Speedhump

To everyone replying, we don't know his alternatives (if any). It's a breadline, full-on Thai lifestyle existence, but if he is considering it, you need to consider why (although he didn't tell us). 

20 minutes ago, TMNH said:

How about Thailand following the lead of Singapore (even though Thailand is years behind even the thought to of such) .Singapore despises vehicles on the road for obvious reasons, therefore their mass transportation is stellar. "IF" someone desires to purchase a car, they have to enter a lottery of limited allowances to purchase a vehicle. Very limited- essentially, good luck if you want to buy a car and drive there. The lottery (if you're lucky) only allows you the ability to purchase a vehicle and I assure you that supply and demand reflects car prices "if" you are so lucky to be a lucky lottery winner.

 

End result of this policy? Less cars meaning less pollution....traffic woes? See Thailand and any other country re: congestion. Singapore is the premier model for addressing congestion and pollution while delivering public transportation for its citizens.  And BTW, have you seen their airport? That in itself is a holy s..t.

Never happen. Anyway I prefer crazy Thailand to sterile Singapore. I just steer clear of shitty Bangkok. 

3 hours ago, CGW said:

Here's a wild idea:- check exhaust emissions? trucks, buses,cars & motorbikes, if they are over the limit compound them ???? 

Not going to happen? ???? for sure no, no area large enough to store the "offenders"! ????

Already supposed to be done in the yearly vehicle safety test. 

14 hours ago, Maestro said:

The news article talks about the O-A visa, for which application is made at a Thai embassy or consulate.

The article says:  "Foreigners WITH one-year Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A”", not applying for. So I assume it would apply to every yearly extension to a visa at an immigration office. If it comes into force I would be annoyed at the inclusion of outpatient cover. The cost of a policy with inpatient only cover saves enough for this amount of outpatient expense, so it would be an utter waste of money. 

Nice that you get your residence certificate free. At Hua Hin they charge everyone 500 baht and no receipt given. Busy little office too Nice Christmas fund they're building up. 

PS you have to wait for your 2 year license to expire, then apply for the 5 year. 

Seriously, for this country to claim to be Buddhist is shameful. Even if you see a sick horse in a field you can get nothing done about it because the owner of the animal will lose face for being accused of allowing it to suffer. I despair of anyone in authority caring enough to make real noise about any of this. Even the hiso who poached the endangered black panther this year thumbs his nose at authority, I guess his money talks loud enough:

"A business magnate caught allegedly poaching protected animals including a rare black panther plans to build a road through a forest that is home to a host of threatened wildlife including leopards, tigers, elephants and primates."

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/thailand-business-premchai-karnasuta-black-panther-poaching-forest-new-road-location-tigers-leopards-a8242136.html

53 minutes ago, Dick Crank said:

It's not a "thai" or "farang" thing, it's universal.

 

any country you go to travelers will need to peg you into the familiar if your in an exotic location or your not one of the natives.

 

in other words difference and unknown factors create anxiety which needs to be rectified.

I'm not scared of living with foreigners and don't court a large circle of friends from my home country. I'm just curious to know where people I meet are from. Sadly it's becoming thought of by 'people who live to be offended' as racist to ask this question, or in some other way deemed offensive or objectionable. 

4 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

One can be either miserable or happy anywhere.  I choose to be happy...keeping a positive outlook on life here in Thailand.

 

Now when I am scammed out of a few baht...rather than rant and rave...I smile to myself...secure in the knowledge that I will not miss a few baht...

 

I did find it amusing when I would challenge a cashier who had short changed me...their look was not one of apology...but one of dismay that I had the audacity to count my change.... ????

Yes, the fun is not in getting your two Baht back from the cheaters, its making them lose face when you call them out and then hold your palm facing away from you and walk away. 

4 hours ago, soalbundy said:

Not if it's with yourself, a match made in heaven.

I could never be really happy alone without having the boob job. 

2 hours ago, Pattaya46 said:

Don't you have a mobile and/or a computer ?

