Brigante7

I am prettty fed up at the moment and close to leaving Thailand, my wife and daughter. I will tell you the situation, any advice would be most appreciated.

My daughter was born three weeks early, via csection, she's now 26 days old, since we have been back the family have not stopped interfering.

On the first day back one of her relatives came round and literally screamed at our baby to wake up, this is the same relative who said to us that they hope our baby is born like one of my wife's cousins daughter, this daughter is a special needs kid, cannot move, talk or feed herself. The relative thought it was funny. Again a few days later came round and was screaming at our baby. Since then I have refused to enter their house, they get the message, I am not inpolite to them, I will say hello, etc.

Another relative comes to our house every day at 8am. This is even if, we have all been up all night, the baby is now asleep but this relative insists on trying to wake the baby up, to no avail of course. But our sleep has been ruined and we cannot sleep in the day as we are looking after our baby.

Most of the visitors shout at the baby, poke her etc. They think it is "funny" and my wife says "it makes them happy" and yes the baby screams when she is awake when they do this.

A group of the families kids came in (6) from playing outside, without washing their hands or anything and they where all touching the baby. Again I could not say anything.

One of the children here is particularly obnoxious, a spoilt little kid who is being looked after by the grandparents, she comes in, screams at the top of her lungs, looks anywhere she wants (opens fridge/drawers etc), runs around like a bull in a china shop. Again I cannot say anything because the Grandather allows my wife's dad to use his back yard.

I have no privacy as well, I am not talking about this is an "open" house literally but even when I am typing on the PC I have someone reading over my shoulder (not the wife) and when they get told this is private they just smirk at me and laugh.

One of the relatives told my wife the reason our baby woke up and screamed was because my wife had eaten something bad and the baby was sick (unlikely to pass food poisoning to a baby unless via hand or if the food poisoning reaches the blood stream), then said it was because the wife had visitied a relatives house with the baby and her sole had stayed at the relatives house and had to be "called back" (it was actually because the stub of the umbilical cord was finally coming off and causing her pain)

There are many more things that I can write down but it's just more of the same.

I can't discuss these matter in any way with the wife, it's a no go area. However the relatives or friends act it is "up to them", my wife is terrified that I upset one of the family/friends and that any future/potential help from them will be withdrawn.

Yes I know I am in a different country, different culture and society but if I acted the same way to them I would be told to f*** off.

What do I do?

I've been told if I do leave then it is "up to me", there is no discussion and that the babies surname will be changed back to the family name.

All I want to do is talk about it, but I can't.

E

Are you on the BC and did you register the birth yourself?

If yes then the first thing you do is get a passport for your daughter from your embassy, if your wife asks why tell her it's so you can take your wife and daughter on holiday. Then once you have the passport you keep it somewhere safe where your wife can't get it, and the next time anybody shouts or pokes at YOUR daughter to try and wake her up you stand your ground and tell them NO, tell them that she is your daughter not theirs and you will decide if she can be woken up, stand your ground, nothing else matters, your daughter is the no1 responsibility in your life now.

The reason I mentioned about the passport is that it's always good to have that as a last resort to take your daughter away to protect her, good luck.

Brigante7

You still have a stop over with Emirates, which makes it a marathon journey of 24hrs plus.

Fly direct with Eva you can buy from their website for £550 12hrs direct from Heathrow.

I'm a pauper so have to travel economy but at heathrow i buy the Servis Air Lounge which is situated almost next to Eva airs check in gate.

For the princely sum of £18 you get 3 hours of quietness / tv / newspapers / electric plug in for laptop / FREE food and ALCOHOL

Places are limited and no groups or parties are allowed

If your journey with Emirates is a marathon 24 hours then you booked the wrong Emirates flight, I flew with Emirates, 17 hours all in including changing at Dubai, Etihad is around 15 hours

Brigante7.

My question is: Why would one not inform their own insurance company? They are professionals and your paying for their help.

If the accident is not your fault then never ever inform your insurance company, they will increase your premium even if the other insurance company pays for everything, and the reason they will increase the premium? because you have been involved in a accident even though it wasn't your fault.

Eek its a shi*e hole - better off staying at the Majestic Suites at the end of the day.

