connda

I'm moving to Chiang Rai. I'd like to know if there is a fitness club or gym (preferable with a combination of free weights and machines). Also, is there a Honda service center in town.

Thanks!

Does anyone know the addresses of Lifan Dealerships here in Thailand? In interested in the Lifan LF250-B.

Interesting format. Although I sorta felt like a 5th grader being talked to by my sex education teacher about the perils of STDs. I don't mean that in a bad way. Just an observation.

I think it holds promise. Good idea!

Some of the posters here need to calm down and really think through all that has occurred since the reds took over Bangkok in March. I concur that many TV members seem to have adopted pro-red agendas and it very may well be because they have been influenced by their Thai wives....many of whom sprang from Isaan roots and whose greater families also support the red cause. They do so because of how the reds built their base of support in Isaan and in the poorer districts of the north, creating a fabric of mistruths and slowly but inexorably beating them into an anti-government frenzy. My own spouse is not from Isaan and her northern family all consists of hard-working and moral people, but even she is beginning to see that the carefully orchestrated and putative peaceful political aims of the reds have been undermined by the other, decidedly sinister side of their strategy which believes in using broad but well-camouflaged provocative violence to create fear and sow worry amongst the Thai people...all with the grand goal of returning Thaksin and his thugs to power. In the latter regard, the reds are and will continue to do so; the extent of which nobody knows at this time. This impartial link below has been posted in another TV forum but is well worth listing again. It explains a lot and I encourage all TV readers to take a close look at it:

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/LE13Ae01.html

Now is not the time to continue sniping at each other on this forum. It is a time to understand what has happened to Thailand and what led us to these sad days of infamy, and to hope and pray that the huge sectarian chasm that has been created does not drop all of us into the abyss.

Fore Man -- Good post. The article is excellent as well. It's just a good illustration of how power-junkies

can control the masses and sway public opinion. I must be getting old. I've seen this play out before in different places at different times in my life. I was in the middle of Manila Philippines in 1986 and watched that melodrama play out. Everyone had an opinion but very few people could stand back and see the big picture -- or cared to. Too many years as a systems engineer I guess -- always looking at the totality and always anticipating the unexpected. I think it's a curse LOL But, it's time to let go...

This is my last post regarding this particular melodrama here in Thailand. Life is too valuable to waste on events you cannot control. I know good, moral people -- both Thai and Farang -- in Issan and Northern Thailand. I retired to Thailand to live a good, simple, moral life - and to enjoy my life with other like-minded folks, including my wonderful Thai wife. Time to turn the computer off and enjoy a stroll through the market today. With all it's imperfections, I love this place.

8>< SNIP NESTED QUOTES DELETED ><8

I am not referring to the situation now. I am referring to the functioning of a mature democracy. A military coup would not be allowed to take place in the USA. PERIOD and i do not think it would be condoned in UK either. I leave this thread with that said.

I think you had a functioning democracy - and then two functioning democracies - last time you had a civil war.

I guess that we are lucky that our democratic processes are effective enough to return us a government that is accepted by the vast majority of the country - crown, people and institutions alike, regardless of whether it is the government that they actually wanted.

But to blame the government for the actions of the army under a different government seems - obtuse. This government could not have prevented or averted or in any way mitigated that coup, and this government was formed by elected politicians, same as each previous government. I suggest that you take up the issue of ineffective government and coups with former politicians and fugitives.

SC

My apologies for maintaining this off-topic digression, and I understand fully that the mods may wish to delete this post as being off-topic. However, I do not want to leave the quoted post unanswered, for fear that others might think it relevant to the topic.

It is ok Cowboy- We should both just shut up--Bangkok is Burning Now --I am sad

Yo' guys -- it's over! Some of the Red Shirt leaders turned themselves in to police over an hour ago. Buses are at National Statium to transport the protesters back to their home provinces. The authorities breached the compound.

Hopefully, cooler minds will prevail as this country picks itself up -- again -- and tries to sort this all out.

I've posted a poll called "If The Red Shirt Incident Happened In Your Country...?" It was moved to the Farang Pub - fun, entertainment and Expat life Subforums by a moderator.

The poll is simple: Under the same set of circumstances, how would your government react if a group of demonstrators occupied the capital city of your country. Included in this group of demonstrators is a radical faction that are armed and openly defend their use of violent force to maintain their hold on the business district of your capital city. They refuse to leave until the leader of your country resigns and the government is dissolved.

