eaglesflight

Stupid argument. The British had ALREADY given the Palestinians approximately 70% of what was supposed to be the Jewish homeland - The British Mandate. Nowadays, it is called Jordan. The later split of 56% to the Jews and 44% to the Arabs was a division of only the remaining 30%. On top of that, much of the 56% figure is actually the Negev desert, which was state-owned and had few settlements. It was pretty much worthless. The Palestinians were given FAR more land in the whole process.

Sorry but why is it "supposed to be the Jewish homeland"? What gives them the right to settle the land in perpetuity? In no other part of the world can a race get away with making such ridiculous claims.

When the balance of global power shifts and the USA is no longer in the position it now is, there will be a solution to the problem that Israel has created in the Middle East but perhaps not one the Jews will appreciate.

As the most 'transparent' I'd go with Skype. A SkypeIn number makes it as good as it gets.

Now I use them all, Skype, LINE, Whatsapp and Google Hangouts.

They all have plus & minuses, but if you want a 'real' phone I would always go with Skype

I'm asking about a softphone to download to my computer so I can use my headset to call clients, I'm not asking about phone apps. I already have those and they will do no good for the business I am working for.

you have already been given answers but refuse to listen......skype

I have read each answer, skype is also not a VOIP system. It is not sufficient enough to for talk times of 3-5 hours a day to the US. I have used skype to call family and friends and that is not good enough sometimes.

Of course Skype uses VoIP, what do you think it is?

I've seen them in Kam Thiang Market

I also find it ridiculous that they evidently have to bring their own supplies of sticky rice and grilled pork from 8,000+ km away (the tag on the carton says BKK-ZRH), otherwise they probably would starve to death, because Swiss food is oh so terrible - not.

Probably because street food carts over there don't sell sticky rice and pork at the waterfalls. If they did, the Thais wouldn't need to take their own.

If you cannot survive on local food while on an overseas trip lasting a few days, you better should stay home. I think it's one of the great pleasures of traveling to explore and discover the local food.

You think.. ah cultural superiority raises its ugly head again. Different cultures different values, but of course white skinned people are always right. Thai religious rituals are ridiculed while Christians believed someone came back from the dead. All things that don't conform to OUR way of thinking is wrong. Different does not mean wrong, shows actually that your quite inflexible yourself.

OK, let them be treated according to their own values and customs. Force them to apologise to the Swiss nation on television, surrounded by at least a dozen stern looking Swiss police officers.

I also find it ridiculous that they evidently have to bring their own supplies of sticky rice and grilled pork from 8,000+ km away (the tag on the carton says BKK-ZRH), otherwise they probably would starve to death, because Swiss food is oh so terrible - not.

What about all those foreigners needing farang food.. is that different ?

I know of many foreign tourists who prefer farang food, I actually never have met a foreign tourist who traveled with a suitcase full of farang food though.

You will have to dig a little, but there have been posts by TV members bleating on about how much stuff (food) they have brought back to Thailand

But as you well know, even though you are choosing to ignore it, those TV members are not here on a business trip, they live here.

I came on holiday to Thailand twice, ate Thai food all the time. Now I've lived here for 12 years, I bring food from back home when I visit. Hardly the same as what these people did though is it?

Lots of people are very, very happy comparing and complaining their way through life. I never suggested that you weren't satisfied with your lot. But please don't suppose that this is how everyone goes through their day. Many of us don't feel the need to dwell on the negatives. Personally, I find no joy in it. As you said, we can agree to disagree.

More assumptions from you. Please don't assume that because I disagree with the way the police behaved in one incident that I spend my whole life dwelling on the downside of living here. Instead, try to understand that many of us don't feel the need to ignore the negatives in order to be happy.

For somebody who claims to be so content, you have a strange compulsion to put a wholly negative spin on anybody who disagrees with your point of view.

I'm sure you are very happy. We've seen that in all your complaints.

As for me being negative... could be... but then, I'm not the one making all the complaints, am I? That's not what makes me happy.

"All" my complaints? That would be the few comments I have made in this thread about one particular incident? I'm going to have to add a passion for hyperbole to your list of sins (weak sarcasm too). I'm glad you're so happy but you and your sidekick do sound rather like you had to have a frontal lobotomy in order to achieve your state of Nirvana. I'll say it again: it is possible to be happy without pretending that everything is perfect. I won't reciprocate your offer and ask you to try joining us though because I really don't think you will like it, or be able to cope with it.

