LennyW

Probably I'll get killed over this, but after reading posts about pets, dogs, cats, poissoned, killed and all the suffering that goes along, I just think..........nothing.

I just can't imagine that people burry or even cremate their pets and keep the ashes in their homes. I can't imagine that people keep pets anyway.

Sure, I hate pets.

Sure, pets are annoying.

Sure, I won't harm them.

Sure, I don't understand pets and their 'bosses'.

I have some friends who happen to have cats.......it's always something with these beasts, cost a fortune on vets, and they'll die anyway. They're treated as children and they even sometimes called that way......our children.

Ok, I respect my friends, but I also have my doubts on the "having pets intentions".

Sure, you felt the need to reply to a post that means "nothing" to you.

Much of Thai culture is an excuse for having done something wrong, or a reason to not have to do something that you don't want to do.

The rest is music and Buddha's and stuff.

That sums it up nicely!!

What annoys me most about Thai traffic lights is they only have green light for one direction at the time. Where I come from normally the two opposite directions have green light at the same time. Of course that means those who do right turns need to wait for oncoming traffic, perhaps that's too difficult for the locals here ....

I think it is so that no one will ever be waiting on the railtracks, or that would be the theory anyway?

Why not PM Thaivisa member "Eastcoast", one of the best agents around and Scottish too!

The teething troubles with light times seem to have been worked out, the road is actually quite useable now, long may it be so!

I still see quite a few impatient youngsters on motorcycles that can't seem to distinguish between red and green though!

I can't agree. It's very frustrating sitting looking at red lights seemingly in all directions.

No doubt there's a reason why the traffic is now only allowed to go one way at a time over the railway track after years of twoway?

BTW, I'm 60 so that couldn't have been me you saw

No, definately not you mickba!! , that must be a bummer for you now where your house is located, do you go to the Huay Yai end and do a U turn or do you go back round by Khaomakok1 and down Chaiyapruek 2,??

It was rumoured that the area where that exercise park and "burst" lake is was due to have a bridge to link to Sukhumvit but no sign of that yet?, but that was rumoured many moons ago, even before the construction of this new road!

The teething troubles with light times seem to have been worked out, the road is actually quite useable now, long may it be so!

I still see quite a few impatient youngsters on motorcycles that can't seem to distinguish between red and green though!

Thats one gathering i would like to see an outbreak of swine flu!!

A self inflicted wound always hurts the most....

You've all gone quiet!

Well, it duly opened yesterday. I didn't notice the date and there are no signs where I pull out, so my first encounter was with two pickups heading straight at me. I gestured at the one on the "wrong" side, whose only response was to push me even closer to the wall. When I got to the first set of lights I realised my stupid farang error and went over to the north/westbound lane.

Not surprisingly I suppose, it was pretty chaotic all the way through, with drivers frustrated, some lights not appearing to work correctly and lots of police whistling and scratching their helmets.

I'm off back to Sukhumvit until it stabilises a bit.

BTW, if you follow the signs for the Floating Market and turn off Sukhumvit up Soi 93, when you reach the above road north/westbound, you are directed to turn south/eastbound..............

You think so mickba......see here..

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Pending-loca...ai-t268898.html

It was just a matter of time before these untrained, unscreened, unsupervised farang police volunteers start getting arrested themselves.

AND THE REAL POLICE ARE SO MUCH BETTER. HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I heard that a Pattaya Police 'Volunteer' shot a Thai woman through the head last night. Any more news on this?

http://www.pattayaone.net/news/2009/june/n...5_06_52_2.shtml

See here Syd.^

You are quite correct, they are cleaning up in an attempt to halt the spread of the flu, although the term "chocolate fireguard" comes to mind!

What they really need are roundabouts (US : traffic circles) at each junction as these would automatically slow traffic as they approached and, if used properly would regulate the flow without the need for the excessive waiting times caused by traffic lights

Ha ha, you only need to look at the dolphin roundabout at weekends to give you some idea how that would work!! but then again, you did say "if used properly"

I live in Huay Yai and use this road usually when returning from Pattaya. Lenny W has a good point...There are 2 cement plants at the south end near the Huay Yai junction, on the southbound side, they are only about 100 & 200m from the Huay Yai road, do you think the trucks going in there are going to make a few kilometer detour to do a u turn and abide by the direction of the road??

This road is mega dangerous, take care!!

I tried getting out that end this morning before the police were on the go and could barely get out for Baht buses coming in there is a roadside garage there that seems popular with them, before the cement works.

All the lights seem to be working as they should, from kow thalo to huay yai anyway, although the bikes seem to be paying little attention to them.

Police are doing their best to guide everybody at the moment today (without taking tea money!! ) but i have to wonder how long it will need their presence to keep things running smoothly, and when they are gone will it revert to a free for all??

Looks like the road will work fine as long as everybody heeds the lights and sticks to the proper lanes?

Well today is the day ONE WAY!!!!

No doubt the BIB will be out in force to "smooth" things along, so remember your seat belts and the speed limit is 50 kph, Take extreme care at the junctions, dont take anything for granted.

Drive safe everybody, remember, "better to be late than dead on time"!

how come you post at 08:25 although it is only 07:25? Genuine question!

Anyways...I think I leave a bit earlier today as I have to get across the railway line and expect the worst...

That is a good question - answer - no idea??

Just reported my post to the mods...

