MangoKorat

Amusing that the 'commandos', in full armour are hiding behind the SUV, whilst all the unarmed/unprotected police are just hanging around casually. Perhaps they have divine protection?

8 hours ago, NanLaew said:

I recall if one made it safely to the airport with a wedge sufficient for the maximum overstay fine, you were allowed to escape while being caught while travelling on overstay afforded no such benefit. When they rejigged the penalties and bans for overstaying, did that 'loophole' disappear?

I can't remember the exact details but the penalties for overstay became much more draconian a few years ago. Pretty sure a 5 month overstay will result in a ban. I'm sure someone here will know what the new (er) penalties are.

On 9/22/2023 at 7:26 AM, jippytum said:

Pity he didn't make it to the airport with his remaining cash. 20000 would have enabled him to return and evade being banned and jailed before departing. 

Not on a 5 month overstay I'm afraid.

On 9/21/2023 at 3:38 AM, Andre0720 said:

Just wondering how 'bars' are able to avoid detection.....

Don't be silly, don't you remember a few years ago the Bangkok and Pattaya police chiefs spent an evening walking around Pattaya and publicly declared, they found no sex for sale.  So its official, what you think might happen in those bars is just a sharade, its not real and everyone goes home alone.

I have a feeling that one or two bars might have been 'invoiced' that night though.

But seriously, given that there are any number of Thai websites providing 'services' at all times and that some of those websites go into quite graphic detail about what's available, for how much - that only reason I can see for them 'clamping down' on these particular sites is that they are operating outside the tea money zone.

We can't be having these online bandits doing business and not paying their dues can we?  Not when the literally hundreds of thousands of massages, karaoke's and in some cases (Ratchada) entire hotels facilitating 'escorts' and operating via Thai websites, pay their 'monthly subscriptions' like clockwork. It wouldn't be fair.

On 9/15/2023 at 6:35 AM, spidermike007 said:

Thailand mourns. For now, it's future has been stolen once again by the army thieves and goons.

Do you see it changing anytime soon?  I don't, not without a civil war to rid the country of the current military and I really don't think the downtrodden Thai people have the stomach for that. Jeez I'd absolutely love to be wrong.  Not that I want to see war but I really think Thailand deserves a real democracy where all have the chance to develop and progress. I just don't see it happening without one.

One thing I find slightly different now - since a certain person died, is that more people are prepared to come out and say they are being used, being denied real self governance and all that goes with it.

22 hours ago, RamenRaven said:

I've met a few older Thai woman, younger foreign man couples lately (both Thai-Caucasian and Thai-Asian).

I'll bet a pound to a penny the woman had money.

I've had enough 'morning' shocks thank you.  I now demand to see them without make up before agreeing to a date. ????

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Officers discovered travellers were shocked by the incident

Never.........really? We can all feel so much safer knowing the BIB can 'discover' such things.

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Ironically, the amount asked for rises with the wealth of the parents, who are entirely able to provide a "safety net" themselves.

???? How do do work that out?  Some parents will have sufficient but many parents, I'd say the vast majority, will only have enough money to last a matter of weeks.  Have you any idea how much the Thai state pension is for someone who has earned below the tax threshold all their lives?  I know one woman who receives 900 baht per month - how could anyone live on that?

Many have never paid Social Security.  Its easy to say they should have - we are not in their position.

I was asked to pay what I considered a large amount to marry my 21 year old uni graduate girlfriend.  I spoke to her mother who said Sin Sod was part of Thai culture and asked me if I respected that.  I told her I did, but would she in return, show respect for my culture where Sin Sod doesn't exist and agree to 50/50?  She would not so I told her that she could not say she respected my culture

However, this woman, the mother, was a genuinely good person and not at all the sort that was out to rip me off. I am still in touch with with my ex MIL to this day - 15 years and a divorce later. For some odd reason the matter of Sin Sod was never mentioned again, I was never asked for it so obviously never paid it.  Just as well really as the marriage didn't last long.  Knowing what I know now and the strange fact that Sin Sod was never mentioned again, I suspect my now ex wife had a lot to do with the amount asked.

Amongst Thai's, some see it as part of the culture but many these days, seem to regard it as an old fashioned tradition. Most of the couples I know that have married in the last 10 years or so, have had had the Sin Sod handed back after the marriage - it was purely for show.

