wadsy

These guns are used by Thais quite often for shooting birds and other wildlife. And why would you want to injure dogs?

If you have this desire to play blink cans, than why not use pebbles. That`s what I used to do before I grew up.

Airguns are for airheads and serve no useful purpose other than for killing and injuring.

Typical 'ban it all' mentality sassiene............... why don't you go back to using pebbles like you used to instead of spouting emotive claptrap like that. FYI there are MANY out there that enjoy airsoft ................including this 'airhead' that spend 20 years in tactical law enforcement!!!!! Kn#b!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its funny, I used to own a 103sqm two bedroom condo on the 11th floor of Galae Thong until I had to return back to Oz earlier this year and I NEVER had a problem with noise during the 12 months that I owned it! In actual fact, as one poster correctly pointed out - contruction is limited to between 10am and 5pm to negate any 'inconveniences' as far as noise is concerned and yes, sometimes renovation noise was audible but not to the extent that you couldnt hear the TV over it! Maybe the reno's were right next door to you? And I always found the lifts were about the same as any other condo that I'd bought at. Horses for courses I suppose but I have/had nothing good experiences with Galae Thong and would buy there again when I return to CM.

I feel for you and other aussies over there atm. My wife and I HAD to come back here in NSW in Dec last year and we brought some cash back with us and got 31 something baht to the dollar and as you said, its low 20's now. A few of my Oz friends in CM will be hurtin pretty badly as I know they rely on money transfers to live on. One mate last week even lamented that he might have to come home as the cash isn't going as near as far as he thought it would. And on top of the exchange rate/financial crisis my wife's sister said that everything (foodwise) has gone up dramatically since we came back! Not a good omen.................................

'Valuable logic from "Fiscalist".

Especially his comment about saving face.

In Thailand, everything is about face, in some way or other.

Worthwhile to consider it carefully.

Why would you offer severence pay?

To protect yourself from ill-will among the locals, and to burnish your reputation as a man with good heart ("jai-dee").

Here in Thailand, far better to have many friends than one enemy.

To suddenly fire your staff, without pay, puts severe strain on them.

All their social network will come to their aid with food and loans of money, until they find new jobs.

Everyone will know the reason for the problem -- and that reason is you.

Plus, the next staff you hire will certainly know everything about you from the gossip.

Any comments from us Westerners about "theft is theft" ignore the strong, cultural trait, of sharing among Thais.

In addition, in Thai society, the rich person "takes care" of the poor within his extended family.

If you employ someone, they come within your extended family.

We have little concept of that in the West, but the Thais put high value on it.

When they take something -- as "DLock" described -- it is not a sin, just their way of letting you be generous to them, without bothering you by asking for every little thing.

Among my staff, I expect these sorts of things to happen, and I try to understand them, as they try to understand me.

They look to see what I value highly, and never touch those items.

For example, they would never, ever, take my computer, my mobile phone, or any CDs.

But they would, and have, remove something small from the kitchen, like taking home plastic food trays.

And, of course, they help themselves to any food within reach, and take plenty home for their own family and neighbors.

They will also take minor items of low value, if I have many, like socks.

Most times they return change from small purchases, but sometimes they don't.

It's all part of the package of living here.'

This comment would have to be the biggest load of <deleted> that I have ever heard. My Thai wife and I agree - its out and out stealing......full stop! We would not expect anyone that was in our employ, Thai or otherwise to do the things that DLock has said that occurred and both of us fully support his actions as far as this is concerned.

And the cr@p about the temptation of stuff lying around just might make one do things that they wouldn't do is exactly what I said........cr@p. There is nothing wrong with integrity testing (at which they failed miserably btw). I think it would be better to find out now than in say, one or two years and many thousand baht and itemslater. Good ridence!

Hi all,

I want to transfer around 750,000 baht back to Oz from my Kasikorn account. The exchange buy rate at St George Bank in Australia is 28.89 baht to the dollar whereas K Bank'sbuy rate today is 30.00 baht to the dollar. It doesn't sound like much difference but it equates to around $1,000 AUD. Some topics I have read suggest that banks in Thailand can't send baht only the foreign currency of the respective country. If that is the case, what about using my K Bank Debit card in an ATM in Australia to withdraw that amount over a couple of weeks. Does anyone know if that would be cost effective? Or even if it is feasible. Thanks in advance.

Hi, PM me with your email address and i will send you a copy of a two page lease agreement in english we use for long term tenants here in Thailand. Cheers..........

THanks for that. I have a friend over there that is a sparky so hopefully installation costs won't be great. I know though it will need a 30amp circuit breaker so I think I will get one here and post that too with the unit. The only prob which I can see is that he will need to put another direct wire in from the meter box to where the bathroom is and its about 20metres. No doubt with the cost of copper wire over there that will run in a few bucks but even if I put in a system from here or a storage system from there I will have to do that anyway.

