Groongthep
-
Posts
1040 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Downloads
Posts posted by Groongthep
-
-
I meet them quite often at immigration. i alway like to talk to people who enjoy flashing their US passport. I always ask, WHat state are you a resident of? if they dont answer or even speak english... i give them this lower class look i always get when i walk down town. ... its funny to me.
You know whats funny to me? i actually treat such people just the opposite of you...I treat them with courtesy, because I've walked in their shoes here in Thailand and know it can be tough.
Youre that new breed of American...the bitter and angry American. The one that appeared under Bush Jr...reminds me of an old Russian peasant saying:
"My neighbor has a cow and I don't have one.
I want my neighbors cow to die."
To me, being an American means brotherhood, it means helping each other out, it means working hard for a dream and helping others with theirs.
Thanks to guys like you, now saying that doesn't sound American. It sounds Australian or Canadian ;-)
You think this change occurred under Bush Jr? You can't be serious. Obama, his administration and his sycophants are the one's who are ruling America with vindictiveness and encouraging and breeding "class envy" . They are also encouraging and increasing racial hatred in America. If you are white and/or Christian what every you have you got because of "White Privilege". The Obama administration is preaching this claptrap. The Obama administration is hell bent of taking away whatever white middle class, American's have and making them pay and punishing them for their success. In fact Obama and his followers think America itself is illegitimate. America to the Obama lemmings is just an extension of British colonialism. This man, Obama and his followers are destroying what was once the greatest country in the world. Only the mid term elections will tell if there is a chance to save America.
So SanSaiExPat, you are buying the whole line of BS that Fox "News" is selling huh? Your incredible ingnorance and gullibility embarrasses the rest of us.
-
I have to admit the very IDEA of TEXAS kind of freaks me out (other than Austin).
I couldn't agree with you more. I lived in Austin years ago and it was a great town. Unfortunately, it has become quite expensive for that very reason.
Why NeverSure cannot accept any place other than the north central part of Texas as having any characteristics making it worth living in is beyond me. Someone who has experienced the international diversity of travelling and living in Thailand would be bored to death there.
-
Animals much larger than human beings get painlessly killed every day, why it is beyond the technical capabilities of the Americans to do this to (sometimes innocent) human beings is beyond me. I really have the impression that they want to make the process as unpleasant as possible. Probably the guy that thought this up was terrified of needles. Solitary confinement for many years, never touching another human being in all that time... and it doesn't bloody well work as a deterrent, it is about revenge.
Exactly! Veterinary surgeons use Nembutal (Pentobarbital) and the result is a peaceful and relatively quick death for the animal. I have never understood the need to administer this cocktail of drugs in prisons during the death penalty.
Pentobarbital is the lethal drug they use for executions. They administer tranquilizers first. I learned this from a friend who used to be a prison guard.
-
It appears that they all are moving in that direction. But they appear to be doing it piecemeal, machine by machine, probably a software update that is needed
Eventually AEON ATM's may be the only 150 THB machines available until they get even more greedy
The AEON ATMs now charge 150 baht too. There is a another long thread on this same subject.
-
An American named Karta Singh Harta. Hmmm. New one on me.
Indeed his name was not Sitting Bull or Gernonimo or any other real American who were exterminated by the whites stealing their land.
Quite hypocritical to call an other who has not one of your white names not a real American. I was always told America was a melting pot of cultures and people. Guess I was misinformed.
Neither Sitting Bull or Geronimo were killed by white men and the 3 million Native Americans (American Indians) living in the US today would be surprised to learn that they have been exterminated.
-
Just1Voice has a point. Mark is already stinking rich. Why not get out of politics altogether, take a position on the Board of some large company, earn a salary far higher than he's worth and live the good life out of the limelight.
-
1
-
-
If you can afford it hire a tutor. Speak all you want and he or she can help correct your pronunciation or select the correct word(s) to be used in spoken Thai.
Make sure you hire someone with teaching experience and a degree. You will get much better results from someone trained in teaching Thai to foreigners. Lots of people have tried learning from their spouses with little success. -
Why doesn't he just reveal the details of his proposal now? What's the point of the political wait and see drama?