Tnx brit. Thing is tho' that Majestic Suites is over double the price of Atlantis. Im only going for one night, but even so, being a Scot, I have padlocks on my purse.

Seriously though, I consider myself frugal rather than a tight-wad..and unless the Majestic or similar is worth double the money of the Atlantis, I cant really see it being value for money. ..?

Just padlocks? Mine's is welded shut.

Brigante7.

Thai rice has always cost more than other rice I've seen for sale in foreign countries. Not sure its owing to baht exchange.

My wife buys a 10kg bag of Thai fragrance rice for £10, not sure if that's cheap or not, she also shops a the big chinese supermarket not far from us and only goes to the Thai supermarket for the few things she can't get anywhere else.

Brigante7

Just wondered about my son born in england from a thai mother he already has a uk passport...what are his rights on a thai passport...we are over in thailand at the end of this month and he may have to stay longer than me while we wait for the visa for his sister (full thai)...will we have to exend his visa why we are there or could he apply for a thai passport thru his mum....

He has to apply in the country of his birth, you will need your son's UK birth certificate, your marriage certificate, your wife's passport, your passport and your wife's i.d. card. There are loads of threads on here about the process, it's very easy and straightforward but has to be done at the Thai embassy in London and both your wife and you must attend. Some people will tell you to phone ahead and make an appointment, we did, but it made no difference it wa still first come first served we were told, although other TV members have made appointments and had them honoured, hope this helps.

www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk

Brigante7.

Hi.

And to the specialist who mentioned "illegally weaving in and out of stationary traffic", sorry you are wrong - it may be illegal in "the west" (such as my home country Germany) but here in Thailand it is indeed legal and it is indeed the car driver's duty to watch out for motorbikes coming through. I drive a car (pickup) too so i know what i'm talking about.

Best regards.....

Thanh

While I'm no specialist I am a holder of common sense and common sense tells you that if you have 3 lanes on the road and 3 cars in said lanes then if you decide to squeeze betwen cars because you are to impatient to wait then jog on but you can't complain about the consequences if anything happens. It is the drivers duty to watch the road in front and to check his mirrors before he changes lane. If I am sitting in stationery traffic and the lights turn green then I make sure the road in front of me is clear not if their is some idiot weaving in and out of the cars behind me t stupid speeds.

Brigante7

Slightly off topic,

Having witnessed many bikers being involved in accidents in the UK, I couldn't believe that bikers in Thailand are just as stupid. Every motorbike crash I've seen, bar 1, has been the fault of the biker and not the car. The most common crash is when cars are sitting in traffic and a biker is illegaly weaving in and out of the said stationary traffic and the traffic starts to move and the biker is caught between moving cars and then they have the cheek to complain that the car drivers should have given way to them just because they are on a motorbike, cyclists are even worse. I rode a motorbike for years and so I've seen it from both sides and whenever I approached stationary traffic, I did what you are meant to do, sit in the queue of traffic and wait. While I'm trully sorry for anybody that is seriously injured or loses their life through no fault of their own like the OP's friend, I've less sympathy for the others who put themselves and other road users in danger.

While Thailand might seem more dangerous, like many othe posters have said, use your common sense.

Brigante7

First, you have to distinguish between the case of a divorce on the one hand, and the early passing of the wife on the other hand. They are two complete different scenarios.

Secondly, it depends on whether your wife has a will or not, and how it is worded, and also whether you have any registered protection rights such as a usufruct or a "rights of habitation", and in such a case whether it was registered at the Land Office prior or after the marriage was registered. To complicate it further, the size of the land and when it was bought also affects the outcome.

Hence, to answer your question you need to provide more information. However, property of a husband and wife is governed by The Civil & Commercial Code, Chapter IV.

THE CIVIL AND COMMERCIAL CODE – CHAPTER IV

PROPERTY OF HUSBAND AND WIFE

Section 1465 – Where the husband and wife have not, previous to their marriage, concluded a special agreement concerning their properties, the relations between them as regards to their properties shall be governed by the provisions of this Chapter.

Any clause in the ante-nuptial agreement (example) contrary to public order or goods morals, or provided that the relations between them as regards such properties are to be governed by foreign law, shall be void.

