aslimversgwm

15 hours ago, mikiea said:

no one ever accused you of having knowledge of any thing world wide before , we only  have your word on that ........

When I tour my estates in Scotland and Ireland I always acknowledge my labourers as they touch their forlocks but I absolutely forbid them to prostrate themselves. So demeaning I feel in this day and age.

6 hours ago, colinneil said:

Who ever did that deserves a big round of applause, well done.

Funniest thing i have seen in a while.

Detestable little Englander

14 hours ago, steven100 said:

travel ban for muslims entering these countries ....  

the less allowed in the less chance they can do attacks.

The attackers in the 2  previous attacks were both British citizens and I have little doubt these latest lunatics will also be found to be British citizens so I fail to see how the travel ban  you advocate would help in any way.

The answer is to root out the people indoctrinating Muslims turning them into insane fanatics. 

1 hour ago, DGS1244 said:

Something rather strange about this story. 15 years with no intermediate test, doesn't compute. Anyone who is positive and on treatment normally has a yearly re-test to determine if the medication needs to be changed or modified. If not yearly certainly more than once in 15 years.

Exactly what I was thinking. Yearly tests are practically mandatory if not more frequently firstly to see if the virus is being successfully contained and secondly to check for adverse side affects. 

Just now, TEFLKrabi said:

Living in their country there is surely an element of respect and acceptance of their culture. Why would you not wai someone? It's no different to shaking hands in our culture.

Exactly. well said sir

6 minutes ago, CLW said:

At my university they also have this kind of BS. Bullying, Inauguration, accepted violence, call it how you want it.
All under the blanket of introducing the new students. Well, nice introduction and makes them really welcome...

Once my (American) friend filmed one of these rituals (no violence but humiliation) they threatened him to impound his smartphone if he not delete the clip and further report him to dean of the university.
He said he won't share it public just keep for his own and that the uni grounds is a public place where everyone can take pictures.
He kept cool and refused to do anything.
Finally it was just hot air from the Thai youngsters...

Another example is the so called Wai Kruu or "paying respect to the teacher".
I usually avoid this ceremony but one time I was invited because I received a some certificate so I had to attend.
Wth, crawling on your knees and praying for the teacher. It doesn't have to do anything with respecting someone.
Never ever again I will go there.

If someone ask me to pay respect like this I shake his hands and say that is our way to pay respect to someone

this is Thailand - they wai they don't shake hands. This isn't you're home country and you are a guest here.

2 hours ago, HooHaa said:

im glad my kid is in the US studying. 

serious social issues here. 

I hope she's got a gun!

26 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

Snowden is absolutely correct in his analysis and I believe History will eventually paint him as one who brought out the truth that was being hidden from the public of a Nation State (the United States) that lost control of its intelligence apparatus and spied on not only every American but the rest of the World. The Us would tell us that we must 'trust' them to do the right thing.

-the Native Americans trusted the US Government by signing treaties that were ignored and ended up with the owners of America confined to reservations and a destruction of their culture.

-Japanese Americans trusted the government and accepted internment during World War II simply because they were of Japanese heritage. It took decades before compensation was given.

- I trusted the Government when I went into the US Army to serve in Vietnam when the Government indicated this was in America's national interest and later found out that the Government lied about the reason for the war. I can't even look at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC without utter disbelief and sadness of the events that led to their death.

 

The above are only a few of the instances in which Government wants Americans and others to keep their secrets when people like Daniel Berrigan or  Daniel Ellsberg (author of The Pentagon Papers); "Deep Throat' (leaker during Watergate) and yes Mr Snowden know the truth and  the fact  that the Government has abused their authority.

 

Now, those who control the power (Trump and his minions) are trying to  convince us that its all fake news; that the majority of the media are out to get him- yet he continues to stonewall investigations- completely distorts facts and often lies about policies that will affect millions of Americans.  

Had it not been for the investigative media and patriots like those mentioned above- we as Americans and other citizens of the World would have never heard about the abuses in America or the World such as the Holocaust; the massacre at My Lai; the abuses in Afghanistan and Iraq  of prisoners and the lynchings of black Americans during the days of civil rights.

Fake News- Nothing fake about the truth....

Well said sir. Spot on analysis.

Well done Taiwan - leading the way in Asia. Thailand next? Wouldn't that be rather wonderful?!

