sanmiguel

So i.m.o. the west will become relatif poorer financially, economicly, but it will gain in peace of mind and spiritual richness.

You must be one of Gordon Browns speech writers with your warm and cuddly account of the EU and globalisation.

Poor western people couldnt give a <deleted> about peace of mind and spiritualness when theyre working 60 hours a week in the freezing cold for the same wages they earned 10 years ago, due to having to compete with a unlimited supply og workers from a country where folk earn less wages.

We eat pork sausages without a care in the world...... Visit a slaughter house, then see the process for making those sausages from the live pig to your plate....

Ignorance is bliss!

Insects are not looking so bad after all.

If i was on that flight they made the movie Alive about, id have jumped over the jar of insects to tuck into a nice piece of human all day long.

When my ex used to take tablets for her life threatening sneeze it used to make me laugh.

She would hold her nose put the tablets in her mouth the wash them down with plenty of water whilst heaving to the point she'd almost vomit them back up .............. 2 minutes later she'd be eating insects and all sorts of vomit wrenching food without a care in the world.

by the way is the 100 times srent thing a general rule in property? eg if i was to buy in the uk for 50,000 GBP i should rent out for like 500GBP a month?

spurs

Very few places in the UK where 100 times rent will work. Even 15 years ago.

I would advise against buying property in Thailand for a few reasons.

1) Ownership laws.

2) Visa regulations.

3) Political unrest.

4) Illiquid market.

5) Immature market.

If you want a property as a "safe investment" buy in the UK in a year or so. They've stopped start making more land

RAZZ

READ RAZZ'S POST AND DO EXACTLY AS HE SAYS.

I used to own a business selling off plan property overseas, and i wouldnt touch any new build breeze blocks in the sky or any holiday homes unless they drop 60%, property prices are artificial everywhere in the world, it was a global boom paid for by our future taxes and will take a few years to hit bottom.

Go to a website called houseprices.co.uk type in your local postcode and see how much property has risen in the last 8 years.

I still think if you live out in the sticks and can build a property for a million on your wifes plot of land thats something worth throwing a Million baht at if you think youve got a good 5 years at least still in the relationship. it can be your future divorce settlement.

My friend has a degree in BA and Accounting, also has a CPA license from the states. She wants to find a related job in Bangkok. Can anyone advise what are the chances of finding a suitable job with reasonable pay? I know that she can't be an accountant here because she doesn't have a Thai CPA license. Some help would be appreciated thanks!

HK and Singapore are better places for this kind of work, and within easy flying distance to LOS for weekends and holidays.

All the chain sandwich shops in Thailand are dreadful and very expensive, do the opposite of what they do and you'll be a success. i.e. cheap and taste good.

Its not a depression for me just yet, ive been saving like crazy for the last 5 years when houses have been unaffordable, in a year or so i'll be entering a stage of extreme prosperity by being able to live a civilised existance in my own place by buying at prices not seen for 10 years. Working for 30 years to service a mortgage ten times the average salary is a depression.

But i do believe this recession will be the biggest peacetime one since the great depression in the UK as the government are taxing future generations to keep property prices artificially high, hence leaving less free cash to buy goods and services and to invest in research and development. They are doing this as they cant see the next election is lost no matter what they do.

Furthermore all you expats in your Thai bubble who are reading the online websites and watching global news channels are so cut off from how bad it is in Europe and America you dont really know what is happening at present, youre akin to a university professor who has never worked in industry but claims to be knowledgeable as he knows the theory.

In everyway that Man United is run it is light years ahead of Liverpools.

For the next 3-4 years i cant see any other team then ManU winning the league unless ManCity spend these 100s of millions or if Abramovich digs deeper then ever, Arsenal are closer to becoming average then being top.

For me Liverpool needed investment in a 80000 stadium 10 years ago when other clubs were doing this and to copy Manures marketing strategy. Liverpool are the only club in England that could potentially compete with ManU in the financial stakes without the need for a sugar daddy, but they just seem so far behind them to the point where it is going to need some Arabs oil money to get them to that level.