Section 1466 – The ante-nuptial agreement is void if not entered in the Marriage Register at the time of marriage registration terms of the ante-nuptial; or if not made in writing and signed by both spouses and by at least two witnesses and entered in the Marriage Register at the time of marriage registration stating that the ante-nuptial is thereto annexed.

Section 1467 – After marriage the ante-nuptial agreement cannot be altered except by authorisation of the Court.

Section 1468 – Clauses in the ante-nuptial agreement shall have no effect as regards to the rights of third persons acting in good faith irrespectively of whether they be altered or cancelled by the order of the Court.

Section 1469 – Any agreement concluded between husband and wife during marriage may be avoided by either of them at any time during marriage or within one year from the day of dissolution of marriage; provided that the right of third persons acting in good faith are not affected thereby.

Section 1470 – Properties of husband and wife except in so far as they are set aside as Sin Suan Tua, are Sin Somros.

Section 1471 – Sin Suan Tua consists of:

(1) - property belonging to either spouse before marriage;

(2) - property for personal use, dress or ornament suitable for situation in life, or tools necessary for carrying on the profession of either spouse;

(3) - property acquired by either spouse during marriage through a will or gift; and

(4) - Khongman.

Section 1472 – As regards to Sin Suan Tua, if it has been exchanged to other property, other property has been bought or money has been acquired from selling it, such other property or money acquired shall be Sin Suan Tua.

Section 1473 – Each spouse is manager of his or her Sin Suan Tua.

Section 1474 – Sin Somros consists of:

(1) - property acquired during marriage;

(2) - property acquired by either spouse during marriage through a will or gift made in writing if it is declared by such will or document of gift to be Sin Somros; and

(3) - fruits of Sin Suan Tua.

In case of doubt as to whether a property is Sin Somros or not it shall be presumed to be Sin Somros.

Section 1475 – Where any Sin Somros is property of the kind mentioned in Section 456*) of this Code or has documentary title, either husband or wife may apply for having his or her name entered in the documents as co-owners.

*) Section 456 – A sale of immovable property is void unless it is made in writing and registered by the competent official. The same rule applies to ships and vessels of six tonnes and over, to steam launches or motor boats of five tonnes and over, to floating houses and beasts of burden.

An agreement to sell or to buy any of the aforesaid property, or a promise of sale of such property is not enforceable by action unless there is some written evidence signed by the party liable or unless unrest is given, or there is part performance.

The provisions of the foregoing paragraph shall apply to a contract of sale of movable property where the agreed price is five hundred baht or upwards.

Section 1476 – In managing the Sin Somros in the following cases, the husband and wife have to be joint manager, or one spouse has to obtain consent from the other:

(1) - selling, exchanging, sale of the right of redemption, letting out property on hire-purchase, mortgaging, releasing mortgage to mortgagor or transferring the right of mortgage on immovable property or on mortgageable movable property;

(2) - creating or distinguishing the whole or part of the servitude, right of inhabitation, right of superficies, usufruct or change on immovable property;

(3) - letting immovable property for more than three years;

(4) - lending money;

(5) - making a gift unless it is a gift for charitable, social or moral purposes and is auditable to the family condition;

(6) - making a compromise;

(7) - submitting a dispute to arbitration; and

(8) - putting up the property as guarantee or security with a competent official or Court.

The management of the Sin Somros in any case other than those provided in paragraph one can be made only by one spouse without having to obtain consent from the other.

Section 1476/1 – The husband and wife can manage the Sin Somros differently, in whole or in part, from provisions of Section 1476, provided that the ante-nuptial agreement under Section 1465 and Section 1466 has been made. In such case, the management of the Sin Somros shall be made in accordance with the ante-nuptial agreement.

In case the specifications of the management of the Sin Somros in the ante-nuptial agreement are only part in difference to the provisions of Section 1476, the management of the Sin Somros other than those specified in the ante-nuptial contract shall be made in accordance with Section 1476.

Section 1477 – Either spouse is entitled to litigate, defend, take legal proceedings concerning maintenance of the Sin Somros for the benefit of the Sin Somros. Debts incurred by the said litigation, defence and legal proceedings shall be regarded as the obligation to be performed jointly by the spouses.

