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backsoon
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Posts posted by backsoon
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Ships going around Somalia are encouraged to have a couple of snipers on deck at all times, to pick off the pirates in fast inflatables. On a big ship, it's easy to hit your target; from an inflatable at speed, bloody near impossible.
In the interest of setting things straight, merchant ships are not allowed to carry weapons to arm the crew. International laws and all that...
I have read through 3 pages of crappy condolences. The victims can have mine as well. I doubt this is going to change anything, anywhere, any time... WHY the merchant and recreation craft are not allowed to have defense hardware onboard? The customs can check and verify the weapons upon each landing. The piracy is a worldwide problem. The victims are not only rich. Captaincy is a respected and trusted profession. A machine gun and a couple of bazookas on board would make life more difficult for pirates. Nobody really cares about victims beyond helpless words of condolences. Protecting one's life is a basic human right. It is NATURAL.
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Dear friends. Does anybody know details of Condominiums Laws in Thailand, including the latest amendments of 2008? Do thais have the laws protecting the members of condo community against unscrupulous owners trying to use their property for short term rentals?
In the western countries you find a range of types of accomodation,- from hotels (on daily basis), to serviced apartments (weekly, monthly rates), to residential condominiums with no renting, or renting limited to minimum 12 months. To my dismay I have discovered that management of our residential condo
does not recognise the rights of some owners by allowing short term tourist visitors. As usual, these buggers will sell you anything for a commission.
Anybody with knowledge on this subject, please respond.
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YOU ARE NOW FREE TO MOVE ABOUT THE CABIN: Samantha Scafe is incensed that
when she flew from her home in Cairns, Qld., Australia, to Coolangatta,
airline Jetstar made her pay for two seats because she weighs 160kg
(353 lbs).
Scafe says the airline told her "not to worry about paying
for the second seat" when she reserved her flight, but when she arrived
at the airport, airline agents changed their minds and "advised me to
book and pay for a second seat for other people's comfort because of my
size."
She paid -- and only then did she notice that the two seats were
not together. (Cairns Post) ...So the "other people comforted" by the
double fare weren't her fellow passengers, but rather the airline's
stockholders.
Is it fair or not?
The airline is correct about other peoples comfort.
Who has spent a 12 hour flite with another passenger encroaching into your comfort zone... space?
I have, and the body odour was appallingin this case.
surely it is not fair to anybody. would airline accept 50% of the ticket price if she weighed 40kg?
do we have to weigh in like a piece of luggage? it is an outrage...ah, no i am not fat.
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Info obtained by torture is crap. People will say anything to stop the torture. Doesn't mean they are telling the truth. I am ashamed of my fellow Americans who rationalize torture. Happily, you lot are out of fashion.
Actually, good intelligence was garnered through interrogation that lead to foiling the attempted destruction of the Brooklyn Bridge. This has been well documented. Why do so many feel sorry for terrorists? I will never understand.
Don't know the case so can't comment.
This has nothing to do with loving terrorists. It has to do with not making MORE terrorists.
Abu Graib created countless terrorists. The idea is to make peace with the MAJORITY of the Muslim world who are not terrorists. Way less than one percent are terrorists. The only way to beat them is to make better friends with the moderate Muslim world based on mutual self interest. Most Muslims LIKE Obama. Torturing their Muslim brothers will ruin that potential.
And once again, I wonder... So many people here are concerned... Disgusted... Waving Human Rights Banners... Talking of Muslim Brothers... etc, etc, etc.
Truely, we live not in a perfect world. Let me just ask you, people, a few questions...
1. what exactly is a terrorist?
2. where do they come from?
3. how did THE FIRST terrorist come into existence?
4. are terrorists Muslims? Christians? Jews? Atheists?...
5. are terrorists Americans? Russians? Irish? Jewish? Palestinians? Germans? Italians?...
6. are CIA, FSB, MOSSAD, MI5, SAVAK, SDECE, SAS, SGP, CEF... terrorist organisations?
7. were GESTAPO, KGB, SANTA INQUISICION, PLO, FATAH,... terrorist organisations?
8. were ALEXANDER THE GREAT, NERO, CHINGIS KHAN, HITLER, LENIN, STALIN, IDI AMIN, POL POT, MAO, NKRUME, PAPA DOC,.... terrorists? politicians? generals? else?
