KhunVee

Oooh bitchy.... But seriously, I think homosexuals will have a far greater risk of HIV, but if every donation is tested for positivity then why would there be an issue?

Well, you think wrong!!! You're stuck in the eighties.

Why not read a book and educate/update yourself.

I noticed the cng model is roughly 60,000 baht more over the non cng model honda city.

Cant seem to figure out the math but roughly how many km must I travel to break even.

Yes, I would like to know also what the approximate km's to travel to break even. I've tried myself to figure it out,but come to a road block.

60,000 baht seems pretty high cost to recoup unless you travel up and around country alot.

I've seen many LPG stations around town, I guess CNG hasn't caught on yet???

I won't bother you with the formula but it's safe to say you break even around 25-30.000 Kilometers in a year.

(Calculation on 7 yr lifespan from brand new car, Benzine/Gasohol prices and not Diesel, give or take a few K depending model, size, driving style and so on,...)

So if you drive considerably more, it's worth the investment.

If you drive less. It's not.

Edit: Correction calculation typo error. My bad!

Most of them don't even buy your car but will accept consignment only.

(Or, when they feel you are desperate they will offer peanuts....)

Consignment: Leave the car and a copy of the book,... You tell them how much you want for it and they will sell at the highest price possible and keep the profit.

At the moment a buyer shows and start bargaining they will call you and ask for an additional discount blablabla (so they can keep their original profit margin) and squeezing you more.

Ohh yes,.... they will clean the car and steam the engine,.... maybe even throw some quick paint job here and there..... and charge you for it.

Stay away from them as they are only used by people who are desperate for money.

Try to find a good busy location and drop the car there with your phone number on the roof and use the many classifieds websites.

Worked for me much better than those "tents"

No.

Took the dogs for a walk at Huey Thung Tae Lake yesterday and there we're also many trees broken and even a few old ones that got completely toppled with roots and all. Also a few of those bamboo huts and at one place the entire W.C.-building blown away.

Must have been a high concentrated storm cell that moved from there towards Mae-Rim and further to Maejo as we live close to the lake and have only experienced some rain on Sat evening

Hookahs no. But I do know some Thai ladies that are very heavy smokers. PM me for details. .

In all seriousness, would Thai smoking laws allow something like that?

The Hookahs or Shisja's whe're banned from the Chiang Mai clubbing scene a few years ago by some previous governor or police general,....

Never seen them again since (in Chiang Mai)

If they're back I also would like to know. Only the real thing and not the fake ones they use in Mandalay club.

If you don't mind frozen in bags,... then Makro has a good variety for OK prices but the quality is medium and just good enough for blending or sauce making.

Fresh fruit/vegetables that are not native to Thailand but grown in Thailand are in general of mediocre quality.

The Imported ones are overpriced (specially by those over-valued shops like Rimping or Tops) come on,.... 220,- THB for 16 Brussels Sprouts???? That's 2.200 THB per kilo,.... I can buy 8 Year old Parmegiano cheese for less.

Posters are getting a bit out of fashion I guess, never saw them here (or at least not yet)

So why don't you do what I did and have your own posters made.

I took a few of my fav pictures to the print-shop and had them printed on canvas.

Glued it to the wall with latex (ask landlord/lady first if your rent LOL) and looked like a million dollar design.

I am with SamSipEt. Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School's K. Sompon has got a lovely property outside of town where he does 'Master Classes' for experienced kitchen people - all the way up to professional level. He lived in the UK for several years and gets it. He's even been a on a popular UK tv series about Thai food. I peeked in on one of his classes once and the couple doing it were very happy. In fact they'd been before like maybe 5 yrs before. And even planned on returning again as they considered hanging out with him at his house/villa and cooking and eating as a special part of their vacation getaways. He says this is pretty common that people come back and repeat or even make special trips to learn with him again. That kind of testament speaks well of his product.

I've been thinking about organizing cooking classes or work-shops in Western cooking,...

You'll probably be my first customer,.. LOL but also to other members this question: You think it's feasible here?

Would Thai Wives/Girl-Boyfriends be interested in this to close the culture gap in their private life?

Would hotels-restaurants be willing to send staff for some basic training in the western cooking?

I'm thinking of simple things like frying a whole chicken breast, a steak and making base for real sauce in stead of Knorr or Maggie,.... among many other things that are clearly not done right here.

More advanced would and should also be available as I'm qualified and have the experience.

