connda

The big legal question would be what type of visa do you have. Seeking employment on a tourist visa is a legal violation. If you have a visa which allows for work, then the demonstration would not be a violation of law.

Marriage extension -- I'm qualified, and taught 3 year prior to this on a regular Business visa. A visa is not an issue in my case. Thanks.

What a shame for his family. You have to wonder if he would have been attacked by the robber, if he had not brought the knife.

Don't pick a weapon up unless you know how to use it and are willing to do so. Otherwise, vacate the premise and call the police.

Also, stab, injure, or kill an unarmed intruder in your home, and you are probably going to do some hard time in Thai jail. TIT. This ain't American and I don't think there is an "Castle Doctrine" in this country -- and you're a farang.

Do you know anyone who sells pure-bred German Shepherds in North Thailand (Chiang Mai / Chiang Rai)?

No.

And that is quoted where in which Thai government regulation?

Do you need a work permit to do a demonstration teaching session during a formal interview? I'm not being coy here. This is a serious question. Will that be considered a violation of the Alien Employment Act?

Also the site http://wp.doe.go.th/ no longer translates to English. How convenient!

How about a feedback page where they ask for feedback on their service, over-crowding, absurdly inefficient queue system, inadequate facilities, etc....

Sorry, but the Vinaya is the Vinaya. I was shocked by monk behavior six years ago when I first got here. Now I'm no longer shocked. I just realized that only about 10% of the monks in Thailand truly adhere to the Vinayas and most of those are forest monks or ascetics. But it 's the one's that go in for the "worldly pleasures" and social status within and outside the Sangha that concern me the most. I'm just a practicing layman, but I can tell when someone is missing the point. I just call a spade a spade; not a heart, diamond or club.

There is a quite famous monk in Thailand that has written several books on Thai Buddhism. In them he states that Thai Buddhism has moved so far from the teachings of Buddha with all the amulets, fortune telling,etc that goes on, it is now just a farce. Needless to say, the mainstream Thai Buddhist establishment don't like him very much, but can do little about it because he strictly follows Buddhist Rules.

There have been attempts at reformation before. Doesn't looked to have work very well. I shouldn't be too hard on the Thai Sangha. I still think that only 10% of the monks maintain a strict practice, but there are maybe another 40% or more that meet the needs of the villages scattered throughout Thailand with many of the Wats being rather modest places. Then we get into the cities where gaudy seems to be the rule and not the exception. Money, money, money.

There are still good Wats and monks out there, but they are like gems scattered through the jungles.

'Floodwater diversion channel may never be built'

TIT. Did you really think it really would be built unless 50% of the funds where diverted to "grease the skid?" Doesn't leave much money left to build anything.

Thailand should take lessons from the US. Just bulk up you military to the point that no one around can appose you, then do what you want with other countries resources. Thailand is still a novice player in corruption. America has it honed to a science.

What exactly are all those mons doing in Pantip plaza? Every time I go, I notice that there is a surprising number there. Please explain - someone.

Buying bling bling and other stuff that distracts from the tenets of Buddhism. Also, buying it with wads of cash they personally are carrying (monk can't touch money which is why you travel with an anagarika (paa kaow - white clothes) who is a layman that can conduct transactions. Back to what I said before: forest monks are the real deal.

It's not unusual to see or read reports of a monk caught doing something wrong being immediately disrobed by the abbot of the nearest temple but those who go upmarket into accepting lavish gifts, considerations and other " major " no, no's etc.only get their knuckles wrapped especially if their devotees include politicians and other powerful people.

If you look at the 227 precepts monks have to observe, there are only four serious ones which result in disrobing. For other offences the monk just has to publicly confess his offence. This makes it difficult for the monastic authorities to take any meaningful action.

I don't know if the figure of 60,000 monks is accurate, but there used to be many, many more. This puts the authorities between a rock and a hard place regarding getting tough with monks.

It's not that difficult. The path of Buddhism leads to the secession of suffer. Sila, Samadhi, Panna: adhering to the monastic code of morality (or more loosely, adhering to a path of morality and compassion), practicing constant awareness of the here and how (Samatha and Vipassana) and the wisdom reveals and becomes self-evident (Panna).

For adherence to the moral code is tantamount to the practice (Sila).

There will always be apologists for the more flamboyant monks -- I'm not one of them.