The 10% return is before deducting costs, and of course assumes year-round occupancy. Without knowing the property or area, I'd assume occupancy of closer to 10 months a year. Here are some other thoughts:

- Will you manage the apartment yourself, including rent collection?

- Will you be available year-round in case there is a problem?

- If you get someone to manage for you - possibly the condo management - how much will it cost?

- Will you insure the property?

- Do you have the language skills to manage a Thai tenant? How about the contract?

- If the return is closer to 7 or 8%, will you still be interested?

Actually FYI brianbrain - the return is better than your 'guestimated' 10% 'BEFORE DEDUCTING COSTS' (I.E. GROSS) - How about you read the OP again:- "he current owner, a farang due to leave for home shortly, reports a 10% return after building service fees". It's return is actually just on 13% GROSS on short term rentals. And on a long term contract the figures are just over 12% GROSS and 11% NETT respectively, working on near 100% occupancy which is readily achievable in this particular location AND with all falang tenants.

Oh, Mr. Crowy.... such a cynic.

A cynic is an optimist who recognises reality

CB

So then CB, you believe that the 'reality' is that nothing can be done? That sounds awefully like a Thai attitude to me......'mai pen rai, song taos only stop for a minute whats the problem'? What utter cr@p! The problem is they are are pain in the ass, and not just at Central! They stop where they like because of driver attitude. They have no regard for other drivers period! I agree with the OP 1000%. It might be a slow change but its definately possible and, more to the point, practical.

Thanks, Yes I thought of both those things, the pressure reduction would not be a problem but maybe would have to put the unit outside of the bathroom IF its actually alloqwed at all. The only instantaneous systems that I have found or have ever seen in Oz are the LPG gas varieties, hence the query. Thanks again.

Hi,

I searched the forums without a lot of luck so I thought I will just ask outright. Has anyone used, or does anyone know of anybody who has taken an instantaneous hot water system back to Oz for use there? With the same voltage and hertz I wouldn't imagine that it would a problem, unless there is something about Australian Standards that prohibits their import that I am unaware of. Does anyone know? We are heading back in December to reclocate there for a 5 yrs then come back here so I thought that sending one of these units back via post would save me quite a few bucks instead of having to buy a storage system there. for our shop. Any info greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Never been with one before. But one of my wifes friends is so convincing. You would never know. I mean you would never pick it. She has a good shape and nothing manly about her at all.

Any chance of her mobile # ?

I don't think Thailand is perfect. I would rather live in HK, Singapore, or South Korea... but not enough to pay 5 times as much for everything as I pay in Thailand. That is what it always comes down to. My life style in Thailand runs about 100k baht a month. When I start a family, I imagine it will double. But even if I made five times as much as I do now, I would still rather save that money than spend it getting the same thing in Seoul, only a little bit better. For me, I believe the number would be around $4,000,000 before I would consider living in these places over Bangkok.

You sound like a right tosser. 100,000 baht a month is like what you would expect to pay in Oz not Thailand. I was going to keep replying to your post but really, I think it would be a waste of breath....................

Seems like your talking to yourself. The first sign of madness you know..........BTW, how's this relate to Thailand?

Good catch. Looks like some of the big fish have been caught, once they are returned to their own country's prisons it will be a holiday from there after their time in one of those horrific Thai prisons, keep them in Thailand for as long as possible, let them suffer to compensate for all the lives of innocent men, women, children and all others that get stamped on destroyed or murdered along the way whilst these evil drug pedlars and suppliers continue to supply these shocking terribly life threatening substances.

The sentence these type of people get be it the death sentence or not I do not care about as long as the punishment reflects the crime.

I guess depending if your Mum, Sister, Brother, Child or other person close to you has been caught in this death trap will depend on how severe you think sentences should be for this offence.

People like this continue to murder and destroy lives daily on a daily basis for personal financial gain and greed to feed there own depraved habit of feeling in control of peoples lives and then gradually the victim dies in one way another either physically or mentally, and the dealers and suppliers as intended become rich beyond belief.

Individuals that murder people and torture there lives in till they become dependant on the supplier of something that can potentially kill them well they are very low in my list of people I am to bothered about except

I hope they suffer please they deserve it,

Greed, Greed, Greed, Biggest killer ever

Please note once again these only my thoughts, they are not written to provoke, in advance I am sorry if I offend and please remember every one is entitled to an opinion.

Regarding the human rights of drug pushers. Those rights are singular, I believe in a majority verdict. As the unfortunate father of a son who threw away his future then his life by taking drugs. Family life was hel_l, my other son my wife and I had outside door locks on our bedroom doors to stop him stealing. The house was locked down at nights so he could only get out of his small bedroom window, which was so small he could not take things through with himself. Female visitors were told to keep their bags with them at all times. You name a precuation we took it. But we could not stop him breaking into houses stealing cars and doing identity theft (even his own brothers).

