bloody tiger

White people banned on the streets between 19.00 and 07.00

Crazy

I think the main strets will be okay, but definately a ban on the soi's and yaak's could prove beneficial

In the same tax reform package there will also be the following adjustments:

BENZENE 5%

DEISEL 15%

TOBACCO 38%

MOTORCYCLE -12% (YES REDUCED)

DAIRY PRODUCTS 15%

TEXTILES (FOR EXPORT) 22%

The list goes on for two plus pages, but the one that really amuses me is:

SHIRT BUTTONS -7.5% How very gracious of them to decrease the tax on shirt buttons. I am sure the average struggling Thai family will sleep easier now!!!!!!

I believe that tax exemption coupons will be available for tourists at major outlets such as TESCO, BIG C, 7-ELEVEN etc.............. 7-ELEVEN also has a special on excess stock of PC widgets from 2007

i remember reading one of your posts a year or two back when you were ready to give up on thailand and ship back stateside. obviously u didn't, so maybe it was thaivisa that has ket u here/kept u going.......and your unique perspective has always shone......

.....I think that at the next TV CM party you should be awarded a silver star for endurance, a blue ribbon for style and a bottle of world renowned thai bubbly for mirth.

Tuesday afternoon, around 3PM, I was heading into town on the Chiang mai/ Sankampang Rd when I came up to a farang motorcyclist riding at about 30km/h in the middle of the lane and also with some erratic weaving a few metres to either side. I thought this guy seemed to be quite wasted from the way he was riding. As there was quite a bit of traffic in the opposite direction I ended up stuck behind him for about a 1/4 of a mile (400metres in new speak...new for me anyway!).

I know we all strike this sort of annoying situation on a regular basis here, but I was a little extra peeved as it was a farang. Anyhow, eventually I had the chance to overtake and then viewing in my rearview mirror I could see the reason for his riding style.....HE WAS TEXTING.......................YES TEXTING.....................shortly i came up to the intesection on the 2nd ring road and as i was first at the lights he pulled up alongside.........oblivious to the rest of the world, he continued to text whilst occasionaly he glanced up at the traffic lights..... I had just missed the green when I arrived, so we were there for almost the full 120 seconds....during this time he continued to text and when the light turned green i moved off.... i noticed that he stopped texting for the few seconds to cross the intersection and then continued texting once through it..............i moved ahead and onward and was already thinking that this guy was most definately a prime candidate for the Chiang Mai GOOSE OF THE WEEK award.............BTW...wearing a helmet....negative.....lights switched on.....negative

We all see some Thai drivers doing thier thing....maybe you can share some experiences with idiot farang drivers

You seem to be looking at all the negatives........if Homer was really here we wouldn't just be limited to Singha, Chang, Leo, Heineken etc........

..... we would have DUFF BEER, we would no longer want

Hello fellow expat drivers,

Over the years I have seen a lot of negative comments regarding the standard of driving on Thai roads.

Now that we are in the year 2009 (2552), i am extremely happy to report that driving standards in Thailand has vastly improved.

Now the Thai people have the driving skills which can be said to be at least the equivelant of those people born in such countries as Yemen, Malta, Tahiti, Bolivia and Great Britain.

Regards,

the blooded cat

Disclaimer: Up to 25% of the drivers of Yemen & Great Britain are well below the Maltese standard, but make up for it with a certain flair for theatrics whilst in command of a vehicle.

PS. I wrote this whilst driving from Singburi to Bang Gapi

@ 7am, the sun will most probably be behind clowds and very low on the horison.....so do you still need eye protection??

clowds

horison

do you need eye protection to stare at the sun?

All I can say is....wow.

soeme peepel knot two edgeamakated

I went there around 1991 or so and ordered spaghetti. They brought me a plate of noodles and a bottle of catsup. I never went back.

Thats funny...reminds me of a cafe in malaysia about 20 years ago. they had tomato soup on the menu. When it arrived it was a soup bowl of hot water with a tomato cut into quarters !!!!

Thanks for all the replies and info. Thx Lopburi for lettin me now about those "dicey ones".

I think I'll try the uniontelecard

BTW, i take it you live in lopburi. My wife has relies there and we like to get down there (from changers) at least once a year. Its a good spot, not to far from BKK or the beach as well.

