unclekleef

I'm interested in photography, and have a reasonable range of equipment, but probably in truth only an average level of skill. I'd like to develop my skills further, but in my experience it's always better to bounce ideas and knowledge between a group of like minded people. Maybe a club already exists here in Phuket, and I'm just not aware of it. Thoughts anyone?

Would anyone who wants to follow up on this idea please PM me so I can start to arrange a meet, get some notes ready etc. Thanks - unclekleef

I'm interested in photography, and have a reasonable range of equipment, but probably in truth only an average level of skill. I'd like to develop my skills further, but in my experience it's always better to bounce ideas and knowledge between a group of like minded people. Maybe a club already exists here in Phuket, and I'm just not aware of it. Thoughts anyone?

Hi: I was in photography all my life and would be willing to assist with this project if it get's off the ground. I don't want to sit in front of the computer all day answering questions etc, but would be willing to go to a meeting once a week/month whatever is good for all. As for a venue, I agree it should be social, but not a 'booze up' I can give advice on how to shoot, but I am not up-to-date on the latest and greatest. My equipment now is just on camera. We could make it interesting with stories, to which I have a few! and running competitions. Anyway food for thought, I am open to replies via e-mail but I will try to keep an eye on this post. Good luck - good shooting.

Sounds good. I think maybe best to get as many interested people together as possible for an inaugural meeting, then agree on frequency etc. How about Wednesday 15th July? Any suggestions for a venue and timing?

Okay then - It is important to get organized, so to that extent if anubody is interested, please e-mail me with just: Your name; e-mail address; dates you will be free around the July 15th suggestion; any suggestions as to a venue; any other suggestion. Please keep the reply as short as possible. I will use a programme that will keep everybody informed and offer five different choices of date. Once I have this down to a couple, we can then set a date and a place. I shouldn't imagine more than ten people coming the first time, but you never know. Okay guys send the mails;

I'm interested in photography, and have a reasonable range of equipment, but probably in truth only an average level of skill. I'd like to develop my skills further, but in my experience it's always better to bounce ideas and knowledge between a group of like minded people. Maybe a club already exists here in Phuket, and I'm just not aware of it. Thoughts anyone?

Hi: I was in photography all my life and would be willing to assist with this project if it get's off the ground. I don't want to sit in front of the computer all day answering questions etc, but would be willing to go to a meeting once a week/month whatever is good for all. As for a venue, I agree it should be social, but not a 'booze up' I can give advice on how to shoot, but I am not up-to-date on the latest and greatest. My equipment now is just on camera. We could make it interesting with stories, to which I have a few! and running competitions. Anyway food for thought, I am open to replies via e-mail but I will try to keep an eye on this post. Good luck - good shooting.

A BRITISH man is facing a two-year sentence in a hellish Thai prison for being 'rude' to an official.

Voice reader Simon Burrowes, from Wembley, north London, was ending a holiday with a friend when Thai authorities in Phuket airport detained him on January 31, preventing him from returning to the UK.

Immigration officials suspected Burrowes' passport was a forgery. Speaking to The Voice via phone from Thailand, Burrowes said: "A woman at immigration was looking at my passport and then handed it to the man behind her. I was ushered to sit down whilst he took out a magnifying glass and proceeded to check my passport for half an hour," he explained.

He was told that he was not getting on the plane and was taken to a detention centre, whilst his friend Matthew was able to fly back to the UK. Burrowes said: "I'm a black man so I'm used to getting hassle at airports, but I was shocked by this." For three weeks, the 44-year old was held with 126 men in a cramped prison cell.

"Thai prisons are notorious for being some of the worst. There is no privacy. You go to the toilet in the open and there is no toilet paper. There were guys in there that had scabies and were next to me," said Burrowes.

He contacted the British Consulate, who confirmed his passport was genuine. However, the disgruntled Brit claims that the Consulate should have done more, saying that they took long to react to his case.

"I was disgusted and beside myself. People talk of them [the British Consulate] like they are the cavalry. If you have issues abroad they come charging to help. But they didn't really help me," he fumed. Burrowes was later charged with 'rude and aggressive behaviour' towards an immigration officer, a claim he denies, and was released on £2,000 bail. He must remain in Thailand until his trial begins on April 26, and his lawyer has warned he could face a two-year jail sentence.

"I have to find some way to sustain myself financially while I am here. I went to Thailand to enjoy the land, learn the culture and spend some money. It's turned into a nightmare," he said. Burrowes is hoping that he will soon be able to fly back to the UK.

"If they find me guilty, who knows what will happen. I met people in prison who are doing five years for having two spliffs on them. It's very difficult to hold yourself up in a Thai prison. I feel very bitter about what has happened," he said. A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London told The Voice they are

looking into the case.

Link to story here.

I am so tired of some of the people posting here; with comments about Thailand being a 'Third World Country' 'Hurt feelings oif vengefull officials' etc. If they feel that way, hy live here? I was held in a small room (alone) for three hours in Hawaii by an immigtaion official who was upset that i couldn't identify a US immigration stamp in my passport. I had about suxty of them from various places in the USA. She went off duty and left me there to stew, eventually another more sane official solved the problem by telling me that she was a stupid b**** and assisting me in getting another connecting flight to one of the islands. Can you imagine what would have happend to me if I had, sworn at the lady, snatched my passport back? Try being rude to security in the USA or the UK!! Yes there are obnoxious officals, but beiong rude and insulting solves nothing.

