connda

Doesnt the world know that asians are racist? I dont recall ever seeing light skinned actors on TV in Thailand, Philippines, and Malaysia.... One time I saw an old Thai drama on TV where the main "poor low class girl" used black face make up.

When they stop putting whitening agents in lotions and creams will be the day they stop being racist. I just live with it and pretend im in early 1900s america.

I watched a Thai comedy a couple of nights ago about an 'ugly duckling' teenage girl who was attracted to the most popular boy in the school. At the beginning of the movie, the teenager was made to have skin blemishes and her skin color was about three shades darker than any of her friends. I joked with my wife and said that by the end of the movie the girl will 'get the guy' and she'll have 'farang white' skin. Sure enough, by the end of the movie that girl looked like a farang superstar and her skin was whiter than my Barvian grandmother in middle of winter.

had one for 1 year, everytime I took it to LIFAN it came back worse, got to the point I felt like they were doing it on purpose to make more money from the stupid farang. I quit going there except to buy parts, yes I found good mechanics they are out there, just as you go by GEKKO restaurant on the right side, about 2 soi's up going to the moat he is very reliable. bought it for 80,000b drove it a year and sold it for 70,000b. I was a bit heavy at 110kilo and I put air shocks on the back and it was like a different bike. I also put Kawasaki boss spokes on the rear. Just a few tips as I know how you fell and the problems you are having. Cant beat the engine, I really loved riding it. Little cautious to go to far though!!!

I've had problems with the local shop too. I just got my bike back from a new mechanic that I was referred to by a Thai friend. Bike runs good. I'll take note of the rear "air shocks". I noticed that hear shock wasn't quite right. What brand of shocks did you put on?

No more trips to Lifan. The new mechanic gets the parts. If Lifan is going to make it here in Thailand, they better come to grips with their after-sales service model.

Here's a thought.

Try getting a US or UK visa for your Thai wife and step-kid. (and your Thai self if that's your nationality)

Then have someone try to get permission to enter Thailand for their British wife and step-kid.

Later, come back and compare and contrast...

One can take months, with no degree of certainty.

The other can be done on arrival...

90 day reports is the trade-off. Great trade for some, a pain in the butt for others.

The contrast is, once you're in the US (can't speak for the UK), you are in. No reporting to anyone, and if you want, you can start working toward naturalization and citizenship. Also if you die while in the US (and I believe this is applicable to the UK) there is a provision for "Continued right of residence" for your non-native spouse that allows the spouse to continue to live and work in country and eventually apply for permanent residence / citizenship.

Come to Thailand, and unless you are wealthy and connected, you're probably going to stay a 'visitor', 'guest', 'walking-ATM machine' until you decide to leave or die in country. The ultimate irony would be immigration attempting to collect 'over-stay' fines from your spouse after you've been deceased for a couple of years. However, if my Thai wife dies before me, there is no provision for "Continued right of residence". It's "find a different visa or get you buns out of Thailand -- we don't care that you've been supporting a family and the Thai economy for 15 or 20 year -- get out". Personally, I think that is one of the coldest and most xenophobic aspects of living here. Compassionate Thailand? I'd have to question that. Honestly, if my wife dies before me, I'm leaving. I stay in Thailand because I'm married to my Thailand national wife and my wife has no desire to move to the US.

There are things I love about Thailand, and there are things I truly dislike -- Thai immigration policy is near the top of my dislike list, maybe one down from machete wielding taxicab drivers.

The short answer to the original post is that thems the rules.like it or not.In addition to that,you don't have to attend as it can be done by post.

"...you don't have to attend as it can be done by post."

It can not be done by mail in the region where I reside (see: TV thread at http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/557382-90-day-report-procedures/)

This just increases the daily chaos at this undersized and understaffed immigration office in one of Thailand largest cities that has an equally large expat community.

90 reporting by mail was an excellent idea. No wonder they decided to cancel the program -- my guess...it was too efficient.

Perhaps we should be required to wear a 'Star' sewn to our outer garments.

But they don't require anything extraordinary from Sexual Offenders in Georgia other than to report to the government every 90 days just like foreigners must do in Thailand.

Ah diddums...

I'm assuming you want sources?

http://www.arbeslaw.com/how-parole-works.html

Today was my 90 day reporting day. Off to immigration to let the government of Thailand know that I still reside at the same address with my wife and son. Same address I've been at for years. Great.

But today, as I sat in the 1 hour queue to pass in my 4 pages of documentation and my passport, I did some thinking:

What if I just lied about where I lived? Honestly, for all the bureaucracy involved, I seriously doubt if any of these address reports are followed up -- unless, we have a Criminal Foreigner among us. And how often is that compare to Thai criminality and the recent spat of Thai on foreigner violent (and consequential death of the foreign victims). Perhaps all Thai males should have to register with the government every 90 days so that it is easier to track down criminality in Thai community -- especially that directed toward foreigners.

Truthfully, I just don't understand why foreigners who are residing in the country, supporting a family or supporting the local community with their retirement funds -- why are we singled out?

