backsoon

Wow! Looks like lots of Brits in here.

I wonder what this guy thinks/says about Thais and Thailand on his way out?

You know,... about the wheeling, kneeling, nepotism, non-merit based promotions and general prostration of the nation?...

This makes one perv caught red handed and about 5,000 ladies with pants down! The proportion is about correct:D

bravo spoonman! this is exactly what the judge told me in return for my compensation claim for

1. endangering my life, knowingly and for extended perion

2. endangering my property, knowingly and for extended period

3. knowingly and ruthlessly disregarding existing thai laws about safety and fire protection

4. nullifying paid insurance policy by wilful misdeeds

the reasoning,- this is thailand... and nothing has happened

That 1% (and the other quoted rates) is on an "annual" basis...you don't get 1% more if only leaving the money deposited for 3 months...you would really only get approximately 0.25% more as 3 months is one-fourth of a year.

Standard interest rate smoke-and-mirrors used by all banks. Plus, be sure to read the fine print which will probably only be provided in Thai.

Correct only to a point. 1% or the wopping 2% p/a with correction for TIT reads 'per anus'

It is all our own fault, as usual.

Let's step back and examine the situation objectively. There are clearly two aspects. Since I have been divorced not 2, but 3 times, I surely have some experience.

Females perspective. In most cases seekers of 'true love, hand in hand forever, take care of me, love my family, good woman, very open minded, hates lies', etc.

Translated into real terms this often means 'give me presents, don't spend your money on other women, until you die or go back to...wherever, buy a house, give money to my extended family, don't tell lies to me, but listen to mine, I am virtuous with 2-3 children and no husband to point out, I am 35 with children older than 18, I have no children, but live with kids, etc.

Males perspective. In most cases seekers of 'true love convalescence after past life disasters, happy-go-lucky with the youngest sexiest girl in sight, love me as I am and never mind the 3 times age difference, etc.

International perspective. Thai women are no different from any other lot. Marriage has become a business exercise everywhere, as there is money to be made out of it.

Prostitution is a second oldest profession in man's history. It is also clean cut, down to earth and honest.

You know how much, how long and what for. 'Marriage prostitution' is more costly in many terms, but legally is supported, because, as said above, there is money to be made of it by legal pros.

Resume. Can we all (men and women) win, or at least not lose so badly?

Emotionally, - NO.

Financially, - YES. Think with your heads instead. Stop paying to equal partners for mutual services.

Think not only why you want her, but why she wants you. More questions at the start save a lot of hurt at the finish. And finish it will. Always:) .

What a backwards country we are living in. By the time they sort this out, Laos and Cambodia will be on 4G. Absolutely zero interest in the wellbeing of the public.

Welcome to Amazing Thailand!

Bureaucracy, greed, corruption and fear always stops progress.

I think we need a foreigner prime minister with full arm body guard to take Thailand out of the stone age.

Wrong, wrong and, again, wrong! Thailand is not a backwards country! It is just looking the other way...

Nobody can stop progress. It is just being channeled through the right pockets, oops!, channels.

This country never had a more charming man for a Prime minister. And a farang educated man...

Thais don't need 3G. The less communication, the better. TOT knows...

The rest is true,- Welcome to Amazing Thailand!!!

...Thai nuclear reactors (when built) will not produce nuclear waste...

All reactors produce nuclear waste.

Why is it that I feel that nuclear power plants in Thailand would be a disaster just waiting to happen.

They should go with Thorium reactors. The Chinese are building three to power the next generation of energy requirements in China. Completely safe (as in non-radioactive), impossible to use as a military weapon and perfect for power generation. Anything else is just a recipe for disaster and bound to cause friction with Burma, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Japan, USA...

Also do they really want to be making another massive target for power hungry elite to fight over? Isn't there enough division in Thailand already without having to protect the people from the potential of nuclear weapons and radioactive fallout? Can't you just see a certain person salivating over the possibility for manipulation and self promotion with this one?

The only way for thorium reactors to happen is if Thai people get a clue, get vocal and force the issue about not wanting radioactive weapons grade nuclear. Go safe, go green and use Thorium. It's truly the way of the future and will make Thailand a world leader in energy creation.

A Thorium reactor can be used to boil water and therefore run steam generators. There is enough Thorium in the world to last for thousands of years of energy production at a fraction of the cost and effort that uranium or other highly radioactive and dangerous elements require. It cannot "melt down" as if it gets too hot it expands and self cools. It is the perfect fuel to use for steam powered turbines heated by the heat from the Thorium nuclear reaction.

I'm not so sure about that. We were promised the same with the first nuclear power reactors in the 1950s. Cheap, clean, safe energy, too cheap to meter. Windscale, 5-mile island and Chernobyl etc quickly put paid to that. Additionally it turned out that a lot of the early reactors were actually being used to provide material for nukes, with energy production a secondary consideration. And when you take into account the cost of building, decommissioning and storing the waste, it's one of the most expensive forms of energy.

