OJAS

You are a unhappy person you like noboby you do not like Thaksin Samak or Sondhi or even Bush. I bet you do not like you mom or pop.

1. You are wrong, since I am a very happy person.

2. You're correct that I dislike the mentioned 4 people; they haven't been positive for this world.

3. My parents are both dead.

There is no need to drag my parents into your message; that's low and below the belt.

It shows you have no class, no style and no dignity and it also shows you're a miserable human being.

You can say about me whatever you want but I have NEVER dragged the parents of ANY member into a discussion.

That's sick.

LaoPo

Philstone

Lao Po has distinguished himself on this sub- forum over the last few years with his intelligence and maturity. What will your legacy be?

For my part, I would like to apologise to Lao Po for my rather pedantic response to his "last 2 pages" post way back in this thread.

I would also like to say that I find myself in 100% agreement with everything which Lao Po has said in his subsequent posts.

Latest from the BBC - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7588114.stm

Pressure mounts on Thailand's PM

Pressure is building on Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, amid spiralling protests against his rule.

In the latest incident, hundreds of protesters were dispersed by security forces after attacking the police headquarters in Bangkok.

Thousands of activists are still occupying the main government complex in the city.

And blockades and strike action have closed airports and disrupted rail services outside the capital.

The head of the army, Gen Anupong Paochinda, has said the military will not mount a coup - but he has called for the government to hold negotiations with protesters.

This is something the authorities have so far refused to do.

The protests are led by a conservative group called the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

They say Mr Samak is a puppet of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006 and is now in exile to avoid facing trial over corruption charges.

Protests spread

A crowd of about 2,000 demonstrators attacked police headquarters in Bangkok late on Friday.

But the crowds were dispersed after police fired what appeared to be teargas. One correspondent reported seeing several protesters vomiting.

Demonstrations are also said to have taken place at two major airports in the south of the country.

Phuket and Krabi airports have closed, and there were reports of blockades at Hat Yai. Reports suggested protesters were planning to mount similar actions at Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north.

Some rail workers have gone on strike in support of the protests and to demand better work conditions, disrupting services on lines from Bangkok to the country's north-east.

And union leaders - including those from flagship airline Thai Airways - have called for workers to join in the stoppage. Strikes at state industries are banned, but unions get around the ban by urging their members to take sick leave.

Meanwhile, the occupation of the main government complex in Bangkok is now in its fourth day. Protesters say they will not leave until Mr Samak's government resigns.

There were minor clashes earlier on Friday after police tried to serve a court order for their eviction. But the police suddenly pulled back their forces.

Precarious

Rumours of an impending coup have been circulating in Thailand throughout the week, our correspondent says.

For three days Gen Anupong has deliberately kept his forces above the fray.

But on Friday he decided to step in - insisting the military would not mount a coup, but also calling on the government to negotiate with protesters.

"The army will not stage a coup. The political crisis should be resolved by political means," he said, according to AP news agency.

The position of Prime Minister Samak, who had hoped he could tough out these protests, now looks precarious, our correspondent says.

This crisis began on Tuesday, when thousands of PAD supporters took to the streets of Bangkok and forced their way into government buildings and a state TV station.

Nine PAD leaders now face charges of insurrection, a crime that can carry the death penalty, after Tuesday's violent raids.

The PAD was originally formed in the months before the 2006 coup, to demand Mr Thaksin's resignation - and it has re-emerged now that the country is being led by his former ally Mr Samak.

It has a passionate following in parts of the country, especially Bangkok, and some powerful backers among the elite, our correspondent says. But it has little support in most rural Thailand, which voted strongly for Prime Minister Samak, and Mr Thaksin before him.

Many thanks for all your replies - far more than I had been expecting. I can see much good advice in all of them. Special thanks to onzetan regarding the consulate/embassy point which, I must admit, hadn't occurred to me previously.

Apologies for having to raise this gruesome matter - which, hopefully, will not happen for many more years yet in my case - but I am in a bit of a quandary at the moment.