Section 1478 – Where one spouse has to give consent or to affix a signature together with the other in the management of the property, but unreasonable refuses to give such consent or to affix such signature, or is not in a position to give such consent, the latter may apply to the Court for an order granting the necessary permission.

Section 1479 – Where the act by either spouse requires the consent of the other spouse, and if such act is required by law to be made in writing or registered by the competent official, such consent must be written in writing.

Section 1480 – In the management of the Sin Somros, which has to be made jointly or has to obtain the consent from the other spouse under Section 1476, if either spouse has entered into any juristic act alone or without consent of the other, the latter may apply to the Court for revoking such juristic act, unless it has been ratified by the other spouse, or a third person was, at the time of entering into such juristic act, acting in good faith and made the counter-payment.

The litigation for revoking of the juristic act by the Court under paragraph one cannot be made later than one year from the day when such cause as being ground for the revocation is known or later than ten years since the juristic act was done.

Section 1481 – Neither spouse is entitled to dispose of the Sin Somros by will in favour of the other persons to an extent exceeding his or her own portion thereof.

Section 1482 – In case either spouse is the sole manager of the Sin Somros, the other spouse is nevertheless entitled to manage household affairs or provide for the necessaries of the family. And the expenses therefore would bind the Sin Somros and Sin Suan Tua of both parties.

If such management of household affairs or provision for the necessaries of the family by the husband or wife results in the undue loss, the other spouse may apply to the Court to forbid or limit his or her power.

Section 1483 – In case either spouse is the sole manager of the Sin Somros, if the manager is going to commit or is committing any act in the management of the Sin Somros, which would appear to result in undue loss, the other spouse may apply to the Court for an order forbidding commission of such act.

Section 1484 – If either spouse, who is the manager of the Sin Somros,:

(1) - causes undue loss to it;

(2) - ails to support the other spouse;

(3) - becomes insolvent or incurs debts to an amount exceeding one half of the Sin Somros;

(4) - hinders the management of Sin Somros by the other spouse without reasonable ground; or

(5) - is found to have circumstances that will ruin the Sin Somros

the other spouse may apply to the Court for an order authorising him or her to be the sole manager or dividing the Sin Somros.

In case there is an application made under paragraph one, the Court may determine temporary protective measures in the management of the Sin Somros. If that is the case of emergency, the provisions of the request in case of emergency under the Civil Procedure Code shall apply.

Section 1484/1 – In case where it has been an order of the Court forbidding or limiting the power of either spouse to manage the Sin Somros, if the cause which was the ground for the Court order or the circumstances have later changed, either spouse may apply to the Court for revocation or change of the order forbidding or limiting the power to manage the Sin Somros. The Court is this effect may give any order which is deemed suitable.

Section 1485 – The husband and wife may apply to the Court for authorising him or her to be the manager of any particular Sin Somros, or participate in the management, if such management or participation will bring about more benefit.

Section 1486 – When the Court has pronounced a final judgement, or given an order under Section 1482 paragraph two, Section 1483, Section 1484, Section 1484/1 or Section 1485 in favour of the applicant, or Section 1491, Section 1492/2 or Section 1598/17, or the husband and wife has been relieved of becoming bankrupt, the Court shall notify the Marriage Registrar of the matter in order to have it entered into the Marriage Registrar.

Section 1487 – No spouse can seize attach any property of the other during marriage, except the seizure of attachment made in the case which has entered for the purpose of exercising his or her duty or for maintaining rights between husband and wife specially provided in this Code or as specially provided by this Code allowing one spouse to sue the other, or for allowance due for maintenance and cost under the judgment of the Court. Section 1488 – Where either spouse is personally liable to perform an obligation incurred before or during marriage, such performance shall be first made out of his or her Sin Suan Tua; if the obligation is not performed in full, it shall be satisfied out of his or her portion of the Sin Somros.

Section 1489 – Where both spouses are common debtors, the performance shall be made out of the Sin Somros and the Sin Suan Tua of both spouses.

