sstuff3

We live in bass-ackward times.

Plastic bags are deemed bad for carrying your shopping home and reusing them but it is perfectly OK, and expected, to have to purchase plastic bags to pick up dogs excrement preserving it in a plastic grave which will be buried in a landfill and remain entombed for years, which if left alone would return to the earth within a few days at most.

Further proof of the lack of sense any of this makes, is the fact that people get so bent out of shape when they see dog feces but aren't bothered in the slightest with the septic waste (human excrement) from every house in the city draining into the street drains, which often flood and spreads nasty bacteria and smells, and in some villages, like the one I reside in Bangkok, the garden team uses the water from the street drains to water the public area gardens and parks where the children play and the dogs are walked.

Many things in the world we now live in are laughable due to the lack of logic applied and misguided "outrage"... 😂🤦‍♂️

Waiting for the outrage to come regarding how vile bird poop is and what over-the-top "solutions" will be devised. 😂

It's often best to just sit back and just smile at all the absurdity instead of trying to make any sense of it all. 😊

File for a return from Amazon. Anyone who has dealt with NBTC previously would likely give you the same advice. 

"The Thai authorities remain vigilant, cracking down on such activities to protect consumer interests and uphold the law." 

Replace the word "consumer" with Tobacco Authority of Thailand, formerly known as Thailand Tobacco Monopoly (TTM) for a more accurate statement. 

Only 1 out of the 4 motorcyclists in the picture is wearing a helmet.  2 out of the 4 are wearing a mask. 

Picture perfect for the safety attitudes.????‍♂️

Turns out he is a Thai national. Don't expect the original story to be corrected in the media. 

Villa Market Bangkok has this. Perhaps they have it there too or can get it if you ask.

Plastic is used in nearly everything today. Vehicles, computers, cooking appliances, food packages, drinks, etc... the list is inexhaustible yet we are supposed to believe that banning plastic shopping bags is going to make the difference. The Facts don't add up!

Stop drinking the Koolaid!

On 12/14/2018 at 12:02 AM, ocddave said:

I carry my Passport, Thai Car/Motorcycle Drivers License's, and my Pink Card with me wherever I go, so not too worried. I am guessing I am more legal, especially on the road, or while travelling, then most Thai's, let alone other Farang's. I use a BellRoy Passport sleeve/wallet, it keeps everything together, and I wear Prana, or North Face convertible pants all the time, so everything is securely in a hard to steal from pocket.

Your post clearly explains and supports your user name ????

I am surprised that anyone thinks that Thai Immigration is going to yield to pressure from the United States government. The banks here already resent the onerous reporting requirements mandated by FATCA.  We are not making any friends over here with our meddling. I would advise caution and a friendly approach to solving this. Even subtle pressure will create a perceived "loss of face" that will only worsen the situation.

On 11/17/2018 at 7:31 AM, glegolo said:

you are talking about "american citizens"... have you as an american ever noticed that there are actually more countries in the world outside US borders??? It feels a bit tragic when we are having topics here on Thai-VISA and all of them are talking about expats in general, you are ONLY considering US citizen and dont get a """" about the rest.

 

glegolo

What a unnecessarily rude reply to a post that is titled "U.S. citizens: "Fact sheet" on income affidavits".

The post is obviously intended to provide specific information for "US citizens".  If it doesn't apply to you, then there is no need to comment.  

I see topics on here regularly which are specific to UK, German, Australian, etc. and don't recall ever seeing an American (or any other for that matter) respond in such a rude manner.  If you are looking for "General Advice" I suggest you not bother with threads that are titled with a specific country name.

To the Op: thank you for the advice.

13 minutes ago, IsaanFam said:

Why get angry about the "slow drivers". If you check the speed limit you will notice that they just following the law. If it makes you angry just buy a car with more power and you will never really notice anyone blocking your way.

Not true.  I was driving on the Route 9 Outer Ring Rd, speed limit 120 kph with the cruise control set to 118 at around midnight when I came upon a driver in the right lane going 60 kph. 

Not only a selfish act but incredibly dangerous for the other road users. 

4 hours ago, PGSan said:

 

That is Very Interesting!  You do not quote any timings, or how much of them is layover time.

 

How does your data compare with the quotes on this site:

 

http://m.prokerala.com/travel/flight-time/from-bangkok/to-new-york/

This was my flight schedule in July of last year.  BKK-Dubai-JFK

Depart Bangkok on EK375 at 0955

Arrive Dubai at 1300

Flight time = 6 hours, 5 minutes

Connection time = 2 hours

Depart Dubai on EK207 at 1500

Arrive JFK, NYC at 2045

Flight time = 13 hours 45 minutes

Total travel time BKK - JFK, NYC = 21 hours 50 minutes

"The two from the States are flying out from Portland Oregon and most likely JFK."
 
Just curious, why JFK.  Looks like the long way around.
 
Mac

The weight or size of a safe is not important.  The security rating of the safe (and proper installation) is what matters. 

If security is important to you, choose a safe with a minimal security rating of UL.  EN-rated or VdS rated security safes are the strongest available.

Furthermore, do not confuse a fire rated safe with a security safe. They are not the same. Most safes made in Thailand are fire safes (at best) and provide minimal security protection. 

https://asiacashms.com/safes/

I would call it out of date. There was a proposal or intention to make it available for those here on long stay visas or extension of stay but that has not happened yet.

This video was shown on my flight just before arriving tonight. According to the video, foreigners can now use the E-Channel to pass Immigration at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Has anyone used this method yet? I plan to try it on my next arrival. I didn't try it tonight because I wasn't sure I heard the video correctly which is why I searched for it on YouTube to watch again.

