geriatrickid

I too read it as the 40k -l. being contained for now. There is expertise in Thailan. For example SEACOR has regional offices in BKK and in Singapore and as I understand it, is the largest provider of oil spill services to the industry. The base of operations for Asia is in Thailand if I am not mistaken. It's just a question of the locals following the same practices as the foreigners and retaining the services of skilled professionals. The response has to be be triggered now, not next month.

Are we allowed to take scalps if we join the coup? I always liked lots of scalps on the pole outside my teepee. Bring me much power. Impress squaw.

You should be ashamed of yourself for that comment. Aside from it being wrong, it's downright ignorant.

Scalping was more of a Europeans practice. Both the French and British colonoial occupiers of North America introduced the practice as a means to encourage the killing of natives. The practice was also a means for the French to ensure that the local natives that were hired as mercenaries were really reporting accurate kills. The kills were not paid for unless there was evidence of the kill and this was achieved by bringing back a scalp. You don't know your Canadian history do you? The English set a bounty on scalps taken by settlers in Halifax. They also did the same in the Mohawk wars and against the Dakota nation in western Canada.

I am not attempting sarcasm when I write that the thread should be subtitled "Origins of a Drug Mule". No plan, gambling, no large pool of capital to draw upon, no friends, no support network and encouragement from people that will not have to deal with the ensuing mess. I'm sorry, but the world is a much different place from when some of you guys embarked on your Huck Finn adventure. The world is less compassionate, far more likely to apply harsh treatment and one's government is much less likely to assist then was the case 25 years ago.

The best advice always given is unchanged; visit first for an extended stay of 1-3 months and then decide if Thailand is for you, ALWAYS have an escape route planned and that means having a return ticket and emergency funds in a safe place. Thailand is not the place to be if one is of limited financial means. Think of it this way; on your budget, unless you are prepared to eat roadkill and squat to crap in the stinkiest of holes with no tp with only your hand to wipe, you will freak. You will sleep in place with bugs that crawl over you when you sleep. The rooms will have black mold, you will stay n the areas where the air is bad and the peoplem just as choking. There is no xbox, ps3 or wii. And worst of all you can not drink the tap water. Think about it; 35C + 90% humidity and all you can do is purchase bottled water.

I am no Doctor, but I did ask one as I do a fair bit of bird-watching and get clobbered by ticks at times. To the best of my knowledge there is no Lyme disease in Thailand; there is apparently Rickettsia present along the border. Not sure about dogs but I would not be surprised if there are a number of tick-borne diseases that could be potentially dangerous to dogs; maybe a visit to a Vet is in order?

Hanno, you know your stuff. Rickettsia thailandii. We can thank the U.S. Army medical Corps research team for identifying the strain. Interesting enough, several cases of human infections were identified in the Chiang Mai area. What's really fascinating is that ticks collected from rats in Nahkon Ratchasima were found to be carrying a Thai typhus strain, Rickettsia honei.

Between the ticks and my fear of the bed bug epidemic coming to Thailand I will never be able to sleep again.

I commend the OP for caring about those that might benefit from some friendship. Unfortunately, there are priorities in life. On any given day in Thailand, There are several foreigners in the hospital. Often these are just "backpacker" kids that have been injured. Other times they are the elderly. Many times, these foreigners have no visitors, no loved ones to help them. It seems to me that they could benefit more from a visit. In any case, if someone is willing to help others, it is an admirable quality.

Remember when there was no train and we were all wondering when it would start? Seems to me that whatever is there is better than what was in place prior; which was nothing. Please give it a chance.

Apparently he is 27, not that it makes a difference. His mum is the one left with the burden of caring for him. Paralysed and nearly blind. Not a fate any of us would wish on even our worst enemies.

Cuba now requires visitors to purchase medical insurance before entering the country. If the visitor cannot show evidence of coverage, the visitor is told to go buy the coverage from the state health care agency kiosk. This is probably the most intelligent thing Cuba has ever done.

FIRST: For entry into the country, all travelers, foreigners and Cuban overseas residents are required to possess a travel insurance policy, covering medical expenses, issued by an insurance entity recognized in Cuba. At points of entry into the country, the sale of these policies will be ensured by Cuban insurance entities.

SECOND: During their stay in the country, foreigners with temporary residence in Cuba are required to have a medical insurance policy issued by a Cuban or foreign insurance entity recognized in Cuba.