Sorry, but the Vinaya is the Vinaya. I was shocked by monk behavior six years ago when I first got here. Now I'm no longer shocked. I just realized that only about 10% of the monks in Thailand truly adhere to the Vinayas and most of those are forest monks or ascetics. But it 's the one's that go in for the "worldly pleasures" and social status within and outside the Sangha that concern me the most. I'm just a practicing layman, but I can tell when someone is missing the point. I just call a spade a spade; not a heart, diamond or club.

I posted this yesterday on facebook:

Just had my first introduction to Thai men needing to "save face". I was walking along in a parallel soi to 11 (so probably 13?) , and this van was parked so I proceeded to walk around it in the street. This is common on soi 11. As I did so the van started to pull off (I was right next to it). So, I made one soft tap on the van to let him know I was there. The man asked me if I had a problem. He told me "it's a street". I said you have a mirror. You're supposed to use it (in case any traffic, motorbike, pedestrian is going by). So, he told me to "f*&^ you". I just kept walking away and bowing to him with my hands together in front of my face in typical thai style. He then made a gesture and sound like he was planning on coming after me with a knife to cut me up. So, I continued my gesture as I walked away trying to de-escalate the situation. He drove on down to pick up his wife/gf/who knows and then turn around stopped right next to me again essentially challenging me yet again. So, I just continued with the same gesture and walking away. I'm sure his girl was wondering what on Earth he was doing. Anyway, I got to thinking what would I have done if he decided to come after me anyway? This was not provoked at all except for the suggestion about the mirror (I already had some idea about this saving face from other posts). Anyway, I suppose that was my error. It's ok for him to complain about me being in the street, but not for me to say anything back. I suppose the soft knuckle wrap was too much for his poor ego as well.

Why would you even try to placate that idiot? I've never had that reaction and I've done the same thing (i.e. tap on windows). But I've also never acted as you. Once you start cowtowing many Thai men see it as a sign of weakness and will try to get a 'big face' by acting like a tough guy to a foreigner who -- no offense -- is acting like a coward.

You have to ask yourself if what you're doing is reasonable. Would Thais tap on a window of someone was about to hit him? My guess is they would if necessary (after all, it is the driver that's at fault). And for God sake's, if he says something like 'f*** you' say it back, stand your ground, do something but don't beg forgiveness.

I have seen foreigners stand their ground when they're in the right and Thais came to their side -- but they were in the right and not the one causing problems. If you act like a jerk, well, who will come to your aid? But many Thais also get offended when they see other Thais becoming overly rude or aggressive towards foreigners for no reason.

Too many people on TV give the wrong advice when it comes to Thais, always saying 'walk away' no matter what. But this can actually escalate problems. If you're polite and reasonable but someone still causes problems then stand up for yourself. Thais will respect you for it and you may actually change the way other Thais act towards foreigners.

you cant win here sometimes ,,,,be good,be bad,,your on to a loser sad to say,,if the thai is pissed well,what can you do,,,unless your a super hero,,,

I've used my horn on cars and bikes that are in the process of cutting in front of me which endangers me, them, my passenger, and their passenger. Over a six year period I've had all sorts of different reactions (really, no different from my home country). Some stop, some stop and smile, some stop and slight head bow (which I return), some refuse to look at you and don't stop at which I take evasive action, some look right at you and pull in front of you with indifference at which I take evasive action, some look right at you and pull in front of you with a shout and scowl at which I take evasive action. Then you get the yaa baa crowd that not only drive crazy, but are out of their minds.

Cause it's all about money, ain't a damn thing funny

You got to have a con in this land of milk and honey"

They pushed that girl in front of the train Took her to the doctor, sewed her arm on again

Stabbed that man right in his heart Gave him a transplant for a brand new start

I can't walk through the park, cause it's crazy after dark

Keep my hand on my gun, cause they got me on the run

I feel like a outlaw, broke my last glass jaw

Hear them say: “You want some more?" livin' on a seesaw

It's like a jungle -- sometimes it makes me wonder How I keep from going under... -- Grandmaster Flash

I think the only problem is the expectation of quality despite the cheap price.