My dear friends, if you do not know the correct answers to ANY of these, and many other questions ( I don't say, I do ), - your contributions here are of little value, and even less consequence.
For those who believe in God,- he obviously allows this to happen. " Inshallah", as they say... ( NO, I am not ).
For those who do not believe in God,- it is our own doing,- on both sides of the fence.
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LOVE IT! ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!
it really is nice, except for being too long. I mean the joke...
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I start to get the feeling that what ever business it is, when it comes to Thailand, its always a scam !!
Sounds like you start getting the real feel of Thailand... How long did it take you? :jerk:
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From February 15, 2009 all Thai Immigration offices has been strictly instructed that foreigners have to use the Immigration office that has administrative jurisdiction over the area where they live.
What's the definition of "where they live"?
How would this apply to someone just traveling around Thailand?
It's very simple, if in doubt - and you obviously are - don't travel!
If only enough of farangs (tourists, etc.) had the sense to vote with their feet, somebody would get the message. Unfortunately, those in power to make decisions, do not depend on the good outcomes.
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And they know it was a Burmese how? Would be so easy to blame them.
that's very easy to answer. thais would "never" do that. so it must have been the poor burmese who just happened to be working close by.
Sad, sad story. Sorry for the girl. Sorry for her parents, relatives and friends.
Maybe i am not normal, but my immediate thought was ' may some of us, expats, disquise as burmese?'...
Just think,- no problems with immigration, no waste of time on visas, no work permits... Sorry for all of us.
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The whole story is as farsical, as thai life itself. Any ladies (or men) participating had any complaints?
Any participants underage?
Any men (or ladies) where raped?
Is viagra illegal in Thailand?
The only thing the police can stick on them is watching porn.
Even this I'm not sure of... is it illegal here?
I know for a fact that doing it is quite legal...
So, what's the big deal?
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if thailand wants to get tourist, get the baht back to 42 to 1 usd
Can't ask what is out of their hands. Exchange rates will be adjusted by the market. What they really can do is make Thailand more farang friendly destination not only for tourists, but for many people living here already. Then maybe many more thousands will come. And bring much more in, than tourists. But this is too much to ask of any Thai Govt. Ofcourse, cheap airfares will be a good trick, if it comes...
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Tyke
I think you will find, as happened with me with TMB bank, that only the branch where you have the account will issue you with a letter.
100 % right
i had over a million baht in a 5 year old account at TMB in pattaya a few years ago and went to a tmb branch in chiang mai for a letter to confirm the balance ?
ohhhhhhh can NOT !
why ?
money not here !
how can i do ?
open account here .
bring million baht here
can do letter : )
30 minits later i had another TMB account , debit card and the letter
problem solved !
dont you just love Thailand : ) .... dave2
I suppose we all love Thailand, or would be somewhere else. But this does not mean we have to like and/or put up with thai style crap, especially concerning banks. All problems refered to here stem from the fact, that their any given bank operates along the franchise lines. There are no general rules or they don't adhere to them. EXAMPLES:
SCB ATM's charge 20 or 30 Bt, depending on how great are their needs?
ATM's of the same name bank charge for withdrawals in another city, or province.
Letters confirming acc balance may or may not be issued by another branch of the same name bank.
Hours of work are not uniform for same name bank depending on branch and/or province.
Sending money out of Thailand by TT or SWIFT is no probs or a no-no, depending on staff of the branch.
Borrowing money is not for farang (said to your face), but not with all the banks, or branches.
IN SHORT: Thai banks are not exactly what we expect from banks in the west. Expect the unexpected, whether you love it, or not... and you can continue with your love affair with the country.
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NO chance that the airport will open any time soon. Not enough to appease the PAD, I'm afraid. They want much more than this.
Who cares what they want? Who wants to appease PAD? Who cares of the disolution of current govt?
The damage to this country's reputation among the nations is done. Irrevocably. It will be felt, it will hurt, just wait and see. This is not a country where Law and order prevails. Thais will hurt, but they do not care... the rest of the world is just a bunch of FALANG ! (they can't even say it correctly) As to
hurting,- they are bloody well used to it...
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Thanks for everyones comments. After posting the thread yesterday I immediatly found the thread that Xangsamhua mentioned. I have read through most of the comments and I have a much clearer picture now. I am already booked to return on 30th. I will try to have the decision reversed and prove that I am an Australian citizen on extended holidays or whatever. I will also contact the local MP to see if he can help. If I have any luck I will inform.