In comparison, in America, in the State of Georgia, a convicted Sexual Offender must report to the state every 90 days after that individual has been paroled. So -- you and I and countless other honest, financially solvent, foreigners who add a significant amount of support to the local communities that we reside in, are comparatively equal to a Sex Offender from the State of Georgia in the United States.

Think about that?

Note to self: Stay far away from Ladyboys and Tomboys!

Old man young wife Pattaya. Says it all.

Here we go again....

I'm always impressed with how well-stocked TV is with experts on love and relationships. You guys should be making millions writing books...

This is the inevitable results of cultural adaptation by expats over time: They become defacto 'experts on love and relationships' after being bombarded by years of unending Thai Soap Operas.

Money talks.

Has any American TV members have experience renewing a US Passport though the US Embassy? How many months before your Passport expiration can you apply for an Passport Renewal, and approximately how long does it take for the embassy to process your request before you are issued a renewed passport? Thanks.

The link looks broken Webfact, page not found.

If there's any truth in this story that's both appalling and terrifying. That would be my ultimate travelers nightmare.

Incidentally I have noticed an increase in bags being tampered with. I went for four years without my bags being opened in transit and the last three trips have seen them opened. Customs are entitled to check the bags in transit, but I'd prefer if they put a sticker on the bag saying "Security checked and cleared in Glasgow/ Dubai / BKK" or whatever. I don't like the idea of nameless people rummaging around in my bags.

Link works for me.

Use Internet Explorer instead of Firefox.

30 day address reporting and semi-annual visa extensions. OMG, I probably shouldn't give them ideas

ah, my older thread.

just some updates

i ended up doing my top overhaul in one of the local bike shop around tanin market area. it was 3000 + baht inclusive of labor, bloody cheap for a piston replacement. before that, i was looking for afew bigger reputable shop but most of them seems to incline more towards bigger and modern bikes

eventually i faced a carb problem and got it fixed at one of the recommended bike shop mentioned above, Ray bike shop. He is a very good and honest mechanic, i had been there at least 4 times and every single thing im there, he would be fixing up some bigger choppers and some really rare bikes around here. he must be highly recommended among the local vintage big bikes forum, i always seem him doing work on boxer engines. suspect the r75. he is really just the man to look for, for complete overhaul for bigger older rare bikes.

just a note, his shop isn't as clean as some of the sparkling pretentious bigger bike workshops

Anybody have a telephone number for Ray Shop's owner?

I'm looking for a a good, competent private mechanic that can work on Lifans.

I've got a Lifan 250-B that has been problematic. I've already taken my bike back to the only Lifan dealership in Chiang Mai multiple times for service -- My botton line, I need to find a different mechanic.

Any recommendation would be appreciated.

Funny, but it's not April Fools Day yet.

One thing I learned from my dad after he retired: Once retired, I can wear anything I darn well want to wear. The more the clothes yell out 'eccentric' the better. Now, where did I put my Rocky and Bullwinkle T-shirt?

Funny, but it's not April Fools Day.

Especially in the case of these unfortunate souls who have spent their last savings on scooping up those cute, young bar girls, only to find that they are less loved and admired than that first, special night, I believe positive corrective action must be implemented. Perhaps, in addition to forced health insurance, it would be wise for the Thai government to insist on anti-stupidity insurance. Additionally, a 3 day course on how to outwit those pretty young things before you invest in prenuptial Sin Sod agreements, home purchases and automobile down payments. Bar fine and Short time Records should be posted and updated on the internet hourly. If these steps are implemented, Thailand will not only generate income on the anti-stupidity insurance, but will also save money on their efforts to get these unfortunate souls of the street.

The Thai government should insist that expats intending to stay in Thailand and require an O visa must attend a similar program as the Philippines, the Pre-Departure Registration and Orientation Seminars, prior to the O visa being issued

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1378%3Apre-departure-registration-and-orientation-seminars&catid=145%3Aintegration-and-reintegration&Itemid=833

Just what is needed: more bureaucracy to make the system function so much better. Ya'll are making a mountain out of a molehill. Virtually everyone here meets that financial requirements. Hell, we go through that same song and dance every year during immigration extensions and review. Yes! I've been married to the same Thai women for over 6 years, I support her, her son, her extended family, but crap, let's add more paperwork just to make sure.

Dumb idea imho.

relax, you overlooked the smile icon

Oppss! My bad!

If I'm going to be homeless, I'm going to do it in Honolulu.

I believe that Honolulu has a $1/4 million program that will offer you a free ticket back to the Mainland. Lol.

I wonder how many Thai citizens are homeless in the US, UK or Australia? Probably not that many.

The difference could be in my opinion is people are treated as equals and allowed to find jobs wherever

anybody will hire them. In the kingdom, foreigners, actually "white" people are not allowed to work other than

teaching and that's not for everybody considering the state of the public school system.

If you're Asian, you can work just about anywhere they will hire you. I see people from Africa at

Chatuchak market selling gems and all kinds of things. I don't see any farang getting any normal

basic jobs. Money is not everything, quality of life is. Not all of us are about making 5 times more than the Thai

but rather having a sense of security and a place to call home.