Also, thorium is radioactive and carcinogenic.

In the 1930s and 40s, thorium, in the form of thorotrast, was rather rashly used as a contrast medium for X-rays. However it was discontinued after it was found to accumulate in the body and cause cancer.

Oh Dear! I'm afraid I've wasted my humour on katana...

Not the Thai reactors, silly... There is nothing 'super' about your 'member' today. Try using another one...

The White Swallow

how about "Cocktails and Dreams". Love that movie.

Also you could provide short term accomodation on the beach for Russian couples in a hurry.

I wish all said above was withdrawn. Stop thaibashing...

Thai nuclear reactors (when built) will not produce nuclear waste.

Any type of N power plant needs huge amounts of water. BKK is constantly flooded, so it is a natural choice building site.

Silly remarks about ever-warm beads are out of order as disrespectful. Radioactive decay will provide the vibrantly coloured beads instead, with the traditional motto glowing in the dark.

Ms. SamritT is absolutely right. Thailand is not worse than N.Korea, Irak, Iran, Burma or Pakistan. Bringing in French was a 'geographic' or 'froydean' slip caused by hurt patriotic or other feelings.

Any references made above to inadequate safety/security/maintenance standards in Thailand are pure slender. Accidents in Thailand, if happen, are just this,- accidents, Will of God, unfortunate natural phenomena.

Blaming thai workers for lack of tradition of quality and irresponsibility is unfair. Try to do your work with your hands permanently locked in a wai.

Sorry, 'Time Out' for my prayers...

The construction and operation of nuclear power plants requires a safety culture with no room for negotiation.

Quality in absolutely everything is elementary and essential.

Only then can it be adequately, but never absolutely, safe.

A "questioning attitude" is the basis.

At all levels people are necessary saying ….

"No, I will not do that. It is not safe."

And the boss has to accept.

In a culture where questioning is discouraged, subservience is deeply ingrained, and responsibility is, let's say, a vague concept, developing nuclear power is irresponsible.

Bravo! I said this in almost the same terms...

I say, You say. Another 10,000 people say...

So what? The money is too big to pass by!

Due to commonly known factors, Thailand is constantly on the move to nowhere!

Like Moses in Sinai*. Because the country is going in circles**.

Going, going, going, gone...

*The reference to a walk in a place, that can be crossed in 2-3 weeks.

**The other proof of being the Leader of SE Asia, yet lagging and fast falling behind. Remember the proverbial "...the one one walking in front of me, is actually behind me..."? This can only happen in a circular path.:jap:

Hello, everyone.

A simple matter: want to buy a present. Category - leather goods. Quantity 3 pcs. Source E-bay. Not for business, not for resale. Tried <http://www.customs.go.th , no sensible concrete info. Seen examples of how all charges are calculated. Basically the cost to me will be tripled. Instead of $500 I will have to fork out about $1,500. Any tips, advice, comments? Thanks:D

isn't it amazing how normally the police could not find their own &lt;deleted&gt; with both hands, yet they seem to be finding unexploded bombs in places they would not normally even visit, the more sceptical amongst us can see these alleged explosives for exactly what they are, an excuse to continue with the pointless and oppressive state of emergency that is keeping other political parties down.

Amazing thailand

When the Reds were squashed (literally) I said that this was not the end.

I must point out that I am totally non-aligned politically. Thai politics is for thais.

Now, regarding these numerous bomb scares. They may be real. The benefit of doubt must apply.

On the other hand, if for any reason these scares are fabricated, they may prove to be counterproductive.

Crying 'woolf' may invite woolves attention. Nobody needs the South border problems move up North. Somebody just may be playing with fire.:jap:

It sounds very much like the ribbon cable that connects the base to the LCD is broken somewhere. It needs to be replaced by the sound of it ?

Agreed. Loose connection or fractured ribbon.

I have a different problem, also very annoying. When I switch on my laptop (Vaio) sometimes my screen is coming on about 20% shorter on one side. This distorts the picture. The worst part is that it is showing only sporadically. I have no idea what causes this. Frankly I am scared to take it to a repair shop. Have little faith in their skills. I suppose a good diagnostic test might show the problem. If it appears during the test.

Any ideas? Thanks:)

Chiang Mai Ram Hospital which is the best in Chiang Mai and the most expensive cost the wife 5,000 baht for the crazy dog shots as she calls them. Plus there was also a tetanus shot in that.

I had a dog bite. Got 5 shots, 5 trips to hospital (Public). Total cost 5,000b

Police - very sympathetic. A ride home and a visit to the owner. Advice to get shots.

Owner - It is not my dog. My wife saw you play with the dog. I will shoot the dog. Why did you come onto the property. I am a poor man, can not pay 5,000b. All five lies - standard.

