beginner

Totally and completely off topic, but as the planned Beach Road closure has now been postponed, maybe you could enlighten us on what Mr Noyes had to say on the subject of 'illegal arrangements' by foreigners to own houses? Did he have something new to impart?

Or maybe you could start a new thread and tell us about it?

Sorry Mobi but I wouldn't even attempt to summarise his long talk which was received with rapt attention and great appreciation by most of those present. It was quite technical.

Here is how the City Expats newsletter promoted the talk last week.

Now, on to what is on the program for this coming Sunday. This week we will welcome back Drew Noyes for another topic of great interest to Expats. He will talk about the ways foreigners can protect their property investments such as land, houses, and condominiums (not foreign titled) here in Thailand. His talk will focus on how Expat property owners can become compliant with the new Thailand Foreign Business Act amendments, the recent and increasing Bank of Thailand restrictions and accountancy requirements, the added Department of Business Development company limited restrictions, and the new rules handed down by the Ministry of Labor regarding work permits needed to sign Company Limited documents (including land transfers). As always, we are sure Drew’s talk will be interesting and informative.

If you look on www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com later today or tomorrow there will be a summary of the talk in the newsletter.

the scheme had been postponed.

This was in response to his enquiries about access for the club meetings.

Typical PCEC. Are you really so conceited that you believe the whole scheme has been 'postponed' so you can get to your little meeting on a Sunday morning?

Pleeeaase.

Erm.... I hold no brief for PCEC, but I don't think he said that the postponement was a result of PCEC members not having access for their meeting, but merely as a result of their enquiries, they were given the good news

Or have I missed something?

Just the way I read it Mobi. He seems to be insinuating that it was postponed due to his lord and master asking how they would get to their meetings.

Hm.... Maybe you're right

In any event, difficulties experienced by farangs getting to PCEC meetings would not even register on a minus scale of factors to take into consideration when closing Beach Road.

Actually, thinking about it, the good governor may consider it a positive.

Sorry that I didn't express myself clearly enough.

What I should have said is that enquiries were made about the exact details of which roads would be closed and from where to where. In response to that enquiry it was stated that the plan had been postponed.

It was only mentioned in passing during an extremely interesting talk by Drew Noyes on the latest developments regarding the 'illegal' arrangements by which some people have set up companies solely to own houses.

You are right Mobi I was merely trying to pass on the 'good news?' as this thread seemed unaware of the postponement.

Mind you. The ways things happen here it wouldn't surprise me that much if the road closure took place anyway.

At the Pattaya City Expats Club meeting last Sunday (Henry J Beans Pub, Beach Road) the chairman Khun Richard, announced that the scheme had been postponed.

This was in response to his enquiries about access for the club meetings.

The word 'postponed' is assumed to be a face saver for 'cancelled'.

Some cynics had already suggested that the scheme would be in operation for one weekend only, at best. And most likely would never materialise like the demolition of the illegal buildings on Walking Street. 14 years so far and they are still there tonight

Happy new year.

Hi Daedalus/ Sascha,

Many congratulations to you and your girlfriend. Some people believe that having kids is the only really worthwhile thing any of us can do in our lives. All the other things like wealth, fame, career success etc. pale into insignificance compared to the joys of parenthood. I hope he brings you great love and pleasure.

Happy days!!

Regarding DNA testing. Why? He looks Farang and you are his father. Why worry? Enjoy.

Beginner

By the way, Your written english is excellent, better than some native speakers on these forums.

Beentheredonethat I was told they don't like to fly above 9 floors. It might not be scientifically accurate but the only time we ever see them high up in this building is when they follow someone up in the lifts.

Have only seen two up here in the last two years.

We live on the beachfront and I think that helps too.

The next step? Possibly the Admin Court will dismiss the case based on the fact that VT7 is too close to the sea, even under the 100 meter rule. Then what?

I can't see how a court of law can ignore the law.

Ignore. A court cannot ignore the law. Agreed, however

Interpret. Yes a court can interpret the law especially if it is in any way ambiguous or open to expert technical definition.

Sony products are exellent as long as they work without any problems.

T

An older camera from Sony, a Mavica with Floppy drive, was having problems with the floppy drive and I gave them to Sony for to repair but forget to ask for an Quotation (I was thinking a FDD couldn't be expensive!!) and after 2 month the repair was done and cost THB 9,820, THB 600 more expensive as a new same camera at that time!

Reimer, I love to read your posts. You are a real expert and a great help to everyone. I hate to disagree with you.

But...but. Wasn't the floppy drive Mavica sold back in the 1980s? Thats over 20 years ago! How many electronics firms keep parts for

obsolete products? Thats a very long time to hold a grudge against those nice people at Sony!!

The problem with repairing any electronic product is that someone, usually a highly skilled technician, in an expensivley equipped workshop, has to actually strip the product down, diagnose the fault and fix it. It all takes expensive workshop time. Repairs are often not viable. Time to buy new.