I posted in the "Thais are concerned" thread after that and the time is right????, and on the front page (list of topics) the time is right??

Well today is the day ONE WAY!!!!

No doubt the BIB will be out in force to "smooth" things along, so remember your seat belts and the speed limit is 50 kph, Take extreme care at the junctions, dont take anything for granted.

Drive safe everybody, remember, "better to be late than dead on time"!

how come you post at 08:25 although it is only 07:25? Genuine question!

Anyways...I think I leave a bit earlier today as I have to get across the railway line and expect the worst...

That is a good question - answer - no idea??

In Scotland the first person died from de swine (mexican) flu today.

Yeah, but in the article it does say the patient "had underlying health conditions"..read here...

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestnews...irst.5364879.jp

Well today is the day ONE WAY!!!!

No doubt the BIB will be out in force to "smooth" things along, so remember your seat belts and the speed limit is 50 kph, Take extreme care at the junctions, dont take anything for granted.

Drive safe everybody, remember, "better to be late than dead on time"!

No witch-hunt, says Lands Department

Foreign ownership debate intensifies

By: KANANA KATHARANGSIPORN

The Lands Department does not have a policy to scrutinise acquisitions in which illegal use of Thai nominees on behalf of foreigners is suspected, says director-general Anuwat Maytheewibulwut.We have some regulations and processes to investigate illegality, but not that many. We must respect individual rights and assume individuals will not give fake statements to officials - Anuwat Maytheewibulwut Director-general, lands department

Land ownership revocation cases mostly occur when a complaint or conflict is brought to the department's attention, he said.

"Each year there are 5.5 million land-related transactions handled by the department and we receive around 1,000 complaints," he said. "We have no time to check every transaction, but we will investigate when there's a complaint."

Mr Anuwat was responding after several sharp letters in the Bangkok Post over the past two weeks from readers who questioned the department's policy on land acquisition by foreigners. Some alleged it was xenophobic.

He said it was likely a misunderstanding that the department would scrutinise every transaction suspected to have a Thai nominee owning land for foreigners. In fact, an investigation will be initiated only if there is a complaint.

"There is nothing new in the Land Code for land acquisition by foreigners," he added.

"For purchases or transfers, we have some regulations and processes to investigate illegality, but not that many. We must respect individual rights and assume individuals will not give fake statements to officials."

According to the Land Code, a foreigner can legally acquire land by inheritance as a legal heir, and his or her land ownership must be approved by the Interior Ministry.

Alternatively, a foreigner must invest at least 40 million baht and maintain it for five years through investment in Thai government bonds, property mutual funds, or in share capital of a Board of Investment-promoted company.

Under these two criteria, a foreigner can purchase up to one rai of land for residential use. The department also allows foreign ownership up to 49% of saleable space in a condominium, said Mr Anuwat.

If a foreigner has a Thai spouse, either legitimate or common-law, and wants to buy land, the Thai spouse must give officials of the Lands Department a joint written confirmation that the money for the purchase is wholly separate property or the personal property of the Thai spouse, not jointly acquired property.

"If a foreigner has a conflict with his or her Thai spouse and makes a complaint on land ownership to the department, we will investigate," said Mr Anuwat. "If we find the ownership is illegal, we will ask them to transfer or sell that piece of land within 180 to 365 days."

If the transfer or sale cannot be made within a year, the department will use its authority to do it. Any legal dispute between the couple not involving land ownership must be resolved under civil law.

"Changing foreign land acquisition regulations such as an extension of the leasehold period to longer than 30 years or increasing foreigners' quotas to buy condominiums is a government matter. The department is always ready to carry out the government's policy," Mr Anuwat said.

He added that all foreigners who comply with the law will get full protection under the law.

"For anyone involved in land ownership on behalf of foreigners, what they should be sure of is concern for the nation, ethics and morality in applying the law to make sure they are good Thai citizens," he said.

From the Bangkok Post

I went into a supermarket here in Jomtien last night and all the staff had masks on

How will we be able to tell the robbers from the workers???

The robbers will be wearing tight fitting brown uniforms - as always!!

We'll never know what was in the containers. The public will be told whatever the government wants them to be told. I'm sure that by now, the containers will have been sanitized.

Absolutely spot on GaryA

Preecha in Ban Ampur....this great seafood restaurant has a oyster tank with some huge tasty oysters

I second that, this place is always very busy and consequently has a huge turnover of fresh seafood! Aroy mak!!!

http://www.phyathai-sriracha.com/Eng/index1.php?flag=8

See here.

There is always heaps of empty hotels and guest houses available in Pattaya and Bangkok , it is a good idea to just book one night and walk around check the different places out , its very easy to book a place on the internet which looks perfect but when you get there its crap or the location is not what you expected or there are beer bars under it.

Not at christmas time, hence the OP's reason for booking early.

Are they giving any indication of WHICH disco?

Cases are rising, and if they don't give any indication which disco is the plan to wait until more and more people get sick and the thing goes further. Or are they going to let anyone know?

According to the Pattaya one news website it was the Star Dice in Naklua and it is shut until further notice.

Best place I've always found is the main dealers although I don't konw if they would do it if you're not purchasing a new car.

Difficult to avoid the main dealers when you purchase a new motor, but they do give you the cheapest of the cheap!!

Ask them how much discount they will give you if you decline their offer of "free" film?