mgjackson69

It would seem to me that if a person needs some mechanism/gimmick to control their alcohol intake, they might think about eliminating it altogether.

It is up to each of us to determine whether we have a problem, and how to deal with it.

Whatever works.

281 days alcohol free

I heard the Visa waiver will be augmented by the increase of visa-renewal fees ,now 1,900B, soon to be 10,000B !

There is no such thing as as a Visa renewable Fee.

Visas are not renewable.

Funny, isn't it? You harp on this, I harp on this, others here harp on this...but still people use improper terminology.

Is it ignorance or laziness do you suppose?

link?

It looks about the same as my HTC TyTNII... see here -> http://www.htc.com/www/product/tytnii/overview.html

I like the phone, but it is outrageously expensive in Thailand, something on the order of 42000 THB or so.

I bought mine in USA through AT&T Wireless (longtime customer)

To be honest, I never understood who or what their intended market was.

People who like to throw money around to impress others...and who "just have to have" anything labeled "Elite".

I just have to laugh when comparing thailand vs singapore, hong kong, tokyo.

1. Look at a country's history of how it got where it is today

2. % of corruption in thailand vs singapore, hong kong, tokyo

3. Thailand is still a developing country last time I check singapore, hong kong, tokyo where developed nations

4. Say what you like about bangkok but since i live in samui. I rather enjoy going to bangkok every now and then

5. Be thankful bangkok at least has a sky train, ( its in a limited area I know but at least I have an option )

6. Most of things here are based on a cultural mentality, change happens here but its slow I know

7. So many good places I eat are where along the road in a forum of a stall ( something similiar )

8. Most of all every country has up and downs, pros and cons.

9. JUST remember one major thing, Things could be much worser than they are now, example zimbabwe, Iraq, Burma

Good points all. Especially #9.

It really is a matter of perspective and your life experiences.

I would suggest spending a week in Mumbai/Navi Mumbai...I never thought that Bangkok was quiet until I worked in Mumbai for a year.

Then, when you are thinking, "Bangkok is not so bad...Mumbai really sucks", go spend some time in Lagos, Nigeria. After that, Mumbai does not seem so bad.

My wife explained this one to me a while back...I mostly understood, but now it makes more sense.

She also said "police not like". But I got the impression that is not so much because it is illegal, but more likely because they do not have a mechanism for "automatically" getting their share of the action.

When you speak of mai doo having a distinctive scent...is it something similar to fresh cinnamon?

I was working on a little project the other day with some lumber odds and ends and ran across some of this. It was not quite like cutting iron, but almost...

Well, now that Obama is about to be sworn in, the US mainstream media is already putting out teaser stories about how "the economy" is improving. They will say it enough, and the sheeple will start believing it and start spending money...and guess what, the economy will improve...all thanks to Obama.

Yes but quite a few speakers on CNBC this morning said there is a problem with that.........The consumers have decided not to attend the party. Frugality has suddenly become en vogue. The consumers have started saving & buying/spending less & like how it feels.

I must admit I too have taken a look at my excess & tapered it back with more to come.

Yes...we, being only flawed humans, sometimes need a kick in the pants to make us re-evaluate how we are doing things. I believe that you are right, a lot of people have reset their priorities, some out of necessity, some as a precaution.

I believe that people will respond to enough good news by spending more. Granted, it likely will not go back to the levels of even a couple of years ago for quite some time.

Well, now that Obama is about to be sworn in, the US mainstream media is already putting out teaser stories about how "the economy" is improving. They will say it enough, and the sheeple will start believing it and start spending money...and guess what, the economy will improve...all thanks to Obama.

I recently became a member and received my 5 year visa without any hassel (about 3 weeks ago). So far they seem to deliver what thet have promissed.

Seems that the recent issue is just an official confirmation needed every time there is a change of gouvernment. So unless they surprise us all and decline the current policy, no need to panic just yet.