Advice on this Forum - The thai fleas on a thai dog have more rights in

Thailand than me. And I agree.

My advice - your maid is thai. the dog is thai. NOT A CINCH! This is their internal affair.

A lease can be cancelled, bought or sold at any time. Whoever holds the title to the land will control it.

Suggest you get some very good legal advice before proceeding.

All put together sounds very depressing.

Thailand needs a sweeping change in the way it treats foreign expats.

Down with NO LAND ownership. Down with 1 year maximum Visas. Down with 90 days reporting. It will never come....

All the advice given here before me is good. I don't offer any.

Would like to ask you a few questions.

Known her for 6 months. Married to her for 6 weeks. Now she wants money and divorce.

Q1. Where and how did you meet?

Q2. How old are you? How old is she?

Q3. Apart from ex-husband, what has she got? Job? Profession? Kids? Car? House? Education?

Q4. Does she speak English? If yes, where (from whom) did she learn it?

Now, I do not know the answers to all these questions. But if you add them all, you just might find what you have been looking for in this Forum... an understanding.

Use your head for thinking, mate.

Glad somebody posted on e-books.

As I like reading, eventually will have to buy one.

The latest (I believe) would be Amazon's Kindle 3 or DX both working Internationally. Price range $189 - $359 USD.

Any alternatives? Please come in and share your knowledge. Thanks.

You know something ? When I read surveys , polls etc , on all manner of differing things , with all of the accompanying facts , statistics and wherewithall , assembled by a person or group of people for what ever reason , I do not neccessarily believe one half of it and quickly forget the other half .

Just look at what has been posted here for example , thoughts , feelings , condemnations and all manner of 'Other stuffs' , when in actuality there is nothing in the compilation to give any-one "Knots-in-thier-knickers " , you are responsible to a certain extent , for the choices you have made in your life , good , bad or indifferent . Success comes in what you make of and with your life , learn to be content , it is all you have to work with , hindsight is considered perfect , but will afford you absolutely nothing in what you are or have today .

Personaly I feel I have found my nirvana in simplicity itself , I do not need what was previously sought after or desired or considered a neccessity , I have found happiness in the day to day living of my life without fretting or concern with what ails the rest of the world . I have vested myself of all that does not provide , but rather taketh away , my small pension has transformed itself into a kings ransom , tomorrow is another day yet to be explored .

I'll subscribe to this. As to the Newsweek's ratings, the people who've done it wouldn't know sh-t if it hit them in the face.

I have lived for extended periods (over 2 months) in many countries. 28 in total. Thailand is no nirvana, but not a #58 either.

Needless to say it is the best compromise between what I want and like and what I can afford.

Hi, folks. Travelling on Aus passport in Europe is a breeze.

Complication I can see comes from TGF who I want to come with me. I am planning all up about 6 months, spread over UK, France, Spain, Italy, Chroatia, Chech Republic and Turkey.

We are not legally married.

She has a house in BKK.

She has a job for about last 10 years.

She has two teenage daughters.

Her 'salary' is small.

My question is twofold.

1. Will she need a visa for each of the countries, or just for the point of entry?

2. Since our plans are not rigid, which point of entry into Europe should I choose to get her an easy visa?

Thanks for your time.

You are a fuc_king jackass, sorry to say, Whites or Thai, are not the only people qualified to travel around

i would be suspicious of anybody who is not white or Thai

not to be racist, but this is Thailand

u said the word 'qualified' (and "jackass") not me

i'm American. i'm suspicious of everybody.

even YOU

and to Edgar - check my history.

I am also an American and am not suspicious of everybody. You sound like a frigging inbred moron in a backwoods bar and I hope that your response is not taken by other people reading this forum to be representative of American mentality.

Beauty! Two americans at loggerhead! Good show!

Please explain, what's 'American Mentality' ? Is it that empty space between the ears filled with latest news? Or is it 'My granny told me' cast in bronze?

Israeli backpackers are the worst...

I like to get out into the country side, and that often means staying in budget accommodation where nothing else is available... obnoxious, penny pinching, thieves...

Don't know if the general Israeli population to know if this is just limited to the packpacker age group...

I had some fun with an Israeli tank commander in Amsterdam a few years ago.....now if I'd said a British tank commander would have to post in another forum.....

These sweeping nationalistic generalisations are just ridiculous.....but groups of stag parties I have an aversion to......no probs with a hen hight though ladies...!

Could add a thing or two, but really scared of taking sides.

It is true that sweeping generalizations are not entirely true, because of individuals differences. But on the other hand a passport or formal 'nationality' does carry some semblance for groups. Even Immigration authorities of any nation seem to recognise this fact.