It would appear that he swore at the immigration official, criticised Thailand & snatched his passport back, so on that basis he got what he deserved & if he does receive a prison sentence, he has only himself to blame - end of discussion. I'd just add that I've no sympathy for him whatsoever.

Thaksin Shinawatra seeking political asylum in Britain

Former Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra is seeking political asylum in Britain.

The Home Office has confirmed the ex-Thailand Prime Minister, 59, and his wife Pojaman have both applied to stay.

They returned here in August after skipping a Bangkok court hearing, prompting Thai officials to issue arrest warrants.

Dr Shinawatra, who last month sold the Premier League to an Abu Dhabi group for £210million, was ousted from power in a military coup in 2006.

He faces probes over alleged corruption and abuse of power. In July his wife was sentenced to three years for evading taxes. Dr Shinawatra, who denies any wrongdoing, has said he feels he cannot get a fair trial in Thailand and fears for his life.

--Sunday Mirror UK, 2008-10-05

Thaksin who has done nothing for the UK (except buy and sell a football team) is allowed to stay in total luxury, with ALL the benefits (including health!) whilst the Ghurkhas who died for the UK get treated like crap - I dont trust potiticians.

I just brought my family back to Chalong from the States. I am looking for recommendations on what type of medical insurance (major medical only/hospitalization only) I should get for my wife, my young son and myself.

I kindly solicit your recommendations on which insurance company (e.g. Bupa) and what level of coverage (e.g. Ruby, Emerald, etc.) is appropriate for the better hospitals in Phuket and throughout Thailand.

Thanks.

New2Chalong

I have been a BUPA member for almost twenty yeras. Have made quite claims (one for $27,000) and have not had a problem. Best coverage is Classic, and there is a Hong Kong agency who will give you better prices than BUPA directly. Don't have the details right in front of me, but you can e-mail me and I will get it to you. [email protected] hope this helps.

great, authentic Mexican food, in the style you would find in Southern Cal, Arizona, New Mexico or Colorado.

Can anyone please explain to me what is authentic about the southern US Mexican food? You can see and taste the origin, but that food has been adapted a lot to the US taste.

Las Margaritas in Karon: nothing good about the food there IMO.

How about...........that it was Mexico (SW U.S.), and there are a lot of Mexican people there to this day?

Like all ethnic food, once it travels to the US & UK it is adapted to local tastes. In the UK you can get Chop Suey, in Asia not on your Nelly. Tex-Mex is great but not Mexican as in Mexico. Same as Thai food, out of Thailand it is nowhere near as good. But we eat what we can get, I cook my own when I can find the ingredients. How about we get together and open our own place - call it 'Authentic Mex'

Last night as I am leaving work I see this SUV driving a bit erratically into our center.

The driver then parks the vehicle perpendicular to everything, so that it is blocking the parking for my neighbor businesses in the center. As our shop and restaurant at times is busy, and certain times of the year we take up the whole lot with events, I tend to like to try and take care of these neighboring businesses as they are really patient and cooperative. Also, there is a handicapped ramp, for there is a guy in a wheelchair in one of the businesses. The SUV driver parks, blocking all.

When the driver gets out I as politely as possible say hi, and then mention the neighboring businesses, and that the next time he comes if he would please consider parking as everyone else does, and not block the adjoining parking.

What was really sort of strange is that his Thai wife or girlfriend and about six kids in another vehicle were able to park like everyone else and actually there was a ton of parking available.

Anyway, he packs up the brood and leaves in a huff. Makes me feel badly as I am in the customer service business.

Should I have just left it alone? Not tactful? What do you think? Huggy's an a**h*le? Flame away !

I was in the customer service busines for over forty years, mosty on Cruise ship. The saying "The Customer is Always right" has an addendum "Except when he is wrong". Within reason this is the right way, being polte, but firm can work wonders. The guy you had sounds obnoxious, and you dealt with it the right way. If he never comes back, nobody in your area will lose a customer, you may well have lost a PIA, but he would have probably cost you a lot more customers :-)

Thanks, I will try to find it next time I am in Patong, thre is a 'Pie Maker'n Phuket, I think his name is Steve, if I can track him down, maybe he can help? But I have a feeling that Shepherds Pie and Steak & Kidney Pie are about it.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have never seen it at TOPS, but will keep looking, looking here as well, I did try to make some, partly successful - SEVERAL parts

Hi - does anybody know where I can get Filo Pastry? I can find Puff Pastry in Makro, but that's it - anybody know?.....please

Hi

Dragon Air is assoiated with Cathay Pacific, they actually own it I think. They are very safe, and reliable. I will be using them again in the near future. It saves a lot of time and money, the only drawback may be a long stop over time in Hong Kong if you are trqavelling to the USA or Europe.

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Hi I live in Rawai and would be interested in your friends number for tennis lesons. It would be for 2 people, one a complete beginner and the other one (me) used to play (averagely) but a long time ago. I hope you can help as I need to keep fit and occupied. By the way, if you know of any charitable institutions that I may be interested in, let me know. Many thanks - Keith.

Whoops, sorry I am new to this I forgot to enable the reply options "K"