I am a UK citizen currently resident in the UK, but moving to Thailand from end-October. In my UK will I have stated my preference for cremation and for no ceremony of a religious (i.e. Christian) nature. However, my sister (who is my next-of-kin in the UK) has advised me to make these wishes known to my Thai girlfriend, who is a Buddhist.

I understand from other threads which I have read on this forum and elsewhere that a Thai Buddhist funeral ceremony is quite different from a UK Christian one. My preference at the present time would still be for cremation (in Thailand or wherever) without any religious ceremony, just as would be the case were I to die in the UK. However, would I be likely to upset any cultural sensibilities and cause major offence with my girlfriend and her family were I to insist on such a course of action (notwithstanding that I am not a Buddhist)?

Any comments regarding this delicate topic would be greatly appreciated.

why spent so much time ? The last 2 pages will tell most of the latest news...the rest is......history already

The last 2 pages didn't exist when I started on this thread all those hours ago

If there are just 3 pages..there are always 2 last ones............

LaoPo

In that case, why did you choose to say "last 2 pages" instead of "pages 28 and 29" in your previous post, LaoPo?

Please, moderators, is it possible for you to set up a news clippings area where only the news reports are posted on breaking news topics?

This thread is a good example of how difficult it is to seperate the news from many pages of political debate...being 29 pages long already.

This was certainly done as regards Gary Glitter last week if my understanding is correct. Indeed, no debate on dear old GG was permitted, it would seem

why spent so much time ? The last 2 pages will tell most of the latest news...the rest is......history already

The last 2 pages didn't exist when I started on this thread all those hours ago

I have just spent the past few hours wading through the 29 pages of this thread, having been alerted to it by email. When reading the many and varied contributions regarding today's events in Bangkok, I am, for some reason, reminded of the UK fuel protests of 2000 - as detailed excellently in the following link:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A735022

The UK fuel protesters have most certainly not gone away, 8 years on. I am planning to move from the UK to Thailand at the end of October. Looks very much from this thread like I shall be jumping from the frying pan into the fire!

The Premier League has indicated it may ask Thaksin to take its 'fit and proper person test' to see if he can own a club.

"I think there is a very loose term about what is 'fit and proper'," said Cook.

"It is almost a tongue-in-cheek term that you would use for Premier League football over the last 10 years. There are plenty of unfit and improper individuals."

There most certainly are - as well as Thaksin there's his mate Moh Al-Fayart who owns Fulham FC, to name but 2

I have downloaded the following from the BBC website for a laugh (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ity/7578022.stm)

Thaksin still focused on Man City

Thaksin faces a warrant for his arrest in Thailand

Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has no intentions of selling up and remains committed to the club.

Thaksin flew to Britain last week instead of returning home to face court charges and doubts have been raised over the extent of his financial power.

However, City's executive chairman Garry Cook says the former Thai prime minister is not looking for a way out.

"This is his love, and he wants to show people he is committed," Cook told BBC Radio Manchester.

"I asked the question as well as everyone else - 'is the club for sale?' and he is quite adamant this club is not for sale and he is here for the long haul.

"I asked 'why did you buy it?'. He said he bought it because there is a 10-year plan."

Thaksin and members of his family were in the stands to watch City's 3-0 home win over West Ham on Sunday - a day after Cook had revealed that Thaksin had offered to resign from the club's board.

Cook previously stated: "Dr Thaksin is embarrassed about the indignity brought on all the entities - the club, the Premier League - he never intended this.

"He has said to me, 'if you need me to resign from the football club as a director because it would serve the needs of the Premier League, then I'm fine with that as long as that doesn't change any other thing'."

It is not clear what the board's exact response to Thaksin's offer was.

The Premier League has indicated it may ask Thaksin to take its 'fit and proper person test' to see if he can own a club.

"I think there is a very loose term about what is 'fit and proper'," said Cook.

"It is almost a tongue-in-cheek term that you would use for Premier League football over the last 10 years. There are plenty of unfit and improper individuals."

Cook also admitted Thaksin does have financial constraints - his assets have been frozen in Thailand - but denied it will be a major problem for City.

"Dr Thaksin is in a political situation and a case that affects his assets, so that's well documented, and that's a hurdle," added Cook.

"The truth of it is this club is not going to go out of business. This club is not bankrupt. We're moving forward."