THIRD: Diplomatic personnel and representatives of international organizations accredited in Cuba shall be excluded from application of the previous regulation.

Thailand should consider a similar regulation. Even if it was for a small limit of 100,000 baht and only for catastrophic injury, it would be a good move. Win win for everyone. Those that need the coverage most would be obliged to take it. Those that already have coverage would be exempt.

its good to see your expert detective skills have come into play again I doubt he had a work permit???? based on what wondering what job is in thailand, op says sales

come on sherlock put that thinking hat on and stop embarrassing yourself

Well, do you know if he had a work permit? And what was his sales job? There are not too many legal sales jobs that are open to telemarketers from the UK. I don't think he was a sales professional for manufacturing equipment or medical devices.

Too bad we cannot get the woman's version. This thread reads as a self pitying trip down blame lane. Maybe the woman is a nasty piece of work, but no one forced you into the marriage and no one forced you to hand over the money. Was it a shotgun wedding? Did anyone put a gun to your head to get the money? If you have a lawyer now, why didn't you consult with him before handing over the money? Locking up her documents and then releasing them only after the lawyer tells you that you cannot keep them speaks to pettiness, Taking documents that do not belong to you is hardly a mature act and is basically misappropriation. Even if she was a savage beast, you still cannot do that. I get the feeling that you are on a vendetta over perceived wrongs. For all I know you were probably questioning her every move and phone cal when she was with youl. On the other hand, she might just be the typical barwhore one reads about in TVF. I don't know, and aside from the entertainment value of the thread, I don't care. Grow up and act your age.

Why put an asset in someone's name if one is going to live in fear of losing the asset? As soon as it is gifted over, it's that person's and you have no rights to claim the property. If you cannot accept that, then do not do it.

Nothing.

Because if one makes the move to Thailand it is for something one wants or dearly loves at the time. To then feel the need to move away would mean that there was nothing to keep one in Thailand.

If Asian children were less curious it would be reflected in fewer poisonings and accidental deaths. Unfortunately, asian kids still get into the household cleaning products, still fall from ledges and still electrocute themselves. Perhaps the question should be asked of oneself as to why one's children do not have a healthy curiousity? Is it because the child fears being told he or she is dumb or "wrong". Children do not ask questions if they are not in an environment that encourages such activity. If you are an open person and engage your child in some of your activities, the questions and interest will be sparked. As mentioned earlier, books are an excellent tool. Asking a child what he or she thinks is also helpful. Some of you guys are skilled mechanics and craftsmen. What's so hard about having the kid help you out? You'd be surprised how the curiousity will be jumpstarted. Some of you have had very interesting lives. How about sharing some of those interesting adventures? A little bit of embellishment wouldn't hurt. Kids love dinosaurs, scary and creepy crawly things. Sometimes there are musuems that pique their minds. The prison musuem in Bangkok is an example.A visit there, and a look at the beheading exhibit will get a kid wanting to learn more about what went on, and how it worked. From there a discussion of anatomy, law & justice and of course the ghosts of the dead can be motivated. Take a kid on a walk in a national park, pull back some dead leaves and watch the bugs. I guarantee there will be questions. I appreciate that Thailand is supposed to be different, but think back to your own childhoods and what made you curious. Many of those same things can be applied today. Kids are universal in that respect.

Some of the comments do illustrate my earlier point about taxpayers not wishing to pay the costs of situations like this. If people are concerned or wish to help, just contact the hospital and the German Embassy and ask what you can do. No point in posting how much one is touched or "feeling" that they will help if one doesn't dig into the wallet.

Last year there were a number of incidents involving UK and Australian nationals suffering serious injury on Phuket. The local UK and Australians had fundraisers. It is up to the local, large, german community in Thailand to take the lead on this. Until someone does, there really is no point in tut tutting or pointing fingers of blame at the government. Nothing is stopping Mr. & Mrs. Schmidt from reaching out.

How big were her hands?

Simon

Well, I'm sure that he would have figured it out if he observed the "woman" to have a penis if an when they fell into each others in a naked passionate embrace, the kind that is only to be obtained from the respectable ladies of the district they call soi cowboy.

Lucky for him he called it off as I reckon the next thread would be one on how they were married and then she left him 2 weeks later, taking the rice maker.

