jbhh

My mother moved from the UK to Germany with my grandmother, when my mum was still a child. My Grandfather had remarried in the UK, but his new wife knew my grandmother and my mother, before they moved to Germany. They lost touch because both relocated a few times within the respectiv countries, and because my Grandmother remarried and changed her family name. After my Grandmother had died, my mum wanted to find her real dad, and finally she got the good news from the salvation army - they had found her dad, just to then add the bad news - he is married and the law forbids them to hand out the contact details, because it may cause a family problem if the new wife/family didn't know about my mum. When the laws were finally changed, it was too late, as my grandfather had also passed away, so again the good news ended up just making my mum away that she is now an orphan. However, she was invited to meet her step mother and all her half brothers and sisters. I joined, at it was amazing to see them together, they really looked 100% like brothers and sisters.

Anyways, long story short, no matter what the circumstances, there is hardly anything I can imagine what would bring more joy to ones heart, as being reunited with your family or loved ones... no need to look for a negative side of the story here, just enjoy some good news for once...

Sanook is a popular Thai portal, they have a job classifieds section

http://classified.sanook.com/job/

Ending the Drug War: 8 Top Stories of 2010

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tony-newman/momentum-builds-to-end-dr_b_800005.html

"A new study, published in November 2010 in the British Journal of Criminology, shows that Portugal's decriminalization of drugs in 2001 has led to reductions in student drug use, prison overcrowding, drug related deaths and HIV/AIDS. In July 2001, Portugal decriminalized the possession of up to ten days' supply of all types of illicit drugs. Before the law went into effect the pro-drug war zealots predicted that the sky would fall and chaos would reign if drug were decriminilazed. Nine years later, the sky hasn't fallen and having drug use addressed as a heath issue instead of a criminal issue has been proven to saves lives and money. Portugal shows us that drugs can be decriminalized in the real world, not only in theory."

Portugal has demonstrated how EASY this "problem" could be dealt with.

Here is a nice article about how Portugal tackled the drug problem:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=portugal-drug-decriminalization

I may have a lead for the BiB....

check the owners of the cards that were pulled in to the ATM during the time this guy was at the ATM.

It appears the guy made a card swap and let another card disappear in the ATM, so he could later use the Norwegian's card with the pin he obviously got when they tried (3 times?) it with the wrong card.

Somtampet, I don't understand your comment.

The Crime Suppression Unit busted a Thai, a Russian, and further investigates the "possible involvement of several Pattaya Police officers". To me this is good news for a change, if this would be regular news I'd say: "delighted, applauding,moving to Thailand quickly".

It's quite common for police to check for tour guide licences at tourist destinations such as the floating market. I guess there are less tourists at the typical sites, so less illegal tour guides to bust, got to look elsewhere now...

I know a few guides, they love the job. It's not that hard to get a license and tour guides make quite good money (when they get work...). If the price hasn't changed it's around 50,000 Baht to get a tour guide license, and Hua Hin had a "special promotion" for 15,000 Baht recently.

Thai women have a total fear of another girl taking her man, or her man leaving her for another women... it's all thanks to these insane Thai soap operas that are themed around women plotting against each other and trying to take the man of another woman, while the men in those shows are just dick controlled. Simply forbid her to watch that crap... and maybe replace it with funny shows. However dumb those shows may be, I take a goofy girl over a hysterical bitch any time a day.

What may help is also saying to her: "The only thing that could make me leave you is not another girl, it would be YOU being a pain in the butt with your crazy behavior and jealousy. Chill out or get out!"

I'm married (and got a kid) and my wife is the most chilled out person ever. Example: I left the house yesterday around lunch time and said I'd be gone for about 2 hours, later I called and said it may get a bit later and I actually returned at 4am. She knows I don't cheat on her, and she gives the the freedom I need... that's why I married her

... Could somebody gimme a clue pls? No jokes, just please explain the point...