There are absolutely no reasonable explenation why they should decline the current program. The latest information that they are now voiding all visa fees for the next few months is a step in the softening of visa policy to attract more tourists. So why should they distroy their reputation by cancelling the SE visa offered by Thai Elite. Wouldn't make sense. Thai Elite is not Mr. Taksins company! He only supported it after it started...

The implementation of the 15 day rule crossing over land is to reduce the amount of "free loaders" in this country. Who do you think leave the most behind, the guys in Pattaya driving up to Cambodia every month or the members of Thai Elite? It's all about money unless you where ever in any doubt...

Mr. H.

This is slightly off-topic, but I am curious, not being an "Elite" and not having studied up on the program:

What class visa does the program provide? Non-O? Or is it a variation on the extension of stay? Do you have to do 90-day reports? Does it include a re-entry permit (either single or multiple)?

Perhaps you could scan the relevant pages of your passport and post it here?

Well, call me strange, I like Bangkok, warts and all...enough so that I keep a room there, even though I am only there a few days/month.

I also like Chok Chai, Korat...which is where I currently stay, and have a house with the wife.

And I like Nong Hin, Loei (just a bit north of our good friend Maigo6)...where I will build my next and hopefully last house, after I am finished with this telecomm/computer work nonsense.

Three very different places, and I truly like and enjoy spending time in all three.

I understand the OP's observations...but I think the comparisons he made are apples vs. oranges...or maybe durian vs baak seeda.

But whereas the poor OP is to be censured it seems by the holier than thou brigade the banks who failed to pay their creditors are rewarded by limitless government bailouts.......

You are castigating "the banks" for not paying their creditors, yet advocating that the "poor OP" is quite justified in doing so.

Why the double standard?

Last week I decided to renew my Thai drivers licenses (private car and motorcycle).

Some background:

- I had the 1-year license for car and motorcycle, obtained while on Work Permit...both expired April 2008.

- I am currently in Thailand on extension of stay based on marriage.

The first step was to get the Certificate of Residency from Thai Immigration. So off to North East (Korat) Immigration to see my good friend K Chanchai, aka K White-Out. That required one photo, the wife's tambien baan, wife's ID, and my passport. I brought copies of each document as well as the originals. Passport copies included the photo/data page, latest visa page, latest extension of stay page, latest entry stamp, and current departure card (TM-6). K White-Out gave me and the wife each a form to fill out (about 6 or 8 blanks), mine in English, hers in Thai. He collected a 200 THB fee....I have no idea if this is an "official" fee or not, and I do not really care.

Then on Monday we went to the "place for ID driving"...on my licenses it is noted as "Nakhon Ratchasima 4". It is on Highway 224 between Korat and Chok Chai, closer to Chok Chai. I took the following documents:

Certificate of Residency - original and two copies

Passport and 2 copies of photo/data page, latest visa page, latest extension of stay page, latest entry stamp, current departure card (TM-6)

Medical certificate and 2 copies

Expired Thai licenses

US (Nebraska) drivers license and 2 copies front and back

We gave the lady (I dubbed her "Pat", from the old Saturday Night Live skit) all of this. There was no other form to fill out. After a little while, I was called up to look at something, and pay...I forget how much, but everything (Cert of Residency, Medical Cert, Two licenses) was less than 2000 THB. Then wait a bit more, and get called over for the photo. The gal surprised me a bit, she used the same photo for both licenses, and did both at the same time. Then wait a couple of minutes, the freshly minted licenses pop out of the machine.

Good for 5 years.

The process is a bit more involved because of the residency and medical certificates, but really, it is no more hassle than the similar process in the states in USA where I have lived.

Oh....I forgot to mention, no tests of any sort

It never fails, someone always has to find an excuse to whine about the requirements for long-stay visas/extensions of stay.

This topic is about "tourism", not long-stay expats. Be honest...how many "tourists" stay in a country for more than 30 days? Staying here for years, doing constant visa runs, etc etc, then trying to call yourself a "tourist", is just a bit disingenious, chai mai khrap.