The thread is still raging this fine morning, and so far the only person that has pointed out the obvious isTawp. He has directed your attention to the characteristics of the reprinted image and why there may be some errors and yet some of you still do not get it. Are some of you intellectually challenged or just so obsessed with Mr. Thaksin that you feel obliged to make up nonsensical allegations?

None of you has seen the original photograph. You are relying on an image that was published by a third party. If you attempted to offer such nonsensical opinion in a court, you would be tossed. The image that you are analyzing was in the hands of a 3rdparty unrelated to Mr. Thaksin that may have either intentionally or unintentionally altered the image. The errors observed may have occurred in the copying process. Yes, here is a possibility that the images are fakes, but that is all it is, a remote possibility. Until Mr. Mandela and his representatives say otherwise, the photos are more likely to be considered legit. Did Mr. mandela's office say the images were fake? No. You think someone like him would speak out if they were.

Seriously, those of you pushing a conspiracy haven't offered one piece of reliable evidence. There was a meeting between Mr. Thaksin and Mr. Mandela. Mr. Mandela's organization confirmed the meeting. Why is it so unbelievable that Mr. Thaksin took a souvenir photo? What's even more pathetic is the person claiming it is a cutout of Mr. Thaksin and the other person claiming he is probably dead.

Not one of you self appointed experts made any effort to actually verify the statements you were trying to pass off as fact. How is it a young Thai/German student and independent journalist in Hamburg was able to confirm the meeting by contacting Mr. Mandela's office, and yet not one Thai blogger or journalist speculating on this subject bothered to contact Mr. Mandela's office. People that invent "fact" and and try to pass it off as the truth are liars. You should be ashamed of yourselves. If you conduct yourselves in daily life in this dishonest and pathetic a manner I can see why some of you are in such dire situations.

I will always remember the name of this hospital and the lady involved:

Songklanakarind Hospital in Had Yai,

Sukanya Panthomrawee, head of the hospital's patients' rights and entitlement division.

I will also remember the German Embassy having so far not having lifted a finger or am I missing something?

Yes. It is the German tourist and expat community that so far does not appear to have rendered any assistance. It is too easy to blame the "embassy". The embassy is obliged to follow the rules set by the German government. Please note that the German people delivered a stern rebuke at the polls to Dr. Merkel, Chancellor, because of the government's decision on the support of the EU and IMF initiatives in the European financial crisis. The cry from the public was no more spending. If the German people care, let the German press take up the cause and help raise the funds.

Because this guy doesn't have anyone setting up a facebook page for him or posting glowing memories of him on the web, he languishes in a hospital ward. Unfortunately, many people like this person make their way to Thailand and suffer injury and death due to their own behaviour. We then read about them in threads like, "man falls from Pattaya balcony or is found hanging", only to then be treated to a flurry of comments suggesting it was an attempted "murder".

There are a number of public interest groups that have declared positions. Let's take the UK taxpayers alliance for example. (I'm not picking on them, but they serve as an illustration.) The TPA wants taxes lowered and that there be no additional taxes levied. It's a great sentiment. I'm in favour of that as well. Who isn't? Governments do polls and have focus groups. They also consult with a large number of public interest groups. One given, and it's accepted by most finance ministries in the developed world, is that fees are perceived differently from taxes, since it is the user that pays and not the general population. If you don't use the service, then you don't pay. People when surveyed usually say charge fees instead of taxes. I believe that the social psychology explanation is that it is less objectionable because it's not seen as "mandatory" like a tax. (Obviously it is, since you don't get the service if you don't pay.) It really is no different than the way some airlines charge fees. People that don't check bags, don't get hit with the extra baggage charge etc. Personally, I can't stand the way all those fees are added on, but there are travelers that will say they like it. As well, collecting a fee once service at the transaction ensures compliance. It's easier to avoid paying a tax, than it is to avoid a fee payment. You can't whip up public opinion over a fee in quite the same way you can with a 1% tax increase.

Fees collected by consulates and embassies accrue to the general account. All monies flow back to HM Treasury. In some cases, the fees charged exceed the costs expended to deliver the services. I bet some of you would never expect me to write that. However, it is not UK citizens that pay those inflated fees. Rather it is foreigners. Maybe some of you already know if you have brought family to the UK and I'm surprised no one has pointed out the "double pricing".

