jayboy

29 minutes ago, BigStar said:

Merely the Thai equivalent of small talk, and having a sense of humor helps immensely as it often does for a farang in Thailand. It's going to take about the same amount of time anyway or possibly even less. Though you do obviously take yourself very seriously, I suspect that your time isn't nearly so precious as you think it is.

 

As it's a task, I figure it might as well be pleasant for all involved.

 

Now you may, as so many here, prefer to sit there and steam, bore yourself, nitpick, squawk, whinge and play the drama queen posting here about your horrific struggles complete with the obligatory superior "solutions." And I suppose that assuring oneself of one's innate superiority to mere low level bureaucrats--and to so many other inferiors, no?--may be of some comfort, Your Lordship. Me, I dare regard them as fellow humans trying to their miserable jobs, however imperfectly, and "there but for the grace . . . " etc. Up 2 u; but I have a smile looking back and I do enjoy (well, slightly, as these things go) pulling out my card when I can.

I wasn't criticising your behaviour.I merely remarked that, for me, the less time cavorting pointlessly with junior bureaucrats the better.If you get a kick out of time consuming low level banter, good for you.Politeness is always a good idea though you should probably be aware that the recipients of your bonhomie may be enjoying it rather less than you.

7 hours ago, BigStar said:

Yes. Withdrawing money over the counter, paying bills, depositing money, sending/receiving packages, Thai SS, possible avoidance of farang surcharge at public hsps (NOT verified but has been implied--I just used it to register at one, will re-register at another soon), etc. Good official ID. Nobody's gon' carry around a book, but whipping out the card is easy and Thais like it rather more than a passport for routine stuff. The number fits Thai forms.

 

Been some long threads about the Yellow Book and pink ID. I assume the rabid anti-Yellow Book brigade will shortly appear (who sneer they "don't need it," though nobody says you do) and the whole thing will be argued again. I had fun getting mine, joked around w/ all the ladies (gave my phone# to one (still waiting), met the Mayor and his cadres, left with smiles and saluted the security guard on the way out.

 

 

This is true up to a point but my experience has been that bank officials will still ask to see a passport if a the pink card is offered.They shouldn't really but it's taking time for the pink card to be understood.

On a slightly different tack:

"I had fun getting mine, joked around w/ all the ladies (gave my phone# to one (still waiting), met the Mayor and his cadres, left with smiles and saluted the security guard on the way out."

This is exactly the kind of experience that I try to avoid in dealing with officialdom.In a recent thread on PR I mentioned that there are people who actually enjoy this kind of time wasting capering around with low level bureaucrats.I would rather stab myself in the head.It takes all sorts.

2 hours ago, thedemon said:

 

As far as I recall the longest period between application and receiving PR was during 2005/2006 to 2012. So up to 6-7 years waiting.

 

In 2012 when the backlog was cleared and PR issued to those applicants it wasn't required to have maintained a work permit and I know a couple that definitely didn't. But whether that was a special concession due to the long delay or is still the case today, I don't know.

I believe the position is that theoretically one should maintain a work permit but that in practice this is not checked -so it should not be a problem.

1 hour ago, RuamRudy said:

Scotland isn't included in this report, but if the factors above are true for Scotland, I suspect you'd better save your concern for the English.

 

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/02/which-countries-have-the-best-literacy-and-numeracy-rates/

 

"England’s teenagers have the worst levels of literacy coming in last place with more than 1 in 5 having a low level of literacy. The country doesn’t fare much better in numeracy, coming second to last with more than a quarter of 16-19 year olds lacking basic numeracy skills."

It's true that the Scots have an amazing educational heritage to build on - excellent universities, and schools and dare I say it the old Presbyterian virtues of diligence and hard work.A lot of this inheritance is being <deleted> away by the socialist SNP leadership.But I am convinced the old Scottish virtues will prevail again, whether within or outside the UK.

59 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-44256059

 

Thats from the BBC. The communications wing of the Conservative party. 

A measured and careful analysis is provide in this BBC article.You respond with an absurd slur. As regards the sterling option this could certainly be invoked by an independent Scotland.It would mean however that Scotland would have zero say in determining monetary policy.It would essentially be required to fall in line with whatever was required by London in terms of setting interest rates etc.Essentially Scotland would have less influence in this vital area than it does now.Looking on the bright side however, there are even worse choices and less independence if Scotland opted for the Euro.

On 9/3/2020 at 6:06 PM, George Aylesham said:

But they would be happily using the Euro - currently at any rate a far more stable currency than sterling.

