invex

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"Have you tried as a Falang to get a Credit Card in Thailand."

Yes! - as mentioned previously, it's very simple!

Some Thai banks offer a Debit Card that can be used on-line-- it functions just like a Credit Card. Here's Bangkok Bank's blurb on their on-line card:

"With a Be1st Visa Debit Card you can make cash withdrawals at ATMs across Thailand and the world, and use it shop at any store in the world displaying a VISA sign. You can also use it to shop securely online."

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@SurfRider,

Dont believe it for 1 satang. They promised me that (use the debit card with the Visa sign for purchases outside of Thailand) for a long time ago and I can CONFIRM you; IT DOESN'T WORK. I just got back from the bank in CM to complain about it, after being to New Zealand. Not one shop or business in NZ accepted the card. I tried everywhere and with business normally accepting every card. NOT ONE; they all commented: this card is NOT VALID in our country. The same for Europe, USA and Australia. Nobody accept that debitcard for payment. ATM is OK every where.

Just wonder - why people do not use online booking available now from almost any airline (or, if too lazy to check all the options/can't find cheap tickets themselves, online travel agencies or ticket search engines) and resort to "offline" travel agencies, especially in Pattaya.

As they book tickets FROM Thailand, guess they live here for a while, and, as such, should be aware that travel agencies in Thailand are rip offs more often than no (or occasionally worse, as in this case).

Even in this day and age, a lot of people haven't got or have been declined Credit Cards. That's one possibility

Pls read my post #37 first.

I live in Thailand year round.

I did not used a CC because I was scammed in BKK with my card before. I stayed at a BKK hotel and paid with my CC. 3 months later I went to Europe and checked my mail. My CC was used in Londen and Tokyo while I was in Thailand and even crossed the border with Laos that very same day. Went to the police, my bank and the CC company immediately. My bank told me I was too late, as one has 1 month only to complain. Registered letters to the bank and CC company, and many calls did not help. I could clearly prove my CC was not stolen nor lost (I still had my original card) and I stayed in Thailand all time and crossed the border with Laos (with my pasport). I lost 4.000 euro (+/- 200.000 Baht) and not be refunded. My bank takes the money from my account immediately. The police told me the scammers just made a completely new card with my name and number on it and signed the back by themselves.

2 unpleasent and expensive things, amounting to about 320.000 Baht I lost.

To all those clever people who give strong words/advice and who think the victems are stupid and have no knowledge: be careful, it might happen to you.

This is terrible. Its a common scam. My friend lost the prices of 2 tickets to England 4 years ago from another travel Agent in Chiang Mai. The Police where not interested. But threatened to arrest my friend if he caused a breach of the peace.

Another example that ripping people off in this country is fine but don't complain its not polite.

Exactly the same happened to me last year. It was Mau Tours in Chiang Mai. I had to buy a new and very expensive ticket at the airport in Europe to get back (I stayed all day at the airport to find a solution). Apparently, she canceled the return when I left for Europe and payed the carrier for a one-way only. I had a proof of payment and e-ticket (for a return flight) but Ethihad refused to give me a seat. They closed the check-in in front of me and told me I had to find a solution by my own. Ethihad did do nothing at all to help or give some advice. NOTHING at all. They even not gave me the opportunity to make a call.

I went to the police (a low policeman first and later to the highest ranked in CM) and , knowing they had hundreds of similar cases, they did do nothing at all. It was a feeling of protecting Mau Tours and being aggressive to me!

Very expensive lesson but also very frustrating as I know for sure, after me, more farangs got scammed the same way and by the very same lady.

TIT

If you take the quality of the "beer" into concideration, 60B small bottle is high, if the place is nice or there is entertainment then thats an ok price. I think Darets is good deal for some farang food. They make a great club sandwich for 60B. Their beer prices are very cheap, last I checked the dreaded beer Chang was 50 for the large bottle.

