DMasut

WHY WOULD ANY FARANG MALE HAVE A GF MOVE IN WITH HIM?!?!

This isn't America I understand..and she "loves you like no other"..FOR NOW...

But...

WOULD YOU GO TO THE NORTH POLE AND KEEP A SNOW BALL IN YOUR IGLOO WHEN YOU HAVE ALL THE SNOW JUST OUTSIDE?

WOULD YOU BRING YOUR OWN 50 KG. BAG OF SAND TO THE BEACH?

I understand that being American you are used to women "brow beating you" for the things they want for that moist little spot just a little south. I understand that you are EXPECTED to GIVE BEFORE YOU GET....

BUT IF YOU WERE A DAIRY FARMER WOULD YOU GIVE A COW TO EVERY CUSTOMER THAT WANTED A GALLON OF MILK?

1. Be respectful of all Thai women you meet.

2. Don't... no... NEVER TRY TO BE THE HERO and PAY FOR THINGS YOU NORMALLY WOULDN'T PAY FOR BACK AT HOME.

In you present state of delusion...

I recommend one of several options...

1. Get the ensuing suffering over with by just giving her all of your money and possessions now so you won't feel so stupid later... because you can say... I KNOWINGLY GAVE THOSE THINGS NEVER EXPECTING TO EVER SEE ANYTHING IN RETURN...

2. KEEP YOUR EYES WIDE OPEN FOR THE FIRST 'GRACEFUL' OPPORTUNITY YOU GET TO REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE SITUATION.

3. RUN FORREST RUN!!!!! NO NO I MEANT IT RUN!!!!

If you don't believe me, ask ANY farang living in Thailand that is married, living with a women for more that 3 years and still happy.

IF, you find that person... please email their name and phone number to me.... I want to meet them.

If you lived in Thailand for over 5 years... and knew the girl the whole time... and got to observe her everyday...you might have a chance....

But you are the new "cherry" waiting to be deflowered.

In Advance.... I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSES, PAIN AND SUFFERING.

Sincerely yours,

Mr. Optimistic.

An AIA insurance salesman came to my house that other day and offered a health insurance and a savings program that not quite looks real.

1. savings program - pay about 25,000 per year. after 7 years you have 400,000(???)

2. Health insurance - covers everything - pay about 10,000 per year. and listen to this: you can quit any year and get your money back! even if you were sick and needed medical treatment through all that time!

Is he pulling my leg? or is this dreamland?

This is a scam that comes around every few years.

There are several variations.

1. Where it runs like a PONZI scheme that pays you a little return so you think it is real and invest more and get other people involved.

2. It is an outright scam to get you cash and run.

**Thai people could NEVER AFFORD those kind of premiums what makes you think they would offer you such things?

Go directly to the insurance companies you know and trust, go online, ask you banker, etc.

Anyone coming to your home to sell you such things is 124% suspicious.

I have done monthly wire transfers from B of A to Bangkok Bank monthly with no problem for a year now. It is expensive about 40 dollars but it works.

CitiBank is also good and then transfer cash from Citibank Bangkok branch to my Thai bank.

Citibank has branchs literally everywhere in almost every country in the world

There is an interesting phenomena that takes place in Thailand during tight economic times.., as in 1997...

Many businesses and hotels "INCREASE" their prices instead of reducing them.

Has anyone recently experienced this?

I haven't looked for a hotel or needed to be involved in the "tourist" related industry for a while. So I haven't noticed it first hand.

Regarding flights...

Depending where you are going and which airlines you can find cheaper flights.... but not with Thai Airways for the moment.... however there are rumors that the Thai Gov't is working with TA since it owns part of the airline to provide a subsidized airfare program.

Places like the USA are still ridiculously high because even when the airfare itself drops... the Homeland Security ralted "9/11" security tax, luggage fees, etc. can bring the flight cost up to double. Pretty horrific if you ask me.