The same goes for Thai cooking. The OP is quite right,... most cooking schools here offer the basics only and the real, good stuff with advanced deep knowledge of Thai (Thai is general as there are many different styles within, I know,...) cooking techniques is not shared.

I've seen Thai chefs (and also just locals in the villages on special occasions) doing stuff you won't believe and they say: "oh this is very old recipe and I learn this from this or that person" so it seems there's no organised system?

1.800 THB helmet is very Hi-End in Chiang Mai and considered a great parking-lot-exchange-deal.

Most helmets here ("INDEX Soup-bowl brand" come in a meticulously selected variety of colors, watch out for the limited editions around Christmas)

cost around 220-270 THB @ your local Tesco/Lotus ... exactly what I use here and my helmet never got stolen in the last 20 yrs or so....

Airasia apparently has problems filling up the flights to Macau -- so now they have great deals on offer.

Check their website thoroughly and look for the conditions on their latest promotion of 790 THB to Macau.

You want to sneak into Burma to do a little shopping and save $15? You do know it's a totalitarian/military regime there and they can throw away the keys if they want to? The last time I was through there they had given me back my passport, since I had no intentions of going to the market or shopping, and just intended on making the u-turn back to Thailand. I walked passed the a gate for the quick turn around, thinking I actually had to enter and return, but a few seconds later an annoyed Burmese Immigration guy tapped me on the shoulder, stared me down and grumpily pointed me in the correct direction, they were watching my movements close enough. Why play games at a border crossing, immigration at any border, in and out of any country, can do pretty much anything they want. I have a gazillion stamps in my passport and look at it as a pretty cool travel log.

Do you work for FOX-News by any chance?....

If it weren't for the 60+ countries I've visited around the world,.....you almost really scared the sh1t out of me with that ridiculous post.

Did you recover well from that horrible close-encounter at "The Border" (did Spielberg call you yet?)

Any lasting damages? Physically or mentally?

"........they were watching my movements close enough." Whoehahahaaaaaa...... Com'on,... really?

I simply pointed out the vagaries of playing games at border crossings,no intention of scaring your hyperbolic little self. All border staff watch everyone doing everything at all border crossings,some more efficiently than others, it's part of border security everywhere on the planet, or haven't you noticed? If you're so naive that you don't believe that's the case then enjoy yourself but, please don't take that childish crap out on me. The OP has made a legitimate point without understanding that the shopping area he referred to is not a "no man's land" it is in Burma, part of their territory. And no, I don't work for Faux News, grow up.

Your previous post was funny, but this one is plain pathetic.

You want to sneak into Burma to do a little shopping and save $15? You do know it's a totalitarian/military regime there and they can throw away the keys if they want to? The last time I was through there they had given me back my passport, since I had no intentions of going to the market or shopping, and just intended on making the u-turn back to Thailand. I walked passed the a gate for the quick turn around, thinking I actually had to enter and return, but a few seconds later an annoyed Burmese Immigration guy tapped me on the shoulder, stared me down and grumpily pointed me in the correct direction, they were watching my movements close enough. Why play games at a border crossing, immigration at any border, in and out of any country, can do pretty much anything they want. I have a gazillion stamps in my passport and look at it as a pretty cool travel log.

Do you work for FOX-News by any chance?....

If it weren't for the 60+ countries I've visited around the world,.....you almost really scared the sh1t out of me with that ridiculous post.

Did you recover well from that horrible close-encounter at "The Border" (did Spielberg call you yet?)

Any lasting damages? Physically or mentally?

"........they were watching my movements close enough." Whoehahahaaaaaa...... Com'on,... really?

You could try World Chemical- 053 204 446

It's on the Hiway (Mahidol Rd.) roughly near the bridge and next to the Swimming Pool supply

company. A friend of mine who ran a resin statue factory used to buy supplies there.

I'm not sure if they have exactly what you need though. The manageress speaks good english.

Thanks for this

No answer on the phone though,... will try again tomorrow or trying to go see and find that place.

With "bridge" you mean that Fly-over in front of Airport Plaza?

Any other leads also welcome and maybe if someone know of a supplier in BKK (if it seems not to be available in CM) but I prefer local and face to face interaction with my suppliers.

I need Glass Clear Epoxy Resin as base and also need Dye (Clear and Solid).

Anyone knows a reliable supplier in Chiang Mai?

Thanks for all your suggestions.

okay some of us oldies who delivered papers and milk when young and/or worked 12 hour days in the corporate world yadda yadda seem to think we have this wonderful work ethic compared to kids today...maybe it is true. My thinking is that social influence is the main factor.