"Darets" owners/staff (still) are very fanatic and extreme supporters of the Red Shirts. That's why many of my friends and myself don't want to go there anymore.

For some time I try to find a Neti-pot in Thailand. Unfortunately without succes. About 6 months ago, I saw one at the corridor-shop in front of Pizza Hut at the 4rd floor, Central Airport. They were asking 4.500 Baht for a very small pot saying it was completely hand-made.

TIT

Haha, good try.

Pls go to this link: Bt16.8 Billion To Help Thai Tourism Operators - Thailand Forum

This money will go, via well know channels, to the owners of the affected businesses. Many times those people / family are the same. This is the third payout time in about 2 years.

Believe me, rich Thai hotel and other holiday related businesses- owners will get enough money to even make a huge profit. That's why you never see those things going bankrupt, even empty for a long time.

Why you not propose those business-owners to raise the wages of the staff in difficult times? They will roll over the (expensive) carpet from laughing.

TIT

But I need more information for investigation to be fair to the officers."

hahahaha, as in all (most) cases, nothing will be done here. The worst penalty for a cop, even for killing, is an "inactive post" or a transfer to a "poor" part of the country. One will never hear of this anymore.

The Government should tackle this coz it is the worst thing to deal with in Thailand. Unfortunately, nothing will be done for this as well. All people, including PM, are scared of the BIB. And one better should; morality is far below zero with those guy’s. After 1 -2 years on duty they are all the same. Don't do the job, just look for occasions to enrich themselves with no matter what, no matter how.

Nobody is strong enough to find a remedy for this society-cancer. Compared to them, the most extreme “Red Shirts” will look like 10 years old lady-boys.

I would say to this brainwashed and apparently stupid (as she cannot think clear by herself) Red Shirt “Paris-art”, the following:

Buy yourself a lottery ticket.

If you don't win the first prize, blame it on every one and in particular the lottery company and managers as they did not support you for winning the prize.

Next, go on a rampage and burn down the Lottery head office and all related buildings.

Next, call all journalists to get an interview and tell them it is not right and very bad you did not win.

Next, give a statement that, in the event they will not let you win the firts prize next drawning, you will burn all of Thailand including you own and family-home and put all responsibility on the lottery.

Next…………….

Yes, true for 100%.

Nothing in the farang media that “Red Shirts” were/are payed for by Thaksin for the demonstration(s). In my opinion may be the most important issue.

(Almost) nothing in the farang media about the weapons and violent tactics used by the Reds. Nothing about the Hitlerian speeches by the leaders to brainwash and provoke violence.

(Almost) nothing about all buildings and real estate destroyed by them.

Etc etc.

If this would happen in their own countries, those media would write and comment completely different, I guess the opposite from what they do now.

The people who form the committee are people who are professional and put the country first. Anybody who has help a political office or military/police post in the past is automatically ruled out.

And where would you find these people? And how would you know what's in their hearts? How would you know they're not corrupt or can't be corrupted once they're in office?

Greed is everywhere. I mean a guy worth a couple of billions of dollars should have enough for the next few generations right? But still it isn't enough and he wants more.

As I posted previously somewhere around here, the selection process should be by lottery using ID card numbers for citizens over the age of 25, with considerations for equal representation geographically, and instead of 30, choose 500 and put them through intensive 30 day training on existing procedures, and these would be the representatives, subject to 90 day performance reviews and with term limits of 3 years.

Getting right off the thread here as I thought this was all about politics? But if you want to get into corruption I for one would be taking all the backhanders I could get if I was on a crappy government salary of 8-12000B a month which is an average income here. For many of us that could be considered a good night out so who can begrudge the odd government worker getting the odd 100-200B here and there.

Corruption works both ways as if you have friends in the local police you'll never pay for not wearing a crash helmet nor a parking or traffic violation. If your refering to corruption on a larger scale do your research and get a lawyer as Thailands not as bad as this thread makes it out to be. Anyone who doesn't trust Thai sources contact your embassy and don't be taken like a fool as fools get played in whatever country they're in!