Have to laugh at this sort of post.Do those who believe Scotland could adopt the Euro have any idea what is involved and what restrictions would be imposed by Brussels ? Have they done even the most elementary type of research?

In a more general sense there has never been a satisfactory response given by the SNP to the matter of post independence currency.In fact the Scottish people have been bombarded with lies by the SNP on the options available.

42 minutes ago, Yasobill said:

I respectfully beg to differ. If you want an accurate reflection of race issues in America, go live there and experience it. Otherwise you really don’t have a basis for reality on the issue. Only what the media decides to feed you. 

sure, you can quote a French man from the “19th century”, But are his reflections really accurate to current times? Likely not. That’s like saying Jules Vern is the architect of the space race.

Studying degree level history is fantastic. By the way, what year did you study History? History doesn’t reflect current times...it’s history! America has changed since the cultural revolution, thankfully so! Do we have further to go?..yes. 
There are pockets of racism in America, no doubt. Just as there are pockets of racism in the U.K., Germany, Japan and even Thailand...but to give America a blanket definition of a “racist country” is absolute incorrect! 
keep reading your history books and taking the mainstream media as the gospel and you’ll have a perfect view of Global societies.
 

I didn't say America was a racist country.I said that race bedevils American life, a fact which only an ignoramus would deny.Clearly you have never heard of de Tocqueville so it's pointless discussing his significance with you (but yes his reflections remain extremely relevant). But on the more general issue the past does inform the present and attitudes are determined by a long history.For example the recent controversy over the Confederate flag and Confederate statues has a long history tracking back to the Civil War.I know there are millions of decent Americans without a trace of racism but that does not alter the essential facts.Again there is racism in every country but the US is unique in his legacy of slavery which still poisons the political arena.I'm no fan of BLM and although there's a truth at the heart of their movement, there's also irrelevant Leftist doctrine and third rate leadership.There will inevitably be a backlash and Trump will encourage/try to capitalise on this.Look I'm a fan of America and the principles enunciated by that extraordinary set of geniuses, the Founding Fathers (are these eighteenth century men irrelevant also in your opinion?)The principles of the American Constitution are universal ones.The alternatives to American leadership are repellent - China,Russia etc.The friends of America want the country to renew its position of moral authority

On 8/29/2020 at 7:14 PM, Yasobill said:

 Are you a US citizen or have you lived in the US as an expat for years? If not, it would be hard for you know the truth!
Are you saying the US is a racist country? If so, than yes, you are confused. 
What you are getting wrong, is you believe what the media tells you is always fact...Well, hate to burst your bubble, but it’s not always fact. Very often it’s poor information or manipulated information. Check out the “entire George Floyd video” then make your assessment on that case. 
 

As a 58 year old American citizen, I ca assure you, the US is not a racist country! 
 

 

 

On the contrary it is not necessary to be a US citizen or to have had long residence there to understand some of the major issues in the US.Indeed an outsider who studies another country deeply often has insights that a citizen of that country does not have access to.Possibly the greatest analyst of American society was a young French aristocrat, de Tocqueville: his insights are valued by American scholars and historians to this day.Some of the greatest analysts of Thai society have been American and British scholars.

Furthermore racists, killers and bigots never for a moment think of themselves as racists, killers or bigots.

With respect your assurance as a citizen that the US is not a racist country is worth, with respect, precisely nothing.If you are able to summon up some well thought out arguments, that would be another matter.But you have nothing of that sort.In my view as an outsider who has studied American history at degree level there is no doubt in my mind that race still bedevils American life, and that the weight of slavery still hangs heavy.

Quite willing to examine your reasoning but your call to "check out the entire George Floyd video" suggests that nothing very illuminating will emanate from your corner.

Those of us who order items from Amazon are used to their import deposit policy whereby an estimate is made of Thailand import duty and added to the cost/shipping total.In theory a refund is made if there has been an over estimate of the duty payable.By and large I have no problem with any of this.

Where I do have a problem is when Amazon persists with this policy in the shipment of books.There is no duty on books imported for personal use into Thailand.Therefore there is no way that import duty in advance can be justified.I have tried to have this out with Amazon without any success -finally defeated by a series of bots, well meaning but hopeless guys in call centres, computer generated emails which don't even bother to focus on the matter at issue. Never mind.Amazon generally is a lifesaver and is helpful in many other ways.

IT has prompted me to look at Book Depository - anther Amazon company- which purports to deliver books locally without shipping charge or import deposit.I have no doubt that this is not quite what it seems but a quick check shows they are significantly cheaper than their Mother company.Anyone had much experience of them.

