smylee52

Can someone please post a working link for the 90 day reporting .

8 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I've not seen anything saying golf in chonburi is closed, do you have a link?

I should have bookmarked but did not . Can't find the specific reference now but from what I see in the replies it seems golf courses are exempt at this point . 

I am looking to return to Jomtien next week but if the golf is not on through the golf bars I won't bother.

As far as I can tell from the confusing communiques Chonburi golf is closed (April 18) but not Rayong or

Chachoengsao so the bars can pivot and schedule more rounds at Eastern Star , Green Valley

etc , (depending on availability) .

Is this wishful thinking or a possibility ?

10 minutes ago, ChrisKC said:

Am I right that some people think the law about land ownership for foreigners is a bureaucratic one? I don"t think so. It is about the abuse there (could) would be in buying property simply to sell it on to another foreigner at a substantially higher price. This is arising from the property prices in the West being very much greater than in Thailand. One sells their property in USA for example,  at the going rate, say $500,000. This capital will allow two similar Thai properties to be purchased and sold on with a profit of say, $100,000, to two other foreigners who will still get something better than an equivalent price back home.

 

This scenario artificially creates a rise in property prices that begins to exclude Thai people

 

I am in favour of land ownership in Thailand but with conditions that prevent the above.

 Seriously ? Have you tried to sell a house in Thailand ? Listings last for years . You can't compare the hot Western markets to the plodding real estate market in Thailand .  

The people who build make big profits in a good market but resellers are not so fortunate unless you take the risk of buying off-plan .

No conditions necessary . Allow proper foreign home ownership and give the economy a shot in the arm .

I'll bite . What is a "Transparent and CCTV monitored " police checkpoint  ?  

I have been driving in Pattaya for 6 years and have been stopped a time or two and didn't see

any apparent CCTV .  

On 4/3/2021 at 8:43 AM, mikebell said:

My ex used the company auditors to fraudulently change the shareholders' names and % shares. (I signed all audit papers in Thai on her assurance.)  When I wanted to sell the property her ruse would have become apparent so she chased off the buyers and two agents. I was awarded 1.2 million for a 4 million house - it cost me over half a million in legal fees despite my lawyer being the firm who setup the company in the first place.  They advised me to settle as all  shareholders faced jail; they didn't make this clear when setting up the property-owning scam.

Well you clearly ran into a professional and sadly we Falang haven't got much of a chance in these

cons . I am sorry to hear of how you were so badly treated but thanks for sharing this cautionary tale.

They threw a curve ball at me when I bought my condo . Actually 2 curve balls . First they said I had to pay an extra 100k baht because the initial estimate was given as a 37 sq m but the official measurement came back as 40 sq m hence I owed an additional 100 k (approximate) . My initial reaction was <deleted> to that and the deal was off .  The agent assured me that I wasn't being cheated as this was standard practice and widely understood that the final measurement doesn't occur till the deal is finalized . OK I calmed down and said fine I'll pay . I wonder how often they over estimate the square footage and reduce the price . *unts.

Returned the next day with bank draft to finalize the deal and then the rep from the condo company who does the paperwork asked how I spelled my name in Thai . Like I would <deleted> know . She then phoneticized my name and wrote it down and that is what appears on the Chanote. All I know is it isn't spelled the same as the girlfriends so hopefully I'll be OK when it comes to sell.

The forecasting model that gives the Thai Ministries such credibility .

If the dart is thrown on a Monday just add  00,000 `to the resulting number . Add another zero if your toss is on Tuesday and so on through the week .

3 hours ago, mikebell said:

Countless auditors and lawyers will not allow this.  They have made a living assuring farangs that they can own their own house using the company scam.  When push comes to shove in court, then they reveal Thai share holders AND the farang company director face jail.  It cost me my house.

I expect there is a lot more to this story that put you in a position to lose a home . 

On 3/4/2021 at 10:51 PM, Tanoshi said:

 

As far as financial evidence for the Thai Embassy is concerned, a statement from your Pension provider detailing your monthly income should be sufficient. 

 

To be perfectly frank, based on your future intentions, I wouldn't embark on a plan yet but keep all possible options open for the time being, and re-examine the situation again beginning of August.

 

Personally I'm not an advocate for the Non O-A Visa since they introduced the mandatory Health Insurance requirement, which is also required for applying for annual extensions based on retirement.

My preference if you intend to stay long term/permanently in Thailand would be the Non O Visa which does not require the mandatory Health Insurance for future extensions of stay in Thailand.

 

The Non O-A can only be applied for in a Country where you have citizenship or permanent residency status.

The Non O can be obtained in your home Country, a Thai Embassy/Consulate in a neighbouring Country to Thailand, or from Thai Immigration if entering VE or on a TV.

