CRUNCHER

Doing this sort of thing discredits the system. It is an abuse. The next thing is the Thai Government will tighten things up to stop people abusing the system. For example people who who want visas from Hulll or where ever will have to apply in person.

This will be another example of the irresponsible few spoiling things for the majority who play by the rules. Please do not do it.

This same thread is running on both Real Estate and Pattaya Forums

I think your right Kerryd. The background didn't look like View Telay. Got my horrible,, nasty cynical suspicious mind working overtime. Should have known no newspaper in Thailand would use old pictures for a current story. Silly me

Not much to the story yet:

A building of five-star hotel in Pattaya which is under construction collapse on Thursday morning, injuring many workers.

//Thanasap Noisa-ard

Is this View Telay?

Seems I saw this picture afew months ago - an LK project I think. Might be wrong

ICAC came into being as a result of a huge public outcry over a particular incident. It had a large budget and draconian powers. However, its success has been largely due to education and widespread public support, including a desire to rid Hong Kong of corruption. Until this exists in Thailand setting up something similar here would be of little use.

There is still corruption in Hong Kong, mostly in business and low level politics. But nothing like the pre ICAC days and, apart from odd one offs, not amonst Government servants. One thing that helped was paying civil servants a good wage and provinding good conditions of service.

I would like to see something done about corruption in Thailand, but the first thing that is required is a major change of culture and attitude of the public at large.

So Sir Winston Churchill was an american .

We learn something everyday ...

If you want to give us a lecture in politic, at least try to get your quotation right

I stand corrected. And it's "politics" ...

My fault. I made a mistake attributing the quote to an American.

Having said that, Churchill was half American through his mother - and that includes some Native American blood. His wife, Clementine, was I believe, American. Churchill himself became an Honourary citizen of USA in 1963.

Back to democracy. Is any country truly democratic? As just one example, in 2000 "the worlds most powerful man' was elected with less than 50% of the popular vote. When you also take into account those who did not vote, Bush became president without the support of over 50% of the population. Another example - most British Governments in the 20th Century came to ower with less that 50% of the popular vote. Typically 20-30% of people do not bother to vote. This means that Britain was governed by governments who did not have the mandate of the majority of it's citizens.

Throw into that the fact that many voters have little idea who or what they are voting for, except perhaps those that try to bribe them with promises of tax cuts, cheaper medical treatment and schooling etc and you really have have to wonder what democracy means and who judges when it's aims have been met.

Thailand might not have the best domocracy, but at least voters have a choice. How they exercise their rights is up to them. When street gangs like PAD try to take away their choice of the people there should be grave cause for concern. I do not like Samak, but if he is kicked out it should be done through peaceful and lawful means.

What is the famous quote? I am sure one of our American friends will correct me, but it goes something like this:-

“Democracy is a very bad form of government, but all the others are so much worse”

Elections in Thailand produce bad governments, but others (military coups, thugs demonstrating on the streets etc) will produce worse governments.

Not quite as racist as it may seem. If you are a farang with a tax card you can get in for the Thai price. Some times a driving licence will do.

Basically it is 20 baht for tax payers and 200 baht for non taxpayers. As tax payers money is used for the upkeep of the parks it is not so unfair as it seems.

The more I read the more I doubt the story is actually true. How do you go through to you 20's without knowing that a girl gets wet when aroused? Or has a period? This seems like a troll to me.

Finally someone has caught on. ...and for my next post - "whoes that clip clopping over my bridge?"

Apologies for slightly deviating from the topic, but i have a question regarding the UK state pension, and having already received some great advice from GuestHouse, wondered if i might trouble for some more...

I've just received my pension forecast which tells me that i have 10 years of qualifying contributions, and with the new law, this means i require just 20 more to get a full pension.

Now i had previously been preparing myself to pay voluntary contributions for the last ten years i have missed living in Thailand, but it has dawned on me that perhaps this might not be necessary. I'm in my 30s now. Would it not be ok to wait until i'm about 45 years old, and then start to make voluntary contributions on a year by year basis, this way giving me the extra 20 years required for the full pension. Or does there come a point when you have not been contributing so long that it's not possible to pick up where you left off?

Is there any argument to get the 30 full years on contributions paid as quickly as possible?

I think this largely depends on your personal circumstances and your future plans. Rates of contributions increase every year, but then only in line with inflation.

If it were me I would want to get fullyqualified as soon as possible, because I feel I would be less likely to be affected if the Government decides to move the goalposts again.

This existing law its both stupid, and unenforceable. And so hypocritical-

That's not the point (although it seems in this case it was enforced). If it is illegal and you get caught don't winge. If you can't do the time; don't do the crime.

Try reading this one

http://www.ukmedix.com/viagra/viagra-kamagra.cfm

Rudi 2008 - Suggest you sign your contracts and send them in. Phase one is quite well sold, but still some left I believe. There will be 4 phases in all. Good location - convenient for town and Sukumvit. This wil be a first class development and a good investment for the future. (I have nothing to do with the developer or property sales at all, but I have bought one unit.)

