DLock

Giradia ?

I had giradia when I was 11 years old. I had it for about a year and almost died from it. I was in the hospital every month and the doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. I came near to death. I had to stay in the hospital for a month on drip when they figured out what it was. Turns out I may have gotten it from bear shit in the Yuba River in California.

I bet you dont eat bear shit anymore

roy gsd

Roy, now that was funny. The mental images are priceless.

OP, I know how you feel. I been there and I still have mental problems eating Tacos and Saudage Rolls - 2 seperate incidences that may or may not have been to blame.

For those that doubt it's possible...

http://www.forbes.com/global/2002/0902/061.html

Story was written in 2002...and it just got better from there.

So, I guess that's a NO to anyone knowing any good maids then?

Fortunately for me, my wife called some of her family members and they came up the same day my staff left. They enjoy staying in Chiang Mai and actually work pretty hard. It's a short term solution, but I am very thankful to them. My wife is happy to have them around for a while, so it's ok for a while.

I have enjoyed reading all the opinions on how people would handle a similar situation. I stand behind the way I handled it and would do it the same way again.

I am still a little puzzled by some of the attitudes and the Thai "face" issue being so important that it clouds our judgement and acceptance of these "small" thefts as acceptable or tolerable.

Is it weakness or fear? Are people so concerned about fitting in or retribution? Is face THAT important to some people but not others? Is it determined by how long we have been here or the opinions of our partners?

In my experience, if you give a Thai an inch, he will try to take 10 miles. Our generosity and kindness can be perceived as weakness or stupidity, just as our reluctance to act on small issues like this will turn into bigger issues down the road. Of course this is a broad stroke and there are some truly amazing Thai people - and I am lucky I have many other staff that I feel I can trust - and I do trust people until given a reason not too.

When I let people into my home to work, I have to trust them 100%. There is too much in my home that there is no way I can remove all temptation. That's just the way it is and will always be.

...and perhaps that is part of the problem.

People are frightened of confrontation or offending Thais so they do nothing except pay them some money, remain on good terms, thank them and move on.

I find that particularly weak.

The Thai has no idea why they were let go, but they think that stealing is ok. They got away with it and they even got paid out. What could be better? They tell their friends and they move on to the next trusting farang and the cycle starts again.

Defending thieves is just wrong.

Wise words Oneman, and I agree with your sentiment.

For the record, I gave my staff the opportunity to resign (which they did) and I paid them 2 weeks extra. If I had terminated them, I would have had to pay the 3 months salary by law and I was not prepared to reward thier actions. They were able to leave with "face" intact back to Lampang.

Part of the problem was my own doing. We did make them part of the extended family. They often ate with us, we often bought them food, took them to the markets, gave them clothes and things we no longer needed (they got 6,000 baht for 2 old air conditioners I didnt think were worth anything), extended holidays (10 days at Songkran) and good bonuses and had a very good life compared to where they had come from. I would have expected that they would respect what we gave them to be honest and work hard. They were paid 7,000 baht each per month along with a house, all utilities and a motorbike.

They saw we had more than plenty and felt it ok to take some of that. I can only excuse Thai culture to a point, and unfortunately they crossed the line. I caught them both out.

Will I change the way I behave with the next staff? Maybe. Will I be more upfront what I expect and the consequences of dishonesty? Probably.

BTW, I have other staff who are the pinnacle of hard work and honesty and are duly looked after and have a job for as long as the want to work here.

But I appreciate you taking the time to give me your insight Oneman, and it was not wasted on me.

I agree with the sentiment some of you have expressed.

That my staff do consider me rich by their standards and that I would not miss 100baht, or change from paying a bill, or an old water pump.

But I cannot tolerate stealing or lying by my staff. It wasn't about 100 baht. It was about the fact that they thought they could steal from me.

My staff are well paid, have their own small private house, and had a good job. When I initially searched for them, I interviewed about 4 couples, and these staff were construction workers, living a pretty crappy existence for less money and living in a tin shed. They seemed very nice, and I had made the assumption that they would value this new opportunity.

Was it their background that made them steal? Will other staff from that kind of background be as "opportunistic"? Is my percieved wealth always going to present the same outcome?

I appreciate your thoughts.

Not say anything. Just dismiss. After being sure you have your keys etc. And be a gentleman, pay for 2 or three weeks extra.

Why would I do that?

Pay them the legal 3 months salary for stealing my things?

Interesting logic.

