pattayasnowman

Its not an unusual sale - But as pointed out is this from old stock or new harvest.

Thailand sells approx 8 million plus tons a year. With ambitious goal to export 8.5+ million tons of rice in 2014.

With 14 - 18 million tons in storage and more from new harvest - annual sales of 8 million tons, you can see the huge scope of the problem.

Current Rice price is approx $435 (14000 baht) per ton and has been declining and the price chart looks very negative and could go down another $100/ton closer to its "traditional" price level.

Moreover, Thailand cannot just dump its stock of Rice on the world market as it would be santioned by the WTO.

In my view this was a good idea gone bad. The government pledging scheme promised rice farmers15,000 baht ($488) per ton. At the time this was the world price for Rice.

The goverment thought by holding the Rice from the Market it woulld force the price up and then they could sell at a higher price then that was pledged.

Of course you need to ask the question if this had worked - who would have got the profit..

The "Govermment" for the benifit of the people? Or People in the Goverment?

OK so with this thinking:

No more St Pattricks Day celebrations in Pattaya

No cinco de mayo

No ThanksGiving

And OH Right - No Christmas and Western New Year

Standard reply before its announces bankruptcy , Remember Ken Lay -ENRON (and of course many others)

Take a look a Thai Airways Stock price chart - its falling of a cliff:

http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/THAI:TB

33 > 13 in 6 months

Charts never lie - just the Company Executives who cash in before the demise - or in this case a probable bailout

You will be charged duty on the shipping cost in addition to the cost of the goods.

Goods   $50  shipping $30  Total for customs accessment :  $80.00

Just in case my previous post was not clear

Ok having had the same nasty experience myself on several occasions over the years

Firstly -  Have your sender declare the goods value at  $50.00 . Upto $50 does not attract any duty

Secondly Have your sender ship only USPS or the postal service of your country

On NO Account ship DHL, /Fed Ex / UPS

Since you will be charged duty on the COST OF SHIPPING !!!!! using thes companies

A Total Rip OFF!!!!

Don't be too quick to judge this guy. Anybody can fall into this kind of situation over here.

You think it won't happen to you, you think your so strong and will just dump someone like this?

Well maybe you are but don't be so sure.

There are countless stories like this , I have heard many over the years including one of my own.

This may not be if this happens to you but just when

For those of you not aware of this, if you have something shipped to you with Fed Ex or UPS you will pay customs duty Not only on the value of the Goods but also the shipping Charges.

So if something costs you $50.00 and the shipping with Fed Ex is $30.00 your Friendly Thai customs will access you duty on a combined value of $80..00 !!!

Apparently ,This is the customs law and it applies only to this type of courier service and NOT to the postal service

Thus, if you ship using the postal service ie USPS, or SingPoost etc, This will not happen . Your assessment will be on the Value of the Goods only..

When you combine this with the appalling service you get with Fed Ex (my experience) then my advice is to avoid shipping with them untill the customs law is changed

nuclear reactors, whether designed to "breed" or not, produce plutonium. ...

Reactor 3 is now in total meltdown, Once the molten core 'burns' through the containment vessel it will hit the water table. The result a massive explosion (non nuclear) and corresponding gas cloud of Radioactive particles including plutonium238 that has a half life of 87.7 years

There is no such thing as a partial Meltdown, Once the Meltdown has begun due to loss of coolant there is virtually no way to stop it. Read the 'China Syndrome"

If they try to cool it with Sea Water their will be a massive explosion as the Sea Water is immediately converted to steam causing a massive realease of Radioactive material including Plutonium the most toxic substance known.

Yes this is chernobyl all over again but located in one of the most densely popuulated places in the world. The Radiation exposure will affect millions.

Anybody know of a good lawyer experienced in Condo Law - Act and Condo By Laws

Needs to be based in Pattaya

The only person I've had success with is Nigel, he's mustard.

I'm off to see him today. Had to book 4 days in advance as he's so busy.

He's based over behind the Buffalo Bar and his number is 0890993845

In my experience a lot of the people practicing in this town are just practicing

I 2nd that - Nigels the man , and reasonably priced

Try Pan inside and at the back of Tipp Plaza ( Beer Bar cluster) soi 10 opp soi Honey Inn

Does a great job for 100 baht !!

If your condo not have a Swimming Pool then go to View Talay Condo Project 2.

They have 2 big beautiful Pools . But isn't this a private residence ?

No worries Mate ! This is one of Pattaya's best kept secrets among the expats in the know.

Although recently the Managerment ,on the insistence of the residents , have put up fencing around the pool and a key card entry system to keep out us cheap Charlie freebooters, its still a piece of cake to gain entry.

Firstly, the Security Guards at the buildings entrance are really security guards. They are door men dressed as security guards. They will gladly open the door for you with or without a key card and even help you with your flippers ,goggles and big blow up plastic air bed.

Secondly, it seems that half the residents don't give a dam since they leave open the security door to the pool most of the time.

Or if the door is closed and by chance there is a security guard , whoops sorry I mean Doorman, at this door he will gladly find someone to open it for you.

So have a great day at the pool. There is even a cafe there which serves cold beers and adquate food that will also assist your entry.

Frank a resident of View Talay 2 who is legally blind was on the back of his girl friends bike and approached the security gate at the entrance to the Condo on their way out. The security lifted the bar to let them out. Somehow, the bar dropped before they were through,and Frank was swept off the back of the bike, falling on the ground,damaging his glasses etc. He got up, and got on the bike and they then went to a bank machine (We think the one by the gate), where they were approached by 2 of the security people who said Frank owed them 22,000 baht for damaging the bar. He said no way etc. But apparently at least 4 security (or some dressed as security) have been going to his room and harassing him for the money.

Now the Security has threatened the Girl friend with arrest if he does not Pay up.

Apparently the Manager at View Talay 2 doesn't give a Sh#####

Anyone can offer some advice for Frank