So, let us indulge in same. I do not claim that my observations are true, or without exceptions, but:

'Israeli backpackers' - this is new to me... I find all backpackers penny pinching and thieving, otherwise they would be more 'Ritzy'.

'Japanese' are just that,- japanese. Can't expect anything else in this group behavior. After all they are the unique nation in terms of national 'purity' (over 96% japanese are japanese). They may be considered as the anti-diversity ideal with conformity strain.

'Australians', different as they are, do have one thing in common,- relaxed, lay-back, goodnatured attitude

to each other and the rest of the world. Being the opposite to 'Japanese' in terms of multiculture. Pity they overdo this sometimes by being somewhat 'boorish'.

'Americans'. Ah, those Americans! The nation of extreems. Verry eloquent, when educated, alas, rarely so! In my humble opinion, allowing for individual differences, most Americans have two unbearable traits. They know exactly what is 'good' and 'bad' ( In most cases their 'right' and 'wrong' are off the mark). And they are so preoccupied with 'making a buck', they almost pray to it. No wonder they put their trust in God onto their dollar!

'French'. Personally, I like them. A better educated lot, compared to other tourist groups. More finesse, more sophystication. Unfortunately, unless you speak french, you find them very distant. As if they begrudge the rest of the world for not accepting their Napoleonic Code cum language. Love France!

'Russians' that we see as tourists are not a pretty sight. But remember, they are the 'nuove rich'. And as such they do not represent the nation. Not even the best of it.

I hope I didn't offend any group. These are my personal feelings, not to be taken without a big pinch of salt. Not to be applied to any individual. Life wouldn't be the same without you:) .

Even in searing heat, Paris is still one of the most civilised places on earth. Too bad so many French live there.....

Totally politically incorrect, totally true!

Let's try to be civil. Many opposite viewpoints eloquantly expressed. Nobody even tried to establish some criteria for their assessment of BKK, Thailand or any other places as a tourist destination.

Cost criterium - Even this 'simple' factor is full of duplicity. You can compare prices of 5* hotels in BKK vs Europe. Or the price of a 40bt lunch from a street vendor in BKK vs 'cheap' pizza-al-metro in Venice. Or try comparing the ill-famous tuk-tuk cost to a f_cking gondoliere on a Canale Grande...

However, if the price does not matter, give me Europe anytime. Even in high season... Which brings us to another criterium - sightseeing. Whatever you are after - architecture, art, museums, history, -

it must be Europe all the way. I mean Europe + i.e. including Eastern Europe, GB, Turkey, etc. Thailand simply does not stack up, especially BKK.

Next criterium, not to be missed,- sex tourism. Here the personal tastes must be intertwined with costs, local lax attitudes, etc. plus safety. There are many places where lust can leave a horny tourist without his head or other extremity, not speaking of his wallet or freedom. I can understand a tourist choice favouring Thailand vs Islamic States, Latinoes, or good old Europe. Cheap and relatively safe... However, for this category of tourists, BKK is not THE place. Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Isaan are all willing competitors.

Enough said for the day. I only wonder which criteria rated BKK as #1? Personally, I avoid it as a Bubonic Plague. It is a sad day, when I have to go there.

Uh, first floor please!

Plenty of jokes about Thais, Koreans, Chinese and obese Farang. Had a good laugh...

On a serious note, - we have a typical mis- (des-) information from the local media. These guys will report anything except reality.

The accident didn,t happen the way it was described. Impossible!

10 floors free fall and you would scrape the meat off the floor.

Power failure, cable snap, etc. - lift stops, not falls.

Overload, - lift does not start.

Anything else that did happen was no accident. It was an accident waiting to happen.

Reporter must have his/her head checked. Too many things out of joint.

Whose payroll are you on?

One doesn't have to be on anyone's payroll to know that illegal acts have repercussions.

We all know the law

Knowing the law is different than complying with the law.

it is the sense of the law that is being referred to here and freedom of the press is a universall goal intrinsic to all basic freedoms. Without doubt Thailand's press is less free than a few months ago

The Thai press is just as accountable under the LM laws as internet forums such as prachatai and TV are.

Whether one agrees with the LM laws or not, all are expected to comply with them and when an entity such as the prachatai forum fails that, that they are held accountable for that breach should not come as a surprise. Again, one's own personal feelings, including mine, about the appropriateness of LM laws isn't at issue. It's whether the the laws were broken or not and for that a court will determine if they were or not.

If the country wishes to change those laws, there are legal avenues to pursue that desire.

In other words, I'm not saying the law is right or wrong, but simply that that is the law of this country as it stands now and that if people choose to break that law in the interim, then there are repercussions for doing so, the same as any other law-breaking action.

Now some of you are not only splitting the hair, but splitting the logic. Laws or no laws, how can any opinion be wrong? Anybody can have an opinion on anything. Another matter is voicing an opinion. Obviously in Thailand this is not free. Ditto.:jap: