Thomas J

1 minute ago, johnnybangkok said:

The problem can be sorted but does anyone really want to?

Well I disagree with you regarding other companies.  I can tell you I worked for one of the largest banks in the country and provided administration services for large corporate clients retirement plans.  

We literally would have it where the company would send in forms to change the name on the retirement account from lets say Pedro Rodriquez to Jose Sanchez using the same social security number.  And these were some of the largest employers in the USA.  

With 10% of the total population illegal, they are obviously "working" someplace and I would be willing to bet a lot of money that with some investigation you would find places including Microsoft, Google, IBM, Facebook etc all have people on their payrolls that are illegal.  Now whether they know about them or not is a different matter.  I suspect many of them have been duped with fake id.  

I do totally agree with you.  Does anyone really want the situation to change.  Certainly many taxpayers, and communities that are negatively impacted by the influx of illegals do.  Certainly the low income workers who now have to compete for wages do. 

I agree with you also that the wall was at best minimally effective.  We have extensive measures to combat drugs yet they still get in.  The best way as said, is to make it impossible to live here and make it a crime and punish those who facilitate it.  That includes the Banks, Apartment buildings, etc that allow illegals to function. 

I know living here in Thailand I can not open a bank account without the proper visa.  I can not rent a home without a proper visa, I can not own or obtain a drivers license without a visa and I can not work without a proper visa.   All countries should do the same in fairness to their citizens. 
 

With over 30 million illegals in the USA.  That is 1 out of every 10 people.  I would be surprised if you could find a company of any size that did not have one or more illegals on its payroll.  That would include the likes of Google, Microsoft, Apple, etc.  However back to the germane part of the discussion which dealt not with Trump but with illegal immigration.  If the USA wants to stop it, they need to clamp down on employers _ All Employers_ and impose penalties including prison for those who are habitual repeat offenders.   

If illegals can not work, rent, drive, or bank in the USA they will self deport.  Now you can work on immigration "reform" which should include who the USA wishes to "invite" and enact "requirements" for entry.  Not the current system that essentially rewards illegal entry and punishes those who wish entry into the USA by following the rules.  The USA needs immigrants.  However if given a choice between one with an employable skill and one that has none, it should give preference to the one that is most likely to be self supporting. 

If the USA and other countries feel compelled to help the less fortunate people around the world, they would do a lot more by providing aid to those countries to improve conditions there.  Taking in their citizens just means that the cycle of poverty continues for the next generation there. 

In the USA a person is "presumed innocent" until proven guilty.  Just like Brett Kavanaugh Cuomo is entitled to present his side of the story.  The fact that there are multiple people accusing him is problematic unlike Kavanaugh that had just one accuser who waited decades to say anything, could not remember any specifics and had no corroboration.  

The end is in sight. 
 

You likely will have problems with the one way ticket.  They will ask to see your visa allowing you to stay.  I had that when I had a round trip ticket that I used to get from USA to Thailand.  In the interim I had to make a trip back to the USA and I purchased a Round Trip Thailand to USA. I  Flew to USA and then tried to board the return to Thailand  They stopped me saying I could not fly since I had no return back to the USA.  Fortunately  I still had the original return flight from my initial trip to Thailand which actually I was just not going to use.  It was still in effect and was with the same airline.  They verified it was still active and let me board.  I would "think" the only way to get around that would be to purchase a "refundable" one way back to the USA.  Preferably something with an open date.  Just explain you don't know exactly when you will return so that is why you booked the two one ways.  You also "might" get questioned upon arrival here in Thailand when they see you don't have a long term visa and only a one way. 

Toilet is leaking and need to replace wax ring and re-seal under toilet.  What is a reasonable cost and does anyone know a competent workman in the Pattaya area.  Please PM me if you have a name and phone number to suggest. 

I am not sure where this source is getting its information from.  If you go to any store a 24 pack of Singha bottles is 809tb the cans are less expensive.  That is 33thb per bottle.   a 12 pack of Carlsberg in the USA is approximately $14.99 or about 38.75 thb per bottle.  The last time I purchased a 24 pack of Carlsberg it was about 909 thb or 37..87 per bottle.  

I don't see a huge price difference in beer between the USA and Thailand but wine is a different story.  You can get a very nice 1.5 litre Malbec in the USA for about 279 thb.  You can't buy junk wine here for that price.  

Now beer in the restaurants and bars here Much Much cheaper than USA.  Not unusual to see prices of 60 to 110 thb for 330 Ml. bottle of domestic beer.  Even Heinekens not much more expensive.  Typical price in USA at a restaurant would be between 135 to 210 thb.  If you were in a major city like New York or Chicago even higher than that. 