 

I have been on the Non O for several years and qualify with pension income accompanied with  embassy

letter . New wrinkle this year at Jomtien immigration was I also had to provide a copy of my previous years

tax return . Thankfully I was able to print off of the internet so no big hardship just another minor annoyance honest people endure because of the shady characters .

Makes sense . If you have proven yourself unable to enforce existing speed limits then just increase said limits so that  those flaunting the limits now are within legal limits . More people will die but the Police have less embarrassment to deal with . TIT. Oh and then you even contend that this will make the roads safer .

If you are managing a golf course in Thailand you should be vigorously pursuing this revenue generating

opportunity.  I am jealous that this was not available when I came over and spent 15 days in a Bangkok hotel .

Having said that I would still need to see the fine print like if the price is all inclusive or are there additional costs for golf . Trust but verify ????. 

Once you have customers on site you might want to offer weekly specials to those that have cleared quarantine .

Looks like it is actually possible to golf without a caddie in Thailand .

And  the jokes just keep on coming . How embarrassing to have these bureaucrats be seen as examples of

government policy makers .

I suppose we need to be careful what we wish for as we benefit from the total incompetence of a government unbale to follow through on any policy decision that would actually make Thailand roads safer . 

We can treat speed limits , lane designators , and stop lights as suggestions rather than enforced laws with consequences . 

The only traffic infraction I have seen administered  is no helmet , because it is an undeniable transgression and left turn on red because the police box is right there so no effort required to apprehend the culprit .

I have played a few courses lately and am satisfied with the steps taken for Covid safety . Caddies wearing masks and gloves throughout the round ,I beleive , is the most effective protocol . I am able to drive myself so I don't run the risk of being in a van with virtual strangers and skip the shower until I get home .

Being outdoors and socially distant makes golf a great past time to get out of the house and interact with people. Coupled with the cost now approaching a reasonable level I look forward to sailing through the next few months of the new normal.

And Disneyland should stop relying on people who enjoy rides and excitement .

Pattaya has no other reason to exist but to be a playground .  

How about just passing enforceable littering and dumping laws . Vacant land owners ( big fines) should be firmly encouraged to maintain their properties . Clean it up , which costs relatively nothing and then move on to attracting new investment and improved infrastructure .

On 2/4/2021 at 7:46 AM, colinneil said:

 

What a load of rubbish, to my knowledge only 1 girl from this village went to Pattaya to sell her body.

My wife is 1 of 4 sisters, each 1 of them works as civil servants/ teachers.

Only one (admitted) went to sell her body in Pattaya but the all others worked as cashiers  ???? after they graduated from the local karoake bars .  I am sure your village is different .

Judgemental people who disparage sex work are those that don't profit from it . What really cranks up some people is the thought that  a sex worker isn't guilt ridden but actually enjoys his/her work . Then some of them have the gall to make their money , build their home , buy a car ,buy some land and retire to the their village where they are often asked by family and friends " how can I be lucky like you ?" .

The name of the game is reduce the opportunities for the "haters" to take you down , Uttering a gay slur such as Fa**ot was shooting himself in the foot with a shotgun .  With the lipstick being removed from the pig JT just gave the world an unfiltered look at the thinking of a good old boy born in Kentucky and who  went to the University of Alabama .

His formative years were likely saturated with racism  and homophobia . I would cut him a large amount of slack and measure him on what he does and not so much on unfiltered heated outbursts using terms that were/are second nature to a Southerner . 

12 minutes ago, Opl said:

+ Trump still reaping probably over $300M from disinformation fundraising messages 

The major risk to Trump is if they confiscate his passport .  Over 70 countries do not have an extradition agreement with USA .  If the Biden administration doesn't want to deal with a prolonged prosecution they can just look the other way as Trump hops on a private jet to a welcoming haven . He will have to grease the wheels with millions in donations to those in charge but that is what the Bank of Cyprus can facilitate discreetly .

My vote would be UAE and Dubai specifically as he has a golf course there surrounded by the lavish lifestyle he is used to . He will have to change his dishonest ways because in Dubai you go to jail if you default on payments . Personally I would like to see  him spend the rest of his life in jail but that naively assumes the world is fair .

13 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

What a ridiculous set of examples you have provided, which in no way are related to mentoring and helping a caddy become better at what they do. 

 

Would you not complain to the restaurant if the food was uncooked or tasted awful ?

 

You don’t tell the hair dresser how you would like your hair cut ?

 

Do you not tell the tailor what style of shirt you would like, the fit, the buttons, pockets, the cuffs, the tail ?

