thaibeachlovers

Maybe its time that the government reconsider its policy of foreigners not being able to purchase real property... while not a solution to this "self made" mess they created, it would be a positive step in the right direction and add much need capitol and tax revenue to a struggling economy.

Foreigners buying up land in western countries has created a huge problem for the locals, and you want Thailand to go down the same route!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope Thailand NEVER allows foreigners to buy land.

BTW, WHAT struggling economy? Judging by the number of shiny new cars on the road wasting fuel there are no economic problems in the Chiang Mai to Uttaradit and Pattaya/ Bkk areas.

We paid 5000 for the rent of a small nice house, 2000 in utilities, 9000 for a car payment including the insurance, 3000 for AIA health insurance. We live real well spending no more than 30.000/month, cooking at home, few exceptions every month, and no alcohol. Because we travel around a lot, gasoline is a big expense. No kids, just a spoiled dog.

The same life in California will cost at least 4 times more.

No you are not living real well, you are surviving.

19,000 gone (5,000, 2,000, 9,000, and 3000) leaves you 11,000 baht (30,000 - 19,000 =11,000) for food and gas. (You mentioned utilities, how about mobile phones, internet, cable tv or are all of those not considered living well?)

Divide 11,000 by 4 weeks = 2,750 per week for food, dog food and gas.

You travel around a lot so spend on gas?

2,750 a week for food, dog food, gas, travelling and lodging does not equate to me to living real well.

One tank of gas should be at least 1,500 baht, that does not leave much for food or travel

Surviving yes. Living well No!

It's good to see someone that doesn't need a lot of things to validate their existence.

Mobile phones, internet, cable tv don't make anyone happy and are not necessary for a good life- tv is 99% garbage.

Don't think anyone uses those things to validate their existence; they're just a convenience.

How are you on this forum if not for the internet?

Oh don't tell me, you're piggy-backing on someone else's connection because you don't want anyone to think you're trying to validate your existence by having your own

.

LOL. Mobile phones are not just a convenience for the sheeple. Without their phones they wouldn't know what to do or how to go anywhere without the machine to tell them what to do . Also, they'd have no friends .

Of course I'm using someone else's internet connection. When I'm in Thailand I use the local IT café at 10 baht an hour. Cheaper than having my own, and no problems with the company.

The 'right to bear arms' had some relevance when it was necessary to defend oneself in the 'wild west'.

Now that the west isn't so wild, the cowboys have taken to shooting themselves, instead of the native Indians. Take these guns out of peoples' hands and they'll stop shooting each other. Seriously, it really doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. Maybe there's a Dr Von Braun out there to help the US solve this self inflicted disease.

You obviously don't understand why the founding fathers put the right to bear arms in the constitution. It wasn't for defence against Indians, it was to ensure the government could never become oppressors to the citizens. Still relevant today.

PS it was put in the constitution so that people like Obama and Clinton COULDN"T take the guns away.

RIP... how do you fall from a balcony? Thought they had railings to prevent this. I guess one could be pushed or jump. A shame such a young a

Does it not seem strange that balcony jumping is a tradition among foreigners in Pattaya. It seems to me. I have lived in 15 countries, most in Asia ith tall apartments never had this many people.... What was the total for 2014 and the total for 2015. Maybe we need to introduce bungee jumping.... instead. I have my suspicions.... lady boy on the run....hmmm good friend eh....

I doubt any other country gives an old guy the opportunity to have an attractive young live in GF/ BF/ LB ( unless excessively rich ) the way Thailand does.

The thought of going back to nothing except loneliness is enough to make some kill themselves if faced with having to leave Thailand alone.

Some things really are worse than death.

RIP... how do you fall from a balcony? Thought they had railings to prevent this. I guess one could be pushed or jump. A shame such a young a

Does it not seem strange that balcony jumping is a tradition among foreigners in Pattaya. It seems to me. I have lived in 15 countries, most in Asia ith tall apartments never had this many people.... What was the total for 2014 and the total for 2015. Maybe we need to introduce bungee jumping.... instead. I have my suspicions.... lady boy on the run....hmmm good friend eh....

