stevenl
-
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by stevenl
-
-
Nothing to do with race but nationality.
The open targeting AND reporting of ONLY Russians in relation to work permits in Phuket is racist - even if Russians are the main offenders, the authorities are making it very clear they do not like Russians and do not want them there. What about all the Kiwis, Aussies and Brits all over the country working without permits? I say this because I only ever read about Russians getting their cracks down here, which appears a little one eyed.
I really wish someone in this country (who had the authority to have a voice) stood up to the open racism and xenophobia communicated and demonstrated by the establishment.
When you come to my country, my dearest Thai friends, you can work beside me, you can work above me, or you can work below me - based on your own merits, not your skin color, nor your connections or financial position. How about the same fair deal in your homeland? Do you not love your country enough to share it with those that want to help make it a big success?
Thais simply don't like the Russians.
Steven,
I would also think so as well. But 5 years or so ago, before the Russian influx, before the Chinese wave, when it was just the Europeans, Americans, and a few Ozzies and Kiwis (and those Malaysian fellows down south happily having a brew in Songai Kolok) the same people were shaking down any man with a white face in the English Schools, for exactly the same reason.
Now that many of the white faces have disappeared, they have started picking on the Ruskies to try to send them back to Mokba (Moscow).
It really does seem, that certain sectors of the Thai society seem to be horrified that anyone that is not Thai, should be allowed to enjoy a high standard of living in Thailand, with funds earnt within the Kingdom.
Don't know if you realise this, but Russians are Caucasians.
-
1
-
-
She is working for a tourcompany, and has been doing so for quite a few years already. So she should have been able to get a workpermit long time ago. Nothing to do with language, only with working legally.
Ooh, those naughty Russians, speaking Russian to Russian tourists. What is this place coming to?
I believe that as a foreigner you can get a work permit to be the general manager of a travel agency/tour counter, you are allowed to speak in your own language to the customers, but also there always needs to be a Thai person present to do things like writing out tickets, making phone calls and so on. I remember that a friend of mine who had a travel agency, never could be alone in the office, otherwise the competition would notify the authorities.
She didn't work for a travel agent but for a tour operator. Whenever the local travel agents had a customer speaking Russian she came flying in on her motorbike, selling tours from her company.
Is the "tour operator" Thai, or Russian?
Russian.
-
The open targeting AND reporting of ONLY Russians in relation to work permits in Phuket is racist - even if Russians are the main offenders, the authorities are making it very clear they do not like Russians and do not want them there. What about all the Kiwis, Aussies and Brits all over the country working without permits? I say this because I only ever read about Russians getting their cracks down here, which appears a little one eyed.
I really wish someone in this country (who had the authority to have a voice) stood up to the open racism and xenophobia communicated and demonstrated by the establishment.
When you come to my country, my dearest Thai friends, you can work beside me, you can work above me, or you can work below me - based on your own merits, not your skin color, nor your connections or financial position. How about the same fair deal in your homeland? Do you not love your country enough to share it with those that want to help make it a big success?
Nothing to do with race but nationality.
Thais simply don't like the Russians.
-
Ooh, those naughty Russians, speaking Russian to Russian tourists. What is this place coming to?
She is working for a tourcompany, and has been doing so for quite a few years already. So she should have been able to get a workpermit long time ago. Nothing to do with language, only with working legally.
I believe that as a foreigner you can get a work permit to be the general manager of a travel agency/tour counter, you are allowed to speak in your own language to the customers, but also there always needs to be a Thai person present to do things like writing out tickets, making phone calls and so on. I remember that a friend of mine who had a travel agency, never could be alone in the office, otherwise the competition would notify the authorities.
She didn't work for a travel agent but for a tour operator. Whenever the local travel agents had a customer speaking Russian she came flying in on her motorbike, selling tours from her company.
-
me and wf.went to renew our driving licence from 1yr.to 5yrs.once again i was made out to be a fraudulent person.
as the thai's have only got to produce an id.card,i took along my thai.tax id card with my name and address on it,my notification of address at immigration done tues.2april [90days],a letter from tax office with my name and address on it,and the letter from immigration last year which cost 500bht.[land and transport dept.bkk.]say its free,none of these they would except,this was at the licencing dept.next to tesco on mittapap rd.korat,my wf.protested and they then phoned the other place at jo ho and she was told they will not except any of these[proof of address] only a letter from immigration will do the wf said the websight says its free but imm.charges 500bht.i dont know about that she said.
another pissed off farang.t.i.t. taffy in thailand.
You come with lots of papers but not with the required paper: recent proof of address from immigration or workpermit.