Not an expert, but a man with lopsided experience. Being married will cut your pension payments. As to 2 years back to Aus.,-must be a lot of dust... if you are an oz citizen and lived for min 25 years in Aus, you qualify for age pension irrespectively...methinks. Check out www.centrelink.gov.au go to
[email protected] and fill out nessesary forms online. It is cheaper than flying nowdays. Good luck
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I've got a female acquaintance (friend of my sister's) who has heard enough of me talking about Bangkok and Phuket and has decided to move to the Land of Smiles for a year. Her work is done remotely, so a high speed internet connection is all she needs in that regard. She's not a "big city" person.....and didn't care much for Bangkok (I love Bangkok!!). She also doesn't want to live in Phuket or Pattaya.....as she would prefer something more quiet.
Her ideal place would be a beach town.....with at least one high quality grocery store, gym, and international caliber hospital / clinic. She would be living alone and doesn't want to live in a house. Rather, she would prefer a fully serviced, one bedroom apartment. She's from California and she says what she wants is a "high end apartment" that is also quiet....but near the beach.
I've done all I can for her.....but my experience is limited to Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.....and while she doesn't know where she DOES want to live....she knows she DOESN'T want to live in any of those three places.
As I read what I've written so far here.....lol!!!......it makes her sound like a "rich bitch". She's actually anything but that. Cool girl, indeed!
I also know that my question here is worded poorly and may very well attract all sorts of off topic or unhelpful replies. Maybe I can just ask for some mercy with it being Thanksgiving week....and ask that you do whatever you can to make helpful suggestions so I can put together some information for her.
So....question is.....which "beach cities" should she consider for a high end, fully serviced, quiet, safe for a single woman living alone....apartment?
CHEERS!
D
Hello. Having read your friends plea, [removed phone number, use pm funtion instead]
There she can discuss her needs with the office staff. She can mention my advice if she wants.
BUT: Minimum unit is 2 BR. It will be on the safe beach both in water and out. Her only concern could be that it is more quiet than she wanted. And she will be on a high floor, secure and soaking in the views that will last her for the rest of her life. Edward
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A lot was said on this issue. Many advices given. Most people are softly wrapped in their 'moral' cocoons. Consider her income, consider her family, consider that it is not her fault (someone gave her this unwanted gift), remember you are in asia (so you are supposed to have left your conscience back home).
Bugger this. And bugger UNAIDS. Inform the Interpol. Give them her name, history, condition, profession and intention to go West.
THEN, if they do not do anything to stop her from coming, you can rest. Otherwise, if she infects anybody, or many people, the onus is on you... Morally speaking. And if this is not enough, think, the medical check-ups are not 100% proof of some malady hitting you in a deferred mode. Not that I wish it to happen, don't get this the wrong way... Oh, and give them her client database as well.
My friend, think of this as a TIME BOMB sent in your country. It can hurt maybe your loved ones.
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Interesting ethics question. By coincidence it was a topic in a continuing ed packet I recently received.
Use common sense; unless someone's life is endangered, then you have no right to say anything. If you must speak out, then your concerns must be relayed to the office of the Chief Medical Officer in the district in Thailand where you reside and no one else. The CMO will handle the file in accordance with the medical and ethical protocols in place. Outside of advising a designated public health officer of your concerns, if this person suffers personal injury, you will be liable, even if what you say is true.
And now for info from UNAIDS
Advocating against overly-broad application of criminal law to HIV transmission 14 November 2008
In recent years, there has been an apparent increase in the number of people prosecuted for transmitting HIV, particularly in Europe and North America, with cases now numbering in the hundreds in the English-speaking world alone. There is also an increase in laws that criminalize HIV transmission and exposure to the virus, as reported in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Intentional transmission of HIV
The policy brief makes specific recommendations for governments, civil society and international partners, urging that criminalization be limited to cases of intentional transmission of HIV. While UNAIDS and UNDP acknowledge that use of the criminal law may be justified in these limited circumstances – i.e. where a person knows his or her HIV positive status, acts with the intention to transmit HIV, and does in fact transmit it – they are concerned that going beyond such cases risks applying criminal sanctions to people who are not actually blameworthy, further stigmatizes people living with HIV, and creates disincentives for mutual responsibility for sexual health and to finding out one's HIV.
