MangoKorat

Entire top floor of the Shangri-La

I can't speak for Thailand but in the UK, the finance company isn't allowed to have either a key or even the key number. Strange - seeing as until its paid for in full, they are the actual owners.

Winning the election has done them a lot of good hasn't it? From conversations with a few Thai's in Isaan, they began to take an interest in politics during the Thaksin era, believing that their votes could actually make a difference. That belief, coupled with a desire to rid the country of the army's seemingly constant control, culminated in a landslide vote for Move Forward who they thought would make radical changes to the 'system'. Most had no idea that the 'Senate' had been put in place to thwart any such thoughts. They had even less idea that they had actually voted the 'Senate' in. Now, the attitude I'm picking up is that nothing will ever change so let's return to receiving cash for our votes - he who offers the most, gets it. Sadly, and I really hope I'm wrong on this but it seems that the short lived relationship between 'ordinary people' and thoughful voting is over. Its doubtful that we will ever see such a convincing election victory again - not for a party promising real change. It should not be forgotten that in voting for Move Forward, the people were prepared to ignore the party's criticism and threatened reform of their beloved Royal Family - possibly even agreeing that such reform was necessary. Now I detect a growing resignation that they can't change anything, the 'elite' will always tread them down so let's just ignore everything and return to taking part in the country's totally corrupt society. I'm not sure if Prayuth and his friends expected this change of attitude as a reaction to their 'stitch up' of the electorate but it certainly hasn't done them any harm. Perhaps a bonus. Overall I think Thai people are now more disillusioned with politics than they have ever been.

Yes, he introduced quite a lot of very poor farmers to the concept of borrowing money. Some of those farmers are still trying to repay their loans - others lost their land.

I am older (60+) and I am bald (although I don't see what being bald has to do with it. Yes, I get a lot of young Thai females that are only interested in money - I weed them out - I'm far from a newbie so its not difficult to spot them. I also make it clear to any girl that I arrange to meet that if I wanted to pay, I'd simply go to Sukhumvit. I wouldn't say that young females are as plentiful as they were when I was below 50 but I can honestly say that since getting divorced, I'm having a ball and have dated quite a few girls between 19 and 35 in the last few months and there's at least a couple more in my inbox every day. Apart from drinks and the odd dinner, I haven't paid for anything and I have no intention of doing so. Perhaps you should change your list of faults from Fat, Old, Bald to 'if you're older and haven't looked after yourself you'll need a large wallet'? I don't expect this to go on forever but I'll take it whilst it lasts.

No, I will never understand why anyone wishes to pay for a girlfriend. Hardly surprising so many have come to expect it. I can tell you its rare amongst younger guys - I have 2 female Thai friends in their 30's, both dating foreigners and and both have good jobs. They tell me that when they go out for meals etc. - its 50/50. One struggles with that sometimes - I told her to dump her bf.????

Your girlfriend as she was was making 30k per month 15 years ago - a salary that is more than most Thai girls get today yet you felt the need to 'support' her? I just don't get why so many guys go to Thailand, meet a girl and feel the need to give them money. Did you ever have a girlfriend in your home country? If so did you give them an 'allowance' too?

Clearly none at all - not only that but they don't give a.............

I'd never have guessed.

Oh, is that not allowed? I'd better cancel the date I have in 3 weeks time (22 year old)......................................not! I'm absolutely certain that this girl is different ???? but I can assure you that I'm going to enjoy every minute of finding out she's not - cos in all honesty, I don't give a damn! ????. Why have marg when you can have butter?

Not sure about Thai law but in the UK you can still be prosecuted for burning your own property down.

Now now!!

I note you say you have bookings for the first 3 nights and you mention travelling - agree with you. Although I obtain extensions myself, I'm not really a tourist - if I was floating about here and there, I wouldn't want to have to queue at immigration or plan my trip to include a visit to them - they are not always conveniently located. Mine is 100km away! Throwaway air ticket or real one if you know your return home date and book a hotel or hotels on Booking.com - many are payable at the hotel on arrival and are cancelable up until the day before arrival but you will get a booking confirmation to use with your visa application. Once you get your visa, cancel the booking and your done.

Phew, I'm glad a read this, I was just about to place an order. I'll stick with my Chevvy now. Thanks Asean Now.

No, there actually was one - well 2 that I know of. The BSA Winged Wheel and The Cycle Master. I had a Winged Wheel - rarely worked.

Yes I do sorry - it comes through years of experience.

Me too. However, I've yet to drive an electric car and a mate who has one says the acceleration is amazing. Thinking about how fast an electric motor starts - I can see how that would be. In fact I'm pretty sure they must be restricted or you could go through a set of tyres dragging away from a traffic light ????.

What I'm getting at is that the 'screw up' with the private insurance might not quite be as it seems. I had that a few years back, one of the reasons my ex is my ex.

But the OP is not talking about Gov Ins

I think that's a million + a set in each scooter - otherwise I agree it won't work. Also take account that each battery can be used several times each day. I watched the programme on the BBC and in theory, it seems like a great idea. The Chinese are starting a similar system with cars where you drive onto a ramp in a service station and your batteries are changed. Beats the hell out of charging stations all over the place - with cables having to be laid. A good use of former petrol stations. The main problem I can see is getting car manufacturers to standardise batteries. India next on their list - good, still a lot of smokey 2 strokes there.

Maybe she knows very well but is looking for a little 'bonus'.

Thanks for that, I didn't know the 'Blue Book' was left empty - slightly absurd but very 'Thai'. I remember reports onTV/AN before where some people that have a yellow Tabien Baan have told they still need a Confirmation of Address and not only by Immigration. I don't have a yellow book yet but remember my bank stating they would not accept it if I did - only a COA. That - despite me holding a driving licence with my address on it, my name being on the back of the chanotte (usufruct registration) and holding a registered Usufruct. What makes all that ridiculous is that all Korat Immigration wanted from me in order to provide a COA was a copy of my Usufruct Agreement.

Pardon my ignorance but why would you need a yellow Tabien Baan when you have a blue one? Will they even issue a yellow one when a blue one has been provided to the same person? Surely the fact that your name is on the Chanotte and in the blue Tabien Baan is enough. Most foreigners don't have a yellow Tabien Baan and use a Confirmation of Address from immigration.

Hope yes but sadly I think its doubtful. On the one hand Ukraine doesn't want to lose a single sq m of land - and why should they? On the other hand, if Putin ends the war without any gains after thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands of young Russian men have lost their lives, he's almost certainly finished. I have no doubt that some Western countries will put pressure on Ukraine to give up some land as the cost of supporting them rises. However, the death of each and every Ukrainian soldier in defending their country from this unprovoked attack can only strengthen their resolve to give up nothing.

How do you know they are allowed to buy property in their name? I very much doubt that. I think they are subject to the same restrictions as the rest of us in terms of being able to buy land. Maybe its just that they haven't fallen foul of the system yet.