jackspratt

As one who is used to to talking about my 45 years of experiences in thailand now I need help please!! many moons ago before english became the official language in Australia and the favourite drink in america was Tea!! you know back in 1962 -63 , I was having my first experiences of village life in Isaan, I was greatly influenced by the music of His Royal Majesty the King, so much so that the then Puyai Baan of Yasothon, presented me with a tape of his music when I left in 1966, one particular song penned by HRH was called Nok Noy was my favourite,sadly No 1 daughter in law taped over it yesterday, Please Please!!Can any of you knowledgable people out there help me locate a copy of Nok Noy, the original was sung by a young lady called Petchula, Reward is a bottle of Nignoys 6 yearold matured in oak home distilled Lao khao,guaranteed after 2 shots to make even australians behave civilised Nignoy

Hope you find your music, Tiny. But you are an ignorant old fart, as well as sentimental.

1. English is NOT the official language of Oz - that honour belongs to Strine.

2. No civilised Australian (? is that an oxymoron) would take 1 shot of Lao Khao, let alone 2

Is real football (AFL) encryted too?

Fortunately - no.

And finals coming up next week!

On single lane roads, when a truck or bus eases to the left and/or indicates left (signalling to me that it's safe to overtake), my practice is to give a couple of flashes of my hazard lights once I get in front - to say "thanks" (as is the norm with pro - e.g. truck and bus - drivers in Europe). But I don't see others doing it here. Any thoughts about that?

Yeah - my practice is to mutter under my breath - "you gotta be bloody joking!".

And then I make my own assessment, based on what I can see, not what some totally unknown quantity ahead of me believes is the situation.

To (loosely) quote the good sergeant from Hill Street Blues - "it's dangerous out there folks - take care" (or something similar).

What's the problem with Sonthi informing us of his options?

His salary as an MP won't be anywhere that number.

Don't just look at the salary - consider also the extra benefits

The changeover from paper would not only cut airlines' costs by $US9 ($A11) for every traveller but would also mean the industry - criticised by environmentalists for its part in global warming - would save 50,000 mature trees a year, he added.

So are they going to tell people not to print out their E-Ticket info?

Perhaps a 1 page printed e-ticket costs a lot less than a multi-page/copy voucher from the airlines or agents. I am sure it doesn't cost $11.

Gimme a break!

Hi chaps,

I'm looking to fly back to the uk mid september, I'll be on a single and my Mrs and 3 year old on return tickets.

Not too concerned about a stop over but what am I going to be looking at pricewise in baht, I've never booked tickets from Thailand before but I'm expecting (hoping) it will be cheaper than from the UK.

cheers

Al.

Has google featured in your considerations thus far?

[As if driving in flip flops to begin with isn't dangerous enough.

More dangerous than Thai Excise at the airport?

This is not a rumor IT HAPPENED TO ME at Bangkok Imm. I am only reporting what was said to me by the officer while I was sitting infront of her. I do not lie also we had to draw a map of our current address even though I had been living at the same place for over 2 years. Plus my partner of 4 years had to fill out a statement as to all I have said was true eg where I live. Just in case some of you think I went there looking like a yob bo, I was dress well no jeans black pants nice shirt. So I maybe just the officers thinking about the rules.

As regards to some one saying there do not know what I am writing about, I was only answering the above question asked by another prospective retiree. If you read my first message you will see I am refering to the above message from him.

So do not be suprised if some one also reports later that what I have said happened to them also.

No one would dispute that it happened to you, Warrior.

When it happens to someone else, and then a third and a fourth, maybe we can start worrying that it really is they (ie the widespread application of new policy) rather than her (ie an idiosyncratic officer, perhaps being hard to get along with, or maybe exercising the right to seek further information) taking these actions.

No! She is a controlling old harradin.

Unfortunately I am living in her house, so need to put up with her for the time being.

It would be terribly sad if she got sick and........................

2009 CL 600.........

Steering wheel an optional extra?

Oh Jeez! How many times do I have to answer this question?

The point is, Jing, you don't have to answer it. But if you keep choosing to do so, up to you!

Took my wife on holiday to Oz a few years back. Flew to Brisbane and rented a car up to Noosa. We had only gone a few kilometers north when we came upon a road construction crew hard at work. Well, the wife starts shouting stop, stop. Naturally I stopped immediately thinking she was ill. She grabbed the camera, jumped out of the car and started taking pictures of the guys at work. The men were somewhat shocked to see a Thai lady taking snapshots but took it all in stride doing their best macho man poses. After returning to the car I asked her what in the world that was all about. She said, "never see farang work before, must have photo or nobody Thailand believe me".

they wernt council workers I bet

Being a yank, not sure I know what a council worker is. Enlighten me. Separated by a common language!!

It's actually an oxymoron

Theres another Fortuner Driver who drives like a lunatic, why is this? what is it with this car that makes people drive like lunatics?

Nothing to do with the Fortuner, when I had a 735i BMW in UK I would go flat out on the Motorway, pre speed camera days.

