SamuiRes

Should be entitled "Mother in Law from Hell"

Any girl who saw this and thought of having a relationship with these wimps would be put off seeing what she would have to contend with from the MIL! Pretty tame stuff really but these horrendous women who cannot let their sons grow up and think it is fun to spy on them! How on earth could they let themselves be filmed - they must have realised their (s)mothers would see this at some stage? I would have been furious if I found my mother spying on me like this. Triva TV at its best/worst!

TOT Office in Bophut closed today (shutters down) and I have just been told that Bangkok Bank has also closed but that needs confirming. SCB Bophut open as usual.

Today seemed particularly bad on the roads. Bangrak to Tong Krut - usually 40 minutes each way - one hour there and nearly an hour and a half back. Streams of traffic in both directions, stop start and motor bikes weaving in and out, young Thai boys proving their virility and lack of imagination speeding past it all, visitors not knowing where they are going, a family, dad and mum each on a bike with a child on each, race past me at the T Junction at Hua Thanon, one each side of my car , and pull out across the traffic towards Lamai. I cannot believe I did not see an accident today but this was daylight before the serious drinking starts. Plans to drive down to Chaweng Beach tonight cancelled and will be staying much nearer to home.

Be smart - walk facing traffic!

Whilst I appreciate the serious advice, try doing that crossing the road! I have images of the John Cleese school of silly walks!

I was hit by a bike about 4 years ago whilst crossing the road. In hospital for four days - I have accident insurance so the bill was covered. The boy who hit me was underage, no licence, no insurance, not his bike - but it was midday so he wasn't drunk! Police called me to the station a couple of weeks later and asked if I wanted any compensation from him. Pointless really as he could not even pay the Baht 500 fine they hit him with. A friend paid it for him. You just have to be very aware and I am extra cautious these days when I cross the road.

What was not said here is

That all Apple Ipads Lap Tops and IPhones can be traced with software written into the phone tracked on wifi, and lead you right to the front door

something windows sellers in Bkk not want you to know I guess

Android too - just go to www.androidlost.com and download the free soft ware. You can control your phone from your home pc/lap top including getting the person holding the phone to take a photo of themselves which is then emailed to you with their location. You can turn the phone on and off, turn GPS on etc. A very useful piece of software for non Apple users.

Just drove through Bangrak (11pm) and there were at least 4 Ambulances a few yards from the Premier Bar. One bike smashed up in the road and I could only see one person on the ground. Obviously hope it is not too serious but did not look good on a brief drive past.

Not one but two cruise ships in Nathon, today... they are off schedule!... A surprise visit!

AIDAaura was supposed to be here yesterday! 10 Dec I can't tell which is what.... though~!

I think you are looking at the 2014 schedule. Both AIDAaura (on the left) and Volendam (on the right) are here as scheduled.

Just for the record of where this unfortunate accident took place, it's very well lite ... not only by the Mini Mart lights, but quite a number of street lights...placed fairly close together...

The lights in the store, beyond Mini mart would probably been off at the time.. but would still pretty bright... from the street lights. I reckon from the original post that is where the accident took place.

(there is no curb on the other side of the road there.)

The photo does not do full justice to how bright that stretch of road is... Lomprayah ferry turning is at this corner. (left)

Looking toward Nathon.... it's a well lite stretch of road.

Actually the accident was about 2-300 metres further round the bend towards Maenam, but on the same side of the road from which the first photo was taken so well away from the lights of the Family Mart. At 4.30 in the morning there were few other lights on, but it certainly was not pitch black so hard to understand why he did not see the truck.

Massive lightning strike just now in Bangrak - all our lights went out and then came back on - surprised it did not blow the surge protector. My wife said she saw the strike somewhere over towards the airport.

pls link thx res

Google "cruise ships visiting Koh Samui 2014" and that will give you various sites with ships and destinations.

Plai Laem Soi 4 (or Klong 4 as it was this morning) was fine when we left for work at 08.30 and when we cam back at 17.30 (so far, touching lots of wood!). The office - far end of Bangrak - was off until 12.30.

We drove past this accident on the way to the Ferry early Friday morning - about 04.30.

It was at the far end of Maenam before the turn into the the Lompraya Ferry terminal.

It was dry - no rain at that time.

It is somewhat dark at that end of the road, but not pitch black even at night.

The vehicles were in the left hand lane, not the "fast lane" as someone said.

Whether the truck had sufficient lights showing was difficult to judge due to the large number of emergency vehicle lights flashing and of course we were just driving past, not stopping to rubber-neck.

Very little traffic on the road at that time of the morning, ambulance still on the scene so probably did not happen too long before we went through.

Don't just look at the rate. Check any additional charges made. Some of the better advertised rates do not look so good after commissions are deducted.

http://www.shorehamherald.co.uk/news/top-stories/latest/exotic-island-destination-to-work-with-firm-to-become-green-1-5613700

INCREASING population and tourism at an exotic island retreat has led its mayor to call in a well-respected Shoreham firm.

Ricardo AEA will work with Thai island Koh Samui to help deliver an environmentally-sustainable future for the destination.

The work will see the organisation develop four key ‘roadmaps’ for the island to develop – energy, transportation, waste and water supply.

Practice director for resource efficiency and waste management Dr Adam Read said: “The rapid growth of Thailand’s tourism industry is extremely beneficial to the country’s economy, but in the past has had negative effects on the natural and built environment.

“The far-sighted approach outlined signals a shift in tourism development in Thailand, sending the message that growth can be coupled with environmental sustainability, and that sustainable tourism is the wave of the future here in Koh Samui.”

