schmutzie

I agree. Bangkok Post is the least worst of the two.

I think there might be a local business mag printed here, in English.

I found this list:

http://www.worldpress.org/newspapers/ASIA/Thailand.cfm

I found a couple of ticks on my two dogs a few weeks ago. Meant to get Frontline but ended up waiting a few days too long. The result? I got bit by a tick and developed lyme disease. Fun. I actually caught the tick when she was biting me but didn't think much of it. A few days later, I start getting sick and end up going to Bumrungrad. Blood test confirms that I have lyme disease. Fortunately, it was very early stage and at that time it can be completely cured/cleared with antibiotics and a bunch of other pills. So I'm fine now. But let it be a lesson on how serious a tick problem can be. If you have kids at home, I'd be really concerned.

Of course, rushed to the vet and got Frontline for my dogs. Ticks are now gone. Just need to make sure I keep up with the dosage every month. The dogs also take monthly heartworm-prevention medicine (a chewable tablet), so it's just a question of adding one more thing to the schedule!

If you still have ticks after using Frontline, remember that it might take a couple of months for them to disappear. You might be killing the big ones but the eggs might still be around, so you need to wait a bit. Also, you're not supposed to let your dog get wet (rain/bath/swimming) for three days before and after applying Frontline or that might reduce its effectiveness.

Yeah, my girl is currently on the same routine. I thought Lyme Disease was not that common in Thailand? Obviously not. Have to re-check with the vet.

I think I could have been bitten a dozen times already, but never gave it much thought. Was there blood coming out from the tick bite?

I'm happy Frontline is working for you, but it just isn't cutting it for me. Initially, after month two, I thought it had helped a lot and we started to become a little sloppy with out tick combing, but recently they seem to have resurfaced in full force.

To the OP:

I would go with another provider if you have a choice. Those rates for that kind of speed seems a bit steep. Unless you're talking kilobytes and not kilobits.

I've had True Premier 4Mb/1Mb for almost 6 months and I have only marginal problems with Youtube. Torrents seem to be able to max the connection.

Have you tried resetting your browser or manually deleting cookies/cache/history/offline data?

Another thing is, it can depend on what videos you watch. Media providers tend to push the more popular content to faster servers. Marginally popular videos may take more time to load.

Compared to say Singapore, my experience here in Thailand has been good. In Singapore everything seemed to grind to a halt at nighttime and even my company leased line had problems with load speeds on Youtube. I thought Singapore was the uber-cyber city on the planet. Not.

I would just scan the budget airlines for promotions, eg. AirAsia.

Personally, I'd go for Vietnam. Ticket prices looked cheap last I checked.

Thanks Sheryl.

We're talking about induced abortion as opposed to miscarriage. Well aware of the cultural stigma surrounding terminated pregnancies in Thailand, which is why I was looking for somewhere to talk with strangers about this. Even close friends can turn out to be not so close when it comes to this issue.

Two thirds of that article is not even about the DSI issue. Just chat about the rally last Sunday. Sigh.

IMO, it's fairly obvious that both sides had weapons and fired them. Needless to say, the army had more and caused more fatalities. I base this opinion on eye witness reporting by journalists on the scene who followed the shoot out: http://nationsstate....79-grenade.html

I'm mostly concerned by the Seh Daeng assassination and similar incidents.

I think they should release the report and that should lead the PM to form a truly independent committee (possible?) that is authorised to release all information to the public and can call in anyone for questioning. Similar to the Hutton Inquiry. The public effectively paid for the report. They have a right to know what the conclusions were, even if they are incomplete or disputable.

But alas, I think we will never have anyone own up to their actions. I think it would be more prudent to run public campaigns to support people to come forward rather than the current ones that seem to encourage people to simply "forget and leave behind". But I can not imagine any Thai would feel encouraged to do so. Nor even safe.

^HSBC not only charge a monthly fee to have an account but you need a minimum balance of 25k also or there are additional fees to pay.

I changed from them for that reason.

There are many other Building Societies / Banks that you can open accounts with online (and send supporting documents later), although the number of banks that don't charge monthly fees are dwindling.

GIYF.

Edit: I don't know any of the offshore Building Societies that offer debit cards also so you may be limited to banks.

I think these offshore/private options are not suitable for my small time finances. I'm just a regular guy who needs an easy way to transfer the odd couple of thousand quid now and again. I think same as many here. Natwest is not the way to go.

