ChiangMaiFun

Sent them an email asking about a specialism and no reply... maybe an off-day!

is it necessary to have our TV names on name tags? or 'real' names?

Name tag will be TV names

Pity I'm sure there are a few who would rather remain annonymous and so will miss the party - never mind - have fun

is it necessary to have our TV names on name tags? or 'real' names?

and so there goes another 'Buddhist' eh?

I must agree - not a jot of common ground between that great lady and Khun.T

What a foolish post - without going into all the details many farang buy here and live comfortably off the 8/9% ROI they get from rents.

I'm currently negotiating to rent a rather large house (on sale for 4 million baht, their original purchase price) that has been empty for 4 years on a large plot of land.

Thai owner, so it has been allowed to decay ...... porch roof surrounding the house and carport roof leak badly, no electricity to check air-con units, some interior termite damage (nothing significant IMO).

They pay a gardener 500bht a month to keep the lawn and bushes cut. Houses decay very quickly in Thailand, if you don't/can't rent it, what do you do?

I have offered 5,000bht a month, they fix roof .... (yes I know, very cheeky)

They have offered it at 8,000bht a month, I pay for roof (if I want the leaks stopped) and any ongoing repairs.

Now if you calculated their ROI (please include the nothing for 4 years, and the gardening costs) ......... so far total disaster.

If I rent it at somewhere in the middle of our initial negotiations .... about 2% return at best (no including the 4 years losses).

Buying and renting property out here is a total minefield, I'm sure some people make money, but I also suspect many don't.

6.5% interest in an Australian 1 year term savings account is much safer, and a lot less hassle.

Opposite story - I have a few condos - all fully let - no 'empties' ROI varies between 7 to 11% NET

There are dark clouds because there is no sun! there is no Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Thailand at present - Thailand desperately needs an honest leader.

. Much much more and higher than that skinny women. There is a reason why she is arrested. Because she broke the law. She cannot stand above the law.

This post really seems like a ploy to get people banned.....

An emotional subject with an 'either/or' position that is

impossible to adequately defend without running afoul

certain laws and Thai sensibilities.

So part one MUST be ignored.

Yes she IS skinny. A cheap shot comment.

Yes there is a reason she was arrested,

she is a dangerous icon for the people vs the junta,

She scares the junta because she rightly decisively WON the last election.

And only pressure centered around her iconic status forced this last sham election.

No coincidence she was released just AFTER the election was done.

And no coincidence her last detention period was caused by someone elses

actions, the nutter yank swimmer and her servant who let him in to dry off, and not hers. By the time she knew he had arrived at her house it was too late.

The junta took advantage and locked her up yet again till after the election.

Using the most pathetic of technicalities.

She broke laws you say?, Well it more appears laws were added,

manipulated, and 'read to fit purpose's by the junta's minions to

keep her from leading the people against them in the election

and speaking uncomfortable truths the average Burmese understand.

She has stood very much FOR the law, but for real laws that are equal,

and fair to all Burmese, not just the ruling cliques retrenchment of power.

For once we stand shoulder to shoulder

There are dark clouds because there is no sun! there is no Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Thailand at present - Thailand desperately needs an honest leader.

Much much more and higher than that skinny women. There is a reason why she is arrested. Because she broke the law. She cannot stand above the law.

Your comments about that great and courageous leader in Mynamar are a complete JOKE and if you represent some of the youth of Thailand then there is no hope - none at all.

I never thought I'd read such a comment even on Thai Visa! pronouncing Aung Sun Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, a 'skinny women'? this is your commentary on the freedom fight in Burma? I am almost speechless (almost).

I was going to stress south of Hadrian's Wall and east of Offa's Dyke but I thought that was way too pedantic. I thought I would just let people exercise their brain cells instead.

Colour blind Englishman just doesn't have the same "ring" to it when discussing acts of vandalism.

hehe you're right but I was in a pedantic mood :jap:

I agree,why buy and take all the risks,and there are plenty 4 sure when buying in Thailand,when you can rent and live well on the saved funds.

I can never understand this constant urge by Farang to buy property,especially in an unstable country, I compare it to like Lemmings racing towards the cliff!!

Utalize the visa allowance over multiple countries, there are OTHER countries beside Thailand you know.

I believe Mozambique is now part of the British Commonwealth

,now theres a nice change.

Even during their war it was a lovely country, probably better now.

Food for thought!

10 mil baht? No way, for this price I can rent all my life and still invest the remaining 8 mils

What a foolish post - without going into all the details many farang buy here and live comfortably off the 8/9% ROI they get from rents.

out of interest - why is it changing? or is this a sensitive issue?

Probably a colour blind Brit

You mean 'colour blind English'? the English flag is Red and White - the UK flag is the Union Jack? has blue in it etc.?

There are dark clouds because there is no sun! there is no Aung Sun Suu Kyi in Thailand at present - Thailand desperately needs an honest leader.

The Thais in general admire strong men, and Suthep fits that mold.

In the context of cradle to grave corruption and power mongering

as a active lifetime fact of life for all Thais, he is not unusual,

just not trusted.