Eva

Asiana

China Air

Quantas Emerites

JAL

and even my favorite Singapore Airlines are less expensive that TA right now

I have heard many stories regarding this and have even had several friends experience money disappearing from their Thai Bank accounts. Usually sources of the theft were from:

1. Thai girlfriends (some from dubious "Bar" backgrounds... and a few from supposedly good families) having use of their ATM cards. NEVER GIVE YOUR ATM CARD AND PASSWORD TO ANYONE!!

2. Thai girlfriend gives her "contacts" at bank or other vendor/business to use the numbers to withdraw money via someone they know in an illegal business. Which it seems everybody in Thailand knows (even Policemen) somebody involved in a corrupt and / or illegal business.

3. One person I know that got arrested for fighting at a bar gave account information to one of the officers at the jail (Southern Thailand) and mysteriously when he got out his bank account was cleaned out too. (1.5 Million THB)

4. British national friend whose family member got access to their banking info and ripped him off.

5. Hotel employees on Koh Samui stole credit cards, ATM and Traveller's Cheques, but eventually were caught.

For these reasons I keep two Thai Bank accounts and never keep more than 80,000THB in either one at anytime. I have a Singaporean Bank I keep most of the money I have not invested. The Tax benefits are good and it is much safer in Singapore (The Asian "Swiss Banks") because of their secrecy and privacy laws, and severe penalties to crimes related to banking.

With Electronic Banking faster than ever it makes sense to keep most of your money in a country "OUTSIDE" of the country of residence.

Keep your bank books and account PIN numbers in separate places and be very vigilante about where you keep them, who has access to those places and NEVER "lend" your ATM/Credit Cards to your girlfriend/wife/ etc.

If you really need to do this...open up a joint account so you can limit how much goes into the account....and more importantly how much goes out... but also realize you leave a backdoor opening for them to use your credit to apply for loans or borrow on.

If you can't buy something under your own name...don't buy it. You can rent.

I believe a War On Mosquitos should be announced to prevent Thailand becoming a Mosquito Hub, any mosquitos or people caught associating with mosquitos should be shot.

They should be given a choice first:

"To either be in support of the War on Mosquitos or against" like GW Bush did on the War on Terror.

OUCH!! What was that!? Pesky MOSQUITOS!!!

But what a wonderful thought.... Thailand WITHOUT MOSQUITOS!!! Just when I thought it couldn't get any better.

what is it with people having lengthy relationships with bar girls? why would anyone want to be with a woman who has been with more dick than mrs van dyke, it always confuses me, the question is whether any of you would marry a whore in your home country, because at the end of the day gents thats what bar girls are, common whores with elsewhere to stand than street corners.

There are many women in thailand that have not been whores and just being in the right places alows you to meet them, and when i say right places i am not talking about bars. i appreciate bars play a large part in the lives of some expats here and in bars you meet bar people, get out of the bars and meet women elsewhere. Any woman asking for money needs to be steered well away from.

Very simple answer to that one - denial. I actually know a man who told me that his g/f (who used to work in a bar) "wasn't a b/g at all, she worked in a bar to support her family - there is a difference"! You really can't argue with logic like that!

I THINK FELLOW FARANGS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THAILAND MORE THAT 10 YEARS SHOULD BE CERTIFIED CARRY AROUND A JUMBO FOAM BAT.

SO WHENEVER AND WHEREVER WE HEAR THESE STORIES AND DENIAL LOGIC EXCUSES, WE CAN HIT THEM ABOUT OVER THE HEAD AND SHOULDERS WITH IT. JUST ENOUGH TO MAYBE GET THERE ATTENTION AND KNOCK SOME SENSE INTO THEM!!!

MIGHT NOT HELP THEM..BUT WE WILL FEEL BETTER FOR THEM ABUSING OUR SENSES WITH THEIR STUPIDITY AND CAUSING US UNNECESSARY SUFFERING!!!

DO YOU THINK MAYBE THE TOURIST POLICE WOULD AUTHORIZE THIS?

I can say with loving kindness to all men who find them in similar situations.... "The cost of your education will be in direct proportion to how fast a learner you are."

Wouldn't that be "The cost of your education will be in inverse proportion..."?

No 'in direct proportion' is correct.

If it takes a short time, less cost... however, in this person's most likely course.... Going to Harvard University for an MBA might have been cheaper! But don't worry, he'll be "SCHOOLED".

