cnxpat

Chula Longkorn is the best

not elite though

For many years I went to Surin by train (Next stop after Buriram) but it simply takes too long!

Now go by PB Air to Buriram and then get a car pickup (Farangconnection will arrange) for the drive into Surin.

Airport is a long way from Buriram city though.

I am terrified of Thai Busses...rightly or wrongly.

Aussiecollin, forgive my ignorance here, but who/what is Farangconnection?

Farang Connection is a sponsor on the web site :-)

trains and busses will take you anywhere, from BKK to Buriam for 380 THB.

I'm so glad I found this forum and I found it very interesting reading about how you all found Buddhism and the Dharma.

When my husband and I met about 6 years ago we started our friendship with long discussions over wine and dinner about all manner of things. Back then I was a Lutheran, born, raised, entire extended family (bar none) are all Lutherans and we have 3 Pastors in Dad's side of the family alone. I was however a non-churchgoing Lutheran as right from my early teen years, something about the belief didn't sit well with me. Need I say that my family are mightily disappointed in me ...

So we spent many hours talking about Buddhism and what it entails. I agree with the very first poster's sentiments in that Buddhism makes sense, teaches responsibility for own actions and words. That rang a true bell with me and I began to read, meditate a little and, as you all know too well, I found a true and wholly practical way to live my life. It's like a guidebook. It doesn't say "you must, you must" ... the Dharma teaches "here is a way, discuss it, contemplate it, make sure it means something to YOU, and then practise some more". Simple.

The clincher for me was the way Buddha taught "Do not listen to what I say and believe it. Find out for yourself." Not exact words of course but you get what I mean.

I have never been to Thailand however we have a trip planned for early 2007 in readiness to bring home our adopted child sometime in 2007/2008.

I am so ready to see Thailand. Everyone I've ever spoken to sings the praises of the beautiful nature of Thai people and the wonder of their country.

Tara Lotus

Beauty is only skindeep, Thailand is just a country of people, some good , some bad. I learnt about the bad in 6 years time, and about the good. Bring a nice wallet, and life will be good on you, be poor, and people will ** on you, trust me!

so before you get disappointed (or ripped of in 1 ,2 or 3 years) .... Buddhism is not part of the daily life here (yeah, I know they have 10 kg's of Buddha around their necks .... to impresse the neighbours)

Ratree sawasd kap!

When my wife was pregnant with our daughter, I remember getting some symptoms similar to my wife - mood swings, cravings for certain foods etc - really!

The other day when we were shopping, I found myself waddling like a duck - just like her! She's in her 7th month,

Is there any medical evidence of fathers getting pregnancy symptoms?

nope, no medical evidence whatsoever (AT ALL), so get over it! and be a good dad ok!?

there is/are however loads of related info on the net, especially in south amerca, africa, anyone that can operate a keyboard will find it.

right?

SCB - Siam Commercial Bank is easy, they will ask for your a work permit and state that you need one, just ignore it and say that you don't need one, and ask to talk to the manager. You can also apply for online banking at the same time (I can advise you to do that) and you will get an ATM card immediately.

Hmmm, so you are saying : when they asked for your work permit, and you dont have one, then you ask for the manager and then it will all be fine, incl a online banking ?? please teach me how ???

Like I told you, I replied "no, I don't need a work permit, as your manager knows". So I got the bank account within 15 minutes, and online banking, and an atm card. This was about 4 months ago.

Hi all,

so what about those younger than 50 years old, as there seems to be no mention of that in the document "national polica order 606/2006 . I'm 42, have been on 3 marriage visa's sofar, the last one expired last September, got another 3 months just before it did, but that's it.

I am supporting my thai wife, (we have thai marriage certificate) and our 3 yo daughter (who has a dutch passport, not have a thai (yet!). I am her father registered on her birth certificate as well as my wife as the mother.

What are the options? requirements?

also, about getting an extension, should that be done before the visa expires (1 year after issuing), or before your last "allowed 90 days" expire (in my case, 1 year after issuing + 90 days).

thanks in advance

SCB - Siam Commercial Bank is easy, they will ask for your a work permit and state that you need one, just ignore it and say that you don't need one, and ask to talk to the manager. You can also apply for online banking at the same time (I can advise you to do that) and you will get an ATM card immediately.

My nephew now 4 hates being touched by Thais. Hes half thai, half brit.

His dad was actually told by an employee at the mall bangkapi to keep an eye on him, as on average one child gets snatched each day from there. This was over a year ago so don't know what its like now

I'm sorry, but I have never heard so much nonsense!!!!.

