johnefallis

LOL! I came back to Switzerland a couple of years ago. It is way more beautiful here. I had a guy recently here who also did the same and noticed it too. Once we have our Thai wives, can have Thai food anytime we want, Thailand quickly fades into oblivion. It is too hot there anyway.

Until your wife want to go home in about 3 years. Well, maybe then you would like to live in Thailand again. I have yet to meet a Thai woman with a housewife career path that does not want to go back to Thailand after a couple of years.

Are you kidding??? Where are you from? Out of all the Thai ladies I know in the U.S., most of them don't come back at all. Of the ones that do, I think the longest stay I know of is a little over 1 month, and that was to get a boob job and recover while she was here. Except for the few that ended up divorced and lost their green card. Those ones didn't have any choice but to come back.

I rarely, if ever, have the experiences that you allude to. It may be partly because of where I live, but I also go all over the city, and many provinces. The short answer, I suppose, is that I insist - and persist - if necessary, which it almost never is, in my experience. I don't think a brief, impersonal exchange of money and goods with a supermarket cashier counts, though; that is not a conversation. But in a small shop, it is rather different. I have always found Thai people to be happy, nay, relieved, to be able to speak Thai with me: if not, they're someone who either wants something from me, that I don't want to give; or they are trying to impress me. In the latter case, I can empathize, but I'm frankly not very interested in indulging it, because I truly do believe in เข้าเมืองตาหลิ่วต้องหลิ่วตาตาม.

I concede that others' experiences may be different. But, when I first moved here, I was unable to find people who spoke English - even in places where one might expect: banks, telephone companies, the municipal district office, etc. So I thought, well, this is a country where most people don't speak English, and that was just fine with me. I came here to learn Thai, first and foremost. And I really don't have occasions (but for very rare, stubborn people) when Thai people are not happy to speak Thai. Maybe I'm fortunate.

By the way, I've never been to England; that was a rhetorical point. In Latin America, we insist that you speak Spanish.

As it should be.

Cheers.

Que? Usted no habla Ingles en America Latina?

Buenos dias!

jajaja

I don't speak English to Thai people, either.

How do you manage that? I can't get the buggers to speak Thai. I had an exchange with a cashier in Seacon Square which was entirely Thai on my part and entirely English on hers At the end she suggested I "Have a nice day"... I asked her if she had ever considered learning to speak Thai?

I also loathe those recorded responses at the BTS station cashier's that end with "Have a NICE day" (I am NOT American, I don't do nice days) instead of a smile and 'khop khun kah/kap' they just hit the play button and hand you over to the machinery, may as well be back in London.

In the US or England, I would speak English

Good luck with that in the UK; shop, restaurant and hotel staff speak their own language of grunts and snorts and everybody else (in N. London) speaks Polish.

I just wanted to say "Have a nice day!"

I've never heard of Payap. I didn't see them when I read the Time Higher Education top 200 list. If you want an internationally recogized degree, try Manchester Business School www.mbs-worldwide.ac.uk They are a little expensive.

Another school I found that was also listed in the T.H.E. top 200 University list was University of Leicester www.le.ac.uk/ulsm

I'll probably casually do my masters through them. Much better value.

Both good schools, depends what kind of masters you are looking for if they will work for you, I didn't really notice if you had been specific.

Anyone know a specialty key shop in Bangkok where I can get a new key made for my bike(Harley). I've tried the usual key shops you always see near the entrance to Malls and Tesco's etc.

It's one of them round keys if you what I mean

Thanks

Is it a round type? Does it have a number on it?

Yep, that's the kinda key I'm talking about.I was at the Harley Dealership a couple of weeks ago ordering stuff, I asked, but then I asked if it was just easier to make a copy somewhere,they said yes Bangsomething can't remember that's why I'm asking here

Thanks

So do you have a key and just need a copy? Or do you need a replacement key made?

Bang Na, maybe?

Anyone know a specialty key shop in Bangkok where I can get a new key made for my bike(Harley). I've tried the usual key shops you always see near the entrance to Malls and Tesco's etc.

It's one of them round keys if you what I mean

Thanks

Is it a round type? Does it have a number on it?

He John,

I belief that the best way to get better tires for your Boxer 250 is to directly ask Tiger Motor to chance them for you... At least that is what most of us did

I asked Pariya, but I haven't been presented with any options yet. I thought you might know where I could compare some options in the right size range.

The single lever brake applies the brakes on the front and the back at the same time.

Reading online promo literature, I see that the bike also has the "regular" front brake handle on the right, in addition to that "single brake lever" on the left. What's the intent? To regularly use only the left handle? Or to still use both brake handles in tandem? If the former, when would you use the right handle? If the latter, what's the purpose/benefit of both brakes being applied via the left handle if you're also using the right handle?

