MangoKorat

The cash is kept in the back - it follows then, that the 'operative' who was passing the money was in the back - chai mai?

Totally agree. There have been several cases in the UK (and 1 is too many) where supposedly loving and calm dogs have suddenly gone crazy, without any provocation and killed people. One I seem to remember, killed an elderly female neighbour of its owner.I've had several breeds of dog over the years - all seemed OK but would I leave them alone with say, young children? Not a chance. It seems however, that with these type of breeds (bull dog types), they just snap without warning. In another recent case in the UK, this time involving XL Bully's, the attack was carried out by more than one dog so there must also be a 'pack instinct' thing going on. In that case they killed a man on the street who was apparently out walking his own dog when the XL Bully's attacked. I believe that case is still live but the suspicion is that they attacked the man's dog and he tried to protect it. His throat was ripped open. I believe that these types of dog have been bred over the years for fighting so even if one appears to be placid, its in its nature to attack. You don't wait for a time bomb to stop ticking, you defuse it or destroy it first. I've heard all the stories where owners claim their dogs are soft and 'wouldn't hurt a fly' - next thing you know they've attacked a child. Ban any type of bull dog breed and all their derivatives and crosses, that's the only way. Today's 'soft' dog could be tomorrow's killer. XL Bully's, along with Pit Bulls, are now a banned breed in the UK.

Its very widespread across the North in particular and its also almost certain that it goes on with the knowledge of the local police. There are many bars and karaokes that offer girls much younger than 15. Of course, they don't want this becoming 'common knowledge' and tarnishing the country's 'good' reputation. If an adult chooses that career path, up to them - it should be legalised but kids? Hang the people who run such operations and their customers.

Thankfully most of my travel is on my motorbike - as yet, I've never been caught for speeding on my bike because the cameras only capture the front view and bikes have no front plate. Unlike cameras in the UK which capture both front and rear views.

Don't get me going about Thai insurance companies. My house was insured with the same company for 8 years without a claim. Then a couple of years ago it was broken into and a lot of stuff stolen + a damaged expensive entry door. Not only did they refuse to pay out on several items such as my 25,000 baht crash helmet which they refused to class as either a personal item or personal clothing, when it came around to renewal time my premium went up from 7000 per year to over 20,000. I told them to stick it and spent the money on additional security.

It is if you hit someone. The compulsory insurance pays out a pitiful amount and heaven forbid you are held responsible for an accident in which someone dies - you will almost certainly be taken to court to extract every last baht from you. The thing that I find annoying about car and bike insurance is the age limit on which they will provide first class cover which with most companies is 5 years. Some will continue first class as long as you continue the insurance but if there's a break, no chance. I didn't keep up my insurance during covid as I couldn't get back to Thailand and the bike was locked away safely anyway - after which my insurers refused to re-instate first class cover.

Thanks, sounds like it would be too restrictive for what I want then.

You seem to have a desire to 'win' so you win OK? Feel better now?

What I was getting at is, can you still reasonably use the roof space for storage etc? The only thing that interferes with that at my current house is the annoying hangers for the suspended ceiling, that will be designed out on my next build.

Yes, I thought so.

Semantics - the 'model/brand was the pertinent component as different brands require different methods/settings.

I agree with some of what you say but she had a perfect right to say what she thought of the Nana area - just as the Thai authorities have the right to rebutt it - can they? She was stupid for going there but in general, the Thai authorities won't have anything bad said about Thailand - even if its true. Much like the hotels that take people to court for giving them bad reviews - do something about the problem or shut up. Not Thailand though, people are only allowed to say good things. Anyone who speaks out, even if what they say is true, gets punished. FYI, yes there are limits to the freedom of speech in most democracies but I can assure you that there would be no official sanctions taken against this woman in the UK if she'd reported a similar thing. There's good things to say about Thailand and there's also bad things to say - we don't all take the same drugs that the Thai authorities take - case in point. Couple of years back the Bangkok and Pattaya police chiefs went on a walkabout in Pattaya one night and reported that they found no sex for sale in the city - as reported on this site. You couldn't make these things up. They must live on Fantasy Island. Much better not to go on any such walkabout and/or make such stupid comments - comments that just draw publicity. The authorties have publicised this matter far more by rattling on about the girl's reports. Instead of being limited to her 'followers' - the story has now gone international.

The SCG system in your photo looks very complex - I presume that's how they spread the weight without using heavy members? Does it take up most of the roof space? I'm asking because I am considering and SCG or similar system for my next house but I very much want to utilise the roof space.

