bentfarang

There are aquariums in Bangsean and Rayong...I'm scrapping the barrel bottom here

But is the actual drive a pleasant one too? I have found a few nice enough places around Thailand which would be an hour or 2 drive... but the drive itself is not at all pleasant.

A bank account doesn't require anything special. I got my first bank account about 12 years ago with just a tourist visa, using my Thai girlfriend's address, And I've gotten 3 more accounts from 3 other banks since with just a retirement visa. The problem is that some people working in some branches think you need a work permit. If someone told you a work permit was needed, you could just walk on down the street to another branch of the same bank and likely get your account. Or you could talk to the manager. I did this to open one of my accounts. I was told a work permit was needed, so I asked to talk to the manager. and she gave me the account. I'd guess there are 10s or 100s of thousands of expats with no work permits that have bank accounts in Thailand. Its really no big deal.

I also did that in the past. However, since most countries signed the Basil accord to combat money laundering and the finance of terror organisations it is becoming standard across the world and also here in LOS to have a valid work permit as a foreigner and usually some proof of address.

Please rearrange these words, hole arse.

But hey he is a Vegan!

And I wonder who he expects to clean up after him when he throws his water bottle on the side of the road? Litter-bug vegan.

So have these degrees received in Thailand led to jobs in Thailand? Good high paying jobs?

For me I went back to my country to work there for a few years and then returned to Thailand. In both cases I needed the degree to qualify for the job. But perhaps I got the jobs more based on my experience than actual uni degree. I am not wealthy, but I have a job that pays more than what I understand to be the average income for expats in Thailand. Experience and prior education probably helped me along though.

I spent 6 years living in Thailand. The first time was studying a semester at Assumption University (ABAC) in BKK, as part of a study abroad program through my undergrad school in the U.S. That was 1998; at that time, there was a diverse mix of international students--from Europe, Asia, North America. All courses were taught in English, except Thai language, by Western, Thai, and other Asian professors. I wasn't impressed by anything academically--except for a decent Filapina professor--but that's not why I was doing the program. Only the credits transferred to my undergrad transcripts; the grades did not figure into my GPA.

The main complaint was that classrooms were stark quiet (read: utterly boring), because Thai students, the vast majority of my classmates, never (ever) raised their hands to comment or ask a question. This "deference for authority" behavior is conditioned throughout the education system. I saw this again later when I taught EFL and worked at an NGO there. If you're looking for an enlightening, critical thinking, intellectual environment, I don't think you're going to get it in Thailand without paying high tuition for it.

As for your aspiration, I think it's wonderful. Go for it! I'm around your age and I'm back in school in the U.S. The difference in quality of instruction and students is incomparable, really, but that is not to say that Thai universities do not produce quality graduates capable of study or work elsewhere.

For what it's worth, have a look into online programs. There are good ones from accredited brick-and-mortar institutions around the world. Part of the difficulty of studying abroad is the cultural and everyday language adjustment. For sure, as others have said, Thai educational institutions operate outside of Western standards / norms. If you're expectations are realistic, then you might be okay. I, personally, could not tolerate the politics, communication style, and general BS of Thai culture that is prevalent in every Thai-run organization.

Well said.

I don't think anyone is claiming the average Thai earns 100k a month. That would be silly.

You are claiming to know most people who earn 100k a month.

You come out insulting legitimate teachers who earl less.

The supposed survey was done in Bangkok and Pattaya,

Please do tell the job titles of expats in Pattaya who earn 100k++

Apparently all the teachers he knows earn 100k plus... I think around 50k is average for foreign teachers, but a handful from international schools do get more than 100k.

Average person earns 100k a month? What?? I must be in the wrong job then, I get half that, I know maybe 1 person here who earns 100k a month, what am I missing exactly?

Sounfs like a teacher's salary. Outside of teaching I think salaries go north of 100k.

Shame that letter from a prostitute was deleted.

It said it all.

They hate their work and EVERY client they have.

That includes YOU MrX in Pattaya.

Why was it deleted? Who deleted it? Anyone know?

Winnie

The link was from a source not allowed on this forum.

However you can find it here, I assume this link is allowed.

http://www.ijreview.com/2016/04/588738-former-prostitue-pens-sobering-message-to-clients/

Just read it. Do you think all those men on this forum will re think about their claims that the women are happy and enjoy their profession after reading this? Many on here truly believe what the prostitutes tell them, and that they chose to do it and enjoy earning the money,,, I think most sensible people are not so naive.

I wonder if it will even be given consideration by the advocates, whether they will at least start to question their own beliefs, I hope so but I am doubtful.

