Mai Krap

Nice.

I do plan to write a few of them down in couple years if I have time

More and more ego filling the thread here. Same nationality as billaaa? (rethorical)

Whats your problem? Are you drunk and posting or what? Evidently you have not one single clue as to what your writing about here as this a thread about hospitals and medicine. I have not read one comment you have made about your personal experience with medicine in Thailand, just a bunch of disorganized rubbish your writing. Your personal attacks are not welcome here, Get it together or just go away.

billaaa777, I have had the best luck at Military Hospitals here too. Many of the private hospitals try to ratchet up the bill. I do not want to waste anymore time telling horror stories but I do plan to write a few of them down in couple years if I have time.

What kind of infection did you get and how did you get it? I have dealt with multiple infections here the worst having me in the hospital a few days on IV antibiotics and 2 months of daily outpatient treatment. The scariest was from some bad water that had everyone in my house sick and we did not have any idea what was going on till I figured it out and got us moved. Today we are all happy and healthy but if I needed care I would try to get to the military hospital if at all possible.

Does everyone in Had Yai live at a hotel? Somebody has to know something?

The only thing that is shocking is this does not happen more often. Most accidents are not ever reported so its impossible to know the true numbers.

The driving here is outrageous. There is no respect for pedestrians. I live by a beautiful park and have almost been ran over trying to cross the street to get there multiple times, lately its become impossible. In a gated residential neighborhood I have almost been ran down multiple times. I approached security and asked them, their response, "We don't tell them to slow down anymore, nobody will listen to us" end of story.

Even when there are sidewalks they are either badly designed, dangerous with holes and such, or turned into stall markets that force pedestrians into the street.

Victims family, sorry this happened, may your loved one rest in peace.

It would be very interesting to hear Marko Cunningham's views - the only foreign medic in Thailand working with the crash teams.

I doubt he would make any negative comments. I have never heard anyone that was planning on staying here make negative comments if they were working with the Thai government, education, or medical. Most leave Thailand and go negative, then its written of as if they were disgruntled or liars.

Never ever leave your house. Too dangerous...

"Never get outta boat..." CHEF

Tigs, Welcome To Thailand! There are only two ways you want a wreck to end here, you either walk away, or die instantly. Anywhere in the middle can make a horror movie look like a kids film. I have seen so many horrible and preventable accidents here that if I ever wrote it down I would be called a liar. Well truth is I don't even bother telling anyone Thai Jungle Stories anymore for that very reason. You tell the truth and its so far beyond the listeners expectation they cannot handle it.

Ubon Joe, Big Thanks for the Process Link! Don't know how I missed it before having been to the website many times. Your right about me just getting started with this mess of documents. I have most everything needed and have had a couple important questions answered too. It looks pretty deep till you wade in, after that its not so bad.

Step One, File at Homeland Security.

Form I-130

Form G 325-A

350 Dollars

Step Two, File at Consulate.

I-129-F Fiance Visa. (Also available to Married Spouses)

455 Dollars

I have uploaded the I-130 and Instructions along with the G-325-A Biographic Form.

I have also uploaded the I-129-F and its instructions. Click to Download.

Below is the relevant link to the K Nonimmigrant Visa for a Fiance or Spouse, contents are also posted in blue

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

How Do I Become a K-Nonimmigrant as the Spouse or Child of a U.S. Citizen? (K-3 and K-4 Visa Classifications)

Background

The Legal Immigration Family Equity Act and its amendments (LIFE Act) established a new nonimmigrant category within the immigration law that allows the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen to be admitted to the United States in a nonimmigrant category. The admission allows the spouse or child to complete processing for permanent residence while in the United States. It also allows those admitted in the new category to have permission for employment while they await processing of their case to permanent resident status.

Where Can I Find the Law?

The Immigration and Nationality Act is a law that governs immigration to the United States. For the part of the law concerning K-3/4 nonimmigrants and their process of applying for permanent residence status, please see INA § 214 (nonimmigrant status); and, § 204 and § 245 (immigration petition and adjustment of status). The specific eligibility requirements and procedures for qualifying as a K-3/4, obtaining that status and applying for permanent residence are included in the Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] at 8 CFR § 214, 204, and 245.

Who is Eligible?