I know a Thai that lost 1 million Baht in one night. Basically, she played with money that wasn't her's and after loosing some she tried to win the lost money back because she didn't want to lose face.

The Thai mentality is a dangerous one when it comes to gambling, they just can't lose and walk away from it.

in Hua Hin many Thais play in the underground lottery, which is (just like the football betting) organized by police officers and has been in existence for at least 6 years (the time I live here). IF they want to crack down on illegal betting, all they need to do is look in their own back yard... 1 billion dollars... that actually blows my mind... but it explains why they don't want anyone else to organize the betting.

However, just like many other illegal things in Thailand the real solution is: legalize, tax, regulate.

Every single Thai I know supports this man - I hope in the weeks and months ahead, he shows everyone a path towards peace, reconciliation and unity.

Why doesn't that surprise me? Being a member of PAD I should imagine you are quite cut off from the rest of the world.

Every decent Thai I know thinks he is the leader of the most evil government Thailand has known for decades.

Don't think the rest of the world doesn't know what went on in Thailand in the last few days. All the manipulation of the Thai press and the take over of Thai Visa Forums will not suppress the truth indefinitely.

The people of Thailand will learn the truth over time.

However, I too hope for reconciliation and unity, but that won't come through people like you.

"Every decent Thai I know..." doesn't that kind of imply that you are "..quite cut off from the rest of the world..." or did you just lose a grip on reality? I know Thai people from both "sides", and I enjoy talking to them and hearing their opinions. What makes a "decent" Thai for me is one that can have an argument without resorting to violence.

I have been reading messages like yours all through the conflict, people calling for Abhisit to resign, calling for reelection and so on. Could you please explain what was taken over by the govt here on TV?

I have a feeling common sense and objectivity is what most people here have lost, thinking all people need to (or have) taken sides, that everything is black or white. It may be hard to imagine, but there are many people here who didn't want to see the red shirts get what they wanted and in the same time are not supporters of the current government or any other political movement like the PAD. I for one am such a person, I live in Thailand and I wish my "house" to be peaceful and unbiased, regardless of who is actually leading this country.

Give peace a chance

haha, there you go, last post you were talking about "democratically elected" PMs and other politicians being kicked out by shady courts, and now you talk like there is no real democracy anywhere in Asia, and that vote buying is normal. You really are a troll.

This government is the worst I have ever seen.. and some of the people here..may have studied for quite sometimes.. become the second class or higher who claims they knows what is the meaning of "democracy".. Thailand has become the biggest joke in international for attacking and hurting those unarmed people.. Those "educated" person thought they can rule the country with their limited knowledge without providing the real care to the people.. definitely will get revenge one day.

From the beginning, the red-shirt gangs is only looking for Election but not a War. Any smart politician should know how to solve the problem UNLESS they worry their power are being stolen after election..

What a mess

May I ask what the reason is to ask for reelections? What makes the current government "undemocratic"?

Thailand has become a joke internationally, but not because of what happened recently, because of what happened the last few month. Tell me any "First World" country, that would have allowed this to go on for as long as it did.

The offer for reelections was on the table IF they leave Bangkok (an offer the PM didn't have to make), but November was not early enough for the people behind the red shirts, they don't care about democracy they want control over the government before August so they (and not the current government) can decide who will be the generals in the military and police for the coming year...

This is a fight for power, not for democracy.

Are you the spy for red-shirt protester? How can you understand their mind so well and what make you think they sure can control over the government? I really want to shout bravo for you.. why go for reelection? read the message from DickFarang properly :->

Do you think Interpol people are idiots ?

Would you appreciate a democratically elected Prime Minister being deposed by a military coup in your home country ? ( This is the first joke )

Would you appreciate the main airports of your home country being seized for weeks by terrorists ?

Would you appreciate democratically elected Members of Parliament being unseated by some shady judges in your home country ?