If it were in inverse...it would mean that the more money he paid the less he would learn.....

ACTUALLY, thinking about it after living in Thailand 11 years... I have seen so many phenomena and contradictions that YOU SIR... Might just be right!!!!

How can you not love Thailand?!?!?

If you fish in a poisoned pond, the risk is great that you will get poisoned fish.

If you fish in a clean pond, there is still a chance of catching a poisoned fish... but the risk is minimal.

If she works bar, she lies for a living.... to EVERYBODY...EXCEPT YOU OF COURSE... BECAUSE YOU ARE DIFFERENT.... BTW... THAT'S A LIE!!!

Do you know why these girls do this? Because of men like you that make it possible... SO THEY CAN!!!

Sounds like you haven't heard the story of the Scorpion and the Frog?

In Thailand, the allure of pretty, innocent looking women who found themselves in the "UNFORTUNATE" situation of working bar is similar to that of a bee to honey.

I can say with loving kindness to all men who find them in similar situations.... "The cost of your education will be in direct proportion to how fast a learner you are."

Based on your post... NOT VERY FAST... but maybe it just means you are a slow starter out of the gate.

I have lived and worked as a Journalist, business owner and even spent time as a Buddhist monk. I have never met a farang man who had a successful relationship with a girl who worked bar... and rarely met a farang who met a girl outside of the bar with the exception of a few who learned enough about the language, culture and workings of Thailand to understand. The girls were from good families from outside of the major cities, were devout Buddhist or Muslims who put honesty before material possessions and loved their men enough to detach themselves from the 'peer pressure' of taking advantage of the farang from their family, friends and others.

SAY IT ISN'T SO!!! Is this possible in Thailand?

I thought Thai people quit this after not being able to top when U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney got approval from his boss U.S. President G.W. Bush for Halliburton to be paid $750,000,000,000 in "No-Bid" contracts for "re-building" translation "Tea Money" Iraq?

I thought "Tea Money" in Thailand was just an "Expedite" charge.... like the difference you pay EMS or FEDEX for standard delivery or "OVERNIGHT DELIVERY"?!

THAILAND HAS PONZI SCHEMES?!?! I THOUGHT THEY WERE "INVESTMENT CLUBS"!?! :D

Based on 2500 members paying 1,000,000 THB each = 2,500,000,000 THB

$73,529,411.00 USD

49,545,563.75 GBP

6,636,003,340.80 JPY

Alot of money in Thailand to do alot of things. Is T.A.T.'s Annual budget more than that?

TSA and Homeland Security said Kitchen Sink onboard is OK, as long as it doesn't have more than 8 ounces of liquid.

The Fuhrer GW Bush has spoken!!!

ONLY 56 Days to go, but who's counting? Certainly nobody in the U.S. Government can count obviously!

QUESTION?: Regarding '1. Children kicking your seat back 31%'

I thought that was the primary reason they trained and allowed Flight Attendant to carry tasers and Flexi-cuffs...RIGHT?!

Oh! Yeah and to use on people having sex while in flight!? Thoughtless Bast***s... Don't they know they should share?!

YEAH!!!! AMERICANS ARE FINALLY No.1 AGAIN FOR SOMETHING!!! Not Cars! Banking! Insurance! BUT ANNOYING!!!? WE CAN DO THAT!!!

We're No.1 !!!

We're No.1 !!!

We're No.1 !!!

Though I have to admit we are not giving the British, French, Germans and Yodeling Austrians enough credit! Did nobody tell the Austrians it is not good to yodel outside of Austria... and especially in Thailand... IT SCARES THE KIDS, ANIMALS and FISH!!!

It may be the last thing we beat the Chinese at!!!

But my first passport is Italian... does that count?

Oh!!! and I'm CANADIAN DURING TERRORIST HOSTAGE SITUATIONS!!! Oh! CANADA!?

BTW... what is a Rude Seat Recliner? For a 14 hour flight I hate to think I must keep my seat in the upright position!?

I think the rude one is the person behind me complaining. They should recline their seat and CHILL!!!