A person may receive a K-3 visa if that person has:

Concluded a valid marriage with a citizen of the United States;

A relative petition (Form I-130) filed by the U.S. citizen spouse for the person;

Seeks to enter the United States to await the approval of the petition and subsequent lawful permanent resident status; and,

An approved Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiance, forwarded to the American consulate abroad where the non-citizen wishes to apply for the K-3/K-4 visa. NOTE: the consulate must be in the country in which the marriage to the U.S. citizen took place if the United States has a consulate which issues immigrant visas in that country. If the marriage took place in the United States, the designated consulate is the one with jurisdiction over the current residence of the non-citizen spouse.

A person may receive a K-4 visa if that person is under 21 years of age and is the unmarried child of an alien eligible to be a K-3.

How Do I Apply?

So that the non-citizen spouse and child may apply for a K-3 nonimmigrant visa for a spouse and a K-4 nonimmigrant visa for a child, the citizen must file Form I-130 on behalf of the non-citizen spouse with the applicable Service Center having jurisdiction over the citizen’s place of residence. The citizen petitioner will then receive a Form I-797, Notice of Action, indicating that the I-130 has been received by the USCIS. The citizen should then file a copy of this I-797, along with a Form I-129F on behalf of the non-citizen spouse and any children, to the Service Center where the underlying I-130 petition is pending. Use the address listed on the most recent receipt notice or transfer notice and include a copy of that notice with your Form I-129F.

Petitioners should be careful to follow all instructions on each form and provide the Service with all necessary documentation. Following adjudication of the Form I-129F, the petition will be forwarded to the applicable consulate so that the alien beneficiary or beneficiaries may apply to the Department of State for nonimmigrant K-3/K-4 visas.

Will I Get a Work Permit?

Persons in K-3 or K-4 status and applicants for adjustment to permanent resident status from K-3 or K-4 are eligible to apply for a work permit while their cases (Form I-130 or Form I-485) are pending. You should use USCIS Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) to apply for a work permit. If you are in K-3/K-4 status, you must submit the application by mailing a Form I-765 along with the application fee to the USCIS Service Center with jurisdiction over the state where you live. See the instructions for Form I-765 for more details.

You do not need to apply for a work permit once you adjust to permanent resident status. As a lawful permanent resident, you should receive a permanent resident card that will prove that you have a right to live and work in the United States permanently. Please see "How Do I Get a Work Permit?" for more information.

Can I Travel Outside the United States?

If you are in K-3 or K-4 status, you may travel using your unexpired K-3/K-4 nonimmigrant visa to travel outside of the United States and return, even if you are applying for adjustment of status simultaneously.

How Can I Check the Status of My Application?

Please contact the USCIS office that received your application. You should be prepared to provide the USCIS staff with specific information about your application.

Can Anyone Help Me?

If advice is needed, you may contact the USCIS District Office near your home for a list of community-based, non-profit organizations that may be able to assist you in applying for an immigration benefit. Please see our USCIS field offices home page for more information on contacting USCIS offices.

I_130.pdf

I_130instr.pdf

g_325a.pdf

I_129F.pdf

I_129Finstr.pdf

I started digging into the papers for a K-3 Visa and it is very confusing to say the least. Is there anywhere on the Internet to download a proper checklist for accomplishing this?

I have already had multiple communications with the American Embassy and with Homeland Security but neither office has answered my direct questions.

What Thai documents do you need for the initial package to be turned into Homeland Security?

I have been told by some old guys you need a Police Check and a Medical but if Homeland Security is charging me 350 Bucks to do a background check why would they want some document from the Thai Police?

I also understand one needs a physical from a Doctor but I have yet to see what is required in the physical, is there a checklist for the physical or a form for the Doctor to fill out?

Do they need certified copies of the Thai Nationals Tabien Ban?

Certainly they will want to see a Marriage Certificate but will copies need to be certified?

Are there any other Thai Documents one needs to have?

After the package clears Homeland Security do they send it back to you or do they forward it to the American Consulate in Bangkok for the next step in getting a K-3?

Ok this is ABSOLUTELY ridiculous, if 7 men RAPE a CHILD in the U.S. or Canada there is going to be a motherfooking MANHUNT to catch the dirty evil bastards, no question!! The same happens in Thailand and NOTHING is done. See the difference yet? By god!

This is one major difference, In Thailand if a girl gets raped nobody seems to care, its not a big deal. I take it that it is such a common occurrence that people are actually bored by the news of another rape. Certainly nobody cares to take a stand against the criminals who rape children here, some end up in jail but its rare.

