richard_smith237

7 minutes ago, Farang hunter said:

Why do you think I am being racist!?

The four young men who stole the lady's bag in the shopping mall  much in here hinted that they were Muslims and I was saying they were from eastern europe and it turned out that they are Israelis.   So I don't want to speculate the nationality of the victimizer  but to see him face the consequences of his bizarre behavior. 

But you did speculate, asking if he was Arab or Muslim?....  

To elaborate on the 'Catch Up' comment...  you have fallen behind the news and still comment on a '10 year old' being attacked... It turns out that this story is false, it turns out that the 'boy' who was attacked is in fact a '20 year old man'.... 

This changes things slightly...   but still raises the question: Why would one guy want to attack another guy in such a manner? What was the trigger ?

People on this forum have speculated that they guy 'could' have taken photos of the girls while they used the bathroom... whether this is true or not remains unclear, however, if something like this occurred the attitudes of many who have responded so far would change very quickly.... 

The outstanding question is WHY ? what caused the guy to become so angry ?

3 minutes ago, trogers said:

Easy to know if your smartphone and laptop are for personal use by looking into the data banks.

 

Those who wear expensive jewelry and gold for travel and tour deserve to lose them. Why the need to show off?

Please explain why I deserve to lose my Watch when I fly back home to the UK or return to Bangkok?

Also, a watch is not quite the same as the chunky gold necklace on display with the singlet in Pattaya and elevated risk of a snatch. That said, there are areas I would choose not to wear a decent watch, but these are not in Thailand.

Does someone who drives a BMW, Mercedes or Bentley also deserve to have them stolen? 

You may think someone who wears a nice watch is showing off, but that perhaps suggests you would be showing off should you choose to wear a nice watch and project this attitude onto others. This says more about you than the 'watch wearer'... additionally, the 'no need to wear a watch when I have a phone comment' has been done to death in other threads. 

For others, they are simply wearing a watch they like, much like wearing the T-shirt or shoes they like, having their hair cut to the style they like. 

This potentially opens up a whole can of worms for any regular traveller... 

Any watch of note or a laptop, Camera, tablet, phone, handbags can now be taxed at the whim of a customs officer unless you have a receipt of purchase in Thailand.... 

IF these were watch smugglers, the would surely have more than one watch on their possession. 

I don't believe they confessed openly, this comes across very much as coercion. The customs also confiscated these 1.2 Million Baht watches (as reported in Panthip.com)... something really stinks here. 

It is perhaps time these antiquated laws are modified to reflect some intelligent thought before Thai Customs make an international example of themselves. 

----------------

I have numerous luxury watches, I sometimes travel back to the UK with 3 watches (Eg. Panerai, Rolex, Bell & Ross), Plus a MacBook, iPad, iPhone... heck even my Tumi carry on case is worth more than 20,000 baht....

Returning back to Thailand just became potentially more hassle, and for what? what real benefit for the authorities?

Catch smugglers by all means - but use intelligence: These items should be boxed, new, unopened and in most cases being carried in numbers. 

11 minutes ago, AndyOz said:

I do have some sympathy with the Taxi drivers. Uber has depended on your view either revolutionised or destroyed the taxi industry wherever it plies its trade.
Whatever your opinion the drivers end up much worse off. I think the balance in Pattaya now is pretty good. The number of baht busses has been greatly reduced, routes and prices are clearly defined If you want to hire a taxi the rules are the same as anywhere else in the world, agree a price you are both happy with before you start your journey.
I understand things could be better and the yellow taxis should have meters that are working all the time.
On the whole I think Pattaya does a pretty good job with their taxis. Keep things the same.


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

No...  anywhere else in the world you do not agree a price before hand in a metered Taxi, the driver simply uses the meter (without questions, without reminders, without negotiation). 

The taxi drivers in Pattaya are operating illegally by charging exaggerated fares and refusing to turn on their meter. 

The are now racketeering and using the threat of violence against any competition. 

Do they now have the protection of the local officials for their illegal behavior?

Chasing and rounding up the competition takes significant effort for these drivers, it must be fun for them. IF they applied the same effort across the board in providing a professional level of service they would be far busier and far more successful.

