bjohn34

The Rating Agencies were complicit in the creditworthiness of many of the "Junk" issuances during the financial meltdown. They admitted that they never understood all the various packages (I have a video by an ex employee, using math that seemed to belong to cosmology)) and that their own income was received from the financial institutions issuing the junk. BTW I being a mere Engineer I have never understood ...."when X bank/employee loses Y billion dollars by bad judgement (gambling ?) who gains those billions. Googling this stuff seemed to send me on a circular loop. Can anyone kindly enlighten me, since we do have at some knowledgeable posters here.? Loved the one about the "prophets", restores my faith in TV. 3.4 % Peanuts ! Bernie Madoff paid at least 10%

It depends. If you were the last one to buy the golden tulip for a cool mil, and had to sell it for a pence, the last guy to sell it, and perhaps others along the way made money. But in this case value evaporated into nothing so all was lost.

If I package a bunch of bad real estate loans and sell them as good loans (I might even call them derivatives if they are just derivatives) then a lot of people made money with one loser. The mortgage broker got his cut, then he sold it into what's called the "secondary market" of which there are plenty, and that secondary market, in order to free up cash to buy more sells the bundle at a profit to a bundler. The bundler then sells them at a profit to the ultimate loser.

So the simple answer to your question is the last holder who sold them and all before him make the money, with an ultimate loser.

Great investing advice. - "never be the last fool!"

I had a colon resection done last year at Sripat and was very satisfied with doctors, medical care and the price. Recommend highly.

Behind the Tesco on the superhighway is a large store selling aquarium supplies and fish. They did have a small saltwater fish area with fish, coral, etc. I have not been there for some time so not sure if they still have or not.

I have several FC accounts at kasikorn bank, but have had them for several years so don't know what the hurdles are now.

It seems no FC account at kbank, am I wrong?

Don't' know hurdles to open now but I have USD, CHF and AUD accounts opened at kbank on Changklan road 2-3 years ago.

Look at this link. http://www.kasikornbank.com/EN/Personal/BankAccounts/FCD/Pages/ForResidentAccount.aspx

From reading rules appears only available to foreigners who have established residence in Thailand.

I have several FC accounts at kasikorn bank, but have had them for several years so don't know what the hurdles are now.

Kasikorn bank wanted 7 days to produce the letter when I went

I use Kasikorn on Chang Klan Road and have always gotten the letter within 10-15 minues

Gecko Bar has 3 large specials every day

Negative comments often with good reason.

How about "ISO" for companies?? what I hear you ask? well my Wife used to work for a co. a long time ago and they got their ISO cert by paying the man off so how do you think the air safety issue is?? no one paid off?

ISO certification is for sale in all developing countries, not just Thailand

What if you move to another province? I have heard and read that the 90 day report will not work for the new address. Does one have to submit a TM 28 for the change of address to another province?

I just moved to Nan province and was told by Nan immigration to report my new address on the due date of my 90 day report. No need to report it as soon as the move is made according to them

Any place in Chiang Mai to buy roll up bamboo shades? Ned some for window coverings?

Thanks

I will apply for a Chinese tourist visa with my Thai wife here in Chiang Mai.

Has anyone been asked to provide proof of marriage at the Chinese Chiang Mai consulate? Was wondering if we need to show a copy of our marriage certificate as she hasn't changed her name in her passport yet.

thanks.

Marriage should have no effect on China visa as they really don't care. You and your wife are two separate people applying for visas. My Thai gf got two visas to China last year on her own, no problem.

I want to buy a good quality pocket knife as a gift for a friend. Anyone know of a store in town that has a decent selection?

thanks

Had a vasectomy at Sriphat about 3 years ago. No problems at all. Was prepared for several days of pain at home, but was riding motorbike the next day. YMMV

Don"t remember doctors name but as I recall cost 8000 baht. Was in the operating room about 30 mins but actual procedure took about 10-15 min.

Some of the places mentioned above (Robinson counter, shops on Chang Phuek) are fine for newer, battery operated watches but the only guy competent (IMHO) to work on 50-100 year old Swiss watches, as well as antique American watches is the one younger guy at Charoensilp on Thannon Thapae. They also have access to a large inventory of Omega, Tissot, etc. parts at their facility in Bangkok.

I took my 50 year old Omega to Charoensilp. The young guy told me t needed a whole new movement from Bangkok. Decided to get a second opinion so toko to Robinson at Airport Plaza. Cleaned and serviced in about an hour and has been running ever since. 350 baht as I recall.