Why would a gay man be interested in a lady boy? The article clearly says boyfriend.

So what is a LB ,a boy friend or girl friend ?

If you knew any LBs you'd know that they are a woman in a man's body, so GF with extra bits.

In all seriousness there should be some kind of 911 number for those who are so depressed and thinking of taking their own life. This is not a joking matter. It seems suicides happen every two weeks in Pattaya-- we all know the reasons: financial; broken heart; poor health; aging... Most "farangs" come here alone so there is no support system of family or even true friends to get emotional support, whereas back in our home countries we not only have family or friends but professional counselors that can re-direct our moments of depression. (If I my profession was in psychology this would be a great place to retire and open up a part time office.)

I understand your reason, but seriously, after one calls that number, what then? No one is going to give you money to stay, or magically get your health back. So the reason one wants to depart the physical remain.

I'd say that most that voluntarily depart from high buildings do so not because they are depressed, but because they have no other option.

It's not that people can't go back home, it's that back home has nothing to offer, and that leaving Thailand would be worse than death.

Given that an average Thai makes about 15,000 or less a month, are they all unhappy?

An average Thai, though "poor" by the TV poster standards, is probably many times happier than said TV posters.

To be fair, the Thai doesn't need to pay for school fees or health insurance ...... not to mention the savings he makes when he visits National parks!

No one forced any farang to get her pregnant. Self inflicted injury, and one that I thankfully will never make.

We paid 5000 for the rent of a small nice house, 2000 in utilities, 9000 for a car payment including the insurance, 3000 for AIA health insurance. We live real well spending no more than 30.000/month, cooking at home, few exceptions every month, and no alcohol. Because we travel around a lot, gasoline is a big expense. No kids, just a spoiled dog.

The same life in California will cost at least 4 times more.

No you are not living real well, you are surviving.

19,000 gone (5,000, 2,000, 9,000, and 3000) leaves you 11,000 baht (30,000 - 19,000 =11,000) for food and gas. (You mentioned utilities, how about mobile phones, internet, cable tv or are all of those not considered living well?)

Divide 11,000 by 4 weeks = 2,750 per week for food, dog food and gas.

You travel around a lot so spend on gas?

2,750 a week for food, dog food, gas, travelling and lodging does not equate to me to living real well.

One tank of gas should be at least 1,500 baht, that does not leave much for food or travel

Surviving yes. Living well No!

It's good to see someone that doesn't need a lot of things to validate their existence.

Mobile phones, internet, cable tv don't make anyone happy and are not necessary for a good life- tv is 99% garbage.

No one really cares how anyone spends 74K THB/month. No one really cares about how you allocate your funds to live. Choose a life and a lifestyle, and keep it to yourself. I hate to repeat myself, but no one really cares.

The cheap charlies seem to get wound up about this topic every time it comes up, so some obviously do care...

The only thing that gets me wound up is guys that like to boast how much money they can spend in a country where an average Thai earns between 9 and 15 thousand baht a month. Not cool.

People get wound up and confuse boasting with pointing out THEIR actual situation.

This guy spends 74K a month, he showed you exactly where he spends it.

Why do you think this is boasting?

I find this very interesting and informative.

No one should ever worry or get upset about what someone else has or does not have, or how they chose to spend their own money.

It seems those that always get upset are the ones that do not have or are trying to convince themselves living in Thailand with little money is a paradise.

Anyone can live in any country cheap.

The real question is are these people living cheap in Thailand because they chose to live this way or they have no choice?

How many people were living in a 1 room flat in their own country and eating street food everyday before moving to Thailand?

Truthfully, if you are really making it in Thailand, you have the same standard of living you did in your own country.

Own a real house, a car, eat what you want, money for gadgets, entertainment and holidays.

If you are skimping by on 15,000 baht a month, you are just kidding yourself.

People claim they are happy living like this when in fact they probably do not have any other options and have trapped themselves into that lifestyle.

If you are skimping by on 15,000 baht a month, you are just kidding yourself.

Oh dear, you obviously don't get it.

