ChiefBEM

If Obama or Edwards fades or stumbles, he has a very good chance of getting alot more attention.

Knowing the Americans very well, I believe it is possible that Obama (Barack Hussein Obama) if nominated to run for the office of President of the United States will not be elected due to the silent majority.

I have no doubt that the people of the United States are ready for an Africian-American President.

However, I doubt that this is a good time for the people of the United States to elect someone with the following background:

- born to Islamic parents

- step-father Islamic

- attended a radical Islamic school

- Named Hussein

- admits using marijuana and cocaine

- only Allah knows what else will be uncovered if he is on the Presidential Ticket.

Chief, Obama is a fascinating phenom. I think it is obvious the vast majority of Americans don't really know if he is left wing, middle wing, or right wing. He talks in platitudes about hope and has almost no experience or record to peg much of anything on him. The media has propped him up and he is more of a pop star now than a serious politician. Interestingly, super rich left wing moneyman George Soros is bankrolling Obama and this will clearly keep the momentum going. I tend to agree that he will not ever be president and the main reason I think beyond the lack of experience (the presidency is not an entry level position) is that he comes off as just too foreign and yes, foreign in a vaguely Muslim way. Just a political reality.

I don't think his half-blackness is really a political problem, he is the kind of black man that does NOT threaten the white American power structure, unlike a man like Jesse Jackson, who does. The only problem about that for him is actually carrying the black vote in the primary; so far, it appears to be more with Hillary Clinton.

I personally might consider supporting him, if I had anything more than a vague idea of what he stands for, but I don't, and thats kind of troubling,

Do not talk that way to me.

I already pegged you as a ........ chap and now you are showing me that you are informed. (Unlike many)

Jesse Jackson will never be a canidate because he tried it once and was torn apart because his prevous actions a a member of the "Black Panthers."

Ted, good ole Teddy, is incapable of acquiring any political office outside of Massachuttes because of the famous accident where he drove into the river with a female and called 911 a couple of hours later after he got his family and laywers aware of the tragic accident which took the life of the young girl that was with him. The fact he was drunk was not an issue because the time it took to get the police involved and the time his lawyers ate up not allowing their client to experience additional trauma he was sober!

My SWAG (Scientific Wild Assed Guess) is that the Republicans will run McCain and the Democrats will run an "Unknown" because their current front runner (Hillery) cannot win.

I also remind myself that a number of the worst parts of thailand in terms of sleaze are a direct result of good old American influence during R&R breaks during yet another great american war - the Vietnam conflict.

1Lucky

Thailand had "prostitution" thousands of years before the American Troops set foot in the LOS.

Due to a strategic withdrawal 99.9% of the Americans and Allied Forces left Vietnam in 1974.

The Last R&Rs were in 1974.

Due to a Coup in the Government of Thailand in 1975, 99.9% of Americans left the LOS in 1975. In fact most were gone by August 1975.

Who filled the gap since 1975 (32 years) and allowed the prostitution to continue?

If Obama or Edwards fades or stumbles, he has a very good chance of getting alot more attention.

Knowing the Americans very well, I believe it is possible that Obama (Barack Hussein Obama) if nominated to run for the office of President of the United States will not be elected due to the silent majority.

I have no doubt that the people of the United States are ready for an Africian-American President.

However, I doubt that this is a good time for the people of the United States to elect someone with the following background:

- born to Islamic parents

- step-father Islamic

- attended a radical Islamic school

- Named Hussein

- admits using marijuana and cocaine

- only Allah knows what else will be uncovered if he is on the Presidential Ticket.

can anyone enlighten me on the role of the us military base in the town of chaiyaphum,where my dear wife used to pilfer scraps of food with her 9 brothers and sisters as they lived next door to it.....thanks

Dee123,

I do not remember what was at Chaiyaphum.

My first guess as to what the US Military were doing there is it was a communications relay site.

The US Army operated quite a few of these type of sites.

The typical staffing would be 10 or less army guys and the site chief (one in charge) would be a Staff Sergeant (E6).

Regards,

How do you take it from the worlds Police? How do you say 'excuse me, would you mind going home now' to the country with the biggest arsenal in history?

Who would dare to do it? The Japanese or the Phillopines or S Korea or Germany et al - just who would dare to say 'get out' ?

How would the very sick Castro word his letter to ask for that part of his country back and who thinks he would get it?

It looks like some people need to be updated on a few things that are going on in the world.

Major USA Bases have already been closed in Japan, Korea, and Germany.