The areas of focus provide Koh Samui City Council with priorities and a timescale for the work.

Some infrastructure improvements are expected to be realised within two years.

Mayor of Koh Samui Ramnate Chaikwang said: “We recognise the importance of clean energy, sustainable transportation, waste management, and water efficiency to our island and our economy.

“As such, we are embarking on this infrastructure research and development programme to fully support the expansion of both local communities and tourism on Koh Samui.”

He added: “We also expect to be able to assist other key locations around Thailand once our work is complete, helping to show them the way forward.”

If it was about health costs, which we know it's not, why not insist all visitors have travel insurance, which most have anyway? This charge has nothing to do with health costs, it's just extortion. If the UK had to charge visitors for unpaid health costs it would have to be about 500 quid a visitor!

It would not surprise me one bit if the originator of this whole idea was Big-T himself ! It is common knowledge that he hates farangs, probably because most of them are able to see right through him. Do you not remember ? It must have been in his first day in office, several years ago, that he passed a law whereby farangs should not get interest on their bank accounts, causing many to close their accounts and deposit elsewhere. Talk about racism and illegality !

That's interesting, I did not know that, I was never interested in Thai politics, but I know now I hate this Big T.

That really is interesting. Does that mean I am going to have to repay all the interest the banks have been paying me over the years?

Seems Thailand is not alone -

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/nhs/10412971/NHS-foreigner-charge-opens-floodgates-to-criminal-gangs.html

OK so I live and work here. I pay Social Security and have private health cover. If I leave the country for vacation or business, do I have to pay the Baht 500? That is not clear and if so why as I am already contributing? How are they going to differentiate between me and a tourist? How will this be collected? Added to the price of a ticket or collected in cash on arrival as Bangkok Airways used to do on departure from Samui?

@Rob;

I'm puzzled about what you mean by 'trying it on'?

My "Trying it on" is perhaps best explained by an example I encountered some years ago that went something like this:

- A ferang driving home from work @ dark o'clock indicated to turn into his estate.

- A motorbike with no lights T- boned him as he turned.

- The rider was found to be so pi_ssed that he couldn't even lay on the floor without hanging on!

- A 3rd party who hadn't seen the accident appeared from nowhere & spent 2 hrs trying to intimidate the driver into parting with vast sums...('local family/top half of shergar' an' all that; a chancer!)

Common sense did eventually prevail but only because the driver had suitable backup from the company that he worked for at the time.

HTH

I had exactly that experience a few years ago also but also the rider has no licence, no insurance and no ID. Local tried to get me to pay him. I called a friendly BIB and as soon as I did they all disappeared.

This is quite common in undeveloped country like Thailand !!!

Sorry I don't think its common AT ALL!

It might not be unusual but it certainly is not common.

If you think that then you come to Samui and watch the traffic every morning and evening and you will find it is far more common than you seem to think. Not just pick-ups but lorries as well crammed full of construction workers going to and from work.

Holders of any licence that does not show the current address must also produce proof of current address in the form of a Current Credit Finance Agreement, Current Utilities Bill, or Current Bank Statement. All renters with a UK home address will need to pass an Equifax eIDVerifier as verification of residence at their given address. Any customer failing the check will not be allowed to rent. If there is an unsatisfactory search result you will need to provide paper-based proof of identity such as a valid bank/ building society/credit card statement, utility bill (not a council tax bill), land line telephone bill (not a mobile phone bill) or a TV license that is less than 3 months old when you pick up the vehicle from the Rental Station. UK Nationals residing overseas are advised to use a driving license of the country in which they reside or they will be subject to the above. Equifax eIDVerifierf: Equifax’s eIDVerifier enables Europcar UK Group to combat identity fraud by using independent data sources to establish a degree of confidence in a personâl

My bold type.

From National car hire terms and conditions UK. Also what the Plod told me,

Don't know how to paste a link but go to TV /General/ Do You keep a milbox in the UK./ You can read my personel problems in the UK last January regarding UK licence.

I hired a car on a trip to the UK in February and used my old (very, very old paper UK licence) with an out of date UK address on it. I gave them my Thai address and a where I was staying in the UK and they were quite happy with that. I had previously enquired at the DVLA about using my UK licence not having lived in the UK for many years - this was their reply -

I can confirm that only residents of Great Britain(GB) may face a fine if their driving licence details are not updated.

If you are a visitor in Great Britain (GB) and have a full valid non GB driving licence you may drive in GB for a period of 12 months from when you last entered the country, as long as your driving licence remains full and valid.

However, the following will apply:

• driving licences issued in Northern Ireland (NI) or an European Community (EC) / European Economic Area (EEA). If you hold a valid licence gained through passing a test in a country belonging to the EC/EEA you can drive any category of vehicle shown on your driving licence as long as your licence remains full and valid the full entitlement for the vehicle you wish to drive must be shown on your licence.

• driving licences issued in Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man you may drive any small vehicle e.g. cars and/or motorcycles, shown on your driving licence.

• you can drive larger vehicle e.g. lorries and buses shown on your licence, whether British registered or registered outside of GB that you have driven into the country.

• driving licences issued in any other country you can drive any small vehicle e.g. cars and/or motorcycles, shown on your driving licence. You can only drive larger vehicles e.g. lorries and buses, shown on your licence, that have been registered outside of GB which you have driven into the country

If anybody see's 4xx, see if you can get a picture. Name and shame!

I would agree but there is no "shame' in Thailand. I suspect this particular driver was one of those who rent the car by the day and was possibly moonlighting so not sure it would even be the same driver.