BlimeyCharlie

No sure if this is the wrire section, but does anyone know who or where i can get an English letter converted to Thai

Many Thanks

I wasn't meaning to sound like I was laying the blame either way, I was trying to point out that you need to have a long hard look at the state of the relationship. Oftentimes we choose to ignore that which is painful, the proverbial head in the sand, as it is easier than facing up to the reality. I don't know what her motivation was, but, as I said, considering the general beliefs here, it must have been pretty darn serious for her to make such a major move in your relationship without discussing it with you first.

My only thought is that you really delve into how things have been going lately, and then, after you have had a chance to really think things through try to talk to her calmly about it. It may be a relationship breaker, but then again, it may be that the relationship was already broken? Or it may be the event that ties you together because you finally get everything out into the open. You can only know until you try.

My only other though for her to make this decision is my work. I run a business in the UK which i've left dormant, but i've been asked to start a project in Janruary. It would mean i would have to make a visit for two weeks to do some planning before the Jan start. This still isn't enough to make that kind of decision though. She wasn't overly impressed about me going there, but for 2 months work i would need to have worked 5 years as a TEFL teacher here to earn the same.

She sempt to understand it would benefit us both in the long run if i just did 1 or 2 projects. I kept asking her if she was ok with this as she kind of said ok but with uncertainty.

I will give her time to talk, but i don't know if i can feel the same, as she asked me if we could have a child, and i was delighted with that.

Well, I hate to be hard here but you need to ask yourself why your girlfriend would feel the need to terminate her pregnancy after an argument. This is an illegal thing to do in this country and many Thai people oppose it because of their Buddhist beliefs. So you need to sit down and think quite hard about the state of your relationship with her as well as your own reactions to her pregnancy before having any kind of conversation with her about it.

Theres lots of illegal things in Thailand and as always money is the answer, so that comment is a little comical.

Fair enough on your points on the relationship. We have general dissagreements just like every one else. Mainly issues such as purchasing things and being ripped off, my girlfriend has to be my voice at the moment as i can't complain to them with my little thai, so i express my dissapointment through her. Thats through her and not at her. This has really come as a shock as it's the first time i have mentioned to her about making an effort. Which i did as gently as possibly but quite obviously there is no gentle way.

I asked if i could discuss a sensetive issue with her and she abliged, but instead of talking she blanked me then left within a few minutes only to return the following morning.

So far we have had no problems within our relationship, we were very close when we met in the UK, and decided there to have a child, and that relationship continued here. This has come out of the blue, but what can i do, nothing. I don't feel right about this relationship anymore. I'm not against abortions but this was just over 4 months into the pregnancy. I just don't understand.

Yes, i though at first she was just trying to get a reactin from me but i saw a phone number on the table and rang it, it was the hospital. As i said i've been told by the moderators here i can't discuss it but she has.

The unthinkcable has happened and i can't believe she has done it. I've been told im not allowed to discuss it as what she has done is illegal.

I really can't believe over a simple dissagrement she has done what she has done. I don't know what to do.

My girfriends farther hs arrived because she dissapeared yesterday afternoon with say where she was going.

My Thai s very basic and i can't make him understand.

Pacharee and i had a minor disagreement yesterday afternoon. She walked out without saying where she was going. This happens to often as it did in the uk. She won't talk to me to try and solve the problem, she just walks away.

Much appreciated if that can be done.

I don't know about books in general- it all depends on the book. If you post some titles, we can comment on them individually. For instance, Interchange gets a bad rap, but with some supplementary materials I like to use it for TEFL.

I would argue that an online TEFL course would really be defeating the purpose of most TEFL courses, which is to get your feet wet and make you more confident doing what you're gonna be doing. I'm not saying they can't work, but if I had my own choice I'd do some real face-to-face training before going out to look for work.

"Steven"

Thank you Steven,

Although I know nothing about teaching it would seem to me that a hands on would be better.

This is the list of teaching aids:

www.onlinetefl.com/shopuser.php?s=28

Once again thank you for you time.

Tony

I did a weekend course in Hull and the extra 80 hours course work. A friend of mine did the online course and he walked into a job. Depends on the language school.

She is Thai.

Fair points thank you.

Good post, thank you.

Can you tell us what all that equipment cost?

Just an approximate cost for my system is- under $2000.00 U.S.

Basic wireless alarm consol with

5 door sensors

5 indoor motion detectors $200.00 U.S. made in China bought in the U.S.A. and suit cased into Thailand

The 8 I.R. cameras complete with wiring &12v adapters about $800.00 U.S. bought in Australia & and suit cased into Thailand—

Now can just buy here in Thailand and probably even cheaper.