The closures have been in the Department of Defense (DOD) plan and other closures are also going to happen in the next 12 months.

Japan was very concerned with the USA closing too many bases. We (USA) basically replaced bases with Patriot Missile deployments throughout Japan. The Japanese are asking for more missile sites.

The USA has closed in excess of 10 military bases in the last 12 months. The DOD 5-Year Plan has more base closings scheduled in 2007.

Germany on the other hand told the USA it was time to close some of the military bases on German soil.

In the 2003 5-Year Plan (scheduled for the years 2004-2009) USA planed to pull over 30,000 USA military out of Germany. We started closing bases in 2004 and have many more on the list for 2007.

After we told Germany we would close bases as they desired, they changed their mind after they looked at the economic impact the would result if the USA did close all of the bases on the list. The German government wants the bases to remain until their country's economy is stronger.

Now on Cuba.

Castro does not want the USA to vacate Gitmo.

The following applies to everywhere that the USA has people (civilian/military.)

The USA pays rent for every inch of soil where USA military are based.

The USA uses local people and companies to provide services and products for the bases. When bases are closed the local economy goes into the ditch! Companies go out of business and individuals loose their jobs.

Rent + local companies products and services + individual employment = security and prosperity.

I'm not sure where the base is of which you speak, but America most certainly did not carpet-bomb fro Thai bases -- they did that with B-52s flying out of Okinawa, Japan, or the Phillipines. I have met (and know personally) several Vietnam Vets who spent time in Udon, but most of these were Special Forces, electronic spying experts, etc. The Laotian (Hmong) leader Vang Pao, a US ally, conducted a lot of his operations through Thailand too. Don't forget too that the Laotian PDR was a puppet state of the of the Soviet Union during this cold war time. Aren't you glad it's over?

Talking about the good old days, , there were B-52s at the U.S. Air Force Base at Utapo.

Everyone has been addressing the US Air Force in Thailand.

The US Army ran telecommunications sites throughout Thailand.

Some of these sites were staffed with 10 or less men.

The US Army was assigned the primary responsibility for all Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence operations in Thailand. In excess of 500 Intelligence Operators were stationed in Bangkok and several hundred in Udorn. Additionally, small detachments were located in Ubon, Chaing Mai, NKP, Korat, and other locations.

The Army also was in the lead for supply and logistics in support of all the USA Forces in Thailand.

"USAF Withdrawal From Thailand

The United States ended its involvement in Southeast Asia by treaty and disengagement rather than by military victory. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, relations between Washington and Bangkok turned sour. In May 1975, the Royal Thai Government asked the United States to remove all of its combat forces (27,000 troops, 300 aircraft) by 1976.

The USAF bases were closed and the last USAF personnel left Thailand in June 1976."

One important fact in relation to the USA pulling its military forces out of Thailand in 1975 has not been stated.

In 1975 Thailand experienced a political coup!

The Thai Government was taken over by military and civilian personnel that were fearful of Vietnam invading Thailand. They had even met with North Vietnam officials and pledged their allegiance to the Communist Government of North Vietnam.

The USA military was kicked-out of Thailand.

Some bases that were primary USA operated looked out the doors and saw they were surrounded by Thai tanks, armored personnel carriers, and infantry. USA personnel on these bases were given 48 hours to get out of Thailand!

History shows that the leadership in the new Thai Government did not (as customs require) seek an audience with the King. Finally, the King sent a message to the coup leaders that he would like to talk to them before he addressed the people of Thailand on his perspective on the coup and the new leaders of the Thai Parliament.

It was a short meeting.

The King of Thailand was not happy with the coup.

Before the King addressed the people of Thailand the following day, the senior leaders of the coup had already departed the Thai Kingdom.

With direction/advice from the King of Thailand, a new government was formed that was not pro-communist.

One of the first actions taken by the new government was to invite the USA back to the Kingdom of Thailand.

A liaison office was re-opened. However, the office was less than 20 personnel.

Yes. We (USA) did start annual war games in Thailand with joint USA, Thai, and SEATO military forces.

I'm not sure where the base is of which you speak, but America most certainly did not carpet-bomb fro Thai bases -- they did that with B-52s flying out of Okinawa, Japan, or the Phillipines.

Sorry to differ,

however,

Utapao, Thailand was the home base to a squadron of B-52s.

I was a spotter for "High Value Targets" in Vietnam, western Cambodia and Laos.

Ubon Royal Thailand AirBase was home to 134 F-4s, a squadron of C130 Gun Ships, and other misc aircraft.

For some reason the system says I am not authorized to edit my post.