@ Jirapa,

I'm sorry but you are a mental poor man in my humble opinion.

My grandfather and his father had to work very hard for a small salary. They were away from home by the week to get some money and WORKED about 15 hours a day. They had a salary just to keep themselves and the family alive. Sometimes they had to WALK to their work (150 km). Do you think my grandmother told them to get corrupt and to do other bad things to get their lives more enjoyable?????? No, my friend, they had much more dignity and proud. I am very happy that I had grandparents like them because they all made my country good livable. I am very happy too my country did not have people like you at that time. My country would be, be now, comparable to Sierra Leone or Nigeria or....

This is Thailand, don't forget that. There is (now) no salary like in our countries. But that gives them NO RIGHT to be - or accept corrupt(ion) nor other bad things. As long as there is corruption and other things related to it, there will be NO democracy nor equal good living in peace. That's just impossible. If you want to see Thailand to proceed in the good way. Don't accept or minimize corruption. FIGHT IT, for the good future of Thailand and all people living here.

well said, You prove my point.the gap is iIS getting smaller, but it takes time, but there are more rreforrms that need to come, more like a Social reforms to benefits the lower classes and the remote people in Thailand.

Just and advise for any goverment to come- Thailand should start turning to the provinces for the gowth engine and not base its economy on Bangkok,Eastern seaboward industries and south tourism that are based on cheap labour from the poor population and benefits the owners, but real education and sustainble growth upcountry that can benefit everybody.

I wish i was such a polyanna. I remember only too well just over a year ago, when there was a radio station in Chang Mai, and it was against the Thaskin supporting government. The Red Shirts, attacked the announcer and pulled his father out of a car and killed his father. Hundreds of witnesses, yet noboey was brought to justice for this execution.

Can party exercise free speach in Issan and live? Without being able to campain, put forth ideas, and programs, there is no hope for a healing of the classes. At the present time until the government really comes down with a heavy hand on this kind of extra-judicial killings becasue of a persons party of belief, I see little hope of anything but more of the turmoil, rampant corruption, and lawlessness that has permiated the region for years.

i am very happy to contradict you on this one:

on the 8th April 2010 a court in Chang Mai sentenced five men to 20 years in jail for the murder of the father of a key member of the yellow shirt People's Alliance for Democracy.

One of the convicted men is the chief security guard of the red shirt Rak Chiang Mai 51 group.

he is Niyom Lueangcharoen, he has jumped bail and remains at large.

Niyom, aka DJ Lae, has been seen on stage at the red rally on 7th April 2010 at Ratchaprasong intersection.

he has been reported as seen to be socialising with Jataporn at the red rally in Bangkok

there is a warrant out for his arrest

red leaders engaged in social intercourse with convicted murderers at peaceful rallies for democracy, whatever next..........?

How can be convicted murderers out on bail?

Sorry, I might be not so clever, but I don't get that.

Driving at Wat PraSing this evening (Saturday), we noticed a lot of Reds at the Warorot hotel.

Many many more than normal. Let's say around 1.000.

Also the terras of the Montri hotel at Thapae was heavily packed with Reds waiving their red Thaksin flags.

Someone knows more?

Driving at Wat PraSing this evening (Saturday), we noticed a lot of Reds at the Warorot hotel. Many many more than normal. Let's say around 1.000. Also the terras of the Montri hotel at Thapae was heavily packed with Reds waiving their red Thaksin flags.

Someone knows more?

@monkfish

Really, so naive?

That man was just driving to the "battlefield" to provide the "Reds" with the requested materials.

Thats all; nothing more, nothing less.

Of course he will not admit that and he tries to escape on it with some stupid fabricated nonsense.

If one wants to work, one needs tools, right? What are Abhisit’s tools?

