losworld

The problem is solved thanks. To those of you that offered advice, I am grateful. Stiggy I pretty much went down your line and offered an interim amount to keep him and the labourers happy. Everything sorted, and Texpat you are correct, the hysterics by the women were not helping. They calmed down in the end. Thanks to you all.

To those who commented about my family. They were being a bunch of over sensitive types, thats all, and there is nothing on earth that would pursuade me to 'run a mile' or indeed swop any of them or my life with them at any cost. Time Traveller, the builder is not a complete stranger, that would have made things very simple. He has known the family for many years and holds them in incredibly high regard. They are pillars of the community, so if nobody can understand their dilema then I guess, you don't know too much about the true nature of Thai people. They are all salt of the earth. Three nights ago I was called downstairs to find 4 of them with their entire months salary each and all their jewellery in front of them, because they wanted to help me. With a lump in my throat the size of a durian and completely humbled I said no thanks, it will all be fine soon. So Losworld, I am not keeping up with the Joneses nor are we trying to out do the neighbours. The last 12 months have been the 'annus horiblis' thats all, and if you have never had one then when it does come in whatever form you will find that no amount of legislating for problems will avoid it when a whole series of issues occur together.

To those of you that were full of critisim and flames, I said at the start I was asking for advice. Am out here, alone in terms of being a farang and took the opportunity to ask the advice of many people on a popular internet forum that is anonymous. I asked that if you had nothing constructive to offer then bypass the thread and don't comment, I neither asked for nor wanted the hasle. Teranova, I was asking peoples advice, not asking for their money. I do not care one iota that you wouldn't build a house in the UK so therefore neither would you here. I guess you are well insured medically, which is good, because your soap box is very high, and one day you will fall off it and those around you may well be inclined to not break your fall.

Once again to those that helped thanks, and for the supportive pm's. Some of you are very good chaps indeed. I will send an invite out to you for the first BBQ and Beers.

Glad it worked out for you. I am impressed by the months salary and jewelry on the table but still at a loss to understand the concern over what others will think. Obviously you concerned yourself with getting the house built and I must commend you for your honesty and courage in spelling out your troubles on a public forum. Kudos and good luck.

Good film... haven't seen it in a few years. LA is more like the show depicts today than when it was made. Time to get out!

I doubt it is due to the Thai power grid. It may just be a bit warmer in the room where you are working or you may be running it more hours. I'd do a few things to try and cool it down before getting the fan.

1) check to ensure that you are not running a lot of background programs or that you have a virus that is causing your processor to needlessly run

2) look online for free software to control your fan on your computer - I recall I had this installed on my windows based system and it helped

3) if you are ambitious you could take your laptop apart and apply thermal greased to the processor than reinsert it. Many laptop manufacturers did not do this properly.

I currently have a mac and it seems to run a fair amount cooler than my windows system but I think what also helps quite a bit is that I have a plastic hard case around the computer that provides a space between my lap and the computer itself. I know when I had the windows I did not have this and the dam thing would burn my legs and cook my family jewels.

I'm male, but I'm going to give this a go. Whether 10 or 25, if my dad had done this to my mum I'd have kicked him in the nads. Maybe it's a midlife crisis, maybe you've grown apart, but in a kid's eyes, the mother is no.1 and doesn't deserve this. From a selfish perspective, I hope you haven't discussed this situation with the children if only to spare them the heartbreak and pain. Wait until you have discussed this with your solicitor and maybe a close friend that can give a sober opinion. As soon as the kids find out, it's going to be stomach wrenching.

When the news breaks, it's going to be you that has to pick up the pieces. No matter what dad says, the kids will still instinctively go to the mother's side, but if you don't handle this calmly or rationally, everyone suffers. Maybe I'm biased, but if I look at my friends that had parents go through marital disruptions, there was alot of stress, anger and damage. I'm not blaming anyone, just that if you're a kid you resent having the family torn apart by these things. It happens to other families, not one's own. So whatever you do, prepare for dealing with the impact on your family since you will be the one that has to hold everything together. Sometimes, marriages reach the end of their shelf life, but there is no need for you to lower yourself to dishonest means or nastiness. You want to emerge from this with your dignity intact and your kids as secure as possible. Even when they age, kids want their mother to be safe and ok, even if it's not evident.

