pete_r

Don't forget the APEC in Hanoi in a few days.

Running a Government and a country is not easy.

Its not the same as running a corporation and its not the same as running an army, .........where everyone does as they're told.

Spot on.

I think there is an extra tax (around 3%) if you've held the property less than 5 years. The idea is to discourage speculative investments that push land prices up.

How nice then that Karma is being paid back in some small way by the very citizens he has forcefully ruled over and bullied and they are now able to make his life a little uncomfortable and difficult.

Perhaps they have told / are telling him thoughts along the lines that i would like to voice, along with many others i am sure.

I guess it's unlikely from Thai expats. Thai culture doesn't stop at the borders of Thailand.

That is as the bread winner of my Thai family and out of concern for my daughters future regarding the rampant cronyism he represents and self rewarding outcomes in detrimental terms of his mindset against the young Thais of tomorrow.

Unfortunately cronyism has a long tradition in Thailand. Thaksin hasn't invented it.

Best wishes,

Who really thinks they should work for free now? They didn't get the bonus for the coup itself, that part was voluntarily

If someone walked into my company unasked for, [edited by self]. That is the question.

My guess is that the fortune teller will suggest an AMG 65 something. Ha! Unlikely that he will advise us to downsize to a Smart.

Not to spoil the shopping mood, but I hope he doesn't tell you that your present car will crash soon and that you should replace it now with a new one, for your own safety. That would be enough to close a sale with some (rich) Thai people I know.

I think this decision is pretty stupid. Obviously it's not a lot, but many Thai people will see it as huge and will think that generals did not do it for the sake of the country as they claim, but for the money.

After all, nobody asked them to make the coup...

Members of the CNS should have kept their salaries as generals, and not getting more for becoming coup leaders.

Concerning members of the NLA and other bodies, their salaries seem pretty standard.

Agreed.

It doesnt make sense to me that a military general can take control and then collect a check as both a general and a coupe maker.

If the military want to get government admin paychecks then they should quit the military and join the administration.

Aww... I see a comparison here, but it's probably not appropriate to spell it out under the current restrictions. Mai pen rai.

Plus, sorry to tickle you... The line of attack is also very familiar.

I wasn't aware I was attacking anyone, too.

I meant the style of attack against Thaksin that can be seen on many threads in the forum. You didn't attack anyone as far as I'm concerned!

so Thaksin, who focused so much of his platform on being such a big "corruption-buster" achieved a whopping 0.4 increase in the CPI after five-plus years of corruption busting.

Outstanding progress.

Earlier the discussion was about how corruption was worse under Thaksin. Now we are talking about an increase in the CPI. That's progress!

But a bit for sure.

In 2000 Thailand was ranked 60, if it helps in anyway.

I've found the full table. To be fair, it can be interpreted both ways because the number of countries in the survey has changed over the years.

Source: http://www.transparency-thailand.org/en/in...3&Itemid=27

Corruption in Thailand has been monitored by the CPI since the first edition in 1995. Although it should be remembered that the index is based simply on perceptions and changes in scores and rankings should be taken only as general indicators, the CPI is a good guide to the general level of corruption in Thailand.

Thailand in the CPI

Year ----- Thailand’s Ranking ----- Score out of 10

2005 ----- 59 of 158 ---------------- 3.8

2004 ----- 64 of 145 ---------------- 3.6

2003 ----- 70 of 133 ---------------- 3.3

2002 ----- 64 of 102 ---------------- 3.2

2001 ----- 61 of 91 ----------------- 3.2

2000 ----- 60 of 90 ----------------- 3.2

1999 ----- 68 of 99 ----------------- 3.2

1998 ----- 61 of 85 ----------------- 3.0

1997 ----- 39 of 42 ----------------- 3.1

1996 ----- 37 of 54 ----------------- 3.3

1995 ----- 35 of 41 ----------------- 2.8

As the table reveals, the outlook for Thailand is by no means pessimistic. Although Thailand’s overall score remains relatively low, the country’s level of corruption in relation to other countries has improved considerably, and the perception in Thailand is that there is less corruption than when measurement began.

However, the implication of even a score of 3.8 is that the country still suffers under the weight of serious corruption.

I'll just note that the researchers from Transparency-Thailand are Thais too.

http://www.transparency-thailand.org/en/in...5&Itemid=40

This line of Thaksin's defence is very familiar - he wasn't as corrupt as middle class make him to be, he was democratically elected, he shares ideological aspirations of majority of voters, and he has shown them the way to better future.