Strength comes from diversity, and due to the homogenous nature of Thailand it's not a strong country and

should be aware of the dangers that could bring. Just my opinion of course.

asia is for asians.

I think Jim Rogers and Marc Faber would beg to disagree with you. (Me too)

Especially in the case of these unfortunate souls who have spent their last savings on scooping up those cute, young bar girls, only to find that they are less loved and admired than that first, special night, I believe positive corrective action must be implemented. Perhaps, in addition to forced health insurance, it would be wise for the Thai government to insist on anti-stupidity insurance. Additionally, a 3 day course on how to outwit those pretty young things before you invest in prenuptial Sin Sod agreements, home purchases and automobile down payments. Bar fine and Short time Records should be posted and updated on the internet hourly. If these steps are implemented, Thailand will not only generate income on the anti-stupidity insurance, but will also save money on their efforts to get these unfortunate souls of the street.

The Thai government should insist that expats intending to stay in Thailand and require an O visa must attend a similar program as the Philippines, the Pre-Departure Registration and Orientation Seminars, prior to the O visa being issued

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1378%3Apre-departure-registration-and-orientation-seminars&catid=145%3Aintegration-and-reintegration&Itemid=833

Just what is needed: more bureaucracy to make the system function so much better. Ya'll are making a mountain out of a molehill. Virtually everyone here meets that financial requirements. Hell, we go through that same song and dance every year during immigration extensions and review. Yes! I've been married to the same Thai women for over 6 years, I support her, her son, her extended family, but crap, let's add more paperwork just to make sure.

Dumb idea imho.

But then again perhaps the gloating zeal in condeming homeless farangs which so many here have taken to is explained in the observation that

"we despise in others most that which we fear in ourselves"

Here is something else to dwell on. Proportionally are their more (or less) farang living off the Thai Social Welfare system than there are impoverished Thais living in farang countries living off their host country's Social Welfare System.

That an easy one. There is no Social Welfare System. for a farang to live off of in Thailand. However, in my home country, if a Thai or other foreigners can set foot on our sovereign land , especially with their kids in tow, that family will be well cared for by the State. And if you stay in my country long enough, even illegally, your on a fast track to citizenship.

I love the most vehemently self righteous TVs who have never had to struggle financially during their lives. Having a silver spoon jammed up your posterior all your life tends to deflate the level of compassion you can accumulate over your lifetime. 'Eh? Just saying.

Sorry folks habitual homeless people especially those on drugs or alcohol do not seem to want to get off the street. I know a Swede, boy friend of sister of my ex-girlfriend, gave him 2,000 baht for food and ticket to Bangkok and Swedish Embassy, guess what the last time I saw him he is passed out on Sukhumvit Rd. near soi nana.

The notion that these people have been duped by girlfriend or partner is dubious at best. We had one fella here in CM who went thru several million baht and then spent a few days in the local mental hospital, total alcoholic, I believe he is back in England now bad mouthing Thailand.

A few of the street people who hung out in my neighbor hood back in the states always had money from panhandling and their monthly check, it seemed to be a life style they were comfortable with. Yes I know there are exceptions to the rule but that is true in many other facets of life.

These type of folk generally resolve their own problems one way or another: They end up dead, in jail, or eventually make it back to their home country.

What's is 'homeless' and how can you tell? Really? If it's just because I'm hanging out, relaxed and half-asleep, with a weeks worth of stubble growing on my face, picking though the lint in my pocket to find enough baht for a plate of Kaow Soi or a bowl of Jok -- does that make me homeless?

I might look homeless to some expats who lives in an overpriced box out in a Chiang Mai "Gated Community" which they only leave in order to venture to the relative safety of Robinsons at the Mall or Rim Ping market, or perhaps to the monthly CM Expat Club meeting.

Yep, on some days I'm sure I look homeless as I lay on the cement seats next to the moat, just sucking up the sunshine, the birds chirping, the fish breaking the water, and the smell and ambiance that is just Chiang Mai. Yep just laying there, looking at the sky and sucking it all up -- drinking a coke or bottle of water, I might look homeless.

But I'm not! My House Book says I'm not 'hee, hee, hee'. Looks are deceiving, especially after you spend most of your life dressing neat and proper for the military or the corporate world -- and now in my retirement, I can just say, "The heck with it -- I'm letting what hair I have left Down!!!" So in my flip flops and raggy shorts and ripped, comfortable T-shirt that I bought for less than 99 baht at a second store, sitting by the moat without a care -- happy! -- eating fresh pineapple and drinking a cold Nam Singh..and reading the Thai signs on the building, looking a little glassy-eyed. Yep, I might look homeless. I'm completely sober and enjoying life the way I define my life. So out of those 20 or 30 folks in Chiang Mai you identified as homeless, you might be surprised that many are doing just fine -- living well -- although, just not living by your standards. Give it some thought.
Homeless looking, happy, and content in Chiang Mai