Yes, I would agree with the military deposing a mass murderer ("drug dealer" killings & muslim killings in the south like the Tak Bai incident. He's the reason there is unrest in the south to start with.

I may be wrong, but if I remember right the airport was never seized, the yellow shirts went there PEACEFULLY, and the head of airport security decided that it is not safe and closed the airport. However, them staying there AFTER the airport had been closed is not something I agree with.

Here an insight about "democratic elections": Local election for mayor, family voted for number 2, collects 200 baht per vote, number 1 wins because he paid 500 baht per vote, family says : NOT FAIR! Vote buying, and being paid for participating in a demonstration is the norm here.

This government is the worst I have ever seen.. and some of the people here..may have studied for quite sometimes.. become the second class or higher who claims they knows what is the meaning of "democracy".. Thailand has become the biggest joke in international for attacking and hurting those unarmed people.. Those "educated" person thought they can rule the country with their limited knowledge without providing the real care to the people.. definitely will get revenge one day.

From the beginning, the red-shirt gangs is only looking for Election but not a War. Any smart politician should know how to solve the problem UNLESS they worry their power are being stolen after election..

What a mess

May I ask what the reason is to ask for reelections? What makes the current government "undemocratic"?

Thailand has become a joke internationally, but not because of what happened recently, because of what happened the last few month. Tell me any "First World" country, that would have allowed this to go on for as long as it did.

The offer for reelections was on the table IF they leave Bangkok (an offer the PM didn't have to make), but November was not early enough for the people behind the red shirts, they don't care about democracy they want control over the government before August so they (and not the current government) can decide who will be the generals in the military and police for the coming year...

This is a fight for power, not for democracy.

Covards. Proves they are terrorist.

Used to symphatize with the red movements but all that is now gone.

I sincerely hope that all foreigners and thais take all this in consideration and do NOT vote for the reds in next election. That would be a clear signal.

Farangs won't be voting for the anybody at all, they have no vote.

the only way out of this mess is proper elections, Abhisit was put in place by the army. after all of this i doubt if Tahksin will get back in, this mess has back fired on him. ufortunately in a society were corruption is commonplace and accepted there can be no real democracy. So I dont see the problems going away in our lifetime, unless someone realy wants to change things. The real sad point is the country we all love is imploding, once the troubles stop will the tourists come back? if not what happens to the hard working law abiding people of Thailand who will be the ones most hurt by this madness.

Are you out of your mind?!

Abhisit as well as the two previous PMs were elected by majority vote in Congress!

Only difference is that before Abhisit got voted in, the democrats reached a majority in congress because the opposing parties were removed for vote fraud by the Election Commission, which they tried to stop by changing the law!

The only difference is, that Abhisit is a democrat, the previous 2 were Thaksin's cronies.

I think the reds are basically peacefull, but Abhisit always changes his mind saying I will desolve parliament and organise elections, the putting all this on hold!

How can anyone trust him?

I would get violent too

Abhisit has to resign if he wants peace back in Thailand!

please, enlighten us more with your wisdom on democracy and the peaceful red shirts

Does anyone know what happened to the Yellow Shirt leaders, after they closed the airport in Dec 2008? I have not heard of any of them serving jail sentences right now (I could be wrong) if so, seems a bit unfair to me that they can close down the airport and get away scott free. Or could be something to do with the fact that their side came into government afterwards, so they escaped punishment?

It will be interesting to see what happens to the Red Shirt leaders

The yellow shirts went to the airport to make themselves heard. They never demanded for the airport to be closed, that was the decision of ONE man, who was responsible for the security of the airport, and who decided that the situation is not safe. If you remember the pictures back then, there were no tires, bamboo sticks, fighting and killing... so saying both demonstrations are same same is just wrong IMHO. Anyways, Thailand never seizes to amaze me, so I am excited what's gonna happen next.

I hope that the worse if over now though, IF there is still a tourism industry, it sure can use a break from all the turmoil.