-
2
-
-
It really helps to have traveled a lot and actually seen and spent some time across the US to form an opinion.
Really? This from a guy who says Portland, Oregon gets "tons of snow and ice"? FYI, some winters Portland gets not snow at all. Winter temperatures, on average fall below freezing only about 33 days a year, that's only 7 more days a year than Dallas. The summers in Portland are much more comfortable than in the DFW area too.
Perhaps you should travel around the US and spend some time in the places you comment on before giving out inaccurate information too.
You are correct however, about the housing prices in Portland being much more expensive than in North Central Texas though, and Oregon has a hefty state tax whereas Texas has none.
One of the things Jingthing mentioned he was interested in was public transportation and Portland has some of the best in the country. Dallas/Forth Worth? Everybody there drives a full size pick-up.
-
1
-
-
To bump this a little.
Is the "green superrich" different to the other website?
Do Vasu offer better rates or are they essentially all the same?
Just looked and on the Vasu website was .1 better.
RAZZ
True. It's better today also. It changes day to day so it is always best to check the websites before going to the exchange. As a general rule though, the Green Superrich and Vasu nearly always have the best rates, but you are correct in noting that one is not always better than the other. Again, check the websites immediately before you head to the exchange whichever it be.
-
1
-
-
- Popular Post
I wonder why the regime of accused mass murderer, convicted criminal and fugitive Thaksin chose the sacred Buddhist holiday to send the regime police, notorious for their brutality and already guilty of killing several protesters as well as overseeing brazen broad daylight assassinations targeting PDRC protest leaders.
Regardless of what "side" you have taken, when you use language like this your post loses all credibility.
-
5
-
Word of caution - border officials do question people who appear to be living here on a succession of tourist visas, so depending how long you intend to stay this might not be a viable option. I got questioned about it on my 3rd successive border hop. You can get a longer tourist visa at Vientiane in Laos, and presumably anywhere else with a Thai consulate. I think it was 60 days, extendable for another 30 when I last did it, but they change it often.
You don't get a tourist visa on a border hop. It is a visa exempt entry. And yes immigration will question you when you have several back to back. Some border crossing are putting a limit on how many you can do.
I don't recall any problems for people with real tourist visas being question at a border crossing.
It is possible to get a 2 entry tourist visa in Laos.
Because your American you are able to get a 30 day visa exempt entry. Do a boarder run into Laos. Just simply cross the boarder by land an enter back on the Thai side ( new rules since I think November is you can do a land crossing and get a Visa exempts entry of 30 days ) .Before you could only get 15 days on a land as opposed to a flight into Laos and get a 30 day.You don't need a visa and you have several locations in Laos to obtain the visa exempt entry. One of which is flying into Udon then taking a van to Nong Kai and cross there or fly into Nakon Phonom and take the bus to friendship bridge to Tha Khet crossing which is very close . Also the Savannakhet from Mukdahan. IMOP.
Thanks for the suggestion but I have already booked my travel. My flight to KL is 2 hours and 5 minutes. I have a 2 hour layover then fly right back to Don Muang which takes another two hours and a few minutes. Total cost of airfare (already paid) about $130.00 USD. Sure beats flying to Udorn or even worse taking a bus. Flying to KL is not too expensive and a whole lot more convenient. I really do appreciate your help though. Thanks.
Best Regards,
Groongthep
-
Word of caution - border officials do question people who appear to be living here on a succession of tourist visas, so depending how long you intend to stay this might not be a viable option. I got questioned about it on my 3rd successive border hop. You can get a longer tourist visa at Vientiane in Laos, and presumably anywhere else with a Thai consulate. I think it was 60 days, extendable for another 30 when I last did it, but they change it often.
Thanks for the word of warning but as I have previously stated this is the first time in 26 years that I have needed to do a border run/flight. I have always got 60 day tourist visas before I left the US, until now. I couldn't get one this time due to time constraints. I do not live in Thailand full time.
