GR8fun in LOS

I see a few problems with the story or it may be Diplomatic Errors from translation:- 

Russian-Thai trade fell 52 percent from USD$4.9 billion in 2014 to $2.4 billion last year, according to Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce. As of October, this year was down by almost a quarter.  There were not to many Russians coming to visit Thailand in 2014 and 2015.

“Everyone in Russia knows that the best canned fruit comes from Thailand,” he said.  _ I thought the canned fruit industry was heavily affected by Cheap / Slave labour particularly the Canned Pineapple Processors.

President-elect Trump’s promise to cancel the Trans-Pacific Partnership, nations like Thailand left without a dance partner  - Thailand is not a signatory nor member of the TPP so why is Thailand denied opportunities?

Rosatom, Russia’s state-run nuclear power enterprise, was recently in Thailand trying to spark interest in its technology.  - could the Thais be trusted to maintain and run a nuclear power plant?

“There’s beauty in Russia that you can’t find anywhere else,   - could the Thais survive a Russian winter?

The blue-eyed president is a household name in Thailand, and possibly the only major foreign political figure to have a Thai fanclub.  - is that statement correct? With the level of education available to all Thais, I don't think many folks from Issan would know to much about Russia let alone their President.

including a photo exhibition of then-Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn’s visit to the Soviet Union in 1989.  - not particularly current, 27 years old.

Anyway we will have to wait and see.

8 hours ago, SOUTHERNSTAR said:

TOT got so bad we moved today to True fiber and will see how it goes. With fiber rain should not have an influence.

I'm in Patong and was getting terrible service from TOT so I looked into True; initially we had both boxes working and using a number of tests true seemed best for both ethernet and WiFi.

Having gone with True they have now gone down the drain and are F...ing useless with ratings on downloads regularly below 2.0 mbps.

What do you do; I have now heard so many complaints about True and it's only "Low Season"?

Perhaps the Chinese have taken the WiFi with them as they have left no money behind.

3BB is the next option as I have heard good reports about them.

Good luck

I'm based in Patong and many friends over the last 3 weeks have been complaining about True, both internet and television supply.

I have an android box from IlikeHD "StreamboxMini" and was having lots of problems with True speeds and buffering; after many questions and complaints to IlikeHD (which they answered promptly and generally solved the problems); I was asked if I had True internet to which asked why, the response was "we get about 90% of our problems from those using True".

When I have complained to True direct, the response and action is generally very ordinary; I cannot say much more than that.

TIT

As stated above the open central area, between the 2 circular buildings has been closed-off since the "small problem" became obvious.

Visitors have to walk along the internal roadway outside the building to travel between the 2 major buildings. The restaurants and shops facing onto the central area are closed but others remain open. The bridge area into Robinsons is open and you can go past the brewery site to access the back road but not the shops nearby.

The Thai shopping area downstairs is almost all open, only those shops close to the entrance from the car-park are closed and access is boarded up.

The car-park is still operating almost normally with access available from most access points including the external one near Robinsons.

However it does pose a number of questions as to how the poor quality workmanship could have been allowed. It almost looks as if inferior quality concrete was used and almost certainly not vibrated when the piers were poured.

Are there any others in the same condition? It seems strange that the problem is only in an isolated area and not in a major load bearing area.

TIT

I know, previously a friend imported greyhounds from USA to Australia. 4 Animals 1 dog and 3 bitches who were all in pup.

The foursome traveled from the US to England where they spent 6 months in quarantine and then traveled to Australia where they spent a further month in quarantine. Pups were born during the quarantine period but unfortunately there was very little space for the dogs to run around or exercise whilst in quarantine and consequently were not in good condition when they were finally released to the owner in Sydney.

You must remember that Australia is quite unique with the number of diseases it does not have and does not want to have. So the quarantine requirements are quite severe and even so called "famous actors" receive no leniency. All of which I think is very important to maintain for the good of the country and future generations.

Good luck with your importation but don't be surprised if it takes a period longer than you would like to receive your puppy.

Been going on for years. Wonder why the crackdown now?

“Phuket officially has about 50,000 hotel rooms but we know that there are in fact close to 100,000 rooms in the province that are being operated like hotels through rentals on a daily basis,” said the vice governor.

Perhaps the officials are attempting to reconcile the ToT Chinese tourist numbers with those actually registered and spending money on the island. "We have been told that the actual spending by our Chinese visitors is not up to the levels we have projected, please determine reasons for this error."