3 minutes ago, malcolminthemiddle said:

am unaware of any limits on the number of JP applications.

The land officer and another party who manages walled communities said the same thing.  You can apply to form a JP twice.  The notice has to be sent a minimum of 15 days prior to the meeting to vote on the JP.  A minimum of 50% of the properties have to be present or vote by proxy in order to form the JP.  If the first attempt fails, one more attempt can be made to form the JP.  If that also fails, then a JP can not be formed. 

Since this village let its entity lapse by not correctly transferring it to a new board and president within 6 months of the prior board/president vacating it is like starting over from scratch.   There is no limit as to the number of times the entity can be extended but to create it, that process can only be done a maximum number of 2 times and if not approved by the land office that option is shut for good. 

29 minutes ago, malcolminthemiddle said:

The current situation with one, unauthorised self-appointed person is unlawful.

Thank you very much for your comments and information.  Yes we are aware that the current situation is unlawful.  We do find it "strange" here in Thailand there is the law on how to establish a JP and rules for operating as a JP.  However, if those rules are not followed even though illegal the government (land office) does nothing to enforce, penalize, or sanction the parties not following the law. 

It is clear that this person has broken numerous portions of the various laws governing walled estates the most egregious being on the board acting as president despite not being on the Chanote plus comingling the monies received with her personal account. 

We are aware the land office will reject her request to form the JP and inform her it needs to be done again.  This time correctly.  Given that this will be the second time, it is the final time that it can be done.  If not done correctly this time, there can be no JP.  That is why we are trying to determine exactly what has to be done to make sure all the rules are followed. 

35 minutes ago, mahjongguy said:

How many homes are there?

- Are there 5 or 6 owners who would be willing and suitable to serve on the village committee?

- Is there one among them who is likely to enjoy and excel in a leadership role as President?

- Is there a separate homeowner who would serve as the Juristic Person Manager?  The Juristic Person Manager has a small job. He/she holds the stamps that certify invoices, receipts. They act solely as directed by the Committee. They must be a homeowner and it's beneficial if they serve on the Committee.

Unfortunately there are only 29 properties in the walled community and many of those are from owners who live in other countries  4 of them are vacant owned by the banks that foreclosed on them in some cases a decade ago. 

There probably are 6 people who would be willing to serve on the board.  However the job of directing work to be done is not a wonderful job and there are not a lot of people if any with their hands up to 'be president"   I believe the best answer is to engage a third party who is knowledgeable about the reporting, legal, and filings with the land office and to have someone within the community do the accounting.  

One way or another, all monies should be deposited into a separate community account and whenever possible require that the payments for the dues go directly to that account electronically.  As for disbursements I can't think of a single instance in today's world where a person/company would require cash.  Those payments should without question be made electronically and supported with an invoice even if it is hand written.  

Right now with the one person controlling all of the receipts mostly in cash and making all of the payments in cash there is zero accountability and there really is no way of performing an audit.  There is no account to balance, no third party recording receipts and disbursements etc. 
 

4 hours ago, AnnieSeek said:

I am here for a few months - came on the visa exemption. Can i by any chance open a bank account? I am staying at a hotel too, so don't have any address. 

Try Bangkok Bank.  I don't know where you are from but I am a USA citizen.  They were willing to open an account for me but I had to purchase a small "health" insurance policy.  I went to the branch close to Big C extra.  One of the other branches would do the same but they were quoting a much higher minimum insurance policy to open the account.   They only required my passport, my existing visa, and asked that I sign a W-9 for US tax authorities. 

4 hours ago, malcolminthemiddle said:

1.     Do the majority of registered owners named on the Chanote want a JP?

Thank you for your excellent response.  The village here has been in existence for over 13 years, is totally sold out and the developer has long since vacated anything to do with the property.  For many years the development had a legal entity and it was operated properly.  

Back in 2012 was the last time the land office shows the entity was legally filed.  At that time one woman took the lead, became "president" and control of the village.  However she never took the steps to form the legal entity.  In recent months a controversy has arisen.  This women now serving for over 8 years has never maintained a separate bank account, is requesting all monies be paid in cash and all expenses likewise paid in cash.  Some monies from bank foreclosed homes have been deposited electronically into her personal account. No income/expense statements have ever been generated, no audit, no balance sheet etc.  The woman who with her husband and two children lives with her father and upon further investigation it has been
confirmed she owns no property.  Her father is the sole party listed on the Chanote. 