 

Because you're paying for a Caddy for the service of Caddying. If you are happy with them only carrying your clubs, fine. For many however, they’d like their caddy to walk over from the other side of the fairway with the correct range of clubs from which to select for your shot. 

 

 

I also would rather not have a Caddy. A lot of them have been useless. The ones who have been good have either been well trained by other good caddies or by golfers themselves. 

 

You're projecting. Maybe you are used to people rolling their eyes at you. 

But, I get your point, some people are not interested in learning or improving - I’m sure many know the difference and help those who show an interest and can identity the 'eye rollers’ and not bother. 

 

Agreed, when the course is poorly run. This can actually be fun on a fun day out of golf where you can have fun with friends, beers are flowing and you can have a laugh with the caddies. 

 

Or, if it's obvious someone is serious about their golf the caddies should be able to recognise this and behave accordingly. 

 

 

 

 

The cook , barber and tailor are not forced on me . Useless caddies are . You carry on mentoring these professionals . How many times do you need to here the same old phrases that passes off as a laugh with the caddies . You want to have a laugh . Ask a caddy if they are a professional . 

"engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation rather than as a pastime."

I have asked the question dozens of times and invariably get an emphatic "no" . Until the people in power who push this make work project  get caddies to understand there is a responsibility to know your profession when being paid for it the caddie program will continue to be a bad joke on

people getting mugged while enjoying some exercise and camaraderie .

As for your cheap shot on caddies rolling their eyes at me it never happens . They know on the first tee that I am there to enjoy my day . I explain they need to alert me to out of bounds , sand traps and hidden water hazards . Put your phone away and keep up .  I then go through the typical phrases of " caddy no good " , " up to you" , Jai dee ,  Ting Tong  so they know I am quite familiar with golfing in Thailand . 

Caddies have very easy day with me. No searching for golf balls . Missed puts are never blamed on the caddie. I don't talk their ear off because I don't need to hear another story of a husband/boyfriend killed in motorbike accident and how she supports family by working as caddie . I am somewhat amused when I get a chatty Cathy in my fourball and watch them natter away at a caddie and the look on her face is clearly "when will the barking stop ?"   

3 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I only had two caddies who disrespected me by failing to turn up at the first tee on time. The first I fired on the spot. The second was told by me if she did it again, she would be fired too. She turned up 20 minutes early every time after that.

Some caddies want to learn from me, they can see I know what I am doing. I don't worry about the ones that don't, life's too short.

I tip more than the regulation, because I used to be a caddie myself. I wasn't in the position of needing to work at caddying for a living.

You can cook, sew and do hairdressing as well as golf? Congratulations, you are a multi-talented person. If you could play Bach organ music as well..........

No to the music but the rest has been a blessing during this pandemic    ????. 

21 hours ago, TigerandDog said:

 

 

I also try to pass on basic caddying knowledge to the locals, that knowledge being gained from my 12 years as a tour caddy on the Australian PGA & LPG tours, the LET and European Seniors tours.

 

My real gripe about caddies here is that they are not properly trained, even on many of the better quality courses. I've been playing golf in Thailand since 2005 and I've only encountered 5 caddies that I would consider as excellent and 3 of them are here in CM and  they get paid accordingly. Most of the rest aren't even worth a 300 tip.

I do not pass on cooking tips to chefs after I pay them for a meal . I do not pass along basic haircutting techniques to a barber after I paid him to cut my hair . I do not suggest different stitch patterns to my tailor after I pay him for a new shirt he just made for me .   

Why would I want to teach a caddie how to caddie when I just paid the equivalent of a nurses daily wage for

this individual to do next to nothing for me.

You agree how useless they are but don't think they should be optional . Mystifying .

BTW I can just see them rolling their eyes as soon as you turn your back after passing on your golf knowledge . I've seen it too many times .  The vast majority of these so called caddies DO NOT GIVE A <deleted> about your golf game unless they have a 20 baht side bet on who will be the low score in the foursome or if you are a bigger fish and tip when you get a birdie .

To beat an old familiar drum " make caddies optional " . Choose between being a vehicle for a make work program or a legitimate golf course concerned with promoting golf and  being profitable .

I found that I have lost my mojo for playing golf more than once a week but would cheerfully support a semi private club that used it's status to make caddies optional for daily play . No problem paying 1000 baht for green fee and 500 for buggy . 

Mountain Shadow would be my suggestion as a likely candidate for purchase . I am a variety hound like many but I could easily play Mountain Shadow on a regular basis due to it's length and challenging layout . 3 well laid out par 5's that could be improved  by leveling the fairways from 150 yards in so you don't have downhill lies for approach shots over water .  Taking down or severely trimming the tree at 16 that virtually blocks the green from the fairway would be a welcomed improvement as well . In short not much work required to get it up to snuff .