8 station Video processor with alarm $200.00

1 VCR Automatic VCR Controller $20.00 U.S.

1 21 in. TV. monitor bought at Makro 6000 baht???

8 Motion detectors ordered from CZECH REPUBLIC and shipped to Sa Kaeo and 1000 baht duty paid in Aran

DATE: 6TH NOVEMBER 2002

Item Description Qty Price Amount

JS-11* „HARMONY’ PIR detector 8 11,00 88,00

1 88,00

AIR PARCEL POST 1 23,00

TOTAL PCS 8 US$ 111,00

GRSWT: KGS NTWT: KGS NR.CARTONS:

SHIPPING DATE: IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOUR PAYMENT

PAYMENT : T/T TO OUR ACCOUNT IN ADVANCE

BANK : CESKOSLOVENSKA OBCHODNI BANKA

JABLONEC, CZECH REPUBLIC

Various outdoor motion sensor floodlights 4000 baht

Hi

Just read your post as smart home technology and security in the UK is my business. www.intellhomes.co.uk and i know live in Thailand. You mentioned that you have a timelapsed vcr. If you get the opertunity i would recommend using a DVR as opposed to a VCR or both and link them. This is a hard drive system and will record for about a months before re-recording over any information if there hasn't been a brake in. You can also link this up to your PC and backup info on there. The hard drive systems also have an ip address so you can also back up on a on-line secure server as well as watching any activitity from another place, at the office for e.g. Theifs are preaty switched on and unless you have you vcr in a place they cant access, that is the first thing they will steal. With DVR you don't need to worry about changing tapes also.

If anyone else intends to use security. DVR is the way to go. Much better quality and the facilities are much useful.

I will be starting work at Sarasas School in Bangbon next month. I have no idea what Bangbon is like but I need to find a reasonably-priced one-bed appartmet there (not studio).

Anyone know the area and any ideas of where to start to look?

I am new to Thailand and will be here until 3rd March before returning home for two weeks to sort out paperwork for teachers licence et cetera. I hope to take a trip to Bangbon on Monday, so any information would be gratefully accepted.

Hi, Just out of interest how easy or difficult was it for you to get a job a that school. Have you taught before and what were they looking for.

I live opposite the Sarasas and there is a teacher from that school how rents a 1 bed house on the estate i live for about £100 per month. My girlfried knows lots of places for rent so i'll ask her when she is back and repost later unless another member contacts you sooner.

Incidentally the area is very busy and a little dirty in places. I hope you haven't been promised paradise as it certainly isn't that here. And the scenic places are a drive away. However i do enjoy it despite there not being that much to do. I'm considering starting a football team if your interested, if i can find enough people of course.

Hi

I met my girfriend in the UK and she always made an effort in the way she looks. We moved here to Thailand recently, my girlfriend came a few weeks before me and i joined her a few weeks later. When she met me at the airport she looked beautiful and i told her this as i have always done, but recently she has started to dress pretty drab and doesn't really care about her hair and the way she looks. She just wears short cheap tracksuit type bottoms and a T shirt that I would wear for lazing around in the house, this is how she dresses when we go out shopping.

When we have been shopping I've hinted at clothing that would look really lovely on her but she just dismisses it. This has now led to an argument.

Am I wrong for expecting a little effort if we are to go out. Even in the house I like to do my hair and smell nice because it makes me feel good and I hope it makes her feel the same, but she just dresses really drab. Ok, she's also 4 month pregnant but she is still very slim. I've suggested tops that are loose and flare at the bottom to disguise her pregnancy if she feels uncomfortable with the way she looks.

I asked her politely if she could wear something that makes her look more feminine as surely it feels good to her for me to say how lovely she looks. I've tried explaining that in a relationship that has been ongoing for a while it doesn't mean you don't have to make an effort for your partner anymore.

I did approach this as subtly as possible. Am I wrong for doing so and expecting a little effort that surely will make us both feel good. She has since told me to find someone else as shes not going to change the way she looks.

I know this is just a response to the question i asked and that i've made her feel even more uncomfortable, but sometime i wonder why bother. I'm on 33 a she is of similar age so i don't understand why she has let herself go

Your opinion appreciated.

I'm in the market for a couple of bikes, any opinions regarding good brands, shops and experiences are appreciated.

thanks

Hi, are you loking for a road bike, mountian bike or a version of both. I'm a mad mountain biker and use a Cannondale Ravon 4000 which is a US made bike and is very expensive. In the UK is cost £4000.