Courts, social services all failed him and the family with their "All he needs is another chance" when getting him off the streets may have saved them.

I digress

One drug pusher, tens, hundred of addicts stealing from strangers, wrecking homes, families etc. That pusher he/she has forfieted any human rights by spitting, shi##ing and laughing at the human rights of others.

I would press the trigger, depress the plunger, pull the lever and throw the switch knowing the carnage that they were happily doing was now at an end.

If you have never said goodbye to your youngest child who should still be alive, then do not preach to me about rights and uncivilised behaviour. The wrong person was in that coffin.

DITTO x 2

hmm looks like a death sentence case

I hope so...they deserve it!!!

I can't believe how many of you <deleted> are cheering for the death penalty over dealing marijuana & herion. I don't think herion has ever killed anyone and I'm positive that marijuana hasn't! Alcohol and nicotine kill thousands every year but, due to commercial greed and taxes, they remain legal. Use of any drug should be a personal choice based on health risks and whether it endangers anyone around you.

Another fluffy box dweller. I don't suppose heroin users that steal, rob and yes..... sometimes KILL to get their 'fixes' come under your criteria as to whether it endangers anyone around you? Check your facts before you open your mouth.

hmm looks like a death sentence case

hmm looks like a death sentence case

I hope so...they deserve it!!!

hmm looks like a death sentence case

I hope so...they deserve it!!!

Nobody deserves a death sentence. Only uncivilized countries still practice it.

Great just great - here we go again for the hundredth time with the pro and con death penalty debate. I guess I will weigh in my two bahts worth so the dogooders can howl how unfair my opinion is, shame on me - you take the risk, you know the consequences. The death penalty is applied. Its the law of the country where you got caught. Its not exactly rocket science to know they knew the rewards v's the risks.

I for one would have no quarms in pushing the lethal injection button. But then again I spent 25 years in law enforcement and have seen first hand the pain and misery that drugs caused. You 'turn the other cheek' types that feel that only uncivilised countries still practice it should come out of your warm fluffy box for a shot of reality.

Problems here in Chaing Mai too so I guess its widespread..........

Can you accept if everyone has a key to your house?

Why should I want to give everyone the key to my house? Try to read the topic again as I think you may be replying to somthing else.

OK, make it this way. Would you mind not locking the doors of your house so anyone could walk in as they like?

Key = Passport

The average Isaan people do this but I doubt Bill Gates would like this idea.

Yes then I would be happy to give up my passport and compete on a level playing field because I truly think it would be a great step forward for mankind.

You really are a dreamer. Your philosophy doesnt account for the dictators, despots, and power hungry individuals (and states for that matter) that will ALWAYS strive for dominance and control. As one poster said, you really should get out more. Utopia and world peace is an impossible dream, it doesn't matter how much you wish for it. Here was I too thinking that your ilk also disappeared with the fuzzy, warm, 'love thy enemy', flower power 60's crowd! As much as you don't like to admit it and want the utopian dream, it aint gonna happen buddy, Charles Darwin had it right.

I will be brief...... is anyone aware of whether or not the Thai Military runs any surplus auctions? A friend of mine owns an army disposal shop in Australia and asked me. I said I would find out for him. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hi me and my girl are looking to buy a 10 year old condo or small townhouse, somewhere in Bangkok, preferably near the BTS or MRT. We have a limited budget though, we are looking around the 1.5 million range. So, to make our budget go further I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice or pointers about buying property auctioned off by banks, because their customers couldn't keep up on the payments. I'm a total novice in this area and I would appreciate any advice that's going: who to get in touch with, where do they advertise auctions for repossessions, agents who specialise in this area, potential hazards, stuff like that.

Also, we have 500,000 baht in cash, so we will be needing a loan for a million, so I'm wondering if that would complicate things, becasue I assume banks want to sell their repossesions for cash if possible, rather than take on more loans. Thanks beforehand, for any advice that's going.

If you buy a condo that a bank has taken over and it is in the banks name, then the bank would have paid the outstanding condo management fees (they have to do that to get the chanote transferred into their name) but the price will reflect this no doubt. If you do buy at auction, usually by the LED (Legal Exceution Department) the final price might be low BUT you, the now new owner will have to pay the oustanding condo fees, which in some instances are large. For example, we looked at a condo that was 90 sqm and was going to come in at auction at around 450,000. Add a couple of hundred for renovation, seemed like still a good deal. BUT..... the condo fees hadn't been paid for 18 years though and were in the vicinity of 270,000 baht when we checked with the Land Office!!!!