-The police; we have witnessed so many examples last month of how Thai police is. Worth nothing at all; they are good only to be involved in so many bad things but not in doing their duty. Everybody who lives in Thailand for some time will know this. If you not live here, google around on the Thai police. Furthermore, one policeman defends the other one for 100% as they all do the same disgusting things. In most western countries, every Thai police man in the job for + 5 years, would be in jail. Corruption and lack of duty.

-The military: same same but different. Corruption and lack of duty.

-The Government; still 50 % + of the MP’s eat out of Thaksin’s hands. Corruption and lack of duty.

Now tell me, what can he do with this “tools”?

Abhisit is the best Thailand ever got but the Thai’s (and many "falang") don’t know yet. May be in 50 years from now when they (hopefully) understand what real “Democracy” is all about.

This is also for the "falangs" who pretend it is now between the rural poor and the elite..... hahaha, start to understand what I said before, and look around in your village or moobahn. Same same but different: Corruption and lack of duty. Talk to the pujabahn, kamman, go have a drink with him. Corruption and lack of duty. Talk to the police, go have a drink with them. Corruption and lack of duty... all the time, all of them. It is with Thais for ages and most agree with it. There is the root of the problem.

@Thaihog.

All right alright,

it is "crazy"

or was it ...

damned, now I forgot

sleep well

@iain,

Not have to google.... try your brain. Should work in most cases.

During my 10 year stay in Chiang Mai, I crossed paths 3 times with those volunteers. Not one time I was happy with it. On the contrary; every time a very sad and bad feeling. Especially from a 35/40 year old French volunteer; he is no less than a cr***. Twice I was with a friend, the other time with my wife. Every time a real shock for all of us.

We live at a condo and were very happy until a farang bought the condo right under us.

It took almost 2 years longer to finish the condo than the period of 3 months he previously stated at the condo-documents to get the condo renovated. He extended every time the 3 months until, at the end, there was no finishing date anymore. He removed some walls (not allowed), broke out the tiles in and outside, changed the windows (not allowed) etc. Some work he did 3 times over in a row as he was not happy with the previous results, f.e. the tiles on the balcony were removed and tiled again 3 times.

We went on vacation 2 times to escape from the daily annoying and loud noise and hoping they would finish coming back. One day my wife had to go to the hospital as she became sick of the product they were using to paint the wooden floor in the living room. It was a very poisoned product. While painting, they closed all their windows, and the smelling sick-making odor filled our condo. We had to flee from the room and could not return for 2 days.

All those period, the building manager was aware what was going on, as we complaint at least twice a week. She, and her staff, told us she could do nothing as he was the chairman of the committee. She was in contact with him about it, she told us, but he never told her to apologize nor to do anything to make our life better. Impossible for us to reach the man by our self as nobody wanted to give his phone-number and he was rarely here. Most of the time he was in Europe and he owns a few other properties in Thailand.

We tough a few times; “yes, finally finished” but then they started again……………..

When he came here to settle down, they had a big inaugural party. Yelling, screaming; you name it. In his place, I would be ashamed towards my new neighbors. Apparently many guests were lady boys.

They had the airco switched on all time and we could not sleep anymore of the noise. The airco’s were attached at their ceiling, against our floor. All day long we suffered from tremendous noise and at night the same thing. We started to get really crazy. Talking to him, I invited them to hear the noise from my room and he promised to do something about it. They fixed the airco’s better and now, we still hear it all time, but we are able to sleep. Airco is on 24h/day.

Since a few weeks now, he bought a special sound system with surround, 3D, sub- and other woofers etc….. While I am working at my PC the wall behind is shaking and I have to listen all time to; boom, boom, boom, boom, boom…. Very very annoying irritating low bass sound. Sometimes it continues until 03 am in the morning. Talking to him more and more angry, he says it is not too loud. From the lift to his room is about 50 meters. One can hear the sound already when coming out of the lift and with his door closed. This sound makes people crazy as it is a very low bass “boom boom” sound.

In all those years, not one time he said or did something to apologize.

