johnnymoretti

"If I were the Thai prime minister I would crush America."

What are you going to do, hold your breath until you turn blue?

"Thailand has never been colonised..."

Neither has the US.

"...and is greatest country in whole world!"

Not nearly.

I beg to differ on that statement about the US never being colonized:

Tensions between American colonials and the British during the revolutionary period of the 1760s and early 1770s led to the American Revolutionary War, fought from 1775 through 1781. On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress, convening in Philadelphia, established a Continental Army under the command of George Washington. Proclaiming that "all men are created equal" and endowed with "certain unalienable Rights," the Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, drafted largely by Thomas Jefferson, on July 4, 1776. That date is now celebrated annually as America's Independence Day. In 1777, the Articles of Confederation established a weak confederal government that operated until 1789.

What do you think the 13 colonies were birthed from???

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check out their website: http://www.phyathai.com/phyathai/new/en/home/index.php

Too bad Thaksin owns this hospital. Its the only reason why I won't go there.

My wife, baby and I are looking for someone who needs their truck (4-door with backseat for infant carseat) driven to Bangkok or nearby. We are moving some things up to Bangkok from Khao Lak (north of Phuket) and maybe we can help each other out. Just household items, computer, clothing, etc....nothing heavy.

Need to leave area on or about August 19-20.

We are reliable and honest. I'm a firefighter veteran and drive like an old grandma...unless your truck has red lights and siren! US driver's license. My wife does not drive.

If you are interested, pleas PM me. I can provide good references. Don't drink. Safe.

Thanks!!

Johnny

Hello my dear fellow boarders....

Here is the scoop on this deal that we have run into. To lay out the foundation (no pun intended) here is my situation:

1. Married to Thai. Here on Marriage Visa from US. Wife also has US Green Card and residency in US.

2. Dear friend with 4-star resort Resident Manager, "Nu", who wants to buy land and possibly sub-divide.

3. Property is in Phang Nga Province within 1km of Andaman Sea and within other fine resorts and upscale farang homes.

4. Chinote land deed, 2.5 rai total.

5. I do not have a retirement visa or permission for investment in Thailand. Simply a marriage visa.

(For the record, if you want to return comments to bash Thai wives and some ulterior motives some may have, save your breath. I, for one, trust my wife and even if I didn't, I wouldn't care if she took me for all my money. It would be my own hanging.)

Okay.

Our dear friend "Nu", a Thai, wants to buy the 2.5 rai from the owner. He currently owns land and house in Khao Lak, but wishes to invest in this new parcel. The price is right for the 2.5 rai, but he's worried he wouldn't get the loan. If he is denied the loan, he would like to form an agreement with my wife and I that we would purchase 1 rai from him and he would retain the other 1.5 rai. (Rather than not get any land if the bank denies his loan application, he would be selling off 1 rai to us). We would pay approximately 44% of the original price of the 2.5 rai. He would sell one of his vehicles and other property to make up the difference to pay cash for the total property since he would have been denied a bank loan. We have cash to pay our share for the 1 rai.

We (my Thai wife and "Nu") would sign an agreement that he is selling 1 rai to us, complete with survey of the newly divided land. He would then pay the land owner the total amount for 2.5 rai in cash from our proceeds and his own. The land owner would sign off on the title to "Nu". My wife and "Nu" would then go to the orbitor to officially divide the land and get a new chinote to show the two parcels of land and its respected owners.

The land in question is no doubt a good buy. Not a SUPER buy, but well within reason. I do NOT feel any unscrupulous activity by any party to this transaction. My question is simply this:

Is this legal?

What potential problems can I expect?

What do I need to do OR not do as a farang married to my wife?

Should I find a reason to walk away?

Your expertise and insight are truly welcome and helpful! Thank you!!!

I have been a USAA member since 1982.

I am an Air Force vet, but not commissioned. I used my father's commission to enable me to become a member. I think the elegibilty requirements have changed a bit since 1982.

Also, USAA is one of the largest and most solid banks in the country. It is NOT owned by shareholders. It is owned by its members, and this is why you do not see it listed along with other banking institutions (ie; Bankrate.com).

It employs nearly 22,000 people. The building its headquartered in is as large as the Pentagon and is known as the largest single-company occupied building in America.

Its also a Fortune 500 company and rates highest in customer service.