Just put in a reminder for 2 weeks before your 90Days report and Visa extension dates.

Google Agenda can do that easily, and so can tens of other softs/apps.

Aaaaand, I didn't say I was talking about myself. ????

The poster made the point that a lot of people (older, brain fried, whatever) don't have the capability to organise their lives well. It's not a new thing, and the development of phone and computer apps isn't going to change the fact that there will always be people like that. Surely you know people that see a PC as a magic box? Google Agenda? Outlook calendar? Don't make me laugh! I think sympathy rather than criticism is the order of the day. So as far as I'm concerned, there is absolutely no downside to Immigration's new scheme. ????

For one day. And that's getting real is it. I despair. Bravo, world, bravo. 

 

We have not considered the possibility that John the Danish man started life as a girl and transgendered (if that is what you call it) to a man. So it could just be roll reversal.

I'd call your post a troll reversal 

????

 

The above post is a good example of being organized and "knowing the ropes. Im not as organized but agree it isn't that difficult. I mix with many colourful blokes esp the older xpats in places like udon etc.

Fact is many have no clue or ability to do their paperwork in order. I say ", get your s### together" seriously it seems too difficult to them. Lot use an agent and I can understand why.

I guess it's for these old guys that Immigration are introducing SMS visa expiry reminders. Good job. When you retire and let your brain start to turn to turtle soup, you need someone to give you the occasional poke with a sharp stick. 

Same old caveman comments come out. Because he likes a katoey (this time around) he's gay, even though it seems he didn't even know she was for a while, maybe he has no sex drive, do you know anything about it? Because he's had two failed marriages and fell for a katoey's personality, he's gay (even though it doesn't say that anywhere). Knuckledraggers, unite! 

12 hours ago, JonnyF said:

They test for reflexes and eyesight during the renewal process at the transport office. But yes it did occur to me why they are not worried about a Thai with high blood pressure but they have to test a foreigner for it.

 

More worrying was watching some of the locals doing the reflex test (hitting the brake when the light changes green to red). One old woman was so slow she had no chance, so after about 5 attempts she changed tactics and put her left foot on the brake while still using her right foot to accelerate. This improved her reaction time and she passed the test after another 3 attempts ????. Be careful out there folks.

I could not work out how the depth perception machine worked. After about ten tries the examiner just told me when to hit the button. My depth percen⚅ption is actually fine, but the machine total confused me. ????

3 hours ago, chicowoodduck said:

Why not just pop into your local bank and have them update your book?  Easy peasy...????

Did you read the posts here? It's not easy for a lot of people as the magnetic strips fail, and Kbank refused to give me a new passbook. Anyway, my bank only updates the balance, without all the transactions getting printed in the book. Read the thread mate ????

15 minutes ago, Zack61 said:

This is true in my case as well.  Few hundred baht and they give 12 months worth of statements on A4 pages. 

100 Baht at KBank

Slightly off-topic, I believe that THB 800k is actually supposed to be the minimum balance in your bank account for 6 months before and for several months (3?) AFTER your visa renewal. I know its not enforced, but I believe this is the law. Anyone else know about this? Maybe it's how it used to be, but I read it recently. 

Come on, 100 Baht for a 12 month  bank statement, rubber stamped by your bank. Just do it. My bank book has never updated in a machine for 2 years either. So what? 

I'm getting a bit sick of reading these sick stories. Not one single mention of adequate (or any) medical travel insurance. So, I presume because the begging bowl is out, he had none, or the very minimum. I will not be putting my hand in my pocket, although I sympathise to an extent with his family. 

6 hours ago, Vacuum said:

He could sue for 'name and shame'.

I think that's a possibility here! Loss of face. Unless he actually is a bit dodgy and he just keeps his head down, but for the article just to name him for no reason is poor. Hardly unusual though, consider the general standard of 'online' journalism (in the West almost as much as here). 

Why name the owner of the bar where they drink? Trying to implicate him? Why not give the name of his pet cat too? Great reporting, does he get paid by the word?