If your looking for a good bike that doesn't cost to much consider Trek. They make very good quality road and mountain bikes. They have some pricey ones too but start from about £100 pounds and the parts are quite cheap. If your not going off road then you should really have any issues with maintainance other than normal wear, tyres etc.

Heres some top bike names.

Lite Speed

Cannondale (start at about £500)

Trek (with kona probably the most affordable).

Kona

White

Marin

Santa Cruz

You can have all the criminal creepy fantasies you want. Not a crime.

Not so, you can be jailed for possession of kiddy porn irrespective of whether you assault anyone.

Yes so.

I agree the porn charges are real and never said differently. He will answer to those minor misdemeanor charges in California. That is a specific charge. Thinking and fantasizing isn't a crime.

However, owning kiddie porn is a crime in many countries and he will have to answer to that.

Nancy Grace just called Thailand again "THE SEX TRADE CAPITAL OF WORLD"

The madness never stops!

I don't watch TV so I don't know what the media are sayin, but just a couple things about your post. I believe as to the California charges he was tried in abstentia and found guilty. That he is a fugitive is a separate felony charge in most states, and in many cases the time served for being a fugitive from justice is greater than the original charge. Also, Thailand IS "THE SEX TRADE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD".

I have argued this many times. Although i agree the Thailand maybe the sex trade capital, it's like a drug. If there's a demand for it someone will supply it. And the demand is in Europe. Stop the demand and you'll stop the supply and vise versa, but we know this will never happen. In my opinion the largest child porn industry is in Europe as they demand it. The sad f*ckers need tourching.

Many other American heroes also troubled

Jesse James (outlaw)

Incredible Hulk (green)

Stone Cold Steve Austin (can of whoop-ass)

Tom Cruise (nutty)

I don't personally think he's a hero, but some nitwitz will pay for his ghost-written biography.

You forgot about Chuck Norris.

Here in Isaan most of the "JET" petrol stations have a Siam Comercial Bank ATM machine on their premises. If you are out 'in the sticks' you may find this service useful.

My standard debit bank card works in Thailand with no problems. I bank with Natwest in the UK.

Thanks for the info.

smtp-adsl.totonline.net worked.

Thanks

I totally agree. As good as it would be to host the WC here again i just don't think we have the external space. The only ground i can think of with the space is Man City. I have been to Old Trafford and the main road wouldn't really accomodate much when you take into account the number of burger vans that already have pitches there.

Man city is the only place i can think of that would be able to host internal and external entertainment. I'm not a city fan btw. LFC for me.

You only have to look at Wimbledon and how popular Henman Hill is now. The atmosphere is equal to being inside centre court.

It's unfortunate that the UK's major grounds are surrounded by industrial sites, and i'm sorry to say grotty streets.

You could argue that the venues could be help in city centres, but hearing and being close to the stadium makes the differece IMO.

before you commit yourself to buying a property in thailand check legal stuff on the subject. Solution might be renting something long term - before jumping on a deep water. You will have time to see if you like the place and look for some alternatives. It's easy to buy - but it might not be the best option.

Hi

I seem to be having problems sending emails thrugh my outlook express. I've contacted TOT to ask if they can tell me there incoming & outgoing address (SMTP) for my email account.

Does anyone happen to know as i can't seem to explain it to them properly.

Many Thanks

Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Phuket and Pattaya are all touristy, packed will holidaymakers, and thus more expensive (chang mai the least) than the other large cities in Thailand.

From your list the west side of Bangkok, the Thonburi side, has it all - klongs, river, sea some 1h drive - is green, peaceful and reasonable clean.

Our home is for sale here in Bangbon 4 bed 2 bathroom, small surrounding garden. It's the largest house on this estate.. The area may be to busy for you though. The estate is very quite as long as you don't mind being woken up by people selling food at 6am. I really like it here as just 300yrd away it is very busy with markets and other businesses. Just over an hour away is Pattaya, the other way is Samut. There is also a beach near by but i've never been and netther has my girlfriend so i couldn't comment on that. There are local supermarkets within 10-20 mins depending on traffic.

The reason for sale is we want to buy another property down the road where my girlfriend wants to run her business.

If anyone is interested i can send pictures,

because it came with the car.

Of course you are not concerned that it is not able to fulfill its designed purpose in such traffic conditions and subsequently you are paying through the pocket at the bowser.

Do they sell a non turbo version??

I assure you it quite adequately fulfills it's designed purpose... and I push it to the limit whenvever I can... remember that bangkok is not all bumper to bumper traffic 24 hours a day. Yes they did sell a non-turbo version of the car, and I have the same car in non-turbo and automatic, trust me the NA auto drinks a hel_l of a lot more petrol than the turbo....even though the turbo has about 120% more power on the dyno.