Though 2 Champs league finals isnt bad.

As my g/f says - Falang <deleted> !

I think I'll take the noodle stall anyday.

Classy girl.

Nothing worse than a narrow-minded Thai who declares that all Western food is <deleted>, despite never having tasted it all.

I say the exact same thing about Thai food for the simple reason i just dont like it or the look of it, im sure you need a bit more info about his gf before degrading her so freely for her food preferences.

What is it with you food snobs, why do you get so worked up with us people who "Know what we like"?

It's not about being a food snob it's about respecting other people's taste. There's some Thai food i don't like but would i turn around to a Thai person and say "this food is <deleted>"? No i wouldn't because to say that would be rudely passing judgement on someone else's taste. Just because i don't like it doesn't automatically make it <deleted> - to think so would be arrogant.

And passing judgement on something you aren't even willing to try goes beyond arrogance. It's narrow-minded and stupid.

When i say such a thing it is said in jest like manner as im sure it is when this gf says it, i dont care less what people other people eat or what it tasted like for them, its not arrogance or narrowed minded not to have an overly varied palate but just they way i and many people like me are.

I once met a scraggy backpacker near Krabi who got all angry with me for no other reason then i would only eat western food, my food bill was about 5 times this individuals (which i pointed out) so for the business owner i am the customer theyd choose over someone who thinks theyre great by eating cheap Thai food.

Liverpool have to many mediocre players to win the Premier League, they need some serious money to be able to compete with Manure, as do Chelsea, Arsenal and every other team.

But seriously, is there any group of people that thaivisa members actually like?

We like fellow extremely well educated millionaire expats who have Phd educated Thai/Chinese partners, folk who have never visited any of the immoral tourist areas, those that deplore the westernisation of Thailand and have never in any way shape or form participated in this desctruction, and those who know more about Thai society then the average bear.

Why you reckon you have the criteria to join our gang?

well its out on dvd,but if you like the movies have no idea.did it really win 8 oscars?i mean it was ok but not that good.

Same. It was ok but not that great. I think it won so many because it's basically slum porn for white people.

That was my thoughts on it, over-rated but as it involved poor non whites it gave the wealthy apologist liberals something to vote for.

My brother and 5/6 of his friends bought a round the world ticket 10 years ago just after leaving Uni, they travelled with backpacks on a budget then.

10 years on they are all earning 50,000GBP plus a year and still visit Thailand, surely its in the interest of Thailand to attract the young who will return for many years more so then anyone else.

As my g/f says - Falang <deleted> !

I think I'll take the noodle stall anyday.

Classy girl.

Nothing worse than a narrow-minded Thai who declares that all Western food is <deleted>, despite never having tasted it all.

I say the exact same thing about Thai food for the simple reason i just dont like it or the look of it, im sure you need a bit more info about his gf before degrading her so freely for her food preferences.

What is it with you food snobs, why do you get so worked up with us people who "Know what we like"?

I'm surprised that they claim a 4.5 billion loss because of the weakening Baht. Yes, Baht has weakened against US$ , but the Baht has strengthened dramatically against so many other currencies in 2008.

I agree it seem strange, the baht has indeed been getting stronger against many big currencies. I wonder does Thai air only use US dollars when trading in foreign currencies?

I couldnt understand that comment, surely a weaker baht (which it isnt) is good for the bottom line if you get paid in foreign currencies. Maybe just a bad bit of journalism.

In the same way Brown's stupid and selfish policy of devaluing the GBP may have produced results in the past when there was a UK manufacturing industry to support and globalisation was not a consideration. But he has screwed up and the UK will now suffer worse than anywhere else.

Anybody care to take up the argument?

Yes i'll argue that Gordon Brown didnt knowingly devalue the Pound, that would involve a plan which as he's show in 12 yrs in charge of the economy he doesnt have other then to create more debt.

