richard_smith237

Upon arriving at Suvarnabumi after a month in the UK the immigration officers insisted on 'stamping me' in for one day, as my extension of stay (work) expired the next day. I explained that I am no longer working, the job was terminated while I was away in the UK. I wished to be stamped in on my Thai Elite Visa...

 

The Immigration officer informed me I couldn't do this, that I couldn't choose which Visa I preferred to use. I argued that it was my choice, not his and I definitely wasn't going to accept being stamped in today and have to leave again tomorrow... that was just daft. 

 

I refused to accept his decision and asked for his supervising officer, who in turn told the junior officer that he was wrong.

 

Lesson learnt: Don't kowtow... if something doesn't seem right, it usually isn't - there is nothing wrong with firmly but politely questioning things. The amount of people in positions of power who have inadequate training is incredible. 

I'm still not quite sure what happened here... 

 

Two motorcycles involved in a race, one of which collided with the Lexus. 

 

The Lexus driver lied about the incident and claimed he had just stopped to assist the injured party. 

 

 

I'm curious, how was the Lexus driver driving recklessly?... did he go into the back of the racing motorcycles?

4 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I am often puzzled why so many people deliberately put their life in danger in search of 'adventure'. Not very considerate if they have family they leave behind to cope with the consequences of failure. I can only guess that they consider life as it is is too boring.

 

I think it depends on your risk profile...  In New Zealand, both my Wife and I did the 136m Nevis Bungy... We sky dived from 15000 ft above lake Taupo, we took the Shotover Jetboat along a Queenstown river canyon... 

 

We had a 10 month old child at the time...  We didn't go up in the plane together... Some may say this was too risky, others may agree that its just adults enjoying and getting on with life... I say it was an excellent adventure and an incredible experience...  

 

I wouldn't try the same in Thailand... In fact when evaluating and balancing out the risks I even avoid using motorcycle taxis here in Thailand (Bangkok).

 

.... some of these adventures offering a Thrill, when evaluated with an intelligent and balanced approach are often much safer than the risks we expose ourselves too in everyday life (such as crossing the road in Thailand, using motorcycle taxi's, walking next to a boiling vat of oil on the street, walking down a pavement with motorcycles, taking a taxi on the toll way without rear seatbelts etc etc.... getting in Taxi's with emotionally immature and high charged potentially aggressive drivers !!!... the list goes on)... 

 

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, sanemax said:

Who else was in the plane with him ?

What happened to his credit cards and phone ?

People dont just jump out of aeroplanes for no reason

There is more to this story , I reckon that he was pushed out the aeroplane

 

When you go sky diving... you don your shoot before entering the plane... 

... If he was pushed - he'd still be able to open his shoot.

 

... more to the story... agreed... Shoot didn't open, or landed in the water and drowned under the shoot... or... 

What on earth was he doing with a grenade at home ??? !!!

 

... Who keeps a grenade a home ??... 

 

... the insane part of this story, well, its all insane, is that someone mentally unstable enough to use a grenade to threaten their own child (or anyone else), can so readily get their hands on a device used to main handfuls of people at one time... 

 

... Mad !!!

8 minutes ago, midas said:

Plus in today's world we don't know what is going to happen next month or even next week and for me to pay that amount for   future " benefits " it would have to be a fairly sure thing and because it went broke once before it's definitely not that

 

I'm into my 11th year of Membership... I'm not so sure the program went broke, but at a couple of times the future of the TE program was a little sketchy. 

By the time I am 50 and of retirement age the program will have cost me 152 baht per day. 

From usage (Golf, Massage & Airport Trx) I've pretty much recovered my costs. 

 

That said: The perks have changed, many have been dropped... the goal posts have moved (i.e. changes in golf courses, many have gone, 7 series BWM dropped to Camry (this doesnt bother me), Massage now limited to Thai or foot massage only (this annoyed me)... 

 

So.. with all this, I've still been happy with the program and now that I'm married to a Thai and have a child I could sell my membership and apply for the Type O visa... but its just too convenient. 

 

The greatest convenience - not having to queue at immigration and being whisked straight through to the waiting car...  If you are a frequent flyer this perk alone is worth it. 

 

 

Trip, trap, trip, trap went his hooves.  ‘Who’s that trip trapping over my bridge?’ roared the Troll... 

 

Op: Try much much harder... 

The flight attendant is quoted as saying that the Child cannot occupy a seat as he is under 2 years old. 

 

This is incorrect: In an *FAA approved car seat a Child is more safe than in the arms of its parent.  The FAA actually recommends securing your child instead of placing the child in your lap.

(*Most stage 0-1 car seats are FFA approved these days). 

 

FAA Approved Car Seats:

 

Quote

Quote from FAA Website:

Did you know that the safest place for your child on an airplane is in a government-approved child safety restraint system (CRS) or device, not on your lap? Your arms aren't capable of holding your child securely, especially during unexpected turbulence.