City manager Mark Hughes, who had dinner with Thaksin last week, is pleased with the club's progress in the transfer market.

The latest arrival, Belgium's 22-year-old midfielder Vincent Kompany, made his debut in the 3-0 win over West Ham after signing a four-year deal following his move from Hamburg for a reported £6m.

His signing follows the capture of Brazil striker Jo in the close season for £18m.

"We keep on telling everyone there is not a financial situation here and no constraints," commented Hughes. "Some people are putting out a lot of negativity about the club. That will change once we start winning games. People will then concentrate on football, which is the most important thing."

lopburi3,

First off, you receive my highest respect and praise for your amount of contribution to this board! (Maestro as well)

Hear! Hear!

If you wish to travel abroad, ie outside Thailand, and return to Thailand after 11 AUG 2009, get a re-entry permit from an immigration office before you leave Thailand. This will keep your permission to stay alive.

Many thanks for your comprehensive reply, Maestro. If I were to travel abroad and return after to Thailand after 11 Aug 2009 with valid re-entry permit, would I then be stamped in for a further year?

Yesterday (Sunday), Manchester City FC welcomed their owner back to the UK with a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa FC in their opening match of the new English Premier League season

Oh dear, Manchester City have just beaten West Ham 3-0 in their second match of the new season

You need to enter Thailand the day before your visa expires. So if you enter August 11, 2009 you will be stamped in until August 10, 2010.

Many thanks for your advice, lopburi. Just one further question. Assuming that events materialise as I have outlined them, would I need to take any action to secure a formal extension in my O-A visa upon its expiry on 12 Aug 2009? Or would I not need to do anything as far as the Thai immigration authorities are concerned until near the expiry of the 10 Aug 2010 "admitted until" date in my passport, from when I shall presumably need to start applying for yearly extensions of stay in Thailand?

Assuming the latter, would the procedure involve me submitting a completed TM7 form together with photo, 1,900 baht fee and necessary financial evidence (i.e. Thai bank account statements confirming constant minimum balances of 800,000 baht over at least the preceding 3 months, or formal confirmation from the UK Embassy of minimum monthly income of 65,000 baht or 40,000 baht if I were to marry my tiirak in the meantime) to my local immigration office? And, with reference to the advice which you have today given on another thread in connection with an O visa extension, could I submit my initial application within 30 days before 10 Aug 2010?

I am, of course, assuming no fundamental procedural/requirement changes over the next 2 years.....

Anyway, what is the policy nowadays regard to issuing Non Imm O visas at Thai embassy. Do still issue multiple entry? And what are the supporting docs emabssy requires in application for this Non Imm O? Thks in advance.

Bagna - may be able to advise you if you are a UK citizen living in the UK. If you are, some indication of where you currently live in the UK may be useful.

2. Need to know if multi entry or single entry visa

It's a multi-entry visa - I only realised that I had forgotten to say this after posting!

One more O-A advantage to add: applying for the O-A in your home country and getting approved gives you the peace of mind that you are good to stay once you move to Thailand. If you choose to start with the O visa to extension method, you will first move to Thailand, and then apply in Thailand for the extension. Of course, alot of older people will prefer the increased security of knowing they are approved and go for the O-A.

I have just got an O-A visa from the Thai Embassy in London, my main preference over the O/extension-in-Thailand method being as stated by Jingthing.

My visa was issued on 13 Aug 2008, with an "enter before" date of 12 Aug 2009. I am planning to travel from the UK to Thailand on 25 Oct 2008, arriving on 26 Oct 2008. I would, however, welcome clarification of 3 points with you Thaivisa resident visa experts:-

(1) Upon my arrival at Suvarnabhumi on 26 Oct 2008, should the "admitted until" date which is stamped in my passport be 25 Oct 2009?

(2) I am planning a visit to the UK with my tiirak (so long as we can get the necessary UK visa for her) in the summer of 2009. Provided that I returned to Thailand by 12 Aug 2009, should the "admitted until" date which is then stamped in my passport be 11 Aug 2010? Or will the relevant dates, in fact, be 11 Aug 2009 and 10 Aug 2010 respectively?

