JR Texas

You really should study methodology in science. It is very common to use both qualitative and quantitative data to arrive at a conclusion.

The quantitative data is massive and clear: global warming and climate change are real.

The qualitative data reinforces what the quantitative data is telling us: global warming and climate change are real.

If you talk to hundreds of thousands of elderly people worldwide.......do a random sample.....and they all say the same thing, that is an important finding.

Unless of course, you believe they are also involved in a conspiracy.

Another thing to point out is climate change is complex and global.

It is virtually impossible to predict with accuracy what will happen tomorrow at a specific location (e.g., Thailand).

Scientists look at long term trends and can only warn about general patterns of change on the planet.

Their needs to be built a sea wall, and this is common sense, as many countries around the world use sea walls.

The world sea levels are rising, and this is not a conspiracy theory. Look at the ice caps on the mountains, that once laid, gone. The south and north pole are shrinking.

The US and China are the two major Carbon Dioxide pollutioners in the world, and they won't adhere to it so why should we.

50 Years is just a rough estimate, could be 25 years, could be 100 years, but it will happen.

Why do you think the world's government are building a resort on the moon. Top secret, which 2 news companies tried to pursue.

It's time to start moving inland, in any country. Better now than later when all the prices get pushed up. If you own property on the coastal areas, sell.

Building a sea wall does seem critical. But it will be massively expensive. In addition, the water is moving in from two sides: Gulf of Thailand and the riverine system feeding it that first passes through Bangkok.

It is tragic that so much money will have to be wasted on this when it could have been prevented simply by reducing population numbers, engaging in massive conservation efforts, and moving away from our dependence on fossil fuel energy.

It is particularly tragic because developing world countries need all of the money they can get to address serious problems other than global warming and climate change.

And then you have too many ignorant people who, even in the face of overwhelming evidence, are not able to grasp the significance of global warming and climate change on the economies and social structures of the planet.

It is hard for me to be very optimistic about all of this.

They want the money for the tourist visas. So 30 day stamp free. For 60 day tourist visa, pay money on arrival available.

Retirement visas -- ten year duration, instead one year.

Reduce the financial requirements by half for those who OWN their own condo (as does Mexico)

Reduce financial requirements across the board by half.

Eliminate financial requirments for foreigners who are supporting a Thai wife.

Eliminate all border runs.

Eliminate the need to buy an exit airline ticket prior to arrival (in all circumstances).

Introduce as pay to stay system: 3 month, 6 months, 12 months, forever.

Eliminate the "genuine tourist" concept (maybe do what the Philippines and Cambodia do).

Stop 90 day reporting (totally insane requirement).

Stop the need to travel across the universe just for a re-entry permit (make them available all over, especially at the airport).

Allow foreigners to take care of all visa matters at any immigration office (if not, at least let them go to the closest office to them).

Stop the insane 15 day border run.......any person who leaves the country and comes back should be given 90 days (no limits imposed on this).

In general, reverse everything they have done over the past ten years and make it easy, not hard for foreigners to remain in Thailand and spend their money instead of havin to leave and spend money in Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Cambodia.

The current system provides ZERO security for any expat. Those that think they are fine need to think again. Right now they are attacking foreign males with Thai wives. Why? Xenophobia.

Next.......and no doubt this will happen.........they will abrogate all grandfathered in rules and then many of the people sitting on high horses now will change their tune.

If I were an outsider looking in, I would never invest money in a business........never purchase any expensive real estate.........never marry.........never retire here. Period.

They really must change these rules fast.

you know I dont know about any of you but seriously

There is no such thing as a safe place. as humans we have always had crimes long before any of us where ever even born. I believe the only thing to do is to be aware, stay away from bad areas, prevention. Seriously long after were all dead crime will still exist. Its called human nature.

Note look at the percentage of crime ratio in a major city vs little city.