So here is a bit more information about Utapao.

In the spring of 1967, B-52Ds were sent to U Tapao Airfield in Thailand, from which they were able to complete their missions without inflight refuelling. U Tapao was initially more of a forward field than it was a main operating base, with responsibility for scheduling missions still remaining on Guam. Small numbers of aircraft were drawn from each SAC B-52D unit to support the effort in Thailand, which was vested in the 4258th Strategic Wing. By 1970, U Tapao had assumed sole responsibility for the Arc Light campaign and was home for over 40 B-52s, and it became a main operating base with a much greater degree of self-sufficiency. In 1970, the 4258th SW was eliminated and replaced by the 207th SW.

I'm not sure where the base is of which you speak, but America most certainly did not carpet-bomb fro Thai bases -- they did that with B-52s flying out of Okinawa, Japan, or the Phillipines.

Sorry to differ,

however,

Utapao, Thailand was the home base to a squadron of B-52s.

I was a spotter for "High Value Targets" in Vietnam, western Cambodia and Laos.

Ubon Royal Thailand AirBase was home to 134 F-4s, a squadron of C130 Gun Ships, and other misc aircraft.

George,

I respectfully withdraw my name from consideration for the moderator position.

(Heart condition)

Can anyone tell the best option. I'm from Canada and I'm going to spend 3 months in Pattaya. I'm diabetic and I take :

METFORMIN 850 mg (GLUCOPHAGE)

NOVOGLYBURIDE 2.5mg (DIABETA)

MONOPRIL 10 mg

LIPITOR 20 mg

What is best, to bring my medication from Canada since I pay only 20 % of the cost at home ? Can I find these pills in the pharmacies with a prescription from my doctor.

Is it legal to bring with me all the medication I need for an extended stay ?

Thank you for informing me.

If your doctor in Canada will prescribe enough of your medications to last for 3 months,

you need to get the drugs in Canada and take them with you.

If you rely on getting the medications after you get to Thailand you need to do some pre-planning.

1) send the list of medications and frequency of use to someone in Thailand and have them take the list to the local pharmacy and see if they have the medications.

2) have someone in Thailand find a doctor that would be willing to write the prescriptions.

3) quality of the medications is a concern in Thailand.

I am among other things a diabetic and my friend in Bangkok found out that even the simple meds I need are not available in Thailand.

A major setback for me is that I take a powerful narcotic (Opioid) pain medication that is 40 times stronger than morphine.

The narcotic is not available in Thailand.

It is against USA laws to dispense more than a 30 day supply of this narcotic at any time.

I take a 30 days supply with me and 14 days before I need a new prescription, I call the VA Hospital and tell them that I am still alive and they process a shipment to arrive at my home (in Texas.)

My daughter gets the medication and ships it to me in Thailand express mail.

The main key is the medication has to be in the original container that specifies the doctor who prescribed it and how to use it.

That being said, if it is such a terrible place, why is it that millions of people from every country in the world are doing everything they can, including risking their life trying, to get in, legally & illegally?

I trust you gentlemen (and women) will respond with the "delicacy & propriety" that you are known for and/or espouse.

Regards, TLloyd

Every government has their problems.

However, the USA is the one and only country that has millions of people on their country's quota list to immigrate to the USA.

Illegal immigration into the USA is estimated to be in the millions annually.

I have lived in Asian/Oriental cultures for well over 30 years and 5 of those years were in Thailand.

I have been around the block many times and took good notes during every turn.

I am a born citizen of the good ole USA.

I take pride in not only my right to bare arms, as provided by our constitution, but also to be licensed to carry a concealed handgun.

The situation is that the bad guys can always find ways to buy guns.

In States that have provisions for average citizens to carry concealed handguns it serves as a deterrent. The bad guys do not know if that little ole lady has a Glock and is ready to protect herself!

I enjoy the freedom afforded me and all citizens of the United States of America to travel to over 85% of the countries in this world without having to have a visa for at least the first 30 days in each of these countries.

tyloyd

The USA has 12000 gun murders a year

Thailand 18000

UK 66

Japan 40

End of debate.

Debate is not over.

The number of murders by guns is not the only statictic that need to be looked at.

Let us look at the populations of each of these countries.

Let us accept your data on the number of wrongful deaths by guns.

Now let us look at the number of wrongful deaths by guns beside the population of each of the mentioned countries.

Populations as of 21:54 GMT Dec 22, 2006.