The reason the Pound is devalued is because our economy in the last 10 years has been reliant on the property and the banking industries both of which have have far bigger burst bubbles then any other sector, these are 2 major reasons why Sterling and the UK economy is in the state it is. Oh yes and the fact British people are more indebted then any other nation.

As your figures of nations such as Japan who are reliant on exports of goods show they are going to suffer more in the short term then a country which isnt over reliant on exports such as Britain, as for no other reason people just arent buying goods in the way they were.

Also its a myth that Britain doesnt have an export industry, we are the 7th largest exporter in the world, but not too high per capita - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_exports

One plus point for Britain is that the now almost nationallised banking industry will be nationalistic in its approach to lending hence in the mid term will be an asset to us, well should the global economy not go totally t7ts up, in which case British taxpayers will be up sh7t street for many many years.

As for the BHT market forces will sooner or later decide where it should be if it is artificially high at present, IMO the BHT is probably not too overvalued V's the GBP and USD as our economies have serious debt issues that will take years to resolve.

Here its truly sickening, poor soul.

http://news.mthai.com/news-clips/11491.html

Is Mark Hughes claim that an 8th place finish will be a success correct or is he trying to put lipstick on a pig in the hope that people wont notice its just a piggy.

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,1...4964224,00.html

Hughes witnessed his much-maligned side produce their best away league performance of the season in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Liverpool, where Craig Bellamy's second-half strike was eventually cancelled out by Dirk Kuyt's late equaliser.

Hughes believes City are at last producing the form expected from a club who have spent £120million this season in an attempt to break into the leading group of big clubs in the Premier League, as well as Europe.

And Hughes also believes there are many who are determined to derail City's progress.

He said: "If we can better the highest league position City have achieved in the Premier League, eighth, then people will have to reluctantly admit we have had a decent season, although inconsistent on occasions."

City, who also have a good chance of reaching the last 16 of the UEFA Cup after last week's 2-2 first-leg draw against Copenhagen in the last 32, are slowly starting to produce the performances Hughes demands.

He said: "We are looking now for a strong finish. We had a disappointment last week with our defeat at Portsmouth, when we were poor, but we can be better than that.

"We have shown that, when teams open up against us, we have an attacking threat.

"If teams do that, we will capitalise. The problem in the past is that when teams 'park the bus' in front of their goal and we have not had enough guile to break them down.

"If we have a fair run at it now, and hit the levels we achieved at Anfield, we would expect to be in the top 10."

Hughes is also furious with continued speculation about alleged incidents at the club, the latest being claims of a spat between Craig Bellamy and Robinho.

Hughes said: "I have seen some frankly laughable stuff about us, things that are just not true.

"We understand there is a lot of focus on what we are trying to do, and there are also a lot of people who do not want us to succeed.

"People need to see through that and understand what is happening. It seems like everything happening at the club, people seem to tell the outside world.

"Some of it is correct, a vast majority is way off the mark. That is what is happening around us with a lot of negative things."

Hughes had praise for two of his expensive signings, Robinho and Nigel de Jong.

He said: "Robinho was very good against Liverpool, as he was in Copenhagen. People understand that, if you give him the ball, he will retain possession and give the rest of the guys confidence.

"There was a drive and purpose about what we did, we were strong under pressure and overall it was a very good performance.

"Nigel de Jong was outstanding and this was his best game since he arrived at the club. People can now understand why we wanted to bring him to the club.

"He understands where he should be on the pitch to break things up and set attacks going. He has been out for a few months with injury and he is still trying to reach a fitness level."

" the Romanian Gypsy trash "

As opposed to the "Irish gypsy trash"?

"No travellers" on many a London pub door.

Regards

Wow!!! Remind me to stay away from europe...they all hate each other there.....it must be the winters making you all cold and distant????