The only one you should be pissed of at is yourself.
i was at imm.on tues.90day reporting i thought that was to confirm your address,do they actually know that i live there what proof have they[ imm.]have.thai tax id.card confirms my name/add.cheque stub with refund of tax to me.jan.2013.so what you say being charged 500bht.for something that is suposed to be free is ok.
Charging for something that should be free is a different subject.
You came not with the correct papers, so of course they won't/can't help you.
-
me and wf.went to renew our driving licence from 1yr.to 5yrs.once again i was made out to be a fraudulent person.
as the thai's have only got to produce an id.card,i took along my thai.tax id card with my name and address on it,my notification of address at immigration done tues.2april [90days],a letter from tax office with my name and address on it,and the letter from immigration last year which cost 500bht.[land and transport dept.bkk.]say its free,none of these they would except,this was at the licencing dept.next to tesco on mittapap rd.korat,my wf.protested and they then phoned the other place at jo ho and she was told they will not except any of these[proof of address] only a letter from immigration will do the wf said the websight says its free but imm.charges 500bht.i dont know about that she said.
another pissed off farang.t.i.t. taffy in thailand.
You come with lots of papers but not with the required paper: recent proof of address from immigration or workpermit.
The only one you should be pissed of at is yourself.
-
Ooh, those naughty Russians, speaking Russian to Russian tourists. What is this place coming to?
She is working for a tourcompany, and has been doing so for quite a few years already. So she should have been able to get a workpermit long time ago. Nothing to do with language, only with working legally.
Please don't pick holes in the logic of my flippant comments.
Sorry
-
2
-
-
there is nothing in contract about leaving property . I pay land rent only but the place was refurbished only a year or so ago so many aliminum windows internal doors etc. I'm sure theres 100K worth of scrap if it were gutted .its a predominantly wood structure so no insurance but it might catch lite very easy in this hot weather.... Ive alway been worried about that...
but I would like a little cash back over satifaction.
Take into account that if it catches fire you're the one responsible. Not like in the west where the landlord is responsible for the structure, here it is the renter.
-
Ooh, those naughty Russians, speaking Russian to Russian tourists. What is this place coming to?
She is working for a tourcompany, and has been doing so for quite a few years already. So she should have been able to get a workpermit long time ago. Nothing to do with language, only with working legally.
-
1
-
-
You build a house and you have a landlord?
well its stightley more complicated that that , for ease of the message it was simpler to say that . but in essence I have a building which is nothing to do with my land lord . I have long lease but land lord is making many problems because the land has gone up so much and he has someone who want to buy however he cant and he refuses to offer anything in compensation, so he is making life difficult.
I'm sorry, I still don't get it.
You have (so own?) a building but it is build on land you're leasing long term?
-
Should have added one more choice....No Insurance
But glad to see your poll results as it could be interesting
Agree, if possible add the option, maybe add even 2 options, 1) no insurance, 2) accident insurance but no health insurance.
I'm curious about the results myself, and am glad you managed to sort out the inner workings of the polling option
-
Wrong, still 2 lanes. Optical illusion!Quickly looked this morning while turning right from Makro direction and it looked like one lane northbound!
1 lane in the morning and 2 lanes in the evening. Drink and driving, aren't you?
Both going North and going South 2 lanes.
Passed by there yesterday going North at 17.30 hours, missed one light, so very doable. On the way back, going South around 19.00 hours, took me 15 minutes.
Chalong circle was a lot worse, when I passed by there at 19.30 traffic was backed up along Viset Road past Fisherman Way. Was glad I was going the other way.
-
I would expect the 11th-12th to be bad, on return it will probably be a bit more spread out I guess.
-
1
-
-
In my opinion these safety zones are just typical PR BS. You're just as safe inside as you are outside.
-
2
-
-
-
1
-
-
There is very little advantage in international/offshore insurance versus using a Thai registered company to provide the cover - and in fact there could be a lot more at risk. If you are insured by a Thai licensed company then you know at least they are operating under some form of regulation and there is someone to act as an advocate for you (and other clients) if things go wrong. BUPA International is based in the global financial center of the Seychelles, for example - good luck if they get into trouble - wouldn't you rather be covered by BUPA in Thailand?
The more insidious thing is that the main proponents of 'international' health insurance plans are brokers or sales people based in Singapore, Hong Kong, China or wherever who sell to expats living in Thailand. And they are free to say whatever they want to try and close a sale - because they are not able to sell Thai licensed policies and can only sell offshore business - and because they as the salesperson are outside Thailand they are not accountable to Thai insurance regulation (or any Thai regulation) and because they are selling outside their own jurisdiction they fall outside the accountability of their own insurance regulator (and also any regulator for that matter).
