roietjimmy

My girlfriend recently went to City Hall to change her Thai passport from her married name to her family name so as to match her new ID card. I was surprised to see that even though she's back to her maiden name, it is still prefixed by Mrs. I would have thought it would have gone back to Miss or Ms. Is this standard procedure in Thailand?

It seems to be. I have seen 4 or 5 passports where the lady is divorced but still have Mrs. attached. A case of getting rid of the husband but not the label!

Sorry but I find Globe's post more than a bit spooky as well, Photos of the boy sleeping are very strange as are the hugging refernces, perhaps as part of a younger generation we are brought up to be a bit more cautious and wary.

Ummm..Point noted!

From one old sentimental fart to another, and assuming you have replaced your wind up Victrola with something more modern, I have an mp3 copy on my computer. At least I think it is the one you are asking about. If you want, PM me and I will send it to you. Or I can copy the entire album and drop it off in Yaso.

Not far away and isn't Yaso part of Roiet?!!

First of all that boy does not look Burmese, secondly I find your post extremely weird and thirdly your pictures look set up and voyeuristic.

Where did you crawl out from under what rock?

What are Burmese supposed to look like? Horned devils perhaps?

He is sitting right next to me, eating his lunch

Anyway, I am sorry I posted it. If you find it "setup and voyeuristic" that's your problem.

Sorry, Kat is right he does not look Burmese (Burman). If he was he would not be in Thailand working in slave labor conditions but rather here on holiday with plenty of money. No, he definately looks to be ethnically Karen one of the most persecuted of all ethnic groups in Myanmar because they actually had the audacity to stand up and fight the "Burmese" military regime.

Don't you dare be sorry for posting your email!! I would say he sure looks like the 12 year old boy below. But I'm sure someone will comment this pic is also "set up".

And funnily enough, go in any internet cafe as by now even the tiniest rural village has -- you will see lots of youth playing there all day online games.

Once again you make sweeping statements that are complete rubbish. OK, I'll do a deal with you, when I come back to Thailand next month, I'll meet you in Isaan, and every rural Village that we go to that does NOT have an internet Cafe, you donate a computer to the local school, ok?

I'll drive and pay for the diesel, you pay for all the rural villages to have computers, and whilst your at it, you can get telephone lines installed to the many many villages that do not have telephone lines.

I hope you got plenty of money.

Even if you didn't visit one village and only Amphoes, jts-korat would still need to have plenty of money.

Is there anything - ANYTHING - so sad as a farang guy desperately trying to convince himself that what is obviously black is, in fact, white?

Sad. Very sad.

Love is a serious mental disease. Plato, 360 BC

To give you some ideas on where to stop on your "Isaan loop", let us know what type of things would be of interest to you (i.e. temples, parks, nightlife etc.)? Also, some idea of how many days you have planned for the loop?

This could be interesting.

I am going to the University tomorrow (Monday 03 September) and will find out more.

If anybody has anything that they would like me to enquire about please contact me on here, or by PM, or by e-mail. (That is just my name 'martinallinson' at hotmail.com)

If you attend the event sure would appreciate feedback on what you hear/observe. The whole "sufficiency" issue seems to have taken on a life of its own. Would be interesting to see what version/spin this gathering is proposing.

Can anyone supply me with an English translation of what His Majesty has said about the subject "sufficiency"? I would appreciate a direct translation rather than an opinion or analysis of what he has said.

I've noticed on the forums that 200 seems to be the going rate when stopped (actually, the thread I'm thinking of concerned Pattaya), but every Thai I ask says they pay 100. I was curious if this was the same in Isaan.

Contributions to the "policemans retirement" fund are based on ones perceived ability to pay. If you are a poor farmer riding a motorbilke with no helmet, no registration, no lights, no license you will not even be stopped. If you are a very rich well connected Thai driving a Benz, have impressive badges on your car grill you will not be stopped even if you are speeding at 200Km per hour. Every one else in between these two extremes is subject to being stopped and encouraged to contribute to the retirement fund.

Some tips on keeping your contributions to a minimum are:

First and most importantly, keep your speed within or close to the posted speed limit. Except on the elevated toll road leaving Bangkok where I have been stopped for no reason, if I don't speed I have never been pulled over.

Keep your drivers license and a 100 baht note plainly visible inside the car. If you are stopped the first thing the cop will ask for is your license. Do not have it in your wallet as he will be looking to see how much money you have and adjust the amount of your contribution accordingly.

If you are stopped, payment of some sort will be inevitable. No matter how good your Thai is I advise you say nothing just smile and act dumb. Assuming you have a Thai with you, let them do the negotiations. Once you are in Isaan, you should never have to pay more than 100 baht.