Yes, those of us who are long-stayers certainly contribute to the economy...we have built plenty of houses in Isaan and provided quality health care for herds of sick buffalo. But we are not tourists, and true tourism is what these efforts are aiming towards...you know, the people who fly in, spend several thousand baht/day for a couple of weeks, then go home.

I personally do not find the fees for yearly extension of stay (1900 THB) and the (optional) re-entry permit (1000 THB single/3800 THB multiple) to be onerous. For ~ 170 USD I am set for a year. I am in and out of Thailand enough that I typically do not have to do a 90-day report. And that does not cost anything, other than a bit of time.

The "money in the bank" requirement is NOT a fee...sure, it ties some of your money up for a bit. Look at it from Thailand's point of view...they do not want a bunch of expat welfare cases hanging around. As to why there is a different requirement monetarily for extension based on marriage vs. extension based on retirement, that makes perfect sense to me. In the first case, the reasonable assumption can be made that there will be some family help to provide at least subsistence if needed. Also, there is more likely to be more significant ongoing income in the first case. And, you are providing a benefit to Thailand by supporting one or more citizens.

Now, are the required deposit amounts out of line? That could be argued. 800,000 THB is a significant amount of money for sure. hel_l, 400,000 is a significant amount, to me anyway.

Bottom line, it is their country, they make the rules, and we do not have any "right" to be here...we are guests.

It might also be that Americans are considered the rudest travelers because they come from the most free and organized society on earth. As such, it is easy to forget that others don't share the same privileges and might construe something like free speech as being loud and obnoxious. I do believe there really is a difference but for some..there might not be. For instance, Asians have a terrible problem with the concept of queuing, taking their place in line, waiting their turn etc. In their society, it is accepted and tolerated whereas in America it is a grievous and hugely rude thing to not do.

So, when deciding who are the rudest and most annoying travelers, which set of societal norms and customs are being used?????

Just another American bashing article fitting someone's agenda to vent their jealousy of Americans and their society.

Get over it.

Regards,

Martian

We are completely in agreement here. Many people *are* envious of USA, witness the constant bashing we see here. It seems like almost every thread, someone will slip in some derogatory comment towards USA, its citizens, its president, etc.

People sure love to bash USA, but who do they come to when they need their ass bailed out?

And who typically steps up to help other countries in need, quite often before it is even asked for?

No country/government/society is without faults, and I will certainly admit that mine is less than perfect. But I would challenge anyone to cite a modern example of something better. Which other modern government has endured for 221 years?

Real annoying:

.....the armrest had to be up as she also need 1/4 of my seat...

Sorry, the blubber bar stays down, no exceptions....unless my wife is sitting next to me.

[

BTW... what is a Rude Seat Recliner? For a 14 hour flight I hate to think I must keep my seat in the upright position!?

I think the rude one is the person behind me complaining. They should recline their seat and CHILL!!!

A rude seat recliner is anyone who reclines their seat in coach class.

Is that seat really any more comfortable leaned back? Perhaps I am in the minority, but I find coach-class airline seats to be equally uncomfortable regardless of what position the backrest is in.

People who recline in front of me cause me to have to slouch in my seat to get my face away from their seatback, which in turn causes my knees to be pressed into their back for the duration of the reclinage...too bad about that.

It would not hurt my feelings one bit to have all coach-class seats non-reclining.

And yes, I do fly a bit...50+ flights last year, all but 2 or 3 in coach class

... Toyota were extremely busy with a load of Thais who were obviously in denial ...

I am not sure that I understand this statement.

I would not bother with a twin-tub...for a bit more money you can get a single-tub automatic. Load it, launch it, forget it.

We have a Samsung 6.5 kg automatic...it is more than sufficient for two people.

Before that we had a twin-tub (I forget the brand name). I had two gripes with that one:

1) It seemed to tie the clothes in knots

2) Having to tend to it as mentioned above...

