JayBird

If I understand correctly, OP has not been in Thailand for two years, and that would play a major part in getting the visa.

Is it legal or acceptable in Thailand to strike or spank a child?

Or just not feed it?

The streets seemed fine by afternoon so I don't see how this is a big problem. If it was still flooded days after then it would be a problem. Otherwise nothing to really worry about.

this can happen even in first world cities.

http://statistics.unwto.org/content/faqs

Source is most likely TAT

I read this as 400,000 tourists in august. The Chinese do not spend money here and stay in very isolated venues. The other asians are not here for tourist purposes.

Of the 400k I wonder how many are expats, or possibly workers who are flagged as tourists.

I think top gear tackled demolition once and did a better job.

I find their delivery estimates to be optimistic and a few times had to wait a few days or week longer. Mainly happens if fullfilled by a vendor or overseas.

2 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

Agreed!  My point is that's prime seaside property that could be turned into something really nice.  Walking Street could be moved elsewhere.  Something similar to what they've got in Tokyo?

There a half built condo on that prime seaside property. At their present rate walking street could be turned into a collection of condo skeletons for years, populated only by soi dogs and parked buses.

How dull. What will waking street look like one year after this when all the shops close because no one goes there?

There's cleaning up, and there's removing. This is a case of throwing the baby out with the bath water.

On ‎9‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 8:04 AM, trogers said:

What business establishment opens at 6am in Jomtien or Pattaya?

A hundred or so warehouses that supply drinks, ice, produce to shops and restaurants. Plus numerous repair facilities for bikes and cars.  Schools, hotels, shops that have morning staff before it opens to the public. 

Life is very active before the bar opens.

Ignore the router.

On your laptop configure the network settings for your NIC to explicitly use DNS server 8.8.8.8

Run ipconfig /all to verify.

Then run tests. If you are still not using 8.8.8.8 for DNS resolution then the someone is redirecting your DNS queries.

don't rule out the possibility of an infection/spyware on your laptop.

Can something be done to insulate the noise? Perhaps a structure or barrier on his house that dampens the noise, or in your house that blocks the noise?

Legally, in Thailand, are the police allowed to stop you and demand a sample? What happens if you refuse? Legally speaking, not asking what will actually happen as the two may be different.

4 hours ago, jackh said:

I keep getting these girls saying "Love you long time...buy me honda". What's up with that?

They say: Buy me, Honda.

they call you Honda because you pumpui same same Honda from street fighter.

Did you accidentally leave a few hundred dollar bills tucked into the passport?

Feign ignorance when asked and assume the Embassy knows better than you and gave you the right visa. Worst case scenario is they eventually deny it and you enter for 30days

3 hours ago, wump said:

Loads of online sellers. Paying a minimum of 4k Baht for an operating system that practically shows you an ad during EVERY startup is just plain silly. With all the spying and the ads it should be free anyway.

I'm not sure where you got yours. Mine doesn't show ads not have spyware.

Like all modern os it can collect private information, however it is very easy to turn off.

I encourage purchasing online from MS. Obviously legal, legit, and they keep a record of your key so no worry about losing the DVD.

Years of playing Frogger have prepared me for Pattaya traffic. I recommend all to train likewise.

Any particular reason you wish to invest in the Thai stock market? You can deal with a US/UK/HK broker and trade US/European shares which may be easier (and find a lot more information on).

For clean and modern with air con and western toilet with screened shower and within walking distance of bts/etc. You should consider 6k to 9k. No need to pay more than 9k, and less than 6k may have problems (undesirable neighbors, noise, etc.)

Neither car is worth boasting about. So materialistic over something so petty.

The vendors do not bother me and offer me food. So I have no issue with them.

The motorcycles for the most part try to avoid hitting me on the sidewalk which is more than can be said for cars and buses on the road. So I have no issue with them.

Far more concerned with cars and buses ignoring lights and crosswalks.

I'd be curious if the end result is any noticeable difference. It seemed to small to me to make a difference, but I do not drive so might be missing something.

on the plus side, I don't drive so I don't worry about traffic or flooding

46 minutes ago, kalidescopemind said:

I got a good piece of advice from a bar owner when I first got to Thailand.  He said don't fight with Thais.  He said his friend did, and he was in the right.  But the Thai man killed him, and went to jail.  Point is, the guy was dead, almost like this guy.   I heard some ex-cop go on about how he was going to get some Thai dude, and I tried to tell it was a really bad idea, but he thought he was a tough guy.  My wife says its getting worse these days, and they will attack you in a pack anytime you get in a beef with them.  Go home and yell at your TV and get drunk, but don't get in a fight with Thais in public.  It could easily be the last thing you ever do.

Or, if you're going to do it, be armed and ready to take on 7 guys at once.

I keep thinking of Munich and the less than thirty seconds to go through passport control.