45 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

20 years after Hong Kong's Octopus card and still being talked about. Bangkok, dynamic Asian Tiger capital in name only.

 

The delaying factors are

the inefficient bureaucracy

the inefficient administration

the fact that each transport system has its own vested interests

none of these vested interests trusts the others

the vested interests wish to keep opaque the true revenue streams and who benefits from them within each transport system.

absolutely fair comment and the London Oyster card which functions on trains, trams, buses, boats and the underground is itself being superseded by 'touch and go' technology swiping your credit or debit card on the Oyster pad.

Any remote possibility BKK will enable this technology? A rhetorical question me thinks!

22 hours ago, rockingrobin said:

Here is the link again  https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/conditions-for-processing/

 

If we look at the example quoted it is clear that a company can pass on personal data to a third party so long as there is a legitimate aim, fair and lawfull

 

'

Example

A finance company is unable to locate a customer who has stopped making payments under a hire purchase agreement. The customer has moved house without notifying the finance company of his new address. The finance company engages a debt collection agency to find the customer and seek repayment of the debt. It discloses the customer’s personal data to the agency for this purpose. Although the customer has not consented to this disclosure, it is made for the purposes of the finance company’s legitimate interests – ie to recover the debt.

 

Your example perfectly illustrates my point: the customer is in breach of contract I.e. he has broken the law - in this case the law of contract and most certainly a clause in the HP agreement will say specifically that the finance company has the legal right to engage a debt collection agency in the case of default and that personal data may be shared for this express purpose.

My dictionary defines processing and sharing as having quite distinct meanings as does the Data Protection  act.

In any event this is now going fairly Off topic so I will drop out of this thread and leave it to others to decide if they will be covered by the NHS or entitled to other social benefits after a period of absence from the UK - no matter how long that might have been.

In my not so humble opinion there shouldn't normally be any difficulty as explained by others especially applicable to those of us of pensionable age who are British citizens.

Enjoy! 

2 minutes ago, sambum said:

I am SOOO  p@#$$d  off with people who don't read the post in full before spouting off! Read the last line:-  "Uber service is still illegal in Thailand."!!!

Wrong - Uber drivers can be legally licensed here in Chiang Mai

34 minutes ago, steveyinasia said:

I cannot understand why they have "Taxi Meter" sign on the roof, I have never seen them use the meter.  I get changed 450 baht for airport to San Sai which is only around 15km whereas the meter fare, if it even exists, would be half of that.  It is still a cheap trip, just hate getting ripped off.

Use Uber, as I did about 3 weeks ago. The driver nearest the airport was there in minutes and responded to say be outside Gate 6 a long way from the taxis at gate 1. Then get in the front seat so that you appear to be a friend. He found his way to Fa Ham Village using Google maps and GPS by the quickest route ever cutting thru Wong 41 as he had the required sticker. The taxis can't do this and more often than not can't find my village because they can't understand English or can't use GPS. Cost 224 baht. Taxi 350.

Uber works great in Chiang Mai and as another contributor said: use common sense and don't get in a Uber car near where the so-called metered taxis operate. Walk  away a little and get in the front seat and you and your driver are farely safe. Uber drivers can and do get properly licensed here and this is certainly the way forward. Even the Song Thaeaw drivers are considering installing similar software so that you can call one of them nearest you on your mobile phone!  'If you can't beat them join them' pragmatical approach far better than downright thuggery

2 hours ago, Anders W Ferslev said:

Opera browser have VPN in the search line ... try to download it and see, it s work great

Yep Opera Max works great on my Samsung J7 under Android os.

6 hours ago, rockingrobin said:

The Data Protction Act  consists of 8 principles and does not prohibit the sharing of information , (processing) , 

One of the conditions for processing is 

 

'  The processing is necessary for administering justice, or for exercising statutory, governmental, or other public functions '

https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/conditions-for-processing/

 

Processing data and the details in the link you include is not connected with sharing data. It is guidance for those wishing to hold and record personal data on individuals. I had to understand this when I worked as an IT consultant advising businesses on their legal obligations as regards the 'processing ' and storage of said data. Sharing data even within an organisation let alone with another organisation be it a business or a government department is not permitted except with the individual involved or if it is subject to a criminal investigation. 