 

I used to fly this way with my Son all the time (car seat on the plane) The only difference, I never bought the seat as there were always spares. 

 

The video clearly shows that the guy bought the seat for his child. Delta have made up some rubbish, and for what ?...  their stance makes no sense whatsoever... its as if the world has gone insane. 

 

 

With no social welfare system in Thailand, those with criminal records who cannot join the Police force, who are too useless or lazy to find a conventional paying job as a laborer or taxi driver turn to monk-hood... 

 

I often wonder how many of these monks are criminals who have no other alternative and are ticking time bombs...  It would seem, a lot more than we think. 

18 minutes ago, Mad mick said:

No its thailand they do the same to fly to Australia cost at least $200 + , more from here welcome to amazing thailand u r a farang u pay more .

 

Thats a rather flawed attempt at a Thai bash: Thai's also have to pay more for their flights originating in Thailand, and the companies with asymmetrical pricing are not Thai... 

 

With a reasonable amount of planning (at least 6 months for a biannual visit and a flexible ticket), it may actually be worth buying a one way and the return from my home country to bring these prices down. 

 

Because of this huge cost discrepancy, for my family and I, I recently used Airmiles with Etihad to fly to the UK and return from the UK with Emirates one way... (Perhaps I should have returned with Emirates on a return UK based ticket - which would have worked out cheaper in the long run).

What this woman did was clearly wrong...  

.... Now, why didn't the boat operator also know this an advise her to return the Starfish to the water ?

 

IMO: The boat operator is also complicit in ensuring that those under his charge behaved correctly.

Of course this would be too good to be true....

 

-----

 

As others have mentioned this is hardly the crime of the century, but it is this level of ignorance which damages the environment we live in. ALL involved need to be educated. This starts with the first line of defense, the boat operators who in turn educate the tourists. 

 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, Deserted said:

Cycling in BKK isn't foolish. I made a mistake well two in fact but this is my fifth year and this year I had 3914 kms on my odometer already. We all make mistakes but yes I do wonder how after approximately 17000 kms in this city alone two accidents came close together and there weren't any previously. I know I made two mistakes and if I were new to cycling here I would think its foolish too. However, one more incident and I most certainly will be calling it quits. Both accidents were in the dark. I don't cycle in the dark now. I think you can minimise your efforts and be much safer. I do know how people drive here but as long as you are cautious and careful, you can be okay unless you make a mistake at the wrong time. That can happen with many things, crossing the road, you name it. Unfortunately, once is enough though. It's not a good city to cycle in but with care and attention insurance isn't necessary. 

 

Without wishing to come down too hard on you and while I do appreciate your experience in riding the 'one more incident and I'll call it quits' idea is fundamentally flawed... one more accident and IT could be quits... lights out, the end... dead.

 

You recognize that Bangkok is not a good city to cycle in, but with care and attention you dont need insurance ?.. it would seem extremely caviler not to ensure you have adequate medical coverage while in Thailand, even more so if you are partaking in activities which increase your risk profile. 

 

By not cycling in the dark you have reduced your risk profile significantly, thats a smart move. I've been driving for over 15 years in Thailand... people do silly things, my guess is that they just don't pay attention, motorcycles do even sillier things.... I also ride a bicycle - its the motorcycles which do the silly things and place me at additional risk..  

 

The general education levels, awareness of the dangers, concept of consequence and consideration for others on the roads in Thailand is such that any activity where Vehicles (motorcycles and cars) are mixed with much slower traffic (cycling or pedestrian) there is a significant increase in the risk of serious injury no matter what precautions you take or how dramatically heightened your awareness is...  

 

Its a balance, quality of life, enjoyment etc must be balanced off against the risks which we all evaluate differently. 

2 hours ago, Deserted said:

I was in the inside lane as the video shows, I then moved to the middle lane and shouldn't have, certainly not so quickly as I did. The error of judgement was mine yes but the taxi triggered that the reaction that became that error. The root of the fault lies there as he had enough road to go round me (according to the driver) but the principal mistake was mine. Like you said we all know taxi drivers can be like that but I take that route home so often I was also caught off-guard by it not being as empty as it usually is. In addition, I had not even cycled 200 meters when it happened. I just wasn't focused enough in time. Silly, I know.   

 

Fair enough...  when the Taxi driver was papping his horn and making a general ass of himself behind you, I'm curious why you would pull out to the right into the second lane instead of pulling over towards the curb on the left ?

 

 

You must be a city person. Before I met the gf she had never been on a train. let alone a plane, never been to Bangkok, never had a holiday because she had to work and suppport her family.
Reads like a snotty nose to me.

We each justify our experiences...

For many, myself included, the differences and gulf in life experiences would just be too great to find any common ground with someone who can't even book a hotel room....