I paid them out till the end of the month and they were out that day. Consider them lucky.

The most recent couple left yesterday. I had suspected the theft of small amounts of money and false claims for petrol or laundry, so I counted and videod me putting money in my pants and putting them in the laundry basket - over 2 weeks. Each time, the maid took between 100 and 200 baht. She always handed the money to my wife and we waited a few days for her to come clean and then asked her if she was sure that was all the money that was there. "yes" she replied. Then we showed her the video and she started to cry and said sorry. Too late. I'm sure this had been going on for months.

Staff should not steal from their employer - no metter how poor they are - but purposely dangling money in front of their noses to set them up and lure them into taking it just isn't cricket!

UG, agreed, but what I did was consistent with the way I have always done things. I often leave money in my pockets and the Maid has a bowl she is to place any money, business cards, recipts into. Most times I remember to take stuff out, but sometimes after travel, I forget. I did not "dangle" or lure them into something that was any different from any other day - we are not talking big money here - between 400 - 620 baht left in my pants each time.

The pump was just another "thing" that while it had little value to me, if he had asked, I probably would have given it to him. But he stole it, then lied, then returned it. Unacceptable. He had also "forgotten" to return 400 baht last month, and when I pushed him to where my change was, he said he bought sunglasses...so that was taken from his salary. He clearly didnt learn.

All I did was video the amount I left in my pocket and that I placed the pants in the laundry basket. I wanted to leave no room for her to say that there was less money than there actually was. Didn't want a "he says, she says" and the situation becoming difficult.

I think what I did was acceptable and justified and the end justified the means.

What would you have suggested I had done different?

This is my 2nd posting searching for a maid and gardener couple to live on site in CM.

The first couple were good for about 1 year, then started getting lazy and complacent. But the straw that broke the camels back is that the gardener forgot I was flying home from Bangkok and sent his wife (maid) back to their home in Lampang, then took my truck and came home after 3am (I had fallen asleep waiting) and then denied that he took the truck at all. Turns out he was out drinking and chasing skirt and had never told his wife the truth.

The most recent couple left yesterday. I had suspected the theft of small amounts of money and false claims for petrol or laundry, so I counted and videod me putting money in my pants and putting them in the laundry basket - over 2 weeks. Each time, the maid took between 100 and 200 baht. She always handed the money to my wife and we waited a few days for her to come clean and then asked her if she was sure that was all the money that was there. "yes" she replied. Then we showed her the video and she started to cry and said sorry. Too late. I'm sure this had been going on for months.

I also suspected her husband of theiving tools and things he thought I wouldn't miss. Sure enough, when I checked, missing was a big water pump that I had replaced with a more suitable pressure pump. When I asked him where it was, he said under the house. So we both went to look and it wasnt. I asked him again, and he said he'd return it tomorrow and he did. Stole it from under my nose.

I did not make police reports, instead made them quit immediately and sign away 3 months salary. I did however contact their guarantor, who did not say much.

Anyway, they are gone now and I need a new maid and gardener. Great conditions and salary.

On the off chance anyone knows of a couple looking for live in jobs, PM me. I'd sure appreciate it.

Otherwise...even if you think you can trust your staff....be careful.

I did not know about that shop in MBK. I better check that out.

Ebay is undoubtedly the best source for retro gaming...but the shipping is usually more expensive than the games and every now and agaion Thai customs will take a cut.

I collect retro consoles and games, but mostly Atari stuff - every console and variation and over 700 cartridges. Also collect Intellivision, Colecovision early Pong consoles and have at least every other major console and some games, but Atari is my main collection. Have a lot of rare and cool stuff.

Also have every handheld device ever made and thousands of games. My favorite is the Lynx Version 1 if anyone remembers it.

My wife thinks I'm crazy. But she'd really think I was crazy if only she knew how much money I really spent.

Having tried most in BKK, I'd have to agree and say that Charley Browns has been the best food and overall value.

Great host, good service, cold Carona's, great fresh chips and salsa and good sized portions...overall good experience.

So, yesterday I went to the 7/11 near my house about 10pm, and as I approached the guy was putting a padlock on the door.

I said to him why is he closing up and locking the doors. I pointed out that his sign says he is open 24 hours...

He just stared blankly at me at said "Yeah...but not in a row".

I knew the motorcycle taxi murder victim, Satien, quite well. He, along with his wife had come to stay with us a few times.

My wife went to Phuket on Monday to help his wife where she could.

