hansnl

Cannot see the point of a website aimed at non Thai people written in Thai?

Maybe you can't.

Maybe you are handicapped in some way?

I assure you it is very logical.

Just like Thai language advertisements in the Bangkok Post or the Nation.

Also very logical.

Just like the entire manning of a Tourist Police bureau somewhere in Thailand not speaking any language but Thai.

Which must indeed be the summum of logical thought.

My favourite airport is KKC.

And the worst in my idea is KKC.

Thou shalt not kill.

Maybe a very "loaded" collection of words.

However, I agee wholeheartedly with those words.

Not only for people but also for states.

If the state gives itself the right to kill, how can you condemn someone to die if he/she killed too?

There are many examples of people executed by a state, "legally", while later found not guilty at all.

In that case the state committed murder.

Condemned men and women spending years on death row is abhorrent.

Lifelong incarceration is a much better punishment for those deserving maximum punishment.

If someone serving lifetime was condemned falsely, the punishment can be ended.

That cannot be done with the death penalty.

Personally I prefer a round of banana shooting.

A few contenders, some spectators.

Very funny!

And all that beautiful going together under the umbrella of China?

Just imagine that.

Should be this one.

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000010668

Do THEY think the guy who was "incinerated" by tires committed suicide?

Same as the German guy who tied himself to a tree and blew himself up with a hand grenade? Was it last month?

Things have really changed in Pattaya-Jomtien, especially over the past ten years........too bad.

I remember a very peaceful, interesting place......no worries........that place has gone.

And, no, I don't care about crime statistics in other countries........that does not diminish what is happening in Pattaya-Jomtien now.

More clueless Thailand bashing...as anyone who knows anything about Thailand can tell you, there are many dodgy foreigners who wash-up on Thailand's shores and start doing dodgy things. I doubt very much that whoever blew up the BANGKOK German randomly selected someone off the streets of Sukhumvit and strapped him to a tree and blew him up for fun. (In fact, he was involved in the real estate field and this is a known dangerous area for both Thais and foreigners.) I feel likewise regarding the recent case of "spontaneous" human combustion.

There is trouble around every corner in Thailand and if you go looking for it you will find it. If you go poking your nose where it doesn't belong, it will be cut-off. If you go merrily about your own business and leave others to do the same, your life will be all happiness and bliss in the Thailand.

You are so right!

It is all the fault of the farang!

There are many dodgy foreigners washing up on Thailand's shores, and all those washups are to blame for every wrong in Thailand.

Aids, prostitution, double pricing, murders, crime, suicides in all imaginable forms, and so on, and so on, ad infinitum

Thai Railways.

Are they safe?

Yes, safer as driving on the roads of Thailand, be it car or bus.

Accidents can happen, but generally, bus and car accidents have a much bigger fatality per number of passengers as trains, inherent to the construction strength of railway coaches.

Are they cheap, giving value for money?

Yes, generally the going prices are on par with bus fares.

Are they clean?

Mmmmm, guess about the same as most of the buses.

Comfort?

I prefer any train seat above most seats in buses, wider, longer.

In time?

That is a point, however, being a regular traveller between Bangkok and Khon Kaen, by bus or train, I can only say that last 3 times the train arrived within 10 minutes of advertised arrival time.

That said, one time I enjoyed a 6-hour delay.

On the bus side, a lot depends on traffic conditions, one day resulting in a 4-hour delay, sometimes half hour, sometime early, sometimes in time.

For me, I will choose the mode of transport that comes in most handy for the goal I have.

I will close with the fact that sometimes on a bus, I get a bit nervous about the way the drives seems to have to drive.

As an ex-Dutch Railwayman, I know the meaning of sounds and movements of trains, they tell a lot about the state of the rails and the state of the carriage.

A lot of lines are very well laid and mantained, several lines are less so.

However, being a 100 cm gauge, the stability is less as 143,5 cm gauge.

But so is the speed.

To set the Thai railways against HST-lines (High Speed Train) is very unfair, because the latter are mostly very new, specially built for high speeds.

It would be much fairer to set the primary and secondary lines run by conventional railways.

And then the whole picture changes a lot.

Sometimes the immigration officers are on automatic pilot, very busy fighting to stay alert.

Very understandable, all.

And the a mistake in the form of a wrong stamp is easily made.