My first thoughts (being an ex employee of NatWest for 26 years)is do you have details & a credit balance of your now 'long gone' HSBC account, if so ask HSBC to trace it. That might take some time but if it can be done, there is your answer. You mention volatile exchange rates so I assume you are talking about a large amount of funds. If so, why limit yourself to the UK? Could you not investigate other countries to place your nest-egg?

Most High Street banks need a couple of documents to prove that you are living somewhere in the UK (Dr license,Utility bills etc.) so it might be worth you checking a few offshore websites with the understanding that they all require a certain minimum balance requirement.

Thanks Dave. It's not large funds anymore, but any pennies saved with the way things are helps. More frustration than anything.

I think we discussed this previously, but I just don't understand why Natwest can not let its customers do this, same as many other High Street banks.

Or at least let me fax through the letter. Their staff must feel like they're hired to be the support staff for a giant computer program (well, not so giant as it is).

It occurred to me about the documents, which is why I thought maybe I could talk to HSBC here. Offshore is out of my league, as is private banking.

I don't have personal experience, so you can stop reading now.

I looked into one of those cards before (not on your list but the name evades me right now) and the specific rates weren't that great.

I would be realistic about needs/usage and find deals that cover those, a mix of skype, local sim, pre-dial numbers. But yes, excludes the convenience of having an always-on number.

I'm with you though. The world needs a truly global carrier. We'll get there eventually, but the incumbents will fight it tooth and nail.

Problem is, people who travel a lot and use mobile are usually on business and will simply have their bill covered by the company.

I wonder what kind of deal structure Amazon has in place for the Kindle...

This will be for my MIL during her journey to the U.S. She doesn't speak English and we wanted her to have an easy way to call us if she has a problem.

Probably too complicated to have your MIL pick up a PAYG sim on arrival, so I would mail/courier her one.

But:

Just ask her to top up plenty before departure. One emergency call at the airport to say she can't find you is surely worth the expense. After that you can just give her a US PAYG sim.

Just check her Thai network roams on a US network.

Yep, I planned on mailing her a phone and a SIM card. She will likely need both. I already checked one network in Thailand, True Move. Their roaming rates are insane. I'm interested in onesimcard.com as their rates are pretty decent, compared to all the other options at least, but I wan't to make sure I'm not signing myself up for a headache as there are not many reviews for this product on the internet. The positive reviews I discovered are suspicious.

But the costs of mailing her that mobile and sim would be equiv or more than one or two brief calls in the US on her existing Thai sim (or she doesn't have one??), surely. I think you're engaging in overkill, but it's good to be prepared. You're picking her up on arrival, right? Like I said, if I understand you right, your only concern is the time between departure and arrival in the US. After that you can just give her a US mobile and sim and she'll be fine. Are you worried she'll get tangled up in immigration? Give her a letter from you to hand over with details of how to contact you, just in case.

Just track she got on the plane and then wait for her to drop in your lap in the US. It'll be fine.

I don't know. I'd have to see some comparisons to how the Thai Army's record of lost munitions compares to other countries before passing general judgement.

Still, repeatedly, obsessed with the lack of interrogative reporting more than anything. It's always "this guy says this, that guy says that". And then some ranting editorial or opinion piece that does little to further the matter.

The article only states that RPG grenades were stolen. Not launchers. Presumably the perps already have those...?

No mention of whether the Lopburi arsenal has had security issues before.

No specific mention of the actual security measures ("very tight") that are in place.

No mention of the how the "criticism of repeated thefts" conforms with the Army's statement that these are a rare occurrence.

No mention of the means available to track the arms (why does a "forensic" test take 6-8 days...)

No mention why Suthep had to ask for the investigation to be sped up, ie. why was it running slow to begin with. Why Suthep and not the Head of Army.

No mention of what the potential punishment is for those involved. And whether this would be an Army or a Civil matter or both.

No mention of what the Army intends to do about arsenal security measures, despite "criticism of repeated thefts".

No pressing Suthep on his discouragement of "negative conclusions" when it would be reasonable to be concerned considering that RPGs were launched at gas facilities during the April/May protests by someone or other.

I could go on...

I don't have personal experience, so you can stop reading now.

I looked into one of those cards before (not on your list but the name evades me right now) and the specific rates weren't that great.

I would be realistic about needs/usage and find deals that cover those, a mix of skype, local sim, pre-dial numbers. But yes, excludes the convenience of having an always-on number.

I'm with you though. The world needs a truly global carrier. We'll get there eventually, but the incumbents will fight it tooth and nail.

Problem is, people who travel a lot and use mobile are usually on business and will simply have their bill covered by the company.

I wonder what kind of deal structure Amazon has in place for the Kindle...