And no I'm not a mama's boy. I just remember what it was to be a kid. Adults forget about the fears they used to have far too quickly.

I know this aint much, but I wish you all the best.

good points

Walk in rates will be higher than the internet rates.

So check the hotel bookingsites for a good deal.

www.wotif.com

www.latestays.com

www.agoda.com

Hate to say it but if I had a wife and family that concerned over face I would leave the house and run for the hills. This is only stage one. Stage two, three, four, five, etc. will all involve countless expenditures to keep up with the neighbours.

Sorry to hear about any failing business. Why go all the way to Thailand to play "keep up with the Jones?"

Very interesting topic. On my various excursions to Thailand I have seen more odd farangs than Thais and particularly in the Pattaya area.

However, I'd have to say the oddest thing I'd seen was in Chiang Mai. 2 a.m. in the morning and an elderly, overweight Caucasian woman on a wildly decorated Harley adorned in neon lights with a small dog on the handlebars cruising up and down bar the lined strip. Who is this woman?

Is this her in the vid.....are you sure it's not HIM!

You know I think that might be the old gal after all. She's been spotted by others here but may not be recognizable to them with her clothes on.

How about a pig roast? Anyone up for a little Thakbacon?

They really should change the name of the country to something like "Graftland" then nab him at the airport.

What did you say?

She comes on her own to Finland, wowie. Never seen that before from a Thai.

Wonder if she accidentally got on the wrong plane.

It's too bad there is not a Carl's Jr. in Bangkok. They make a burger they call the 6 Dollar Burger and you'd be hard pressed to beat it for taste and price at 4 dollars as it is a big burger. There's a number of choices from Quac to Bacon to Bourbon. Interestingly, they make the burgers on a grill and not fried. I've eaten a lot of burgers and I personally believe grilled is much better. I can't think of anyplace I've had a better hamburger. If a whopper rates 5 this burger would rate 9 or 10.

A 9/10 for a Carl's, Jr./Hardee's $6 burger? You must be joking. As for better burgers, fast food joints Tommy's, In 'n Out and Fatburger all beat Carl's. Also, McD's is introducing an angus burgerto compete with Carl's and BK. Then there are the tens of thousands of hamburger stands and full-service restaurants that easily beat out Carl's as well. On the other hand, I do like Carl's, Jr.'s model burger-eatings ads.

Totally disagree. I've had Rotten Ronnie's Angus, Tommy's, In N' Out and Ratburger and the Carl's Jr. regular or mushroom 6 dollar burger beats it hands down. I'm not sure Hardee's is the same as Carl's as I have not eaten there in some time. When was the last time you had a 6 dollar burger?

However, come to think of it I had a burger at The Office in Brentwood once that would have to rate as one of the best. But for Bangkok Carl's could hold its own I believe.

Once again the rates are high compared to Bkok taxis but I cannot believe how cheap the fare is in Bkok. I really have a hard time comprehending how anyone makes any money at the fares they charge. I always try to leave a tip partly for this reason.

I'm curious why they tend to use the vehicles they use in Patong and not just buy a small Nissan car. Most of the tuk tuks appear to have two to four people and they could travel in air cond comfort. It is possible the tuk tuks cost more than one thinks as they are Japanese imports. They would more easily justify their rates in an air con car.

For instance in Puerto Vallarta all taxis are small four door Nissans. However, the rates are not cheaper than Patong.

Also why are the unions always referred to as "mafia"? Is it not possible they are just unions?

Just reading this thread gave me a warm glow inside.

A couple of years ago I took off with a friend who had never ventured forth from BKK and Pattaya for a tour up country. On the second day I halted in a little village at a cafe of sorts for lunch and a couple of cold ones. The local ragamuffins looked at us in awe and it took a little time to find one brave enough to hold my hand and walk down the village store. All the other kids followed, their confidence growing with each step. I lashed out about a hundred baht or so buying them sweets, cakes and fizzy drinks for all of them. The smiles of approval from their mothers was reward enough. My friends asked why I had done such a thing. "Because I can,' I replied. "I often do it." The following day he did likewise.