Load it

Fill it with water, add detergent

Run for 15 minutes

Drain water

Fill water, no detergent

Run for 15 minutes

Fill water, no detergent

Run for 15 minutes

Move part of the load to the spin tub

Spin for 6 minutes

Move the rest of the load to the spin tub

Spin for 6 minutes

The best thing about every television set...It has an on/off switch.

Just need to get used to it. If your wife really loves you, you will be more important to her than the opinion of her family

I would suggest that you study Thai culture before making such statements.

How many times do you bend over and take it up the glitter?

Never...that would be your task

Unlikely, but then you continue to make assumptions that people don't understand Thai culture. I stand by what I said in my initial post (which has nothing to do with Thai culture), and that is from my own personal expereince, clearly there are exceptions, but it pretty much sounds to me like the OP is trying to become something he is not. Given the attitude that his girlfriends family are showing towards him, I wonder if it is really worth the effort?

However, I do agree with your statement regarding not showering the family with money, shame a few more people don't take that advice.

I think we are mostly in agreement here.

Here are what I think are the salient points:

1) Family is important in Thai culture

2) Some Thai ladies will follow their heart, regardless of what the family says

3) For the farang to be a "good guy" in the eyes of the family is not necessarily about giving money. In many cases, just indiscriminately throwing money around will get you even less acceptance...better to show some backbone and character.

4) There is a huge disparity between "taking care" and just throwing money around

4) For each situation, the farang needs to make his own decision as to what it will take to be accepted by the family, and if he is willing to do what that might entail. And if he is not, will the potential wife accept that.

We are also in agreement on your point re: the OP...the family seems to be looking at him as an ATM. Up to him...I would not do that.

For my personal situation, I have been fortunate. The immediate family accepted me right away and have never expected anything from me. I have helped Mom out a bit, mainly with buying some building supplies and using my labor to transform those supplies into something usable. Even then it has not amounted to so much, perhaps 50,000 THB over a period of 4+ years. A couple of extended family members pinged my wife for money when they knew she had a farang. That one was easily solved...I told her that they had to ask me. They did, I told them "no"...end of story.

Buying a used car is pretty much the same everywhere. Look it over, make an offer if you want to buy it.

Two things stand out:

1) Generalizing, Thais do not maintain vehicles. Drive it til it stops, wire it back together seems to be the norm. You seem to have some awareness of this, since you specified "farang-owned". Farang-owned does not automatically mean "better-maintained", but the chances are better that it has been, I think.

2) Asking prices for used vehicles are ridiculously high here. Many seem to think that they can buy a 700,000 THB vehicle, drive it 10 years (see point #1), and it is still worth 400,000 THB. I have no idea if they are selling used vehicles for anywhere close to what they are asking...but they sure seem to expect a lot.

If the numbers work in your favor, and you have enough cash to make a decent down payment (I would never do less than 25%), I would say go ahead and buy the new car. Especially if you are planning to stay long-term. Old cars can nickel and dime (satang?) you to the poorhouse.

Just need to get used to it. If your wife really loves you, you will be more important to her than the opinion of her family

I would suggest that you study Thai culture before making such statements.

Thanks for your suggestion... And I would suggest that you don't generalize about every Thai people.

There is also some modern one's who are actually able to choose their partners even if the family doesn't agree.

If your wife or girlfriend breaks up with you because mom and dad are not happy, her love for you was probably not that strong.

I was not generalizing at all.

To say that "you will be more important to her than the opinion of her family" is the erroneous generalization.

Sure, there will be exceptions...but in Thai culture, the opinion of the family, especially that of Mom, is going to carry a great deal of influence.

The OP made a bad first impression. He has put a large task in front of himself to fix that, but it is not insurmountable. He needs to demonstrate that he is a "good guy"...and contrary to popular belief, that is not done by showering the family with money.

Just need to get used to it. If your wife really loves you, you will be more important to her than the opinion of her family

I would suggest that you study Thai culture before making such statements.

How many times do you bend over and take it up the glitter?

Never...that would be your task