Related to Thailand?

Does it really have to be related to thailand? The Op posted it under the general topic area. There is a hel_l of a lot of brits who live in Thailand, a hel_l of a lot more who visit here regularly and i reckon the OP has posted a point of interest to the expat community living here in thailand,

BTW, I'm an Aussie and we intrinsically hate the pomms ( and there is no way u will win the ashes back!!!) but i think the "related to thailand" comment is maybe a litle uncalled for and a little "moderatish"

To answer the OP questions.

You can join up at 18 years of age

As a by note, at 20 years of age every male thai is subject to compilsory military service of 2 years. This is bypassed by maybe 70% of the population mainly with the aid of cash.

One previous poster mentioned regarding courses for officer and nco level entry. Both these are available and yes, it is corrupt and will generally be filled with thise that can pay. the police is virtually considered a branch of the miliaty as far as this procedure is concerned.

there is still scope for a gifted individual with no family background to rise above and beyond......but unfortunately that scope is very limited and it will generally n be the money that speaks louder than the achievements.

If the fella, or gal, that u are talkingh about really wants to join up...then by all means help then go for it....they'll be treated like dirt....paid less than half the salary of a KFC worker and a multitude of other really bad situations.....

.....but they'll build character, comradery, and a range of skills that will be invaluable for the remainder of their lives.....regardless of which service they choose

Don't let people fool you into thinking that you have to make cololnel or higher to have achieved in the military. There have been many who have stayed at the bottom because of love of what they are doing and have had just as long and illustrious careers

I had sex once, but there was no such thing as the internet back then, so i didn't get the chance to brag about it

Greetings to all my American friends and to any other nice people who can help me out.

I am travelling to the staes this thursday, the 2nd july, and would like some info regarding mobile phones/calling back home(thailand).

Basically I havn't spent more than a day away from my family for the last 5 years and thus I will be eager to call them everyday, probably more than once! so i'm after cheap call solutions.

I've done some time on the net researching but havn't attained all the answers. i do know my cellphone is compatible with the US system.

Can I buy just a sim card in the states?

If so, where would buy it?

Or should I just buy one of these cheap (?$25?) throwaway phones?

My main option, if available, would be to buy a sim card and then buy a calling card (800 number) to make my calls back here to thailand.

At he end of the day, I will pay whatever the cost to stay in touch with the kids and missus.....but I would much prefer not to spending hundreds of bucks from hotel room phones.

Hope you can help out, thanks in advance.

Bloody Tiger....about to be uncaged...

PS I visited the states a half a dozen times in the 80's & once in 2000. I am really looking forward to the american hospitality which i found on every previous trip

Hey slippery,

One other option, if you reside in thailand, although not free is to physically buy the "BITDEFENDER" anti virus sortware for around 200 baht. This is available at Se-ed bookstores and most computer centres (IT CITY etc) and is good for 3 years of updates. I had previously used Norton for about 5 years and for 2 years now have been using BITDEFENDER and am more than happy with it.

200 baht for 3 years is not free but dam_n close to free and actually not pirated!!

cheers

the blooded tiger

I am always amused on TV(across all forum subjects) when someone posts "My wife says....." or "My gf reckons....." without actually saying what it is that their wife/gf/partner etc does that would actually quantify their expertise being added to the subject.

Maybe lots of posters think that by mentioning their wife/gf that they are adding considerable weight to the argument.

Maybe some people think that they are unique in having a Thai wife/gf/etc......well HELLO, this is THAIVISA and just about everyone has a connection with a Thai......

Surely others have noticed this with some amusement.....what are your thoughts on it

.....BTW, my wife reckons this is an excellent topic

My g/f says the ob/gyn doctors there are the best

I am always amused on TV(across all forum subjects) when someone posts "My wife says....." or "My gf reckons....." without actually saying what it is that their wife/gf/partner etc does that would actually quantify their expertise being added to the subject. I feel that some people must think they are unique in having a Thai wife/gf/etc......well HELLO, this is THAIVISA and just about everyone has a connection with a Thai......