Section 1490 – Debts that both spouses are jointly liable to perform, shall include the following debts incurred by either spouse during marriage:

(1) - debts incurred in connection with management of household affairs and providing for the necessaries of the family, or maintenance, medical expenses of the household and for proper education of the children;

(2) - debts incurred in connection with the Sin Somros;

(3) - debts incurred in connection with a business carried on by the spouses in common; and

(4) - debts incurred by either spouse only for his or her own benefit but ratified by the other.

Section 1491 – If either spouse is adjudged bankrupt, the Sin Somros is divided by operation of law as from the date of adjudication.

Section 1492 – After the Sin Somros has been divided under Section 1484 paragraph two, Section 1491, or Section 1598/17 paragraph two, the portion so divided becomes Sin Suan Tua of each spouse. Any property obtained after the division by either spouse shall be Sin Sua Tua of that spouse and not be regarded as Sin Somros. And the property acquired thereafter by the spouse through a will, or gift made in writing under Section 1474 (2), shall become Sin Sua Tua of the husband and wife equally.

Fruits of the Sin Suan Tua accrued after the division of the Sin Somros shall be Sin Sua Tua.

Section 1492/1 – In case the division of the Sin Somros is made by the order of the Court, the revocation of the division shall be made upon the request of either spouse and the Court has given the order to that affect. If either spouse raises an objection to such request, the Court cannot give an order for the revocation of the division of the Sin Somros unless the cause for the division of the Sin Somros has ceased to exist.

After the division of the Sin Somros under paragraph one having been revoked, or suspended due to the husband or wife having been relieved from being bankrupt, the property which is Sin San Tua on the date of the order of the Court, or on the date of his or her relieving from being bankrupt, shall remain the same as Sin Suan Tua.

Section 1493 – In case where the Sin Somros has been disposed of, both spouses are liable to pay for the household expenses in proportion to the amount of their respective Sin Sua Tua.

I've got a sore head.

The wife has a fair bit of property and not that it's on my mind but what happens under Thai law if she dies or we get a divorce? This is to settle an argument really as I have told her that in either case in the UK she gets my house, but I don't think it works the other way.

am not qualified to answer your question,but i would think in the event of her passing away,even if she left you the land in her will,it could not pass to you as farang cannot own land in their own name,but maybe you would be allowed to form a company with thai directors owning 51% of the company.

As to divorce,well,maybe the same but only 50% but i would n't hold my breath.

If your wife died I believe you would have 1 year to sell the land or transfer it in to the name of a Thai national, but I could be wrong.

Brigante7.

Hi,

My wife had her British passport interview a couple of weeks ago. She said they just asked her about some of the information she put down on her passport application form such as address, date entered uk, fathers birthday, postcode. 4 days after the interview she had her British passport delivered! happy days!

Hi Makavelli, how much did your wifes passport cost?

Thanks, Brigante7.

We perhaps ought to remember the history of these provinces and how Thai Civil law came to be imposed?

And we might consider just how 'just and fairly applied' Thai civil law has been in these provinces.

This is a Thai issue, nothing to do with foriegners and we ought to be mindful of the fact that the roots of the problems in the South are linked directly to 'Foreign interference'.

I'm sure the Thais, Muslim and non Muslim can work this out and that the rabid rantings of Islamophobic westerners are of no use at all.

So tell me GuestHouse, what's an Islamophobic westerner then?

This is beyond all madness. Does anybody understand what implementing Sharia law means? This is bombing the 4 Southern provinces back to the dark ages.

Its far more better to give the 4 provinces to Malaysia than to implement Sharia law. And set up a program to let the Thai people who like, relocate to Thai soil.

Because if they allow this, the next step will be that Muslims who are spread all over Thailand will also demand Sharia courts for them. Just look what is happening in the UK.

I have to restrain myself, because the vocabulary I like to use will meaning a long life ban from TV forum.