(3) In any event, would I be correct in believing that I would not need to seek a re-entry permit for any trip made outside Thailand before 13 Aug 2009, but that I would for any such trip made after that date (notwithstanding my original "admitted until" date of 25 Oct 2009 as per (1) above)?

Yesterday (Sunday), Manchester City FC welcomed their owner back to the UK with a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa FC in their opening match of the new English Premier League season

0844 200 9898 is 0.5p per minute

But is there not also a flat-rate surcharge of 5p per call (not a small consideration given the unreliability of connections to Thailand, which means that calls made via UK access numbers frequently need to be redialled in my experience)?

Anyway, reverting to the main subject of this thread, have you chaps with ex-bargirl partners considered the possibility of marrying your sweethearts in Thailand? That would then presumably improve their chances of getting the necessary visas to join you in the UK.

Having said that, the process is far from straightforward. Firstly, you would need to obtain a 60-day tourist or 90-day long-stay Thai visa (unless you were prepared to rely on the 30-day exemption which will be automatically stamped into your passport on arrival in Thailand as augmented, if necessary, by a maximum of 2 border runs giving 90 days in total). Then you would need to obtain an affirmation confirming your freedom to marry from the British Embassy in Bangkok, which will then need to be translated into Thai for the benefit of the registrar at the amphur who will conduct the marriage ceremony.

There is a useful note on all this on the Thai Hull Consulate website at http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/ (which, unfortunately, seems to be down at the present time).

You would also probably need to stump up for a dowry payment to her family - although, if she is an ex-bargirl, the amount need not be relatively large. Your Thai friends (or maybe even your partner) should be able to advise you further on this point.

Is this a seasonal problem or are the Dengue carrying mosquitos prevalent all year round?

If there is a problem, I suspect that it would be seasonal - i.e. greater in the wet season rather than the dry season. Also, since mosquitos are, I gather, nocturnal beasts, the risk would be greater in the hours of darkness rather than during the daytime.

However, I wonder whether we (including myself hitherto) might have all been exaggerating the risks here. Sure it would not be nice to be bitten by a dengue-carrying mozzie or (as NotNew2You suggests) succumbing to pollution-induced cancer. But I notice that not a word has been said thusfar in this thread about the outrageous and scandalous carnage which is constantly taking place on the roads of Rayong, Thailand and, indeed, worldwide (UK and USA included). Surely the risks of meeting a fateful end at the hands of a crackpot driver are considerably greater than at the hands of a dengue-carrying mosquito or polluted waterway? On this basis, is not even the act of stepping out on to the street outside our front door (in Rayong or wherever) an act of considerable risk and foolhardiness?

Ko Samet is way overrated, overcrowded, and mosquitos are the worst I have ever seen. They thrived on all the spray and oil we put on.

Spacer - surely you are not suggesting that overrated and overcrowded chav tourist dumps such as Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui are in any way superior to Koh Samed, are you? I have to sat that I have never, so far as I am aware, had any major mozzie problems on any of my trips to Koh Samed. Sandflies, however, are another matter entirely....

"moo ban" is thai for "neighborhood" or "block".

Many thanks for the clarification, Choscura. It obviously doesn't relate to the prohibition of cattle then

Despite all of this, still no spraying or smoking has been done recently in the moo ban. How expensive are those smoking machines? Instead they build fake observation towers at the village entrance which must have cost half the price of a single floor 2 bedroom house.

OMG what village are we talking about here? Is it anywhere near Tumbon Chagkphong in Amphur Klaeng where I am intending to settle with my girlfriend from end-October? Would I be signing my death warrant were I to proceed with my plans? Where/what is the "moo ban"??

Many thanks for the clarification , Firefan

When attending hospital and wishing to claim for treatment under the Thaivisa Medical Programme, you are advised to take with you your Medical Card along with a copy of your passport or some other suitable form of ID. By Medical Card, do we mean some document issued by the insurers? Or some document issued by the Thai Government (if so, how do we farangs go about getting this)? I am assuming that my UK NHS card won't be any good!

Sorry if this sounds a dense question with a blindingly obvious answer to those of you in the know!