A lot depends on the abilities of your contractor. They will of course, prefer that they construct the roof trusses. A) It gives them extra work B) They can construct them is such a way that any 'run out' or other small discrepancies can be 'ironed out. Being pedantic, I'd go for pre-fab trusses. However, the trusses in my house (built by the previous owner) were constructed on site and painted with what looks like zinc rich primer. The house is about 13 years old now and there's no sign of any rust.

The post you are slagging off actually asked for MODEL/BRAND - not type!

Luxury, we used to live in a shoe box in't middle of 't road https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=luxury+we+lived+in+a+shoebox+on+m12&sca_esv=589555524&sxsrf=AM9HkKmAA6lFSWlwI3usOg92yZ1m_JFfYg%3A1702213154166&source=hp&ei=IrZ1ZYmoCMKYhbIPwOmSwAc&iflsig=AO6bgOgAAAAAZXXEMg15g7bbgoxpjsSgAUEm3X3qwXA9&oq=luxury%2C+we+lived+in+a+shoebox+on+M1&gs_lp=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&sclient=gws-wiz#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:e4366b2d,vid:ue7wM0QC5LE,st:0

No direct experience but I think the bank letter is all important.

The same applies to farm land and its location/designation. That he seeks a lawyer in the Korat area is important, whereas much of Isaan is only suitable for growing rice - travelling from Bangkok on highway 2, Isaan begins around Muak Lek with the Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) provincial border beginning shortly further east. The land there is much different to the land in many other areas of Isaan which largely consist of arid plains. The land around my house which is in between Pak Chong and Khao Yai consisted of 99% farmland 9 years ago when I bought it. As soon as the M6 motorway was announced (which passes within 500m of my house) - land prices rocketed, virtually overnight and house building began. House sized plots that were being farmed last year are now selling for over 1 million baht, the plot next to me is currently for sale with the owner asking 2 million. So, the OP may well be talking about rice paddies but he could also be talking about very vaulable land. Remember also that its all relational - as developable farmland prices increase, so does that of pure farmland. Another factor that is affecting land prices in Korat is the new High Speed Train. With times to Bangkok claimed as being 1h 15mins from Korat City and 55 minutes from Pak Chong, it is not surprising that rich Bangkokians are now considering relocating their families to the countryside where (for now) the air is cleaner. Land that is not so far from a HST station is shooting up in price.

I think that what the OP is asking, is not for a load of argumentative, childish BS but for any recommendations for a breakdown service in Thailand. Its something I've been meaning to ask for a long time. In the UK there are several national breakdown services, including the well known RAC and AA that will send out a mechanic to try and fix your car on the spot and if they can't, tow it to a garage. That's what the OP is seeking. I haven't been able to find a national company yet - yes some car insurance companies will include breakdown cover on your policy but I think that's carried out by several local groups throughout the country. It is therefore just about impossible to know what equipment will be used in the event of a tow. As an ex-mechanic I would not want my automatic car (the majority in Thailand) towing with its driving wheels on the ground as that can damage an auto. Having seen the state of some of the suspended tow vehicles, I would also be concerned about potential body damage. A national service, if there is one, is more likely to use a tilt and slide flatbed vehicle or a trailer.

That depends on the status of the land and where it is. There are parts of Isaan where land is worth more than it is in Bangkok.

There is someone that I can highly recommend in Korat - English speaking. However there are changes going on in there work life at the moment - last time I spoke to them there was a possibility of them becoming a judge in the local court. I would have to ask if they are taking on any new cases at the moment so if you haven't found anyone yet - let me know and I'll contact them. There is also Isaan Lawyers in Korat - foreign run but as foreign lawyers are not allowed to practice law in Thailand, they employ Thai lawyers to carry out the actual litigation.

I don't support this woman in any way, shape or form but one aspect regarding Thailand 'outs' itself yet again in the continuing furore - Thailand is not a democracy. Not that we didn't know that already but the fact is that it probably never will be. Democracy has many requirements and voting is just one of them. Another notable facet of democracy is FREEDOM OF SPEECH (within reason of course) - I just can't see a day when that become acceptable to the Thai government.

That's because he's doing it the wrong way and trying to go against the bank's rules. Many people transfer money abroad from Thai bank accounts every day.

We is the West, the free world. What you are alluding to is that the West will roll over - it won't. Its clear from your use of the word 'draft' and your comments that Europe is broke that you are from the US - currently just about the most divided nation on earth in terms of political thinking at the moment and its clear which camp you are in. What the West is doing at the moment is allowing Putin to be the aggressor and giving him far too much lattitude out of misguided hope of maintaining some form of peace. That is a mistake in my opinion but the tide will turn, it always has done. It will no doubt cost us but we will wake up in the end. Do you seriously think we went through the tradgedy that was WW2 to simply roll over and allow a different megalomaniac to take over?

I agree, China's only real friend is China. They would drop Putin like a hot potato if it was in their interest.