I agree Henry, the idiots who are proposing the introduction of sharia law are opening a can of worms. When are people going to realise that muslims won't be happy until every country is under sharia law, we all have beards and the woman are dressed like ninja's, give them an inch and they will take a mile. The UK is reaching breaking point and I belive there is going to be a civil war in the next 3 - 5 years and muslims will bear the brunt of it due to there constant demands that everything is changed to suit them and there refusal to adapt to our traditions and way of life, I so wish that the UK goverment would grow a spine like our Aussie cousins.

right here we go yet again, do any of you posters do any home work at all? or do you just ask straight off. if the IMO in bkk does not think she has suffiencent reason to return to thailand i does not matter how much she has in her bk ac, can you show how long you to have been in contact ? where you met? what does she do for work ? evidence of contact between our selfs? all this is on this site, do YOUR HOMEWORK FOR OUR SELF, DO NOT EXPECT OTHERS TO DO IT FOR YOU.

yes - i have already done the homework, i just need to know how much money she will need in her bank for the embassy to give it the OK.

That was the question - not a question about evidence to show she will come back or about our relationship - we already have a whole lot of evidence for that already.

it was quite a simple and straightforward question as well. I'm sure you will know, if she had 1 baht in her bank to fund her month here, the embassy would give it a hel_l no. If she had 1 million baht, the embassy would be happy enough. I'm trying to find out where about the line is.

There is no line, it all depends on if your face fits.

I hope he will recover, forget the mother who dumped them both, fly back to Ireland and become a great father.

Hear, Hear

When she gets ILR it will state on the stamp that, she has no recourse to public funds, your financial status, does not get taken into consideration.

Sorry but I have to disagree, when my wife had her limited leave to remain visa she couldn't recieve any public funds but as soon as she had her ILR visa she was able to claim benefits. I'm in the process of getting our son's child benefit transfered from my name to my wifes.

Brigante7

I just got a settlement visa application form from the British embassy. I asked the lady at the counter if she could give me the checklist of required documents. She said she didn't have any......just fill out the form!

I've been on the embassy website and it's no help either. I've heard that my wife will need to be tested for TB and that that has to be done at a certain hospital......is this true? There is nothing to indicate this on the website. Also I've heard that she will need a police report detailing any previous run-ins with the law......again nothing to clarify this.....

Can somebody please post a link.......how do I get this info!??

cheers

Been there, done it, pain in the ass. Some free advice, whatever documents you give them they will want something else, it'll be something so obscure that it'll be funny, even if they had a checklist of everything required they would leave 1 or 2 things off it, it's not in their interest for you to be succesful at the 1st attempt. The more attempts people have to make, the more money you have to pay and like all goverments, the UK shower only want every penny (or baht) that they can squeeze out of you, yes I hate the british embassy in BKK although now I understand you don't deal with them direct, lucky for you.

It would be interesting to know how much the fees went up by when this new company started dealing with the visa applications?

Brigante7

Probably a silly question but I'm just trying to cover all angles.........

If/when my wife is given her settlement visa is she allowed to fly to the UK on a one-way ticket?

cheers

Yes, my wife came over on a one way ticket with a fiancee visa, your wife should be fine.

Brigante7

hi there, would love an educated reply, the wife has jumped through all the hoopes regarding her ilr, which she is going to apply for in may, she has passed kl in uk, has ni number, and two jobs, the problem is me, i have been made redudent,we have funds in the bank, but are they going to kick up a fuss about me claiming job seekers? thank you in advance. micky.

Hi Micky, my wife just recieved her ILR and the immigration at glasgow never mentioned my income and from what I can remember there is no questioons about it on the application form, although if I'm wrong then I'm sure I'll be corrected.

Brigante7

Read the first few paragraphs from your long post OP and then realised... wait for it... You are insane.

Mate, you need to get some help, and steer clear of the lao khao.

Edit: Another post from the OP - "If she rips u off kill her and her family."

Laugh all you like but it's going to kick off in the UK soon, the people outside of the flock are getting sick and tired with this goverment and there completley ignoring the people of this country.

Look at the conflicting attempts to write an English word conveying the pronunciation ee'-sahn.

It cannot be Isaan. Show me an English word with the letter a back-to-back like that. The closest thing is a proper name, Isaac, which turns the I long and flattens the second syllable, viz., \ˈī-zik, -zək\. Merriam-Webster online lists no English words spelled with aa, and they list only one obscure geographical French word. It cannot be Isaan. There is no English precedent.