It's so you can talk on the phone at the same time..

The Yamaha YZF-R15 would indeed be a very good 150cc alternative sports bike on the Thai market. The only small problem is that it is currently only available in India.

Importing a Yamaha YZF-R15 would cost about the same as buying a Kawasaki Ninja 250R, I know one person who lives in Chonburi, who actually imported a Yamaha R15... He is still happy, but then he bought the bike more as a collection item.

The Yamaha YZF-R15 imported

Thanks Richard. Good article, although you already know I don't much like the M/C Thailand site, that article shows it's good side.

Now if only a few other areas were improved.....

By the way, the blog I found that info on indicated the possiblity the bike could be made for other countries in Asia. I'm not sure what that could mean for Thailand, but it's still a cool bike.

John

P.S. I will be looking for some dual sport tires when I get my new Tiger 250 RS, seems like you are the man to ask about that?

Last time I checked, you just needed your ownership papers and fill out a form there. I've never done it yet though. If you wait a couple months, then I'll let you know. As I'm sure you already know, you do have to take it back out, can't leave it there.

I ran across this info on a Yamaha YZF-15R while looking for something else and thought it looked pretty cool, and since there was a full spec sheet and fuel injection I thought if nothing else it was cool to check out.

Engine typeLiquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valveCylinder arrangementSingle cylinderDisplacement149 .8ccBore x Stroke57×58.7mmCompression ratio10.4:1Maximum power17PS / 8,500rpmMaximum torque15 N.m / 7,500rpmStarting systemElectric StartLubricationwet sumpEngine oil capacity1.0 litersFuel tank capacity12 litersFuel supply systemElectronic fuel injectionIgnition systemT.C.IPrimary / Secondary reduction ratio3.042 / 3.000Clutch typeConstant-mesh wet multi-plateTransmission typeReturn type 6-speedGear ratios1st=2.833, 2nd?1.875, 3rd:=1.364,

4th=1.143, 5th=0.957, 6th=0.84

Frame typeDeltabox FrameCaster / Trail26° / 100mmTire size (Front / Rear)80/90-17 / 100/80-17Brake type (Front / Rear)Hydraulic, single disc (Front / Rear)Suspension type (Front / Rear)Telescopic / Linked type MonocrossHeadlight12V35W / 35W?35W

Overall length x width x height1,995mm x 670mm x 1,070mmSeat height790mmWheelbase1,290mmMinimum ground clearance160mmDry weight / Curb weight120kg / 131kg

Packed full of state-of-the-art technologies, the new YZF-R15 boasts performance worthy of a supersport model and a body design that evokes the image of the YZF-R series and gives visual expression to the quality of its ride. It is truly an embodiment of Yamaha's desire to bring customers a model to help them "Enjoy riding".

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. plans to market a new lightweight supersport bike in India as part of a corporate priority to build the brand?s business there.

The YZF-R15 features a newly designed 150cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC single-cylinder, 4-valve fuel-injected engine on a Deltabox frame. Yamaha is displaying the bike for the first time at Auto Expo 2008, Jan. 10-17, in New Delhi. Plans are to release the model in the second quarter.

Yamaha says the development concept was to build a bike to serve as the first true supersport to be designed solely for the Indian market.

yeah try out Western Union. It's easier and faster. Perhaps try doing Western Union at the Thai Post Office, not banks as they might fluctuate the currency rate. You may want to compare the admin charges and the currency exchange but as far as I know, the Western Union admin charges is pretty standard. Other charges is solely dependant on the agent/ merchant.

Receiver of the money does not have to pay for anything. Only the Sender. Hope this helps!

Western Union is THE most expensive way I have ever found or used, period. As much as 19-20%

Moved to computer forum.

Ohh man, I was just gonna tell him to trade it or throw it away and get a motorcycle....

Boy, I sure wished somebody cared about the human species 1/10th this much.

Elephants are great, but evolution, change, adaptation, survival, etc. are things all creatures must deal with, it is after all exactly how we are all here!

Otherwise, I don't have enough personal knowledge of this issue to make more specific comments.

I would try to go back to the airport to make the correction, as this would save face for the error made by the immigration official who failed to match your arrival card and visa. I would try the same officer too if possible. Be polite and maybe even act a little as if it is your mistake.

Then give me the 2000 baht.

John

hehe. yes, as hard as it might be sometimes, being calm and polite is always the way to go in situations like these.