On leaving the cafe I queried the check bin. It seemed that the owner had not charged us for food. In his broken English he said that I was a good man and food was free. We were waved off by the locals, all of them smiling. It would be unthinkable to do such a thing in the UK - unless you wanted to attract the attention of the men in white coats.

Very nice story. I've always found it comforting to see a people make reference to "have good heart". It is something rarely if ever emphasized in our western culture. Sure not all Thais live up to it but at least they acknowledge it as a virtue. In the U.S you will more readily hear "have big house".

Just sharing this. As far as observations are concerned in some threads in here, there's a little bit of similarities. Some differences in the time frame though.

very short lived marriage

by izzix on June 21, 2009, 9:55 pm

from stickman this week

http://www.stickmanweekly.com/StickmanB ... ishBar.htm

Another only in Thailand story this week, the events of which happened to a Danish victim. He met a girl in a beer bar, fell in love with her and married her. They had a big party and there was the usual transfer of wealth - ring, gold and cash from him to her and her family. They took their honeymoon in Phuket. She received a phone call in the hotel room and spoke in Thai. It was obvious to him that something was up. He went into the shower and when he came out she was gone. He searched for her and couldn't find her. He has not seen her since! Unfortunately for some of these women, marriage means a big party with a farang guy with lots of money coming their way. Soon after the party they revert back to their own ways and feel that they can do whatever they want!

Most farangs are not lucky like the one above.

Usually bar girls leave only after they got a house a business and a car in their name, not just the sinsot money.

Well at least you can say they were happy while married and never had an argument.

ROFLMAO... are you sure that wasn't the legislature?

Very interesting topic. On my various excursions to Thailand I have seen more odd farangs than Thais and particularly in the Pattaya area.

However, I'd have to say the oddest thing I'd seen was in Chiang Mai. 2 a.m. in the morning and an elderly, overweight Caucasian woman on a wildly decorated Harley adorned in neon lights with a small dog on the handlebars cruising up and down bar the lined strip. Who is this woman?

There is a Thai man who rides around on a motor cycle combination at night going round all the beer bars selling cooked insects to the girls.

His combination is festooned with flowers, decorations, medallions and he plays loud Thai music on his rounds. He dresses in a cowboy outfit and should you see him you are unlikely to forget him.

Long ago around 3 in the afternoon I was in the Meeting Place in Nong Khai filling out the paperwork to make a visa run into Laos the next day. In strolls this Ozzie who had just finished walking along the river from Chang Khan to Nong Khai. Told how he had slept and eaten in Wats along the way because they were free. Said he was 50 something and had been in country about 3 months staying mostly in Wats. I bought him a beer while we waited for the bar owner to come back from the shops and he asked me many questions including how much my wife cost. When I allowed how she wasn't for sale he started asking about costs of other stuff. When the owner came back he said he really wanted to stay in a room with pillows and sheets on the bed, maybe a warm shower and some of the finer things in life, but sadly, even though the owner discounted a room from 100B to 50 the guy said it was too expensive and boogied. I would have probably paid for the room but I was so surprised he was gone before I could gather my senses.

Early the next morning I stopped by an ATM on my way to the bridge and there he was sleeping on the walk by the bank. I put a couple hundred baht in his shirt pocket and I went on my way without him waking. Ofter wondered what became of him. I don't consider it a very bright thing to do but sure takes brass nuts to go on such a venture.

Very good thing to do.

so who put up all the half naked black men advertisements and why do thai women always stare at them?

and lets not make this a debate about black vs white, as i think most white men will admit that most women prefer black men as lovers.

once you go black, you dont go back.

Yeah your wife surely doesn't ever want you back... lol

Mike:

Sorry to hear you've decided to skip the child support and bail out of America. Good luck to you and your family.