The vast majority of the people in the village would like to have a Juristic Person, including us provided that it was operating legally and totally above board.  After our investigation the land office contacted her and told her she had to correct the situation.  She held a meeting of the owners and ballots were passed out.  My fiancé owns the home outright and she received 1 ballot slip  We saw that other properties with husband & wife received two ballot slips. Further we witnessed that company owned properties received multiple slips for the husband/wife living in the homes despite the fact that none of them are Thai and therefore they could not be the majority owner.  We can not ascertain if there was any documentation to establish who was authorized to vote on behalf of the company.  We "suspect" that these companies were established with the non-thai being the 49% owner and that the law office obtained totally unrelated Thai citizens to place as the other 51% owners.   

So that we speak correctly, we are trying to establish exactly what is the correct procedure to vote for the JP, and the duties and responsibilities of the JP.  The land office has already told us that they will not approve the current minutes given that the party once again elected as president did so while representing herself as an "owner" of a specific Chanote which the land office has verified is totally untrue. 

1 hour ago, scorecard said:

I hope there's a senior crew member (on every trip), knowledgeable, trained and experienced in terms checking weights of cars and trucks etc., and loading the vessel so that it's properly balanced.

They said if it sinks they will know that they put too many cars and too much weight on it. So no problem. 

The home is now over 13 years old and over the years the ground has settled.  The discharge pipe from the toilet has now slightly receded from its connection to the toilet resulting in a slight leak.  In order to fix the toilet will have to be removed an extension to make up for the amount the ground has sunk placed on the pipe and the toilet resealed and replaced. 

There are so many "jack of all trades"  "Master of None" people here in Thailand who do handyman but patch things together with bubble gum and duct tape.  Using those typically means a temporary patch only to face the problem again in the future because it was not done professionally.  Does anyone know of a good plumber in the Pattaya area?  The home is in the Huay Yai area close to the floating market.  Please PM me if you know of someone that is honest and competent.  

33 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Which has nothing to do with what i said.

The clerk called police because of the bill. The police never checked it before arresting him. They also never told him why he was arrested.

It appears as though you are attempting to deflect on issues that really are not pertinent.  The fact the police did or did not check the bill is irrelevant.  Mr. Floyd was under arrest.  Even if the police officers were wrong that in no way gives a person the right to 1. Resist arrest 2. bash your head against the windows of the police cruiser and 3. kick the cruiser interior with your legs. 

Mr. Floyd had been reported by the store employee to be attempting to pass what was believed to be a counterfeit bill.  He stated the man appeared drunk  That alone gave police probable cause to hold him given the fact he was foaming at the mouth, was reported to be drunk and was driving a car.  

Here is the actual account of what took place and you are dead wrong.  He was told why he was being arrested.  Again even if that were not true it is irrelevant since it in now way gives him the leeway to resist arrest or become unruly. 





https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52861726#16160465786252&{"sender":"offer-0-FJjln","displayMode":"inline","recipient":"opener","event":"resize","params":{"height":410,"iframeId":"offer-0-FJjln"}}

5 minutes ago, malcolminthemiddle said:

Section 45 of the Land Development Act. Contact local Land Office for application form and specific supporting document requirements.

Thank you.  I have found the Land Development Act some time back but though it deals with the establishment of the Juristic Entity it does not spell out the procedures and requirements for its operation.  I am told but can't find any written documentation that it is 1 vote per Chanote and that in the case of a married couple either party can cast the 1 vote.  In terms of company owned properties I am told that it is 1 vote per Chanote and that there needs to be supporting papers from the company specifically authorizing who may vote on behalf of the company.  Finally, there are supposedly operational requirements such as a separate account for receipts and disbursements, a monthly income and expense statement distributed, and annual audit, and an annual balance sheet.  However though many have mentioned those as requirements I can find no place online anyway that documents that and gives a listing of all of the requirements. 

4 minutes ago, bkkcanuck8 said:

Great, you are using Minneapolis as a comparison - a police force that has a long list of misconduct.

Ok let me show you a comparison.  





This video shows the man entering the Dallas Corrections Lobby.  He was not under arrest but pleading for help. The man was on Cocaine and Meth and suffered from heart disease ( sound familiar)  Despite the video here is what the coroner in events almost identical to George Floyd found.  Now what was different about these two cases.  Joseph Hutchenson who died in the Dallas County Jail was on Cocaine vs. Fetanyl a less powerful drug.   The Medical Examiner specifically pointed out the factor of drugs, hypertension, and heart disease in his findings. Joseph Hutchenson is white, Joseph Hutchenson was not under arrest, and the police officer kneeling on Mr. Hutchenson was black.  Despite being ruled a homicide no charges were filed against the police officers and I can find no record of any payment to Mr. Hutchensons family. 