I am a Merchant Seaman who (usually) works 60 days at sea and then have at least 60 days off, sometimes longer depending on the ship's run. I nearly always come to Thailand for at least a portion of my time off with a proper 60 day tourist visa in my passport. I once obtained a 15 day extension on one of the 3 entries though.
-
Thanks you guys, I appreciate the help. Thanks especially for reminding me that KL doesn't require a visa to get in. I would have wasted my time had I flown to Yangon without one. Cheers.
-
I have been coming to Thailand for 26 years and have been a member of this forum since 2005 but this is the first time I have needed to ask a visa question because I usually have all that worked out before I come. This time however, in order to get a very good airfare, and because I wanted to leave right away, I simply came and received a 30 day visa exemption stamp.
1.) I am an American 58 years old.
2.) My visa exemption will expire at the end of next week.
3.) Can I simply fly to Yangon (or anywhere else outside Thailand) stay one night, fly back and get another 30 day exemption stamp?
4.) I have no interest in a 10 day extension, especially with the trouble around Cheang Wattana.
Sorry to trouble you guys with a question whose answer I should know but as stated earlier I usually have more time and get a regular tourist visa before I come but that was not possible this time due to time restraints.
Any recommmendations on which city to fly to? I mentioned Yangon because it is the closest and cheapest (cheapest I think), but I will consider anywhere that others can recommend as being quick and cheap too. All I plan on doing is flying in, staying overnight in a hotel and flying back the next day. I'm not looking to make a holiday out of this.
Thanks in advance.
Groongthep -
This in my opinion is the final straw. The red shirts and the PTP are so entwined that there is no way the government can claim innocence in this.
Stop and think about it for a moment. Violence is the last thing the government wants. They want elections to be held because they know they are certain to win again. The anti-government camp however, knows that violence is the one thing that will most likely force the military to stage another coup.
Two grenades in two crowded areas in two days and nobody has been caught. Rather fishy don't you think?
Stop and think about it. They do not have enough people registered to have a quorum so what has the PTP to gain by winning a costly pointless election. It is far more than two grenades in two days I don't even know how many there has been today. Maybe they were other type explosives. same same.
It would be to the advantage of the PTP to put the election off but to do that they would also have to back peddle more from Suthep. they reject his demands and then with out talking to him they take a step towards doing what he wants. They are drawing the line here. Like it or not the red shirts are a part of their political machine and have a proven record of violence.
When I say they back peddle from his demands I mean things like the senate not ratifying a bill to make Thaksin innocent. I for one think they had a lot to do with the senate not having a quorum. Refusing to disband the house then doing it. Refusing to step down as interim government and then setting up a committee to do what Suthep wanted. Except that they are going to control it. Little steps towards what Suthep wants. With another three months before the elections as a result of the failed one on the second of Feb. the protestors will be gone. The only ones left will be the retired people who have all the time in the world and do not need to make a living.
If the government did not want violence they would tell the red shirt leaders to rein in their troops.
Don't even bother to ask me why the red shirts would do it. violence is there strong point not logic. If logic was they would do all in their power to make sure the Feb2 farce comes off.
What nonsemse. You haven't a clue about what's going on.
-
NOTE! I just visited the Vasu exchange web site and AVG detected and blocked a virus. I don't know if this was a "false positive" or not.
Yes, my anti-virus displayed a warning when I went to the Vasu site too.
-
The Green Super Rich outlet at the corner of Rajdamri Soi 1 and Phetchaburi Soi 30 nearly always has the best rates in Bangkok. The good rates are evidenced by the very large number of Thai customers (usually business owners) who always pack this place. You'll need to bring your passport and be prepared to take a number and wait in a crowded line. Sometimes it is a long line, but it will be worth it if you are exchanging a large amount of money.
Here is the link to their website with map and phone numbers: http://www.superrichthailand.com/new/map.html
The easiest way to get there is to get off the BTS Skytrain at the Chit Lom Station, walk west (toward the Erawan Shrine) and cut through the Gaysorn Plaza shopping center which will be on your right. From there go down to Rajdamri Road turn right again, walk past Big C and it will be down the small soi Rajdamri Soi 1 to your right.
