

...in fact the make up artist and photographer are more than this.

Perhaps we have a different understanding of "professional model".

That man just displayed more bravery then all of you together

What?

The guy cut his fingers and half his pee-pee off because he's either crazy or on drugs...and that makes him brave?

Clearly we have different understanding of the word "bravery".

What is your definition of idiot, just for interest sakes?