I was thinking about the long lines, left hand not talkin to the right (immi office vs. immi staff at airport) so i decided not to wait, instead i went back to the airport and find someone to fix the error and...surprisingly enough, they did. they didnt want to admit the foul up of the girl who failed to notice that i had a tourist visa. i should've told her, they said. i apologized. but it's her job to notice trivial things like a full page, brand new tourist visa sticker. i can admit, i should've made a point of telling her i just got the visa though, due to the overlap of dates.

anyway, they adjusted the dates on the stamps, made me sign next to the changes and it's done. so now i'm good for 60 days.

That's great! Good for you, and thanks for letting us know how it went. Sure a lot easier than a border run.

We're all human, so the occasional mistake is excusable. I hope it went as easily for her.

So how about that 2k baht???

There are a lot of unemployed Filipinos around and I've heard of a number of scams, but this is the most dangerous. The most lucrative, as well.

How about a round for the Thai coppers for nailing these crooks.

They came today. They come once a year. They have their own form. Nothing to do with immigration except that they always come a week or two after that I have renewed my permit to stay. Does immigration ask the local police to check out my address ?

I live in northern Buriram 200 km away from my immigration office.

As for the ink. Spit on your fingers and rub it off with some tissue paper.

This is regular ink pad ink. I have already used soap and water.

Maybe scrubbing it a bunch?

I would try to go back to the airport to make the correction, as this would save face for the error made by the immigration official who failed to match your arrival card and visa. I would try the same officer too if possible. Be polite and maybe even act a little as if it is your mistake.

Then give me the 2000 baht.

John

Well I think that there is a lot of Jealousy .....

A Bargirl can be within a couple of months a millionair , while a family member of a politician has to work and accept bribes there whole live and maybe never will be a millionair.

Bargirl get picked up by Farang , they Marry , most of the time not even on paper ... buy land / houses etc etc.

After a few years they start to selling it and get wealthy ...

The Bargirl have reach a higher status then a daughter of a politician.

En 9 out of 10 the bargirl speaks better English then the daughter of a politician who have a univercity degree.

Lets see what will be the next joke....

The next joke is your English. You obviously aren't a bar girl or have a University Degree.

And why should a politicians daughter have it any better than a bar girl? You think the bar girls have an easy job? Or the politicians daugher?

Can't wait to hear this reply....

Hey johnefallis,

what's the reason for pounding on him like that!? His theory does have have a good point. Upper class Thais do think they are better than the poor in every way, and of course it pisses them off that some foreigner comes over here and makes a poor girl/boy rich, they wish we would get the hel_l out of their country so they are the only ones that are rich in Thailand, they despise foreigners for taking away their prestigious status in the Thai society.

Hi johnefallis - Maybe my English is not that great as yours.

And you are right , I am not a Bargirl or having a Univercity degree.

And I never wrote / mean that a Bargirl has a easy Job .

But is has a Job what we all can do , just rent out 1 of your holes.

But I still think my point is right.

Thailand like to keep a small group rich and the rest have to stay poor.

And the " rich " upper class hate it when a low class girl get rich.

You are absolutely right. I read it wrong. I apologise, just as I did when I got to jbhh's above comment.

Wanna kick me? It's okay, I probably deserve it for that one.

Though I have read almost the entire post and with so many with similar, yet "wrong" opinions (yeah I said it) and negative comments they must have thrown me off. I agree with you 110%

Sorry,

John

Well I think that there is a lot of Jealousy .....

A Bargirl can be within a couple of months a millionair , while a family member of a politician has to work and accept bribes there whole live and maybe never will be a millionair.

Bargirl get picked up by Farang , they Marry , most of the time not even on paper ... buy land / houses etc etc.

After a few years they start to selling it and get wealthy ...

The Bargirl have reach a higher status then a daughter of a politician.

En 9 out of 10 the bargirl speaks better English then the daughter of a politician who have a univercity degree.

Lets see what will be the next joke....

The next joke is your English. You obviously aren't a bar girl or have a University Degree.

And why should a politicians daughter have it any better than a bar girl? You think the bar girls have an easy job? Or the politicians daugher?

Can't wait to hear this reply....

Hey johnefallis,

what's the reason for pounding on him like that!? His theory does have have a good point. Upper class Thais do think they are better than the poor in every way, and of course it pisses them off that some foreigner comes over here and makes a poor girl/boy rich, they wish we would get the hel_l out of their country so they are the only ones that are rich in Thailand, they despise foreigners for taking away their prestigious status in the Thai society.

And absolutely right you are, my mistake and apologies, I read this one the wrong way. But hey, I started at page 1 and read every post at least. Some of them really irritate me and I have a broken collarbone and some kind of rash today, so I'm just irritable.

John

Dear fellow readers;

I do find the whole situation very confusing and fishy ! Well i presume nothing is for sure, this is Asia .!