Same old Same Same and of course the local Farangs will provide very good scapegoats.

Easy.

Paint out the Zebra crossing.

It's dangerous as it gives tourists a totally false sense of security.

Thailand hasn't evolved far enough for Zebra crossings to be used here.

Yes the Thai drivers only use the stripes to better line up their targets on the crossing.

Whilst the Foreign Tourists believe they are safe but they are target

Almost the perfect killing zone

"An army deputy general flew into Samui yesterday to visit two UK tourists injured in the speedboat accident that killed two others"

How many Generals are there in Thailand? I know there is an overabundance of "full" generals and now we have deputy generals as well. There are also Police Generals etc etc. It seems everyone has a title and an opinion about Thailand's reputation but nobody can do anything positive to improve that reputation except to present baskets of commercial gifts, which receive the appropriate identification when presented.

I've never heard of an embassy or consulate issuing a replacement passport without a police report, but as Singerman wrote, ask your consulate if they will do it.

Report it as lost, not stolen. This way you avoid the hassle of a police report. I lost one. I'm a Police State citizen and they gave me another 10 year valid pp, but warned me if I lose another, the next will be a 5yr and so on, as they suspect you may be selling them.

From what I have read above it would seem that the following list are the facts

1. You sent your Passport to a Visa Company / Accounting Firm for a new Visa - it has not been returned to you with or without a VISA

2. Your "lost" Passport has now expired - how long has the agency had your passport? Generally a new Visa will not be issued into a passport if the passport has less than 6 months to expiry. Has the "Agency" had your passport for over 6 months?

3. You are registered with your Embassy as being a resident in Thailand

4. If your passport has expired and you do not have it to pass to your embassy for renewal, then above comment seems sound. "You have lost your Passport and that Passport has now expired"

5. Your decision either - report to your Embassy that your expired passport has been lost and you require a new passport, complete any documentation that the Embassy requires for a lost passport and apply for a new passport. As you are registered with your Embassy as a resident see 2 above you should not require "travel documents / temporary passport" as you would expect your new passport to be be delivered to your registered address in Thailand. OR

Notify the BIB that your passport has been lost or stolen and provide details of the Agency / Accounting firm that you engaged to obtain your VISA and then wear the consequences of having somebody obtain your VISA if that is going to be a problem when you report the Lost or Stolen Pass port to the BIB. Then attach the police report to your application for a new passport from your Embassy.

6. In my humble opinion depending on the period of "overstay" involved it would seem to me that your 1st priority is to get a

- A a new valid passport

- B a new Thai Visa in that passport to allow you to stay or visit in Thailand.

- C approach immigration to obtain your new Visa in your new Passport and pay the overstay with an explanation as to why you are late in applying, using the facts and decisions that you have made see above.

Good luck

Where will all the Cable TV, Telephone and Internet lines and cables go?

There will be no Power Poles to support them.

I wonder if that was considered in the Memorandum?

Having lived in Thailand for 10 years, a number of things that I have recently noted follow with particular attention directed toward Big C, by name not character.

• the "car purchase scheme" which gave a 100k baht bonus, now many people cannot afford those regular monthly payments nor make a reasonable sale to recover the costs, therefore it is difficult to find funds to spend in the local supermarket.
• the ongoing price increases demanded by Big C shops seems way above inflation, why have their increases been approved or demanded?
• I have friends in Patong who claim that the price increases there cannot be substantiated and the style of merchandising is very much aimed at the supposed Chinese Tourist market not local shoppers

Is Big C trying to grab much more than they are entitled to from the consumers all over Thailand?

This would not be an unusual accusation, in my experience, and almost certainly sums up the ability of Thais to forward plan; they want it now no matter what the conditions may be.

My humble opinions which may not be agreed with but I put the claim forward for intelligent comment.

I checked in online about 3 weeks ago. It was as stated above only within 24 hours of departure.

Another problem that occurred at Dom Muang, having checked in on line and holding a copy of my boarding pass, I could not try to change to an earlier flight, since I had arrived there early, the reason I was given was that I had a Boarding Pass for the later flight so I could not change it.

I did find that "patience was certainly a virtue" whilst trying to successfully negotiate the Nok website.

Try again within 24 hours and good luck.

I completed my most recent 90 day check-in on line in late September.

I would point out 2 problems looking at the notes above:-

1. I had to use Internet Explorer to succeed, I started using google Chrome but could not escape from the 1st page. Once I used IE everything was fine and I completed the whole application in about 3 minutes.