Is a kid lazy because he/she does not like the idea of sitting in an office or a retail outlet 8-12 hours a day..probably not...buggered if I could do it.

One thing I have noticed is the total lack of initiative or a not my job thought process..silly things like picking up or replacing a broom or tool after use, coil and hang the water hose or even placing a bit of garbage from next to the can inside? Then I think maybe I am just being anal and just do it myself. Too old and impatient to point it out or try to train 'em...lol

Been trying for weeks to find someone to come spray our farm for weeds.."yes yes come next week"...no show. Also someone to mix and lay some concrete.."yes yes come next week" ....no show.....very frustrating....ask the wife what's wrong with these people..."they busy,they go to dead people/wedding party, they sick , they busy., they go to BKK."....aaaaaaH.............sigh

Like someone said do it yourself and use the cash to buy beer....lol

It's like you're re-writing my diary.

Exactly what I encounter on a daily basis.

I have a small factory and my staff shows up when they feel fit.

Every week there's some funeral, wedding, Lamyai or Mango harvesting/spraying they need to attend to and just don't show up for work for a few days in a row. Or simply, when they don't really need the money this or the next week they won't show up.

The other day, one of my CNC operators was due for the afternoon shift. Did not show up. Called him. Answer: "I go to register my new motorbike my name" .... OKAY .... why not do it in the morning before work? "In morning I sleep"

Tried many things to no avail.

I've tried to "over-staff" and told them, it's okay if you need to do something, simply tell me 2-3 days before so I can make a planning around it.

Nope,... If I'm lucky they will tell me at the end of shift,... "Tomorrow I'm not coming!" Ahhhgggrrrr,..........

But most of the time they simply don't show up.

The pay is not the issue as I'm paying about 20% more then the average local Thai employers for exactly the same job,...

They're all officially registered and I pay all their taxes etc. On top of that there's a premium accident insurance that I fully pay as well....

The workplace is very convenient and pleasant organised, cool and airy with lot's of fans, comfortable chairs and tools, I provide them with all they need for their comfort. 8 hour shifts with 3 breaks,....

I'm in desperately in need for at least 10-15 extra staff full-timers, yesterday!!!! Orders are pouring in, but I need to reject due to lack of labourers,...

How do you make them live up to their contract of simply coming to work every day?

Yes, definitely no rocket scientist... Please go back and re-read the post the you so dutifully quoted.

Please feel free to publicly post your apology and recognition of your mistake.

Please, do tell me which law forbids me to sweep the floor, change a light bulb, or even paint a wall in my own (legit) factory????

The one that says you can't do work that a Thai can do. Yes, I'm being sarcastic.

Keeping the legends alive at all cost huh?

So what you're saying is that the Thais gave me a false WP?

Because my job description stated on my WP isn't exactly Rocket-Science.

There are plenty of Thais that can do what I do.

So your argument makes no sense at all.

There is no such law and you know it.

There is indeed a list of "occupations" or "activities" that prohibits Foreigners to perform. (See post above from:

khwaibah)

But that's basically it.

All the rest is regulated under the Foreign Business Act, and when you comply with this first,... you can do almost anything.

Sarcasm can be interpreted in many ways (if that's what you mean, I'm not sure, I'm not that smart, maybe yes? Maybe no? Please clarify, but don't use difficult words) so I give my response based on MY interpretation.

Therefore, I see no reason for an apology whatsoever and certainly not at your command.

Please, do tell me which law forbids me to sweep the floor, change a light bulb, or even paint a wall in my own (legit) factory????

The one that says you can't do work that a Thai can do. Yes, I'm being sarcastic.

Keeping the legends alive at all cost huh?

So what you're saying is that the Thais gave me a false WP?

Because my job description stated on my WP isn't exactly Rocket-Science.

There are plenty of Thais that can do what I do.

So your argument makes no sense at all.

There is no such law and you know it.

There is indeed a list of "occupations" or "activities" that prohibits Foreigners to perform. (See post above from:

khwaibah)

But that's basically it.

All the rest is regulated under the Foreign Business Act, and when you comply with this first,... you can do almost anything.

They had to say engineers or something to that effect.

Foreigners can't do manual labor in Thailand.

Same as A farang that own's a bar.Legally he can't sweep the floor.He has to hire someone to

do it,or has his better half do the job.

