mrmazinkle

[i think some people are jumping the gun on this one a bit; of course condolences to those directly affected, but to immediately assume the accident is a result of poor driving standards is unfair - for all we know it could have been caused by some other reason like brake failure or swerving to avoid a dog. The driving standards are not good in Thailand, but that doesn't mean that every accident is down to them. Accidents happen unfortunately, and they happen everywhere.

Yes you are right , those stories usually end up by investigation " brake failure" ... I agree no need to jump in conclusion but we all know ,specially those living here ,that mini vans drivers , bus drivers ,pick up drivers rarely care about their passengers ,how many accidents everyday because of excessive speed and inadequate driving behavior ???????

I have been doing 90 visa run for 7 years with no probs,great drivers too.Been travelijng all over Thailand with,u guessed it,no probs.Deaths can happen all over the world,and would be interesting to see the death rate for Thailand and uk,i canty be arsed to look but somebody will.

RIP LADS

About 10 times greater..1000 in uk and 1000 in Thailand..oh that's at Songkran..Main killer motorbikes..with young kids and no helmets..I think about 10,000 last year...

Exchanging in Thailand is ALWAYS the better rate and option.

Lucky girl getting a 3.5 mil gift, hope you got the paperwork and your a*se covered !

Here here..I suppose youve been here a while and maybe even renting with your partner for a while..so no problems in the future. for you then....You cannot bring sterling as you need to show funds from abroad..so this is not an option..I wish you the best of luck...

Sorry matayom 1 and 4.........

Hi .We are a school in Eesarn.every year we drive 14 hours on a bus to Prachuap or Petchburi so 1 full day travelling then stay only 2 nights and hold the English Camp ..My question is where do you take your students for English Camp...?Obviously there must be somwewhere to sleep and toilet facilities etc.etc.The more activities the better....I would be grateful to hear all reports.This year we would like to stay nearer home but this may prove impossible...Even if you know of somewhere but have never been I could follow it up...We will have about 320 students and 15 teachers....6 buses full......Budget is about 1500 baht per student..thanks to all who contribute..Thomas...

Rajadamnoen is duel last time i was there they wanted 1000 and 1500 for ringsied..farang kang bon mai dai..No farang upstairs..guess what no 1000 left only 1500 we took a taxi there and left shortly afterward,As i was explaining toa group of tourists the rip off system I was hassled away..They were not happy with me or I with them..A rip off for the tourists....F%^$ them..Don't go there..Thomas

Oh really! Another propaganda statement. In the last year The TAT have been hiking up their figures and yet more and more tourist dependent organisations are closing and airports are reporting that tourist figures are down.

Their (TAT) statements of the increasing numbers of tourists never fail to amaze me.

They just hate to lose face. and also face reality. Overcharging, corruption and scams are the problem and despite their advertisement of "it is illegal to have double pricing for Farang versus Thai and any sign entrance sign to any tourist facility/attraction stating otherwise should be reported and is illegal" and "quote...." we wish to be informed of these illegal practices". Nothing is done when reports are raised.

i just wish I had the know how to open a web site to warn all potential visitors to this country of the scams, corruption and inherent dangers of some of these totally disingenuous agencies. And the dangers of facing down Thai people when linked to not paying for the scams. LOS really stands for Land of Scares to decent law abiding people.

Get real TAT and the rest of the corrupt organisations here who peddle out there "smiles".

I have the means to do this if you would like to contact me

Thank you. I will be in touch via PM.

http://www.andrew-drummond.com/view-story-other.php?sid=178

Think this guy beat you to it..He lost his daughter in THat certain hotel in Chaing Mai without anyone giving any answers as to why she died.......Am sure he would be grateful for valid input to his site or even cash if your that way inclined..

Thanks to Scott I just completed the Course in Bkk.."4th to 27th.April ..2.5 days..Finally got everthing sorted after 2 vsits to Karusapa and 5 nights spent in Bkk....There were 73 students enrolled.3 turned up more than 2 hours late and were told they would have to come back next month>I am sure she said they were running the course in May then it would be suspended..for contact Monica at 0816500047....Thanks again to Scott telling me of the course last month..I just made my visa,second waiver with 2 days to spare..