2. You receive 2 reports (in my case the following day) if your report was successful. The 1st is one page saying that the report was successful but not giving a new check in date. You need the followup report from the 1st which gives you a check-in date which is A5 in size, the same as Immigration normally give you, if you complete a manual (no pun intended) check-in.

Ensure you get the 2nd page giving you a new check in date and attach this in your passport, if not this may confuse the Immigration Officials.

Good luck but remember you need to use IE, until they correct their input problems.

I was reading recently that populations needed to grow by at least 2.1 children per generation to survive. Most of the European nations were in the low to mid 1's ratio, so they are ageing populations with all the problems that are brought about by that situation. The only major exception was Germany which was above 2.1 growth but that growth was based principally on it's immigration program; (pre the current refugee crisis) and many of those came from Turkish nationals (not those passing through). But the problem compounds, as the majority are muslim and they're birthrate worldwide is generally in excess of 6, which could lead to a muslim population explosion and the gradual change in control from Christian to Muslim over the next 50 to 100 or so years.

Thailand at 1.4 ish is almost European in it's growth rate which means that the workforce is aging not, like it's ASEAN neighbours with the exception of Singapore. So with the slowing growth rate and poor education levels Thailand may quietly disappear down the proverbial "Gurgler" when so many opportunities will open to it's ASEAN neighbours.

I did my 90 day report last month; when I finally lodged it, it was back the following morning all approved with pages to copy including the authorisation and the next reporting date to be stapled into the passport as per usual.

I would point out that I could not use Chrome Win10 but once I switched to IE no problems.

You must be sure to report between 7 and 15 days prior to re-reporting date, any nearer dates will not be accepted.

Much better than all the BS in any of the offices and various attempts to swindle some extra tea-money. Also much more comfortable in my living room rather than their office and no timing problems.

Good luck

I transferred monies between 2 Bkk accounts around 6pm tonight with no problems, also updated a phone using the Bkk option. Hopefully it is all working well now.

All the beach mafia types have now retreated to the streets, which makes Phuket worst.

Yes how many streets and footpaths are cluttered or blocked for pedestrian access due to Travel Agencie Booths, Currency Exchanges, Motor Bike hire and assorted other forms of businesses?

Many of the shop owners claim they own their building and all the gutter areas and footpath, if there is actually one.

I thought the Roads and the Footpaths were similar to the beaches and all owned by the KING, is that correct? Surely there should be some control but I suppose little brown envelopes with Tea Money may well have changed hands, on numerous occasions.

But as everybody tells me TiT and many of the Thais could not give rats ar.... about anybody but themselves.

I phoned the Consulate today to see if they had plans for July....no visit to Phuket in July. Might be a once only thing but a pity as many Australians live in the South...bloody long way to visit Bangkok....and expensive.

From memory the last Consular visit was in mid February, it was around that time anyway. Perhaps they are making 3 monthly visits to Phuket, which is much better than before, so perhaps the current consul and the embassy staff are endeavouring to help us Aussies in the South.

Hi there, as mentioned above there are many trials and tribulations to be negotiated by a Foreigner investing and opening a business in Thailand.

As many have mentioned the love affair may not last, so do your research and be sure you understand exacting what is required and what the RISKS are currently and may be over a period of time.

Stop and think logically then research, test the information gathered, think again, do further research if after thinking you decide you require more information.

A very important comment, only made once that I saw, is -

• ASEAN commences on 31 December 2015
• you said you are from Malaysia, are you Malaysian?
• if you are Malaysian you will have benefits that are common to all the members of ASEAN from 31 December this year
• determine if those benefits are to your advantage in opening a business and living in Thailand
• gather all the information both Pros and Cons
• decide if you still want to live and work in Thailand
• ask for advice from friends or professionally, perhaps both
• do all the research that you feel will allow you to make a clear and logical decision
• STOP and THINK AGAIN
• make your decision

Good luck with which ever decision you make, but do think it all through before taking the steps.

Remember - "He did plan to Fail but simply Failed to Plan"

Has anybody done the sums -

First - to calculate what the 2 executed would have received in Dollars if the Heroine was delivered, then divide by 2 to calculate what their lives were worth. Was it worth the risk?

Second - to calculate what 8+ kilos of Heroin would be broken down to for sale on the streets of Australia and how many users would have died or suffered as a result of those sales.

What is that saying "Do the Crime - Do the Time"

Hello All

I am a Australian and get my Pension paid direct into my Thai Bank account each month. Been getting it for the last 6 year paid into Bangkok Bank.