The wonderful thing about us Farangs is that we all have an opinion. But I'd like you to set your aside your opinion of the present Thai government for one moment, and instead reflect on your own country.

The wonderful thing about us Farangs is that we all have an opinion. But I'd like you to set your aside your opinion of the present Thai government for one moment, and instead reflect on your own country.

The poll is simple: Under the same set of circumstances, how would your government react if a group of demonstrators occupied the capital city of your country. Included in this group of demonstrators is a radical faction that are armed and openly defend their use of violent force to maintain their hold on the business district of your capital city. They refuse to leave until the leader of your country resigns and the government is dissolved.

That's it. So, what would the government of your country do?

Live by the sword...die by the sword.

It would be a great time for those who claim to follow Buddhism to start living the 5 percepts, disband and go home, and get ready to vote in the next election.

If you want democracy -- stop promoting anarchy and violence.

IMHO

I just don't understand. It was agreed -- Dissolve parliament in October and new elections in November. Democracy in a nutshell.

But I really believe that there is a small group of very influential individuals -- on both sides of the fence -- who use the rhetoric of "Democracy" and "Morality" for no other reasons that to sway the masses to support their own agendas to usurp and consolidate power in order to further their own political and financial gains. The average Somchai on the street is a pawn in a game that is being played for much larger stakes.

The UDD should have disbanded, returned home, and gotten ready for the new elections. Democracy in action. But instead...

Those who wish to hold the reins of power are more than willing to achieve their objectives though violence and deception. And anarchy is but a tool to achieve their agendas -- a means to an end.

My heart goes out to the victims and families, both red and yellow, of this total absurdity. Unfortunately most don't have the capacity to understand just whom they are being victimized by. It's too difficult for most to see the big pictures as they play out the melodrama of their own humble existences.

For those who claim to be follow Buddhism, it would be a great time to start exercising compassion for your fellow countrymen. And if you truly wish to have Democracy, then let the democratic process play itself out...

Goodbye and good luck Thailand.

-- Sabbe sankhara anicca, sabbe sankhara dukkha, sabbe dhamma anatta

I just don't understand. It was agreed -- Dissolve parliament in October and new elections in November. Democracy in a nutshell.

But I really believe that there is a small group of very influential individuals -- on both sides of the fence -- who use the rhetoric of "Democracy" and "Morality" for no other reasons that to sway the masses to support their own agendas to usurp and consolidate power in order to further their own political and financial gains. The average Somchai on the street is a pawn in a game that is being played for much larger stakes.

The UDD should have disbanded, returned home, and gotten ready for the new elections. Democracy in action. But instead...

Those who wish to hold the reins of power are more than willing to achieve their objectives though violence and deception. And anarchy is but a tool to achieve their agendas -- a means to an end.

My heart goes out to the victims and families, both red and yellow, of this total absurdity. Unfortunately most don't have the capacity to understand just whom they are being victimized by. It's too difficult for most to see the big pictures as they play out the melodrama of their own humble existences.

For those who claim to be follow Buddhism, it would be a great time to start exercising compassion for your fellow countrymen. And if you truly wish to have Democracy, then let the democratic process play itself out...

Goodbye and good luck Thailand.

-- Sabbe sankhara anicca, sabbe sankhara dukkha, sabbe dhamma anatta

Haven't seen anything on the English speaking news (Bangkok Post / The Nation), but my wife said she heard from a friend in BBK that Seh Daeng is dead. Can anyone confirm?

Meaning what exactly? As per the State of Emergency in those 15 provinces?

Well, they authorities were installing concrete barriers across some of the main roads in downtown Nakhon Ratchasima if that means anything.

On what basis will you get the O visa and single or multi entry required?

Hey Lopburi3. Single entry, Non-O Marriage.

By the way, you responded to my post yesterday. Now I'm just trying to find a Thai Consulate that is relatively friendly and helpful.

Thanks!

I need to leave Thailand in order to get a Non-O visa.

I originally got my Non-B visa at the Thai consulate in Vientiane Laos. It was one of the worst experiences that I've ever had to endure. I won't go into specifics, but I don't ever want to go back to that place again.

So, can anyone suggest a Thai consulate elsewhere in S.E. Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, etc). Any recommendations or comments? Any good experience elsewhere?