By dealing with such people - and they can be very persuasive and give you great confidence - you are voluntarily stepping into what is effectively a free fire zone with no laws and no accountability - like the old concept of the 'high seas'. In this situation they can (and I can personally attest to the fact they do) substantially mislead people in order to make a sale. In fact downright lies, and blatant fraud can be carried out with impunity - if you are defrauded, who are you going to call? Where can you hold them accountable? The answer is nowehere.
I sure wouldn't expose myself to that risk - and in the end it's only the expat who knows they will be transferred fro one country to another regularly that needs international coverage - 95% of expats don't (Thai policies offer the same worldwide coverage in general as international policies do); there are a number of experienced and reputable brokers of non-life insurance to the Thai expat market and they can provide advice that is accountable to this legal jurisdiction from companies who offer cover essentially on a par with any international plans and they are right on your doorstep; in many cases English documentation is available - so it is beyond me why anyone would venture into the murky shark-infested waters of having anything to do with offshare sales people of any shape or description. It simply isn't worth the risk and there is no advantage (despite what they may say).
I think your post is more about having a bad experience with a broker than whether to have a local or international plan.
You have obviously received bad advice from a non-legit broker, who sold you a (scam?) insurance.
This is a very unfortunate story, but honestly you can find bad sales people in every business out there, and I don't think it has anything to do with the fact that the insurance is local or offshore.
Many international brokers are very well known, have a proper license (many locals don't), and sell international plans from reliable companies (Bupa, April, MSH, Aetna, Cigna, etc....).
As far as I know, these international companies fall under the regulator of their country of origin, in most cases England, USA, France, etc... I'd rather have to discuss a case in these countries than in Thailand...
Anyway, I think we're a bit off topic here, I just wanted to know who has a local insurance and who has an international one.
Thanks for the feedback though
A real poll might be a better idea, would give a much better overview and probably more results.
-
Weeeeeell, sorry stevenl, but l do not understand your point, BUT, if pictures are better for you then the first three are funeral cars and the last three are very fast Volvos. Hope you will sleep OK now, now you know the difference.
Apparently excellent funeral car.
-
-
1
-
-
Just start a funeral company.
Aways wanted one of these, Volvo 850 T5 Estate. A real 150mph ride. Loved my old Volvo 760 V6 Estate
.As I said somewhere before, you have never driven a T5.
............
You could be terribly wrong there.
So you don't think it looks like a funeral car?
Have you ever driven a T5 Estate ?
I have driven an 850. But you're avoiding the question: you don't think it looks like a funeral car?
-
Aways wanted one of these, Volvo 850 T5 Estate. A real 150mph ride. Loved my old Volvo 760 V6 Estate
.Just start a funeral company.
As I said somewhere before, you have never driven a T5.
............You could be terribly wrong there.
So you don't think it looks like a funeral car?
-
Aways wanted one of these, Volvo 850 T5 Estate. A real 150mph ride. Loved my old Volvo 760 V6 Estate
.Just start a funeral company.
-
1
-
-
Don't know for sure, but it would not surprise me at all if they can't store the earlier information due to privacy laws.
The OP's original assessment that "This is bureaucracy gone mad..." and "bloody stupid..." would be more accurate methinks.
I agree with it being stupid, but does does not mean it can't be caused by (overdone) privacy laws. Unless you know better, if so, please share.
-
Hope they recover soon.
Neversure - unfortunate but true that motor cycles are sometimes less visible than a car. Example the other day I was driving at 60 km and wanted to stop at a shop, I put on the left turn indicator, checked both mirrors and started to turn. Suddenly a motorcycle came flying past on the dirt next to the road. Fortunately the guy wasn't hurt, but he could have been killed. He was in the blind spot of my car just at the moment I looked in the mirrors. But then again this guy was doing +-100km an hour, didn't maintain the correct following distance, tried to pass on the left hand side / curb of the road, didn't have the head light on, didn't have a helmet on and didn't have a DL. Defensive driving has never been a feature of drivers in Thailand and it seems to rubs off on foreigners.
Blind spots can be easily rectified by changing the angle of the mirrors.
The main problem with seeing motorbikes is that our eyes are not trained to see motorbikes but cars. So also if they are directly in our eyesight they can and quite often will be easily overlooked. Light help tremendously to prevent this.
-
I'm sure Malaysian health care will be flooded shortly with all Thais and foreigners living in Thailand going there for the free healthcare.
-
1
-
Applying For 1 & 5 Year Thai Driving Licences
in Thailand Motor Discussion
Same as everywhere: to obtain certain documents certain papers are required. Showing up with other papers won't do you any good.