Crime seems to have increased dramatically in Thailand over the past 20 years.........especially the last ten. Some areas in Pattaya-Jomtien and Bangkok are no longer safe. I think this should concern real estate investors and foreigners considering on retiring in Thailand.

no worries, bangkok has a plan for terrorist attacks.

The same one when the last terrorists attacked, 12 months ago.

I am surprised this has not already happened on a large scale.

deja vu or am I seeing the same thing again in the topic in General?

Must be my eyes.

What you are seeing is the same group of "people" attempting to hijack yet another thread that touches on global warming/climate change.

They have been systematically doing this over and over again...........trying to turn these topics to a "is global warming real or not" debate.

The end result is that the topic is not discussed.

It might help to stay on topic and ignore them.

I assure you, from a lot of past experience with them, they have nothing to say.

If they want to persist posting nonsense, they should start a thread: Is Global Warming Real or Not?

Then allow them to talk to each other until they die of exhaustion.

Welcome back........hope you brought some seeds back with you. I am almost certain that tomatillos can be grown here. I am very jealous that you got to go back and eat some good Mexican food.

I have yet to eat at Monita......also the new one by Robb: Los Cabos?

Lots of new Mexican places sprouting up.........I wish just one would serve the Tex-Mex I crave.

The following links to reason and science are posted for those who would like to find out about the science of climate change and global warming.

I strongly suggest that you simply ignore the so-called "skeptics" (actually crackpots whose ideas come from the Energy Mafia) because they have no intention of debating (actually can't debate the scientific facts).

I also suggest that each time they post, you post these links to science and reason. Why? Because each time these links are posted it maximizes the probability that the search engine spiders will find the links on TV. So, more people will reach these links when they search for climate change and global warming. And that hurts the head-in-the-sand skeptics.

If you are going to move to a village first spend some time visiting for longish periods and check you can handle it. Most of th etime the village isnt going to change for you so it becomes a question of does it work for you or can you adapt. Try it first even if it means staying in very modest accomodation - nothing wrong with that - and then if it suits jump in. It is not for everyone especially those set in their ways, easily angered, bitter about Thailand or of a disposition to drink too much but for others it can be a fine and rewarding experience/life.

I too live in a small town/village.

The early morning noise is very irritating.......not only from the local village idiot whose job it is to wake every person up at 5:30 am with the worst music in the world, but from neighbors who seem to want to do the same thing.

It is boring beyond imagination (I spend a lot of time on the computer).

But there are some other farangs here. We get together about once per week.

The farangs that seem to be happier with this lifestyle take frequent breaks to the BIG CITY.

I think that is a major key to tolerating the boredom. (Also, if you can, live in China, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, or Vietnam for half the year to break up the Thailand boredom).

One positive is that you can build a big Western style house here for next to nothing and live rent free.

Another positive is the cost of living is very low here compared to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Pattaya-Jomtien.

One more positive is that you don't have traffic jams and crowds and smog.

Another positive is the scenary........lots of rice fields and mountains in the distance (completely opposite of Bangkok).

You can get on your motorcylce and ride all over in the countryside and breathe fresh air.

One more is that it can be relaxing after they finally shut off the irritating music in the morning.........but only if they are not engaged in karaoke which sounds like chickens being murdered.

Another is that people, in general, seem to be nice (but an anti-farang feeling seems to be spreading in Thailand.......all over).

Good luck moving to the country.

One final piece of advice........if you do move the country it might be better to have a house on the outskirts of town or just out of town in a private area with no noisy neighbors to deal with........but close enough to get in the small city when you need something.

This is a good (positive) thread with lots of excellent ideas. I want to add one recipe for refried beans using local Thai ingredients.

No, it isn't as good as the authentic stuff........but I don't have access to pinto beans where I live and also can't grow them.

