Bill Miller

These are some of the points.
Nobody is coming to take your guns. That is the rhetoric of the less intellectually gifted of the NRA groupies.
The President does not expect to eliminate all gun violence. As posted earlier, if the life of one child is saved it is worth the

inconvenience.
"I can't sell a gun to a private party in my state by any means without going through a dealer ..." Horseshit. It happens ALL OF THE TIME. Flea markets, garage sales, neighbors. You perhaps cannot do it legally, but do not say that you cannot do it. Great consequences need to be attached to the act to discourage it.
The same with the lame "only criminals..." etc. From FBI tables for 2010.... "Felony circumstances (rape, robbery, burglary, etc.) accounted for 23.1 percent of murders." That means that 76.9 % were not necessarily committed by criminals in the course of a crime. There is ambiguity because an awful lot of the data is reported with a ridiculous percentage of "unknown".
Not completely negating your remarks, but pointing out that they are not absolutes, and that some improvement can and should be made. My last gun purchase was through a licensed dealer, and yeah, I had to wait for a few days for the background check. If someone cannot wait I must question their reason for purchasing a firearm

What has the News come to, reporting the opinion of a deckchair operator. I use to like Ko Larn, before it got over run with people. Hope the little guy (boy) is on the mend very soon.

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The deck chair operator lives there, and sees the behavior of both the tourists and the monkeys on a daily basis. I would say he is qualified to offer a "man on the street" observation.

Unless your opinion has more to do with the fact of his Thainess, it smacks of elitism directed against his "lowly" status as a deckchair operator.

The monkeys are natural to the area, and suggestions about relocating or otherwise disposing of them are way out of line, IMO.
The suggestion for improved warning signs is not bad, though I wonder if most four year olds would find them useful?
The greatest responsibility does rest with the parents. Don't blame monkeys for behaving like monkeys.
What if the little guy had fallen off of a rock and broken his arm? Would people be advocating for removal/fencing away all rocks? Or maybe swath the whole island in foam rubber to allow soft landings?
Kids get cut, scratched, bitten, and broken as part of their "rite of passage" to adult hood. Thankfully it did not look like a very serious wound.
As for those complaining about the macaques being "filthy animals", or whatever, the solution is simple; stay out of their habitat.

What is LPR ?

This is one of the things that annoys the crap out of me.

This was answered no less than five times in two pages of this thread. Granted three of them were repeats by mistake I think, but still, the answer was given, and only three messages back from this particular post.

How bout reading the thread before posting questions or comments that are already dealt with?

Mistaken? No, it was a bloody lie.
You can get away with this kind of thing when you are Joe Blow bragging at a backyard barbecue.
When you are contending for the top office in the land you should be smart enough to know the bullshit will always be caught out.

We went to Singapore November 13-18, we being my GF, her sister, and two nieces. No problems at all in immigration, either way.
Regarding Thai immigration, I remove my cap while approaching and say "Sawadee krub". I am sure my accent sucks, but the effort seems to be really appreciated.

Sigh. So apparently the info given last year by the Immigration official is already out-dated ?

"Earlier this afternoon, Thaivisa.com spoke to Deputy Commander and Police Colonel Voravat Amornvivat, a senior official at Immigration headquarters in Bangkok.

Deputy Commander Voravat wanted to reassure the expat community in Thailand about the current situation.

He told Thaivsia.com that information in an article published by The Nation on 31 July 2014, was incorrect.

Deputy Commander Voravat confirmed that foreign tourists and expats do not need to carry their passports with them at all times.

He said that tourists can of course leave their passports locked in their hotel safe and enjoy their holiday in Thailand without worrying about the need to carry their original passport.

Deputy Commander Voravat also said that for expats living here, a Thai driving license or photocopy of your passport can be used as a form of identification.

However, if Immigration Police suspect an individual to be overstaying in Thailand or being involved in illegal activity, then the individual would be required to produce their original passport promptly."

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747736-no-need-to-worry-says-bangkok-immigration-commander/?p=8178268

Not that it makes any difference. If someone in one department makes a statement and then it isn't passed on to everyone else in every department, every time they change staff, then within weeks the info will be forgotten and we'd be back to the beginning (again).

"...do not need to carry their passports with them at all times."

Evidently while patronizing a Russian Go Go bar is one of the times you DO need to carry your passport.....

