Maverell

Yes it is a pen thingie

They say its good for 50 sessions but I would think that unless you have a load of cameras you will never reach 50 uses !!

I use a Lenspen Sensorklear - seems to be an excellent bit of kit. Use it after the rocket blower and everything is as good as new No liquids, no mess, no hassle.

Lazy is my middle name - and I do not really like it. I have tried getting a part time job but no one seems to want to employ anyone for 3 days a week. I certainly do not want a full time job again.

I can assure people that to test for every known 'bad' substance / drug would take days or weeks. A quick trip to the hospital would not be conclusive.

I don't like to differ... but

The OP states that ALL his hotmail CONTACTS have received the spam email. Publishing your email address somewhere does not give access to your contact details.

You have probably unwittingly given out your Hotmail / MSN username and password......... Change your account passwords - hotmail, msn etc

The car in her name did it for me. Did the OP ask her why it had to be in her name ? In my experience the wrong girls do not like being asked 'why' about anything. End Game.

Explore Citibank.

My pension from the UK is paid by the provider ( not a state pension ) into Citibank ( along with all the pensions for ex pats they provide ) who then distribute it to the relevant accounts around the world. Costs me about £4 a month.

I think that most adapt quite quickly. My g/f I live with in BKK learned to cook farang food in a restaurant in Rachada ! She cooks a mean pork chop, steak and chilli con carne !! She eats it too - but of course prefers Thai food. I have no plans to return to the UK......

Wait until this gets in the Western Press !!

of course you could always look at tackling the problem at its source.

Like world inequality and poverty.

My god what am I saying...

How right you are.

The problem with 419 Scams and their continued existence is that people DO reply AND lose a lot of money.

So if the scammer sends out 1 million emails and gets a couple mugs to part with 10000 USD each he will continue. Not bad for a few minutes work.

How long does the Brit Embassy normally take to renew and issue a passport ? Assuming you haven't got 4 already

I have applied for a new one on the 10th June........... got to pick it up on the 24th June (10 working days) 48 page passport 8700 baht

Cheers for the info - I was going to wait until I got back to the UK for a holiday next month , maybe I will do it here instead !

I get my income from the UK .

The exchange rate ( GBP/ BAHT ) is the only reason I would consider leaving and over time I think (hope) it will get better. Its managed a 5 baht improvement over the last few weeks, another 5 baht improvement by the end of the year and i will be happy (ier )

How long does the Brit Embassy normally take to renew and issue a passport ? Assuming you haven't got 4 already

If they want tourists to come to Thailand, then do something about the things that people are complaining about.

You are forgetting something. Even though they know the real reasons for the decine in their image they cannot accept, react to or otherwise face constructive criticism - full stop.

As for tourism declining I still think it has all to do with value for money against risk equation. Taking into consideration the worlds economic problems, the exchange rates, the scams, inflated tourist entertainment prices and with the perceived risk of violence, value for money is not achievable for many people thinking of coming to Thailand.

thailand needs to improve its public message about this being a safe and stable country to come to which is beautiful and full of lovely people. everything after that is very secondary.

The problem about putting a positive spin on things is that when people realise it is just BS, and not true, things just get worse. Especially in todays age of near instant world wide communication. People everywhere in the world are fed up with being fed BS.

I found that opening a bank account (savings) here was easier in Bangkok than in the UK ( my home country ). The whole process took all of 15 minutes - all I needed was my passport. They did not even check my visa nor did they want proof of address. I left the bank with a personalised ATM card and passbook.

It cost about 300 baht for the ATM card and they wanted a deposit of 2000 baht. I checked my balance at an ATM 20 minutes after leaving the bank and my new account showed the 2000 baht.

Excellent service and I have held the account about 18 months.

Bangkok Bank, near Nana BTS.

But of course, getting a loan or other similar product will not be as easy.

The tourism downturn has little to do with H1N1 - it has all to do with exchange rates and rip offs.

I know 3 people in the UK who would be holidaying here right now if the exchange rate was better. I am sure most of you know people in your own countries in the same position. The same goes for rip offs - paying 500 baht for a 2 km journey in Phuket, or 100 baht for a 400 metre tuk tuk journey in Bangkok is a real turn off for a visitor when they realise that what they have paid is outrageous.

Likewise, they are trying to promote Pattaya as a family destination ! What a joke.

But of course I am a farang so must be wrong !!

What is the diagnosis ?? If I were you I would be very cautious.

Sounds like conjunctivitus to me !! But of course I am no expert.

Just a quicky - in my opinion the best program for noise reduction is 'Neat Image' - google it. You can get a version for free as long as its not for commercial use - try it out. If it works for you it might be worth investing in it.

Why oh why do most people on Thai Visa slag each other off ?? I really am beginning to think this forum is a waste of time. There are other sources of the same information.

The man died, no one knows what caused the accident, but it was another tragic loss of life. RIP.

when bar fines come down,short time and all night prices come down then i'll know the recession has hit.

And the first cuckoo starts to sing 555555555555555

Its started singing. I know this isnt Pattaya - but its singing in Bangkok

I never have a problem taking my vid cam, digital slr and laptop into the cabin. They weigh well over the limit but no one seems concerned. There is no way I would put any of them in checked luggage !

Selfish I know, but does anyone feel the same? With this constant thought, I am starting to hold back investments (cars, etc).

Thoughts?

Matt

Its not being selfish at all. I know its easy to say, but it is time farangs in LOS realise that just because its Thai culture to 'share' it doesnt have to be yours, or your wife's. End of story.