This recipe uses the red kidney beans you can find in Thai markets all over:

Ingredients: 1.5 cups red kidney beans, one large garlic cloves, one small onion, bacon, chicken broth, cumin

Process:

1) wash beans, and cover with water, bring to boil on high heat, remove beans and wash again (lots of color from kidney beans will be removed if you wash them at least twice and change the water each time)

2) cook beans on low until tender (takes at least three hours.....suggest soaking them overnight prior to cooking)

3) fry chopped bacon and retain bacon fat and bits

4) when beans are done/soft drain off water (but retain water in pot you coooked them in)

5) place cooked beans in processor

6) add small amount of "bean water" and "chicken broth".........maybe 75% chicken broth and 25% bean water (don't add too much liquid)

7) turn on processor and process (not totally)

8) add teaspoon ground cumin

9) add more chicken broth (not too much).......and mix again.......make it almost like you would mashed potatoes

When you get your desired consistency.......heat up wok and add the bacon fat and bean mixture and fry until warm, constantly mixing it (don't burn it)

Last, add cooked bacon bits.........work them in by hand.

That is it. It is not a bad alternative to refried beans using pinto beans.

NATO, SEATO, TOTO.........????????

Back to topic: Are there any nice and reasonably priced condos now in PP?

(Maybe talk about Sihanoukville too.......thanks)

Sunrise advertising minimally? You must not have been around when they first opened. All hype.

The beef at TS is like rubber, boiled rubber, and i could oil my motorcycles chain with all the oil on the corn tortilla.Maybe there grilled, but it sure doesn't look like the person behind the grill knows how to grill, and it turns out like rubber.

My soft corn tacos weren't fried in any oil, i can tell because they weren't semi-crunchy like at TS.

"To each his/her own."

Some places serve soft corn taco shells..........but they can tear easily.

Some places serve hard corn taco shells.........but often they "crunch" apart.

Some places serve something in between (like Tacos and Salsa) that is not too soft or hard.

My guess is that if you ask for soft corn taco shells, you will likely get them at T&S.

I think you would have to have a great cooking pan to make them soft without any oil.......something like a pan you make crepes in.

Hello JR & SJC, it don't matter how you cook it, it still will only be corn bread pie, not tamale pie, no masa, no taste! even with Thai grown Tex Yellows bullets.

rice555

Call it whatever you want to. But if made right, it is 1000 times better than any tamale I have eaten in Thailand.

This is not directed at you a2396........just a general observation.

Each time something like this comes up, some person tries to turn it into an "old man" vs "young man" thing.

Here is a bit of insight: Young me can also get swindled. And young Thai women use them the same way they use old men.

Another: Old men have more money, in general, than young men and that is one reason they tend to be taken for more money.

One final thought: There are lots of "old men" here who know precisely what is going on (as opposed to the young men who think she actually loves them).

They just put up with it and often have many young girls on the side.........it is all a "love game."

It is an old game.

Hello griser, I have found pinto, black, kidney and other along with several different peas by this co. (see pix( here in Korat(The Mall), and have seen this brand somewhere's in BKK, I think it was Villa. I think they were Bt.63 for 500gr

rice555

Since many of us are always starving for Tex-Mex food, I thought I would make a suggestion: Make tamale pie at home using polenta.

From the way it looks, I think it would work. You just need that McCormick Chile Mix (or something similar), garlic powder, chopped onion, tomatoes in can, and excellent ground beef (hard to find).........top it with cheddar cheese at the last moment.

My mom used to make it........really good and you don't need an oven, just a good caste iron skillet.

There are probably lots of recipes for this on the internet.

Hi JR

If you don't have an oven you can use a stemer.... just reduce the liquid portion of your favorite recipe by 10%.. put it in your pan... place that in your steamer and steam it for 30-40 min's or untill a tooth pick comes out clean when you poke it in the center... I like caramelized onions and crispy bacon in mine ... I also like jalapeños and cheese...

Moist every time....

S.J.C...

Sounds good....thanks. crispy bacon and onions........sounds good. I also used to put chopped green olives on top........sounds odd, but it is good. Getting hungry. I think you might even be able to put it all in a metal pan and then cook it in a smoker-BBQ until done. Nothing quite like tamale pie.

