mfd101

1 hour ago, Fex Bluse said:

So, they will need to train the Thais first. That's terrifying as Thais know everything already and can hardly be trained, especially by nasty farang. Terrifying that we could all be flying in planes serviced by Thais. 

Have to start somewhere. I don't suppose 'Western' countries would have been much good at producing an Airbus A380 in 1960.

Yes, you wouldn't need bullbars for the kangaroos in Oz.

1 hour ago, LazySlipper said:

As long as there is no social security scheme or welfare system in place the ageing are doomed. Specially in this more and more Narcistic society we call the world... By the time they wake up the Thais will not be able to organize a welfare system for the poor and elderly because there will be no one left to pay for it.

Isn't that precisely why old people - and the middle-aged - need to look after themselves better?

Never mind. I'm sure it's all going to be wonderful. As the ship goes down, the people will be assembled in their serried ranks on the foredeck, singing 'Land of Hope 'n Glory'.

Oh dear, I have tears in my eyes already.

If I hadn't been told otherwise I would have thought he was Thai!

Whether or not you're doing it on a weekly basis or an occasional holiday basis, your driving in or out of BKK needs to be counter-cyclical. Unless you enjoy the heat, the fumes & the frustration ...

40 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

What are you dreaming about?

It's their primary goal to show zero service prices on search to lure you to the site.

Be prepared that they might even "improve" that.

It's the nature of "low cost carriers".

And even reputed airlines start fiddling with such downgrades to look better.

No meal, no or less baggage, no seat reservation incl.

 

When I see a AA starting price I add 50% to have a rough idea of the real price for me.

Yes, I think most low-cost airlines are the same everywhere. Damned annoying till you get used to it but.

More time = More shekels pouring into the coffers.

10 minutes ago, Eligius said:

Yes. I've said for years and years to my brother back in Europe that Thailand is like a living Carry On film (but without the lovable humour!).

Well, certainly, Kenneth Williams would have been very helpful beachside.

2 minutes ago, Eligius said:

Yes, it is very disappointing, isn't it? Today I was talking to a Thai friend who lives and works in the deep south of Thailand (he is moderately well educated, as are his friends): he told me that he and his whole group of friends at work are definitely going to vote for Prayut.

Oh dear!

Sad really. A bit like the Usofan South ...

Wow, the Kremlin will be trembling & returning the troops to barracks.

Trump & Pompeo are on their way! Oh no!

Engineering students, waddya expect? (Same in Oz - beer drinking competitions ... )

2 hours ago, bluesofa said:

Same as the rubbish that kids can 'pass' exams by only turning up, but not actually learning or understanding anything.

And this is different from at least some 'Western' countries (eg Australia)?

When I was teaching French at Monash University in the mid-1970s, the instruction from on high was: As long as they turn up for classes & hand in their assignments, we pass them.

4 minutes ago, overherebc said:

Because they can is the simple answer.

Friend of mine was refused a married extension and issued a retirement extension because he had about 1.3mil in his Thai bank.

He wanted the extension so he could get a WP on it. He ended up having to change it to a B and using that for the WP meaning leaving to get the B single and going through all the time and effort to get the B extension with all the company paperwork etc.

Total waste of time and money.

Mmmm, it's even worse than I thought. Great customer focus all round ...

9 minutes ago, a977 said:

I cannot see why if you have a government pension of say 500,000thb and you can get a letter signed and stamped to that effect and you have 400,000 in the bank that that in not sufficient to renew you extension, but I'm just a silly old farang

What you or I might think is logical or sensible has nothing to do with the 'rules' that might or might not be applied by Thai Immigration.

Anyone proposing to use the or a combo method should be VERY cautious until current or future policy is clarified. It would be sensible to be planning & preparing to go down either of the other 2 main routes but with capacity to change to combo along the way if that appears doable. Which is no doubt easier said than done ...

8 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

One positive outcome from all of this latest election news, will be that the country will likely become a pariah worldwide, and the baht could take a major hit. Not a good thing for the Thai people. But, for once, good news for ex-pats. 

Hope you're right, but the curves on the Xe.com graph for 2014 don't give much reassurance ...