Yeah, right.

Plus, sorry to tickle you... The line of attack is also very familiar.

CORRUPTION INDEX

Kingdom falls in world graft ranking

Published on Nov 6, 2006

Slips to 63rd from 59th last year; ranks ninth of 21 in Asia

Thailand has slipped to 63rd this year from last year's 59th in a global survey on

corruption, the local chapter of Germany-based Transparency International, which conducted the survey, said yesterday.

http://nationmultimedia.com/search/page.ne...amp;id=30018146

Yes, but what was the ranking of Thailand in the pre-Thaksin era? In years 2000, 1999, 1998... ?

According to Meerkat earlier post mentioning a score of 3.2 for the period 1995-2000, it might have been around 80 or worse. Any thoughts?

Found a whole colony this morning, thousands in a cupboard where we keep clean dish cloths and rags, no food there at all. Some were carrying eggs. Sprayed the lot with Windex and closed the door for a while. Not an ant in sight now. Adjacent cupboards were clear as well when I first saw them.

I wonder what made them decide to settle there...

Too much water in the garden maybe. Ants around my place start moving the eggs into the house whenever there is heavy rain coming.

On another thread a few weeks ago, someone mentioned that ants may actually help to keep termites away. The lesser of two evils, kind of.

My impression of this airport it that it gets the job done, as good as other airports in the region and with better looks than Don Muang.

One difference with the neighbours is that the expectations built before the opening were huge. The complaining may be proportional to that.

I suggest you go and have a look yourself!!!

Then go and see what its like at Changi Airport and at KL. There is no comparison.

The arrivals hall is nothing short of scandalous, as I have stated before God help the folks arriving at Christmas time!!! It will take them until New Years day to get outside!!!!

Well I won't try to change your mind.

I've had a look for myself on 2nd of october already. Been through Kuala Lumpur and Changi too. Granted, there is room for improvement in the arrival hall, and there is no direct rail link yet as in KL and Changi. But other areas are adequate, and, again, an improvement compared to Don Muang. Anyone remembers how crowded the passport control on departure could get? And how you had to walk miles around the departure hall because the check-in area was fenced off?

Anyway, some friends are landing on 28 december, maybe that's my chance to change my own mind!

I understand that in flood prone areas it would be trouble, but still, with good standards, like building on a slight elevation with good drainage, sinking the cellar about 7/8 of its height into the ground, would keep it rather cool.

Anyone did this here? would like to hear someone talking from experience as I might plan one in my own future house...

I've played with the idea a bit too for a house in Bangkok, but after research it didn't seem to be worth it.

Regarding humidity, the Thai builders and engineers I consulted strongly advised against the idea, because of the risks of water infiltration and flood. I still think it must be possible to waterproof a cellar, but at a relatively high cost, since one would have to find a team of builders who can do that kind of job well.

Then I found that in Bangkok, the temperature at 50cm below the surface is about 24-26 degC, and fairly constant year round. I say that based on the measurement of the temperature of the water coming out of the tap at home (the house has no water tank so the water comes straight from the underground pipe). The temperature in a cellar would probably be a bit higher, maybe 28-30 degC, because the top of the cellar would be above ground and receive more heat than the water pipe buried in the ground.

So I figured that a cellar temperature of 28-30 degC seemed a bit high to justify the extra-cost of building a water-proof cellar, and forgot about it.

In other areas of Thailand, drier and/or cooler, I would still be tempted to try.

(Edited for spelling mistake)

With the last ABAC Poll so overwhelmingly in support of the Junta and now this latest revelation from ABAC there should be no more need for Martial law. Unless the respondents told the pollsters what the pollsters wanted to hear, that would be so very Thai especially in the North and Northeast.

I've been thinking along the same lines. Everything is fine, everyone is happy, but the martial law remains...

That said, just 10% of dissatisfied people can be a huge problem for the junta if they take to the streets. So I can understand them if they don't lift this martial law until the polls show at least 95% approval.

Thai Polls Show Surayud Has Better Image Than Thaksin

If he had a worse image, he would be in deep trouble!

My impression of this airport it that it gets the job done, as good as other airports in the region and with better looks than Don Muang.

One difference with the neighbours is that the expectations built before the opening were huge. The complaining may be proportional to that.

The reason they put Thai's only need apply in their ads is because the Thai's honestly believe that no foreigner can do anything better than a Thai so why employ someone inferior in their eyes...

I would assume the reason they put Thais Only Need Apply is because they want to employ a Thai.