47 minutes ago, brianj1964 said:

will someone explain "self insured" if it means paying for your treatment out your savings then thats not insurance. i hear this phrase regularly here

Ultimately its someones 'get out of the discussion card' when they don't have adequate medical insurance*

*for whatever reasons... for many, the premiums are too high, so they prefer to take their chances pay themselves from their savings, they may even choose public cheaper hospitals. Others may not be able to get insurance at all due to pre-existing conditions etc... or they came here and are too old and the insurance companies reject their application. 

For those who keep in excess of $1,000,000 in their account liquid and readily accessible in the event of a serious issue - I would suggest that they can consider themselves 'self insured'.... other uses of this term are just avoiding the reality and perhaps really mean 'hoping for the best'.... 

Just now, oldhippy said:

What happens with the checked in baggage?

Thanks again.

 

Checked luggage goes straight through to your destination.

9 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

Thanks Richard - This certainly is a good alternative to flying business class.

 

Definitely - Especially on the Emirates A380 which has sufficient leg room. 

When traveling Business with my Son, I found I didn't sleep anyway because I was always keeping an eye on him. 

Ultimately this led to him getting a great nights sleep on a flight, me not having much sleep. Me being too tired to deal with him once he is full of beans again !!!... 

It's been much easier taking a day time flight, getting a good night sleep at a layover hotel and continuing on with the next flight the next morning. When I get on that flight in the morning, even with a 3 year old child, My Wife, Son and I are the most relaxed people on the plane, we haven't had to deal with any security and have just had a solid nights sleep !... 

I also figure that taking a direct flights with a 3 year old is just too much... It can be done, but if at night time, he would sleep, I wouldn't !... 

If in the day time, he'd get bored and perhaps become harder work. Many people do do it, but I think why bother if I don't have to. 

On a flight to the UK I think the 12 hour UAE layover solves so many off the issues for those of us who do not have overbearing time constraints. 

19 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

I have been thinking of doing the same - 12 hours is a lot when one gets older.

But what about the cost? I assume that the flight will cost more because of the 12 hours lay over? And how much for the air side hotel?

Is it possible to book all this on internet, or do you use a travel agent?

Thanks.

 

 

I use the Airline Websites. 

With Emirates.. Its very simple to select the layover you want.  Emirates price their flights per-leg and you can book all flights on one ticket. Some of the flight costs vary depending on a whole range of factors, availability etc but generally the cost for a ticket with a 2 hr layover is similar to the cost of a ticket with a 12 hr lay over. 

With Etihad I had to phone up as the Website does not show flights with a long layover. 

I was using air-miles and am not sure if there is any difference in cost, but it should be easy enough to find out when looking into flights. 

The Air-side hotels: 

Dubai International Terminal Hotel: AED 700 / THB 6560

Abu Dhani Aerotel: AED 580 / THB 5440

Be careful when booking the Airside hotels as a lot of websites use the terminology 'Airport hotel' for hotels which are near, but not inside the airports and you'd have to clear immigration etc. 

Note:

Dubai Airport: A Transit Visa is not required if transiting for less than 24 hrs. 

Abu Dhabi: A Transit Visa is required for 'some nationalities' (Thai (not British)) in Abu Dhabi for any transit layover longer than 8 hrs (Cost is US$58) - (Even if you are not leaving the airport)

8 minutes ago, bangkokairportlink said:

Credit cards are the best way to be even more tracked. I pay all cash like in 1870 and I never feel the need of any credit card !

 

 

Why would someone fear being tracked through their credit card ?.... the convenience outweighs any foreseeable 'foil hat paranoia'...  you can also be tracked via your IP address... I hope you are using a VPN !!!.... But what about your cash withdrawals?... Mobile phone use? etc... 

For the last 3 years in a row my Wife, Son and I have had flights to Japan using Air-miles. Flights which would otherwise cost about 51,000 baht (we did have to pay tax). 

49 minutes ago, yogavnture said:

I think I might do this next time. I flew cathay pacific from bkk to Chicago.  14 hours plus. I'm getting too old for 15 hour flights.  tramatic.  if a person broke up flight to seoul layover with room it would make it more bearable.  any body have any info on any airlines other than asiana doing this?  obviously if the layover is more than 8 hours nobodys gonna buy that flight so the room idea is sensible

PS. ASIANA only gives the room one way...........not two ways

Not to the US... but I do something similar all the time flying back to the UK from Bangkok. 

The direct flight is a lot with a 3 year old, so we break up the flight with an over night in the UAE (either Abu Dhabi or Dubai), which has Air-side hotels (no need to leave the terminal or pass immigration).