So I guess the moral to the story is do your homework, if you buy off a bank, check the chanote, make sure its in the banks name, go to the Land Department with a copy of the chanote, they will tell you free of charge what the expected transfer fees will be and remember there will be no 50/50 sharing of the transfer as far as the bank is concerned, you will have to cough up the lot.

You will also not get a loan if the condo is in your (the falang's) name as 1. You will not get a bank to loan you the money and 2. you will need a Thor Tor Sam certificate from the bank to show that all the monies for the condo purchase came from abroad. If you are buying in your girls name, as torrenova pointed out, she will need a ###### good job to get a loan.

Happy condo hunting.......

Geez soundman, I dont wish to sound harsh but my lady and everyone elses I know bends over backward to do things for their partner, even if they have a full time job. And I would think that nuturing the kids would be her priority. She is their natural mother? Maybe she is being a little bit selfish or really doesn't care too much about you? Time to start demanding equality me thinks. Good luck mate.

Driving here is not that bad at all. Get used to it or take the train.

I don't know what planet you are on. Driving here in Thailand is, in one word, atrocious. I spent 25 years in law enforcement, the majority on the Highway Patrol and I would descibe the driving of quite a lot of Thai's as a 'pursuit gone crazy' particularly their driving after dark. I have lost count of the number of stupid and dangerous things I have encountered on the roads here, so much so that it is with trepidation that we ever venture out after midnight.

Whilst there are some courteous Thai drivers with reasonable ability to control a motor vehicle, unfortunately they are in the minority.

wow, a real traffic cop. cool. and he's afraid to go out at night.

Driving here is not that bad at all. Get used to it or take the train.

I don't know what planet you are on. Driving here in Thailand is, in one word, atrocious. I spent 25 years in law enforcement, the majority on the Highway Patrol and I would descibe the driving of quite a lot of Thai's as a 'pursuit gone crazy' particularly their driving after dark. I have lost count of the number of stupid and dangerous things I have encountered on the roads here, so much so that it is with trepidation that we ever venture out after midnight.

Whilst there are some courteous Thai drivers with reasonable ability to control a motor vehicle, unfortunately they are in the minority.

wow, a real traffic cop. cool. and he's afraid to go out at night.

Do you think hes lost his flashlight maybe ?

Driving here is not that bad at all. Get used to it or take the train.

I don't know what planet you are on. Driving here in Thailand is, in one word, atrocious. I spent 25 years in law enforcement, the majority on the Highway Patrol and I would descibe the driving of quite a lot of Thai's as a 'pursuit gone crazy' particularly their driving after dark. I have lost count of the number of stupid and dangerous things I have encountered on the roads here, so much so that it is with trepidation that we ever venture out after midnight.

Whilst there are some courteous Thai drivers with reasonable ability to control a motor vehicle, unfortunately they are in the minority.

I don't agree, unless you are talking about Bangkok, which is like any other overcrowded city with an inadequade street network. I drive a motorcycle in KK, where I live and find the drivers mostly polite and civil compared to back home. I would never consider riding a motorcycle in USA. If you want to see rude, nasty and dangerous drivers go to Florida or Arizona. Hit & run has got to be a sport there. I used to see accidents every day and ususally got "flipped off" at least once a day by some impatient tailgater. Never has happened to me in 3 years in Thailand.

I'll take ur comments tongue in cheek as I asume it was meant to be. You will note on the OP the word 'we' - when I said its with intrepidation that 'we' ever venture out at night - by this I'm talking about my family, young children in the car. Not a case of losing a flashlight or afraid to go out a night but I do not like to place my family in jepody if I can help it.

I don't know about KK or other country areas but I live in Chiang Mai and am talking about driver behaviour there. I have been to Bangkok and see the same attitude there as well. 'Never has happened to me in 3 years in Thailand.' - come visit CM and see what I'm talking about.

Driving here is not that bad at all. Get used to it or take the train.

I don't know what planet you are on. Driving here in Thailand is, in one word, atrocious. I spent 25 years in law enforcement, the majority on the Highway Patrol and I would descibe the driving of quite a lot of Thai's as a 'pursuit gone crazy' particularly their driving after dark. I have lost count of the number of stupid and dangerous things I have encountered on the roads here, so much so that it is with trepidation that we ever venture out after midnight.

Whilst there are some courteous Thai drivers with reasonable ability to control a motor vehicle, unfortunately they are in the minority.

am thinking more along the lines of protest.

Great, just what we need in CM - so called 'peaceful protests' that invariably end up with some sort of violence because certain elements feel that to get their point across they don't have to comply with lawful directions. Anyway what makes you feel that your protests here would be listened to or even weighed up in the grand scheme of things? Seems like a a wasted exercise to me. I would have thought that if you felt that strongly about the situation (and don't get me wrong - I genuinely am concerned about what is happensing there) wouldn't you be better off actually going to Burma to voice your opinions and playing a more active role there?