My son is 5, luk kreung, has had all sorts of attention from strangers since he was a baby, and still does now. There is NEVER anything malicious or untoward, it is always a loving act. I feel perfectly safe for the safety of my son, certainly more so than if I was in England.

The Thais love kids and the remark above is total nonsense. I have been here 7 years and never seen or heard or read anything as the above "story"

And my comment to those that do not like the attention, then choose to live somewhere else!!

the "choose to live somewhere else" ignoring ... I have a 3 yo most lovely kid, we're living deep down in the boonies in Isaan, and one of the local TEACHERS has just been telling my wife - as it's been school holidays - he enjoys to go to Cambodia because he can "have fun" with 12, 13 and 14 yo olds .... having a 14 yo daughter himself.

next time I see this head master, I will not be "supaap" I think ... I am sure :-)

so yes, be careful, we never had a pram or a strolling thing, we walk

Hi all,

I got married 3 days ago with my Thai GF! All the paperwork in Holland was easy to obtain, as it was for my wife to get hers here. I went to the Dutch embassy 5 days ago, early in the morning. I was able to pick up my papers around noon the same day! The same day went to the ministry of foreign affairs, where we translated the papers into Thai and got them stamped by the ministry. All in 1 day!

2 Days later we went to the Amphur Dindang in BKK. After a long wait a woman at the Amphur told us we needed a translator to help me out. We had brought 2 witnesses already to the Amphur, but both were not certified to do the translation job. But no problem coz a woman at the Amphur knew someone, called an english student, and we had to pay him only 500 Baht for translating some sentences!

We had to wait 1 hour for the student to arrive. In the meantime we got ourselves informed about other Amphurs, it seems to be the case that there's some sort of new law requiring you to bring a translator, so we just stayed at this Amphur.

When the student arrived we negotiated a price, 300 Baht. We had to wait another hour coz the woman at the Amphur was having her lunch by now.

The woman at the amphur, who told us that the student would cost me 500 Baht, whispered something in the students ear! Of course i couldn't hear it but I knew she said:" Charge the farang 500 baht!".

Finally we could finish all the paperwork and get married. They asked me some questions, translated by the student. Where are you from? What's your mothers name? How much you earn for a living? What's your address? All questions seemed to be useless coz the answers where right in front of her in my paperwork, just looked like an examination! Lucky me i could still remember my moms name.

When the examination was done I paid the student 300 Baht. He seemed very happy with this easily earned money. But than the Amphur woman asked him how much he was paid, and he said 300. She just got really angry, and said you have to charge him 500! He can pay 500! Why you not ask 500? I told you 500! The student replied: "I agreed upon 300 Baht, it's ok!" Then she turned to me and said 500! I just simply didn't reply to her.

After we made a new ID card for my fresh wife, since she adopted my last name they required her to get a new ID card. By the time we left we saw the student walking out, followed by the Amphur woman telling him, next time 500 na! remember 500! It just made me laugh

Now happily married

It's me,

Kevin

We paid 20 THB in the amphur (in BKK) to get married, for the lot, paperwork, legal stuff etc.

so the answer to "a scam" is probably: yes

I had "better" experiences, when they finally showed up the first time, it took 3 ppl 3 hrs to get it all set up. It then took over a week to get the connection working properly, see postings 3 months ago :-)

We moved house 2 weeks ago, and it took them over a week to move the dish as well.

First, they told me I had to put a concrete base where they could mount the whole thing (tripod) on again, I refused, and told them I paid 2,140 THB for moving the lot, (I paid the same amount 3 motnhs ago for getting it installed the first time), it's up to them to do that.

That, and my wife calling the local (Buri Ram) TOT a few times a day and giving them a hard time ensured that they came here (2 of them), picked up the dish from the old location, put the concrete base, and installed the whole thing again within 3 hours. The "engineers" were not too happy to visit the crazy farang again, they were happy to get rid of me 3 months ago hahaha

And it's working ... at dial up speeds, but working

bottom line, I am not sure.

Engineers came and told me I had to do the concrete base. Asking the TOT manager, he said we didn't, they came the next day in a bad mood (must have been flamed by the manager) and did it themselves ... No, they don't like me (tough!), and they were not supaap, but did their work, it's up and running, yet and I am sure they pray I won't move house again soon :-)

My ipStar by TOT was installed last week. I paid for 1 MB. Since It was installed, I have never had anywhere near 1MB. I called the guy who fitted it and he said that they are having problems in Bangkok but service will get get back to normal soon. Also it seems very irratic, the speed goes up and down all the time.