We take an afternoon flight from BKK, arrive in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi for a +/- 12 hr lay over.... We check in to the hotel, then go for dinner, walk around the duty free shops, go back to the hotel, give my son a bath and all get into bed and watch a movie together.... then wake up, shower and go to the Gate without having to go through any security etc... just grab a coffee on the way to the gate !!!...  

We are fully rested and relaxed for the morning flight onwards from the UAE to the UK. 

The whole journey Airport to Airport to Airport takes about 26 hrs... but we are in no major rush and find that upon our arrival we have already broken the back of jet-lag. 

We do the same in return.... I've found this to be the one of the easiest ways to travel (if in no rush). 

I've been flying business class for the last 15 years... since my Son turned 2 I won't pay for his business class ticket... I've found that flying Emirates A380 economy class with the 12 hr layover to be one the easiest ways of getting back and forth to and from the UK....

So... Emirates: Thats the best airline for me and my family to fly out of BKK to the UK with.

With one exception: Emirates seem to have been increasing their prices from flights originating in Asia lately. 

IF I'm not mistaken, when there is a road traffic accident resulting in death all partied involved with the event will be charged as a formality regardless of innocence or guilt.. This is why our first class insurance has a 200,000 baht bail bond. 

Again, IF I'm not mistaken this formality will pass and hopefully common sense will prevail in the recognition that this was a tragic accident caused by the bike driver braking.

9 minutes ago, nontabury said:

 With which bank do you and your wife hold these credit cards? 

 

 As per my post 32, I was not as successful.

Citibank... my Wife already had the Card for a number of years and simply added me to her account after we got married. 

You should have no issues 'piggy backing' on your Wife's existing Credit Card... I'm not sure why you are getting the run around from SCB, but it seems highly unprofessional. Keep trying. 

Edit: I forgot that I also have another Credit Card from Bank of Ayudhya - its locked away in the safe and has never been used or unlocked. 

This is an issue for many foreigners here in Thailand. But I also understand the banks. Foreigners are a flight risk. They can build up debt and disappear. 

I don't have a Thai Credit Card anymore. I'm simply an additional card holder on my Wife's account, which I feel is a good work around. 

Banks have also come up with the simple and elegant solution of secured credit cards. 

If you want the convenience of a credit card, but don't have a work permit and have difficult applying for a credit card, the secured card is a reasonable solution for someone who is prepared to have xxx amount (i.e. 100,000 baht) locked.

OR, you can pay for everything in cash and use Cash as a deposit... 

OR, pay in advance for your room with a debit card, and withdraw the deposit at an ATM and use Cash as a deposit.

If you find the simple solutions above an issue I can understand why the hotel is a little unhelpful.

IF you don't have the money for a secured credit card, I can understand why the Banks wouldn't issue you with a credit card. 

Personally, I find credit cards a necessary - especially when booking flights etc, some airlines will not accept debit cards. 

These days my Wife and I use our (her) Credit Card as much as possible and use the points for air-miles. 

I've had similar issues with inexplicably dumb and unhelpful managers at banks...

SCB next to J Avenue - I wanted to withdrawer 50,000 baht... I went into the Bank, they wanted Bankbook and Passport.

I had my Bankbook, work-permit expired passport, Drivers license and Letter from the Embassy saying that my passport is under renewal.... Cannot !!! need valid Passport !!!... Ai-yaaa... got them to call up head office, manager spoke with head office, I spoke with head office, head office said it was ok...  Manager still said, cannot !!!!.... Grrr...  

I went outside and made the 3 necessary withdrawals instead (2x20k and 1x10k).... 

Some people are so scared to make a mistake their first and only course of action is to do nothing....  this was one of those guys, the only thing to do is move along unless the issue is worth becoming frustrated over. 

Every year... 

Checks on billboards (after one collapses)

Clampdown on busses & minivans (after an accident)

Drains to be cleaned (after flooding)

Food defenses to be checked and secured (after flooding)

Taxi's to the clamped down upon (after a public incident)

Nightclubs to be checked (after a major incident / fire etc)

etc etc etc... 

When will proactiveness become of key importance in Thailand ?

2 hours ago, wprime said:

In Thailand there's no law against passing in a lane on the left.

There is... 

Section 34 Land Traffic Act.

