brubo1

we called our son JETHRO. Although Thais have a hard time getting their tongue around the "th" - I figuered they could give Jet as a thai nickname!

The other point I think is being missed is this:

Do you think that the person physically selling the merchandise actually owns the stall? Do you think that he pockets the cash and goes home smiling and rubbing his hands? Of course not!

His boss is going to expect a certain return on the stock sold. The reason why we get things cheaper as Thai speakers is only because the guy fresh off the plane will be paying more...

Thai price, Thai-speaking Farang Price, English-speaking Farang price, Farang straight-off-the-plane price... All different, but all average out to a working profit margin for the guy that OWNS the stall - the guy that WORKS on the stall's instructions are simple: get the best price you can for any given item...

Capitalist Economics that make the world work

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think you are quite right with what you're saying here. Was it you that said "I must be living in Fairy Land"? I'm not living in Fairy Land - I just wish I could!

to DaleyBoy - I have not visited the slums of BKK or Bombay for some 25 years. You are painting a very bleak picture of street vendors. If a person in BKK has graduated to be a street vendor they are not that bad off anymore (after all they had the capital to purchase their wares). It is more likely that they would use a big proportion of the proceeds of their sales to buy TV's and other luxury goods rather than to feed the family!

well, I seem to have struck a little bit of a cord here......

Glauko, I just lost some 90% of my capital resources to someone who did not show ANY consideration or fairness to anyone else and I didn't get mad....

Why should I pay my countries prices when I come to Thailand?????? What would be the point of buying an item in a foreign country when I pay the same as at home???? Why should I let myself be ripped off in Thailand - only because it is cheaper there? Also, when I pay the inflated prices in my country, they come with a replacement warranty and that would have to be worth something!

Chester made a very good point (about Nike) - but when a big company is ripping off the general public that is a little different from what I was talking about, that is about progress and the anonimity that goes with a big company. When you look a bit further however, like if the managing director or the whole board of a big company showed some CONSIDERATION & FAIRNESS, the example you mentioned wouldn't happen!

I personally might not be 100% fair and considerate ALL the time, but 95% is a whole lot better than 5%!!!!

I can see why I am still getting ripped every now and then...... There is no consideration or fairness left in this world!

If a street vendor can sell a watch for 500 Baht at a profit, why should anyone have to pay 2000 baht? Greed is only good for the one person - and usually bad karma follows.

The world would be a much better place if there were fewer people without the majority view that is being shown here!

CONSIDERATION & FAIRNESS

sorry, look at the next post

Well, I have to say there is a difference between de facto and married. I have been there before(living in a de facto relationship) and was amazed how even the two of us regarded that "little piece of paper" once the deed was done. Our attituce towards each other changed for the better with that final piece of commitment in place. I do not believe that anyone can be as committed to a relationship in a de facto situation as opposed to being married.

As far as Thailand is concerned there are plenty of de facto relationships about. Have you never heared of the "married with paper"(married in our language) and "married without paper"(de facto) saying? I have come across many de facto relationships in Thailand and some of them very longterm ones.

Finally, which visa has a better chance of success? I believe spouse or prospective spouse will be a much easier road to travel then de facto. A mate of mine applied for (and got) a de facto visa last year. He was then 62 and his GF 38. He stayed in Thailand during the application process for that purpose. It took 4 months and about 6 trips to the embassy. They threw all sorts of spanners in the works (police and health checks for her adult daughters etc.) but he did get it in the end. He already had electricity, gas and telephone accounts in joint names, as well as bank accounts and rental agreement and also his Will with her as beneficiary.

The important question answered first: "Farang" I believe was the word used by Lao people for their colonial rulers - France or farangset in Thai.

Second answer: after submitting all your papers - providing you submitted everything they want - you can expect a wait of up to six weeks before you have a reply (normally by telephone).

Early last year I used MASTER CAR RENTAL. Office is in the BMW car dealership on Rama IV Rd in Klong Toey (not far from Carrefour & Tesco). Very professional setup - no different to car hire in Oz. A Toyota dual cab pickup cost me 15568 Bht for 2 week rental, inclusive of VAT, Collision Damage Waiver and Personal Accident Insurance.

They also delivered the car to the hotel in Soi 22. As a said: very professional, curteous service.

www.mastercarrental.com

Vientiane Kitchen I know as "BAAN LAO" and as the name suggests it is actually Laos restaurant. My GF was very impressed with the whole package. From the seating in the "little houses" to the music and of course the food - she thought it was very authentic and good. I can only second those sentiments. The snakefish soup and ants egg larb was almost as good as in our village. I didn't think it was expensive. Also if you want to go on a weekend, be sure to book ahead!