I know of one foreigner who was living in Thailand and refused to pay Sin Sod for his girlfriend so they were not allowed to get married - at least not with the parents blessing.  The couple decided to just live together and are still together to this day.

Its an emotive subject and whilst Sid Sod is a part of Thai culture (a dying part IMHO) - the motives for it are often part of an entirely different tradition - the tradition of 'Farang Milking'.

In this case the guy should simply say, I love your daughter, I want to be with her, I will take care of her and raise a family with her but I am not paying Sid Sod. The reaction will speak volumes.

One thing we all should remember though - there is no effective 'safety net' in Thailand so to speak, pensions are usually painfully low etc. etc.  The daughter will be expected to 'take care' of her parents in their retirement - if you marry a Thai, you become part of that commitment too.

4 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Some advised the man to end the relationship, as he might end up having to provide even more for the woman and her family in the future.

No 'might' about it.

2 hours ago, Hummin said:

The biggest contributors to prostate cancer is age and lifestyle. 

It doesn't really matter what contributes to PC.  Again, I would remind you, I am now and have throughout this thread, referred to people who already have PC or have not been checked.  If they have it, testosterone can be dangerous.

Therefore, I believe it would be sensible for anyone who is considering taking any form of testosterone, to be checked for PC before doing so.

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

I see now I came wrong out against you, and apologize for that.

 

 

Thank you.

26 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Testosterone therapy (TTh) in advanced PCa has historically been contraindicated since Huggins and Hodges reported that testosterone activates PCa. Although TTh has been demonstrated to be safe in patients who have undergone treatment for localized PCa, there is extremely limited evidence on its safety in advanced PCa.22. des. 2565 BE

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9850445/

Again you are promoting views that claim its OK for Prostate Cancer patients to take testosterone.  For every website that makes such claims, there are a hundred oncologists that would strongly disagree.

19 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I take it for granted people contact specialist when starting with trt, and it is to stupid to do so without.

You should not take anything for granted. Testosterone, in all its forms is readily available online and over the counter in Thailand.

As men get older and 'certain parts' don't work as well as they used to - some men will believe the glossy ads they read that tell them testosterone will turn them into a stud again. Some also take it to aid building muscle.

If that person has Prostate Cancer without knowing it - they can be causing themselves a great deal of harm.

17 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I take it for granted people contact specialist when starting with trt, and it is to stupid to do so without. I really do not feel guilty for spreading misinformation. If you have cancer, that's another situation concerning your specific treatment and your Dr to advise you on your situation. 

 

Overdosing is a common problem when under self administration 

 

Otherwise there is plenty of peer viewed clinical researches to get informed, still, non of us is medical Dr's and still need to contact the right specialists before and during hormone treatment!

 

Testosterone therapy (TTh) in advanced PCa has historically been contraindicated since Huggins and Hodges reported that testosterone activates PCa. Although TTh has been demonstrated to be safe in patients who have undergone treatment for localized PCa, there is extremely limited evidence on its safety in advanced PCa.22. des. 2565 BE

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9850445/

 

What you need to realise is that many members 'skim read' - what they are likely to read into your wrongful dismisal of my post is that I was wrong.

As evidence, I would suggest that you also 'skim read' my post because nowhere did I talk about testosterone increasing the risk of Prostate Cancer. What I said was that people should get checked for the disease before they consider taking testosterone.

To that end I would repeat: Before taking any form of testosterone, men, especially those over 50, should get checked for Prostate Cancer.  Many of you reading this will actually have PC now and not know about it - some may never know they have it.  The majority of men that get PC, get a low grade of the disease.  Taking hormones like testosterone can increase the activity of an existing cancer.

However, if like me, you are found to have an agressive form of the disease and you take testosterone, it can be very dangerous.  When I was first diagnosed with PC my oncologist told me I absolutely must not take any testosterone or medications containing it.  Even now, 8 years later when my cancer is dormant, my oncologist says I should not even consider testosterone.

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

and change your diet, unless healthy already which is unlikely 

Actually my diet is fine - I attended to that a few years back due to other health issues.