Also, in a Thai context, a Thai will know who to speak to and how, better than a farang in order to get things done. That's a strong advantage.

Thanks for all the replies . That's many good links put together.

Guardian, disappointingly I didn't really die since the previous life I was referring to. But it would be cool if I did!

Greetings all,

I'm not a farmer by far, but greatly enjoy reading the posts here.

Out of curiosity, has anyone got experience with neem trees in Thailand? The Thai name is "sadao".

It's a tree from India with drought resistance and insecticide properties:

* The leaves can be ground and mixed with water to spray as a bio-pesticide.

* The seeds can be pressed to extract oil that may be used in cosmetics.

* The cake residue from oil extraction can be used as fertilizer, again with pesticide properties.

Young shoots can also be used for cooking. The taste is bitter, but reportedly good for health.

In a previous life I have seen some in the sahel region south of Sahara, and wonder how easy or difficult they are to grow in Thailand.

Pete

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neem_tree

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neem_Cake

For changing USD to THB, I'd say your best bet is one of the bureau de change at the airport. In my humble experience they offer the same rates as the banks in Bangkok, with less paperwork (the banks usually want to keep a photocopy of your passport, which takes time). I expect the charges for travellers cheques are similar in both places too.

The kasikorn bank near your bf's house may be able to change travellers cheques, but even if they can, it's likely they will not be familiar with the procedure, so don't rely on it 100%. Get some Bahts in Bangkok, and keep some travellers for later.

Maintenance fees don't exist in Thailand, at least for a basic savings account with one of the main banks (Bangkok bank, SCB, Kasikorn...). There is no charge for opening such an account either, but if you want an ATM card for withdrawals you need to pay around 100 Bahts.

Enjoy your stay!

From a visit in march this year, I keep the impression that the country has still some way to go before the conditions become favorable for industrial development. There are two main hurdles:

* Corruption is widespread and can suffocate businesses. I guess that every business of significant size has to pay some sort of protection to the authorities to operate (most certainly foreigner-owned businesses). But maybe it's the same in Thailand? I'm not a business owner.

* Land ownership can be tricky. A lot of the land records have been destroyed or lost under the Khmer rouge regime, meaning that still today quite a few lands don't have legal ownership certificates, and therefore no government guarantee if someone with more money/better connections decides he wants the land, including the buildings that may be on it.

For foreigners wanting to stay long-term, the main starting point seems to be as expats working for governmental development agencies or NGOs. Also, the tourism sector is developing and some restaurants, hotels and resorts in Phnomh Penh and on the seaside are run by foreigners, or by Cambodians who have lived abroad and came back with money to invest.

Regarding paperwork, immigration laws seem less complicated than Thailand, but more bribes may be required.

And one Zidane, one!

By the way, I notice you also consider buying 69 rais on another thread?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=88055

So the plan is evolving already!

19 rai land 12 chanote other farm title with 5 rai in eucalyptus trees 4-5 years old with fish pond and rest for rice. Price 770000 baht.

Location approx 3 klms from village approx 70 klms from Buriram.

Is this to much.

Sean o casey, I know this will be uncomfortable input.... but it seems pretty clear that your friend has knowingly vastly inflated the price of this land. And you have caught her out in it and hence, the " let's not talk about it anymore". There's no shame in walking away from a business deal or relationship when new facts come to light.

Seanocasey,

Well, imho the story sounds more like a case of girlfriend/wife coming up with what she thinks is a fantastic idea, and getting an ice-cold shower when boyfriend/husband fails to be immediately convinced. I've done that a couple of times, then I learnt to wait for the wave of enthusiasm to pass before starting the real discussion. As for the "let's not talk about it anymore", it is a standard reaction (in Thailand) to avoid creating more bad feelings until emotions have cooled down and normal talk can resume (one could even argue that recent political events follow a similar pattern ).

Regarding the land, I gather the offer hasn't been fully researched yet (what is the price of neighbouring lands, what is the official price at the land office, what can this land be used for, etc...). Until that has been done, there is no reason to commit to anything, and by the time it is done, the initial plan may have evolved a lot (the price could change, and the surface, and the location, and the family ideas of what they want...), so nothing to worry about just yet.

Good luck,

On the flip side how is the girl supposed to respect or TRUST him after catching him RED HANDED?

I agree with that. Either you two have an agreement and you trust her to stick to it, or you don't have an agreement and you sit down with her and talk more. But to check her pills behind her back shows disrespect and lack of trust. Not a good sign for a healthy relationship.