Many times from Chaing Khan it's about 3 hours...Tha Bo ,even Sri Chiang Mai is hardly a full day trip..AfterSri Chiang Mai head to Pak Chom then Chiang Khan..Beautiful ride along the Mekong,quiet roads,small villages..CKhan is a great little town too if youv never visited..Thomas

Please have your mind 'in gear' before starting your mouth 'in motion'................

How profound....

WHERE IS THIS GENTLEMAN AT THE MOMENT,PLEASE REPLY ASAP.MAJORUS

Yes if you know his whearabouts be very,very, careful to tell on an open forum.I am not saying of course that there are scammers,thieves or people of dubious integrity read this forum.Thomas

Thank you all for the replies..Thomas

Hi one of my students is going to Vancouver on a month exchange.I 'm a uk expat ans she asked can I exchange Thai Baht there..I said yes without thinking..and added as long as the notes are ok.ie not ripped or writen on....Is this correct?Is there a minimum denomination of not..ie 500 baht 1000?thank you for replies.Thomas

I will be away from my office today, but I did get the information. The course is being offered through NK Language & Tutorial School (NKLS) and you can apply through:

www.nklsthailand.com /(http://www.nklsthailand.com/04application.html) (phone Nikky: 081-207-4271)

This course is in Supanburi, I believe and I have no idea if it is still scheduled or not. If someone checks it out, please post here for others. Thanks.

Hi Scott,rang this girl Nikkky and she couldn't have been more helpful.She thinks the course will run May 20th to 22nd but it dosent seem to be set in stone.So anyone interested can look at website..Thank you again..Bill

Thanks, that's what I thought as well, but the web site for the school said it was being given this April 9-11.

It was the secretary at our school who looked it up and I'll try and investigate it further today.

This is Thailand after all--nothing is for sure!

oops Thank you Scott I will keep an eye out for your reply.I too have read its suspended since I posted ,but your right of course.TIT.

Hi does anyone know where this is running in the nr future..Thank you..Thomas

Thomas - there are support groups you can join - no need to air your dirty laundry on TV

Wow no wonder youve got so many posts...I am sure they are mostly as useful as this..(No stupid smiley attchd)

In my travels met many farang here.At present 2 come to mind.Both have Thai wives.Both in the same situation.They have invested most of evrything here and now are afraid to upset the boat.In consequence meekly follow their wives dictates.Lambs to the slaughter.The first is having a new house built which will take the rest of his savings..He has a rather nice bungalow in Udon which apparently was not good enough any more.She told him no need to sell that It's a good investment..I know for whom...My second friend has a business and land here in Esarn.All in her name of course..I asked her once did she love him..her answer was yes BUT.......I know where her love lies...I hope I am wrong but I think I can envisage the miserable futures for these guys.I cannot say anything to them as it's their business ..Am I very wrong..Have you seen this here?Is it you maybe you or 1 of YOUR friends?..Is it all we can do to feel sorry for them?your thoughts please..Thomas

Coming there in March.(about 5th).Looking for apartment for 1 month..Must have a gym.....near centre....up to 20k a month..Thank you for your recommendations..thomas

Let's not feed the trolls. If we ignore them, they usually go away and if they don't, they can be given a holiday from posting.

Most posters don't have too many glowing comments about the cultural course, but it is probably quite good for people that are new to Thailand.

My school had the course given on campus (of course the teachers had to pay). I was surprised that there weren't more complaints from the old timers, some of whom tend to be fairly negative. Most of them said it wasn't particularly useful, but they did have an enjoyable time and they got to help in passing on some valuable information to newer teachers.

Most western countries require continuing education and training for teachers and other professionals.

Thank you for your reply.I am not new to Thailand and as I retire next year I didn't really want to spend the 4000baht or whatever +travelling and hotels.Today my boss has forwarded a letter from the School Director which she seems to think will do the trick.I will let the forum know..Thanks again.Thomas

Are you another Farang taking advantage of the Thai good grace....?