Seems like good news for a change.

Can anyone help me determine what kind of snake this is?  I have found 3 in my house within a week.  They are all just a few inches long.
I thought Python but I can't find any pythons with this diamond pattern on it's back.
I have small children and a dog.  I'd like to know how many there may be, how to get rid of them and if they are dangerous.    I'd also like to know where mom is.  (The snake's mom, not my mom).
 
Thank you
 
 

As an awareness they should post the new rules on every Thai embassy website, tourist websites so no one can say they didnt know. Post them clearly in many languages at all points of inward immigration for the non technocrats.

I had to sign an "acknowledgment form" at Bangkok Immigration earlier this month when I applied for my latest extension of stay. The form states the new rules and penalties clearly.

I had to do that yesterday but the form was all in Thai as if a Thai need to fill out that form

The one I had to sign was in both Thai and English (see attached). Also had to sign an "Acknowledgement of Terms and Condition of Extension".

Thai Immigration_Acknowledgement of term and conditions_2016.pdf

Thai Immigration_Acknowledgement of Penalties for Overstay_2016.pdf

As an awareness they should post the new rules on every Thai embassy website, tourist websites so no one can say they didnt know. Post them clearly in many languages at all points of inward immigration for the non technocrats.

I had to sign an "acknowledgment form" at Bangkok Immigration earlier this month when I applied for my latest extension of stay. The form states the new rules and penalties clearly.

Is a work permit required to change a light bulb in condo common areas, if I am a co-owner in the condo building? Technically, a co-owner does own part of common areas. There would be no payment or consideration for services rendered.

Basically the condo management, hasn't fixed lights in the condo common areas for months, after repeated requests from numerous co-owners. Condo maintenance funds are limited and there are more important issues and items than fixing lights.

I have used the same pictures every year for the last 3 years only changed when I moved .

Every office is different. It is not helpful to state your experience at one office.

Yes, every office is different, every officer is different, sometimes it maybe even depends on sympathie/antipathie. If they want new photos they want them. Last week i went for three extensions to the N.Pathom IO, done in 15 minutes. They didn't care about the photos, as there is no real need for them anymore since they take pictures at the IO and they can compare them on the screen with the ones from last year.

I don't think you arewriting about the same photos mentioned in the OP or my post. Not sure how immigration would be able to do the photos in and around the house at an immigration office.

No need for the photo's to be in and around the house, this is something that the individual Immigration office's may ask, but not at Chiang Mai Immigration. Was there today and they are happy to accept any photo taken at any location as long as it is you and your spouse.

VBR

Ron

Bangkok Div 1 IO specified 4 pictures of us both, one in front of the house showing the house number, one showing us in front of the house with a full view of the house, one in the living room, and one in front of the stairs showing the stairs going up to the second floor. She will get six pictures tomorrow. Whatever it takes....

Just went today and was told the same thing. The IO got upset when I politely mentioned that there is no requirement for this listed on their website. She said if I bring the pictures tomorrow I won't have to join the queue unless i ask about the website again then I'll have to join the queue and start over again. I asked in a very calm and polite manner but I guess even that is frowned upon. Best to keep your mouth shut and jump through whatever hoops they present.

Hello,

I have searched little bit about safes and what I found so far is, that many told not to buy an electronic safe, because this can be opened very easy.

I have to agree with the cheap safes which are similar or same to hotel safes.

But I would like to have some informations about a little bit better electronic safes like:

• Power Champ D35

Because if you have a Key, I can understand the reason that a thief will try to find they key in the condo and therefore probably will destroy a lot of things. And you also have to take care a key all the time... Where to hide and if you go out... You will bring the key with you all the time... danger that you lose the important key.....

I think (my personal opinion) is that a electronic safe is therefore more safe, because I can't lose the key.

The example of safe i gave is about the biggest I am willing to buy. There are as well safes for a few bucks. But this one can be opened much easier i guess and are in the category of hotel safes.

The issue is not whether the safe has an electronic lock. The issue is, "what kind of lock is it"?

If the electronic lock is a solenoid then you should avoid it as they can be easily "bumped" open as shown in many videos on the Internet. You should choose a lock that carries an EN-1300 rating and uses a motor locking device which cannot be "bumped open".

As far as safes go, I would recommend only buying one with a security rating that meets your requirements. The international security rating standards are UL and CEN, with CEN gaining popularity due to ever changing standards to respond to the ever changing tools available. UL hasn't updated their standards in more than 10 years. Rated safes are available in many sizes and strengths. Obviously the larger the safe and the higher the rating the price will be reflected as well. Another thing to note: a fire rated safe may not be rated for security or vice versa. There are safes available that are rated for both security and fire but of course the cost is higher.

There are a few safe dealers in Thailand who carry these types of rated safes. If you need a list, send me a private message and I'll provide the list.

I don't agree that countries should be allowed to carry out penalties that are just plain wrong, without criticism.. Who agrees with the public beheading of women in Saudi ? Yes Indonesia has expressed their right to carry out the sentence, which some posters agree with. But I look at it and say that they have already been punished for 10 years in a terrible environment, but still in that environment, as a lot of people believe, they have reformed. They were only very young when they performed this crime.

Additionally if the execution is stopped it is not that they go free, they will still spend the rest of their days in an Indonesian jail.

The only reason they were forced to spend "10 years in a terrible environment", is because "due process" WAS followed and after several appeals and requests for clemency, the convictions and sentences were upheld. It seems to be that it's time to bring it to an end and carry out the sentences in accordance with the laws of Indonesia.