newnative

Read the headline and said 'Yaa!'. Read the story and said 'Boo!'.

And now on to Georgia.

Just in BKK part-time so maybe the results are more visible to full-time residents. One year is a short period. I do think he is doing the best he can and I admire him.

My partner and I have visited many countries. Not once did we consult any TAT-like agencies these countries might have had. No TAT-like agency convinced us to visit. We visited these countries because we wanted to see them--and would have visited regardless of the country's tour department. I suspect we are not in the minority on this. Thailand may indeed be a 'world tourism leader'--but not because of TAT. No, it's Thailand's many varied natural and man-made tourist attractions that bring tourists in the millions. Yes, Bangkok and the islands, as you say, are popular. But, without the private industry that developed both--and all the other tourist places--there would not be the vast tourist infrastructure in place for TAT to trumpet. I'm reminded of a visit to Koh Chang a couple years ago. We stayed at a gorgeous resort that had been constructed on a very difficult cliff site. Difficult, yes, but the result was spectacular. A private company built it, not TAT, with no guarantee of economic success. Just one example--there all around. We saw many examples of the same thing with other visits to Phuket, Samui, and, a few weeks ago, Koh Lipe. Private industry, not TAT, has been, and still is, risking and spending lots of money to make desirable places and attractions for tourists to visit. I, for one, would like to see a detailed breakdown of where that 5 billion baht is being spent.

I know he has been criticized by some for being too visible since the election and saying too much on too many topics. I've seen him doing everything from appearing at a gay pride event to playing guitar and singing on one of the news shows. He's done an exhaustive number of interviews, in both Thai and some in English. I think his strategy is to present himself as the de facto prime minister to be, while also introducing himself to the public, some of which might not know too much about him. If he can somewhat control the narrative, set coalition meetings and other activities as the main leader, and make appearance after appearance as the star attraction and fait accompli next PM, it might make it a little harder for senators to vote against him--and, hopefully, harder for him to be booted out over a non-issue of worthless media stock. Hope it works.

Walk it off.

OK, so in 2007 he was named administrator of his father's estate. Unless I am missing something, probate should not have taken more than a year or two--it took about a year for my father's rather extensive estate to be organized and then go through probate in the US. So, by 2009, or perhaps 2010 at the latest, I should think Pita's father's estate would have been distributed to the beneficiaries under the terms of his Will. If Pita was the beneficiary of these media shares, he had years to dispose of them. Certainly, that should have been the very first thing he did after he witnessed what happened to Thanathorn with his media shares. Like many, including my Thai partner, I find it inexplicable that he did not do so.

So, not licensed or trained to drive a motorcycle with the type of drivers license he had. Likely no experience in driving a motorcycle. Two more senseless deaths by not requiring valid motorcycle licenses in order to drive a motorcycle in Thailand.

Don't cave.

I have no idea what happens but I believe it's not the end.

Yes, I own one and never leave home without it. Don't know what I did before they became popular. In my man bag you will find: cell phone, wallet, spare masks, throat spray for polluted days, spare coins, kleenex, pen, small notepad, MRT and BTS fare cards, keycard to open the Bangkok condo door and operate the elevator, cloth tape measure, salt and pepper packets, Equal packets, a foldable shopping bag, and a few Werther's caramels. Sometimes passport and bank books if I am doing banking. Can't imagine trying to stuff all that into my pockets.

Oops. Make that 2014.

Umm. They already have it. Waterfront condo, standing proudly unfinished since 2104. 10 year anniversary next year! Start the 10 year celebration planning now!

Yes, the law is being used both wrongly and selectively to destroy politicians who become popular and threaten the dinosaurs. You know this, I know this, Pita, of course, should also know this. After Thanathorn's horrible and unfair experience, why would he have any hint of anything to do with a media company? If the shares are worthless, he should have burned them--or did whatever else was required to rid him of them--at a widely-covered press event in public before joining MFP and running for PM. I really like the guy but not a smart move on his part to leave this as an issue.

Yes, I think so, too.

Virginia, in the USA, uses 'Party A' and 'Party B' for name information, and gives each a choice to check 'Bride', 'Groom' or 'Spouse'.

Absolutely. Get a good team in place and let them do their jobs. No need for a president to micro-manage everything.

Welcome to the 20th century.

We're so fabulous it takes a month to celebrate us rather than just a day.

Thanks!

Thanks for your reply. I already have the second account, which has had over 800,000 in it since last August. Since my renewal is this month, June, I was wondering if the money has been in the second account long enough to satisfy requirements since it has not been a full year since the 800,000 was deposited.

Right from the get-go I see a problem. Why is a high-ranking colonel a mere spokesman??? And, not even the head spokesman, just a 'deputy'. Should be a job for a lieutenant. Still, looks like someone is trying to get earn some Brownie points with Move Forward so we'll see. Plenty to weed out, that's for sure.

There's always someone who posts this observation any time real estate is an issue. It's always put forth as an 'either or' proposition. Like you can only do one or the other--either invest in real estate or invest in something else. Nothing wrong with diversifying investments and doing more than just one thing with your money, as my partner and I have done--and that includes real estate in Thailand, which has been a very positive experience. As for the thread, some excellent advice has been given already. I would only add take your time and do your homework. If you buy off-plan, I would only do so with a large, name brand developer with an excellent track record of completing projects.

Oh, the 'horror'!!! Give me a break. If that's the worse thing that ever happens to her . . .

A somewhat related question. I do my 1 year retirement this month.. I've had 800,000 baht in one bank that I have been using. I want to close that account and use a different bank for the 800,000. However, I have only had the 800,000 in that bank since August of last year. Anybody know if I could still use that bank or do I need to wait another year so it will be in the account a full year? Thanks!