I agree they don't have very often, because the publicity they generate is very, very bad for business - plus it makes the cops look at best needlessly overzealous and at worst, patently stupid.

Yes, its not as every other Police force in the World ever makes mistakes.

We're not living in every other country in the world, we're living in Thailand so naturally we discuss the shortcomings of the local police force. If I were back in the UK, I'd probably be moaning about the British police. Are you really so sensitive that you find yourself unable to admit there are things going on in this country that are patently wrong, without trying to justify it by saying that things go wrong elsewhere? A rather strange state to be in if you are.

If I were discussing police brutality in the UK and somebody tried to justify it by saying that cops in the US were far worse, I'd think they were a little unbalanced to be honest with you. It's really nothing to do with the topic at hand what goes on anywhere else. You're trying to make it into a competition between Thailand and the rest of the world. Others are simply trying to discuss what they see as issues with local law enforcement, because this is where we live.

These kinds of topics always bring out the Thailand bashers. Maybe I am just lucky but I have never had any problems at the immigration office in Chiang Rai. Okay, I did sign the copies with the wrong color ink one time but that is the extent of our problems.

What's your definition of 'Thailand bashers'? Is it anybody who doesn't think that every single little thing about this country is absolutely fabulous?

Five days and counting...

Thank God my life isn't THAT boring.

Let's hope it's cut to one day. Songkran is like a big Turkey dinner... The first night it's delicious, but having leftovers for the next three days gets really tiresome.

I thoroughly enjoy one full day of revelry amidst the crowds, But that's enough. It's a matter of gourmet vs gluttony.

You are not a Thai and it is a Thai holiday.

So what? He's allowed an opinion, don't be ridiculous.

The only advantage I have noticed is that I can often open websites when they are not responding without the VPN. I'm assuming this is because of temporary routing issues between my Thai ISP and the sites in question, which the VPN is able to circumvent. This is pot luck however, so not a really reason to use a VPN (although it does happen quite often).

If you have symptoms of magnesium deficiency can't you just take supplements, or isn't it as simple as that?

What annoys me is if they are charging a delivery fee and a service fee, why the hell are they adding 50% to the price of certain items as well? Their mark up should be covered in the 2 fees they charge. (I just looked at their site to check the prices and it seems they have lowered them recently so not as much as 50% any more; I guess that's what competition does. In any case, I don't like price gouging)

Why does it have to be a choice of going home at midnight or whoring? Surely there are grown men and women in Chiang Mai who occasionally like to stay out late every now and again, without getting completely wrecked and sleeping with prostitutes?.

I suppose you maintain a UK address and get your pension increases as well ?...per the rules, if your no longer resident in the UK even as a citizen you could be required to pay for treatment...so it seems you are misinformed...dont believe me...go an look it up

Isn't the salient point people who are resident in the country, not people who aren't - you're just changing the argument as you go along. Give us a link to one single news story about a resident of the UK who died because they didn't have enough money to pay for emergency hospital treatment. In fact, it doesn't matter if they are a resident or not, if you can find one single story about someone being refused emergency medical treatment in the UK because of a lack of funds, I'll eat several of my hats.

Pseudoephedrine is not banned in the UK or Australia. The sale of drugs in which it is an active ingredient are subject to certain restrictions in both countries.

500 baht when I did it just over a month ago. They'll ask you for 2,400 baht but that includes the 1,900 baht extension fee.

Lots of people are very, very happy comparing and complaining their way through life. I never suggested that you weren't satisfied with your lot. But please don't suppose that this is how everyone goes through their day. Many of us don't feel the need to dwell on the negatives. Personally, I find no joy in it. As you said, we can agree to disagree.

More assumptions from you. Please don't assume that because I disagree with the way the police behaved in one incident that I spend my whole life dwelling on the downside of living here. Instead, try to understand that many of us don't feel the need to ignore the negatives in order to be happy.

For somebody who claims to be so content, you have a strange compulsion to put a wholly negative spin on anybody who disagrees with your point of view.

There were 100 police officers, one or two of who were carrying assault rifles.... And people were asked to provide urine samples on the spot, is that right? Or was the report inaccurate?

I see you neatly avoided containing the conversation on what Thai people do when living overseas. The fact they are usually completely disinterested in the local culture doesn't really help your argument I guess.

I dont know, I wasnt there .