A. M. Best Company: A++ (Superior)[28]

Moody's Investor Service: AAA (Exceptional)

Standard and Poor's: AAA (Extremely Strong)

In their May 2009 issue, Consumer Reports named USAA's brokerage division as the top rated discount brokerage service in the United States.

This is why I am a member. If you are eligible, I suggest you strongly consider them as your financial institution.

Thank you, USAA, for your value and service. No bailouts needed!!!

This is all phsycological! The baby cries because it's need attention, it's his only way of communicating with his parents.

Like described above, it's best to let the baby know something is there for him, this can be a radio for instance.

Sorry to say that this is not totally correct. It is not "ALL" psychological. There are many reasons why babies cry, and not only for attention. Coliccy babies are the main reason they cry for long periods. Other times, they just need another burping. Or even something under them is poking at them and they can't get comfortable. There are a myriad of reasons and since they can't express them in different terms, they cry.

If you are having trouble with frustration, seek professional help from a qualified doula or pediatrician.

Good luck to the original poster. We are lucky enough to have a relatively quiet baby...but she's only a month old and the future may hold a whole new world!!

Be patient. Be calm. Time will pass and she will get better. Endure the sleeplessness for awhile...after all, you were the one that brought her into this world.

I've just contacted Safeway Storage near Wat Chalong.

The person spoke English well and answered all my questions.

A metal container (shipping container style) that is 2.4m x 6m x 2.2m cost 2,800Bht/month. Other storage sizes available from 200Bht - 1,500Bht. But they didn't have any available at this time (Aug 7, 2009).

They have 24-hour security. They also rent portable toilets, portable classrooms and even portable hotel rooms.

Google Safeway Phuket.

I'm going down to see their facility and will likely rent a container. The price is right and things are secure. She said they have no problems with water getting into the containers and no rat problems, either.

Although I haven't bought into the whole swine flue hysteria that is currently swamping the media I have a little concern regarding my 2 month old twins. I realise that even in none swine flu times there will always be the chance of them catching something, including normal flu, but I still wonder if it is worth exposing them if it can be avoided. I have little faith in the Thai medical system and don't even know where our nearest doctor is, so naturally I want avoid any illness of any kind. My issue is that they are a little over due on some immunization shots. I am hesitant to take them to sit in the waiting room of the clinic to get these right now, where they might be exposed.

What do you think? I'm not normally one to let myself be effected in this way. So am I worrying unnecessarily?

.....There are a lot of good hospitals in Thailand, even better then America.

And, there are alot of better hospitals in America than in Thailand. For example: St. Jude's Hospital for Children. It just depends on which hospitals you are comparing.

We have taken our 4-week-old baby girl to the shopping malls many time to do our shopping. We use a stroller and put the shade down to keep cool air off of her. But we never worry about swine flu. Those wearing masks are foolish, since those masks are NOT designed to keep out viruses. You would need an N95 rated mask to aid in prevention of virus entering your lungs. And since you can't prevent that in public places, you just have to keep her exposure to crowded places at a minimum.

I, personally, don't worry about swine flu. Just as I didn't from bird flu or SARS. The hype created panic and unnecessary prevention measures. Think of the odds of getting it. You will more likely get into a taxi accident on the way to the doctor.

When we go to the pediatrician at Samitivej Hospital, we simply wait away from others outside the children's waiting room. More likely to catch a cold or other ailment besides swine flu.

The statistics are staggering against the odds of contracting the flu. Just as they said you'd have to sleep with an infected chicken to get bird flu.

Cheers.

I'm not the one that will promote any big business like Central Bang Na, but I was in there the other day (my wife can use their breastfeeding room while shopping) and they have McLaren strollers and other items for 40% Off. That puts it right in line with the piece of crap I bought just three weeks earlier!

Also, Brown Farm on the second floor at Seacon Square has GREAT bargains for strollers, bouncy chairs and other baby items. I wish I found them sooner!

My tip for the day!

Don't you worry yourself. Its better than the middle-finger salute!

Well, we used it when our baby girl (one month old) was straining like she had gas again....and we mixed 2.5ml with about 2oz of breastmilk in a bottle and she drank it up. She doesn't strain like she did and her gas has subsided. With this I say it works...but time will tell after a few doses.

We're happy so far.

BTW: we have GasX for infants (a US product) on standby.

...

Cut a long story short, my girlfriend is 2 months pregnant and wants to keep the baby.

To be honest, I really want her to keep it too.

The difficulty steps in. I'm still legally married to my wife!