You may call that snotty, others call it common sense. I call it not shacking up with the first poverty stricken sapling who's only future is the pocket of a western prince.....





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9 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

Most come from families of very simple means. In addition, when children are involved- they are not getting support from the children's father.  I would never assume a thai from this background would ever understand much of anything about hotel deposits; booking deadlines; cancellation etc. Why would you?  They do not have the same experience as we Westerners have.

I hold to my original premise- the ignorant one is the  Op because he did not explain to his consort the facts. In addition, paying 12K Baht per night for a condo is ridiculous and his Girlfriend knew it. The OP should apologize to his girlfriend for over reaction and explain to her how things work when handling such a situation. He learned a 12,000 Baht lesson but I doubt he really understand why.

 

Quote

Most thais in a relationship with a Westerner have never been on vacation; do not use credit cards and certainly have never booked a hotel  period.

 

Really ???? Neve been on a vacation, don't use cards, never booked a hotel ???.... come again !!! ????

 

I'm left wondering if your only exposure to Thailand is with laborers, migrant workers and hookers... 

 

.... some comments I read on ThaiVisa.com really do make me wonder...  

 

I don't think I know any Thai's who don't have a credit card...  All of my Thai friends holiday regularly and they most certainly are literate enough to make a hotel booking !!!.

 

---------

 

12,000 baht - Is it one night or more than one night, i.e. 3 nights ? I didn't see where the Op specified one night. 

On 5/3/2017 at 7:18 AM, Deserted said:

It's risky but not crazy to cycle in Bangkok. After the 'Bike for Mom and Dad' thing, cycling has taken off here and there are many clubs around the city who do it all the time. I put 8000kms on my bike last year, nearly all of which were in the city. I was at 3914kms on Apr12th when the accident occurred. I have cycled here for many years and never had a problem. Most people back off a little when they see a bicycle. I changed lane too quickly because I had a taxi up my backside beeping away and became startled. That is what caused the accident. As with many things, one mistake can be fatal. IMHO the guys on the motorbikes are much more at risk because of their speed. I am usually between 28-32 kms per hour, that's not fast. I made a very poor decision under pressure and paid the price. I have taken that exact road home for 5 years now, I know it well. It was Songkran, it was midnight, I expected it to be almost empty but it wasn't quite that.

 

If you are cautious and experienced Bangkok isn't so bad to cycle in but yes it is risky and yes even on a 20km ride into the city, so many decisions have to be made. You do need to be at full concentration all the way. The one time I wasn't I paid the price.  

 

Not quite: You were in the middle lane blocking a taxi.... Thats what caused the incident.. (the route cause).

... rightly or wrongly so you were in the Taxi's way... this is how the Taxi driver see's it... You were blocking the whole middle lane.

Now... we all know that the Taxi driver was an ass... but many are... Being in the right and having right of way does not make you more safe. 

 

... You write, "as with many things, one mistake can be fatal".....   On a Bike in the central lane with traffic passing you on either side... 'one mistake is more likely to be fatal'... you failed to reduce your exposure to the risk. 

 

... As you well know, you were very very lucky...  but also foolish to be in such a position in the first place. 

12 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

Westerners are taken for a ride to places they do not want daily in Thailand- It has been happening for  decades and will continue.  This is not a question of stupidity but being gullible and the fact that anyone with any sense would never pay 12,000 Baht for a condo/hotel  or as far as I am concerned never pay 6,000 Baht.

The truly ignorant person is the OP who expects a  Thai to understand how hotel bookings work and the cancellation policy.  In addition- if your only reason for 'supporting' a person is they are 'attractive'- you have some personality issues.

Reading over these answers reminds me of why Thai women became disgusted by Western men. They are selfish and arrogant. 

Keep yelling at her and one day you will come home and she won't be there.

 

I would argue that the Truly Ignorant person is someone who expects Thai't NOT to understand this stuff...  

 

 

8 minutes ago, robblok said:

Why do guys give their GF's an allowance. Do they rent them ? Can't they work themselves ? Would they not be their GF if no allowance. I never really got the allowance thing.

 

Never a girl friend...  But once my Wife had our son and stopped working I gave her an allowance, which I think is fair enough. My Brothers in Law also give my Sisters a monthly allowance (in the UK). 

 

That said, your question was about girlfriends... I too cannot understand why a guy would give a 'girlfriend' an allowance... unless it was long term, sort of like a common-law wife in the UK. 

 

In many cases it does appear like 'renting a girl friend'....  then I suspect that in many of these cases, if the money dried up so would the relationship - and there's your answer !!!

16 minutes ago, SICA said:

I have but in all honesty, i'm baffled!

 

My biggest confusion is if i need to apply for my youngest to be a British citizen before applying for the passport.....

 

If you were born in the UK your youngest automatically is a British Citizen. If I'm not mistaken there is no application for this. His passport, once received will also be proof of Nationality (Citizenship).