You are a good English teacher setting a good life example for the pitiful Thai students.... right?

You are surely not taking any undue advantages now, are you, teacher.... ?

My respect to all the good Farang teachers trying to make a difference.... in Thailand.... :jap: :jap: :jap:

You think Thai students are pitiful.(no question)..I posted here as I retire in 2 years and don't think that I or the students would benefit from me doing a Thai culture course(MY opinion)Thanks for your incisive questions but they weren't asked for in my original post.I'm sure all the good Farang are thankful for your respect.

Hi I currently teach in a school in Eesarn and have a first 2 year waiver because no degree or BA ed as rqrd for teachers license.This finishes April.I already know that they are renewing the 2 year waivers..My question is will they renew WITHOUT me doing the Thai Culture Course.I will finish in another 2 yrs and would like to get away without having to pay 4000 baht +travel...As a supplement..Has ANYONE done it and found it worthwhile?or maybe you can post your thoughts..Thank you in advance..Thomas

2.22 In the case of a retiree: Permission will be granted for a period of not more

than 1 year at a time.

(1) The alien has obtained a temporary visa (NON-IM);

(2) The applicant is 50 years of age or over;

(3) Proof of income of not less than Baht 65,000 per month; or

(4) Account deposit with a bank in Thailand of not less than

800,000 Baht as shown in the bank account for the past 3 months at the filing date of the application. For the first year, the applicant should have that amount in his bank account for not less than 60 days or

(5) Annual income plus bank account deposit totaling not less

than Baht 800,000 as of the filing date of application.

2.18 In the case of a family

member of a Thai.

(6) In case of marriage with a Thai lady, the husband who is an alien must have an average annual income of not less than 40,000 baht per month or a money deposit in a local Thai bank of not less than 400,000 baht for the past 2 months for expenses within a year.

Is the marriage to a Thai still valid at 400k in the bank..I was told this option was no longer available and it was now 800k for all retirees married to Thai or not..Thanks

They don't have insurance? Why in the South are they charging more then the North? Heavy Burden - I doubt it. Try to get treatment for a hang nail without pre paid even with proof of insurance. Maybe they only do that in the North. Even when I was having a heart attack my wife had to get a credit card out before they would do anything. Sounds more like someones getting ready to become the HUB of treatments in the South scam. First is always a crisis to be solved with other peoples money - followed by their enrichment.

I must always pay first but I can produce both proof of insurance and income so require that for a visa and see your sick list get shorter then. The new crisis will be the lack of foreigners using the medical HUB of asia.

Why not audit them and see how over charges these poor foreigners have been taken. At standard prices they would never let them in the door without cash.

George! is this from that other paper?

"-- Bangkok Post 2011-01-20

Full story: http://www.ethailand...ills-64304.html"

I agree 100%.I acnnot see any Thai hospitals giving free care to impoverished farang..As an experiment I was just quoted £3,300 a year for cover from the advert below.It only quotes up to 75..So if compulsory health insurance is implemented be prepared to pack up,sell your house, condo,maybe leave your wife and family and go back to your own country...What A pleasant thought at the age of 75..Thomas

This has already been discussed here --

Thank you for pointing it out..I don't use the forum too often.I looked at all the discussion and it mainly focused on the Retirement visa and 800kin the bank or combination.After reading this my interpretation would be that if this comes about we are all on borrowed time.I don't know when insurance cos will say NO but there must be a cut off point..Thanks again..Thomas

You can read this article..Search..Google.compulsory retirement insurance+phuket

Although I find it hard to believe that Thailand paid for care for these Farang,AND that there are many Farang who 'Borrow@ their retirement visa money it gave me a bad feeling about what our future could be here.I'm not an insurance expert but i know for sure that if you have pre -existing conditions,or reach a certain age then an insurance company would never consider you..So what that would mean is in your later years,you own a house here,perhaps have family,maybe 70 or older then you must go back to your own country because no one will touch you for health insurance.

Before anyone says we should be able to pay I totally agree but this would make it a catch 22 situatuion IE the money to pay but unable to get insurance.>I would be grateful to hear any forum readers views..thanks..Thomas