Happened to me before, once.

Not a problem, was repaired at NK immigration in a very short time.

Of course it cost me a day, and a 400 km drive.

However, ALWAYS check all the stamps printed, placed or stamped on or in all documents by any authority, most when related to dates that might be important to yourself.

Returning to Thailand I always write down on the landing card :

- Extension of stay, number xxxx/xx, valid till xx-xx-xxxx,

- My Thai ID-number,

- Re-entry permit no xxxx/xx

And use my yellow marker.

Since then, no more "mistakes".

Hi all ,,hi all u bum around bums around burrie ram im from pattaya y u no invite us b4 mayb we come if u say date time??????? as all ways tell in thalland evryone????????????? afterwards ?????????????

Well folks its time again for one of those irregular get together's for a few beers and a chat.

It's at Pizza Muang 11th November from midday onwards. Apparently the owner does a mean Pizza as well as pasta dishes.

It is on Soi Vong Thong opposite Book & Bed but a map is posted on Buriram Expats site for the directionally challenged like myself!

Could you please post a reply if you are thinking of joining us to help the cook anticipate demand!!

TBWG

f,n,g on key board sorry but u get the meassage ok ?? tell averyone b4 not after???????

Dear Newbie,

Maybe one day you will find out writing as you do is not really inviting to read, or even worse, people even don't bother to read.

Grow up, stop using SMS-talk, try to be taken a bit more serious.

Thank you

I am very surprise that these folks still don’t get the massage. Their time is OVER. GIVE IT UP

Not sure who is supposed to get what message.

The "Democracy Movement" in Thailand is alive and well and growing daily, as these huge rallies indicate.

Are you suggesting it is time for this Government to subject itself to electoral legitimizing? That their time is up?

I'm confused!

This Government is legitimate and lawfully formed.

And besides, not really doing very bad in the economic world.

This coalition was formed after the demise of the former coalition.

As no party in the house has 51% or more of the seats, a coalition is unavoidable, and probably best for any country to get a consistency in rules.

Besides, the difference between the two biggest parties in the number of votes collected during the last polls, were not really very big.

I know, the coalition idea in a multi party political situation is indeed very difficult to understand for people reared in two-party systems, like the US and the UK

Maintain dual-citizenship if the U.K. or Thailand allows it. Heaps of advantages.

SUCH AS?

Try touring the world on a Thai passport.

Try touring the world on a UK passport.

Now feel and see the difference.

Having economic trouble, try to survive in Thailand.

Now try to do the same in the UK, or anywhere in the EU.

See the difference.

Now you can get a job somewhere in the EU.

Try to do that on a Thai passport.

And do the same on a UK passport.

Enjoy the difference.

Need I go on?

I assure you, having dual nationality is a very good thing to have.

If one of the nationalities is a European one, enjoy the benefits of the EU.

An acquaintance sent me this link. I don't know whether to trust it or not. What do you think?

http://www.elecshopcn.com/

One of my friends, sometimes busy in the, shall we say, same field, assures me it is indeed not to be trusted.

A lot of those websites are run by or through several state owned agencies.

And I presume many of us heard rumours about the state regulated hacker business in the PRC?

I buy flour and yeast in Tesco or Big C, and bake my my own bread 3 times a week in one of those wonderful automatic machines, around 40-50 baht for a 500 gram loaf, and NOT sweet.

Very simple, chuck in all the ingredients, close the machine, switch on the timer, rise and shine and enjoy freshly baked bread.

I found your thread interesting. With the 150 bt rip off fee now being charged by all Thai Banks except for AEON I have been looking at a different way to move money into my Kasikorn Account.

Last week I did a SWIFT transfer from my Vanguard Account (no fees and one can do it on line). I knew about Kasikorn's fees (my account is in BKK) but the exchange rate that Kasikorn used was not the rate, for the day, if one looked it up in XE.COM. It was close to but not quite exactly the rate Kasikorn showed on their website for the date received!

The next time large money is needed I am going to have the better half do a cash advance.

Thanks for the information!

Last week I was charged the 150 baht ripoff fee at the AEON ATM in Khon Kaen, Fairy Plaza.

So I presume all banks now adhere to this nice way of milking "cash cows"

To reply to you all.

It would not matter if farang or Thai breaking the law.

