MangoKorat

Let's not forget - we are dealing with Thailand. How many times are you required to provide pointless information in Thailand? Why for example, are Thai citizens required to show both their ID card and their Tabien Baan as ID in various matters when one can't be obtained without the other?

Why would they need to fly over Saudi or Iraq? Over Jordan would be the direct route.

That is on the presumption that when his details are entered, his visa won't show up. I'm pretty sure it will because there must be some form of visa verification for those entering without a physical visa in their passport.

I once tried to do the same, the I.O. on entry wouldn't allow it and used my visa. Of course though, that was a physical visa in my passport. I guess it will depend on whether or not your visa shows on the screen on entry - my guess is it will. I don't see any reason why they have to start your visa but they may have their rules, I doubt you'll find out until you enter.

Really? And there's me thinking they wanted a date. You are a fountain of knowledge Mr Goat, I'd never have guessed - thank you for sharing.

Dildo's are illegal in Thailand - honestly!!! 😁

Whether or not Bob's telling yet another tall tale - let's just clear up the law on this. The Thai Labour laws are there to protect Thai jobs not to prevent foreigners from going about their normal daily lives. Household cleaning or anything else to do with your normal life is not employment - paid or otherwise. If your wife does it, is it her job? You are also, while we are on the subject, allowed to do DIY on your home. I've seen several stories about this on here and on other forums, including one where a bloke reckoned he was fined for drilling a hole in the wall in his condo. I didn't believe that for one moment but let's say it was true - I'll bet my last penny that the 'fine' was not issued by a court. I'd also bet that the 'fine' didn't end up in any official coffers or that a traceable receipt was given. When your Thai friend fixes the plumbing at his house, is he depriving a Thai plumber of a job? Of course he's not and neither would you be. To be breakling the law, what you're doing would have to be deemed as employment. It doesn't have to be paid employment but it has to be classed as an occupation. Hence the rules when translated relate to 'Reserved Occupations'. I have raised the issue of carrying out DIY on your home with my lawyer who tells me that its perfectly legal. So, anyone who is threatened with being fined for doing work on their home or car - don't pay any 'fine', simply elect to have the matter heard in a Thai court. I very much doubt you'll here any further on the matter.

So why don't we see news stories about Thai drink drivers then? Its quite clear to me that its high season for publicising wrong doings by foreigners and there's a ready audience of Thai 'netizens' waiting to spread these stories all over social media.

Really? So you think he means most of us have taken a dump on Soi 4? If that is what he means, he must live a very strange life.

Speak for yourself! Many here will have had a drink there, maybe picked up a girl but I doubt many have used the street as a toilet. Pray tell, what 'shocking behaviour' are you meaning?

My point was that autopsies often reveal that although it was not the cause of death, it was present - usually low grade. I'm aware that its the 2nd biggest killer, I thought I'd be joining that club. Its difficult to present your story without giving people either false hope or being overly morbid. I have been extremely lucky in that I responded so well to the treatment I was given. I wouldn't want anyone to think that all you need is a course of Radio Therapy and Hormone Therapy and you'll be fine - that's just not the case. The key, as with any type of cancer, is to catch it early. With Prostate Cancer, and this is from my Oncologist and not my opinion, it needs catching before it breaks through the capsule of the Prostate and spreads. Its almost impossible, if not impossible to cure once it breaks out. Although it can be slowed down. My message to all guys over 50 is to get your PSA tested regularly. That's not foolproof and there is often resistance to testing from GP's etc. but its the best we have until better detection techniques are found and screening is brought in. Some private clinics in the UK now offer PC screening and I'm sure that Thai private hospitals do the same although if my experience of private hospitals is anything to go by, you have to beware of 'upselling'. Some GP's resist testing when there are no obvious symptoms because should a high PSA be found, the next step is often a biopsy (rectal) with a high risk of infection and quite often, negative results. Besides, urologists often carry out transperineal biopsies now which I'm told are less risky and the new type MRI scans reduce the need for biopsies. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't care how much my GP resisted, I would insist. I went to my GP on a different matter and in passing, mentioned a few symptoms like getting up for a pee 2 or 3 times per night and reduced semen production. Suspicious my GP suggested a urine sample as well as a PSA test. When my PSA came back at 189 and the urine test revealed traces of blood, I was booked in for a biopsy 2 days later. Not only should men get tested regulary, they should also talk to their GP about their health in general. I've never had a problem with that but I'm told that many guys do. I am 100% certain that if I hadn't mentioned my symptoms, whilst seeing my GP on an unrelated matter, I wouldn't be here today. I was probably within weeks/months of the cancer spreading.

If Myanmar were using F16's they probably would force it down........and 'confiscate' it.

More like.

NATO should recruit Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Japan, and more, ex-commander says Yep, I can see China going for that...........not. Clearly this man hasn't noticed Thailand cosying up to Putin and buying oil from him.

Somewhat bitter.

Given that the causes of Prostate Cancer are as yet unknown, that is hardly going to work. There are a few things that appear to make it more likely that a man will get the disease at some time in his life and a genetic pre-disposition is amongst the most common but nothing is conclusive. The chances of getting the disease increase as you get older so with life expectancy increasing in most nations, its inevitable that there will be an increase in case numbers. Fortunately for most people, the disease is fairly low grade and quite often no treatment at all is recommended. A period of 'watchful waiting' with regular blood tests is often recommended, sometimes in conjunction with Hormone Therapy. Interventions are only made if and when the disease increases in activity. It is often said that Prostate Cancer is something you die with, not of.

Why? I don't follow what your thinking on that. Just about all Thai's can speak it, whether as a first or second language so if you do, they understand. What would be worthless is learning the Korat dialect (no I don't mean Isaan) and living in Krabi.

I only ever go on the forum when I'm in the UK - never when I'm in Thailand, too busy. Its also pretty difficult to get to the Or Bor Tor from the UK - very long drive.

So do Thai's if you listen to their conversations. If you could separate those conversations word by word, you would note that the tone used is often wrong. If a Thai was talking about taking their dog for a walk and got it wrong, as they often do at the speed they talk - they know automatically by the context that it was dog not 'horse'. However, if we get the tone wrong?.........well, that's a different story. They can use completely wrong words but we have to be correct or get that 'confused face'.

Maybe you're at home - I'm usually busy.

There have been a few reports on here where people have said their landlord/lady has refused to do the TM30. I used to wonder why that would be but the publicity surrounding the changes to the Thai taxation system revealed on thing that may offer an explanation - 12.5% property tax on let property. When you leave that place, maybe a letter to the Revenue Department would be in order?

Yes you can, there are official Prison Volunteer Vistor groups. I believe the first port of call for such volunteers is the embassy of the inmate's home country. Also, see here: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293916-i3687-k848301-Bang_kwang_prison_visits-Bangkok.html

I think you'll find that the majority of those caught are not Western Foreigners (farang) but other Asians from nearby countries such as Burma, Cambodia and Laos.

You should either have refused to pay or paid under written protest and taken legal action. That may seem a bit drastic but as long as we keep taking it up the rear end, they'll keep giving it. I've been successful in 2 court actions although admittedly not against Immigration. I know a lawyer who has taken action against them though and won - twice.

I believe those sentiments are shared with the majority of the world outside the US. I have difficulty understanding how he's ever secured a single vote. Baffling.