The U.S., UK, Australian and Chinese Governments have watch lists and notification memos that you can notify if you know someone trying to apply for a visa to those countries.

If the correct name is listed and that person uses that name, the will go through additional screening.

As a single Thai women she will have a difficult time entering these countries without a visa sponsor.

If she was ever known to "Work Bar" she would be prohibited from entering these countries.

If you know for a fact she is planning to enter a country to ply her skills in the "Sex Trade" knowingly being HIV Positive then you basically have a moral right to protect your countrymen as any soldier or law enforcement officer or citizen would.

Most governments now consider people that knowingly have HIV to have unprotected sex a threats to national security, and have such file attempted murder charges and in the U.S. First degree Murder charges on not only foreigners, but their own citizens.

If you want to 'wuss' out and hope the next guy will fix the problem you didn't, that is up to your moral judgment.

But somebody's brother, son, father and yeah cheating husband may die needlessly because you failed to do anything about a problem YOU KNOWINGLY were aware of... morally... you have conspired to committed her crime by aiding and abetting her.

I have lived in Thailand for over 11 years and for 10 1/2 of those years refuse to knowingly engage in any sort of relationship with a bargirl, freelancer, etc.

Especially when you can have good relationships and even fall in love with decent, honest, hardworking girls which make up 90% of the women in Thailand that do not work in the farang and sex trade. For the first 6 months I was like a guy in a Cheesecake Factory that just bought the factory. I had "cheesecake" until it came out of my ears!!! ... or was that yeast!? But after the abuse from western women and the allure of the "low hanging fruit" in the beauty and seduction power and QUITE FRANKLY 'BUYER'S MARKET PRICES' I couldn't help myself.

Until I realized it all became quite boring until I was surrounded by people I liked for who they were and liked me for who I am.

Finally, let the big head do the thinking for the little head for a change. Buy a few OraSure oral HIV tests which are like pregnancy tests for HIV before you jump in. (First sign... she is probably a Pro if you CAN JUMP IN)

You were meant to use your Big Head as your Moral Compass, not your Little Head as the 'Divining Rod'.

Sawadee

This isn’t the first time the "Baggage Ninjas" made a strike on a Tour Bus, though a little more brazen than usual.

Though without the cloak of masks and waiting only for their unknowing victims to fall asleep could they have masterminded such devious behavior.

In my own experience, the Suratthani “Don Sak Pier to “Thong Yang Pier” bus ride operated by Songserm Tours (I think they are the longest operating “fly by night operator on Samui”) who have an office across the street from the Nathon Pier constantly have problems with the where boys between the ages of 9-15 crawl into the luggage/cargo hold of the bus and rifles through the bags.

They have a regular little “mafia operation”. Most Passengers don’t recognize they have a problem until

They have already gone onto the ferry or checked into their room.

I actually watched from my coach window the boy coming out of the bottom cargo hold with a lossely filled bag (probably small items like money, jewelry, gameboys, ipods etc. while passengers were getting off in the confusion.

It took the police 15 minutes to get there for my report, and I never saw my items again. Tourist Police also say sometimes the boys will get off at a previous stop to avoid all detection by passengers.

Also “conveniently”, before you can quickly get off of the bus/coach “taxi” drivers and “accommodation touts” board the bus while you are still in your seat. This may be part of a planned diversion to the overall “slight of hand” in your bag fleecing.

The “tour guides” on the bus and possibly even the driver may be fully aware of the situation.

I refuse to use the “Don Sak Pier to “Thong Yang Pier” service and will only use the “Don Sak Pier to “Nathon Pier” since you can carry your bags with you on the ship (which has its own issues) and the bus goes onto the ferry with you.

Best thing is to keep money, traveler checks, passport, etc. on your person and carry separately anything of value in your day pack.

Thailand is one of the safest countries in the world. Even during coup attempts, Thailand is safer than most places including America, UK and Australia’s “safer” cities by percentage.

However, like every highly touristic area in the world, petty crime, pickpockets and con artists congregate in concentration in areas where people foreign to the area are unlikely and unwilling to do more than file a police report.