What she told me was an interesting insight into Thai culture. Apparently the police knew immediately who the killer was, as did the victims family. His father has some influence in Phuket, so the Police had been trying to get the 2 parties together to sort out the financial deal rather than arrest him. At the meeting, the killers Father even offered Satien's wife a job if she needed it.

But the biggest issue seemed to be that the killers family did not come to the temple and apologise and pay respects before he was cremated on Tuesday.

As I understand it, the "negotiations" are still under way. Hopefully the fact that this story made the papers, the attention forces a lengthy jail term - but the fact that the killer met Mayor Pian before handing himself in speaks volumes.

I sure hope he goes a way for a long time...but from what I am hearing, that is unlikely. Money and influence trump all. Sad.

Like others, I have CCTV, a big dog and staff full time on the property. When we do have workers fixing stuff, the dog is always paraded around and he hates Thai people and will often launch himself at them to the end of his leash. Scares the bejesus out of them. We also have external signs warning of the dog.

I had motion sensor lights, but they went off with trees moving in the wind and scared the wife when I wasnt there.

When the wife did get the handgun, the Police chief said that if we do shoot anyone inside the house, first make sure he is dead, and second put a few rounds into the ceiling and say you tried to warn him first. I did ask what would happen if shot him, as I have no license. He said thats the reason to make sure he was dead. I've watched too many movies, but I'd wipe it down and put my wifes prints on it - just to be sure.

Lastly, regardless of who they are, police included, my staff will not let anyone in the property without my ok.

Never had an issue.

Sign it!

At least after getting out he can then find a good lawyer to have the document voided (seeing as he obviously did not know what he was sign, i'm assuming it would be fairly easy for a decent lawyer to contest such a document, no matter what it said).

Not a chance. This isn't some cosy courtroom in the US where civil rights apply. You sign, you do the time.

I guess we make our choices; i'd go with the competent lawyer approach, whereas you would go with the sweat it out (for 3-4 months) by yourself approach.

Unfortunately, I think this is the exact attitude that will end up in trouble. Sign nothing. But hey, your choice.

You will not be locked up indefinately if you can make bail. A court visit, a nod of the head that you understand the charges, payment of bail, a few signatures, you can walk away. Maybe 2-5 days in a local lockup. Not a big deal.

Signing that confession and you have guaranteed a stay in Thailand for a few years with no visa issues.

This is Thailand. Whilst there are laws, how they are implemented is up to the discretion of the police and courts.

Competent lawyer? As competent as they may be, they will cost you a lot of money, and there are certainly no guarantees. I'd also take what your lawyer says with a grain of salt as well.

Nancy Reagan was on to something...

From my experiences, first rule is dont sign anything. If you dont sign, the police actually have to prove a case against you. If you do, case is closed.

Second rule is dont believe what a policeman tells you. He will say whatever he needs to say to make you sign a confession and it will be an open and shut case in the future. Once you have signed, nothing a lawyer can do later. They will try to scare you with threats and leave you locked up a few days to soften you up.

Assuming you have someone outside to help, you will make bail in a few days after making an appearance at the courts (via handcuffs and prison truck) and then you can go see a lawyer. If you don't have anyone that can pay bail and process the paperwork...your screwed basically. You should be able to make a call and you can get visitors twice a day to help work through it.

This guy sounds like he is pretty much screwed if he did sign. I never understand why people do drugs in this country. Just crazy.

All I can say is that I hope the judge had a good day and doesnt hate farangs...

...and wear a clean shirt and tie.

This day was a disaster.

I had left my dog in his kennel while I went to eat. When I came back, there was a dead cobra on the bottom of his kennel and a lot of saliva.

Having no idea how long ago this happened, not knowing if he had been tagged, and 30 minutes to the vet...it was a scary time.

We got to the vet and he was foaming a bit at the mouth and a little wobbly on his feet, so the vet put a saline drip in his leg and we waited to see what would happen. He did not deteriorate and after 2 hours the vet was satisfied that if he had been bit, it was not bad and more likely he swallowed some venom as he really destroyed the snake.

On the way home, he did vomit a few times in the back of the truck, but he was fine the next day. Unfortunately he is always looking for snakes and I can never let him off the leash, even in my walled compound.

Snake was a common monacled cobra close to 3 feet long. My dog is a 40kg pitbull.

I had previuously lost 2 dogs to snakes in Phuket. You can by antivenom from Phuket hospital. If I remember it was about 2000 baht...but I recommend keeping the antivenom, syringes and needles in a plastic container in the fridge, and ask the doctor how to administer it. Good idea to read the instructions before hand too. Better safe than sorry.