PS. elektrified, I wasn't having a go at you, just making an obsevation in general

Hi, I have to agree with the majority of posts here in that the RAM is a bit overpriced and also I found that some of the diagnosis was not so good. I maybe had used this hospital about 3 or 4 times up until about 3 years ago. Ironically, I now use another from their group of hospitals, the Thepanya at the superhighway/MaeJo intersection. This was previously the Chiang Mai Ram 2. This is what my family and I would summarize as good points of the Thepanya:

The ENT specialist there is very good. I had an ongoing ear problem for about 3 years and had previosly consulted a British and an Australian specialist as well as Thai specialists at RAM, McCormick and in BKK(can't remember where).....without going into the specifics of the problem, the ENT at Thepanya came up with the correct diagnosis and i haven't had any probs for over 2 years now.

I also had to have an operation on a nerve vein, the consulting specialist/surgeon had servd time in Australia/US and currently lectures at CM uni. Thepanya quoted me that the operation and hospitalization would be around 35-40KBaht. this seemed reasonable and it needed to be done. I was pleasantly surprised after the succesful operation when receiving the bill as it was 27K Baht! Admittedly, follow up appointments/consultations are 1200 Baht a pop....but he is a top neurosurgeon and I think that is reasonable.

With my children, I have also experienced on 2 or 3 occasions, where the doctor actually said "no fee today". These were some follow up check-ups where it was basically in and out with no further medication.

So the Thepanya would definately be my recomendation for a Chiang Mai hospital.

I would also agree with other posters regarding using a clinic for basic ailments.

What would H.G. and Rampgaing Roy Slaven make of all this?

I BELIEVE THIS IS A PUSH FROM THE GOVT TO HAVE FAMILY OUTINGS TO SEE GARN GLUOY 2

OR MAYBE A PUSH BY THE COALITION OF CHANG BEER TRUCK DRIVERS FOR A DAY OF REST

IS THERE ANYWIDGET, OR SIMILAR DEVICE, AVAILABLE FROM 7ELEVEN THAT WILL ALLOW "GOOD" FARANGS TO PURCHACE ALCO POPS IN THE WEE HOURS?

NICE ONE GEORGE.....

....AND I'VE JUST GOT THE WIDGET(FROM 7ELEVEN) INSTALLED ON MY PC

this is standard TT&T, they only ever install a few extra lines at a time....BUT...they are laways installing more...i'd be surprised if it took more than 6-8 weeks to get a landline

God forbid it if the seperate immigration offices will have there own interpretations again .....

Yes well at Chiang Mai immigration they are wanting the min 40,000 month income AND the min 400,000 in the bank for the non-imm (have thai wife) visa renewal. They even have this requirement written in a printed colour brochure they hand you. This pre-dates the current change we are discussing but I am pretty sure they will still ask for both (I only visited their office a week or so ago - and spoke to two different members of staff). Satisfying both will be a pain in the @ss. Any tips anyone?

I am surprised by this post as I definately never had to have 400K in the bank as well as the monthly income. I actually have found the immigration staff at chiang mai most exellent and competent and also very acomodating for any problems. My experience with Chiang mai immigration has mainly been over the last 4 years. I have had unpleasant experiences at other immigration centres over the last 25 years or so.

So my advice to you would be:

Friendly attitide

If you have to quote, best to quote from the immigration website as opposed to TV( although the official immigration site hasn't got the new order yet!!)

Bring the wife (normally required anyway)

Bring the kids if you have them......You'd be surprised how much this will help any "borderline" issues which have to be decided by the officer.

Once again...FRIENDLY ATTITUDE.....its no different to any other job in the world, if u pee them off it will only become harder to achieve your goal.

best of luck

Definately the Lima Bravo's.

I too was a young lad off to work in Malaysia and all I knew about Thailand was that it was north of the border....i wasn't there too long b4 the lads took me for a border run..................after that weekend it was definately the LIMA BRAVO FOXTROT MIKE'S that i thought about

nb. that was 1983 and, as has happened to many others, a genuine love of Thailand blooms......and for a complex multitude of reasons covering so many different aspects of this country and its culture.

Nowadays the greatest thing for me, besides my own family, is the Thai royal family. Learning about King Bhumipol, his life and his achievements is amazing. He is so totally deserving of the title "King Bhumipol The Great". I would encourage anyone who has any sort of attachment to thailand to read up on the royal family and the history also.

LONG LIVE THE KING