This will be for my MIL during her journey to the U.S. She doesn't speak English and we wanted her to have an easy way to call us if she has a problem.

Probably too complicated to have your MIL pick up a PAYG sim on arrival, so I would mail/courier her one.

But:

Just ask her to top up plenty before departure. One emergency call at the airport to say she can't find you is surely worth the expense. After that you can just give her a US PAYG sim.

Just check her Thai network roams on a US network.

A UK perspective:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cheap-roaming-calls

I don't have personal experience, so you can stop reading now.

I looked into one of those cards before (not on your list but the name evades me right now) and the specific rates weren't that great.

I would be realistic about needs/usage and find deals that cover those, a mix of skype, local sim, pre-dial numbers. But yes, excludes the convenience of having an always-on number.

I'm with you though. The world needs a truly global carrier. We'll get there eventually, but the incumbents will fight it tooth and nail.

Problem is, people who travel a lot and use mobile are usually on business and will simply have their bill covered by the company.

I wonder what kind of deal structure Amazon has in place for the Kindle...

Natwest doesn't cut it for me anymore. Plenty of other banks offer online transfers at little cost. With Natwest I have pay a courier company to send a letter authorising them to do the transfer. Then wait for my branch (which I have no way of contacting directly) to call me (they can not tell you when they will do this and will call you so that it comes through as a Thai landline, which means I'm likely to think wrong number). Then pay £20-£27 for the farce. Also, it takes from 2-5 days. With the exchange being so volatile, that can make a big difference in the rate. I want 24 hour transfer.

So, can I open/re-open a HSBC or Standard Chartered account from here or with another bank that's in the UK, put my Natwest money in that account and start to lead a happier life?

I say re-open, because I do have a UK HSBC account that's been dormant for some years, so would need new debit card and online banking access codes.

I'm not that happy with Frontline. Thinking about switching to Ivermectin, just to see if it's more effective. Not a cost issue. But I do reckon you could easily spend 1 hour a day or more dealing with ticks, and that's too much in my book.

I apply Frontline once a month and have also been using Frontline spray just on the ears (does Frontline also "flow" up and cover the skin on the face/ears?)

I have not experienced the "apply Frontline and watch ticks fall off after 30 minutes".

Something that seems to achieve this is having her lie on the bed, on some white linen with the air con on. Next morning the bed is filled with them.

Does the cold air make them drop or am I making stuff up here?

Spraying the house and cleaning thoroughly is all well and good, but she does not live in a hermetically sealed environment and she does get out for walks. Plenty of opportunity for ticks to attach themselves.

The types of ticks seem to change: spiderlike, beetlelike, tiny, brown, black, big fat females...etc. etc.

She's now got really thick hair and it's nigh impossible to spot the smaller ones and even the medium ones. I don't expect 100% eradication, and I don't even think it's natural for a dog to be "tick free" but I do yearn for a sense of being in control of the issue.

Does the tick season/issue subside at some point?

Other options than Ivermectin (Preventic collar?)

Tick powder - what's the score?

Do the ticks react to cold air and drop off?

Do you have any magic anti-tick tips to share, perhaps specifically for a Golden?

BTW, I'm not saying Frontline doesn't help, but the fact is I see ticks attaching themselves and staying on her in large numbers so I don't see it as very effective.

Apologies, just realised that the topic title might seem a little mis leading. Should have been something like "Post-Abortion Support Group". I'm unable to correct that now.

Has anyone come across or know of any post-abortion support groups for Thai people in the Bangkok area?

What I'm looking for is a group of Thai women that have had abortions and meet to talk and support each other.

PM if necessary.

Nice try guys. I am never coming in here for any advice.

Did anyone not notice where he mentioned suicide?

If this thread had been "Farang jumps in front of Freight train in Korat" , I am sure we will all throw in our heartfelt sympathies and wonder why he never talked to anyone?

Three months of emergency funds? Now we all cant be Suze orman smart, cut the guy some slack and tell him what he can do to provide for himself.

In most countries, throwing oneself in front of a train would be quick and painless. However, I am led to believe that due to the constant late running of the trains here, I would probably starve to death before the train arrived.

Might this work for you?

http://www.thaivisa....-web-developer/

Hey thanks.

I sent him a PM... may turn something up. That's my line of work right there.

Thanks again.

You've had plenty of advice along these lines, but your arrogance has kept you busy defending yourself against posters where you have been waving a red flag. Let this thread die and get on with it. And stop talking suicide as a joke when you're ready to brag about how tough you are the next minute.