Anyone who has been here a while has lost some money. Usually its that 3,000 baht your Thai friend asks to "borrow", which usually means "give".

For some, its a farang guy that needs some quick money and promises to pay it back "next week". These farang pull this scam time and time again, usually for enough money that it hurts, but not enough to make it a police issue or to "send the boys around". Step 1 is that they will promise payment. Step 2 is they will say they have paid or will pay tomorrow to get you off their back. Step 3 is that they will stop answering your calls and hope you will eventually get tired of chasing the money and consider it a "lesson learned"...which you have done. They are habitual. Get away with it once, and they will keep doing it.

If I were you, I would take one of those cricket bats and go visit him late at night. I'm not advocating smacking him for 6 with the willow, but a wooden prop will make it so much more effective. Key is to not get emotional and rant and rave. Just tell him clearly that he owes you money and ask when you can expect it. Then just make it clear that you expect it on that day, turn around and leave. For added effect, you can always stop and ask "is this your motorbike...or car?"...smile...then keep walking. Uncertainty is so much more effective than hollow emotion.

Of course, if he doesnt pay by that date...and you do nothing...he will gain confidence...and do it again.

Good Luck.

Very general question...

...however I can atest that the policeman that pulled me over yesterday for driving at 140kmh was certainly much happier than the policeman that pulled me over in Australia a few months back.

The end result was a little different also.

I thought it was just me that had become disillusioned with “Paradise”. Apparently not.

I agree with SBK that living in Thailand we go through phases. Even before Phase 1 begins, our 2 week holiday stirs the imagination of actually living here permanently. “The Thai’s are such lovely people. Always smiling”. The illusion begins.

Those first 2 or 3 years were fantastic for me (10 years ago). I loved every minute of it and when people asked me if I would ever leave Phuket, I said “never”. I loved the laid back lifestyle, the beaches, the people and having fun. The illusion grew.

Then phase 2 kicks in and the illusion is revealed. I came to despise everything about the place – the traffic, noise, no parking, crime, corruption, tea money, tuk tuks, tailors, beach sellers, girls, quality of tourists…lets face it, I had become miserable. I lived here, but I felt like a tourist every single day…”Hello, suit for you sir?”. It was time to go.

But the biggest issue in leaving “Paradise” is where to go. Where is better? It’s easy to rationalize it down to the weather, or cost, or the fact a pretty girl will actually look at you, so you stay. But where is better? You start thinking about Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines or Malaysia…but really, will any of them be better? So, you stay a little longer but you do not enjoy it like you once did. What changed? You or the place? Probably both. The illusion is over.

I knew it was time to go. I did want to give Thailand the benefit of the doubt, so I searched from North to South eventually settling in the mountains south of Chiang Mai in a small Thai village. People are friendly and helpful and get on with their business and don’t worry about mine. For what I sold my 2 bedroom house in Phuket, I have a 4 bedroom house, with pool on 8 Rai with amazing views. It was a good decision.

The tourist areas are just that – a place that exists solely to part you from your money. They are fun to visit but living there you are still a tourist. The illusion is less impressive when you know how it’s done, and once you reach that point, it’s time to leave.

Good Luck.

Who owns your house?

Why would you ask who owns my house?

Regardless of my response, you will probably take delight in saying "you can't own a house in Thailand". We know.

...and now back on topic.

Ulysess G...and I have enjoyed many of your posts. Glad you were able to carve out a lifestyle that suits you in Thailand...as have I.

I thought it was just me that had become disillusioned with “Paradise”. Apparently not.

I agree with SBK that living in Thailand we go through phases. Even before Phase 1 begins, our 2 week holiday stirs the imagination of actually living here permanently. “The Thai’s are such lovely people. Always smiling”. The illusion begins.

Those first 2 or 3 years were fantastic for me (10 years ago). I loved every minute of it and when people asked me if I would ever leave Phuket, I said “never”. I loved the laid back lifestyle, the beaches, the people and having fun. The illusion grew.

Then phase 2 kicks in and the illusion is revealed. I came to despise everything about the place – the traffic, noise, no parking, crime, corruption, tea money, tuk tuks, tailors, beach sellers, girls, quality of tourists…lets face it, I had become miserable. I lived here, but I felt like a tourist every single day…”Hello, suit for you sir?”. It was time to go.