I dont know any Thai people from back home, so, I really dont know about that either, so, I cannot comment , but saying that ALL Thai people abroad act in a certain way would be nonsensical, because they are all different

Nobody said all Thai people abroad act in a certain way, you questioned whether ANY of them behaved like posters on here and I pontificated that they probably do, given that MANY are reticent to mix with non-Thais. Following a single train of thought without bending it to suit your point of view is obviously too much for you to handle.

Yes. The one to the left of the immigration office (immediately to the left of the copy shop) will do it.

There were 100 police officers, one or two of who were carrying assault rifles.... And people were asked to provide urine samples on the spot, is that right? Or was the report inaccurate? I don't think I made anything up. Which way the guns in question were pointing is something only those present would know. Assault rifles are not designed to send a peaceful message though, I think we can agree on that.

I see you neatly avoided continuing the conversation on what Thai people do when living overseas. The fact they are usually completely disinterested in the local culture doesn't really help your argument I guess.

We spend our whole lives making comparisons - it's how the human brain is wired. Every time we encounter something new, our brains attempt to associate it with something we have already encountered. Besides, what's wrong with making comparisons or in discussing some of the things that are wrong with Thailand? You might have left your home country because you didn't like it but please don't assume we're all running away from something.

I didn't choose to "accept whatever life hands me here". I'm not a passive victim. I came here for adventure. You sound more like you've joined a cult.

Apparently, you not only make comparisons for your daily life, you also chose to make assumptions.

But you're correct. I have joined a cult. It's called 'peace and contentment with a liberal sprinkling of happiness.'

We have room for you, should you decide that you'd like to give it a try.

You make it sound as though the Thai Police regularly have their guns directly aimed at Foreigners and tell them to show their Passports or get shot dead

We're discussing a particular item of news aren't we? I might have exaggerated slightly to make a point by using the phrase at gunpoint but if I were faced with police officers carrying assault rifles I don't think the fact they weren't pointing them directly at me would make me feel a whole lot better about the situation.

Not only have YOU exaggerated, so did the Media. When a statement is made that reads;

"100 police armed with automatic rifles" gets read by people, they make the assumption that

there are 100 men holding 100 automatic weapons. Then, people who enjoy the thrill of adventure... without the danger,

can talk about how they live in such a dangerous environment!

Every time we see a cop, there is a deadly weapon present. 100 cops = 100 guns. Adding one or two M-16's isn't really exacerbating the situation.

i said you 'sound like' you've joined a cult.That's an observation not an assumption. And I think there's a big difference between a holstered pistol and M16s. If you're so happy and content, maybe you can accept that what we have here is a difference of opinion.

And talking of assumptions, just because I'm not enthralled with every single aspect of Thai culture and bureaucracy, just because I have retained the capability to think for myself, doesn't mean I'm unhappy or not content with my life.

We spend our whole lives making comparisons - it's how the human brain is wired. Every time we encounter something new, our brains attempt to associate it with something we have already encountered. Besides, what's wrong with making comparisons or in discussing some of the things that are wrong with Thailand? You might have left your home country because you didn't like it but please don't assume we're all running away from something.

I didn't choose to "accept whatever life hands me here". I'm not a passive victim. I came here for adventure. You sound more like you've joined a cult.

Apparently, you not only make comparisons for your daily life, you also chose to make assumptions.

But you're correct. I have joined a cult. It's called 'peace and contentment with a liberal sprinkling of happiness.'

We have room for you, should you decide that you'd like to give it a try.

You make it sound as though the Thai Police regularly have their guns directly aimed at Foreigners and tell them to show their Passports or get shot dead

We're discussing a particular item of news aren't we? I might have exaggerated slightly to make a point by using the phrase at gunpoint but if I were faced with police officers carrying assault rifles I don't think the fact they weren't pointing them directly at me would make me feel a whole lot better about the situation.

Not only have YOU exaggerated, so did the Media. When a statement is made that reads;

"100 police armed with automatic rifles" gets read by people, they make the assumption that

there are 100 men holding 100 automatic weapons. Then, people who enjoy the thrill of adventure... without the danger,

can talk about how they live in such a dangerous environment!

Every time we see a cop, there is a deadly weapon present. 100 cops = 100 guns. Adding one or two M-16's isn't really exacerbating the situation.

i said you 'sound like' you've joined a cult.That's an observation not an assumption. And I think there's a big difference between a holstered pistol and M16s. If you're so happy and content, maybe you can accept that what we have here is a difference of opinion.