The most recent example is the fee policy implemented in January 2010; Dependent relatives living outside the UK who make an application to settle in the UK had application fees increase from £585 to £1,680. Family members who who visit the UK and subsequently apply to settle had fees double, to £1,680. The move was in response to concerns raised by taxpayer groups and general commentators about the cost on social and health services of foreign nationals' parents and grandparents who cannot look after themselves.

In a written statement to Parliament , the Labour immigration minister at the time, Phil Woolas said revenue from fees, which are far above the cost of processing the applications, would be used to fund the immigration system. He said:"I believe that it is fair that those who benefit from using our immigration system should help fund it. The fees help fund the 25,000 staff who work in local communities, at the border and in 135 countries around the world."

look, I'm sorry some of the fees are upsetting to people. I have to pay fees as well. However, it's not the clerk at the Embassy that sets them. it's not even the Ambassador. It's the duly authorized government that makes the budget which sets the fees. MPs vote on the budget. The workers in an embassy are required to follow the rules of the budget. Take it up with your MP or the PM.

Why would we think that Tacky would lie, or fake something? It's not as if he was a convicted fugitive from justice is it?

You have to love the part about how he is keeping quiet, lmfao.

What's to be gained by lying about a meet and greet? Do you think Mr. Mandela even knew who he was? Former PM Thaksin is keeping quiet. The only people that keep mentioning his name are those obsessed with him. The country would be better served if people got on with their lives. Let Mr. Abhisit and General Prem worry about the deposed PM.

The fees charged at British consulates and embassies contribute to the costs incurred by having representative offices. The British government operates in an open labour market which means that it has to pay salaries that will attract qualified employees. Do you work for free? Do you think someone with a university diploma and that has efficient work skills is going to stay in the foreign service long if he or she can obtain work elsewhere at better terms and conditions? If the UK government charges a fee it is because this is what the UK taxpayers want. In case you didn't realize, the UK provides generous social benefits to its citizens. Someone has to pay for those benefits. Are you paying taxes to the UK government and do those taxes cover even a portion of your access to and use of all the services provided? Considering the fact that UK citizens can access an NHS, social services, public transit, water etc., I don't know what you are griping about. It is unfair to call the people providing the services "greedy". The fees collected by the UK and other governments are not not that lucrative. If you want a free ride or a subsidy to support your lifestyle, just say so.

I wonder what the victims in Liberia and Sierra Leone have to say about the detention of Mr. Bout?

I suggest a bit of research on this fellow before making assumptions about free spirits or adventurers.

To that end, perhaps a good place to start the research are the hundreds and hundreds of loving tributes to this young man that have poured in from around the globe:

Facebook:

In memory of Jordan Ashley Krull

http://www.facebook....1688&ref=searc

Are you serious? The page I see, when expanded to show all comments, does not have hundreds and hundreds of loving tributes. Rather there are comments from approx. 30 people, many that have commented several times. Are you unable to count, or just gripped by emotional hysteria and feel the need to exagerate? You are promoting someone to sainthood, based on what? It was an unfortunate incident. The deceased had friends. They are grieving. It is sad. Ok, I get it. Would you be carrying on in this manner if a Thai kid fell off or was run over by a train? It happens on a regular basis and I do not recall seeing your emotional pain expressed for that. You know nothing about this person and yet you carry on as if he was on a humanitarian mission in Thailand. Do your research, ok. Out of respect to the deceased's family I am not going to post hurtful information here. If someone wants it, they can PM me.

The reason I made my comment is that once again, a minor incident serves as an opportunity for some people to push their personal agendas. In particular is the suggestion that this was a "murder".

I appreciate that some people do not approve of the Olympics or the torch run, good for you. However, don't project your opinion that somehow this guy was protesting based on deeply held principle, because he wasn't. I suggest a bit of research on this fellow before making assumptions about free spirits or adventurers.

Yes, it is a sad event, but that's it. This is a guy that thought it would be funny to interfere with an event that meant something to alot of people. He was being a selfish jerk. I don't think there will be any stories coming out of his volunteering down at the local food bank or social assistance organizations or of making a contribution to his local community.

Before anyone starts suggesting a murder conspiracy or a crime, please take into consideration the deceased's past behaviour. His death was consistent with his lifestyle and past activities,