Hawaiian

Dave,  sorry about your bad experience in Hawaii.  I understand your disappointment.  Maybe the rude people you met were sovereignty activists who want to restore the monarchy.  Although my family is local my sons and I were approached by these activists on a fishing trip to a remote area. After receiving threats to leave I told them I would call the police and they left us alone.

Before I retired, I built many homes for native Hawaiians under a government subsidized program.  Mostly elderly folk.  No problems, no complaints.  It seems the younger generation have been misled by a few militant leaders who blame outsiders for all their problems.

If you want to attract a higher caliber of tourist be prepared to offer better services.  Hawaii had long, long lines at immigration until the tourist industry complained loud and clear about the effect it had on its third major industry.  While not perfect waiting times have been  greatly reduced. 

Attitude is also a big plus if you want repeat visitors.  Many government agencies in Hawaii make their workers attend "aloha classes" to remind them that politeness goes a long way.   Tourist tell me that one of the best things they like about Hawaii is the friendliness of the people.

Times sure have changed. Ten years ago I arrived in Bangkok on a JAL flight from Hawaii without a visa. My return flight was 39 days later. I got a 5 day extension at Suan Phlu and was told to pay the other four days of overstay (500B/day) at the airport when I left. I still have the passport with the overstay stamp.

However, would not try that today.

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is used to initiate off season flowering in lamyai trees in lieu of potassium chlorate. Roundup is most effective on grasses and similar vegetation. Girdling the trees leaves obvious evidence.

Sure a far cry from the old days. In the 80's I remember boarding gates in the Philippines had boxes with signs reading, "Please deposit your weapons here." This was at airports in the provinces. In Hawaii, I once bought 3 rifles in Honolulu and checked them in their original cardboard boxes. The boxes were even had pictures of the guns.

As for the OP's original question, never had a problem with utility knives in checked baggage in and out of Thailand.

I think the Thai word is thurian khaek or thurian thet. Because I live in Hawaii I wouldn't be able to suggest a seed source. Maybe the Horticultural Research Center in Chantaburi could help. I have visited the place a couple of times, but don't recall seeing any trees in their collection.

Does anyone know if there will be issues if I hyphenate my last name on the US Passport only?

Probably issues with the Passport Agency, unless you've legally changed your last name from your maiden name (which is on your marriage certificate, and subsequent US documentation) to a new, hyphenated name. You can't just renew your passport with a new name, unless accompanied by documentation.

Right! Use Form DS5504 to make name changes

One year is not an unreasonable time frame, especially if there are challenges from other possilbe heirs. Legal notices have to be published and waiting periods met. This all takes time. Explain this to her.

jpnix, try this: www.floridaprobatetrustlaw.com/2009/12/articles/probate/florida-inheritance-laws-no-will/

Inheritance laws vary from state to state. If it is determined by the court that the will is invalid, then the distribution of assets usually follows a set formula on who gets what. Where I live, the first $200,000 goes to the deceased's spouse.

A friend's (she is Thai) husband died intestate (no will). She gets her husbands federal retirement, but has been advised not apply for it until she receives her U.S. citizenship. The income tax rate is substantially higher for those without U.S. citizenship. It appears like the lawyer has gotten the in-laws to relinquish any claims they might have. Another reason to have a good attorney.

Listen to Never Sure. He certainly has correct information and good advice. Thankfully, my mother named me as successor trustee. Because of my experience in real estate and securities I have avoided a lot of unnecessary cost in liquidating her assets for distribution. I have also fended off challenges from my siblings who hired expensive attorneys by consulting with my lawyer and following his advice. Yes, a trust is the way to go.

Just have the money for the fine ready. This will show that you are aware of the rules. When this happened to me (2,000 for 4 days) no explanation was necessary and I was greeted with a smile. Never had any problem with reentry afer that.

Aiya Residence and Sports Club in Thonburi has monthly rates starting at THB9,000 plus utilities. It is in a working class neighborhood and is 5 minutes away from the Wong Wian Yai BTS station. Okay place with friendly staff.

As mentioned by some posters, systemic pesticides cannot be removed from produce. They are not only in the plant itself, but are being found in increasing amounts in the soil. Neonicotiods such as imidacloprid

are suspected to be one of the causes of colony collapse disorder in honeybees. Bees ingest this chemical from pollen as they forage for nectar. Although Germany has banned the use of neonicotoids Bayer still manufactures and distributes outside of the country.

Neonicotoids sold in the U.S. are found in insectides of all sorts products from veterinary to agricultural use. The chemical companies are trying to quiet all of the results of tests showing this to be a very dangerous family of chemicals. Not sure how widespread their use in Thailand is.

Agree with bangkokburning. Most congressmen are good at cutting redtape and getting positive results.

Bubb, the prosecution is till gathering evidence as more witnesses are found. The government wants to identify as many "victims" as possible in order to tally up the amount of compensation that will be paid. I believe this is one reason for the delay.