Pay no tax from the Australia Government end and no tax at Thailand end. Pension paid into my account in Thai BAHT.

Regards

All

Hi just a quick suggestion you are better to have the AUD transferred as aussie dollars to your Thai bank account.

The Aussie banks are renowned for ripping you off on the exchange rate, when they convert to Thai baht. Better to get your Thai bank to make the conversion in Thailand, their rates are much better than the aussie rates.

Sorry it was my 1st post and I <deleted> up so to speak I was trying to highlight the previous quote. Sorry guys

Not really, although Japan was colonizing, it was the power du jour in Asia during the '30's and '40's. Culturally, the British and the French were the 'farang' colonialists and the Japanese were the Asian brothers. Additionally, the Thais were more pro Japan due greatly to the discontent from late 19th century dealings with the British--which cost Siam parts of Malaysia and Burma--and dealings with the French--which cost control of Laos and Cambodia. Japan offered a possibility of getting them back. However, as they did in WWI, Thailand switched to the winning side in the latter part of the war.

The Japanese appeared to be the strongest power in the Pacific in the early 1940's and the government led by General Phibun wished to return Siam to it's former borders before the European powers particularly France and Great Britain had nibbled away at the borders to prevent complete colonisation / takeover in the period around Rama V & Rama IV in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Thai Government not being renowned even now for their long term planning, picked the wrong horse for the Long Term.

THe Thai-Burma Railway or "Death Railway was to provide a method to transport troops and supplies, from Thailand to Burma, to avoid the sea routes around the coast. The British had considered this same option in the very early 20th century but decided not to proceed due to the vagaries of cost, climate, terrain and weather.

The Japanese completed the railway in about 15 months with the assistance of Prisoners of War and indentured Asian labour coming from areas including the now Indonesia, Malaya, Burma and surrounding areas but not Thai. Please see the 2 attachments to provide more accurate details about the route and the deaths. There were many more Asian deaths than POWs. This information was gathered at the "Hell Fire Pass Museum just out of Kanchanaburi; which I recommend anybody with an interest in Death Railway / Japanese treatment of POWs should visit.

I have been a number of times and it is a very moving experience particularly on ANZAC Day. One time I walked the path from the museum through the Konyu Cutting and further with a serving THai military officer, in his early 50s, both of us using the headphones provided in Thai and English. He told me he had no idea about what had happened there.

I hope the summary was not to long winded; but helps to explain what happened and how the Thai education system has managed to ignore what was an important time in recent history.

Not really, although Japan was colonizing, it was the power du jour in Asia during the '30's and '40's. Culturally, the British and the French were the 'farang' colonialists and the Japanese were the Asian brothers. Additionally, the Thais were more pro Japan due greatly to the discontent from late 19th century dealings with the British--which cost Siam parts of Malaysia and Burma--and dealings with the French--which cost control of Laos and Cambodia. Japan offered a possibility of getting them back. However, as they did in WWI, Thailand switched to the winning side in the latter part of the war.

The Japanese appeared to be the strongest power in the Pacific in the early 1940's and the government led by General Phibun wished to return Siam to it's former borders before the European powers particularly France and Great Britain had nibbled away at the borders to prevent complete colonisation / takeover in the period around Rama V & Rama IV in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Thai Government not being renowned even now for their long term planning, picked the wrong horse for the Long Term.

THe Thai-Burma Railway or "Death Railway was to provide a method to transport troops and supplies, from Thailand to Burma, to avoid the sea routes around the coast. The British had considered this same option in the very early 20th century but decided not to proceed due to the vagaries of cost, climate, terrain and weather.

The Japanese completed the railway in about 15 months with the assistance of Prisoners of War and indentured Asian labour coming from areas including the now Indonesia, Malaya, Burma and surrounding areas but not Thai. Please see the 2 attachments to provide more accurate details about the route and the deaths. There were many more Asian deaths than POWs. This information was gathered at the "Hell Fire Pass Museum just out of Kanchanaburi; which I recommend anybody with an interest in Death Railway / Japanese treatment of POWs should visit.

I have been a number of times and it is a very moving experience particularly on ANZAC Day. One time I walked the path from the museum through the Konyu Cutting and further with a serving THai military officer, in his early 50s, both of us using the headphones provided in Thai and English. He told me he had no idea about what had happened there.

I hope the summary was not to long winded; but helps to explain what happened and how the Thai education system has managed to ignore what was an important time in recent history.