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tell them you won't pay and if they don't like it then bye bye.

And the funny thing is?

They won't miss you...

Supachai was one of the few, if not the only UN Director of Trade who actually took position in favor of the developping countries against the US and the European during the agriculture trade talks (coton trade).

Well, it means he has international experience but few friends in the developped world.

And limited local knowledge.

But I like him...

He indeed was a police officer but not really from a rich family.

But he married somebody from a very rich family...

She also had very good connections.

And probably still has...

And most guests will make a cash donation on arrival - spend it wisely young padawan.......

No wonder you're in Myanmar Phazey...

If age, job, and virginity status were the same and she came from a 'Hi-So' family, and maybe a grad of a big Thai Uni, then sin sod could easily be triple or more.

In that particular case, you'll probably have to add a house to the sin sot...

heh "tradition"

My wife's family refused any form of donation - They were happy their daughter found someone who she loved.

Sorry for being a tad rude there, not intended. just my POV.

Well thats fine, you should be greatful to her family, my sinsot if just more of helping to pay for the wedding, not as if her family needs the money.

It seems that most farangs have difficulty understanding the sin sot.

It has nothing to do with the fact that the girl you marry is poor or rich.

Thais in rich families pay a sin sot also...

Traditon for thais yes

We are farang... "we dont understand thai culture"

So if we dont understand we dont pay simple.................

And we don't get married.

That's indeed a solution...

Is anyone having Internet issues with True. Websites being blocked, inability to access international servers.... and stuff like that? Not to mention Yahoo not loading..

I had a lot of problems in the past but it seems to be getting better these days.

And well, not as many problems as you have.

Call them, they won't fix the problem but you'll feel better...

Zero. you can't buy love.

Was somebody talking about love?

For arguments sake, let's say an early 20's virgin (or was before me) from an Isaan farming family with a clerical job.

100,000 baht

He was born into a rich family. He becomes a police officer.

He indeed was a police officer but not really from a rich family.

But he married somebody from a very rich family...

Are there any ??? Where would be the best place to meet them ?

Thanks

There are many.

But I'm afraid you won't ever meet them...

If you don't know now you'll find out sooner or later

Right, that's what I thought.

Farangs still have to learn a lot in Thailand...

Thai Visa has been banned in Thailand for showing too many subversive threads...

Thought he was quite good as the Italian soldier with the banjo..mandolin in Captain Correllis wotsit.

Apparently the number of tourists doubled and doubled again on the island afterwards so maybe he will do the same for Cowboy.

Hopefully not...

Well, he's still in Bkk.

Go to Soi Cow Boy, you'll probably meet him...

Back on topic guys....

My ex I thought I trusted....till I found out that the trust was undeserved....and due to that experience I trust my current fiance about 95%....but you know what...everytime a moment of distrust hits me...she proves it wrong...Like today when she got the price for an airline ticket to Oz, it seemed high to me considering what I have previously paid....a check on the net and indeed it is just about spot on.

I think it is nearly impossible to trust 100%...so I will settle for the 95%.

I actually have been wondering for some time why this question of trust is so often discussed when farangs marry Thai girls.

When in Europe or in the US, trust or no trust is not part of the equation when you get married (at least in most cases... ).

So why is it such a concern in Thailand...?

But well, it does not mean that some cities in Isaan won't prosper and hence the land won't get dearer but I would stick to the big ones: Korat, Udon Thani...

Not that it is not a kind of prosperity: Buriram, 5000 marriages to farangs said a TV broadcast this time last year.

Isaan is sure lucky to have them.

Because without them, there would not be any development there.

The Bkk government just does not care (so far, we'll see the next one...).

Not specific to Isaan by the way, and the events in the South are a good reminder of that...

Thailand is no longer the Thailand many once knew. The traditional Thai generosity and hospitality is being fazed out. This is clearly reflected in the continuing increase in the cost of immigration fees, as well as many other aspect of business.

Why is this? Thailand is no longer Thai. It is operated predominantly by Chinese and Thainese business persons along the classic, typical lines of the ancient Chinese business traditions. The warmth and hospitality the Thai's have been famous for for centuries is being replaced. It has no cash value. For those of you who don't know and understand the typical Chinese business ethic, there are only two aspects to dealing with other people. Family and profit. Nothing comes before these two and these two rigidly rule and dictate all life in any Chinese society.

I mostly agree with this statement.

What I do not agree with is that you point out the Chinese only but the non Chinese Thais are learning fast...

Personally, if you are talking about Issan, I would wait a year or a little longer. I would guess there may not be as much Government money going there, therefore after a year or so, land will be a far better value.

There has never been any government money going to Isaan, Khutan...

And the 1 million per 'village' had 0 effect on the land price but maybe had some on the value of AIS...

So most land in Isaan will be basically worthless for some time to come.

But well, it does not mean that some cities in Isaan won't prosper and hence the land won't get dearer but I would stick to the big ones: Korat, Udon Thani...

Another painful example why border runs is not the way to stay in Thailand.

And should not be the way.

I actually do not pity them at all...

By the way I trust my Thai wife 100% but I'm not sure I would feel as comfortable as ThaiPauly if she was planning for my cremation already.

she has even paid a deposit on the coffin I want as it will surely rise in price before I pop my cloggs

Right, some kind of investment actually, the longer you live, the more she will save.

So hopefully, you'll live forever...

And well, it is not that usual for Thais to prepare for costs involved in the death of a family member before he actually dies.

Or any future costs, for that matter...

3) He will do much charitable work for Thailand

I would advise to only buy property in Isaan if you plan to live in it.

And if you are a foreigner, you can't buy land in Isaan and since condos are pretty scarce, you will probably buy the house under the name of a Thai citizen.

So sure only do it if you plan to live in it because it won't be much of an investment...

If you panic each time the government change the visa regulations, you'd better not come to Thailand.

Or any developping countries, for that matter...

Interesting you say this, but in my observations, Thailand does indeed change their visa rules more often than other developing countries I know about. And for people who are being booted out of Thailand based on these recent changes, when should they panic exactly?

Xenophobia is more developped in Thailand than in other countries.

Whether it is because they were never colonized, I do not know (shouldn't it be the reverse?).

The party in power based its campaign and was elected thanks to this xenophobia that is latent or obvious in a lot of Thai people.

But well, it was after the 1997 financial crisis.

Since it is almost elections time, they go back to what worked for them before.

And it includes change of visa regulations.

Hopefully the 'average' Thai got smarter...