I don't quite understand your post as it seems as if you are just here to troll or to insult... to that end, I have another 4.4L supercharged gas guzzler and if I want to pay a million baht in petrol per year, it is my business after all isn't it? To each his own, yes?

I fail to see why you make such comments - But would be interested to hear you version on the purpose of a Turboing (blower scavenged) and of supercharging an engine (normally 3 degrees of CR).

Of course you know that a supercharger actually performs the same role as a Turbo until the exhaust valve closes and (approx 3 degrees CR) inlet valve remains open) - hence the amount of supercharging received is directly related to the degree of CR that is set.

Well said. Supercharger in my opinion is the better of the 2 and is a little more realible than the turbo when pushed.

My little citreon AX GT rally car with a 1.3 engine ws SG'd and was kicking out about 220bhp and was still road worthy. It would also kick many of the Jap crap into to touch from a stading start too.

No point to mypost but though i'd mention it. 4.2 0-60mph it was tested at and 145mph i had it a before i shat myselfon the M1 motorway UK. Believe me it's quite scary in a tin can.

Duu puu ying kon nan. Chai mai?

I thought - mong a lai, meant what are you looking at. Is this the not s polite version?

I have just had a panick attack as i think my visa stay has ran out. I have a multiple enrty tourist visa valid until June 2007. Should i only be here for a maximum of 30 days. I had in my head 3 months for some reason.

If it has ran out what can i do as i intend to stay for some time.

Many Thanks

Hello Folks

I live in the BAngbon area and have been trying to find a motor bike other than a pizza delivert type.

Does anyone know where i can find a moto x or scrammbler in the area and do you know if they are a reasonable price.

Thanks again people

Hello folks.

I used to run my own business in the UK which i left behind. If i wanted to start a business here want do i need. I understand that i have to have so many Thai members and that i will own 49% if im right. Do i need to input a certain ammount of money first or can i just start register company name and open a bank account. This is not to buy land which i have no interest in doing.

Reason being i have been asked to start some projects in the UK. Just one will keep me going here for a year or more.

Many Thanks

In order to set up a limited company in Thailand, the following procedures should be followed:

1/ Reservation of your Corporate Name

The name to be reserved must not be the same or similar to the name of any other companies. There are names that are not allowed and the name reservation guidelines of the Commercial Registration Department in the Ministry of Commerce need to be observed. The approved corporate name is valid for 30 days. No extension is allowed.

2/ File a Memorandum of Association

A Memorandum of Association must be filed with the Commercial Registration Department. This has to include the name of the company that has been successfully reserved, its business objectives, the capital to be registered, the province where the company will be located, and the names of the seven promoters. The capital information must include the number of shares and the value per share. At the time of formation, the authorized capital, although partly paid, must all be issued.

Although there are no minimum capital requirements, the amount of the capital should be of a respectable amount, and adequate for the business operation to function healthily.

3/ Convene a Statutory Meeting

Once the share structure has been decided, a statutory meeting needs to be called, during which the bylaws and articles of incorporation are approved, the Board of Directors are nominated and an auditor selected. A minimum of 25% of the value of each subscribed share must be paid.

4/ Registration

Within three months of the date of the Statutory Meeting, the directors must submit their application to establish the company.

5/ Tax Registration

Within 60 days of incorporation, or within 60 days of the start of operations, businesses liable for income tax must obtain a tax identity card and a number for the company from the Revenue Department.

Depending on the industry, you may need or not need Thai investors. If it manufacturing, export, hotel management you do not need any Thai investors.

If it is on the restricted list for a foreign- own company, then you can apply for the Foreign Business License or BOI (Board of Investment) and may not need Thai investors. You could also join with an American under the Amity treaty and not need Thai investors.

If you do need Thai investors, they must invest more cash or non-cash assets than the foreigners. If it is cash than the source of the money is traced. If it is a cash loan to a Thai company, it must be from a Thai to make it "Thai cash" and the Thai shareholding has to be more 51% versus 49%. Up to now, this is how the Foreign Business Act defined a foreign- held company. It is currently being debated even if those criteria were met to be classified as a Thai company; if a foreign director is on the board or if the dividends are less for Thais than the foreigners, if this is also considered a foreign held company.