In reply to one of the comment they i read stating to look in Vietnam as a new open alternative to Thailand , well it must be a jocke ! In Vietnam we cannot even be an overnight guest in one of the family or with our Vietnamese friends. IS ILLEGAL for us to be an overnight guest ! the government defend them self by stating that is not safe for us to do so, ...maybe is becouse we are more safe to sleep in a Zulu' camp of Africa? the real reason is that we must pay the hotels and spend our money so that they can build more hotels !

If you thing to go to Lao's, what for? you cannot even share a room with your girlfriend even if you have the ufficial government engagement paper. Only if you are married you can ! to get maried, myte as well give up, it will take almost 2 years of the long procidings and only after you pay between 2 and 4 thousend dollars , who knows !.If you are lucky you succed, and celebrate but not your wedding , for a near miss cardiac arrest !

Here in Thailand is much easy for us to get married and be with our girfriend .

All over Asia we canot own anything ! I am happy in Thailand i can buy a honda .

I sometime wonder if all over Europe, USA, Australia, they apply the same techique as Asia do regarding property and business to all the immigrant that we have in our country ..... as we cannot own anything but only spend .....

Umm, in the U.S. any legal immigrant has pretty much (sometimes better than) the same rights as a citizen, except to vote. Most western countries are similar when it comes to land ownership.

Who says you can't take your Thai girlfriend to Laos? Marriage isn't a problem then, and it's pretty much the same language.

Rather than just bang on about it I am going to write to my local MEP's (Member European Parliment) and ask them why do the same rules/laws for land ownership not apply as in the foreign country. Laws for Thais in the EC the same as rules for foreigners in Thailand.

Even playing field and all that.

Why should they ?

Reciprocity.

It is a pretty common practice between nations.

Example:

Even China does it with the U.S., on something as simple as visa fees. Americans have to pay a much higher fee than other countries. Why, because of the U.S. visa fees charged for Chinese. Check out the Los Angeles Chinese Consulate website, I know it's in English.

Notice about Adjustment of Regular Visa Fees for U.S. Citizens 2007

Notice about Adjustment of Visa Fee for U.S. Citizens (01/14/2008)

Ladies and Gentlemen (Boys and Girls).

Let's keep this civil and on topic. I've deleted a few irrelevant / inflammatory posts, no warnings issued, yet!

Currently without a corroborative source we are jumping around about a single (mis?) translation of what was said. If anyone can come up with an alternative source of this information please post here.

The current translation seems to contravene the law as it stands as detailed by Isaanlawyers.

Oops!...sorry, hehe

Well I think that there is a lot of Jealousy .....

A Bargirl can be within a couple of months a millionair , while a family member of a politician has to work and accept bribes there whole live and maybe never will be a millionair.

Bargirl get picked up by Farang , they Marry , most of the time not even on paper ... buy land / houses etc etc.

After a few years they start to selling it and get wealthy ...

The Bargirl have reach a higher status then a daughter of a politician.

En 9 out of 10 the bargirl speaks better English then the daughter of a politician who have a univercity degree.

Lets see what will be the next joke....

The next joke is your English. You obviously aren't a bar girl or have a University Degree.

And why should a politicians daughter have it any better than a bar girl? You think the bar girls have an easy job? Or the politicians daugher?

Can't wait to hear this reply....

Which country in Asia foreighners can own land, house...etc 100% in them names? It is start getting boring here either for holliday. I got married this year with Thai lady that she lives in Phuket the last 20 years, she is a high Goverment Official. We are planning to moved to Phayao (North Thailand). She has changed her surname and got mine. Her bank acount is empty because she pays everymonth for her car. That means we can not buy property and build our house in Phayao?

Dude, yours is easy. You buy the car, let her buy the house.

I love this. My girl has to buy the house. By law. Hahahahaha

Thank you Mr. Wannanutterbutter, or whatever his name is.

What a great freakin' topic. I have something to do all day now cause this topic will easily go into being dozen and dozens of pages, if not hundreds.

Yes but can only use her money. I guess the days of the poor thai village girl seeking a farang to look after her and her family are gone. Against the law for him to put a dry roof over her head now. The dream of the poor thai girl is dead...

Yeah, that's okay, she is already buying her own place, pre-construction, smart girl. Tax Analyst for Large U.S. corporation currently. So she also already has a 10 year multiple entry U.S. visa. Since she has expertise in revenue and excise taxes, she will always have a good, high paying, job with normal business hours whenever she wants in Thailand. Educated, smart, classy, and beautiful, a perfect example of a real Thai lady. I own my place in U.S. and it is protected by my Trust, so it is not part of any marital estate, neither is my retirement/trust fund.

Thanks Dad.