USA Population 300,448,696

Deaths by Guns 12,000

Thailand Population 64,631,595

Deaths by Guns 18,000

UK Population 60,609,153

Deaths by Guns 66

Japan Population 127,463,610

Deaths by Guns 40

Based on the data presented, below are the statistics:

USA Population 300,448,696 1 death in every 25,037.39 people

Deaths by Guns 12,000

Thailand Population 64,631,595

Deaths by Guns 18,000 1 death in every 3,590.64 residents

UK Population 60,609,153

Deaths by Guns 66 1 death in every 918,320.50 residents

Japan Population 127,463,610

Deaths by Guns 40 1 death in every 3,186,590.25 residents

The deaths per residents is accepting your data on the annual wrongful deaths by guns.

Even though the UK deaths sounds extremely low.

I read somewhere that MBK had a reputation as being one of the worst places in Asia for the cloning of credit cards. My understanding is that they do add a small charge if you use the credit card instead of paying cash.

BE AWARE: Some USA credit card companies are charging a fee for converting the USD to the Baht or any other currency.

The following is a statement that is provided one each billing period statement that includes a purchase in other than the US dollar on a Mastercard from "CITI CARDS."

"Your card provides the convienience of transacting in foreign currencies

worldwide wherever Mastercard is accepting without having to exchange and carry

more foreign currency that you need for your transaction. Each purchase you make in a foreign currency is subject to a one-time transaction fee. This fee will cause your Annual Percentage Rate to exceed nominal Annual Percentage Rate listed on this statement."

I did not know about this fee until I purchased an item using my CITI Card Mastercard in Japan.

The purchase was 2,400 Japanese Yen.

Converted it cost $20.78 in US currency.

The fee for converting from US dollar to Japanese Yen was $57.45 in US currency.

Of course I went through the roof!!!!!!!!!!!!

I no longer have the Mastercard from CITI Cards!!

When travelling to places other than the US and Thailand, we take enough American Express Travelers Checks and cash to cover our expenses.

When in Thailand, we (wife and I) have accounts in The Bangkok Bank.

If you were not aware, The Bangkok Bank has an affiliate bank in New York.

Beware, credit cards are looking everywhere to get more of our money.

You trying to keep the riff raff out?

Actually, USAA was initally brought into existance by a handfull of US Military Officers who were sick and tired of being "Ripped-off" by Insurance companies.

They kept the "Riff Raff Out" by restricting membership to US Military Officers and their dependents.

However, I believe in the 1980s membership was extended to senior enlisted members of the US Military and their dependents. Since then the membership has been expanded but I believe it is still military and employee based.

USAA rapidly became the best insurance company in the world.

USAA today is much more than an insurance company but it has retained its top ranking in insurance and became a top ranking financial corporation.

I am a retired Army Officer and since the 70s have had all of my insurance needs and investment portfolio with USAA.

If you can join the Banking Division of USAA, you definately should join!

Regards,

ChiefBEM

Called the number in the April advertisement.

No one knows how to cook pizza today.

The chef is out.

They have fried rice and french fries.

I tried...........

Closing this subject.

Wrongway .

Do you have a menu on the net?

Could you PM me with information?

Regards,

Chiefbem

Post number 12 is not true. Marriage does not change the fact she is Thai in any way, shape or form and all her normal rights are the same as before marriage, regardless of where it is registered.

Lopburi3, you are right !! Post 12 you are wrong.

Sorry for all of the details but I believe it is informative.

First I will address the process we experienced in the formalization of our marriage in 1970 at Ampher Ubon Ratchathani.

Second I will address the purchase of land by my wife who is a US Citizen and travels on a US Passport.

Here are my stories.

On December 28th, 1970, my wife and I went to the Ampher in Ubon Ratchathani to formalize our marriage which was established a few days earlier by traditional Thai Royal Wedding Ceremonies conducted by 9 Budhist monks.

We provided the Thai Officer with a statement from the senior monk who was in charge of the wedding ceremonies, my wife's Thai ID Card, my Thai Drivers License, and my US military ID.

The Thai Officer opened up my wife's family records. He tore three pages out of the record and gave them to my wife. He then went to two different pages, located my wife's name and drew lines through my wifes family name. He then wrote above the lines her new family name which was my last name. We paid a fee of around 150 Baht and everything was official.

THE ORIGINAL POST LEFT OUT THE FACT THAT ......

We were then provided with an official Thai Marriage Certificate.

In 2003, we were told that my wife needed to have a Thai ID Card in order to buy land.

After talking to the ID Card section in Ampher Ubon Ratchathani, my wife was given an appointment and told to bring certain things/people to the appointment.

