Robin

here is a very radical suggestion:- How about Thais paying some form of ta on their income? How about every Thai with an income above the minimum wage paying an income tax of 20% on any income above this? At the moment, I believe that less than 25% of working Thais pay any form of income tax. Without any revenue, how can any government function? Has there ever been , or will there ever bee a government with the courage o introduce such a from of universal income tax? Without a tax base, Thailand will never become a 'developed country'

If you have a permanent address in Thailand, you can get a "Tambian Bann" or "yellow Book" which is an official Thai doc saying where you live. I believe that it also gets you into national parks at the Thai Rate. Apply at your local land office.

What is difficult? If you qualify, you will get an extension. I have been her on a retirement visa since an I/O first pointed me towards one. Never even thought of using an agent. Did this again last week at Phayao. I took the precaution of going first to immigration and asking them to list the documents I needed from my bank, then took this to bank an got the docs. Charged 300Baht for the work. All I did at immigration was fill in the form and sign the bank docs. Seemed quicker and easier than using an agent and nothing to pay except the visa fees

Why are you even asking such dumb questions? If you love the girl and want to marry her, you should know what you want and not be looking to A/N to give you the answer. if you have doubts, then you know the answer, or should. Remember Mr. Punch's advice to a young man about to get married: "Do not!" Plenty on A/N will confirm that Thai women are professionals at parting young Farang men from their money

Could it be that Phumtham has accidentally found out the commission his predecessor was given, and now wants his share?

he is not the first and will not be the last holiday maker to discover that riding a hired Thai bike can be dangerous. There are enough warnings, so why did he think he was immune to any dangers? Insurance companies are not stupid; they do not cover m/c riding, they know what the consequences are.

Health care in Thailand is no more expensive than private health care in UK. NHS healthcare in UK has become impossible, so better off in LOS. At least it's your choice if you see a Doc. here. You are only as old as you feel

"The only way to import drugs successfully is the suppository method." With 53.6 Kgs?

"The Suvarnabhumi Airport, internationally renowned ".... For its long lines and slow, surly, immigration officers. Also try taking baggage on the Airport rail link. Txi to town compared with S9ingapore; no nonsense about 'highway charge' in Singapore.

Further advice from yesterday. Make sure have everything in writing; Every contact with banks, opposition solicitors,... If you think that "Edward" has any possessions of "George,' warn him in writing that everything of George legally either belongs to George or to "Alice" and is 'sub judice' until probate is obtained. Keep copies and a diary of all communication with Edward, and try to avoid any more contact that is necessary; leave that to the solicitors. never mind if Edward take offence; do what you think is legal and best for Alice and George. At the risk of being wrong, I would hang on to every single thing of George's and not let Edward or anyone except your appointed solicitors have anything. If Edward get somehing relevant and then looses it, it is gone for ever. If you have kept it by mistake, you can always return it later and apologise for your mistake. We have to hope now that Edward was just an interfering 'chancer,' and will now see that there is nothing in this for him and quietly drop out and leave you to do the work. George is lucky to have a friend like you to sort this out. Good luck.

I cannot offer any legal advice, but my experience in similar cases is never to underestimate the greed of humanity, whne some 'money for nothing' is on offer. Nor should you trust anyone who might have claim, or think they have claim, for the money to act helpfully toward you. Never mind who is 'morally' right, they just want to money. The verbal 'las Will & Testament' has no legal standing if it was not witnessed. nor vry little even if there was a witness. Remember that said friend could easily have made the whole thing up simply to cover his theft of the bank cards and other stuff. Why else would he have taken that and not be wanting to return it to the correct owner. Try to keep written records of every communication you have with friend, and keep detailed notes of everything, every phone call, visit to bank, just about everything. if it come down to "I said, he said" you will need every scrap of evidence.

Only 68 motor cycles. Pity it wasn't 680, and all sent to to the crusher. I would imagine that whoever has bought the m/c on finance will have to keep paying the finance company as per his agreement. I am sure that Thai finance companies have plenty of experience of dealing with defaulters.

'He felt it was his right to smoke in public' What arrogance. it should be the right of every citizen to live in smoke free air, not breath the second-hand smoke from A-holes like this. Thankfully , UK is fairly strict about smoking now, so these scum think thy can come to Thailand and break the laws if thy want to. In my opinion Thailand is far too casual about enforcing their non-smoking laws. it would be very good if he law regarding smoking in bars was enforced. Good little earner for RTP as well; let them keep all the fines they collect.

Several months forced to clear the drains in Bangkok

So many experts know what should have been done: 1. Fire extinguishers. if you are not trained to use one, not going to be much good. 2. safety briefing before leaving? have you ever seen Thai ,or any other kids, pay attention to something like that. 3.Teacher take command? hat is he likely to know? 4. Inspect the bus before hiring? Cheapest is obviously the best. Parents might complain about the cost. 5. Was it true that the emergency doors were locked shut? Who by? if the driver did this then he is guilty of murder and should be punished accordingly. 6 It is very rarely an accident; normally a combination of mistakes and wrong actions.