Does any one here use the TOT ipStar? If so, what are your experiences? Does anyone have the contact number to call Customer service? the number they gave me is never answered, just rings off.

be happy to be connected (almost! 24/7) ;-) I pay for the 265/128 package, and probably get the same as you. Yet ... it's working!! (well, not if it's raining)

A Happy TOT IP Star user

Kids around here do like to take the snot out of their noses and smear it all over my daughter, does that qualify her as an expat kid?

on the other hand, calling her and "expat kid" is branding as well.

but in aircon expat condos, 300k+ intl. schools, that is not an issue I guess :-) or is it?

My name is Watchara Sae-Kow and I'm a Canadian citizen. It has been more than 12 years since I have left Thailand to come live with my mother and her new husband in Canada, and more than 12 years since I have last spoken to my father and my older sister in Thailand. My family is pretty messed up, we're all broken up all over the place. Both of my parents remarried, my older sister stays in Thailand with my father, my younger sister stays in the U.S. with my mom and my stepdad. I am living alone in Canada .. .. I really miss my family in back in Thailand and really would like to get in touch with them.

The thing is, I'm scared that they have forgotten me. Since they never seemed to try to get in touch with me for the past 12 years. I am currently finishing up my study here and I'm pretty much supporting myself so I don't have the money to fly to Thailand to visit them.

I was wondering if it would be possible for someone on this forum that lives in Chiangmai to help me get in touch with my family back in Thailand.

Please, send me a private message if you are willing to help.

Thank you very very much

There's LOADS of ppl (members) living in Chiangmai, willing to help is another thing though. TIT! PM for my (thai wife's) phone number, and we can see what we can do. We've lived in CNX for 2 years.

Same issues with TOT IP-star (satellite connection), at this very moment as I reply it seems to improve though! anyone else experiencing this?

I have been using Foxit PDF reader for years, and I like it. I use it to read PDF files (surprise!), without the huge overhead of Adobe Acrobat and it works great!

The reader is still free, if you want add-on's you can purchase Propack, Converter and Editor (http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php)

I recommend it as well

Is there any program that will rename song filenames according to the tag info?

yep, there's a few.

Since 199? I have used MP3Tag studio (comes with some adware, but no spyware).

Allows you to set up naming templates as well, <artist> separator of your choice <album> separator <track> ...etc... including genre, year et. etc. and in any sequence you like. It also allows you to assign tags based on file names (so the other way around in case you've got some files that have not been tagged properly)

It's available @ www.magnusbrading.com/mp3ts I have not come across a better one, but I have to admit I haven't looked for a better one for the last couple of years!

MusicMatch Jukebox has good (mass) filename tagging and renaming facilities as well.

And I am sure there are loads of newer and better ones!

Hope this helps

"Thaksin exhausted" (www.forbes.com - http://www.forbes.com/2006/09/14/thaksin-t...acescan02.html)

London -

Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's embattled Prime Minister, may read about fellow billionaire Silvio Berlusconi's wild summer with some wistfulness.

The former Italian Prime Minister entertained guests at his chichi villa in Sardinia with extravagant festivities that included the eruption of a model volcano so realistic that neighbors called the fire department. He was also spotted at tony restaurants and trendy nightclubs. "It's the first time off I've had in a decade," he has been quoted as saying.

Thaksin, on the other hand, said in an interview broadcast Thursday that he was exhausted and considering stepping aside after general elections expected by the end of the year.

"Sometimes I wonder if it is better for me not to be prime minister," Thaksin said in an interview. "I am thinking that maybe it is better to step aside."

Thaksin, who is in London on a stopover between official trips to Finland and Cuba, was interviewed last week by Chakaphan Yomchinda of his ruling Thai Rak Thai Party for a television program being broadcast in three parts through Friday.

"At this moment, I am not yet decided on whether to carry on my duty or have someone else in Thai Rak Thai become prime minister after the election," Thaksin said in the interview. "I am not addicted [to power]. Actually, I am tired. Very tired," he added.

There were murmurs of discontent when Thaksin sold his family-linked telecom-technology company Shin to the Singapore government-linked Temasek Holdings. The chief executive of Temasek, Ho Ching, is the wife of Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore. Ho, who ranks 36th on Forbes' list of The 100 Most Powerful Women, controls a global investment portfolio worth $63 billion.

Demonstrations were held in Bangkok, and some protesters reportedly were seen burning photos of Lee Hsien Loong. Thaksin was also accused by some of using his dominant media holdings to dampen dissent in Thailand.

Thaksin temporarily stepped down from his position, after which he returned on a caretaker basis, pending a new election. The vote is scheduled for Oct. 15, but it is not clear if it can be organized by then.