Cars, houses don't make people happy.

I wasn't referring to the OP with the boasting comment. There are always plenty of posters come on threads like this to tell us how rich they are and that anyone doesn't have loads of cash is a loser. Sad that they need money and things to feel good about themselves.

Given that an average Thai makes about 15,000 or less a month, are they all unhappy?

An average Thai, though "poor" by the TV poster standards, is probably many times happier than said TV posters.

The 'right to bear arms' had some relevance when it was necessary to defend oneself in the 'wild west'.

Now that the west isn't so wild, the cowboys have taken to shooting themselves, instead of the native Indians. Take these guns out of peoples' hands and they'll stop shooting each other. Seriously, it really doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. Maybe there's a Dr Von Braun out there to help the US solve this self inflicted disease.

You obviously don't understand why the founding fathers put the right to bear arms in the constitution. It wasn't for defence against Indians, it was to ensure the government could never become oppressors to the citizens. Still relevant today.

If the governments of the world actually believed in reversible CC, they would have done something by now. They haven't, therefore I believe that they don't believe in reversible CC.

No need to bring in your atomic fuel cell, they already have proven hydrogen fuel cell technology- why haven't they brought that in?

They have done zero in the way of replacing fossil fuel use in a real way.

BTW, how many years before the atomic fuel cell is available to the general public, and how many years will it take to replace the entire fossil fuel technology in the entire world?

I think we'll all be dead in methane storms long before that happens, if the CC doomsters are right.

Ok, I think I understand you. Keep protesting and making sure nothing gets done in all ways possible, and then claim 'you have done nothing so you don't believe in it'.

Sure, makes sense.

LOL. Apart from the reality that no one in government listens to me, I support hydrogen fuel cell technology and would like to see it introduced full scale.

So how am I making sure nothing gets done, exactly?

BTW it should be "I don't believe in it so I have done nothing", not the way you put it.

It wasn't directed at you, just a general statement of too many people's attitude.

And since you don't do anything about GW, you don't support hydrogen fuel technology because of GW reasons but for other purposes. You mentioning it here, and yes, that is directed at you , paints a false picture.

I'd like to see the Saudis broke because no one buys their oil, certainly, but even though I doubt anything can reverse G W ( if in fact it is man made ) it can only be a good thing to remove one of the main causes of pollution.

Having just checked out the temple scene on google pictures, I see that the film was made at the temple on top of the hill ( Phrathat Chedi Si Khrubaand ). It is obvious which building was in the scene.

So I was wrong about the film scene being at the footprint temple.

In the film the area was unpaved and very rough. Now it has all been paved.

Obama never really tried to do much about gun control. Please name a bill he tried to push through. And contrary to the right wing nutters he never was interested in taking our guns. Oh yea in case I haven't mentioned, left wing radical militants have guns also, lots and are damn good with them. Clinton on the other hand is a whole different ball game. Look at the history of the Clinton White House and know Hillary supported all of Bill's gun bans. Don't forget pappa Bush either. All this crap started when that idiot Hinkley shot Reagan, and didn't kill.....no further comment there, him. Gun control is hitting your target. Had not Reagan slashed mental health programs, followed by others maybe some of these idiots would have locked away. America doesn't have a gun problem it has a mental problem.

http://www.ncsl.org/research/civil-and-criminal-justice/summary-president-obama-gun-proposals.aspx