A word of caution, there is a orange branch in the BTS Station and another main branch down this same soi 1 but their rates are not as good as the green one in the link, so make sure you go to the one with the green facade. (see map in link). It can be confusing since they are different businesses which have the same name.
Hope this helps.-
1
-
-
This in my opinion is the final straw. The red shirts and the PTP are so entwined that there is no way the government can claim innocence in this.
Stop and think about it for a moment. Violence is the last thing the government wants. They want elections to be held because they know they are certain to win again. The anti-government camp however, knows that violence is the one thing that will most likely force the military to stage another coup.
Two grenades in two crowded areas in two days and nobody has been caught. Rather fishy don't you think?
It's not about how a govt is elected, its about how they govern once they are in power. Yes PT have a right to govern once they win the election (and they will) but they have an obligation to rule in a manner that benifits the country not themselves. The inept, corrupt, authoritarian, criminal manner of PT's time in govt is what the protesters are against, not elections.
What suthep and his fascist council want is something else, they have their own agenda and have hijacked a protest movement that has genuine grievances.
Blue Spunk, My post was about the violence and who may be behind it and what the major players have to win or lose because of it. I don't need a re-hash of the same old pontifications we have been reading in the newspapers since this whole thing began.
-
-
This in my opinion is the final straw. The red shirts and the PTP are so entwined that there is no way the government can claim innocence in this.
Stop and think about it for a moment. Violence is the last thing the government wants. They want elections to be held because they know they are certain to win again. The anti-government camp however, knows that violence is the one thing that will most likely force the military to stage another coup.
Two grenades in two crowded areas in two days and nobody has been caught. Rather fishy don't you think?
-
1
-
-
Thought it was just a short time hotel, as its name suggests. Do people actually make reservations and stay there all night? LOL.
The Honey Hotel is on Sukhumvit Soi 19 and not to be confused with the Honey House on Soi 22. They have the same owners as the Federal Hotel on Soi 11. Although It is not unheard of for some patrons to take temporary companionship this is not commomplace. The majority of guests for at least the last decade and a half are quite mainstream. Rooms are not let by the hour. Lots of legitimate repeat customers for many years, mostly pensioners and overseas workers. In recent years more and more families are staying there too. (Which in my opinion is not such a great thing either but it does indicate the clientele is rather conservative.) It's in a convenient location to the Skytrain and Terminal 21 and as someone else mentioned the rooms above the pool were renovated a few year back. It does not deserve a bad reputation, in fact, just the opposite.
-
1
-
-
you'd have to be a merri gun to put up with that twang for ten days. other torrents around with many G of stuff.
Now this I mai kao jai (ไม่เข้าใจ). What exactly are you talking about? merri gun? twang? Many G of stuff? You've lost me.
-
I think OldChinaHam's reply answers the original question regarding recommending a book to the OP best. Those books mentioned range from beginner to fairly advanced and levels in between. I would recommend the OP browse through some of these and find the one(s) that best fit his learning style as different people learn differently. The OP said that Poomsan-Becker's Intermediate book looked uninspiring to but unfortunately many are of this same style.
The OP also confused me a bit by claiming to be at the "advanced-intermediate" stage of learning, but then went on to describe Becker's Intermediate book as possibly difficult. IMHO if one cannot easily translate the simple sentences and quickly complete the exercises in that book, then they are still very much in the beginning stage and I would recommend some of the earlier books mentioned in OldChinaHam's quote of Smyth, such as David Smyth's own Teach Yourself Thai and Yates' old but still good Thai Basic Course. I would also agree with desi that Higbie's Thai Reference Grammar is extremely good although some of it might be too advanced for the OP.
O-A Retirement Visa - Most Efficient Thai Consulate in US
in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits
Posted
New York, Chicago, Los Angeles or Washington-DC..... From your experiences, which of these Thai consulates in the US is most efficient in processing O - A (retirement) visas. The smaller honorary consulates like Houston, Portland, etc. are no long authorized to issue them.