Nevertheless, the macroeconomic picture in the Southeast Asia country actually seems quite healthy. Nearly $50 billion worth of megaprojects in infrastructure have been approved under Thaksin's watch.

Silence ...

Did you have to post such a superfluous remark? Does it bother you so much that the OP hasn’t had the time to reply or comment? Didn’t it cross your mind that the OP might be working on suggestions posted by others who are genuinely interested in finding an answer for him? The answer to my last question is obviously not. Thank you.

you're most welcome!

as your valuable input, help and comments on this board are so much appreciated, I stand corrected!

now let's bury it :-)

Hi Reimar,

I just thought I'ld dig this one up, what's the status? hope all is well, better?

(and it's a bit scary when people "critical towards the powers" are silent for a long time, a few lawyers, environmentalists etc. have mysteriously disappeared over the past few years)

So, give us a life sign :-)

The Status?? Which Status??

My personal status is very well and OK!! The status of CS-Loxinfo: I don't know because they disconnected me on Spe. 2. 2006

Last Monday I've a meeting with NTC to submitt a complaint against CS-Loxinfo. Khun Saksith at NTC directly contacted the Human Phurint Phasom by CS-Loxinfo and finally CS-Loxinfo agreed to pay back for the time of un-usable service. This human Phurint Phansom also agreed to send a "Apology Letter" to me. First this letter should came on Wednesday, than delayed to Friday and untill now: Noting is coming!

On next week Monday afternoon I've a new meeting with Khun Saksith at NTC for to find out with him together what is going on by this CS-Loxinfo!

Anyway, if they want to get back thems equipment, they have to pay back and send the "Apology Letter" to first! If they don't, I'll keep the Equipment and charge them for "Storage cost" and if they want to get it, they have to come with a Court Order which will be very difficult for them to get because all evidence is already with NTC!

I like to suggest to everybody who have problems with the ISP's: Go to NTC ! THEY HELP TO SOLVE YOUT PROBLEMS!

ok, ok ... sorry mate, I was just asking! and wondering. I was indeed referring to the status of your post here, that I am interested in. I don't know you personally, but I do hope your personal status is fine as well.

so what you are saying is that you went to the NTC and the problems are solved?

Good news! congratulations!

Can't read all the posts, too much, but imagine yourself being Thai, no degree, no money in the bank, and try to get a visa for a western (Schengen) country.

Or imagine being a thai woman/wife, married (legally by thai and farang law) to a farang husband, with a farang daughter and try to get a visa for a western (Schengen country)

Imagine being a Dutch citizen, having a dutch (Schengen) passport, but only 1,5 years old, daddy having a Dutch passport as well, and being denied any and all privileges in a western country (child support, medical etc.) AND having to see your mother "deported" after 90 days from a civilised western (Schengen) country.

Ok, Holland is the worst fascist xenofobic country at the moment (on par with Denmark I think) but Thailand has accepted me, and as long as you meet the requirements, you will be allowed to stay, and do as you please.

I have always found it strange (and can accept Thai immigration) that one can be a tourist, ok, you like it that much, here's another 30 days ... wow, you like Thailand that much??? ok, another 30 days ...

after a few years, time for the tourist to pay taxes? yes, like Thai people do. But if you're wealthy, than you won't have a problem to comply with the requirements right!?

And from all I have learned in my years here, really, no one is worried about anyone leaving. Maybe one or two landlords, but that's about it.

Read a bit more, all this has been said before.

[

quote name='cnxpat' date='2006-09-16 09:17:49' post='896838]

[

DON'T TOUCH THE QUOTE TAB :-) and make sure it's not red (so hit it once if it is)

macb

Brilliant mate! You just saved yourself a beer hahaha

Hi Reimar,

I just thought I'ld dig this one up, what's the status? hope all is well, better?

(and it's a bit scary when people "critical towards the powers" are silent for a long time, a few lawyers, environmentalists etc. have mysteriously disappeared over the past few years)

So, give us a life sign :-)

Did you do a back up before your re-installed.

It will all be available in that backup.

Silence ...

totster morning.

Still cant get the b...... quote thing to work.

Thismorning I tried hitting the quote tab (red) then going to add reply at the top but still not work.

macb

DON'T TOUCH THE QUOTE TAB :-) and make sure it's not red (so hit it once if it is)

In the past I had a browser plugin wich translated webpages with a one click solution.It supported thai to english also.I lost the the program and forgot the name of it.Does anybody know which program i am talking about?

Try doing a google search first, who knows!

(or go to suparsit.com)