I would not in anyway discriminate, I have always conducted my business within the law and i expect others to do the same.

Time to close one eye, and grow a squint, maybe?

You can check the paperwork of everyone entering or leaving a country, if someone enters and remains in the country after the date he should leave the country, he is an illegal alien, to get him/her out of the country, he/she must still be found.

And what about the people entering a country illegally, by land, sea or air?

Officially they are not even in the country, and because of that, not registered.

If you want to enter a country, there is always a possibility to do so, just like hiding yourself in a country, or leaving a country.

No system is foolproof, and monitoring legal entrants from entrance to exit is quite expensive and does not keep out those who really want to do damage to or in a country.

Besides that those wanting to do bad things will be helped by figures already in the country, legally or illegally.

And that help runs through race, nationality and most of all religion.

I think in Thailand age is respected maybe more so than in the west. But looking for a new job over 45 years of age here will be tough. Employers like some with a good education, good proven work record and a smart apperance.

If all else fails there is always teaching.

Employers like their staff to come with an university education, at least 10 years experience in the same field, wanting to work at least 12 hours a day for 8 hours pay, wanting to work at least 7 days a week but preferably more, and please not older as 18 years.

The law states you can do it by mail.

That may be the law, however, if returned there will be a note attached that next time report at your designated Immigration Office, in person or by mail.

During the morning of the 8th October, Pattaya Police Station was paid a visit by Mr. Romeo Frances and his girlfriend Miss Nanok to file a complaint that they had just been robbed whilst riding their bike near the flyover on Third Road.

They claimed that two teenagers aged about 17 came alongside them on a Honda Wave bike and the passenger grabbed the 28 year old Belgian's very expensive 10 baht weight gold chain, estimated to be valued at 165,000 baht from around his neck before fleeing in the direction of South Pattaya. The victims gave chase but the thieves managed to elude them.

Source:

http://www.pattayapeople.com/

I thought that Pattaya was supposed to be an international hotspot for crime.

It surely has had some bad publicity later.

If this is worthy of reporting, then the city is safer than Winchester here in UK, where at least the occasional old lady gets mugged.

I sorry for the man and would be for all victims of crime. But why show off and thus leave vulnerable, such a valuable item?

It was an opportunist crime, because the opportunity was duly presented.

Excuse me for being so stupid but are you saying that if you have something that another wants then it is your fault if you get robed? Am I missing something here with this post, if so let me know?

I am sorry for this guys loss.

Yes, you are probably missing something.

Murphy's law.

If something can go wrong, it will go wrong.

In this case variation no 378B: If giving opportunity, it will be used.

Pattaya post office with 333% increase in 1 year.

My postbox in Pattaya post office last year was 150 THB.

This year they demand THB 500 in fees on my postbox.

That is a 333% increase in 1 year.

I think the crisis begin to scratch to the good Thais.

I noticed they have a love for the figure.

What we do boss?

Hmm ... Let's make a price increase of 100%.

What with 200% boss?

Ha ha ha ... No wait ... 300% or no no wait, let's say 333% increase, it looks good and is comfortable unrealistic. It slips right through and I am admired for my ability to act and be kreaitiv.

No one will EVER noticed such a good number.

Do you know of other such absurd price increase?

Oh yes, the 150 baht charged by the banks for using my foreign bankcard.

That said, in Khon Kaen the price for a PO Box has been 500 baht for over a year since 2008

Well, it really is an enormous price for a POBox, isn't it?

500 baht per year, less than a dollar or euro per month

At least the cost of a bottle of Leo per month,

WOW!!!!!!!

That said, you can always get your mail delivered at home, free of charge.

Why are return flights from Bangkok to England aprox £300 more than England to Bangkok? thats even flying on the same planes with the same operator. Do Thais have to pay a high flight premium or something?

I am asking as i want to fligh my girlfriend over to the UK as a birthday present to her (if i can sort the holiday visa out) but it looks like it will cost me £800 where as it will only cost me £450 or 500 to go see her.

It is called ripping off.

Soi Dogs and Hungry Ghosts is probably not the best source for info on Buddhist ethics. I haven't heard of suicide being worse than murder in Thailand. A lot of people seem to think it breaks the first precept, which would make it equal to killing another. It certainly isn't "the ultimate sin." From the doctrinal standpoint, it isn't totally clear. See Harvey's Introduction to Buddhist Ethics.