The gambling talk in this discussion is a very valid point. My GF really couldn't get enough of it after the first taste. She learnt quickly. I told her no more money for gambling (pokies). She started picking strawberries for something to do and suddenly realised how much it takes to earn 50 dollars!

Only the occasional little fling now. There are still quite a few Thai girls that I know here that really are addicted to gambling - very sad scene.

My GF has lived in Oz for 10 months now. Likes it ok (good for make money). When she first came here I tried to introduce her to lots of other Thais in the same situation - big mistake! Let her find her own friends and preferrably NOT Thai ones! There is so much gossiping going on amongst them. It causes a lot of trouble. Thai food is important. I believe in Oz that's no problem.

After spending the last couple of years in the Thai scene, I believe they are a people totally unsuited to assimilation to other cultures. They will always stay Thai!

if he is as stupid as he looks in those pictures - how did he make to Thailand in the first place???????

As for Thai authorities needing a complaint from one of the countries involved - why? Can't they decide for themselves whether a crime has been committed on their soil or not?!

While you are talking about money - how about the extra 140 MILLION DOLLARS for tourism promotion that TAT has asked for?!

When not giving handouts to your wife's or GF's families you have to always remember how that family and your wife/GF are being looked at in their community. I would hope that most of you guys that are involved with Thais know how important social status (the amount of money you show) is in Thailand. Being involved with a farang gives a thai girl and her family instant respect and recognition - however, if the farang turns out to be a "cheap Charlie" the fact that they are involved with one makes them the laughing stock of the village! Don't just count the Baht - show a bit of consideration towards a different culture - whether you like it or not!

I just can't see how countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia etc will ever be able to get on top of this problem for good. Cull EVERY chicken in the country???

Good idea, even if only half the ideas on the wishlist can be implemented a card like this will surely be of great benefit to a lot of people.

I would like to see more banking related benefits. Everybodythat stays here, whether long- or short-term has to deal with money and banks!

Thanks to all the people behind the scenes that are doing the work!!

My GF had the interview March 21 and got the ok March 30. You have got a direct Number for your case officer - why not give her a ring?!

Friend of mine wants to travel around in a car with his recently arrived twins. For the times when they don't have relatives in the car, can he (anyone) find any baby seats in Thailand. Only answerI ever got to that is if you can afford a wife, kids and a car you can also afford servants! Anybody out there with a better answer??

One of the reasons I look forward to visiting Thailand is the GUARANTEED weightloss

La Boulange, Soi Convent definetivly the real deal! As good as you get in frog country - pity about the price and service!

Lots of good  information with regards OUR favourite travel subjects.

You can find answers to your questions by consulting our list of frequently asked questions below.

They are organized in the following major topics

Frequent Flyer Programme Questions

Q. Is there one Star Alliance Frequent Flyer Programme?

Q. Can I earn miles or points with all Star Alliance airlines

Q. How do I earn miles or points with Star Alliance airlines?

Q. What happens if my account is not credited with miles or points on a Star 

    Alliance flight

and lots more...happy flying

http://www.staralliance.com/star_alliance/...grammeQuestions

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A: No, each airline has it's own program

A: yes

A: present your membership card at check-in

A: take your ticket and ORIGINAL boarding pass to your nearest airline office(the airline you are registered with for the frequent flyer points - eg Thai for Royal Orchid, SIA for Krysflyer etc)

I agree with the comment "it's all in your head"! If I don't have a "real" coffee for two days I get a shocking headache!

Well I'm a bread guy! (at least I remember I used to be before I went Thai). When you like bread and you travel a bit you couldn't possibly decide on the "best" bread. Love the French baguette but what about the the German "Kartoffelbrot" or the Swiss "walliserbrot" or a freshly baked loaf of greek bread out of the wood fired oven, but hey , don't forget the Indian "naan", etc , etc. You're making me drool

Can not believe that this would be a buffalo story! My GF has had 2 stints in a temple over the last 13 months. First time I was there with her - eg I dropped her off at the temple and then visited her every day. There was about 80 other women doing the same thing. All of them dressed in white robes and very few with a shaved head. These stays however were for only 3 days and I belive this is being done around Visakha Buccha Day (around Buddha's birthday or the 6th full moon of the year). But going for a stay at the temple is really nothing unusual for a TG to do. Just for the sake of it - I just asked my GF if she remembers the names of the 2 temples she stayed at and she just rattled of the names without even having to think.

eddie eagle: if you are happy staying with this girl you are crazy throwing it away over this!!! However, if you have doubts about this relationship for the long term - it seems like a good way out! Good luck.