 

3 hours ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

Considering how many people, including black people have been killed by the police forces in the USA, then having the information of

You give the impression that this is a huge number and provide no information.  

Here are the actual numbers  Notice it is about 1,000 each years and in 62% of the cases the victim was also carrying a firearm.  Only 41 out of the thousand were unarmed.  Now what exactly are the police suppose to do when they are face a person involved in potential criminal activity who then brandishes a gun, knife, or other weapon.  Say Please? 

https://www.statista.com/chart/5211/us-citizens-killed-by-police-2016/

14 hours ago, Sujo said:

Police didnt know if the bill was fake, they never checked it.

The man was under arrest.  Do you mean to tell me if a police officer stopped you here in Thailand that you would not comply with instructions.  

While you may disagree with the tactics of officer Chauvin the reality is that Mr. Floyd 

1. Had drugs inside his car.  The very fact that the police had probably cause meant that even if the money was not counterfeit, he would  be facing drug possession charges. 

2. Mr. Floyd was foaming at the mouth.  They placed him in handcuffs and put him in the back of the police cruiser.  He bashed his head repeatedly against the window ( potentially being a danger to himself).  He violently kicked inside the police cruiser.  Police then used the "knee restraint"   Which as previously explained was a procedure authorized for use by the Minneapolis Police Dept. 

Ok now I would like to challenge you.  George Floyd is in the back of the police cruiser, thrashing and potentially injuring himself.  You are the police officer.  What exactly do you do to prevent Mr. Floyd from being a danger to himself, the police officers and the general public.  Mr. Floyd was 6"6" ( 198 Cm) and weighed 223 pounds ( 101kg)  

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/minneapolis-police-rendered-44-people-unconscious-neck-restraints-five-years-n1220416



Over the past 5 years 44 people according to records were rendered unconscious using the technique. 
 

From NBC NEWS


What Derrick Chauvin did to restrain George Floyd was taught and part of the Minneapolis Police Department training manual.  Look at the circumstances where it is permissible to use.

 
Was Mr. Floyd exhibiting aggression.  Was his banging his head an act that taking him out of the car was a potentially life saving purpose. Were lesser attempts at control ineffective. 

If Mr. Floyd had 1. not attempted to pass counterfeit money he would not have been confronted by police.  If Mr. Floyd had not chosen to take Fentanyl and Meth his chances of dying from any restraint would have been diminished, and if he did not choose to become unruly and aggressive while in the back of the police cruiser he would not have been subjected to any further restraint.  

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/minneapolis-police-rendered-44-people-unconscious-neck-restraints-five-years-n1220416

The body cam footage and transcripts show that George Floyd was already had "foam" around his mouth.  He was acting agitated and was kicking and banging his head inside the patrol car.  All of that led to him being restrained outside.  The behavior is "consistent" with Excited Delirium which results from drug use.  One thing is for sure, the banging of his head, and foaming at the mouth occurred prior to George Floyd being restrained on the ground and are indicative that he was suffering some "health" problems long before any restraint was placed on him. 






https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/transcripts-show-officer-told-george-floyd-it-takes-a-lot-of-oxygen-to-talk-before-his-death

14 minutes ago, Sujo said:

At least one officer had concerns as he asked chauvin, his superior, if he should be moved.

Yes I understand that will be the criminal trial.  However to award $27 million for a person who at the very least contributed greatly to his own death is a travesty of justice.  If George Floyd had ran and the police officer chased him and he died from heart complications from his blocked artery, system loaded with Fentanyl, and Meth Amphetamine would you still say George Floyds family deserved $27 million.  It was strictly the 'OPTICS" that looked bad.  The man had a LETHAL dose of Fentanyl in his system and was Covid positive.  If he was hospitalized and died, they likely would have ruled his death from Covid complications and Drug Overdose. 

Stay Tuned For More of When The Economy Will Recover 

On 3/15/2021 at 1:44 AM, Banana7 said:

It seems like crude oil prices affect THB,

Oil prices should have nothing to do with the THB.  If anything a weaker dollar causes oil prices calculated in USD to rise.  It would take more "weak" dollars to buy a barrel than a "strong" USD.   So if anything the correlation should be the higher the price of a barrel of oil, the worse the USD to THB would be assuming that the rise in price was entirely due to the weakened USD.   The only way to view this is to look at world currencies such as the USD, or CAD, or Euro and see how they are trading relative to each other.  If the USD dollar strengthens relative to other world currencies its exchange rate against the THB would in most cases also improve.  Currencies fluctuate due to many reasons but oil price is not one of them.