Scalawag

My Thai wife and I have come to the same conclusion. Thailand is simply not ready to be a democracy. We suspect that at least 70% of the people have no concept what it means or stands for...........

Liers Dice - He who lies best wins!!!

It's obvious to me that Thailand is simply not ready for democracy yet. As stated earlier, for democracy to succeed it requires a free press and a well educated populace. Until improving the educational system leading to a well informed and thoughtful population, which values its votes rather than "selling" them, I'm not optimistic about the formation of a stable government here.

"The failure to invest in education is costing it dearly. There is no intellectual capital of significance. Nothing unique or groundbreaking comes from Thai universities "

I couldn't agree more.................Until Thailand begins to value education more, they will remain a country struggling to keep up with the rest of the world...............

American breakfasts and college football( the kind without 1-0 scores)!

I am 70 something, have taught in Thai universities for four years. Have wp and am fully legal. Age is not an issue. I do have a doctorate in education which may help. If you are qualified, can still walk and chew gum and can relate to Thai students, what's the problem???????

I know NBC has the contract for the Olympic game coverage and UBC will not be able to provide live coverage because of that contract. UBC does have a channel originating from CNBC. I thought I read somewhere that live coverage could be over CNBC but that is counter to what UBC told me. Does anyone out there know for sure? UBC is often screwed up so I don't believe much of what they propagate........

Like a few others here, I am also married to a Thai and pay US taxes. The law relative to the rebates was written to exclude persons filing a joint return, when both don't have a SSN number, from receiving the rebate. My wife has a ITIN number. This is wrong as we paid taxes like other Americans.

The Democratic Congress is now considering a 2nd rebate stimulus plan. I think we should call this injustice to Democrats Abroad to do some lobbying on this issue so that we don't get screwed twice!!!!!

Sheryl has given you excellent advice. Obviously she has a medical background! I too have artrial fibrillation and have been treated for the last several years and live a normal life. One of the leading cardiolgists in Thailand is at Prince Songkla University in Hat Yai. He was dean of the medical school there and has taught many cardiologists in this country after training at the University of Washington. His name is Dr. Tada and he is one of the best doctors I have had anywhere including the U.S. Perhaps a little far for you to travel but it is another option.........Good luck.

The Good Life- Tony Bennett7Billy Joel

Don't let age stop you if you want to teach here and are well qualified. I have taught in three government

universities in Thailand since I turned 65. I am currently teaching at two Thai universities and am an old fart at 71! I have never had a problem getting hired nor have I had a problem getting a work permit. I do have a doctorate in education and years of experience and have only missed one day of class in the last four years.

I have found here that often rules, policies and contracts can be negotiated unlike many other places. If you have a track record, are motivated and are healthy, you shouldn't have a problem............

We know there are many teaching here without work permits. Has anyone ever heard or known of a teacher at the government university level being caught? What were the consequences, if any? Where they able to buy their way out? Did the government university take any responsibility? Where they deported?

This isn't a problem for me but I know someone who is taking that risk, assuming there is one....

My pet hate is with the airline/agents sites that offer a good deal and then when you put in the dates you want you get the 'not available' message but they NEVER tell you what dates ARE available at that price.

Had good luck with one of the hotel booking websites recently though, booked 2 different hotels, 2 weeks apart and got the first choice hotels I wanted both times so no complaints there from me.

For booking hotels, I've had good luck and service with Directrooms. com.................

I have booked Air Asia over the internet 12-15 times using my US Debit Card and never had a problem while using it from Thailand. There was a problem in China(Xiamen).though, and for some reason the system there would not accept a valid Debit Card - the exact same one I use in Thailand. I have found the AA site much more usuer friendly than the Thai Air one and I like their policy of letting "old farts" going first......

For the last four days I've been unable to open The Nation website here in Khon Kaen. The Bangkok Post site is ok....Is this a local problem here or a nationwide one and does anyone know what the problem is???

The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming.............

I'm planning on buying a used car this weekend, but I'm not 100% sure what I need to do to transfer it to me, could somebody please explain? I assume I need a letter from my Embassy or Immigration confirming my address, which I don't have, but can easily get next week. Someone mentioned going to the transport office with the seller, is this necessary?I'll most likely buy it from a garage, not an individual, if that's important. Could I just buy a car this weekend and then register it on my own next week when everything is open? I live in Bangkok, what do I need to do to register it in my own name? Where do I need to go for this? I just have a Thai drivers license + non Imm O visa, is this plus a letter from immigration confirming my address sufficient?

Finally, I had a Thai website with lots of used cars for sale bookmarked, but my hard drive just packed in, so I've lost all of my bookmarks. Does anyone know the URLs for major Thai used car sites? I'm guessing that the site I used before was the biggest, or if not, one of the biggest in Thailand.