4 minutes ago, jamie2009 said:

Entitlement to Free NHS Hospital Treatment

As entitlement to NHS hospital treatment is primarily based on UK residency, if you have been living outside the UK for more than 3 months in the last year, or 6 months if you are a pensioner living in another EEA member state, you may be charged for your healthcare unless:

• You can provide evidence that you have returned to the UK with right of abode to resume permanent residence;

• You can provide evidence you have been working abroad for less than 5 years and have lived in the UK legally for ten continuous years at some point;

• YoucanprovideevidenceyouworkinanotherEEA member state or Switzerland and pay compulsory (not voluntary) National Insurance in the UK;

• You can provide evidence you receive a UK war disablement pension or war widow’s pension;

• You can provide evidence you work for specific UK Government organisations abroad but were recruited in the UK, ie members of UK forces serving abroad, UK civil servants working abroad, or if you work for the British Council or Commonwealth Grave Commission abroad, or if your posting is financed by the UK Government in agreement with another government or public body;

• You can provide evidence you are a missionary overseas working for a UK based organisation.

UK State Pensioners

UK state pensioners who have lived in the UK for ten continuous years at some point in the past are entitled to ‘treatment the need for which arises during a visit to the UK’ free of charge.

Some UK state pensioners living part time in the EEA are fully

entitled to free hospital treatment during the period they live here. They must prove they live in the UK for at least six months each year and in another EEA member state for the remainder of the year and not be registered as resident in that other member state. 

Thanks Jamie - so as a UK pensioner and having live in the UK for at least 10 years in the past I'm covered by the NHS!

"UK State Pensioners

UK state pensioners who have lived in the UK for ten continuous years at some point in the past are entitled to ‘treatment the need for which arises during a visit to the UK’ free of charge"

10 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Perhaps in theory, but from personal experience that is not the case. They can and do share information and act upon it.

Interesting! Assuming you are/were a British Citizen and not a security threat at the time of your 'personal experience' it would appear there was a breach of the Data Protection Act and/or your rights under Common Law and the International Convention on Human Rights. Did you challenge this apparent illegality in any way - i.e. by seeking legal redress?

1 minute ago, CharlieH said:

Whats your point ?

My point is - as I noted be4 - data is sent to the Home Office and can not be shared with other government departments under the Data Protection Act - and it is collected only as a means of controlling, or attempting to control, people over-staying on their UK visas and keeping track of known terrorists or people of that ilk. It isn't being used to check on British Citizens who don't need visas or are security threats!

12 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

"Since 2004 the UK has moved to a more sophisticated approach to checks by starting to collect Advance Passenger Information (API) for both inbound and outbound air passengers. API includes the passenger’s full name, nationality, date of birth, gender and travel document number, type and country of issue."

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/exit-checks-on-passengers-leaving-the-uk/exit-checks-fact-sheet

an important part of this publication that amplifies why this process takes place, where the data goes and how it is protected:

"The passenger details contained in your travel document will be transmitted to the Home Office. This information will then be processed by our systems to improve migration controls and security.

All data will be processed in line with the Data Protection Act 1998, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the common law duty of confidentiality."

12 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

That's nonsense. There is no departure card when leaving the UK.

And passports are NOT checked when you leave the UK - only on entry. There is no way any government department knows via databases that you are out of the UK. There might be a link to airline's databases but I doubt it and certainly no link with the Thai systems or their authorities.

14 hours ago, jamie2009 said:

Departure Card ???

no such thing in the UK and passports are not checked when you leave the UK only checked on entry so no way does UK immigration know if you're out of the country - hence controversy on illegal immigrants for starters.

Are you suggesting Thailand immigration share their info with UK immigration?

I don't think so!

2 hours ago, CharlieH said:

DWP & HMRC (Border agency) are all linked together now and can access ALL information.

Are you sure? The UK Data Protection Act forbids the sharing of such info UNLESS there is criminal activity involved.

3 hours ago, Andaman Al said:

I think after reading this Trump will now see the value in his visit to the Vatican, he will be asking the Pope if he too can be a saint. Patron Saint of Swamps.

Wonderfully funny - thanks for that!

A friend tells me there's an organic, or at least a home produce market, further along the rural road no. 4307 that runs alongside the National Convention Centre, which itself is on the Canal Road.

Not sure which days - I think weekends but I am mtg him today so will check this out for you.