How do I tell her? Should I tell her?...

What the hel_l am I going to do?

I think that even Dr. Phil would say that if your relationship with your estranged wife is non-existent (ie: that you do not live together, sleep together or consider yourself husband and wife emotionally and will never reconcile) then there is NO point in letting her know about your girlfriend or baby. You will only add fuel to the fire for which she is no part of.

Wishing you luck...but most of all, luck for your baby. The baby is the one that matters. Nothing else.

My wife found Woodward's Gripe Water (England) at P&F Pharmacy (3rd Floor) at Central Bang Na.

Cost: 50baht for 148ml.

Will let you know if it works for our baby....but not to say it won't work for yours!!

We've been looking for this stuff as we just found out about it while searching for problems with our newborn straining and having excessive gas. When we found this on Thai Visa and it was available at Boots, my wife just left out the door to get it. I'll let you know if Boots in Bang Na Central has it or not and price and brand. Stay tuned...

And...if it works or not for our baby.

Love this site!

This is a great thread and I'm happy to get feedback.

I've contacted BNH in Pattaya and they have a promotion for a colonoscopy for 12,500 baht (regularly 25,000). I'm making my appointment. The price does not include any biopsy or meds if needed, though the cost of those is small.

Will update my experience if anyone wants to know how things went (hospital review).

J.

I, for one, use Skype religiously to vid chat with my family in the US and my brother living in Bolivia. I also have vid chatted with others in UK, Australia, Italy and Canada. Not sure why people think its not worth it. Its FREE for gods sake, for comp-to-comp. And if you told me 20 years ago I could video chat with my brother living in the depths of Bolivia with near live streaming, I'd think you packed your pipe too hard.

Hope Skype stays. Its simple and easy and if your computer/internet is set up right, its just fine the way it is.

My two baht worth.

I had the colonoscopy procedure done at Bumrungrad as a precautionary measure at 50, no symptoms. The procedure was painless and done as an outpatient, you are asleep during the whole process. The doctor removes any polyps at the same time. Got there at 7:00 am finished by 12:00, most of the time spent waiting around.

Unless there are symptoms, can't see the benefit of a virtual colonoscopy?

When did you have the procedure done and what was the cost? Was the cost a promotional price?

Thanks in advance!

Just happen to have a 2009 price list for the BNH hospital and they quote a 'virtual colonoscopy' for 14,250 baht.

I had a 'real' colonoscopy there about 2 years ago and I think the price was about the same (15K)

I am not sure what a 'virtual' colonoscopy is exactly but maybe it is less invasive???

...

I do not exactly know how a virtual colonoscopy works. I heard that it doesn´t have to be put something in your rear end and that´s why you it is painless and you don´t need any pain killers or narcosis.

sounds great, but the only thing that is not good with a virtual colonoscopy is that the doc can´t see whatever he is searching for and it´s smaller than 8mm....

I turned 50 earlier this month, so I'm in the shopping mode for a test before returning to the US in 6 weeks.

FYI from the Bangkok Pattaya website:

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy allows the physician to investigate the entire large intestine, from the lowest part, to the rectum, all the way up through the colon to the lower end of the small intestine. This procedure is used to detect early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum. It can also be used to diagnose the causes of changes in bowel habits. Colonoscopy enables the physician to detect inflamed tissue, abnormal growths, ulcers and bleeding

Virtual colonoscopy (VC)

Virtual colonoscopy is a medical imaging procedure which uses x-rays and computers to produce two - and tree-dimensional images of the colon (large intestine) from the lowest part, the rectum, all the way to the lower end of the small intestine and display them on a screen. Virtual Colonoscopy provides clearer, more detailed images than a conventional x-ray using a barium enema, sometime called a lower gastrointestinal (GI) series. It also takes less time than either a conventional colonoscopy or a lower GI series. Since it does not use a colonoscopy, no sedation is needed and the patient can return to his/her usual activities or go home after the procedure without the aid of another person.

I like Lumpini Park at night (Suan Lum Night Bazaar) far better than Chatuchak. I went to Chatuchak just three days ago. Walked around for two hours...and realized that there's really nothing there worth buying. Its a great place for tourist and Thai looking for cheap products for cheap prices. But overall, its not that big a deal...the second or more time around. Go for the experience but if you want atmosphere with a few beers in the beer garden, then Lumpini at night is awesome. And cooler.