• Requires background checks for all gun sales and strengthens the background check system. This would include removing barriers under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act so that states may more freely share information about mental health issues involving potential gun purchasers.
• Provides states with monetary incentives—$20 million in fiscal year FY 2013 and a proposed $50 million in FY 2014—to share information so that records on criminal history and people prohibited from gun ownership due to mental health reasons are more available.
• Bans military-style assault weapons and limits magazines to a capacity of 10 rounds.
• Provides additional tools to law enforcement. The plan proposes a crackdown on gun trafficking by asking Congress to pass legislation that closes “loopholes” in gun trafficking laws and establishes strict penalties for “straw purchasers” who pass a background check and then pass guns on to prohibited people.
• Urges Congress to pass the administration’s $4 billion proposal to keep 15,000 state and local police officers on the street to help deter gun crime.
• Maximizes efforts to prevent gun violence and prosecute gun crime. The president calls upon the attorney general to work with U.S. attorneys across the country to determine gaps occurring in this area and where supplemental resources are appropriate.
• Provides training for “active shooter” situations to 14,000 law enforcement, first responders and school officials.
• Directs the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a statement to health care providers that they are not prohibited by federal law from reporting threats of violence to the proper authorities.
• Launches a national gun safety campaign to encourage responsible gun ownership and authorizes the Consumer Product Safety Commission to examine issues relating to gun safety locks.
• Helps schools invest in safety. The president’s plan calls for more school resource officers and counselors in all schools through the Community Oriented Policing Services hiring program. The plan also calls for the federal government to assist schools in developing emergency management plans.
• Improves mental health awareness through enhanced teacher training and referrals for treatment. The plan calls for the training of 5,000 additional mental health professionals nationwide. The plan also calls for coverage of mental health treatment under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.

None of which would have prevented the Oregon shootings.

How does she plan on enacting greater gun control measures than Obama? After all, he has done everything in his power to enact tighter gun control and has failed miserably... This latest shooting in Oregon has sparked another mad rush by US citizens to buy even more guns... Who does Hillary think she's talking to?

The loony left.

None of her intentions would have prevented the Oregon shootings.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, run by Democrats and with the strictest gun laws in the US, the slaughter of young black men by other young black men continues unabated.

If you want to codify and formalize the quoting procedure on the forums, take it up with the mods. And given some of your earlier posts, the less said about the mental state of your BS meter, the better.

As to the original subject of the Pope and climate change, do you have anything to say?

Nah, thought not.

Well I think if you are going to attribute a statement to a respected scientist like James Hansen you should ensure it is factual.

• The Pope (remember him?) recently said that 2015 is the ‘last effective opportunity’ to stop catastrophic warming

I think anyone with a basic understanding of the 'numbers' on GW would arrive at that conclusion.

Well obviously no government member anywhere understands the "numbers", as they have done zero to change anything practically.

Excuses excuses excuses to do nothing. Oh ye of little faith. lol

Research on Atomic Fuel Cell technology is the one I like. A small cube the size of a Rubik's Cube powers your car for 12 months. No need to keep filling up with Arab Oil or filthy polluting Shale Oil. A cube the size of about four Rubik's Cubes powers your whole house for 12 months. Just plug in a new one every 12 months and your good to go. Have a few shares in the Company that makes that technology fly and you're on easy street for life.

If the governments of the world actually believed in reversible CC, they would have done something by now. They haven't, therefore I believe that they don't believe in reversible CC.

No need to bring in your atomic fuel cell, they already have proven hydrogen fuel cell technology- why haven't they brought that in?

They have done zero in the way of replacing fossil fuel use in a real way.

BTW, how many years before the atomic fuel cell is available to the general public, and how many years will it take to replace the entire fossil fuel technology in the entire world?

I think we'll all be dead in methane storms long before that happens, if the CC doomsters are right.

Ok, I think I understand you. Keep protesting and making sure nothing gets done in all ways possible, and then claim 'you have done nothing so you don't believe in it'.

Sure, makes sense.

LOL. Apart from the reality that no one in government listens to me, I support hydrogen fuel cell technology and would like to see it introduced full scale.

So how am I making sure nothing gets done, exactly?

BTW it should be "I don't believe in it so I have done nothing", not the way you put it.

My my, isn't it great being able to say "I told you so" without fear of contradiction .

As per usual a few targeted Israeli airstrikes brings the usual round the clock ranting about just about every wrong some believe Israel to have committed. I wonder how many of the obsessive Israel demonizers are aware that Russia is dropping thermobaric bombs on civilian targets in Syria, a clear war crime if ever there was one. But nothing, nada, zilch there as usual, I doubt if any of our esteemed members even knows what a thermobaric bomb is, though if Israel used one they would quickly assume the role of experts in such munitions.