There are many Foreigners that live in Thailand as well as Chiang Mai. Not all of them are over 50 and not all are retired. Some have a wife and kids. Some work, some work for others,

Yes there is a list of some 20 jobs in Thailand foregners are not allowed to do, but many jobs are hands on jobs. Most of us do have work permits, But yes I am sure there are some that do not.

And yes, many jobs are hands on labor jobs that we can do legally in Thailand

I can sweep floors, clean toilets, or do other hands on things, labor, my employer may ask or require me to do.

Exactly.

There are too many misconceptions and even more, a lot of "Urban-Legends" about this topic.

Please, do tell me which law forbids me to sweep the floor, change a light bulb, or even paint a wall in my own (legit) factory????

he work permit issue. They can also sort out so the withholding tax being paid.

That solves the managing issues and the WH tax formalities indeed.

Q: And what about the issue that you are generating INCOME?

How does your agent solve this?

A: NOT at all. He/she is only adding to the problem as he/she is reporting your income trough the WH tax registration.

Yes, reporting your income and tax of that income being paid. Perfectly legal.

Wrong.

You're mixing apples with oranges.

Withholding tax is NOT income tax.

The rest needs to be reported as Income and will be taxed separately.

Different column on your Income report

I was talking about WHT. I am assuming you submit form PND91 at end of March as well. An accountant will sort that out.

yes.

PND91 .... and yes, my accountant files it,.... but, maybe time to check out your accountant?

There's apart where you write the WHT - already paid

But the rest (remaining 97%) still needs to be noted at Income.

This is where many go wrong ... even accountants ... until the day comes some over-active IRS agent invites you for a visit.

But that's a different story, my point (in a far reply to the OP) was that when you don't have a WP you can't file the PND91 and thus are generating income without reporting it for tax and so on,....

Can I add to the OP question?

Many Upholstery shops in CM and very mostly doing a good job on the upholstery itself,... but the big problem is they use bad quality foam or cushion filling here.

Anyone know a shop that uses or has access to the real good foam (not the Thai version) but probably has to be imported foam or filling?

I have a very high quality (imported myself) leather sofa but the filling of the seats is worn out due to its really old age and not because of bad quality.

Leather still fine though.

he work permit issue. They can also sort out so the withholding tax being paid.

That solves the managing issues and the WH tax formalities indeed.

Q: And what about the issue that you are generating INCOME?

How does your agent solve this?

A: NOT at all. He/she is only adding to the problem as he/she is reporting your income trough the WH tax registration.

Yes, reporting your income and tax of that income being paid. Perfectly legal.

Wrong.

You're mixing apples with oranges.

Withholding tax is NOT income tax.

The rest needs to be reported as Income and will be taxed separately.

Different column on your Income report

If you really want to know where you stand then contact someone like Savilles or Richard Ellis in BKK. Tell them you want to buy a few condos and would like to know where you stand viz tax and work permit. See what you get in the reply and hang on to it to wave under the managers nose if necessary.

You might need to bring a nice portion of that 17 million that's on the condo bank account..... and still be in the dark.

Why spend money when you can have free advise from the very same people that are going to check on you?

Is there ever such a thing as free advice from the people who could check on you. Why would anyone voluntarily put themselves on some regulatory body's radar

What a silly and short-sighted remark.

YES there is.... off course there is!!!

It is actually among their responsibilities and daily duties.

When you have a Visa issue.

Where do you go for the correct and free advise? Immigration right?

Why?

Because they're the ones that will check afterwards.

When you're about to built a building.

Where do you go for the correct and free advise? Land-Office right?

Why?

Because they're the ones that will check afterwards.

When you're about to generate income.

Where do you go for the correct and free advise? IRS right?

Why?

Because they're the ones that will check afterwards.

Aaaaahhhhrrrrrggggg,.....

Use a property agent to manage condo rentals. Problem solved.

How does that solve anything? It doesn't even hide ownership?

It solves the work permit issue. They can also sort out so the withholding tax being paid.

That solves the managing issues and the WH tax formalities indeed.

Q: And what about the issue that you are generating INCOME?

How does your agent solve this?

A: NOT at all. He/she is only adding to the problem as he/she is reporting your income trough the WH tax registration.

If you really want to know where you stand then contact someone like Savilles or Richard Ellis in BKK. Tell them you want to buy a few condos and would like to know where you stand viz tax and work permit. See what you get in the reply and hang on to it to wave under the managers nose if necessary.

You might need to bring a nice portion of that 17 million that's on the condo bank account..... and still be in the dark.

Why spend money when you can have free advise from the very same people that are going to check on you?