Thanks!

Monty and lopburi3 -- Thanks for the replies. Good info!

I plan to quit work and move to another place in Thailand. I want to change my Non-B visa to a Non-O Spouse-- but I want to do this before I quit work. When I quit work, I want to go back to my family in my wife's village. I don't want to have to immediately leave the country because my Non-B is no longer valid and screw around trying to get a visa to get back in the country in order to be with my wife, son, and family.

I will soon have some time to travel to Singapore or Malaysia to get this done. What process do I need to follow?

If I was in American, the Thai Consulate where I lived would simply issue me a 90 day Non-O Spouse by just submitting my marriage certificate (I've already checked this out). Then, of course, I'd have to apply for the extension once I'm back in Thailand with the requisite 400K baht in the bank (for two months), and whatever documents (pictures, maps, etc) the provincial immigration office wants me to have (they all seem to have their own rules). However, it's not cost effective to travel all the way back to the U.S. just to get a visa stamp.

So, can I pretty much go down to the Thai Consulates in either Malaysia or Singapore with my marriage certificate (and wife) and get my Non-B changed to a Non-O Spouse -- just like I can in American. Or is it going to be more complicated than that?

Thanks!

I feel bad for the damage that is being done to the reputation of this country including the adverse economic ramifications (possible loss of foreign investments, damage to the tourist industry, etc). But with that said, it's their country. They're gonna have to figure it out on their own.

Best advice to foreigners: stay neutral and stay out of Thai politics. We may live here, but this ain't our country!

If you have a burning need to share your opinion, limit it to discussions with other farangs. Think about it -- the last thing we need is to have Thais targeting foreigners because some idealist idiots feel they need to become political activists in a country where they're not citizens.

Already things are changing.

Pepsi came out today and said they are going to reduce sugar/fat/salt in their products.

That alone can save the health system a few billion dollars.

Hopefully the other culprits will follow: Coke, McDonalds, Burger King, etc.+.

It's all about choices we make. Nobody is pulling your jaw down and shoving Pepsi down your gullet at gunpoint......get my drift? If only the Founding Fathers could see us now.......government telling us what healthcare to buy, what cars to buy, what we can and cannot ingest for food, we have to pay our foolish neighbors mortgage. Taxed on our income, taxed when we buy a television, taxed on the electricity we use to power the television, and if you live in liberal California you also pay a tax for the pleasure of using more electricty than a "normal" television.......electricity which you have already paid tax on as well. It seems that some of the expats on this forum have been away from the USA for a bit too long because they are totally out of touch with the average American. There is a seething pressure cooker of frustration building up in America right now because the good people that pay extra for the good insurance, keep themselves financially sound, and are self reliant are watching as Obama is taking away their tax money to bail out irresponsible companies and individuals that should be left to reap what they have sown. Watch in November mid-terms to see a confirmation of this. If the election of a Republican in extremely liberal Massachusetts wasn't a sign then I don't know what is.

Right on Stonecutter. We sure don't need the government to tell us how to manage our lifes. The problem is that most politicians want power: Democrats or Republicans. And what fun is having power if you can't wield it over someone's head. If anyone really wants the US to head back in the direction of a limited-government, Constitutional Republic, than the American people are going to have to elect third-party independents into office who will actually try to bring some sanity back into government. But I also think that most Americans are too fat, dumb, and happy. The majority are going to remain in their blissful ignorance as long as they can maintain some semblance of their credit-crazed past lifestyles.

Massachusetts? I don't know. A Republican got elected, but really, what's gonna change? I expect to see a lot of changes in the mid-term elections -- Republicans filling Democratic seats. But when the dust settles ain't nothing gonna really change...do you think. Just more Big Government finding ways to control the average guy on the street.

Ultimately, I just want to be left alone to retire in peace over here in Thailand.

Thai Politics = SOSDS

Same old sh-t, different shirts.

Let's see what happens over the next few weeks to months before we start worrying or not worrying about how it affects expats.

dam_n...I should have started a thread that said, "What the hel_l do you think of Healthcare, Obamba, and US foreign policy?"

But if you took a second and read the original post (which you probably didn't), all it said was that as an expat American, you will not be required to pay into a government mandated health insurance system that you don't need here in Thailand -- and -- you won't be penalized for not having that "mandated" insurance.