P.s Collective punishment, stabbing babies and murdering civilians just because they are Jewish is the epitome of collective punishment.

Thermobaric weapons have been used previously by Israeli Air Forces.

Like in Yemen, on a Iranian base...according to a certain "weapon expert" named Thomas Wicktor. So, it must be true...

War crimes and crimes against humanity have always been flushed as 'fait-divers' by people like Thomas Wicktor. So I'm not that optimistic to see an exception for the strikes of OP.

At the other hand its sadly remarkable to see here on TV the same people who made associations of ISIL war terror to global moderated Islam to spin with international conventions and UN laws...

Now we need to hear that Golan IDF field hospitals are more important than civilians in Gaza. Moreover, thermobaric weapons should be questioned before using against ISIL...

What a joke !

http://osnetdaily.com/2015/05/yet-another-groundbreaking-revelation-on-the-israeli-bomb-dropped-on-irans-yemen-base/

Didn't take long for you to Google thermobaric did it?

Just to be clear despite your weasel phrasing Israel dropped nothing on Yemen themselves. Far greater ordinance is being dropped by all sides in Syria. Russia never got within a fifty mile radius of known Isis positions.

My point regarding the faux humanitarianism of some of our esteemed members stands.

P.S I didn't mention any source by name, you presumed, what's wrong are you afraid that your two best hopes for annihilating Israel (Iran and the Palestinians) are going to get their comeuppance soon?

It will take only 1 thing for Israel to cease to exist in its present form- a US president that does not support them unconditionally.

A small country/ population surrounded by an overwhelming number of enemies can't survive without support from a superpower.

Even if it takes 600 years, eventually Israel will be defeated if it does not come to a just arrangement with the Palestinians.

Hi,

No recent updates but here is a photo from the 17th of September at about 5.30-6am and you can see the lights are on. The Queue has been filled most days, with quite a lot of people returning for a second trip, but now is low season so it is quieter than before. There are people there everyday at 5am. I hope this helps Nancy!

This is really pathetic.

Not much different than the old office as a line formed early in the morning except for those who were luck and got a online Q number.

So you think this is acceptable? Under no circumstances should people be required to show up at immigration at 0400 hours to receive a queue in order to comply with immigration requirements.

True, but eventually people will realise they don't seem to want us in Thailand, and are increasingly making it harder to remain.

Excuses excuses excuses to do nothing. Oh ye of little faith. lol

Research on Atomic Fuel Cell technology is the one I like. A small cube the size of a Rubik's Cube powers your car for 12 months. No need to keep filling up with Arab Oil or filthy polluting Shale Oil. A cube the size of about four Rubik's Cubes powers your whole house for 12 months. Just plug in a new one every 12 months and your good to go. Have a few shares in the Company that makes that technology fly and you're on easy street for life.

If the governments of the world actually believed in reversible CC, they would have done something by now. They haven't, therefore I believe that they don't believe in reversible CC.

No need to bring in your atomic fuel cell, they already have proven hydrogen fuel cell technology- why haven't they brought that in?

They have done zero in the way of replacing fossil fuel use in a real way.

BTW, how many years before the atomic fuel cell is available to the general public, and how many years will it take to replace the entire fossil fuel technology in the entire world?

I think we'll all be dead in methane storms long before that happens, if the CC doomsters are right.

Yes, such is life...

For some trash openly provoking many people by their terrorist mentality shooting innocent bystanders or children is freedom fighting.

On the other hand the killing of terrorists launching rockets especially when there are innocent bystanders or children across the border is collective punishment.

Collective punishment as an education measure did work wonders in the past. I would recommend at least to go after all family members of terrorists and jihadists.

The BS stories about family not knowing "NUSING" about their offspring activity can only work in a PC climate of deaf, blind and dumb politicians. Or in "Hogan's Heroes".

Fears of reprisals for all family members would keep many hot heads in check. If not - it would help to alleviate the problem through reduction of potential grounds for breeding terrorism.

Imams known to teach extremist views to their flock should also be made responsible. In a very harsh way. Didn't see many cases against these "wholesalers of opium for people".