Also :

Where was this poll taken?

How many people were asked and what questions?

Polls of small numbers and narrowed locations and demographics,

can be made to take on what ever preconceived notions

those that 'commissioned the poll' could wish it to have.

This was clearly a politically motivated poll, not coincidentally

coming just before Suthep is, as expected, reappointed.

As I said above Suthep fits to a needed position,strong arm and

negotiator for his boss. His job isn't to be trusted, but to get dirty jobs done,

and take heat personally. He clearly doesn't care what his enemies say

about him, he just acts as the situations demand.

with respect you are so 'yellow' it's embarrasing - I have no idea why you are so 'establishment' but, well, you are

With respect, we disagree. I could continue to analyze and argue the meaning of the rules you quote 'til the cows come home - repeating myself ad nauseum. And maybe I will! But not yet.

I'd be interested to read the input of other condo owners before I say any more on this particular aspect of this Topic.

well I wish you were right! and indeed hope you are! one things for sure the Act is very, very badly drafted

If only there was someone of even 10% of her character and leadership in Thailand! what a gutsy lady and all power to her

What is Abhisit thinking? a very bad choice and shows lack of judgement

Sez you!

Sez the 'Juristic Condo Admin Handbook' from Real Estate Development Office, Dept. Land Ministry of Interior'

Question: Does the Manager have to carry out hid duties by own self?

Answer: Normally, the Manager MUST carry out his duties... bla bla (not the committee you note).

Page 3 refers.

Question: What are the powers and duties of the committee?

Answer:

(1) Monitoring control over the Juristic Condo Management

(2) Appointing a member to assume the JPM position temporarily IF there is NO manager

(3) Arranging Board meetings once every 6 months

(4) Other duties as perscribed (there are none)

Page 8 refers

This document is NOT widely available in English - I have one because I was one a committee and we paid for a translation by a large Law Firm.

"I don't think anoyone has suggested that sitting on a committee may be considered as 'working'. It could be, though, if the committee start to 'manage' - that is the JP's job not the committee's."

By "JP" do you mean the Juristic Person (the co-owners as a whole) or the JPM (the Juristic Person Manager)?

As to "working" - again, this is a fine line of definition.

Sorry 'JPM' - putting aside the permit issue (which would probably never be enforced) the committee's job is soley to hold two meetings a year, submit accounts and pass resolutions - not to 'manage'. The law says the JPM must do this 'by himself'.

Someone asked recently whether there is any English translation of Condominium Law which is officially verified by the Thai Government. I don't think there is. (Does anybody know?) What we have is attempts by various people to make the meanings clear, and also the opinions of lawyers.

Look thru any post on condominiums and you'll find skewed terminology. The most educated and experienced of us mix up JP with JPM with Manager, there are "Committees", "Boards", "Directors", etc, etc. There are also vagaries as to definitions (ex: "monitoring").

Thus, it seems logical to conclude that inaccuracies are peppered throughout translations and understandings of Thai Condominium Law. If we accept that as true, then it only makes sense to apply logic to the law to construct a graft-free, democratic governance and use it to protect & maintain the building, its grounds and owners.

I agree with others on the Forum who opine that the laws are, in some cases, deliberately vague so that they may be applied according to the various officials' needs at a given time - "wiggle room" so to speak. Keeping that in mind, I doubt very much that the Law would provide for a Committee of co-owners and then seriously bust them for serving on that Committee. (Even though they technically can!) Nowhere in the Law does it state "a Committee composed of the JP possessing work permits".

I don't think anoyone has suggested that sitting on a committee may be considered as 'working'. It could be, though, if the committee start to 'manage' - that is the JP's job not the committee's.

Rav4 you can get but is an import, looks good [myself like the look of the mark 2 better] but at around 3 million is a crazy price, may as well have the BMW X1 or X3

Did you look at the Nissan X-Trail ? 4x4 and just over 1 million,

Yes I like the new Suzuki Vitara the 2 wheel drive is the same price as the 4x4 X-Trail @ 1,050,00 baht. the Grand Suzuki Vitara 4x4 no longer appear to be sold here

Imported the mid size Pajero 1.8 GDi in 3 door or 5 door... 725 - 827,000 baht brand new.

Hi - where did you get the Pajero? sounds good... and is the Nissan X-Trail generally available? but it looks a bit BIG? I just hate driving BIG trucks and Jeeps and hate parking them even more! thanks

The Grand Vitara is not a 4x4 - they sell those but only 2WD versions - they used to sell the 4x4 but they tell me the main countrywide importer no longer does so.

I just want the flexibility of a 4x4 with being able to park the dam_n thing

Want to buy a 4x4 that is a SHORT for parking - I hate the lumbering Fortuna for parking around town and want the 4x4 for mountains - Suzukie here in Chiang Mai tell me that the 4x4 Vitara is not longer stocked in Thailand? so if it is not available what about the Rav 4 which is quite short? any other options?

Emphasis on SHORT for parking and 4x4 for mountainous journey's etc.