Hello griser, I have found pinto, black, kidney and other along with several different peas by this co. (see pix( here in Korat(The Mall), and have seen this brand somewhere's in BKK, I think it was Villa. I think they were Bt.63 for 500gr

rice555

Since many of us are always starving for Tex-Mex food, I thought I would make a suggestion: Make tamale pie at home using polenta.

From the way it looks, I think it would work. You just need that McCormick Chile Mix (or something similar), garlic powder, chopped onion, tomatoes in can, and excellent ground beef (hard to find).........top it with cheddar cheese at the last moment.

My mom used to make it........really good and you don't need an oven, just a good caste iron skillet.

There are probably lots of recipes for this on the internet.

I use polenta the same way I use cornmeal. Same thing if maybe a bit coarse. Foodland has had Jiffy Cornbread Mix recently, as well. If I could only find a cast iron skillet, I would be happy.

JIFFY CORNBREAD MIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love the stuff.........never saw it in Thailand. Good to know some things are here now that I crave.

Maybe chocolate pudding will be next so I can make a chocolate cream pie.

Will someone please define what they mean by "foreign arrivals."

Are they including each person that lands at the airport? (Some may just be in transit)

Are they only including people who actually enter Thailand?

Thanks.

That is really good to know. It is so difficult to find cornmeal in Thailand (think they know we want it........also Corn Chips too).

I saw polenta in the store and it looked just like corn meal to me but I wasn't sure.

As I don't have an oven, I did not know what to do with it......maybe you can make "fry cornbread."

I love pinto beans, onions, ham (usually the bone with meat).........and cornbread........one of my favorite dishes.

If anybody knows how to make fried cornbread using polenta, please let us know. Yes, I can Google it.......but I would like to hear from a person who actually has done it and made it taste good.

Thanks.

Maybe tescos, sony, honda, suzuki etc.. should move out of thailand and see how they like that!!!

Add Siemens, Bosch, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Ferrari and all those purveyors of BS designer gear in the posh malls. Hit the phu yais where it will hurt.

You guys miss the point here, none of these big companies are affected by these rules. They all bring in big dollars and investment over 10 million baht and in cases like Toyota, BMW etc where they hire thousands of thais will qualify for BOI where they can own the company 100% so things like this does not affect them, it only affects us small guys.

Also, I really dont see any big issues as they have not really said anything, just said tighter controls this can mean anything, I would think with all the talk about shell companies to buy houses, land that this will be aimed at them, but this is my guess.

What it does say is that they are looking at removing business from the list that foreigners could not operate in before but now it looks possible they can. This does seem to be a step in the right direction. As for the voting rights for share holders this is already in place looks like they are just going to look more closely and enforce it.

The big point is that small scale businesses are the backbone of virtually every economy on the planet..........they create the most jobs. The idea that the big companies create most of the jobs is nonsense.

About the Paragon Mall: It was not packed at 11:30 am. Traffic did pick up substantially by 12:30 pm.

Note: I have heard many people say that this is the lowest high season on record, coming after the lowest low season on record. Many do say they are seeing customers, but they are not spending much.

This is reality..........and it is hurting Thailand's economy.

To turn it around they must adjust the business and visa rules to what they used to be and open their economy to foreign investment and competition........also they have to eliminate corruption at all levels and initate fundamental changes to their education system that will make Thailand competitive.

IMHO, of course.

Been in South East Asia for 12 years have you dumbell? You must have spent most of it looking in the other direction then. Phnom Penh stinks, there are no garbage bins and foul smelling rubbish is strewn all over the 'pavements'. Walk out of your shoe box and have a look right now. As Robroy above states. Open your eyes sunshine.

Self contradiction? <deleted> are you talking about. Suggest you buy yourself a dictionary.

I've spent a lot of time in Cambodia in the last 5 years and completely disagree.

Phnom Penh is a clharming, vibrant city and is being gentrified at a very fast rate. The change there in a few years is truly amazing.