I don't think attitude to suicide is very much different in most other religions.

I know about the Jewish / Christian stance in this matter.

Don't really know what other religions feel about this point, although I have a general impression that suicide is mostly tabu.

Don't know and don't want to know what the islam thinks in general and about this point.

BANGKOK, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Hundreds of striking workers forced U.S. auto maker General Motors Co [GM.UL] to shut its Thai assembly plant on Monday, company and union officials said, raising the stakes in a pay dispute with management.

About 200 of 800 unionized workers at the plant in southeast Rayong province joined the strike, a GM spokeswoman said. The rest were asked to take paid holidays pending negotiations with union leaders, she added.

But GM union leader Suriya Pochairuak put the number of striking workers at about 700.

The GM plant, which has about 1,700 employees on its payroll, produces about 50,000 Chevrolet pick-up trucks, passenger sedans and special utility vehicles a year.

The $750 million plant started production in 1999 with most of its output, mainly small pick-up trucks, exported to dozens of countries.

The strike "has necessitated the temporary closure of General Motors Thailand's Rayong facilities to ensure the safety and security of all employees and property," GM said in a statement. The automaker, which emerged from bankruptcy in July, said it would attempt to reach a solution with the union as soon as possible.

-- Reuters 05/10/09

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsume...K43746220091005

And so it begins ...

I remember when the UK had a car industry, and all those nice men from the unions described how all these hard workers could get a lot more money out of the company...!!!!

Better start looking at alternative employment ... before the rush starts!

Companies get the union, workers and strikes they ultimately deserve.

Just like the workers get the management they deserve.

Governments get the people they deserve.

Sadly, the UK car industry went down the drain because of bad management, underinvestment, quality problems.

If the government of the day had done the same as the German/and French governments did in that time and still do, the car industry would still be there.

You really think that in general, the armies of both countries and governmental organisations would drive anything but cars and trucks from the national car manufacturers?

Very different from what happened in the UK.

On the other hand, did it became any better when Mrs Thatcher became prime minister?

Oh yes, she succeeded very well in killing the unions and killing normal employer-employee relations.

And the sell out of the car industry started in her time.

not sure if im on the rite page here my girlfreind is applying for her scengen visa it will be a full 3 month stay in spain what would the spanish embassy like to see in her bank account to show she can suport her slef for 3 months ?

The Schengen states agreed on a fixed amount for all member states.

That amount is around 35 euro per day!

The maximum time for the visa is 90 days, which means € 3150 in the bank for (nearly) 3 months

Better be her guarantor, cheaper all around.

Ask the authorities in Spain or at the embassy how to do and what you need.

Just don't pay for the pills, buy 'em at a pharmacy. Doctor's fee can't be more than 400 baht which is the fee at Samitivej/Bumrungrad Bangkok. Not a difficult situation to deal with.

This is what I did but still walked out for close to 900 baht and this post is a word of warning to fellow Thai Visa members.

Bottom line is most hospitals here will also try to financially rape you when it comes to paying the bill.

It is a shame and if someone can recommend a decent clinic I'm all ears

If you really like to be ripped off, then feel free to go to a PRIVATE clinic or hospital.

I you want to pay decent prices, and probably meet the same doctor, go to a state hospital or university hospital.

Maybe you will have to wait longer, but I found that going around 13:00-14:00 gives you a good chance to see the doctor rather fast.

Had to shop around some, but I found a pharmacy that charges me the same as everybody (Thai).

Buying my medicines in that particular pharmacy cost me around 500 baht a month.

Nowadays I go to the university hospital in Khon Kaen, see the doctor, some checks & tests, 3 months medicines, 1950 baht.\

Total time spent 1:15.

Before that I visited RAM in Khon Kaen, for the same checks by the doctor, no tests and 3 months medicines the bill was 4600 baht. Ratchapruek hospital Khon Kaen charged me 3450 baht, and in both hospitals I had to wait 1,5-2 hours anyway.

Nice thing was that in RAM I met the same doctor as in the university hospital.

Last time I was checked by the professor, same price, spoke good English, and told me, if you want to pay much money, go to RAM, if you want the best treqatment, visit me over here.

Good advice.