I think the argument is that this is not a political gathering, but a "commemorative rally"...

Call it the way you want. The previous one was also "just a peaseful rally" - and you could clearly see the burned Central World on the twit pics above. Right behind those "peaceful protestors".

That is not the point. The point was to find an explanation as to how this could go ahead under SoE.

As a possible workaround, I and others are suggesting that this would be explained by referring to it as a "commemorative rally".

Nobody is saying it's not a political rally. Just trying to work out how it technically could be allowed under SoE.

Basically, it would have happened one way or the other.

12:24PM Ratchaprasong more or less blocked ( http://twitpic.com/2pvod1 )

So where is so-called "SoE rule not to allow crowds 5+ pax"????????

Anyone in this f#$%#$%#$@ govt able to enforce even ONE thing in their own country?? Where is the police? Where are SWATs? Noone to disperce the 2nd season of this red-soap drama?

I should re-think my decision to pay my taxes to THIS.

Please excuse me, but this gathering to commemorate an event was agreed upon with police, etc. Strict rules to be followed, end of happening 8PM.

You could have read about it the last week.

Traffic blocked because of many people, not because of deliberate blocking.

So what's your problem ?

(PS ManU - Liverpool start 7.30PM, don't miss this red-shirt show)

First, with the SOE in effect, there are suppose to be NO political gatherings of more than 5 people. Then they were asked not to block traffic. Then they were asked not to use loudspeakers. All broken. What's next? Burning of buildings...again...

I see no strict rules here at all...nothings being enforced?

I think the argument is that this is not a political gathering, but a "commemorative rally"...

I would have thought that someone has to stand up and sign some agreement with the police before undertaking such a thing. In effect, somebody has to take legal responsibility. Is it not so in Thailand?

I see the police have said the reds would not be allowed to set up a stage.

Have they set it up yet?

From what I could gather on Twitter:

One pic showed a red with a mic (and a police officer next to him!) addressing the crowd from a raised position, but not sure it would qualify as a stage.

Pics clearly show them virtually blocking Rajprasong.

They have taken over traffic duties from police.

Police are outnumbered and do not appear to have any response or command in the area.

There's a terrific pic showing a line of "riot police" facing red shirts on one side of the road, despite these already being behind a metal fence to prevent people from crossing the street. Yet, behind them, on the other side, a red crowd has gathered which is substantially larger and are pouring onto the street.

The police do not have a clue and it's a coin toss that this won't turn into a sit down to "release our leaders" IMO.

Yes, it seems a mess.

Maybe a stupid question, but why is the auction/bidding being hosted at a resort in Hua Hin...?

Call me cynical but I'm thinking lots of telco and government dons secluded in individual suites with a flurry of young execs running around amongst scantily clad girls, caviar and champagne. And a few generals making sure everything is done by the book. It's just something I'm making up of course.

I'm starting to find your replies a little odd: Whereas you initially stated that you were not looking for sympathy, all your replies appear to be trying to justify just that. I can understand the urge to respond to negative comments, but this is a public forum and I think you can find those in all threads, especially with the anonymity we're afforded here. Why pick up on single abusive comments. You have better things to do.

Personally I would have kept my post limited to the Paypal/Ebay issue, as otherwise you just invite the whole forum to have a look at your dirty laundry, of which we all have some.

So being confused, what is the actual, specific advice you're after in your original post?

If there isn't any, then I don't think you can avoid these comments as you're basically saying "here's my life, what do you think...?"

www.paypalsucks.com - check it out and see why you should never trust Paypal with any of your money.

Unless you are a big company and you are dealing on Paypal there is a HUGE chance Paypal will freeze your account for 6 months whenever you have a significant amount of money in there, keep all the interest for themselves and probably end up keeping what is in your account in the end as they make it impossible for you to bring any case against them or to prove your way out of whatever infraction it is they claim you have done. It's basically legal highway robbery.

I got stung for a few hundred quid a couple of years ago, and that just happened to be the one and only time in 5 years I had any amount of money in my Paypal account over £50. I jumped through hoops for them doing doing everything they asked of me and all the legwork to prove that they were wrong as the burden of proof was on me to show them that they hadn't actually paid the money into my bank account and that it was their mistake!

I will never trust Paypal with any of my money again but you have no choice to use them sometimes as eBay forces you to use them as they own them.

I can't imagine trying to run a business using Paypal as the money handler with the real threat of them closing my account whenever they feel like it just so they can steal my money and ruin my business.

Problems with Paypal is one thing. But to have ALL your funds deposited with them is another altogether IMHO. As already stated.