In other words, goal posts can be changed soon because of new interpretation. Some feel if this happens with management control needing to be all Thai nationals, formidable competitors such as Dubai, Viet Nam, Cambodia, India and China will be the top five places foreigners will be looking to invest other than Thailand. We feel this control issue will impact foreign direct investment and will give these other countries the opportunity to eat Thailand's lunch. In the long term, it may force Thailand to get rid of these restrictive laws. Based on a recent editorial in the Bangkok Post, this may be the new push.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/230806_News/23Aug2006_news20.php

EDITORIAL

Regulations need to reflect reality

A new investigation panel led by the Commerce Ministry plans to hold its first meetings today as part of an investigation into the status of Kularb Kaew and its shareholdings in telecom giant Shin Corp. Temasek Holdings, the investment arm of the Singapore government, set up Kularb Kaew and two other holding companies as part of its takeover of Shin Corp in late January. Authorities are looking into whether Kularb Kaew, now 68%-owned by Sino-Thai businessman Surin Upatkoon, is a legitimate Thai company, or is in fact a nominee for Temasek. The question has profound implications for both Shin Corp and Thailand's business community _ if Kularb Kaew is deemed a nominee, Shin would be in potential violation of the Foreign Business Act and the Telecommunications Act, and could face fines or revocation of its operating licences for violating the 49% foreign shareholding limit for telecom operators. The investigation is being nervously watched by foreign businesses, as authorities are not looking only at the nationality of the shareholders to determine the status of Kularb Kaew, but the more subtle question of management control and the flow of funds from dividends paid by Shin to the shareholders.

Legal experts say if Kularb Kaew is indeed deemed a nominee under a new, expanded definition, so are tens of thousands of other joint ventures that operate with foreign shareholders. Indeed, Shin's largest competitor in the mobile phone sector, Dtac, is majority-controlled by Norway's Telenor through holding structures not unlike that used by Temasek and other companies. A cursory glance at the shareholder registrations for Thailand's listed companies shows that nominees are commonplace. PTT Plc, the largest and most profitable company on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, boasts among its top-10 shareholders innocuous names such as HSBC (Singapore) Nominees, State Street Bank and Trust, Nortrust Nominees and Chase Nominees. All four entities represent leading international financial institutions holding shares on behalf of anonymous foreign clients.

Nominees serve several purposes. For one, nominees allow the actual investors to hide their identity from public scrutiny. Institutional and individual investors alike often take pains to mask their interest in a public company due to market sensitivities. While not necessarily keeping with the principles of good corporate governance and transparency, nominees do help investors maintain a degree of secrecy from competitors regarding their investment strategy. Nominees also serve a more questionable purpose, by helping companies and individuals skirt tax and foreign shareholding laws.

The Foreign Business Act lists dozens of professions banned or restricted to foreigners for three broad reasons: national security, in the case of agriculture and mass media; the need to protect traditional Thai art, culture and handicrafts, such as in the production of Thai musical instruments; or industries where Thais simply cannot compete with foreigners, such as accounting, law, architecture and engineering.

Foreign shareholding restrictions are an anachronism in today's globalised economy. Yes, most countries maintain limits on foreign shareholding in key industries. But the fact is that limits do more harm to consumers than good, as restricted competition shelters domestic producers from market pressures to improve their products, services and prices. Protectionist policies all too often are politically motivated to protect domestic special interest groups, rather than based on sound economics.

Proponents of foreign investment restrictions argue that there is a real need to ensure that so-called sensitive industries, such as telecommunications, financial services or energy, are held in local hands in the interests of economic and national security. But the nationality of a company's shareholders offers no guarantee of a company's competence or commitment to customers and country. Independent regulators also exist to ensure that business operators comply with labour, environment and consumer protection rules. Allowing nominees to continue to operate unchecked only perpetuates the fiction that Thailand's outdated laws remain relevant. It would better serve the public if we strengthen the hand of regulators, liberalise our markets and revamp our laws to reflect the realities of today's world.

----------------------------------------------------

No matter what, we have contingency plans to deal with what ever goal post is thrown at foreign investors to protect their minor shareholdings if they do not qualify under Amity, BOI, and Foreign Business License such as amending the by-laws, where the stamp/seal of the company is located and is required for any signing of the documents. You in other words as a foreigner can give control to Thai management, but can have some type of reverse control, by requiring anything happens in the company, must require the foreigner shareholders vote as well.

To be frank, it is much easier and better for Thailand just to revamp the laws and open trade up. Because some investors no matter how much they love Thailand will invest elsewhere if you make it so complicated.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Thanks for all the info

Would there be any restrictions if i was to conduct my business in the UK but to make payments in a Thai bank account. Obviously for vat and tax benefits.

I would also consider my work here but i'm not to sure if there is a call for it yet. I specialise in Smart Home Technology providing intelligent lighting, audio, cinema and cctv etc.

Thanks