I was at Uni in Thailand... and many hi-so girls (well maybe not the majority) were sideline girls too. Daddy paid for the car and the apartment or whatever, but excessive consumerism drove these girls to do anything to get higher status. Usually they needed more expensive bags and shoes than the other girls to show their 'class'. I agree that these girls have serious psychological problems and that prostitution will add to it... but they certainly do not do it out of necessity.

this bank sells your debt to a collection agency that SHARES IT WITH 5 other companies who are not affiliated with any kind of banking institution, the day you get your loan. I have caught them lying straight to my face about several bank practices. THey will not call you when there is a problems but will call your boss and mother and your father and some how skip your phone number. I give them a D+ at best.

Can someone translate for me please.

Seems he didn't pay his debt properly... so the bank is bad.

I don't get it.

If as the article stated that she had health problems since she was young surely there would have been travel insurance and this would cover the medical expenses .

If not and not trying to be smart but we have seen many times tourists not taking out travel insurance and ending up being stuck with hefty bills .

36,000 and rising and I didn't know if it's true about their statement about its Thai culture not turning off the machine. My wife did it for her father.

My travel insurance doesn't cover existing conditions. Maybe that is the problem here...

How do Bekasau Vadzim and Bekau Aliaksandr waltz into an up-market store and buy gear with a dodgy card? Foreigners are usually asked to produce their passport when making card purchases - surely they didn't use their own.

And why didn't they just use ATMs to get cash?

"Foreigners are usually asked to produce their passport when making card purchases" Are they? I have never been asked to produce my passport on a cc purchase.

"And why didn't they just use ATMs to get cash?" Maybe no PIN required for credit card payments, but required for cash withdrawal?

The problem is... my credit card also requires a pin. In my home country I keep possesion of my card and the cashier will use a wireless card machine on which I need to enter my pin. In Thailand they do not use wireless card machines so I need to hand over my card... and they swipe instead of dip the card, so no pin is required. Thailand is ripe for this type of crime.

In Thailand for some machines and online transactions a pin is required, in some (I would think most) not.

Yes, to swipe you hand over the card, but it easy to see what is happening with the card. I always make sure my customers see what I do with the card, and when I pay with my credit card I make sure I always keep it in sight.

But I have yet to see an ATM where no PIN is required.

So your post only underlines my post.

Yes... I do agree with your post. Did it appear that I was disputing it?

I do doubt that in Thailand you never let your card out of sight though. For example if one takes clients to a fancy restaurant at a hotel... and pay with a card, do you get up from the table and walk across to where the static machine is (sometimes at reception)? I have never seen a diner do that I Thailand. And that is why when Thailand joins the modern world and gets wireless machines it will be much safer.

How do Bekasau Vadzim and Bekau Aliaksandr waltz into an up-market store and buy gear with a dodgy card? Foreigners are usually asked to produce their passport when making card purchases - surely they didn't use their own.

And why didn't they just use ATMs to get cash?

"Foreigners are usually asked to produce their passport when making card purchases" Are they? I have never been asked to produce my passport on a cc purchase.

"And why didn't they just use ATMs to get cash?" Maybe no PIN required for credit card payments, but required for cash withdrawal?

The problem is... my credit card also requires a pin. In my home country I keep possesion of my card and the cashier will use a wireless card machine on which I need to enter my pin. In Thailand they do not use wireless card machines so I need to hand over my card... and they swipe instead of dip the card, so no pin is required. Thailand is ripe for this type of crime.

Zebra crossings should be removed in certain areas where they give tourists a false sense of safety. Saw a couple from Singapore almost taken out in front of MAYA Lifestyle shopping centre in Chiang Mai. The surprised woman said something like "its a ZEBra crossing isn't it?".

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Shame on Thais... shame on them.

The topic here isn't transgender people in sports.

Aaah - Jingthing - the 'topic policeman' strikes again.

Is it just you or do all liberals attempt to tell people what they can and cannot say?

OK. The topic here isn't transgender people in sports.

Please try to make every effort to stay on topic.

But perhaps the question of how transgender is handled in sport... which the LGBT community appear to be happy with, could shed some light on how best to view bathroom access too? And it also raises the question of changeroom and shower access. To me there appears to be a massive grey area and the lines are very blurred.

Too bad the anti-GLBT bigot N.C. governor can't stand for reelection right now. Somehow I think the voters of his state won't be pleased with the massive amount of federal funds his state will be losing by insisting on their HATE law. Maybe these southern states that insist on these BIGOT laws want to secede from the UNION again?

Or maybe people are just tired of special interest groups trying to force their agenda onto everyone else? Wow, maybe that's what you're missing.