Two of the farms named in the lawsuit are close to where I live. The local newspaper has contacted both companies and is awaiting comments. Will be interesting to hear their story.

A recent survey of major American corporations says that excessive government rules and regulations and not higher wages are the main reason for moving operations overseas. As a former employer for 35 years, I can attest to that. Fair and sensible labor laws are one thing, however, the red tape and redundant paperwork are totally ridiculous.

I don't know who I will vote for yet. But if the Republicans put up Palin or Trump, well, Obama's almost assuredly getting my vote.

Remember there will be choices that do not include Democrats or Republicans.

When enough voters get sick enough of this circus then & only then can we perhaps move towards true change.

Take this latest side show that is ensuing. Approximately two hours from now as I write this... there is the *threat* that the

US Federal Government will shut down.

This is nothing more than a bunch of idiots arguing over who will pay the bar tab on the sinking titanic.

I keep thinking the American people will wake up....but even now they only seem concerned about the silliest arguments from their chosen side of the circus.

Unless the New Revolutionary Party takes control of Congress with enough seats to override any presidential veto, America will continue to go downhill. There needs to be a major overhaul of our tax system, such as a flat tax or national VAT, or a combination of both. The present tax code is a sham which punishes innovation and rewards unethical conduct. Entitlements are bankrupting the country. Medicare and Social Security need to be fixed now. Pegging the dollar to gold and a balanced budget amendment need to be implemented. Term limits are also a must.

Few Americans are willing to take the medicine today. Tomorrow will require major surgery.

I receive an investment letter on a daily basis with news articles, also from blogs.

One of them was this (but I didn't read it yet so have no idea why it claims the title) and thought it could be of interest to read it.

Obama will lose in 2012

http://charleshughsmith.blogspot.com/2011/04/obama-will-lose-in-2012.html

LaoPo

This article pretty much expresses my sentiments. Unfortunately, America will probably give him another four years to effect his so called change. Runaway energy prices and worldwide inflation will slow down or reverse the recovery and then neither major party will be able to do much but blame each other. Dark days ahead, no matter who is elected president.

As you say LP, anything can happen between now and election day.

The violence did not start until Karzai decided to stir things up. I find it disgusting that my tax dollars are being used to fund and support this corrupt and self-serving rabble rouser.

My trusty Coleman ProCut (equivalent to a multipurpose Leatherman) has performed many valuable services for me. Prior to owning it, I use to carry a Buck lockback. A good friend in the Philippines liked it so much I gave it to him. He also told me it was illegal to carry it which is not the reason he ended up with it.

When on the road in Thailand, it never fails to get used for something, such as cutting open watermelons or slicing mangoes.

There should be a ban on any religious group that condones atrocities to be committed in their name. The leaders of Islam could issue an edict declaring that these kinds of criminals will be condemned to hell instead of being rewarded for these despicable acts. Since this is not happening, then one must assume that Muslims approve of these crimes against mankind. Those Muslims that do not are afraid to speak out for fear of retribution. As SG has said, Islam is not a religion, but an insidious cult and a plague on mankind.

It crosses my mind that dams have the benefit of holding water when there is too much and then releasing it in a controlled manor so that you dont have flooding in the rainy season and more water flowing in the dry season? I can see the negatives of fish not being able to swim upstream, but surely fishery depts in the government can manage this?

There already is a natural, albeit not perfect, regulator of the Mekong as it flows through Cambodia. During the rainy season it backs up into Tonle Sap (largest freshwater lake in S.E Asia. Then during the dry season Tonle Sap empties back into the Mekong. I am no expert, but I believe messing with this natural control is going to cause an ecological disaster. China's dam further upstream is already having an impact.

Another question comes to mind. How efficient is Thailand at managing it's domestic water resources? Why is it every year there are complaints of flood damages in the rainy season and insufficient water during the dry season?

The livelihood of millions and nature.

I wanted to say millions, but did not want to be accused of exaggerating. And yes, nature, too. Please do not accuse me of being a tree hugger, although I love trees.

DAM.

Go back through the news in Queensland Australia.

Many years ago a new dam was proposed to stem the growing need for fresh water for the growing population. This dam was quashed by all the do gooders and it never went ahead.

Some years later another dam was proposed, because the population had now reached a level where Brisbane was running out of water. This was not something that a large, developed, modern city should have ever allowed happen. The new dam was also quashed for very much the same reason/s for the first dam.

Now Brisbane and south east Queensland still have the same problem. Growing population, growing need for water and the same water resources that they had some 30 years ago.

While I agree that people living in the shadow of these projects need protection, relocation and financial compensation for the disruption to their lives, unless we reduce our need for resources such as water, we will need to keep building these things.

ONE COUPLE, ONE CHILD!!!!!

My understanding is that the main purpose of this project is hydroelectricity. In Australia you are not dealing with foreign governments that have their own national interests. Is Thailand and Laos going to compensate and/or relocate those affected in Cambodia and Viet Nam? Different set of circumstances.