Are there lighting or building supply stores in Chiang Mai with a decent selection of tracklight products?

Thanks

From what country are you shipping the items from?

China. was there on business and had to return for an emergency medical situation so could not bring everything back

I have a couple suitcase of personal goods, clothes, etc that will be shipped by courier into Chiang Mai.

Can anyone recommend which courier company (DHL. Fedex, UPS, etc) might provide the best service or any alternative method for minimum problems through customs, etc. Nothing funny in the items, just clothes, etc.

thanks

I have a 29 board here that you can have. Where abouts are you?

Am in the countryside now, but coming back into CM city for a few days this week If we can met somewhere Wed would be great and I'll be happy to pay for the board or buy you a drink.

Anyone know where I can buy a cribbage board in Chiang Mai?

thanks

Oh, so for my car, I have up to date tax and insurance and the registration document of course, but my driving licence is from England. Do I need to get a Thai one then? I have never been asked to show my driving licence, even when I bought my car - on finance! It is easy to get a Thai licence, right? I looked in to it before, can't remember why I didn't end up sorting it out.

Thai license is always better. And officially required if you live here. Indeed it's not too difficult to get, but will eat the better part of a day. The driving theory test is pretty hard as it asks for specific things that you just wouldn't know unless you studied it. (Or unless they tell you the answers and then let you try again. ) But it has questions like how far you should park away from the curb: 10cm, 20cm, 30 cm or 40cm. Good luck guessing that. Kind of silly also because nobody every gets to a standard small distance of a curb, but okay.

Thanks Winnie, so I need to look into it next time I've a day free from work then. Is there a book or something, some way I can study it? Do I need to book the test first, or do I just turn up at the place?

If you have a valid UK license, you don't need to take any test.

WP or cert of residence

UK license

Driving Medical cert from any hospital or clinic

Passport

Is all you need

True, if you are applying for same type of vehicle as on UK license. If UK license is for auto only and you want Thai motorbike license, you are required to take the motorbike driving test

Congratulations on the success of your surgery, I hope all continues to go well.

I have found very little regarding this doctor on the net, except his phone number and email address.

Did you just go to Sripat and ask to see a gastro surgeon or was he recommended?

I presume you had a battery of tests first?

Would you mind telling us what the total cost of this surgery was?

Once again good luck and speedy recovery.

I had colonoscopy and CT scans done first at RAM. Was not really impressed by surgeon there although can't really say anything bad but was hoping to get by with laparoscopic procedure and RAm surgeon said he did not have experience. Checked at Sriphat and Dr. Suwan does do laparoscopic so went to see him. He reviewed all of the RAM test data and told me he would try to do laparascopic procedure but after taking a look inside, might have to change to open surgery to be able to look around and assess other organs, etc. That is what happened. Surgery took four hours.

Total cost at Sriphat for 10 days private room, all surgical, medication and nursing cost was 136,000 baht

Zipper remark just refers to the current appearance of the surgical opening which runs from just under my breast bone to 10 cm below my navel.

I don't know if he does hernia repair.

I recently had open colon resection surgery at Sriphat and would like to recommend both the surgeon and the hospital.

The surgeon was Dr. Suwan Sanmee, who has regular office hours at Sriphat Medical Center 13th floor. He was very thorough in examination and explanation of conditions and the surgical procedure, speaks very good English and is frank and clear in what he says but has a good personal manner. He was in the hospital every day of my 10 day stay to check my progress

My surgery was three weeks ago today and I have had no recovery issues so far and no pain that cannot be handled with a Tylenol once or twice a day despite a 25-30 cm new abdominal zipper.

Dr. Suwan does laparoscopic gastro intestinal surgery also but my condition was advanced enough that it was not appropriate.

Based on experience so far. I would highly recommend Dr. Suwan as someone to consider for abdominal or intestinal issues.

Also, I stayed in a private room on the 15th floor of Sriphat and have nothing but praise for the nursing and service staff there.

i had a vasectomy at Sriphat about 3 years ago. Not sure of Dr. name but no muss, no fuss and 8000 baht. Two tiny incisions

YMMV but I had very little pain and no other noticeable after effects

The large aquarium supply store behind Tesco Lotus on the super highway has a small section with salt water fish so I guess they would have everything you need.

I personally have only had fresh water fish so don't know anything more.

I am undergoing some gastrointestinal tests at Chiang Mai Ram and face potential surgery.

I have been seeing Dr.Jaruwat Tossombat and would appreciate any experience from anyone who has been treated by him.

thanks