I'm a foreigner, and this is a domestic conflict... I got an opinion though, and IMHO I'd much rather have yellow shirts on the streets than red shirts.

An interesting article:

http://www.antithaksin.com/BlankForm.php?Aid=0501012

They've invaded a hospital, messed with TV signals at Thaicom, blocked highways, stopped public transit, frightened sick women and children, threatened arson, committed terrorism, kidnapped people, taunted police, closed shopping malls, canceled Songkran, ruined the tourism industry, poured blood on the streets, stolen bodies, barricaded public roads, cost thousands of people their jobs, broken numerous laws, intimidated politicians, harassed citizens, fought the army, and threatened to send Thailand into a downward spiral of civil war that could tear the nation apart for decades to come.........

But McDonald's. You've gone too far, you've supersized our anger now!

True story:

Local election

Family goes to vote for Number 2, because Number 1 didn't build the road he promised

Family goes to the house from Number 2 to pick up the 250baht for each vote

Number 1 wins the election because he paid 500 Baht per vote

Family says: not fair!

....

Thai people are not ready for a democracy, maybe they'd be better off with someone like Chavez, some who cares about the people and just tells them what to do.

Contrary to what many of the posts above imply, "Big Pharma" does not have a stake in malaria tretament and hasnt had for quite a long time. It's a third world disease, no profit in it. The Pharmaceutical industry certainly does exert a lot of influence in many areas of medicine, often with negative consequences for public health, but malaria tretament is not one of them.

The present treatment of choice for falciparum malaria in this part of the world is artesunate, derived from artemisin, a specied of wormwood used for centureis in Chinese medicine. It is not produced by "Big Pharma", it is made a handful of local Asian companies and one or two European companies who were essentially begged by WHO et al to assist and are subsidized in doing so, since it is otherwuise a serious money loser.

The World Health Organization, Gates Foundation and other non-profit groups have invested heavily in trying to combat malaria, and far from refusing to look at "alternative medicine" supported the research on the age old Chinese herb which led the current crop of first line treatments, and are contionuing to support a wide raneg of ongoing research. Not driven by, or remotely interesting to, "Big Pharma".

And also not driven by or interesting to the promotors of the so-called "MMS". Which is neither a miracle nor a supplement; it is basically chlorine bleach taken in a very dilute form. It has not been proven to cure anything when taken internally, although it is an effective topical antiseptic. The "explanations" provided on the various websuites that promote it as to how it works do not make an physiological sense. There is no known mechanism through which, taken internally, it could be expected to have an effect on malaria.

Anti-malaria pills are not free, and researchers want funds to research with.

Chlorine dioxide in combination with a citric acid is not "just bleach", it starts a chemical reaction and the outcome of that is what is said to "do the magic". The more I read about it, I think this particular treatment should be explored further. I provided a link earlier, showing that it is USED SINCE DECADES for the sterilization of HIV-1 spiked red blood cells for transfusions... why has this never been researched further (even the paper suggested further study)? Only after research you can dismiss it as being useless as a treatment for the sick, right? I am not talking about Malaria here, I am talking about HIV.

The wormwood thing is indeed interesting and I will further investigate.

I think what needs to be noted here is, that the ingredients for mms are abundant, cheap and easy to get for anyone, and you don't have to be a chemist to make the solutions yourself. If you can follow cooking instructions, you can do this yourself as well. No need to buy anything else than what you can get at your local shops.

You have to understand the impact such a treatment would have to the world, should it EVER be proven successful in official peer reviewed clinical tests. Loads of charities would not have a reason to exist, Doctors would have less visits by their patients, pharmaceutical companies would lose gigantic profits, etc... it would literally eliminate sources of research funds for peer review and new areas, as most of this money comes from the industry and charity. One also has to wonder why it has never been further studied for a possible cure or treatment of HIV-1 infected people, despite the fact that Chlorine dioxide is USED SINCE DECADES for the sterilization of HIV-1 spiked red blood cells for transfusions.