I rather enjoy the locale. If you have a hankering for a bite of Western style food you can find most any type within a few blocks. The touts and junk watch sellers can mostly be discouraged with a slight shake of the head and a smile. There are a couple of places that, in the afternoon at least, seem to run more to cold beer and billiards or darts than any of the shadier pursuits. I have had a couple of pleasant chats with some of the working girls, but that is about that as I am one of those dysfunctional types these days... 12 prescription medications can be a let down, if you will.
As someone else observed it is what you make of it. As an inveterate people watcher I have rarely seen a better vantage point.

Has nobody heard of taxi's, or am I missing something?

Yes; it's the Chiang Mai forum. It's not about Bangkok.

• Taxi Meter Chiang Mai

  Tel. 053 279291 or 053 271242

• Taxi Lanna Co., Ltd.

  Tel. 053 922142 or 053 922152.

• Taxi Chiang Mai

  Tel. 053 262878 or 053 241955

Amazing that so many people have no notion of how serious Thai people are about their religion, and the social stigma attached to inappropriate

use or display of the foot. I suppose many of those dismissing the concern over this incident also resent the cultural necessity of removing one's

shoes before entering homes or temples?

Why not spit on the floor of the Sistine Chapel? Why not piss against the Kaaba in Mecca?

If you do not respect the culture of a country then what the hell are you doing there? You may think it is superstitious rubbish,

but it is THEIR country. If you cannot respect that then go back to your own country and your own cherished superstitions and customs.

It is not just the "Ugly American" anymore .... no nationality seems exempt.

I am not sure who is serious, and thus seriously deranged, or is using well disguised sarcasm.

One thing I AM fairly confident about is that OP is confused about the differentiation between "devaluation" and "depreciation". One is a deliberate act by the monetary authority of the subject currency, while the other, depreciation, is primarily market driven vs bench mark currencies.

Those who are truly concerned about Illuminati, NWO, FEMA camp interment, etc., truly have much greater problems than the relative strength of TB vs USD. I don't really foresee fluctuations of more than a couple of percent either direction in the near future.

Here's my two cents.... I noticed a similar setup along On Nuch 17 near my apartment building in Bkk....... they were not stopping taxis with passengers. Do I need to supply anything further ?
The only time I was eligible for arrest was on my birthday this past January, and I was only at risk as I stumbled up the stairs from the Karaoke bar to my room at the hotel in Chiang Mail. I vaguely recall having assistance from a couple of lady friends who made sure I got to the correct room.

I had wondered about this, too. One of the maids at the apartment complex I lived at for a couple of months would often give me "khrap", but with a big smile and unfailingly polite and helpful. I have noticed it from time to time with other Thai women "of a certain age", as well.
I had at first put it down to my not-quite-ready-for-a-hearing -aid status, but having noticed it gave it closer attention.
I surmised that the "rule" about polite particles is not all that strict in practice, like so many other facets of Thai culture. No biggie as it IS an item of politeness. At 61 any lady who wants to patronize me as a "boy" gets a smile.

Separating the bananas will also slow down the ripening a bit.

Great tips all around.
I did spend time in Chiang Mai... the (not) girlfriend's family lives in one of the near villages. I hired a minibus and driver for five days, (hope we were not the ones nearly wiped the rider out!). I saw so many wonderful things in such a short time, I need to sit down and recollect who, what, and where with the aid of the photos.
The trip to the Myanmar border was memorable... there are sand bag and timber fortifications all about, and a few armed soldiers, etc. All is quiet these days, but a reminder that it is not always so.
I would recommend the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs at Moo 7, Baan Pong Hom | Ban Sahakorn, Mae On as a relaxing interlude.

As the question did not specify home in Thailand, I will tender the current inventory in Arizona... Two dogs, four cats, (done from thirty odd, wherever the heck they all came from), and one old retired mare. In recent time as many as four horses, goats, yaks, and a variable flock of chickens. Many transient cattle.
I see no reason to change habits when finally ensconced in Thailand. Most of my Thai friends either have or would like to have animal family members.
I was happy to befriend many of the ubiquitous cats and dogs in the neighbourhood during my two month visit to Bkk.

I am happy there is a good resolution.
Bless all the good.

Ah, yes, the ignore function.

Many really great people here, who give thoughtful and well intentioned answers. Thanks.

Then as in any area of human endeavor there are the plus perfect <deleted> whose only remaining purpose in life is to satisfy some purely personal image of their own cleverness and humour by insulting and ranking on others.

News flash: your public displays of mental masturbation are neither clever nor amusing.

Sod off. I am happy to block any further input of your deranged ramblings.