She showed up for the appointment with everything she was told to bring.

1. The original 3 pages that were torn from the family register in 1970 when we were married.

2. Her US Passport

3. Her mother, her sister, her brother, and a close family friend

4. A completed form provided by the Ampher

At the end of the appointment, my wife was given a temporary Thai ID Card in her married name as specified on the US Passport. She was told a new ID Card would be issued within 30 days from a new ID Card system that was being implemented throughout Thailand.

She paid the ID Card fee.

She returned and picked up her new ID Card which is vaild for 5 or 6 years.

In summation, you can be a citizen of a country other than Thailand and still get a Thai ID Card showing you are a citizen of Thailand as long as you were born of Thai parents in Thailand and can prove it with records and witnesses.

Now on buying land in Thailand.

We were both told by government officers in Ampher Ubon Ratchathani that she (my wife) could buy all the land she could get.

However, we were also informed that seeing as how I (her husband) is not a person of Thai citizenship, I would be required by Thai laws to sign a release form that relinquishes all right to ownership of land purchased by my wife.

No idea, but I’d wait until after the floods just to see how wet it gets there. It's been drought for the past few years and the floods haven’t been as high as they can get. The brother in laws place hasn't flooded for 3 years now but when it does he has 1 metre of water in the place.

I will be receiving sales information some day.

To send the information in regular mail would have cost 800 Baht.

The person that mailed the information said he sent it the cheapest way (80 Baht.)

So it is either coming via boat or carrier pidgeon.

Will keep everyone in loop with updates as I get them.

Does anyone know about a new housing development in Ubon Ratchatani not far from the airport around a man made lake?

It is my understanding that they just started selling 1 rai plots of land for 1.2M Baht.

If you have more information, please post or PM me.

Thanks

ChiefBEM

Does anyone know about a new housing development in Ubon Ratchatani not far from the airport around a man made lake?

It is my understanding that they just started selling 1 rai plots of land for 1.2M Baht.

If you have more information, please post or PM me.

Thanks

ChiefBEM

And mine:

31 countries... or as that website reported to me.... only a paltry 13% of the world total.

I have lived overseas for 18 years but including the countries that I spend short periods of time in hotels it only adds up to 17 countries.

However, I have been to just about every State in the United States and that covers a lot of area on the map.

ohh... thanks for the additional referred site, Chief.

I've completed all 50 myself. Phew! :

Looking forward to completing all 76 provinces in Thailand (currently at 62) AND for the website to add Thailand to their state/provinces visited listing.

I guess I never really had a reason to go to North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, or Maine.

Thaksin didn't leave theUK on that trip ... and Bush wasn't there ... so that's pretty much proof ....

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

According to the article posted above referencing protestors meeting Thaksin at Houston airport, he did in fact visit USA sometime during the last week or so.

The question remains open.

The question is closed.

The article is true about Thaksin being in Houston sometime during the past 7 days and visited his former university.

Additionally, as I have posted, he played a round of golf in Houston.

I do not know who he played with but it will surface sooner or later.

"Anti-Thaksin protest in San Francisco

By ThaiDay 21 April 2006 23:33

Hundreds of Thais living in California calling themselves the People's Alliance for Democracy in the US will be holding an anti-Thaksin Shinawatra protest in downtown San Francisco today.

Demonstrations by the Thai community in the US against the caretaker government have been taking place since early March when protesters gathered in front of the Thai consulate in Los Angeles.

Similar demonstrations have since taken place in New York City, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Washington DC.

The last anti-Thaksin protest was held in Houston, Texas, ahead of a planned visit by the caretaker Prime Minister to his former university.

A crowd of demonstrators confronted the caretaker prime minister at Houston Airport forcing Thaksin to change his itinerary and visit Chicago instead."

jdinasia and others that are basing their comments on their individual thoughts and are unable to accept that Thaksin does tell the truth sometimes (even though it is not often) need to accept the fact that Thaksin was in Houston, Texas USA sometime durig the last 7 days.

Here's Mine:

And mine:

Greetings to Endure from a fellow 6 continent visitor (Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, South America). How do we travel to Antarctica to complete the entire set of 7 in the world?

31 countries... or as that website reported to me.... only a paltry 13% of the world total.

Thanks Augie for the referred site.

the only downside I notice is that some of the smaller islands, eg. Puerto Rico and Hawaii and Guam... are almost invisible.

I have lived overseas for 18 years but including the countries that I spend short periods of time in hotels it only adds up to 17 countries.

However, I have been to just about every State in the United States and that covers a lot of area on the map.