I have no intention at all to change the rule breaking monks behaviour.

There is probably not even one reading this forum.

I, for one, see some real benefits in the rules being reviewed and monks valued more for their practice of Dhamma and their ability to inspire others with the values exemplified by the Buddha than for their elite untouchability and social dependence. They would serve the community better as "Boon-makers" than "Boon-receivers". Having said that, I'm sure there are many who are already exemplary, and a change of rules may not make much difference to them. It may liberate them though to be a brighter light on the hill for Thai society instead of the entrenched hieratic slew they occupy now.

The Sangha in Thailand is a self-serving elite kept in place by elite-loving Thais who in former times genuinely respected and loved the monks because they contributed to village life in many ways - in many cases by breaking the rules. Those times, captured by writers like Sulak Sivaraksa and Kamala Tiyavanich, are no longer with us and cannot be retrieved. The new era requires a broader sangha - male and female, monastic and lay - and a focus on mutual support and shared productivity based on a simple lifestyle together with vigorous teaching and self-education programmes for adults and children.

Phra Photiraksa and his Santi Asoke movement is a good example of what a blend of traditional monastic vinaya and authentic Buddhist practice can be, but it's too strict for most people (though one doesn't have to be a full member). Santi Asoke, however, has been ostracised by the official Sangha in Thailand (after initial attempts to criminalise it by invoking state power as the legitimising agent for Thai Buddhism). To practise Dhamma in an authentic, generous-spirited and inclusive manner in this country is to invite legal sanctions and contempt, as experienced by Samanera Photiraksa and Dhammananda Bhikkhuni (head of the community of nuns in Nakhorn Pathom). Even conservative abbots like Ajahn Brahm in Perth have been excluded from the Ajahn Chah network for ordaining bhikkhunis, thereby "breaking the rules".

It's very hard for intelligent monks with insight and foresight to break through the stultifying structures and archaic rules of current fossilised Thai Buddhism. They can do it if they have some charisma and a gift for teaching and writing, but how much more creative and influential they could be if there were some loosening of the reins.

but how much more creative and influential they could be if there were some loosening of the reins.

good post

ok, heres my position....

according to the pali scriptures

the buddha said

if the king is bad

the ministers become bad

the whole country becomes bad

(or words to that effect)

using that as criterion....

dont blame society for the current state its in

blame the government

dont blame the monks for their

slack ways

blame the sangharaja and his (ministers)

the elite ruling monks that contribute their votes

to any major change

its my opinion that they are kept tightly reigned in

they are instructed to leave things the way they are

you have to use inference to determine why

my inferential conclusion would not go down

very well on this forum

but ill give it if im really pushed

I believe this is partly right but each and every monk IS responsible for his behaviour and personal karma - not some hierarchy within the Sangha. It is not true to say that the hierarchy lead by bad example and hence monks just 'copy' - change can come from 'down there' as with Ghandi etc. I must say I agree that the Sanghas 'attachment' to certain areas of Thai society does it a great dis-service.

I have no intention at all to change the rule breaking monks behaviour.

There is probably not even one reading this forum.

I, for one, see some real benefits in the rules being reviewed and monks valued more for their practice of Dhamma and their ability to inspire others with the values exemplified by the Buddha than for their elite untouchability and social dependence. They would serve the community better as "Boon-makers" than "Boon-receivers". Having said that, I'm sure there are many who are already exemplary, and a change of rules may not make much difference to them. It may liberate them though to be a brighter light on the hill for Thai society instead of the entrenched hieratic slew they occupy now.

The Sangha in Thailand is a self-serving elite kept in place by elite-loving Thais who in former times genuinely respected and loved the monks because they contributed to village life in many ways - in many cases by breaking the rules. Those times, captured by writers like Sulak Sivaraksa and Kamala Tiyavanich, are no longer with us and cannot be retrieved. The new era requires a broader sangha - male and female, monastic and lay - and a focus on mutual support and shared productivity based on a simple lifestyle together with vigorous teaching and self-education programmes for adults and children.

Phra Photiraksa and his Santi Asoke movement is a good example of what a blend of traditional monastic vinaya and authentic Buddhist practice can be, but it's too strict for most people (though one doesn't have to be a full member). Santi Asoke, however, has been ostracised by the official Sangha in Thailand (after initial attempts to criminalise it by invoking state power as the legitimising agent for Thai Buddhism). To practise Dhamma in an authentic, generous-spirited and inclusive manner in this country is to invite legal sanctions and contempt, as experienced by Samanera Photiraksa and Dhammananda Bhikkhuni (head of the community of nuns in Nakhorn Pathom). Even conservative abbots like Ajahn Brahm in Perth have been excluded from the Ajahn Chah network for ordaining bhikkhunis, thereby "breaking the rules".

It's very hard for intelligent monks with insight and foresight to break through the stultifying structures and archaic rules of current fossilised Thai Buddhism. They can do it if they have some charisma and a gift for teaching and writing, but how much more creative and influential they could be if there were some loosening of the reins.

Just wanted to say 'excellent'! insightful and true