Unfortunately, your comments are typical of special interest groups....if a person doesn't agree with your agenda, then that person is somehow flawed. BS.

So if transgender people use bathrooms of their choice... their new gender so to speak... what is the situation with sports locker rooms? Reason I ask is... how exactly does all this impact sport ingeneral then? If we day you are now no longer the gender of your borth does that mean I could be born male, play a sport fairly well as a man ... become transgender and then compete against women? Where are we permitted to draw the line exactly?

BANK are vicious.... i will pay cash...

I agree... and I would rather barter than pay cash. But that isn't the way the world is moving. And seeing as banks drive certain behaviour by rewarding clients... why would I choose to lose rewards out of some allegiance to cash. The bank still takes its pound of flesh... what's in that behaviour for me?

Quite right. Cash handling is a big operational cost for banks. Even the ATMs are expensive to keep topped up. For retailers it also costs a lot of money to deposit the cash at a bank. Credit cards are cheaper across the board. Even for the customer if used and managed well.

Cash handling is indeed a big operational cost for banks as that is what they do, take in cash and hand it out. Wow, pretty good deal if you can automate one of your principle operations. For retailers the handling of cash is an insignificant cost of operation as their primary operation is to sell goods with their primary cost being the investment in inventory.

For under $100, here in the US, you can purchase a cash register that can even tell a clerk how much change is due the customer. So cash transactions take no more time than card transactions. And it really doesn't cost that much to take the cash to the bank, often that is just a night drop. But losing even 2% off the top is tough when your gross profit margins (GPM) are under 50%, making that 2% cost 4% of your GPM of 50%, and most GPMs are lower than 50%. And despite what some are implying here, unless you are Walmart, you don't always have the ability to raise prices to cover an added expense, that is nonsense.

Uhm... not sure you know how banks make their money. But it is not really in the despensing of cash. And for that reason they want to do away with it. Operationally it is more effective to do transactions in a virtual environment for banks. As to retailers... the cost of security in handling cash is in fact an operational expense of some sognificance, and the bank charges that same retailer a fee for accepting that cash and placing it into and account. Retailers and banks benefit from not moving a lot of cash around. It's hard to explain via a mobile phone on a forum, but as a former banker I do know that the cost we save from not moving cash oitweighs the fee we'd have charged for the retailer to deposit the cash. And the same applies to retailers. The bank I worked for even struck a deal with retailers to give cash to clients from the till. This was a win-win-win arrangement. The bank reduces usage of ATM's for cash, the retailer has less cash to bank at the end of the day, and the customer has a convenient way of getting cash without paying any fee for using ATM.

It helps to actually know the industries one is commenting on.

The 2% - 3% Visa charges will now be passed along as higher prices.

Unlikely, for three reasons (1) handling cash is really rather expensive, (2) less cash in the till means less lost from theft, and (3) Thai people are very price sensitive - I've known people who'd rather walk 400 metres there and back to buy a packet of cigarettes that costs a couple of baht less, rather than buying in an adjacent shop. If they do hike their prices they will lose business.

Quite right. Cash handling is a big operational cost for banks. Even the ATMs are expensive to keep topped up. For retailers it also costs a lot of money to deposit the cash at a bank. Credit cards are cheaper across the board. Even for the customer if used and managed well.

It irritates me that in Thailand no pin is usually required with the chip and pin card. When I use my BKK bank card they don't require a pin... just a signature. What's the point of chip and pin then?

Maybe men can also wear revealing clothes. A skirt above the knee might not be inappropriate for women, but could men go to corporate meetings showing their calves? Bare arms? I say men are being done in.

So a few of you cannot tell me what if the kid asks for it's mum or where is my mum...?

You asked. People answered.

Are you going to keep asking until you get an answer you like?

Fink no answers, now SB, as you have been heavily in this topic, calling folk all sorts of things, YOU tell me what would your reply be to THIS kid if it asked for it's mum or where is my mum..

Tell me....?

Why would it ask me?

It??

Shouldn't he be trying to get business travels to come to Thailand to come stay in its four and five star hotels ? Oh wait, they would need work permits and some sort of compelling reason to invest their time and money.

Thais never need encouragement to take a holiday.

I am not entirely sure about exactly what you mean by holiday though. Take a day or 2 off work, sure I agree with you. Take an actual annual vacation style holiday somewhere for a week or two... almost unheard of in my experience. I wonder how many Thais own timeshare or holiday homes?

There is currently no such thing as Zim Dollar. It has been demonitised already.

Zimbabwe will have two currencies, one that is pegged to the US Dollar...big deal.

And the other?

What holidays are these exactly... my company is open as usual. It is confising to understand Thai public holidays I think.