Stevemercer

She should proceed with the process, but obviously halt proceedings if they are asking for money in any way, shape or form. I doubt there is any risk of 'trafficers' paying for her to fly overseas and whisking her away into a life of servitude.

I don't think paying more will help. Successful Thai workplaces seem to be where the workers are great mates, regularly spend time off work together and it is all one big happy family. Why do you see the same places year after year, working minimal wages, at places like 7-11. It's becasue of the family atmosphere. Workers feel secure, like they have a place where they belong. Sometimes you might be lucky and get a cohort of workers who just gel together, laugh together and stick around for a long time. Other times, workers can't seem to find there place, or don't fit in with the other workers, and don't hang about. One thing I often wonder about is the Thai practice of paying monthly. Workers are always running out of money towards the end of the month and get restless and a bit anxious about things. On the other hand, maybe it means a new worker will stick round at least one month to get their first salary. Most western countries pay fortnightly. I think this allows better budgeting and a more manageable cash flow. I sometimes wonder whether paying fortnightly might be a novel way to keep workers hanging around longer.

Maybe there is some point in having bars on all the windows and doors. I always thought it was unnecessary, but humuored the Missus with our house. Of course, a determined thief can crash through the barred door, but it would take time and maybe allow you/Missus call the cops.

Yawn. Who cares.

All small towns have karaoke/girlie bars on the fringes. You don't need to speak Thai. Just go in and get a bottle of beer. Someone will always come and sit with you and share your beer. Give her 20 Baht to sing a few songs. If you enjoy dancing (even if you are a bad dancer) that is a sure ice breaker. There will usually be a few Thai blokes happy to shout you a few beers and make sure you have a good night with the girls. It's pot luck, but most of the time you can find someone.

There are trials underway on three prominent anti-aging drugs: metformin, rapamycin and resveratrol. All these drugs are readily available. Metformin helps the body process sugars efficiently blunting the effects of boderline diabetes. Rapamycin may help suppress tumours and over active autoimmune respnses. Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory prehaps helping in reducing cancer, diabetes and dementia risks.

In my opinion, Thailand has adequate laws on the books. The problem is lack of enforcement. I still feel nervous when riding without a helmet - just a quick dash down the shops - and I pass a policeman. I've never been pulled up, but I know in Australia any cop who saw me would pull me over and I'd be off the road. If the Thai police ran a 'no tolerance' campaign for riding without a helmet (bike stopped, check for other infringements, issued fine and bike locked/stored at owners cost until all fines paid) I reckon the road toll could be halved.

Another storm in a tea cup. Monkey Pox can only be spread by direct skin to skin contact. Most (>90%) recorded infections are spread through gay sex. Maybe sex with lady boys is a risk factor. Regardless, catching monkey pox is not a concern for the majority of people in Thailand. Taking basic precautions to prevent HIV will also be effective against Monky Pox.

I disagree with many things Anutin has done or said, but think he has done an amazing job effectively decriminalising cannabis in such a conservation country as Thailand. It will certainly bring in the tourists. If you are a young westerner (or Indian, Chinese, Middle East etc, for that matter) choosing between Bali and Thailand, you will choose Thailand every time because you can buy and smoke weed.

Unfortunately I think the above posters are correct. It will be difficult to get anything back from your remaining Thai assets unless your wife agrees to sell and split with you. She will only agree this if she wants something from you (e.g. you have something to trade). For example, if she meets someone else and needs a quick divorce from you. I think you will have to write off your assets in Thailand especially if you intend to remain in England. As another poster suggested, you could transfer any assets in the UK to your daughter. Your wife might not carry through her threat to divorce you under UK law, and make a grab for half of your remaining assets in the UK. It will be a difficult process for her to understand and negotiate. For example, you can claim 10 million in shared assets in Thailand against whatever you have in the UK, plus future incomes. It might be that she will only be entitled to the 10 million in Thailand, whether it exists or not. In any case, divorce and a financial agreement under UK law will not be easy for her to manage. At the end of the day, she probably wants you to make an 'offer' to divorce under Thai law. From her perspective, this would be the path of least resistance. In the meantime, you must take steps protect your UK assets and incomes. You'll need to talk to a UK lawyer about that.

Of course. Anyone who questions Russian or Chinese hegemony/world outook must be a rabid right wing loony

Looks to me like the bike has a rev limiter and won't go past a certain limit. It tops out at 160 km/hr (the old tone)

When I first came to Thailand I was impressed by the dominance woman seemed to have in Thai culture. Inheritance was typically through the maternal line, woman were usually the family head and woman did every job under the sun. But, over time, it was obvious men had control and the final say. Men rarely took advice from a woman, took advantage of them financially, and generally ignored them in any decision-making process. But maybe this is true in just about any country. But I will say that Thai women are tough - so many single Mums cheerfully going about making a living and enjoying life without financial support from a male (it often seems to be the other way around).