Under Entry Requirement on the FCO website there's the following statement:

"Residents currently outside Thailand

If you have a Thai resident visa and normally reside in Thailand but are now overseas and cannot return to Thailand within the required year of departure, you will be granted an extension to your compulsory return deadline. However, you are required to return to Thailand as soon as the situation improves."

Those with PR will know this refers to and what this means but it well might confuse others.The reference to "resident visa" is incorrect and the passage should either refer specifically to "Permanent Residence" though for this purpose "Residence Permit" would be equally appropriate.

1 hour ago, British Consular Team said:

Thanks for this. You make a good point about us being the contact point between the British community and Embassy (or perhaps better to say other UK gov departments). We'll have a think about how we can improve our response in this area. And I also agree with you on the pay point! Although we'll have to differ on the question of high-fliers or not, as I joined Consular soon as I could when I finished the Fast Steam programme and hire the best people I can find for my team...

Thanks.I stand corrected on the fast stream point although I think you will probably agree your choice was atypical.

On 8/14/2020 at 11:06 AM, Arkady said:

Avoid saccharine statements about loving all Thai people and HMK

Good advice though I'm afraid I came pretty close to that state of fawning admiration in my interview and of course instantly regretted not having been able to come up with something less foolish.However the reaction from the interviewing officer was unexpected and very much with a twinkle in his eye asked "Are you quite sure about that?" I replied "Absolutely, no question about it" At that we both had a little laugh together.

22 minutes ago, Millcx said:

While I accept these guys arnt rolling in riches there still has to be an understanding of the feelings of U.K. Citizens that would worry about issues

Referrals to websites doesn’t cut the mustard

I had to leave Thailand and return to U.K. recently (48hrs to go on self isolation) but now find myself as a displaced U.K. citizen with no network

I was lucky that a friend new someone who took me in for 5 weeks but after that it’s on the streets for me ... Why?

Because there is no information that helps me understand the system of Housing or how much budget your entitled too for finding rented accomodation

Universal Credit is a fair process but when it comes to accommodation it’s a nightmare

There should be a simple download to help expats returning to U.K. who have nothing

Its gonna be interesting and a serious worry for me over these next few weeks as I find myself on the streets due to Covid

Before I left Thailand I emailed the Brit Embassy with a couple of simple questions and all I got was referral to website that told me nothing

Interesting being another Veteran having to sleep in a shop front because nobody told them where to get proper advice (With no long drawn out <deleted> to follow

I hope you are able to resolve your problems in the UK.However whichever way you look at it, it's not the role of consular staff to give advice on securing housing in the UK. I think it would actually be completely unreasonable to expect them to offer an opinion on it.

I had a message on my mobile banking app from my bank that with effect August 20th the site will only be accessible on the device last logged in with.

Any idea what that's about?

Some useful pointers here from Sheryl and others.As to Bumrumgrad and other expensive hospitals when contemplating a significantly pricey treatment, it's best to let one's insurance company negotiate on one's behalf - although I fully appreciate it's often not practical/possible to do so in the event of an emergency.

Realistically, a proven Covid 19 vaccine is unlikely to be widely available (if at all) until late next year.Even when available there will in my view be lower numbers of foreigners from the Middle East and elsewhere visiting Thailand for medical treatment.This will be mostly due to a long term disinclination to travel by air and also because of stringent Thailand entry conditions.If I am right, hospitals like Bumrungrad will need to be more transparent/competitive on pricing.

18 hours ago, Isaan sailor said:

 Your heart rate slows with age.

No it doesn't.There are some differences in connection with exercise - doesn't reach the level of younger people and takes longer to revert to normal.But the heart rate itself doesn't slow down.

23 hours ago, robblok said:

Poor obese people, no wonder that its killing so many in the USA and a lot less in Thailand.

 

I want to bet people wont try to lose weight. I mean people know that smoking kills but they keep doing it too. 

But most people did stop smoking because of the dangers.Why should it be different for obesity?

8 hours ago, Kadilo said:

Can’t expect anything else when they are getting totally brainwashed on a daily basis. Even some of the foreigners who are living In Thailand are spouting the same scaremongering nonsense. 

 

Maybe it’s gonna take a while to sink in the severity of the situation the country is heading for before they begin to wise up. 
 

Thaiand can not survive on its own. 
 

Er, yes it can and is better placed to do so than most countries.

The country is certainly facing some difficult issues, some of which but not all are Covid related.Tourism will be badly affected but the sector is less important than many foreigners understand ( though the economic details are easily accessible).