It's too bad there is not a Carl's Jr. in Bangkok. They make a burger they call the 6 Dollar Burger and you'd be hard pressed to beat it for taste and price at 4 dollars as it is a big burger. There's a number of choices from Quac to Bacon to Bourbon. Interestingly, they make the burgers on a grill and not fried. I've eaten a lot of burgers and I personally believe grilled is much better. I can't think of anyplace I've had a better hamburger. If a whopper rates 5 this burger would rate 9 or 10.

Interesting thread. Funny that we have not had any "Thailand is great and if you don't like it, you can go home" type responses.

Anyway, I would not be bothered in the least if the police asked me for this information. As for standing on principle and tell ing them to <deleted> off, did anyone notice the recent Tak Bai court ruling? In the same vein, I doubt that the authorities would be very impressed with a foreign citizen quoting them their legal rights. But hey, I'm usually wrong so give it a try and let us knows how it goes

In six years I have been asked to show ID one time at a road block during New Years. No problems or a shake down for tea money, just a few laughs and I am on my way.

I do enjoy Thailand but I look in the mirror each day and I see the farang looking back at me. I am here at the pleasure of the Thai government and its people and that privledge can be revoked in a heart beat. No worries, I never bought anything here more expensive than my little Honda CZi Mini Beast so I can be outa here in a few hours with no regrets. I understand that some folks have put down more permanent roots and I can appreciate their anxiety, but our purchases here are voluntary. You pays your money and you takes your chances.

Now on the positive side, I seriously doubt that there is any official effort being made to gather data for the purposes of exploiting, abusing ordeporting foreigners. Yes, Immigration already has a lot of information on us but I doubt that there is much sharing of date between Thai government agencies. Its the same in the USA, most agencies jealously guard their turf and I doubt its any different here.

My hunch is that the Chiang Mai police kicked this around during a staff meeting (or the Top Dog decreed it himself) and decided that it was a good idea -or would appear as one- to be proactive and seen to be doing something to control crime. Time will tell and until then... Cheers and beers

Lance

Good attitude. Some excellent points.

I would not let them in the house or answer any questions. You cannot be sure what this is about. Here in the south, where I live, the police are running a scam on foreigners, going to foreigners houses and demanding to enter for "inspection." once inside they find all sorts of "violations" or "concerns" that require payment of money to resolve. This actually happened to me. I toldthe policeman he could not enter without a court order and he began to sream at me that I was a Farang, he is police, this is Thailand. I calmly told him I am Kon Farang, not farang, this is not Thailand it is my house, and if he is police he should be polite. Then he really went beserk. But he did not get in my house.

The police check points are also another concern for farangs; the police here are very active in extorting money from farang drivers at the checkpoints. Apparantly the breathalizer machines they use do not register lower than .05 under any circumstances. But, no worry, 20,000 or 40,000 baht can "fix." the problem. Up to 100,000 baht if you really are drunk. And they actaully let the drunk drive away.

Basically, there is no such thing as police in this country. Dont let them know anything about you if possible.

Now, it is true that crime is getting bad and is going to get worse. But I think the stories of everyone is going to be roudned up and deported back to Australia, or wherever, are exagerated.

The best means to protect your self here is

1 Learn to speak Thai very well.

2 Carefully choose where you live.

3 Treat everyone politely and watch your speech.

4 Dont back down from police but retmain polite if you are in the right.

5 Dont work in the bar or entertainment business; dont take business away from local Thais

6 Never react to a provication.

Great points. This sounds more like an excuse to search for visa violations or questionable sources of income. What happens if one lets them in, takes the form and never returns it? Do you think they'd actually follow up? Did the mention a penalty for not returning the form? I believe in compliance but this sounds quite odd. Why not also go to each Thai home and document who is living there to track possible victims or criminals? Once again the Burmese have been brought into the equation. Interesting.

What if there are no hands to fingerprint when they find the body? They collected information on every part of the people so that if any part is found, they can identify who it is. You know Thais like to cut people up.

DNA, dental records, fingerprints, missing persons reports.