The thieves have no racist view since even Thai tourists are victims and stolen from on these farang tour buses.

The upside is the Thai Police and the Thai Government frown upon ANY crime against tourism the nation’s No. 1 industry. Thieves caught and convicted go to jails and prisons for extended periods of time, and any anyone caught of robbery in Thailand spend their time in prison with leg irons and chains similar to those used on slave ships for the WHOLE duration of the prison term.

-Try not to look like the most ‘lost’ tourist on location. Thieves, Touts and Con-men can smell the fear. 

-Be mindful of your possessions

-Keep “priority” possessions with you at all times.

-Rule of thumb is if you can’t afford to lose it on your trip… keep it secure on you or DON’T BRING IT!

-Put things in perspective… if the items are of small value and can be replaced.. consider the mishap as part of your “Adventure” and not let it eat at the rest of your holiday.

When these things do happen to me and they are not big items I think that I probably would have given these items as a gift “if asked” for them, and leave it at that thinking they took it before they could ask me. Otherwise you spend the next week feeling victimized and defiled. It is worth it for the $20 “Street value” of the item? I guess sometimes it pays to have Travel Insurance huh?!

Everything in this life is impermanent. Don’t get caught up in the past. Live for today and be mindfully and carefully aware of your actions and surroundings at all times.

Chok Dee

Anybody who has expereience with Dr. Thep Vechavisit of Pratunam Polyclinic please post anything and everything you know.

thank you for all the positive comments, Has anyone gotten dental braces in thailand? and what was your experience and how much was the payment plan? another thing that im curious about is that you have wear retainers for life indefinetly is this true? even if 1-5 days per week when i sleep??? I have an abnormal swallow and a powerful tongue, which can lead me to a relapse after Im done with braces if I dont wear the retainers, I just want to know how to keep perfect teeth for the rest of my life and how do Other members cope with that.

I would say be very careful where you go.

My GF went to Thantakit approx 2.5 years ago. The price for these coloured braces was 70000, deposit of 30000

The payment was monthly 2500 baht.,

with no discount for cash upfront

This was a 'guaranteed' price with no extras.

Then about 1 yr ago she was told that there was a more advanced piece of equipment that would shorten the time and do a better job.........result an extra 20000.

Now she has just been told she will have to have 3 implants etc etc.....another 145000!!!!!!!

Add to that constant charges for cleaning and other misc charges, it will have cost so far over 250,000 baht, and who knows what the next BS story will be

I would steer well clear of Thantakit

Question?: Is your Thai GF paying directly for her braces? Does the Orthodontist think a farang is paying for them? Is there the possibility that you via her are being overcharged and the difference in price is either being put into the orthodontist and/or her pocket?

This is an all too common practice amongst Thai's who can even arrange a bogus invoice to be produced as "proof".

If you go to private dentists figure on about 1/3 the price of US Dentist for dental work and if you go to a province hospital dentist about 1/10th - 1/5th the cost of a US Dentist.... i.e.

Example:

a ceramic/cosmetic/veneer cap US: $1,000 per tooth Private Thai Dentist: $230.00 per tooth Province Hospital: Not available

Congratulations Donna!

The reason most people fail to win in cases of injustice like this are as follows:

1. They only complain and do nothing, and Thais are no different than Americans hiring Mexicans, or Brits hiring Indian or West Indies staff who don't know the laws. They know the laws of diminishing return and attrition are on the Thai (or country citizen) side because most foreigners do not know the law or are afraid of retribution in their host country.

2. They try to apply the laws of their country to Thai law, which is like trying to make an apply into an orange. Most foreigners forget the concept of cultural sensitivity in trying to understand the culture and laws of their host country. Though there is definitely a political component within the Thai legal system, as there is in Britain, Australian, Japan, USA, etc., in most cases the politics stop when the case goes before the judge in a Thai court.

Lawyers in every country lie, cheat and play outside of the law until it goes to trial... and there are some bad judges in Thailand as in other countries. However to a large part Thai judges are true to the law not just because it is right, but because most feel they report to a higher order of the King.