"Ignore" is the cowards way out

Ah, yes, the ignore function.

Many really great people here, who give thoughtful and well intentioned answers. Thanks.

Then as in any area of human endeavor there are the plus perfect &lt;deleted&gt; whose only remaining purpose in life is to satisfy some purely personal image of their own cleverness and humour by insulting and ranking on others.

News flash: your public displays of mental masturbation are neither clever nor amusing.

Sod off. I am happy to block any further input of your deranged ramblings.

Hmm. Somewhat bemused by the folks who think it unthinkable to aid in the support of an aged father in law. Then again I AM the type of loser who puts my spare change in the charity boxes, and makes the odd contribution to temples, churches, etc., even ones at which I am not a member.
Perhaps I have been contaminated by reading too much philosophy, and the dharmas of creating compassion and charity in the world?
Maybe I am just too old and live too much by the lessons of my youth, id est to honour the aged, and love thy neighbour, etc.
Again, thanks to those with thoughtful and genuine advice and anecdotes.
Some of you lotbeware of Karma; she can be a bitch.

With 65 KB pm you would be upper middle class, not HiSo.

If you want to cope with Bangkok HiSo snobs you would need more, but in this case you wouldn't need to ask TVF, would you?

Didn't need to ask TVF in the first place. He has not bothered to reengage in the conversation so I am going out on a limb and calling this a troll post.

Dear counter-troll,

maybe he's just reading the posts.

Yes, or sitting in limbo at Thai immigration getting my "permission to stay" extended.

Certainly not waiting in breathless anticipation of the soi disant humour of a few of the members here.

Members, indeed.

so as most people commented:

1) usually the wife/gf contributes to an income as well unless she looks after children but even then she should be able to contribute something.

2) 1m baht per year is ok to live from for a couple. I spend less although we don't have debt, both car and house we own and is paid upfront.

Now you should really challenge her attitude that she doesn't want to contribute financially to you as a couple or her family. It's a matter of character and I guess also if she has a decent education and is still young, what does she do if she is not working? Personally I prefer hard working, well educated women who contribute to the family, be it through a business they run, a job they have or some other ways.

I have probably muddied the waters a bit here.

The lady in question does work, and very hard. She is a department manager in a global retail chain, and works average 60-70 hours per week for about 30,000tb a month salary. She has also put herself through massage school and would like to open a shop of her own, but feels it is necessary to save money for a year or two working somewhere overseas. Higher income, perhaps, but much higher COL as well. I think her statement about a "good boyfriend" was 80% jest.

She would like to contribute to support for her 87 year old father, and as I say I have no problem with that at all.

The daughter is grown, and very serious about improving her work skills as a recently graduated nurse so she can help mom out.

My major concern was whether 1 mill/year, disability pension and retirement combined, would provide a decent baseline for a couple plus dad.

If I made that per month I would hardly be asking, now would I?

Thanks again to the kind folks have given some serious thought and info/advice.

This is a subject which has been "discussed" between myself and my Thai best friend. Her idea is that a proper "boyfriend" takes care of all of his girlfriend's financial needs including her family, of course. I would not mind carrying the bulk of the burden, but I do not see why one's partner cannot contribute at least a part time income to the deal. Is this a usual attitude? We are talking someone who has managed to support herself and a daughter for twenty odd years with no help from the father of the child.
The crux of the matter is that I have an income of somewhat over one million tb. Yeah, that is not exactly Hiso, but it seems it should be plenty to support a couple and help one aging parent as well.
Am I way off base here? I would like any comments regarding experiences with both of these elements, whether it is usual for a Thai woman to expect the man in a relationship to carry the whole nut, and what is considered a comfortable income on average, with full cognizance that a village in Chiang Mai will have a different standard from Metro Bangkok.

A German visitor came back from watching the last round of Honda LPGA at Siam Country. He was fuming. What happened, I asked, soothing the poor man's distress with a bottle of his favorite Paulaner Weissbier. He said "Our group arrived and everybody paid 500 Baht. When it was my turn, I was waved through. A sign said Free over 60, but I had not even shown any ID. Not paying was the ultimate insult. Racists, the lot of them".

Same happened to me at Songkhla Zoo.

Too funny!

I remember the first time something similar happened to me. I was given the senior discount at a restaurant without being asked, and was momentarily irked. Then reason established itself.

I actually ask sometimes if there is a senior discount. It is not a huge saving and I am hardly destitute, but every little bit does help.

Yes, I have been known to wear a kilt.