It cannot be E-san or I-san. Hyphenation connects two words. So what is the E in E-san or the I in I-san? But they did get it half right. Go to Merriam-Webster online to search san and click the speaker button and listen to a correct pronunciation. Maybe you have ordered a Caesar salad or spaghetti at some point in your life and you flavored it by sprinkling it with Parmesan. You can hear a correct pronunciation for san in the word Parmesan at Merriam-Webster online. The second syllable has to be san.

It cannot be Esan. Merriam-Webster online lists no words that begin esa and only one that begins essa, as in essay and the e is short (ĕ) not long per the correct pronunciation at Merriam-Webster online. It cannot be Esan because this would be pronounced eh'-sahn or worse.

The letter i has a multitude of occurrences in written English where it is pronounced like long ē, e.g., Isuzu, pristine, Pepsi, magazine, proletariat, gymnasium, variant, pronunciation, deviation, insidious, Indianapolis, marine, ad infinitum.

English is the most prevalent language in the world, but the world is also influenced linguistically by its second most prevalent language, Spanish. The letter i is pronounced ē in Spanish, e.g., Mexico, Sevilla, Argentina, ciudad, piña colada, Tijuana.

When Thai language is represented in written English you have the same precedent, to wit., Siam, Si Sa Ket, Phimai, Saraburi, Krabi, Udon Thani, Samui, etc.

The mandate is to write the name for Thailand's northeastern provinces as they have been written by scholarly folks for nearly half a century. Anybody who bothers to walk through the old museum in Khon Kaen City can read Isan in all the documentation of the region. It is confusing and counterproductive to reinvent the Isan wheel by making it square, trapezoidal, oval, and triangular…all on the same vehicle.

Way too much time on your hands mate.

NorthEast of Thailand - Nakhon Phanom, perfectly clean air and I live in Scotland so know clean air.

Opening up Honda CRM250 on the Sukhumvit main highway in Rayong province eastern Thailand. Not riding too crazy and keeping plenty in reserve as my girl is on the back but get up to about 90mph when...

Source: youtube.com

Is it just me or is the idiot driving the bike the kind of rider that you would love to see come a cropper?

I dare say that this topic has been brought up before but where does a vehicle driver stand if he collides with a cow? Last weekend I struck a cow a glancing blow with my vehicle, fortunately the damage was minimal. I have heard that that if you collide with a beast on a bitumised road the owner of the animal is responsible for damage/repairs, but if you hit one on an unmade gravel country road then the driver is responsible.

I have also heard that it is permissible to herd cattle along a main road at certain times, early morning and dusk provided the cattle are supervised (not so in my case of course).

Does anyone know the legal position and can they enlighten me?

Never mind who is responsible, where my wife comes from, if you hit and kill a buffalo on the road, a relative with a pick-up is called with the utmost urgency to come and retrieve the said animal to take it away.It's amazing how much meat you can get from a buffalo.

Yet again when confronted with a problem, it is being left to the female gender to assert their authority and get some action.

Far too often I have seen the men here will knuckle their forehead and give it 'Yes, Sir. Three bags full, Sir.' when dealing with staff in offices or shops and other places. But get a woman to go in there and sort the problem and she generally does. It seems the women have the balls round here and the gumption too. The same on the telephone. A man will often come back having agreed to whatever he was told by the person on the other end.

I needed a letter to show my address here - in the end a secretary of the Amphur sorted it.

I needed someone to sort out a problem with the Tourist Police. A woman did that too.

A problem with the house. You guessed, a woman on the phone to sort it and get some action.

Latest problem is with an engineer fobbing off a male friend who called, with lame excuses and has done so for 3 weeks now. I phoned a female and it is being sorted now.

All these and many other problems I've seen over the years that needed someone who can speak Thai and I have tried getting male friends to sort them, but each time they come back with some sad excuse such as, 'Another week.' Not today.' 'No can get.' etc.

Not only for myself either. Living with family in the past, it was always the women who seemed to get the job done, be it a funeral, a house problem or whatever.

Thank heavens for Thai female friends!!

So because your male friends can't get something done for you that means men are useless? Maybe you need to get some friends with a spine.