Anyone who has spent more than 5 minutes in Thailand knows the love and reverence people (not just Thais) have for this man. In fact, I believe it is the Royal Palace that appoints judges not the people. So to disobey the law is to disobey and disrespect the King, as is stepping on money, speaking poorly of the Royal family, defacing images or statues of the King and Royal family.

Thai judges I have met all have a sense of serving a higher order to serve justice. But most farang never trust the court to get as far enough to find out.

They fear the lies from the lawyers and others involved will only be a continuation through to trial. They fear they will be digging a bigger hole both financially and legally because of veiled threats the opposing legal teams make and your weak lawyers failure to launch or visually oppose the other side.

Culture note: In Thai courts both plaintiff and defendant's lawyers must apologize to the court/ judge for bringing problems before the court. Unlike American and British courts that (mostly through the sensation of TV dramas) appear to be fighting a battle when in fact 90% of cases are decided when the lawyer meet for a beer or coffee outside of the court room (seemingly unethical but a fact of life).

The Legal game in the west is mostly one of legal technicality and a good poker face vs. Thailand's judges looking for what is good for Thailand. Serving justice against bad Thais doing bad things against farang is not good for Thailand.

BOTTOM LINE: Whenever involved in litigation in ANY country, do not rely solely on the advice of your lawyer, learn the laws at hand well enough to "INSTRUCT" your lawyer to take action. If you know the law and your lawyer fails to act, you know you have a bad one and must change.

3. They get tired from the time it takes to go to trial and get a ruling. Though like every court in the world there are too few judges for too many cases. However, a big mistake is when you allow YOUR lawyer too many postponements and re-scheduling that conflict with his/her other cases, he needs more time to prepare. Finding a good lawyer is difficult anywhere. In Thailand its better to look for honest over tough. A lawyer that tries to put you at ease too quickly by building your confidence and making you feel your case is an easy winner will more likely drain your pocket book with substandard results. Unfortunately, most lawyers that seek out farang business fit this profile.

ADVICE: When you need a good lawyers, go down to the courts and spend a day (or two) speaking to the Thai people, police, court workers and people waiting in the hallway for their cases who they think is the best lawyer. If you cannot speak Thai bring a Thai speaker with you. speak to 20-30 people and when the same name comes up 10-20 times ... you may have a good lawyer lead.

Caution: Avoid the "LAWYER TOUTS" that do exist at the courts. They are commission hounds just like the "hotel touts", "tour touts" etc. If they approach you avoid them. The best lawyers are already too busy and don't need sales people.

Sounds like too much work? Then your case must not be that important and you should just walk away and forget about it lick your wounds and get on with life.

As the Lord Buddha said "be carefully aware in this life". Good Luck!!!

Isn't free to travel between EU countries once you have entered one? Like going between states in the USA?

Every day the King is alive there remains hope that people can love their leaders.

Where else in the world is there one man that more than 65 million people sincerely love one person?

Even though we must accept the King is getting older, everyday he is with us he ensures Thailand's peace, harmony and stability.

God save the King, Long live the King Bhumibol Adulyadej

Does anybody know where I can find the answers to these questions

1. What is the "Statute of Limitations" to file ?both Civil and Criminal cases in Thailand?

2. What if any difference is there on filing such cases with regards to Medical and Legal Malpractice, Fraud, Financial debts, Theft and Criminal Assault?

3. What about cases in which Doctors or Lawyers practice without proper licenses or education and do damage to their clients?

4. Are these considered criminal or civil cases?

Does anyone know what the "Statute of Limitations" to file either civil or criminal case in Thailand?

What I don't understand is why the Chinese and British governments would consider extradition for cases not related to terrorism, drug trafficking, violence or money laundering?

Many countries do not recognize extradition for issues (including taxes) outside of those mentioned above.

This is clearly a political deal with financial ramifications and most countries would just seize the property within their own jurisdiction and issue "bench warrants" to arrest them upon their return.

I think it is time for the Thaksins to strongly consider "Political Asylum".

Otherwise I think once they re-enter Thailand, they may never see light of day or worse.

Money is nothing to die for or spend the rest of your life in imprisoned for.