Using the OP's example of bike pumps, the pump I bought in the US has an MSRP of $100. http://www.lezyne.com/en/products/floor-pumps/high-pressure#!cnc-floor-drive

Made in Taiwan. It works great. I've seen the identical pump in bike shops in Chiang Mai marked 3,000 baht. Most shops here will offer a discount just for asking so my pump is theoretically cheaper to buy here.

Same with the suggestion to buy Park Tools. They're available here in Thailand too. But you pay full retail.

Buy cheap, get cheap, but quality products are available.

Thanks...good suggestion!

I sort of wonder when the Russians mob will get involved and say enough is enough, and start fighting 10 against 1 like Thais? Really, they wouldn't because they don't need to. Actually, and even number of Russian with Sysmata training against twice the number of Thais would be a fun to watch. The Russians would win. Pattaya and Phuket are such cesspools.

In addition to crappy luck, we had a fire on our land a couple years back that wiped out about 2/5 of our orchard. That might have been a blessing in disguise.

We're in the process of putting in mango trees in the currently fallow area. We dropped in 400 yesterday and I'm waiting for the delivery of another 300 today. As far as I know, we are the only folks planting a large-ish orchard of mangos in this valley. Our plan is to use some for processing mango products here in the village and sell the rest on the market (we already know buyers -- the buyers are not local which is why the locals probably haven't gone this route before.)

As far as other "cash crops", our land is slightly sloped and then gets progressively steeper. Bananas enhabit the steepest areas and the lumyai and mangoes the less inclined slopes. So -- can't grow rice. Not sure about other crops.

I've read books that have suggested growing grown level plant crops (hemp, strawberries, melons, etc) until the trees block out sufficient sun to maintain the ground level crops. But I'm so new to this and I have so few English resources to help me. I guess I'll make a lot of mistakes along the way. But I'm very open to any constructive suggestions.

I've come to the conclusion that quality products are sent to the US, Canada, and the EU.

All other equipment produced for domestic use or imported for domestic use is junk.

Example, I have bought 4 different tire pressure gauges. Every single one of them has fallen apart. Three of them blew apart as soon as I put them under pressure. So question 1: where can I find a quality tire pressure gauge short of flying back to a Western country.

Tire pumps: same issue. Garbage. My 500 baht bike pump just fell apart, and when it did work it was a total pain to use. The valve would never seal correctly and quickly. So question 2: where can I find a quality tire pump for my 21 speed short of flying back to a Western country.

I also need a set of tire irons and patch kits that are -- Western quality.

I'm tired of losing money!

After 4 years of pathetic lumyai crops, this year my wife has been following the "advice" of a so-called "successful" Lumyai Farmer in our village. We've fertilized, trimmed, applied hormones, and watered as this "successful" farmer suggested. I've just walked the orchards and we probably have less fruit than last year and none of it is any bigger than before. We're going to lose money again.

In other countries, I know there are programs both through the government and universities to assist farmers to increase yields and become profitable.

Where in Thailand can I find programs like these. We can't continue like this. We desperately need professional help. I'm pleading here. I'm on a limited income, I pay the operating costs, and I'm bleeding money. Somehow we have to turn this around in the next two years. We're going to let about 3/4 of the land go fallow next year, and I want to work on a small sample of trees in order to figure out what we are doing wrong and how to correct it.

Please! I really need help.

Are GMO crops allowed in Thailand and if so, how common are they? And does Thailand have laws regarding labeling GMO ingredients in processed foods?

It always amazes me how regularly the RTP get full confessions. I don't even want to guess how they accomplish this.

12 volt car batteries to sensitive parts of the body? The guy doesn't look beat up.

If the government didn't gouge potential car owners with outrageous import duties and taxes, this would be a non-issue. Chevy is now manufacturing a car under 10,000 dollars US. An affordable vehicle for the Indian market. Why not Thailand. Probably because after customs duties, the car would cost twice as much. To own a car in Thailand you need to be independently wealthy or a debt-slave.

It's a mess that it totally FUBARed. That fact that they now force you to go to immigration now that mail-in 90 day reports are no longer an option just adds to the mess. This should be an embarrassment to the Thai government, or perhaps it's running just the way they want it too. It's just another way of saying: "Come and visit, spend your money, but don't stay."

I have had pleasant experiences at immigration...in Korat, but never here in Chiang Mai. I really dislike going there.

Try Siam Commercial on Thapae a couple of blocks from the bridge.