On 5/14/2017 at 11:40 PM, MaksimMislavsky said:

In legal usage throughout the English–speaking world, an Act of God is a natural disaster outside human control.
I mean, it just happened. Nobody wanted or expected it. And it is sad.

In the UK (*some call it a nanny state), the local authorities visited my Sisters house, the tree in the Garden (+100 years old) was to be checked. It was found to have some form of weakness (disease ?) which weakened the limbs. 

The tree was all but chopped down....  leaving bare stumps, where limbs were to re-grow. 

Of course, Thailand has nothing such as this... 

In the UK (*nanny state) there are many measures put in place to ensure our safety. Thus, while this may be considered an 'Act of God' the consequences could mitigated almost fully given the correct direction, care, legislation etc... 

However, this 'Act of God' was not only not-mitigated against, it was exacerbated with the poor construction of telegraph poles (as my above post comments). I've seen another video of the same event (Panthip forum) a telegraph pole falls on and kills the motorcyclists (not the tree). 

It wasn't the tree which killed the Motorcyclist. 

The tree blew over in strong winds onto the telegraph lines (phone, internet, power lines)... 

These lines brought down a handful of concrete telegraph poles, a little like a domino effect.

About 100m from where the tree fell, a falling concrete telegraph pole fell directly into the road and onto the passing motorcyclist. 

IMO: Fault : 1) The tree was poorly secured. 2) The telegraph poles were poorly secured. 

IMO: the failure to adequately secure the telegraph poles is poor / lazy planning / workmanship - The fault lies directly with the local authorities. 

Another Video

https://www.facebook.com/ThaiVisaNews/videos/10156172447033012/

1) Copy the sentence into excel (it will appear in one cell)

2) In the [Data] wizard (top line of Tabs in the excel window select 'Text to Columns' and select 'space' delimited

3) Copy the row of cells, re-paste as 'paste special' select transposed

https://www.extendoffice.com/documents/excel/3475-excel-split-sentence-into-words.html#a1

8 minutes ago, TheLobster said:

I'm disgusted with the prejudices on display from some members posting on this forum.

They have been caught carrying out a criminal activity. It has also been reported in Thai media that they 'did a runner' from their expensive hotel after racking up quite a bill.... 

These guys have acted in fragrant disregard for the law...   regardless of race look into them a little deeper, if this means 'profile them' then do so, profile them as criminals, check into past crimes with the UK authorities, check their social media accounts...  check anything which may give them away as career criminals or a further threat to the safety of people in any country.... 

That is not prejudice - it is simply profiling criminals...  given the facial hair why not take the profiling a stage further and check religious beliefs ?? these guys have proven they think they are beyond the law... it would be smart for the authorities to check everything, thats not prejudice, its doing their job !

Nasty piece of work... there is some discussion, then the Westerner just attacks the boy (who appears more like 14 than 10)...  that said, the attack seems very sudden - I'm left wondering what the 'kicker' was, what triggered him to snap like that. 

A truck speeding then....    

Looking at the photo I'm astonished that no one was killed... the Honda Jazz was crushed in half. 

It really is about time there are some more serious consequences for those causing these incidents, for they are not accidents, they are something more severe...  people in charge of a deadly vehicle driving so carelessly need to be made far more aware of the potential consequences of their actions....

Yes, thats a highly repetitive comment we see on ThaiVisa.com...  nevertheless, one which requires constant repetition. 

1 minute ago, eeyang wah said:

I knew that foreigner-blaming headline would be wrong before I even read the article. 

How about: Two dead as idiot crosses road without looking.

Agreed....  the headline appears quite harsh and would appear to blame the foreigner rather than someone not looking.

Headline should read: Two dead as local takes short cut across highway. 

52 minutes ago, SGD said:

Not exactly white Anglo Saxon British though are they ? 

 

2nd or 3rd generation immigrant scum who think the world owes them a living and that they can take instead of paying.

 

I'd be checking out their allegiance mullah related sympathisers as well.

 

Or just chuck them in jail for a decade or two.

Looking at the facial hair I suspect they are certainly worthy of a little investigatory profiling... 

[Don't like the idea of profiling? fine... I don't like the idea of not being able to take my laptop on a flight... Security these days involves many issues we may not feel comfortable with, but for the greater good we may have to compromise]

6 minutes ago, transam said:

Planks.....

As thick as two short ones...