8 hours ago, Hummin said:

Overdose of testosterone can make prostate enlarged. There is no connection between trt and risk of prostate cancer even for the groups at risk

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3424887/

Disgraceful, you should not spread disinformation! Especially when its disinformation that concerns one of the biggest killers of men over 50.

I said nothing about the 'risk' of Prostate Cancer, I said people should get checked for it before taking any form of testosterone. Many people have PC for years without realising it.

Do you have PC?  I do and I can tell you that testosterone feeds PC.  Its not exactly that but that's the easiest way to describe it. That is why Hormone Therapy is used as a treatment for those with low grade PC and as part of the treatment for those with higher grades of the disease.  Hormones, usually female, for want of a better term are given in order to block the body's production of testosterone.

This information is not from any so called website, its from personal experience. I had over 2 years of hormone therapy - 6 months before Radio Therapy and around 19 months afterwards. The doctors wanted me to have 3 years worth but its not particularly easy to deal with and I stopped it early. That's from personal experience but if you want to quote websites - there are thousands that explain treatments including Hormone Therapy.

'Most prostate cancer cells rely on testosterone to grow. Hormone therapy causes prostate cancer cells to die or to grow more slowly.'

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hormone-therapy-for-prostate-cancer/about/pac-20384737

Don't see the point in being in a relationship if either partner is going to 'play away'.  If that's what either of you want, there's no shortage of willing partners in Thailand.

Just stay single and have a ball.

17 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Here is an oldish thread where the OP gives very detailed advice.

 

There is also couple of posts re a YouTube link for video instructions.

 Cannot find it right now.

Will look tomorrow. 

 

Thanks for providing that Dr Jack and to the author if he's still around.

 

Up until now I've either been on Multis obtained at an embassy or consulate in the region or obtained my visas at the (now closed) consulate in Hull.

 

I may have to obtain a TV shortly and after reading through that list of instructions, I have to say.........typical Thai bureaucracy.  The problems and oddities in the application seem very similar to those I encountered when applying for entry during Covid.

 

I don't know why they just can't get it right and make their systems user friendly and actually work but I suspect its down to how much and who they pay to write their programmes.

 

Strange but I thought they actaually wanted people to visit Thailand.  I'm not looking forward to having to make an application in the future.

 

 

 

48 minutes ago, Ohyesuare said:

Doesn't matter which passport you use, they will see your previous entry on the computer even if you change passports and you'll get 30 days visa exempt on either one. As others have said, you can extend visa exempt 30 day entries for another 30 days at your closest immigration office. You said you are staying with a friend, they are required by law to report your stay to immigration via a TM30 within 24 hours and it's common these days to be asked for proof of the TM30 being done when going to do any extensions.

Agreed.

I used to have 2 passports and on one occasion was able to see the I.O.'s computer screen. All my entries on both passports were shown. This was pre fingerprint days so I guess the two were linked via other passport details.  Now that you have to provide fingerprints on entry, the system, provided it wasn't written by somebody's brother in law, should pick up any entry you've made on any passport.

7000 baht fitted for a power steering rack is mega cheap compared to UK prices - Thai prices take some getting used to but I think that's still a good price.  If there's any play in the bushes on your existing rack, new seals will be wrecked in a short time.  Some bushes can be replaced without stripping the rack and sometimes come as part of a kit - bushes and seals.

However, at 220,000km on Thai roads, I think I'd be replacing the rack as per Transam's suggestion but have you checked out the Nissan price?  I've been very surprised at Thai dealer prices on two occasions in the last few years - 6500 baht for a Honda Civic brake master cylinder compared to a UK dealer price of around 15,000. Then, I wanted a lockset for my bike - ignition, tank and seat.  Due to potential language problems at Korat I decided to buy a lockset back in the UK, that was until the Kawasaki dealer quoted me £407 (19,000 baht)!! I got a set back in Thailand for just over £140 (6200 baht).  Worth checking the dealer price - you could be surprised.

Alternatively, try GP Autoparts in Bangkok - they can usually offer aftermarket or OE parts for most cars at superb prices and have an English speaker available. Used them a few times and they've been excellent - original Mazda pick up front bumper (in Mazda packaging) - 2000 baht and in stock!

https://www.gpautoparts.co.th/en/home-page

Any of you guys that have a Chevrolet - GP are the only official parts stockist in Thailand now and they've had everything that I've wanted in stock.