I'd recommend you call ExPat Motors....I've bought two cars from them and have been satified..................

socialising, taking up hobbies and sports, creating stronger relationships and family bonds, living in a shared accommodation rather than alone, helping the other people around (for example by volunteering) - would help to overcome loneliness and lack of power.

if the language barrier is a problem - putting more efford into learning thai. Learning new skills can be a good passtime

I couldn't agree more....Self medicating with alcohol is not the answer to depression- just makes it worse....happiness lies in giving, not getting and contributing to the welfare of others is key....Volunteer for a good cause and you will soon begin to realize there are a hel_l of a lot more people who are worse off than you are!!!!!!

Don't want to be ...what is the word? .... pessisimist?, mm not sure if that fits..

When I first came here it was like the "great escape" I forgot my "slave" job in Shanghai, and welcomed the thought to be living here.

After 4 or 5 years, the novelty appears to have worn off, don't get me wrong, I would rather be struck down with a bolt of lightning than 

o back to the UK, but Thailand seems to becoming a bit depresseing. Maybe due to a certain Boonyaratklin?

Maybe it is a middle age crisis, but the place does not hold for  me what it held before...the wife's got FAT, the kids are a pain in the arse....maybe I am just getting old.. you enjoy blowing old ice lolly sticks around the table? ( A Thai childs game)  Bow Bow Bow!

The future for someone of my aga looks pretty bleak here, no prospect of jobs...(you want a dishwasher turned microwave engineer?) Every opportunity there is a money sucking scam..and the Temples are NO1.

I thought me and the family would have been happy here, to get out of the rat race, but it seems at times, that the rats are 2nd favourite!

 

I DEFINATELY SHOULD NOT PUT "AMERICAN BEAUTY" on the DVD AGAIN!.......

Your problem lies within, not without!!!!!!

One's enough.

I couldn't agree more.....To live with one women long term takes compromise. attention, and emotional investment.....That's a major challenge for most of us and to balance two females well would be an act that I think most men aren't up to for the long run not just short term....

I thought it would be a good idea to have a thread as a reference for people considering buying a car in Thailand

For example - what deals can one expect from a dealer ? Discounts ? Extras ?

Please share you experiences and advice here, if there is a good response I'll pin it.

Totster

I hope some folks respond to this thread.....I have the same questions, i.e. the "sticker price" in the US is just a starting point. Is the same thing true here???

This convicted murderer is only 24! Then he should be spending the rest of his natural life in prison which I feel is a far worse punishment than the death penalty! It's been proven that the death penalty is no deterrent for violent crime!

There's my 2 cents!

Retirednavyman- I couldn't agree more!.....Life in prison with no possibility of parole in a Thai prison would be far worse than death. Most murders are "crimes of passion" with no thought of consequences.....those in favor of death penalty argue that the cost is excessive for life imprisonment but it has been shown that with the appeals and long drawn out court cases the cost of killing someone(an eye for an eye) is even more costly,(at least in the US)...Someday capital punishment will be outlawed, especially as we kill more and more innocent people.......

We had a similar problem with Thai customs while moving about $400 worth of stuff in my Thai wife's name. Even though we lived two years out of the country, they refused to honor the Thai law which allows Thai nationals living out of the country for one year a duty free status....This agency needs to be investigated but I know that is a fantasy....and if caught, people will just be reassigned!!!!The problem is they have all the power because if you refuse to pay they just keep your stuff.....................In Xiamen,China when the head of customs was found to be corrupt, they just executed him! There's no problem there now......

That makes sense......

You were out of the country 12 months too long.

No, the law is at least one year or more..................

My $60 worth of bike parts arrived.

Got hit for 3,300bt import duty.

Last month they got me for 20,000t on a $500 shipment.

What a ripoff.

150% duty on $60! Seems a little high.

Should've supported your local industry and bought a Thai knock-off.

We had a similar problem with Thai customs while moving about $400 worth of stuff in my Thai wife's name. Even though we lived two years out of the country, they refused to honor the Thai law which allows Thai nationals living out of the country for one year a duty free status....This agency needs to be investigated but I know that is a fantasy....and if caught, people will just be reassigned!!!!The problem is they have all the power because if you refuse to pay they just keep your stuff.....................In Xiamen,China when the head of customs was found to be corrupt, they just executed him! There's no problem there now......

Second hand car prices seem high in Thailand. Does anyone know if they publish, in Thailand, a guide for second hand car prices in Thailand based on model, age, mileage condition etc?

For Brits like a Parkers Guide or Glass' guide?

Would be very useful!

Yes, they are higher than the US for sure. We have a "Blue Book" there that can be found on the internet...They don't reflect Thai prices however. I'm also searching for a used car in Thailand and have found the "Car Weekly" guide sold for 60B here very useful. It's in Thai but the prices can be determined. For more detail you will need someone to translate- unless you have a Thai wife or gf.......

Thanks for that. Its a start! Whats the name of the guide in Thai? So that my wife nows what to buy.

The name of the Carweekly in Thai is Wattasarn Media(สื่อวัฏสาร) and can be bought opposite the main post office.