I know this didn't answer your question so hopefully someone else has. I do know they stay open late on weekends, but no guarantees when a vendor will close up.

Poi Pet is where you can get alot of second-hand stuff.

Chong Mek: deer horn, water buffalo horn, cheap handcraft from Laos.

Depends of course of what you are looking for.

We use Avent bottles. Some are BPA free, some are not. I'm not that concerned, though, since we use platics in our daily lives with BPA. And I was weaned off of plastics in my infancy and I think I'm pretty normal.

You can find Avent at most Central shopping stores. They are expensive here, so if you know someone coming from another country, maybe they can bring them for you.

The Wife, myself and our 8 month old baby are coming over to visit the relatives from the UK.

Any advice would be good for the type of food that would be available for our youngster for example we use SMA 2 for his bottles of milk over here but what are the equivalent thai products? What other kinds of food would you all recommend for an infant of this age ?

And are these foods available in the vicinity of Suvanabhum because we will need them when we get of the aircraft?

As you can probably guess this our first time over with the baby.

Cheers 23

Just for the record, Thailand is PRO formula and most widely ANTI breastfeeding. The big companies win through lack of education and corruption in the hospitals (profit-takingin private hospitals is rampant).

But to answer your question: Yes, SMA products are sold in Thailand. So are other brands. You can generally get them at any Big C or Lotus shopping center. You may have to ask the taxi driver to take you to the closest one to the airport. I recommend taking the "Limo" service (silver cars and kiosk is inside airport, not at taxi stand). Cost is more, but the ride is safer for family and baby.

Other recommendations for food for infants: Breastmilk. Buy a pump and give your baby what's really need that isn't in formula. My wife is pumping now...

Good luck. BTW, why not put some in zip-lock bags and ask for bottled water from flight attendant and bring from home??

I disagree, every time my Mrs takes the little one to the doctor for a check up / immunization, the pediatrician keeps asking her about breatfeeding habits - how it's much better than formula.

That's why I said in my post "most widely ANTI breastfeeding..." and I think its great that your wife has a pediatrician that endorses and promotes breastfeeding. But this is NOT the norm for Thailand. It was an abomination that we even asked for my wife to begin breastfeeding immediately after delivery. The nurse in the delivery room fumbled our baby into a position of breastfeeding while my wife delivered the placenta...and it has ridiculous. The nurses had NO idea why we even wanted to do this. WHY? Because they have not been trained in breastfeeding, bonding or any other means of mother/baby connection. They would rather wisk the baby away for 24 hours. BTW, they never even asked if I wanted to cut the cord.

So, kudos to your wife! But, unfortunately, others are not so lucky.

Did you get phamplets on breastfeeding and gifts for breastfeeding while in hospital?? Or did you get formula brochures and knick-knacks for bottle feeding?

I rest my case.

With all due respect to the myriad of great minds within this forum, this may be one for a legal respresentative to answer. Though you may get some information that can curtail any anxiety or subdue any feelings of not gaining adoption, the information you may get regarding this important issue may be well-intended, but erroneous.

I would have your friend, along with someone he trusts and speaks both English and Thai well as moral support during counseling, to seek legal help in this matter. It would be of grave consequences if information on this forum were to lead to a proceeding without legal knowledge, perhaps even angering the biological father even more and subsequent denial of progress in your friend's endeavor.

If the poster above has any creedence to the statement regarding marriage and legal custody, then perhaps he can site this in legal terms, or at least direct you to such information.

I wish your friend well. I'm sure he loves this little girl as his own blood. But, because she is not, the battle waged will be tough. And so it warrants a good legal team and proper approach. After all, this can be the beginning of his impact on the future of this little girl.

Good luck!

When I wanted to bring over our stroller BEFORE the baby was born, the airline (EVA Air) wanted to charge me $109USD from SFO to BKK to check it in as extra luggage. I opted not to because I thought I was being ripped off.

Well. I get to BKK and we find ourselves looking for a quality stroller. YIKES! We paid $160 for a complete travel system in the US via Amazon. Here, I found a Chinese-made piece of cr*p for 5,000baht. We only needed it for two months since we will return to the US when the baby is 7 weeks old (10 days old as of this post).

My advice: Bring one from the UK or US, even if it cost you. The quality ones here are so darn expensive. And the cheap ones are...well...cheap.

Good luck!

PS: I haven't seen any MscLaren strollers here, either. And I shopped.