jumnien

The press that was reportedly completely dominated by Thaksin continuously published articles critical of his administration. Now that the press has been "liberated" we don't see nearly the amount of daily slandering of the present government, very little at all.

I would think it would be better to just have something built here. There are some guys I know down in Phukett if you're interested.

I would be interested, any contacts?

I am interested in importing a motor boat (20 - 26 feet) to Thailand. I understand there is the 7% VAT. Approximately what are the transportation costs from the US, EU, or Australia? Any other customs charges? I live in Huahin and would base the boat here. I importied a small plane to Thailand from Czech Republic 2 years ago and am very happy with the experience.

You got nothing by sitting like a morron with crap instead of thoughts.

The guru-shmuru got some dough, that's true, and you just got f**d up.

Michael, truly you must be joking - 2 years in treatment facility just to stop gettin high? And you came to siam, ***thai-bashing removed***? You must be joking :-)

Mr. Oleg,

I assure you I gave no money to Ajahn Jumnien or other teachers other than a token $5 here and there. Not bad when you consider I had a $300/day habit. I didn't spend 2 years in a treatment center to stop getting "high". I learned how to get high there - truly high, ecstatic and deeply happy on a regular basis, without being a slave to alcohol and drugs.

Thailand is a wonderful place to be clean and sober. Every day is an adventure. I meet great people all over the place. I fly a little plane 500 feet over the rice fields and truly would not live anywhere else. There is a wonderful support fellowship in Thailand for people who want to escape the prison of addiction. The four noble truths provide the basis for a liberated existence. There is filth spawning around everywhere in the world. Today I choose carefully which streams to jump into. Peace, Michael

Blessed are the meak, they shall inherit the earth! Same, same world over. Most wealthy people are disgusted with the war in Iraq, worried about global warning, disgusted with North Korea, worried about muslims, disgusted with Bush, worried about the dollar, disgusted with most everything and worried about all. Then they extend this attitude towards those closest to them. They don't like this about their wife and her family sucks, the neighbors are too noisy and the blah, blah, blah...

To stay in the moment and appreciate true wealth, good friends and mother earth, seems to come easier to the poor of all countries.

Suffice it to say that many Bangkokians are disgusted and worried that Thaksin was stealing the money they should have been stealing.

I started meditating at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California with Jack Kornfield and others in 1995. At the time I was living (for 2 years) at a treatment facility for alcohol and drug abuse (booze, crack, heroin, pills, etc.). The meditation complemented my recovery marvelously as I also suffered from social phobia and panic attacks. These cleared up within 4 - 6 months whereupon I met Ajahn Jumnien of Wat Tham Seua in Krabi at Spirit Rock. His happiness and joy were contagious, might I say addictive! He came the next year to teach as well, as he does every year in May at Spirit Rock.

After 2 years, I moved to Thailand and have been happy, joyous and free ever since. Now married with a baby boy in Huahin (anyone want to start a meditation group).

Daily meditation (basically Vipassana breath-focused meditation) and a spiritual path to follow have given me a new life I never before could have imagined. I am not as disciplined as I was 10 years ago, in that I don't often sit for long, long periods of time or do 10 day retreats. But, I find myself stopping many times during the day and returning to that place within me of calmness and gratitude that meditation provided and continues to provide.

Have a lovely day, Michael

In my opinion, having spent the last 8 years here in Thailand, this is an excellent time to buy a condo in Thailand. It looks like the Thai economy will continue to do well (while not overheating) and the conditions are changing to vastly increase the number of foreigners living in Thailand.

I've bought 2 condos in Bangkok and 2 in Huahin, the last in Huahin just 3 months ago. I paid over 90% more for the second Huahin condo than the identical first one that I bought 5 years ago.

I make my living in the commercial real estate investment business in the US market only. I am not investing in Thai condos primarily for capital gain (though I believe that will continue to happen). But there is an opportunity here in condo ownership that does not exist in the US. I can own condos here and live rent free and enjoy a bit of appreciation and pay very modest maintenance fees averaging $60 per month per condo. In the US these maintenance fees would average $600 per month and the services provided are far less than in Thailand.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth, Cheers!

Just got back from a day flying from Huahin (take-off at 6:30am) up to a new airstrip near Suphanburi (U-thong). About 15 planes and ultralights with about 500 spectators and an airshow. Then flew over to River Kwai airstrip near Kanchanaburi then return to Huahin. What a day! Good luck finding a plane, this is a wonderful country to fly in. Many adventures and wonderful adventures await you! Cheers, Michael

hi

anybody know aprox. how long i`ll be sitting in the taxi? (afternoon)

further than don muang?

thanks

It will take about 3 hours or longer if the traffic over the Chao Praya bridge is heavy.

I think a Lancair 235 would be an excellent choice of aircraft for Thailand. I would like to encourage anyone interested to get involved in general aviation in Thailand, it is truly a blast! Two years ago I imported a new airplane, a two-seater Zenair CH-701, which I base on a grass airstrip near Huahin. I have had a wonderful time flying to Krabi, Surat Thani, Pattaya, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Khao Yai, Chumphon, etc.

I also have a partnership in a retractable gear Cessna based at Thai Flying Club in Bang Phra. Anyone interested take a look at their website for more info on flying in Thailand. Feel free to e-mail me directly with any questions - <email removed - contact by PM>

Have a great day, Michael