 

If I'm not mistaken, your 'full' Birth Certificate, and your name on your sons Birth Certificate are proof of his British Citizenship.

 

 

NOTE: the Foreign office Website is not always up to date with the information. When I applied for my Son's Passport, I was informed of the new requirement to have a 'Colour' photocopy of all pages of mine and my Wife's passport - This had not been updated on their Website and I only had Black and White copies... this delayed the application. 

I did this 3 years ago... 

 

I remember needing:

1) Colour photo copies of every page of my Passport. 

2) Colour photo copies of every page of my Wife's Passport (OR Original ID card).

3) Father Full British Birth Certificate

4) Photos of the child, 'True likeness' signed by a 'professional'...  (Childs Dr or Amphur office). 

5) Childs Thai Birth Certificate and Translation certified by Thai MFA (Ministry of foreign affairs). 

 

That info is off the top of my head and may have changed or be incomplete.

 

 

 

 

 

You also apply for your tax renewal online... 

 

https://www.dlt.go.th/th/

 

The English language part of the site is awful and doesn't have the correct links... 

In the Thai part of the site you can pay online and have the tax delivered. 

 

 

If the only reason you are not doing this yourself is to avoid the possibility of a fine - It may be worth just doing it yourself and risking the stop.

 

In Bangkok I was driving for 3 months before the BiB pulled me over and told me my tax was 3 months out of date. 

I gave him 100B and said thanks... I went to the DLT the next day and renewed my tax. 

 

 

 

We just renewed ours...  my Wife took care of it. I think she did it online. 

 

If your car is less than 5 years old it should be simple enough. 

 

What's it worth to you to have someone else travel to the DLT with your blue book and renew the tax for you?

I'd offer them 200 baht....  

 

BUT, I wouldn't let them go for me without arranging an agreed fee first, doing so would leave yourself open to an issue, especially if they are thinking they will get a quick B1000 while you are thinking to pay B100...  Agree a price first !!!

For *many items the real discount if any can only really be compared against purchasing the same goods internationally.

 

I once bought a Bell & Ross watch in Central World.

The 70,000 baht discount I eventually received made it slightly cheaper than purchasing the same watch in the US or the UK. 

 

 

*Only for items which can be hand carried easily. Obviously not for cars, homes, rent etc...

17 hours ago, sirineou said:

Two more months for me, I really thought I would be a lot more wiser by this time 

My Daughter from an other marriage is now twenty,  If I  live long enough to see her graduate I would also die happy. At the rate she is going.......

But I understand your feeling about your son, nothing will make me happier to see my daughters future secured.

My wife' s dad passed unexpectedly last year, and her mother is on dialysis, so her life expectancy is not very long, I hope we can find her a kidney transplant , but I am not optimistic.My wife offered but Mom will have non of it, even though we explained that was not very dangerous to my wife. 

Anyway I dont think Mom will be around for long.

She has a sister who is a very nice girl, but they dont get along very well, Perhaps as they get older. And then Aunts and uncles. I am thinking If she had a kid to keep her busy.

Perhaps I am a bit of a control freak, or ascribe to much importance to my existence, but the Thought of leaving her alone at a relatively young age distresses me. I would feel much better if we were closer in age.

 

 

For those with Children...  I ask an open and innocent question: 

 

How would you feel to see your 20-25 year old offspring dating or married to a 60 year old partner ?

 

Yes, of course we all want to see 'them' happy... I for one have a preference that my child meets someone of equal interest, desire, energy, dreams, passion etc etc.. most of this surely comes with similar age...??? No ?

 

I just couldn't imagine being with a 60 year old lady when I was 25 or 30...  But when I'm 60 being with 25 or 30 year old lady seems quite attractive... so much so I might just 'pull the wool over my own eyes' and use any justification possible to make myself feel better about it...  ... ...

 

.... heck..I'd probably just feel better about it anyway and hope others don't judge...

Which, I guess is what much of this thread is about.... 

 

.... so back to the question... What Age Gap is acceptable ?... I guess what really is acceptable is if the opposite party is making an informed and truly free choice... then any gap (legal) is acceptable.. 

 

...and herein begs the real question... What is a 'Truly Free Choice?'.....   because I don't know many 25 year olds who would freely go for a 60 year old unless they truly love them or have alternate reasons (values)... 

 

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

"According to a United Nations convention on racial discrimination, there is no distinction between the terms "racial" and "ethnic" discrimination. The UN convention further concludes that superiority based on racial differentiation is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous, and there is no justification for racial discrimination, anywhere, in theory or in practice. (Source: Wiki).

 

Britons can be of different race or ethnicity. Suggesting that the crime automatically makes the accused of one specific background when it's not stated is discriminatory. 

 

 

 

Is a British person of different race than an English person ?