But the biggest issue in leaving “Paradise” is where to go. Where is better? It’s easy to rationalize it down to the weather, or cost, or the fact a pretty girl will actually look at you, so you stay. But where is better? You start thinking about Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines or Malaysia…but really, will any of them be better? So, you stay a little longer but you do not enjoy it like you once did. What changed? You or the place? Probably both. The illusion is over.

I knew it was time to go. I did want to give Thailand the benefit of the doubt, so I searched from North to South eventually settling in the mountains south of Chiang Mai in a small Thai village. People are friendly and helpful and get on with their business and don’t worry about mine. For what I sold my 2 bedroom house in Phuket, I have a 4 bedroom house, with pool on 8 Rai with amazing views. It was a good decision.

The tourist areas are just that – a place that exists solely to part you from your money. They are fun to visit but living there you are still a tourist. The illusion is less impressive when you know how it’s done, and once you reach that point, it’s time to leave.

Good Luck.

I was wondering the same thing jonniebkk, what do people who live in Phuket find so appealing? I ask in all sincerity because we all have different reasons and tolerances for things, but I'd really like to understand what make Phuket attractive for some people and not others.

When I lived in Phuket, I guess I liked it, and what I didnt like I tolerated. It wasn't till I travelled around Thailand and realised that there were places that suited me more, and were, in my mind, closer to what I wanted out of Thailand. I agree with RICHFROMOZ, I am very comfortable living in the hills in Chiang Mai. I did bring some misplaced attitude from Phuket with, but that quickly fell away as I realised that people here are not after what ever they can get. For me, Chiang Mai is perfect, but for others it could be boring, or just not what they are looking for.

So, why do long term residents stay in Phuket? I could list all the reasons I think Phuket has lost it charm for me, but I'd be really interested in why people live there and what keeps tourists coming back.

RICHFROMOZ...I also moved from Phuket to Chiang Mai 2 years ago...and have never looked back and will never visit Phuket again. Ever.

I lived in Phuket for 6 years and had the perspective of watching it slowly deteriorate over time into what it is today. 8 years ago it was a nice place, especially in the low season. Relaxed, fun and safe. There are places in Phuket that still have some charm, but beyond the front gates, you are still exposed to what Phuket has become.

People who come to Phuket for a 2 week holiday or have lived here a short time find it a fantastic place, and will rightly defend it, but their perception will change over time like mine did.

But I disagree that tourism will ever really slow down. The planes are queing up over Phuket airport full of people that think the Thai smiles, the hand shakes of the Tailors on beach road or the Issan girls screaming "Hallo Handsum Man" actually mean something. The quality of those tourists are in question, but the numbers are not.

The threat that Vietnam or Malaysia will take tourists away from Thailand is unlikely...or at best they will be different tourists. Like Chiang Mai, it gets a lot of tourists, but more families and couples who are looking for something different, and not the beer bars, crowded beaches, lousy food, overpriced hotels and dailys ripoffs.

Phuket is not really a pleasant place. Under the thin veneer of smiles is a pretty sad place where it's all about getting as much money from the tourists as possible. If you can accept that fact, then maybe you will enjoy Phuket....for a while.

I'm sure people will say I'm bitter or had a bad experience in Phuket. No. It just got old, and I got older.

Typical response. Short on logic. Low on intelligence. High on insults.

I refuse to have an intellectual battle with an unarmed person.

Try harder. You bore me.

Every time you post the quality of discourse on this site goes down. It is no wonder why no one at your work likes you.

Yawn.

You have to try much harder than that. You got no game boy.

At least have a point, a position, a reason, a fact...anything to make you worth my time.

You got nothing.

Now run along.

Please let's remember that smokers have rights too. So how about some legal 'smokers only' pubs/restaurants. Non smokers can avoid them if they wish but can't complain if they enter. Desicion to be smoking or non-smoking should be left up to the proprietor.

As a 40 year+ smoker don't blame/penalise me that I'm hooked..blame/penalise the tobacco companies and the governments that did nothing about it, except take the profit & tax, when I was young.

"What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul." - Billy Madison

"Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it." Applies to every post you ever made. Do you ever actually make "rational" points? Is every post a personal attack on someone? Your world is a dark miserable place.

Go back and re-read my posts and see who makes no rational posts.

I'll wait....

Ok, done....understand now?

We won. It's over. Good triumphed over evil.

It's your world that is dark and miserable as we condemn you the dark corners of oblivion forever.

Get that point?