The Japanese accept this concept much better than Europeans who often think it is wasteful to discard a newish product that breaks down. Casio watches, for example, charge pretty well the original new price for most repairs. The message is, why fix?...go and buy a new and better one.

When the product is manufactured it is most likely processed on a semi-automated assembly line which is ultra efficient and low cost. I have been in a factory in Mexico where the human intervention was minimal until the products were tested and packed.

One of the benefits of buying premium brands is that they make great efforts to ensure the build quality and specification are reliable. As you say, any product can fail but the probability of failure varies from brand to brand. I have never had a Sony product fail apart from the result of my misuse and abuse. I guess I have been lucky.

Midas. I am glad you haven't taken offence at my lighthearted comments. I don't work for Sony but I do love their products but then I have always been susceptible to the image trap. As I type on my oh so stylish Sony keyboard, I sigh with pleasure and satisfaction. Thank heavens I don't have to look at a logo like ASUS (it even sounds like ???).

Then why not buy a Vaio and make someone happy?

Because it is common sense ! For how long would they be happy based on

the comments of many people on this thread e.g " junk "

Can I apply a little amateur psychology? Is it possible that you have been 'asked to buy someone a Vaio' (thats a common enough situation in LOS...at least its not a house you have been asked for).

You baulk at the Sony prices, ie 42.000 baht upwards, and you seek justification for buying something cheaper. After all you can probably buy a laptop for 15,000 somewhere.

Why not? I have been through very similar exercises when my Thai partners have developed tastes for expensive brands that have no added appeal to me apart from the label. Good luck I hope you get away with it without damage to the relationship!

But as I write this on my third Vaio I must protest the idea that Vaios are 'junk'. Sony didn't get to be the force it is today in the world of electronics by producing junk. No doubt on the way, they have launched products that were less successful and not as good as todays offerings.

I think the current Vaio range compares with any other in terms of quality and design. They are not sold as 'bargain priced' items. They are sold at a premium price for the perceived benefits of owning a Sony. You either want one or you don't. My point is that your 'someone' does want one.

Why should we care? If the staff don't like working there, they have the right to leave to find better employment...or just go back home to the province.

Have a good look at the staff of most massage places...they look quite healthy, eat plenty and don't need my sympathy.

As I said whether or not you tip is 'up to you'.

They don't need your sympathy but they do need/appreciate your tip!

Most straight massage ladies are ordinary hard working people doing their best to make a living with little education/training or skill to lift them above minimum wage jobs. Its quite a strenuous and tiring job when done properly.

When someone tips, at whatever level, from even 20 baht upwards, it is greatly appreciated and almost always ends up in the family coffers for food, rent, school fees etc.

When a bar girl is tipped there is a much bigger probability that it will go on booze and fast living in Pattaya. Up to them.

There are of course, exceptions to this but I have known many massage ladies who endure great personal hardship and lonliness to come to Pattaya to try and earn enough to get their families out of debt.

You can take the view that its their bad luck to be born here in a poor country and its not my problem. Alternatively you can believe that its our good fortune to be in a position to give a tip that is of almost no value to us but combined with other tips has the power to help improve someone's life dramatically.

I have been asked to buy a VAIO Sony notebook for someone for Christmas

but to me I cannot see the attraction of this brand

You have been asked to buy a Vaio. Then why not buy a Vaio and make someone happy? Why would you decide that something else is what is wanted?

Sony do not set out to be the 'most bells and whistles for the price product'. You can buy many other brands if that is your buying criteria.

Sony make beautiful, well thought out consumer computers that integrate well with other Sony products. Cameras, DVD players, Video recorders, phones etc which all work together seamlessly with the plentiful Sony software provided.

Whether or not they provide value for money depends on your particular needs and wants.

Its like saying a Mercedes Benz is overpriced and underspecified compared to a Ford.

True in one sense but show me the person who would rather drive a Ford.

[quote name='njpski'

A 300 baht massage for one hour, house gets 190, masseuse 110.

I am very familiar with one large and successful Spa in Pattaya.

The girls get 60 baht per Thai massage. They get no basic pay, holiday or sick pay. They work 12 hour shifts and if they have no customers then they have spent twelve hours waiting for nothing. They may not leave the premises during work time.

They buy their own uniforms, pay for training and leave a deposit or guarantee of 3,000 baht with the management when joining.

The expectation of receiving tips is the reason some of them have left children and partners at home in Chang Mai and Isaan. The basic wages hardly pay for their rent and food whilst living here in Pattaya.

Generous tippers such as an American lady who left US$20 are talked about, appreciated and celebrated. Poor tippers (often Indians) are tolerated but resented.

Why tip? Up to you.

Crack on MS Rail Simulator copy DVD eventually leads to message 'not original DVD' and 'next' button won't work.

Seller at TukCom suggests get XP Pro...Vista no good. His English and my Thai left me even more confused.

Can't find web advice anywhere as they all assume lots of computer knowledge which I don't have.