Ive nothing against Europeans (I am English though so am not European)....... i just dont think 500 million of them should have the free right to come to my country to work, scam and scheme or claim benefits, but im called a racist to have such a view which in reality isnt anything more then common sense.

All Bulgarians and Romanians i know dont trust their countrymen either it isnt a racial issue, more a fact that theyre from poor countries that a run by gangsters and uts indemic in their society that you do whatever you can to get by.

most probably it was 10k baht/day

who would risk stealing £600k for a fee few hundred £ ?

Another Brit involved,talking about scum.

There was no Brit involved, Romania and Bulgaria are the counterfeit capitals of Europe if not the world, if anything a Brit would have to use the services of a Romanian to acquire such technology.

Ive lived in these countries and know what the people are like.

are you implying that Brits are too dumb?

I'm implying that Romania and Bulgaria are world leaders in this kind of crime, hence why their nations are almost strictly users of physical cash. My former business partner who is Bulgarian would never use a debit/credit card as he knew exactly what went on.

To the Brit hater Tjan, im surprised someone as sophisticated and clear thinking as yourself believes the word of 2 thieves, dont you think they may have had somekind of story setup for when they got caught?

Yes, and let's see what Nicolaides says now that he has escaped the kingdom

You actually listen to that <deleted>, do you?

Unless he's one of the magnificent 7 book buyers then obviously not.

Id sooner hear his latest story then one of the crappy books written by idiot sexpats, drug runners, fleeced farangs or people of similar ilk who think theyve done or know something extrordinary.

besides the people of the rest of the world dont care less about these people or Thais theyre more worried about the economy and whats going to happen to them in the coming years.

most probably it was 10k baht/day

who would risk stealing £600k for a fee few hundred £ ?

Another Brit involved,talking about scum.

There was no Brit involved, Romania and Bulgaria are the counterfeit capitals of Europe if not the world, if anything a Brit would have to use the services of a Romanian to acquire such technology.

Ive lived in these countries and know what the people are like.

Shenanigans beats both by a mile. But do yourself a favour and miss the rest of the crap they have on offer during the week.

Im surprised they can make a decent roast, i ordered the Cheesburger and Chips coming in at a cool 350bht and i have to say it was the worst meal i had in a recent 2 month stay in Pattaya, the majority of it got left on the plate.

The burger was huge i almost put my back out lifting it, but it had so much needless salad shyt in it was just a complete stodgy mess, the bun just fell apart and the meat and i use that term loosely was the most cardboard like tasteless beef ever to have come out of a cow.

This was finished off with masses of disgusting great big frozen chips, cooked in some vile cooking fat that left a lingering taste for the night, why the <deleted> a company that charges a small fortune for its vile food cant buy some fresh potatoes and cut them into chips is beyond me, same applies to all restaurants.

It taught me a lesson though, never to break my rule of never venturing into Irish bars under any circumstances.

Youve more chance of finding a straight talking virgin in a soi 6 gogo bar then a decent English roast dinner in Pattaya.

Overhearing a conversation or two over recent months I have become aware that many Brits residing in Pattaya are actually claiming invalidity benifit from the Uk. Doesn't sound right - considering that to claim such benifit they are supposedly unfit for work, yet they are obviously fit to travel long haul and holiday.

surely this cant be legal?

Tory boy?

Being a Tory boy is kind of acceptable once again, however we're almost at a stage where it is socially acceptable to beat up and ridicule NULabour voters, i cant wait until its fully acceptable.

As for the people claiming benefits whilst living overseas, well its not their fault the system is so fcuked that it enables them to do so.

Something fishy..

34 yrs old.. Been selling property there for 5 yrs... Had developed a 7 story condo.. Had lost 20 million Baht....

Was he a lottery winner, Internet millionaire, Trust fund kid or was his Thai wife rich ?

Seems a awful lot of money made in a very short period of time

Lots of people have made money in property over the last 10 yrs so, maybe he was just entrepreneurial.

Lots of these developments are made by giving the land owner a cut of the property to save paying out too much up front.