As stated, this case is now before the European Court of Human Rights. For a number of varying reasons it has dragged on for ages and is not expected to be determined before the autumn at the earliest.

The case is being broughts by members of the Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners. For anyone who wants to monitor progress they can bookmark their website which is as follows:-

http://www.britishpensions.com/media.html

So that means that Someone can build a 14 meter high structure actually in the water. Anyway you look at it, VT7 is TOO close to the water.

Is someone builds a 14 metre structure on land it is 14 metres above the road surface. But what if someone builds a 14 metre structure in the sea? Is that 14 metres above the sea bed or 14 metres above the sea surface? If the latter does the building have to rise and fall with the tide?

Can there have seriously have been any attempt to legislate for buildings in the sea if this sort of thing is not covered?

There is indeed a big and growing residential market to be served.

Exactly. A Watsons would be good.

Jomtien has long needed a decent supermarket. I would have preferred BigC, but Tops is better than nothing. *$s would be great. Can't get a decent coffee in Jomtien at the moment.

Got my internet banking with BB last year with just a 12 month non-O. When I first enquired they said if I didn't have a WP then I would need a 12 month visa plus a certificate of residence. In the end I didn't need the certificate of residence. The whole process took about 20 minutes, but had to wait about a week to use it for paper work to be processed.

<br />......and if they revoke the builing permit, you'll end up with a bigger eye-sore than if VT7 was completed (for many years).<br />A Pyrrhic victory indeed.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

It could be turned into a tourist attraction! A monument to stupidity and greed.

How about an up market shopping mall. Jomtien is overdue for one.

Two weeks ago paid 800 baht plus motorway charge from Jomtien to Airport.

I too am due to renew 1 year car and motorcycle licence(s) for the five year one.

I have recently heard some conflicting stories which I'm looking for clarrification. Apparently, if you are applying with a Non Imm O Visa they will now only accept SINGLE entry, not the MULTIPLE as previous. Are immigration offices (Nong Khai) issuing 'Alien Residence Certificates', or do you have to get this document from your embassy, or is it possible to go to the Metropolitan Police. If resident up-country can you apply for the licence itself in Bangkok.

And FINALLY, is it worth it ....................

Or, should one just leave 1,000 THB on the counter and see how long it stays there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In Pattaya got my one year licence on a one year multiple entry non immigrant O (multi-entry) 2 days ago.

Used Residence Certificate from Jomtien Immigration. Cost 200 baht each - I need two; for car and motor cycle. I can't imagine the 5 year licence is any different.

Two silly questions:-

1. Do I need photo copies of IDL and own country license

2. Are car and motor cycle licenses separate or are the two put in one license.

Thanks

Can answer my own silly questions now. Yes you need a copy of IDL. They did not (in Pattaya at least) require a copy, or even to see, my own country licence.

You get two separate licences, one for a car and one for a motor cycle.

For information a car licence is now 205 baht and a motor cycle licence is 155 baht.

The whole process took about 2 hours. A bit chaotic, but relatively painless. The hardest part was trying to find where to get the forms - in the car park over by the toilet. After that the system took care of everything. The staff were friendly and helpful.

Two silly questions:-

1. Do I need photo copies of IDL and own country license

2. Are car and motor cycle licenses separate or are the two put in one license.

Thanks

Well thanks for having a go at that but can you see the lengths you are having to go to with stretched,complex,unfounded arguments to support the "expert witness" against what is in essence a very simple issue.

This sort of response is always a sure sign of a struggle to make things fit a point of view,even though they go against common sense.

Common sense indicates to me that you would not introduce new legislation to allow you to build closer to the sea than the earlier legislation would.Why would the lawmakers want to allow building closer to the sea,doesn't make sense.

And not seeing any tall buildings 100m out into the sea,or any applications to build any there in the last 30 years,gives no reason to want to write issue 9 to provide blanket legislation to specifically prohibit such buildings 100m out there to sea.Is the "expert witness" suggesting you can build up to 14m in the plus/minus 100m zone,or cannot build anything?

Buildings allowed out into the sea but only up to 14m?

You see,the questions just go on and on.

You have to remember that to change legislation costs a fortune in time and money to implement,so you arn't going to change it unless you have compelling reasons which offer improvements and benefits.

The expert witness reasoning does not offer benefits,only detriments ,and more questions,and that is where it falls down.

To make a case to support the "expert witness" defies common sense and logic,so still not convinced.

One of the reasons I have been following this thread is to see if someone can come up with logical answers to some of these questions, but I think that they mostly defy logic. As I see it, whatever the "expert" says, it is at this time, legal to build up to at least 14 meters high however far out to sea you wish. Of course practicalities, construction costs and land ownership are issues which are probably more relevant than legalities. Which comes back to the question, why legislate to deal with something no one wants to do anyway?

Without going into whether the "expert" is right or wrong in his interpretation, can anyone come up with logical answers to these questions?

Exactly where is Best Supermarket?