The real problem is too many people are afraid to be called "racist", Islamophobes", "Politically Incorrect" and as a result are not capable to fight against the maladies of present times.

Many of us are being exploited through these fears. Count me out.

Perhaps you overlooked the fact collective punishment is illegal.

True.But when you are facing an opponent that are driven by an collective hate to you,should you sit back and do nothing ?

Up to me I'd try and stop them hating me. It's time for a change as the old ways don't work- never did.

Bomb Gaza for incidents in the West Bank. A bit strange like collective punishment with a twist.

Rockets were fired from Gaza into

southern Israel

And it has been happening on an almost daily basis the last 3 weeks before Israel reacted.

And, the Israelis have been oppressing the Palestinians everyday for about the last 30 years or more. Would you accept it if you had been born Palestinian?

While I believe CC is indeed happening, I also believe that nothing that can be done by mankind will change it back to what it was 30 years ago, so why would I do anything?

For starters, there are twice as many people now as back then, all polluting away. That's not going to change so any politician that says it can be is doing what all politicians do best- lying.

Well done tbl you have made it to Stage 4.

The five stages of Climate Denial:

Stage 1: Deny the Problem Exists

Stage 2: Deny We're the Cause

Stage 2 Consensus Denial

Stage 3: Deny It's a Problem

Stage 4: Deny We can Solve It

Stage 5: It's too Late

Crikey, talk about being wilfully blind.

1. I said in the post THAT YOU QUOTED that I believe CC is happening.

2. I have said I don't know if we are or not. Not yet proven one way or another.

2. ( you made TWO twos )????????????

3. Never said it's not a problem.

4. I'm still waiting for someone to put forward an idea of how the problem can be solved- so far there is a resounding silence on solutions, other than "renewable energy" which only provides 10% of requirements and increased/ new taxes.

5. Better believe it. It was too late once world population passed 3 billion.

Yep, there is nothing we can do and it's all too late so best not do anything.

It is described as a 'Contrarian' position in order to do nothing and take no action. Contrarians feel all 'warm and fuzzy' inside as they proudly confess GW is happening, CC will occur, there is a scientific consensus, it's a terrible problem but alas there is nothing we can do.

I find it a real depressing defeatist attitude. It isn't an option for me as it is not in my nature to accept defeat. Particularly as there is a wealth of information that explains the way forward. I actually see GW / CC as the most important and exciting future mankind has ever embarked upon. New technologies that are only limited by our collective imaginations, more innovation and wealth the world has ever witnessed and most importantly a world that can truly support an ever increasing population.

You misunderstand my position. It's not that I'm giving up, it's that I don't believe in the ability to do anything about it, so why should I do anything? Your viewpoint seems to be that we should all get stressed out about something that may not even happen, even though there is ZERO that we can do about it anyway.

WHAT new technologies? There is zero being done that will actually change anything. Hybrid cars and wind turbines are minor irrelevances.

Now, if they came up with a ginormous factory that removed CO2/ methane and stored it, that would be exciting.

People are more interested in Bieber than they are in GW, and the US president certainly doesn't do more than talk a load of hot air about the subject before riding in his mega vehicle convoy to AF1 so he can have another ride on the taxpayer before he loses the lovely toy next year. How many politicians cutting back on anything- NONE. I think they must know something.

Perhaps you overlooked the fact collective punishment is illegal.

"Illegal".

Tell that to the Western allies who bombed the shit out of Berlin night after night after night until the German people decided they'd had enough of the war.

It worked too, didn't it?

I LOVE this false concept that some have that there is a body somewhere which enforces laws against sovereign nations. That only happens when there is all-out war and even then only the winner is the enforcer.

I'm sure Russia is terrified of this "illegal" concept as it bombs in Syria.

Get real.

Off topic, the bombing campaign did not make the Germans "give up". It was only after Russia captured Berlin and Hitler killed himself that Germany surrendered.

On topic, collective punishment will not make the Palestinians give up. They don't have anywhere else to go.

There they go again, creating a whole new bunch of enemies. They are the best recruiting agent Hamas could wish for.