No evidence that the use of criminal law reduces transmission of HIV
The main reasons advanced for applying criminal law are either punishment for someone who has caused harm or to deter risky behaviours that lead to HIV transmission.
However, there is no evidence that the use of criminal law is an effective measure for reducing transmission of HIV, and experts are concerned that criminalization is likely to have a negative impact on the overall response to HIV, including HIV prevention.
The article and references are more detailed, but I think this is the gist of it. For personal safety and to avoid civil penalties refer it to the CMO if you feel obliged to speak out.
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20 sleeping tourists robbed
AYUTTHAYA : Twenty foreign tourists were robbed in their sleep on a bus and awoke to find they had been left in the middle of nowhere in Bang Pa-in district early yesterday morning. Local police came to help the tourists from Europe and the US after four bus crew stole their belongings and abandoned the bus after parking it on the side of the Asian Highway about 6am.
The victims said they took the bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok on Sunday night with four male staff, including the driver. Exhausted by the trip, the tourists fell asleep during the night, unaware of the plot to steal their belongings. It was believed the driver stopped the bus by the roadside early in the morning and the crew stole valuables, laptop computers, cameras, hand-held game consoles, and cash from seven bags, totalling more than 150,000 baht, before fleeing. Police contacted a tour agency on Khao San road where the tourists bought their package deals. The agency did not manage the bus in question, but had outsourced to a bus company. The outsourced bus owner, Sirada Boonme, 26, said the bus belonged to her father's company. After hours of negotiations with the tourists, she agreed to pay compensation of half the amount that had been stolen in cash and the rest by bank transfer. She refused to give any details about the bus staff. Police suspected Sirada's father might be one of
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Thanks, Jingthing. Thanks, Midas. To help take guess out of estimates, I can't see why not lay the cards down. Pension about 1216AUD/mth. July rate = 38,000Bt/mth. Today's rate = 28,000Bt/mth.
Enough money to pay all car, accomodation and everyday expenses.
No complaints. No need to plan exit strategy. Just short term need of 450,000 - 500,000Bt towards
satisfying visa requirement. I believe in DO NOT PANIC motto. Therefore this question about a possible way out or around this situation.
Note: If you entered the room without exit, use the entry to get out.
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What is your nationality?
Auzzy
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Sell the car and buy a motorbike or move to cheaper accomodation.
You could get a loan but what happens if you cant repay it ? Even deeper in the mire.
Education visa 1-5 years.
Failing that its the visa/border runs.
Its all been said by others,really,I'm afraid.
Thanks, mates. You have been very helpful and supportive. Appreciate this... however, selling off assets is not a proposition without losing a lot of money. Besides, what next?- still need a car and a roof over my head. Never ridden a bike... if start now, i'll likely kill myself. I am ready to go anytime, but not this way...
This leaves two alternatives: borrow 500,000Bt, or get a letter from the Embassy. Anyone can shed more light on this possibility?
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Hello, my fellow-expats. Anybody knows what I can do? If so, please speak...
I am a retiree, on a "O" type year-by-year visa. Has been in Thailand for 2 years by now. Have bought my own accomodation, new car, etc. Now I am almost happy...,except the fact that I completely ran out of money. Meaning, nothing except pension, which allows for comfortable life... But short of 500,000Bt for immigration visa requirement ( 800,000 minus pension ). I know, it is my fault, but what can be done now? Really wouldn't like to spend my last years like a rabbit on a visa run.
Thailand Cutting Back On Plastic Bags
in Thailand News
Posted
Relax, guys-n-girls. It is a good initiative... At least they started TALKING about necessity to cut pollution. It's a long LONG way from here. But, as usual, a complex approach is needed.
1) BAN production, sale and import of non-bio-degradable bags. Say, in 6 months from now, to allow industry and retailers to adjust.
2) Decree for all points of sale to charge about 3 Bht for each bag. Money goes in favour of local environement protection organisation. This can be done effective immediately.
3) Encourage subsidised (cheap) sales of good quality, lasting, attractive biodegradable bags. Do not turn this into another superprofit quick buck making exersize.
4) Educate people. When the sign 'KEEP MY COUNTRY CLEAN' on millions of bags, paperbags, wrappers, etc. will reach the old and young thais, just like 'LONG LIVE THE KING' (which I admire and respect!), only than we will see the sizable, noticeable results.
GOOD LUCK TO US ALL....