Personally, I'm pretty happy about that because I'd rather have 2.5% of my gross income (or a flat rate $625) going to pay for the health insurance that I do purchase here in Thailand. And by the way...I've never had to use the insurance because I can afford to pay for 95% of my medical expenses out-of-pocket here in the LOS. You can't do that in Amereica.

Like most over-opinionated Americans, everyone seems to have unshakable core beliefs about everything under the sun without ever researching facts. I took the time to read the bill and cross-reference the IRS code. What did you all do??? -- Listen to some talking head on Fox News that looked more like a cheap Las Vegas hooker than a news anchor??? Give me a break...

Now, go back to talking about whatever B***S*** you want to...I'm outta here!

What a box of rocks.

I'm sure if you are an American expat you're probably wondering what the effect of the new Health Care bill (HR 3200) will have on you. Many of us already have health insurance that covers us in Thailand. The new bill mandates that individuals obtain "acceptable health insurance coverage" or else pay a tax. Starting in 2014, the tax is 1% of your gross income or $95. In 2016 it increases to 2.5% of your gross income or a flat rate of $625. Of course, "acceptable health insurance coverage" will only be insurance that is offered by the insurance cartels who lobbied congress in the first place. Which means that your Thai issued health insurance is a worthless piece of paper as far as the US federal government is concerned.

But – good news! Obviously enough pissed off American expats wrote to their congressmen and senators. The bill actually contains a provision that exempts expat Americans from the tax. Here's the quote from the bill:

HR 3200, Title IV, Subtitle A, Part VIII, Subpart A, Sec 59B ( c )(3) states:

INDIVIDUALS RESIDING OUTSIDE UNITED STATES.— Any qualified individual (as defined in section 911(d)) (and any qualifying child residing with such individual) shall be treated for purposes of this section as covered by acceptable coverage during the period described in subparagraph (A) or ( B ) of section 911(d)(1), whichever is applicable.

Ok, so what is a "qualified individual". You need to go to the Internal Revenue Code, Sec. 911: Citizens or Residents of the United States Living Abroad for that information. Basically if you're an expat American who has lived outside of the US for a full year then you are "qualified". See that specific reference below:

Internal Revenue Code, Sec. 911: Citizens or Residents of the United States Living Abroad

TITLE 26, Subtitle A, CHAPTER 1, Subchapter N, PART III, Subpart B, (d) Definitions and special rules:

For purposes of this section - (1) Qualified individual -- The term ''qualified individual'' means an individual whose tax home is in a foreign country and who is -

(A) a citizen of the United States and establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that he has been a bona fide resident of a foreign country or countries for an uninterrupted period which includes an entire taxable year, or

( B ) a citizen or resident of the United States and who, during any period of 12 consecutive months, is present in a foreign country or countries during at least 330 full days in such period.

So if you're an American Expat and your home is here in the LOS, it looks like you will not be forced to buy overpriced insurance that will probably not cover you here in Thailand anyway -- and -- you won't be forced to pay the penalty tax if you chose not to purchase mandated US health insurance.

And you posted this in the Pattaya Forum because?

Moved to Internet computers

I totally lost my mind for a second. "SLAP, SLAP!" Ahhhh, I feel much better.

Your right...it should have been in the Internet forum. Didn't notice what forum I was in when I posted.

My humble apologies...

I'm having problems all the time. Service is up 5 to 10 minutes then down for 2 to 5 minutes, then back up...back down...back up...back down -- day and night. But what can you expect in the LOS.

I've got Maxnet in Nakhon Ratchasima. Over the last couple of weeks, service has been abysmal. Day or night the service is available for about 5 minutes and then down for 2 or 3 minute -- then back up -- then back down. Totally f***ed up.

I really hate the unreliability of the Internet in Thailand. Oh well, the country still has one foot in the rice paddy so what should I expect.

I have a Non Imm B visa and I work in Thailand. I've been marriage for over two years and I want to change my visa to a Non Imm O Marriage visa. I have 400K in the bank for the requisite 2 month period. My Non Imm B (second extension) is valid until September 2010.

What is the simplest way to accomplish this transition from B to O Marriage?

I want the Non Imm O Marriage in case I decide to just quit my job for a few months without the hassle of getting kicked out of the Kingdom, and in the future I'd like to eventually apply for permanent residence.