Thanks very much for the confirmations.

I recently lodged my 12 month marriage extension. I have an 'Under Consideration' stamp in my passport up to 18 August 2022. At that time I can get my extension stamp. I may have to travel overseas to Australia for a few weeks (due to a family illness). The Immigration Office (Mahasarakham) tells me I can travel to Australia, and back to Thailand, on a re-entry permit. As long as I am back before 18 August I can then proceed to get my 12 month extension stamp. If I miss this date then obviously I must start the process again. Does this sound correct? I would be grateful for any advice.

I regularly ride my bicycle in Thailand, but I am out in the country. I generally find Thai drivers to be pretty considerate. They slow down and give me plenty of room. I used to ride a lot in Australia where the drivers can be incredibly selfish with an attitude that bicycles don't belong on the road. I feel much safer cycling in Thailand. The main hazard I come across are dogs sleeping on the road or running out to attack. My condolonces to the husband and best wishes for the future.

Could moderators please move this to the correct topic? I am unable to select most topics when I try to creat a new thread. This documentary is about the Thai cop who was assigned to investigate people smuggling in Thailand's south. He arrested an Army General and other top officials. He subsequently fled to Australia and sought asylum after threats he believed originated from the very top of the government. It's worth watching to see what telling the truth can do to an honest man. He used to be a Major General in the Royal Thai Police, but now works in a factory making car upholstery.

I can't relax in a restuarant until we have ordered. Once the order is in I can relax and enjoy. But I get impatient, to the point of rudeness, with people who can't decide holding up the order. Sometimes I will even order for them whether they want it or not.

As another posted stated previously, the Police have caught the guy.

My condolences to the deceased's family and friends. I ride a bike and am always keen to learn, so of course I looked at the video with interest. Maybe there is a lesson to be learned for all of us riders. Sure, the car driver was at fault, but this happens all the time in Thailand. The driver turns onto the highway and wanders over to the right hand lane to do a U turn, all in a zombie-like state. The motorcyclist is travelling in the right hand lane which was clear. Maybe his view of the road to the left, where the vehicle came out, was obscured by a slow moving truck(s). The truck may have been slowing to turn down the same road the driver came out of which is why it doesn't appear in frame. If it was indicating a left turn, this would have alerted the rider that there was an intersection to the left and to take care in case someone suddenly pulled out. But maybe it wasn't indicating. Suddenly a vehicle appears in his lane. The motorcyclist can't pull to the left lane, because of the vehicles, or maybe there isn't time. All he can do is slam on the brakes. Obviously he cannot manouvere while under heavy braking. He slams into the offending vehicle. From the damage to the bike and car he was maybe travelling 40 km/hr when he hit, normally survivable, particularly with a sedan with a sloping back. But he hit a SUV and was very unlucky and fell badly. Presumably his helmet came off when he cannoned into the back of the SUV and he was unprotected when he hit the ground. Having said this, there is a doubt in my mind whether he might have been distracted for a vital few seconds and braked too late. For me, that is the difficulty about riding a motorbike in Thailand. You have to concentrate 100% all the time. This alertness has its toll and I no longer try and travel too far in one day. Sure, you can get away with momentary distractions most of the time, but the odds may start to stack up against you over the years. You can only have so many 'lucky' near misses. It's also easy to start to get <deleted> off with drivers pulling in front of you all the time and holding your line to force them to back off. When I find myself tempted to do this, I know it's time to stop for a bit and relax. I think it is safer riding in a group. If there is a bunch of you, you are much more noticeable to other traffic. Your attention is also more focussed in keeping to formation and ensuring the safety of the riders around you. You also tend to stop more often for fuel, snacks, etc. When travelling solo, your intent is often to get to your next destination as quickly as possible. You can get a little lazy in observing the minutea of traffic details particularly on a boring divided highway you've ridden many times.

https://www.newsflare.com/video/498646/british-pensioner-83-killed-in-horror-motorbike-crash-in-thailand

Isn't the scooter rider on the wrong side of the road?

If you don't like Harleys move out into the countryside. No Harleys here. Mind you, you'll still be deafened by the 100 cc no exhaust brigade. I doubt there are that many Harleys in Pattaya. Maybe the OP thinks every loud noise is caused by a Harley.

One of the few times my wife seems to crave solitude and silence is when she locks herself in the bathroom for ablutions. Then it is like a cone of silence has descended around her and she can't hear anything at all. Even if all hell broke loose outside, or there was a fire, she would blissfully remain locked away.

We have always parked at the border crossing. There are plenty of places offering parking. I can'r remember the prices, but the parking is off the road and within easy walking distance of the border crossing. There is some sheltered parking, but it is limited. You car will be safe. There are always plenty of Thai people crossing for a day at the casinos.