Frankly, I believe you are far to concerned with the issue of how much to pay or if you will be stopped. Stay within the speed limits, enjoy the trip and you will have no problem.

Nobody seems to talk about what I originally posted..

Why cant the Burmese use a mobile phone...

Why cant they stay out after eight...

And finally.. why cant they drive a car.....?

If the good governor of Phuket can be believed it is because it is the law/rules as defined by their work visas so rich Burmese tourists/business people do not have the same restrictions. I too am astounded by these rules but of more interest to me is what in the world was the justification or thinking for the restrictions. Some of my thoughts on what was going through the minds of the rule makers are:

Burmese workers cannot use mobile phones because they will use them to coordinate a plot to overthrow the government. Besides they can all speak pretty good English and our security forces listening in will not be able to understand them.

They cannot stay out after 8PM because they will be most likely to carry out their plan at night.

They cannot drive cars because if they have to walk all the way to Bangkok in force we have a 10% chance of intercepting them along the way.

Buddhism is the faith of 95% of the population, 4% are Muslims, 0.5% are Christians and the rest are Hindus, Sikhs and others. All are based on one central theme. Everything else (Precepts, Commandments, Laws et al) are merely expansions on this theme.

Buddhism - Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Udana-Varga 5,1

Islam - No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires himself. Sunnah

Christianity - All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them. Matthew 7:1

Hindu - This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do to you. Mahabharata 5, 1517

99.5% of our elected government representatives and our citizens are professed believers of these faiths. So based on the central theme of Buddhism, in answer to your post "Should Thailand Become More Buddhist?" the obvious answer is YES.

Regarding your post quote from the learned professor, it is a political statement justifying an extremely conservative solution which as some have suggested herein could have "disastrous results". The idea that somehow Thailand would be better off if it was to revert to the good ole days implies setting the gains made in human rights, economic opportunity and education back centuries. He has vainly tried to justify his thesis by wrapping it all in the context of "self sufficiency". ColPyats post "What a pile of constructed hogwash" pretty much sums up my opinion!

Longthaimer - Buddhism and capitalism are not mutally exclusive. It is not the acquisition of wealth but rather Unbuddhists (is this a word?) like methods used to acquire it that are in conflict. From the beginnings of human civilization, politics (politicians) have religious beliefs and they will, if allowed, bring their religion to politics. When the politicians and the clergy become one and start making the laws, then we can expect a real rude awakening! Anyone for a dose of Taliban?

It would be a better place if Thailand became more Buddhist in the behavior of it's citizens. The same applies for Christianity. It would be better for Christians to become more Christ like.

Unfortunately, I doubt this will happen in contemporary society.

How about Confucius Airport. That would be an innocuous name, yet symbolize loyalty and "corporate identity" in the BKK governmental sense.

Please use your spell checker before posting. "Confucius", should be "Confusion". Surely this is what you meant as it best "symbolize loyalty and "corporate identity" in the BKK governmental sense.

Thanks for the input. Yeah, I just got back from the hospital with my health certificate (the doc gave me a color blindness test, so hopefully it's the right kind) and I'm reading all the relevant posts in the driving forum now. One of my students mentioned that they administer a computer test in English now, but only give the lecture in Thai, so I'm a little worried about that. Re the driving test, I speak some Thai, but if the bureaucrats here are anything like they were at home... I guess I'd better bring a friend along.

Since I've always been in the bus or van, we were stopped at every checkpoint and I incorrectly assumed that happened to everybody. Good to know it's not that bad.

Yes buses and vans do get stopped especially since the coup. I believe the purpose of this was to prevent/restrict large groups (Thaksin supporters) from making their way to bangkok to "cause trouble".

Drivers tests are available in English but as you say be sure and take a Thai speaker with you.

Wall around this house was 150,000 baht (material and labor). Sliding gate in front and small rear gate 8,000 baht. Wall is 1.5m high and 30m x 30m in length. Footings and posts are 2m apart with reenforced steel. I used CPAC (premix) concrete for footings and posts as this is superior in its mix consistency over hand mixed concrete. Both sides finished and painted. I have chosen not to use wrought iron as I intend to plant some type of hedge on both sides of the wall.

Given you do not currently have a valid license (expired), getting that Thai drivers license might not be as easy as you think so you need to sort that out first.