For me personally, I prefer Sihanoukville which is also moving ahead in leaps and bounds, but some prefer PP.

You sound like one of these struggling Thailand business owners desperately trying to cling on to your customers and not see them go to a far better place, Cambodia, by deriding the place with false claims. That happens a lot on this forum. Also, when it comes to arguments about prices and cost of living, Cambodia is cheaper, I've lived in both countries.

And as for the people, well, never have I come across a more xenophobic people than the Thais. I simply couldn't take that shit anymore and left the country. It's not the case in Cambodia.

The best area of Phnom Penh is Boeung Keng Kang (BKK1) and surrounds. The river side is an over-rated touristy place.

I have to agree with you.........no idea what the guy is talking about unless he is talking about the past.

I would say, maybe five years ago, PP was dirty and you could see too much trash......the last time I was there things had changed rather dramatically.

I think the govt. has gotten serious about improving infrastructure, especially around the riverfront area.

Sihanoukville is also changing fast.........I was shocked to see the brand new roads and signs.

Also, many of those old shacks have been torn down.

You know, after Hun Sen set up residence there, the area will improve, especially security.

Too bad about the recent murder (Swiss citizen?).

I hope that does not continue because I don't want the place to turn into another Pattaya-Jomtien.

The one time I had a burger at the Rib the meat was nothing special and the bun was completely stale. So I do understand trying something once, and one time being enough.

Maybe you said it but I did not see it earlier...........has anybody eaten at hamburger at the Bob's BBQ place (run by a guy from Texas)?

Bob once told me he makes his own ground beef. Any good?

I know he makes a decent chicken fried steak (aka. country steak).

I will not say what I think about the BBQ.

What I want is a thick burger made w/ ground sirloin or something similar grilled over an open fire.

And after eating it I don't want to feel hungry.

The point is, a number of people have mentioned receiving a red stamp, there is a long discussion about that. But, very few were denied a visa as in this OP'S case. But, I don't recall anyone being denied a visa at another location, so that they couldn't continue to stay or visit. If one choses not to apply somewhere else, that's their choice.

I think it shoud be easy to understand that tourist-visas are for tourists only.

Everybody likes to stay longer can/shoud apply for a adequate visa.!? And there are a lot of possibilitys as mentioned in other parts of the forum.

Happy New Year

Thailand does not have to implement policies that are xenophobic.

It could implement foreigner friendly policies like Cambodia or the Philippines, for example.

That is my point that the defenders of these crazy policies do not seem to get.

Thailand decided to do what it has done.........It has not always been this way....in the past the rules were far more foreigner friendly.

Not all countries make these types of distinctions between short stay tourists and long stay tourists, etc.

It is just a word: TOURISTS. From one perspective, we are all temporary tourists--no matter what our visa status--given the insecurity of the visa system.

Not all countries do what they can to tear marriages apart by constantly raising the income bar.

Not all countries implement silly rules that make you travel across the country just to get a re-entry permit.

Not all countries make you pay for a outbound airline ticket before allowing you to enter the country.

Not all countries do everything in their power to prevent foreigners from staying and spending money in the country.

Etc., etc., etc.

Scary stuff. They are really starting to crack down hard on Farang living here. Good luck.

THEY have been doing this for the past ten years. It is pure xenophobia (coupled with a strong dose of total lunacy).

I agree about the water..........it is foul to say the least.

Thailand is the most polluted country I have ever lived in.........air, water, soil.......the farmers put enormous amounts of toxic pesticides on crops, and then people eat them.

This fact alone makes me wonder why any retiree would want to retire here, especially if they are concerned about health.

The air in many places like Jomtien-Pattaya, Chiang Mai and especially Bangkok is totally horrendous. You are breathing toxic stuff daily if you live there.

And smoking is endemic.

It would not surprise me at all to discover that Thailand has one of the highest cancer rates in the world. How could it be otherwise?

But you would never see that in official statistics because those are all manipulated to make things seem better than they are.