The "inventor" has a youtube channel it seems... one video is about treatment of a malaria patient: http://www.youtube.com/user/mmsstories#p/f/12/_bmKWfq9G3k one could of course argue that this is staged...

Chlorine dioxide sterilization of red blood cells for transfusion

http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstract...=102210422.html

The use of sodium chlorite + lactic acid to form the oxidizing agent chloride dioxide (ClO2) and chlorous acid has been used as a laboratory sterilant for decades...using 5% dextrose as diluent and have exposed aliquots of washed RBC's spiked with HIV-1 for approximately 5 minutes to the sterilant; no detectible HIV-1 was assayed at 1:100...

I'm nor promoting, discrediting or supporting any belief about MMS or Chlorine dioxide, but suggest study of the subject before dismissing it completely.

The noun 'advice' is spelled with the C whilst the verb is to 'advise' and please try to keep your usernames succinct to help stop the page tables of other users with low-res browser windows from getting skewed.

I hope that helps with getting that sign erected properly too.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advise

I think he was asking for recommendations and not counseling

The user name is getting truncated, opposed to the design getting skewed...

Any advise please ? Many thanks in advance.

I would suggest to list the property on as many free real estate portals as you can find that lets you post your own contact details. The more exposure, the bigger the chance to sell the property You may want/need to make a special deal with an agent, who could show the property to possible buyers that you send to him/her whenever you are not in Thailand.

Another option would be to hand the house over to a property management company that rents it our for you and takes care of it. In Hua Hin there are quite a few such companies, some run by foreigners... longstayers is doing quite a lot of rentals and room-by-room are big in property maintenance for example, even some agents offer to take care of your house and rent it out, but I would make sure they really have an interest in renting it out and not just present some leaflet to walk in customers, then you can better print out 100 A4s and hang them up in Bars Restaurants etc that'll let you

Basically, self initiative is the best ADVISE

The real estate market is not dead in Hua Hin, it just went back to a realistic level.

People who have a house here can be happy they do, many only own a piece of paper of their dream house on a failed project. The real problem here is, that many people have quit their no-brainer job to come to Hua Hin and use their money to (partially) pay for a big piece of land to then split it up and build houses on it in the hopes to make enough sales to be able to complete the houses. I am not sure about the exact numbers, but I would say there is at least 50 failed housing projects in Hua Hin, many of them have never made it off the plan and the land is still a pineapple field or whatever. I think it will take at least 3 years before the market is back to where it was in 2006-2007, but once it got to that again, I think the market will be pretty stable and going up... If I had the extra cash to invest, I'd buy a house right now from a house owner who wants to sell under value

lazygourmet, you are an art dealer and will get DEPORTED! hahaha... joking, I find it amazing you got such a nice collection that you lend them out - that you got people who want to borrow them.

Btw, I am not an artist and I got my 1 year single entry non-o visa from the embassy of my choice that doesn't require any proof of income or money in the bank

I just find these questions interesting... so...

An artist living/working in Thailand has to fly under the radar by having his/her Thai spouse/partner sell the artwork, I guess that's an easy work around.

The income thing I don't understand completely... I can have 40,000+ baht coming in each month from outside the country and just get that verified by the bank (or update and show the bank book) without having to show where the money comes from?! Doesn't that leave loopholes like transferring the money to let's say HSBC and then transferring it back?

Also, what if I WANT TO pay taxes for my web based income, will Thailand let me? Will I be allowed to obtain a tax ID and pay taxes without having any "real" income in Thailand? This is an interesting question to me, as I read you need to have proof of income for YEARS if you want to get a permanent residency visa, which is something I am thinking about trying to get for quite a while...

I've been told that you can go directly to "the court" to obtain a tax ID, can anyone confirm this?

Let's say I make enough on the net to proof I got the income needed to get a 1 year non-o visa (thai wife), wouldn't I need to pay taxes on the income then?