As far as check points, there are two permanent ones. Both seem to be Army rather than police checkpoints. One is on the way to Korat and another north of Korat about 100km. I have never been stopped so don't think you will have a problem. You will encounter several traffic police check points along the way using radar guns to catch speeders. If you keep your speed below 100km between Bangkok and Phi Mai you should have no trouble. Watch out between Baan Phi (where you turn right to Roiet) and Roiet as they strictly enforce the 90km per hour limit. The roads are very good. Four lanes all the way except for the last 20km.

. I realize most people on this forum are watching Premiership and not so much Spanish and Italian leagues...

That's an unworthy assumption. At any given time there are between three and five football games on and RARELY any golf tournaments. Where's the balance, not everyone is interested in soccer, or is this an assumption also? Are "most people on this forum" soccer fanatics?

The programs aired on UBC reflect the average Thais insatiable addiction to football (soccer). We farangs/TV Forum folks play an insignificant role in UBC's market so it is not surprising football matches dominate programming. I am not a football fan either so think it is ridiculous that with all the sports channels, UBC couldn't reserve at least one that is dedicated to other sports. Fortunately motorsports (F1/MotoGP etc.) do get coverage which I enjoy but it's not likely I can expect to see my favorite sport, ice hockey, on UBC!

Three consecutive border runs....just under 90 days.....then a tourist visa from malaysia which I used for only a month.

Back in Suwanapoom....got the visa free entry but with the mysterious number four where it should read one..

Seems this is the 4th time you have entered Thailand since your new passport was issued. Might this be the reason? Only a guess!

- the cycle of the rice harvest, and other important crops

- the economic impact of money sent home by people working in Bangkok, wealthier parts of Thailand and abroad

- morlam, and other forms of local music and arts

To get the most out of your visit re the above, make sure you plan to stay November through January. This will allow you to obsereve and participate in the rice harvest and related festivites. Lots of Morlam concerts and many people who work outside Isaan return home for harvest season.

Speaking Lao is different. Anyone know what percentage of native Isaan people speak Lao?

There are 16 languages spoken in Isaan. Population numbers are about 10 years old but figure % are about the same now.

Northeastern Thai (Isaan) - 15,000,000 - 87.39%

Northern Khmer (Khmer Lue) - 1,117,588 - 6.51%

Thai (Khorat Thai) - 400,000 - 2.33%

Kuy (Suai) - 300,000 - 1.75%

Remaining 12 all less than 1% each - 2.02%

Does this then make Northeastern Isaan the most widely spoken language in Thailand?

i think his table is just the discription of the Isaan region and not the whole of thailand,

which is about 60 million nationally, Isaan ppl being between 16 to 20 million.

Yes, the numbers only covered Isaan. Numbers were taken from a study done by Mahidol University. It should be noted that Northeastern Thai is the "official" (government politically correct) name for the language. In reality, it is in fact Lao with minor variations depending on specific locations in Isaan.

Thai also called Central Tai, Standard Thai, Thaiklang, Siamese is spoken by over 20,000,000 so is the most spoken language in Thailand. Northeastern Thai is second with 15,000,000.

Agree, the people in my village always use the term "pa sah Lao" as the language they speak. Seems only the "elites" get excited about using the term. Isaan, Lao and Thai languages have much in common and as you say, given a little time and effort, they can communicate. Often it is the cadence and accents rather than the actual words that are different.

I don't want to take this thread off track from the interesting main discussion, but just a quick point about language...

My wife, though not an "elite", makes a clear differentiation between Laos and "pa sah Isaan". Indeed, the Laos words and phrasing is often quite different to Laos. So I don't agree that it is an elitist stand point, but rather one based in fact, the two languages (or dialects) are different. Perhaps in your area it is a purer form of Laos that is spoken, and that might explain the difference.

Agree, see my post #6. My wife, also far from an "elite" says the same as your wife. I shall refrain from using the term "elite" in the future. Let me say there are people who are not offended when "pa sah Issan" is referred to as "pah sa Lao" and others that are. It seems there are others who have posted here that do not agree they are separate dialects so there is clearly a difference of opinion based on a particular region.

Don't know about anyone else, but I was under the quilt last night, I'm bloody freezing!!!!

Same in Roiet. Rained all night and was very cold. Have to admit, it was a nice change from the heat and humidity. I too curled up under the quilt snug as a bug in a rug as they say. Reminiscent of my youth in the great Canadian Northland!!!

Could you say how many degrees centigrade you had????? I just can´t imagine it being "cold" over there at the moment.....

It was really cold!! OK, maybe not Berlin in December cold!! And to be sure we were still 22C to high to consider skating on the pond. But having acclimated to the weather here, like Thaddeus, I was bloody freezing!!!