I had a race with a Renault 5 GT Turbo on the Motorway too, I was flashing him to get out of my way doing 120 MPH

I drove it in France on the Auroroute and had a race with a Belgian guy in a Mercedes, we was flying and I was going as fast as that car could go, and that car could go well! I crept past him eventually.

I know, I am gonna get slated for this by all the nancy boy do gooder law abiding Honda wave riding members here, but hey, I was young, remember that do you ?

Congratulations!

Australia does not stamp Oz passports.

Not true. I have an Oz passport with at least a dozen inward or outward stamps.

They will sometimes ask you if you want the outward (departed) stamp.

TOT as well (in Udon). Keeps dropping out and then reconnecting.

Jing do you think it is time to put the soapbox away?

I'm sure most of us understand that you are not happy with certain aspects of the visa regulations and practices as they have evolved over the past couple of years.

Equally, others of us see no life-threatening issues, and just get on with things.

The record is stuck - please lift the tone arm and place gently in the cradle for a while

Especially in light of the severe violations against free elections under this referendum (reports of independent observers are in the process of preparation, and the ones i am aware of are damning), such as arrests of opposing activists, the confiscation of campaign material, the commanding of school children to take part in pro constitution campaigns without consent of parents, the incompetent decisions of the different authorities resulting in an almost comical chaos, such as BMA not allowing TRT to hold a speech at Sanam Luang while interior ministry gave an OK, - the Thai authorities have completely mocked up any chance for an extradition request against Thaksin.

I guess time will tell.

We can only hope the plunderer and murderer will finally face justice.

I am currently on an extension of an O visa based on retirement. I have no problem qualifying for it at present but looking to the future rules changes (tea leaves again)

Another warning to potential retirees to Thailand. You can easily buy a condo in Thailand in your own name. But there is no guarantee whatsoever that will be allowed to actually LIVE in that condo over the long term. Lovely, huh?

I've lived in 4 "developing countries" over the past 33 years and in each of them there has been some sort of gossip mill predicting the end of the world in terms of conditions for expats. Some people seem to derive pleasure from propagating these rumors of doom and gloom.

They were, of course, 100% wrong, 100% of the time.

If you really feel so ill at ease about the prospects of living here, why continue to stay? This isn't Uganda under Idi Amin. There isn't going to be some wholesale deportation of expats who contribute to the economy. The people who have the greatest influence on the government's policies are the same people who profit from real estate development, tourism and retail sales. Whatever their feelings about farang, they are still pragmatic.

They have made it obvious that they want expats who meet certain financial criteria... people who have money and spend it here. People who were circumventing the spirit of the law by creating fictitious businesses in order to buy property or unqualified people who came here to teach English and live on B10,000 a month or those who otherwise took advantage of loopholes or lax enforcement, are causing a backlash. The backlash is, however, selective and I don't see any evidence (aside from the "wink,wink, gossip, gossip") that people who comply with the fairly simple requirements have anything to worry about.

But, you should be able to enjoy your retirement. If you spend all your time worrying about the future in Thailand and how you'll manage to cope, that can't be enjoyable. Find some place where you'll be able to relax.

How refreshing - an island of common sense and reason in a sea of rumour and gossip (and, God forbid, "tea leaves").

What are his choices? Buying the footy club might buy him a bit of sympathy with the UK.

Will he go to Hong Kong where he's reported to have bought a property. Will the Chinese protect him? Maybe.

Where else can he go?

Perhaps he'll become this country's headache.....

Thaksin Moving To Australia?!?! Looking for property in Sydney

6 months ago. Old news, and will never happen.

Shame really... as the owner of the Sydney Swans, his infusion of money might have helped them to improve....

Hadn't thought of that aspect. In that case, there are some very nice places for sale in Fremantle - a far more needy cause than the Swans

Sibeymai and Gravelrash - demonstrable xenophobic nonsense.

I see Pauline Hanson has started a new political party - you can probably sign up as foundation members.

first there is no extradition treaty between thai and uk,

Errr......then how do you explain this?

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagena...d=1044360289117

What are his choices? Buying the footy club might buy him a bit of sympathy with the UK.

Will he go to Hong Kong where he's reported to have bought a property. Will the Chinese protect him? Maybe.

Where else can he go?

Perhaps he'll become this country's headache.....

Thaksin Moving To Australia?!?! Looking for property in Sydney

6 months ago. Old news, and will never happen.

Was he perfect? No!, is he better than what we have now? YES! Is he being hunted becuase he jumped throgh loop holes and didnt share the booty? YES!

Was he directly responsible for 2,500 extra-judicial murders - YES.

Enough said.

I have always requested a double at all hotels in Thailand and many times arrived to find twin. Except one time in Issan (what do you expect), every time I have complained and been given a double room.

Can you be a bit more specific jack?

I tried to book a hotel with a double bed in "Issan", but all I came up with was Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Kon Khan, Korat, etc etc etc (but what would you expect)!

Interestingly, on a recent flight from Udon Thai - Singapore on Tiger I was charged TBH400 departure tax. Was not included in the ticket price.

I was given an official receipt for the payment.