We live at this condo for 10 years and the first 8 years, we were very happy as the condo was quiet and pleasant to live in.

Now it became hel_l.

Tell me, what to do. Please useful reactions.

Thanks.

in Chiang mai:

Daret's near Thapae Gate; quite aggressive when one dare to talk about the red shirt tv playing all time at the restaurant.

Apparently the "Rimping" supermarkets.

Drove by at the Loei lake (Isaan) last night.

Hundreds of Reds (but not dressed in red anymore) were gattering around the lake at "the bridge over the river side"; east, Loei Palace hotel.

They all were admiring 4 monks on the stage. The monks (or reds dressed as monks?) were shouting and yelling Januporn/Hitler style.

It was very intimidating and clearly war-style.

Very freightning.

This happens 50m away from a police-box only.

Great photos GS. I noticed the great use of the safety equipment. Tennis shoes, shorts, flip flops and if that water got any higher the lad would of had quite a shock with the over head electric lines.

I was there last night. The fire brigade came with almost empty tanks and had to drove off after 15 minutes to refill. After 30 min they were back.

All men were fighting against the fire AGAINST THE WIND !!!!! I have never seen this my entire life. There was nobody downwind, all time I was there and for at least 1 hour, they were all upwind. Hard to understand as they could see nothing and were blowing away by the wind/smoke in their faces all time.

I have learned you have to approach fire from behind; downwind. It is much easier.

Or am I wrong?

If there is a physical clash, the Reds will win, provided the army stays out of it. the Reds are tough folks. The men are real men, not delicate city dwellers that are not used to physical hardship. The Reds are not the ones that will need to put on the whitening cremes, scents and body lotions before the go into battle. I'm sure if there is some girl on girl 'rassling action the redshirts will win.

You got that right !!! My Isan farm boys are some tough dudes ,, real men used to hardship and staying power. I would love to have video of some of these spoiled rotten , pampered elitist teenagers going against them.

Any of you yellows have some thoughts of a fight ? I suggest you stop by the rally site and quietly walk among the crowd and see what you are up against.

You will see many ex military types, ( as black shirt guards ) and some very tough fanatical, committed people some of whom are ready to die for this protest.

The elites had their way with the country and brought it to its knees last time and imposed their minority will on the country. Now its our time and our right to express our opinion,, and if they try to get in our way all I can say is:

LET THE MAYHEM BEGIN !!! Its payback time.

Reading only this single "gigiman" post, one knows already that at least one mentally ill farang stays in Thailand.

I think your family isn't too proud of you or you just a coward and don't use this kind of language in your own country?

For a long time it was very clear this clash was coming. One did not have to be very smart to see or feel this.

However, many people at this board ignored it with the most ridiculous statements. Now it happened, and it is too late, and all of those people should feel a bit responsible. People on this board stated they understood very well what the Red leaders were talking about on stage and they still kept on giving support to the Reds. At least that is what they say.

This is the result from Red lies; the Hitler and Mafiosi speeches brought to the crowd in the most disgusting way. It was kill, kill, destroy, destroy, burn, burn, no peace, no talks, burn, kill, destroy. All day and night long.

Quotes hammered in the heads of some Isaan & Chiang Mai people. They were paid for by Thaksin to listen to those disgusting nonsense all day and night long. “Farangs” on this board might become a bit more silent after knowing what was really going on.

However, now it is too late. Damage has been done. Again, all of you ignoring the truth for such a long time should feel responsible as well. Criminal violence & people defending it, doesn't deserve respect.

Bredero: What benefits candle and glasses, if the owl does not want to see.

@ geriatrickid

"Your post was disgusting."

That's your opinion, and everybody has a right to have an opinion, correct?

Let me guess... I think you even don't speak their language so you don't know what they are talking about. Am I right?

Are you a "farang" living here for many years but don't feel the need to understand or speak the language? Don't get offend by this, it is just a question like another.