Deez

Well, I wouldn't expect him to tell the truth. lol

I don't believe it. I cannot see how anyone could be anxious to invest here.

Total BS......Thailand's economy has been in decline for several years and its annual rate of growth is the lowest in the region.

Other countries like Cambodia and Vietnam are generating far more investor interest. And, yes, I have the statistics but please don't ask me to post them (getting boring).

How to fix the problem:

1) alter the business rules by making it easy for foreigners to establish small scale businesses (the backbone of most economies);

2) abrogate the visa rule changes that have taken place over the past nine years to make Thailand expat/business/tourism friendly;

3) implement true democracy w/ the rule of law firmly in place and freedom of expression written in stone (next election should be held under the supervision of UN monitors);

4) demolish the education system (top to bottom) and start over following the advice of foreign experts.

A lot of worthless comments here in my opinion. Let me try to help. You are getting pointed in a lot of directions because at the end of the day, it depends on the girl. Same as back home. Back home you are probably used to dating from your same social class level so the rules tend to be the same. If you are going to date poor girls in Thailand or girls much younger than yourself, then anything goes. It will depend on the girl.

Unfortunately there are too many idiots (in my opinion), that just throw money at these "poor helpless" girls and feel sorry for them and eagerly hand over money. But if you talk to the "real" Thai girls that have never had any exposure to foreigners, they behave by rules very much the same as back home. They share the cost of the dates, they don't order more than they can eat, they take the bus home, etc, etc. Basically if a girls is expecting more, you are being scammed. Thais just don't date outside their social class for this very reason.

I think the behavior of foreigners and reckless spending has tainted the girls image of us and some of them are very good at taking advantage of that. Yesterday I went on a date with a beauty salon girl. She makes very little money and I expected to pay for the date. But... I didn't expect that she would show up with 2 of her friends. Immediately they picked the bar they wanted to go, and when the cover charge bill came, I asked them all to fork out the money. The were angry and wouldn't talk to me the rest of the night. Personally I don't care and never want to see them again because their behavior was disrespectful and out of line, even to Thai culture standards.

I don't believe the lie's about "man always pays, Thai culture, etc". That is old school. I date many middle class girls (and poor uni students), that don't act like this. Choose your girls wisely, and don't be afraid to push back when you see a scam.

Spot on. There is your best advice right there.

Well, I wouldn't expect him to tell the truth. lol

I don't believe it. I cannot see how anyone could be anxious to invest here.

Last time I was in Australia I went to Office works and was ready to purchase $1500 of goods. I askeded for a plastic bag to carry it...was refused and told I could buy a reusable bag. Cancelled the order and came to Thailand. Maybe I will have to move again.

you base your life choices on where you get an over-abundance of free plastic bags! i base mine on the availability of cheap beer and hot girls. i guess everyone has their reasons.

LOL,was thinking the same thing.....

Weeeeeeeeee, another thread about us and them.

When you use the term "us", please don't assume that we are all the same. If your "us" includes people of marginal income, lacking needed job skills or not possessing an ability to truly contribute to the well being and economic growth of Thailand, then yes, your assessment is correct. Horrible isn't it that

So let's look at your complaints shall we?

draconian visa regulations

Thailand has the same position as other countries like Australia, Canada, the USA and the EU. When was the last time you saw Australia set up a recruiting booth in Africa, India or even Europe and ask uneducated people that would contribute nothing of great value to the society or economy to move to Australia? You do realize that the UK, USA etc. all impose financial requirements in order to obtain investment or retirement visas right? Do you know how difficult it is for a Thai to get a tourist visa to a western country?

things like double pricing,

We already have a thread going on that but I know from my own experience in other countries that I often paid more for local services. Need some examples? Take boring Canada;

- University tuition for "foreign" students is in the tens of thousands while students resident in the province pay only a few thousand.

- Medical care is "free" to residents that may pay for some services such as non hospital based tests. Foreigners pay rates and costs that would preclude most Thais from obtaining medical care. For example, the charge to a non resident for a doctor visit can be $100-$250 depending upon the province. This is significantly higher than the $20-$40. a foreigner is charged in Thailand.

- Entrance to SixFlags amusement park in Montreal: Non residents pay approx. 2X the cost of residents.

150 baht charge to take your money out of an a.t.m.

What's your point? Western banks do the same thing. When use a bank that isn't my branch in the west, I pay an atm access fee + my bank's added fee. This can amount to 150B as well. I just noticed that my west issued Mastercard has been adding 200b fees to my card for purchases I made on the internet in the west.

,not being able to own land ,

Did you know that in Prince Edward Island, Canada non residents are not allowed to purchase land? The locals passed the law because they were worried about all sorts of rich foreigners coming in and buying up the province. It has withstood all sorts of court challenges because the law was intended to protect the local culture. Just like in PEI, if there would be a free for all in Thailand that would occur if foreigners were allowed to own land. Large chunks of agricultural land would be drawn out of the economy. Nevermind that, but alot of folks whining about not being able to buy land might then be whining about Indians, Chinese and Arabs forcing up land prices beyond the reach of western retirees because they were on buying sprees.

For those of "us" that are responsible citizens and have either the financial wherewithall or important job skills or that can help the economy, the welcome is there. If someone just wants to sit around drinking beer and copulating with impoverished sex workers in Pattaya and that would be considered trash in his or her own country, no the welcome isn't there.

Another know it all Canada basher. You don't say what "unboring"country your from but I am sure its magical which is why you live in Thailand right? You might want to educate yourself a little before you start throwing out insults and "facts"

Canadians pay some of the highest taxes in the world which is why medical and tuition is affordable for most Canadians. The Thai double pricing goes way beyond tuition and medical. There are dozens of examples, but I am sure you have heard them all being an expert and all.

From the PEI official website.

"A person who is not a resident person of PEI shall not have an aggregate land holding in excess of five acres or having a shore frontage in excess of one hundred and sixty-five feet unless he/she first receives permission to do so from the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

A student accepted at a Canadian school does not have to "pay off" immigration every 90 days.

Get your facts straight

Ministry to ban alcohol next Songkran

BANGKOK: -- Unhappy with the continuing high road casualties over Songkran, Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbodi yesterday vowed to promote a ban on alcohol sales during the festival next year.

The number of deaths and accidents indicated that the campaign against drunken driving had failed, he said.

Deaths were up by five from last year, but there were 471 fewer injuries and 266 fewer accidents.

-- The Nation 2009-04-19

Exactly what was their "campaign against drunken driving? Suggest people not do it. What a joke. Laws need to actually be enforced before they can be effective.

Are there any schools in CM where you can obtain an ED visa for studying Thai? I know CMU offers a Thai Language course but it's a year long. I'm looking for something in the 3-6 month range. I've also taken Thai at AUA, but their program doesn't qualify students to obtain an ED visa.

Pro language offers a 1 year ED visa. As far as I know they are the only ones in CM.(besides university). Once accepted you have to leave the country to get your ED visa. Good for one year. After that you have to report to immigration every 3 months.

phone # is 086 431 0377

Good luck

Hi

I recently signed up for school at Pro Language in Chiang Mai. I was told as part of my one year ED visa I would need to travel to BKK every 3 months to report. I was wondering with the changes in visa reporting if that will still be neccessary or if I can do it in CM. The school itself has no idea.

Thanks

Brian