Maybe some of the people who are defending this as some kind of attack against Thailand can give a example of a girl reporting a rape to a police station only to have the very police she reports it to go ahead and rape her too. Certainly American Police are corrupt but when they are finally proven corrupt there is hel_l to pay and everybody, even there own buddy's are happy to see them receive justice. Here a cop can do no wrong, they don't do anything to protect the public, and mostly they pull over motorcycles and collect fines that are off the books.

There is a undercurrent of rape and molestation in this country that is not comparable to any other country on earth. If anyone ever looked into how many boys are molested here they would be absolutely shocked and this is even less reported. It does not take a rocket scientist to know that many of the Lady Boys became confused about their sexuality because they were molested. Certainly some Lady Boys are born that way and happy to be transgenders but many are victims of rape and molestation. It makes me angry, then I'm just sad about the entire situation, I have no tolerance for oxygen thief's who hurt kids, 0!

The Thai Official who started all this might want to do a rethink, Brad Pitt might have to kick some serious butt. Maybe they should throw her in prison for a few years for not keeping her opinion to herself. How about a t-shirt that says "I went to Thailand and all I got was to <deleted>!"

In all seriousness this could be a disaster to pick a fight with her. The American News media has nothing to report with Obama now in the Whitehouse. If they take up this story which it looks like its happening already, it could seriously damage Thailand's reputation by informing average Americans as to what is happening here. It took me a while to learn how to use the internet but one thing I learned the hard way, if people make negative comments, sometimes its best to let it go. In this case Jolie did not even make negative comments anyway and is completely innocent of what she has been accused of.

http://x17online.com/celebrities/angelina_...it-02112009.php

Thai Official NOT Happy With Angelina's Visit

JolieCriticized Thai government official wants Angelina to keep her well plumped lips sealed!!!

The Thai official criticized Jolie for speaking out on behalf of Muslim refugees from Myanmar.

Angelina called for better treatment of the refugees, known as the Rohingya, during a visit to Thailand last week.

Thailand's military has recently been accused of detaining and beating hundreds of Rohingya who fled abuse and poverty in Myanmar, before towing them back out to sea in tiny boats with little food and water, according to the Associated Press.

The permanent secretary of the Thai foreign ministry says the UNHCR should not have brought Jolie, the organization's goodwill ambassador, to the camps.

The UNHCR wouldn't comment on the official's rebuke, but issued the following statement.

"Angelina Jolie was extremely touched by the plight of the Rohingya people. She expressed the hope that the human rights of the Rohingya people will be respected just as the human rights of everyone in the world should be respected."

How about having 1 office in the ten largest cities where a person can complete all their documents for a small business, a office where the staff actually know whats going on? The article deals more with giant corporations who can afford all kinds of runners and lawyers but there are literally hundreds of small business in Thailand who would love to operate within the law and pay taxes but because of the complications of the Thai System do not. Very few Thai businesses operate legally, have any kind of business license, or pay taxes.

Whats the deal with Condos in Hat Yai? I have heard a couple people say there are Condos but I cant find any information out about them. Does anyone know any websites or even the names of these places? Any info on Condos will be much appreciated.

How about gated communities? Does anyone know about them or have any information or websites? Everybody keeps talking like Hat Yai is a ghost town or something but I always liked the area.

What does this mean for the average person?

What ways can the average person avoid any potential problems financially?

Do you think there will be any other issues for foriegners living in Thailand?

Any insights and advice would be well appreciated.

There are Moms and Pops all over Bangkok that send money back to Grandma in the village to raise up their kids. When these folks loose their jobs they will be forced back into the villages with no money. The easy guess here is less jobs equals less money. Less money equals more misery which leads to higher crime, more drug use, more alcohol abuse, and more prostitution. More crime equals a more corrupt police force and military which will come back to haunt the people who are not effected by less money.

I'm surprised the usual suspects are not jumping up and down crying about how Thailand is not going to be effected by a economic down turn. Where are all the people who believe the economics of Thailand are performing well and the nation is heading in the right direction?

It has been well known around the world for months that there is a ongoing economic crises. Anyone who does not believe Thailand will be dramatically impacted is simply fooling themselves. I do know people who look forward to the crises in order to take advantage but in the end nothing is worth the misery and suffering of women and children.

I believe this article has by definition "let the cat out of the bag" as far as what is going on behind closed doors in Bangkok. In some ways this country reminds me of Enron with a series of ministers playing the role of Ken Lay. First they pocket all the money they can and when the bad news comes they continue to tell the stockholders "Its All Good" till the lights go off.

I believe the good doctor will soon be taking a very long vacation or at minimum not giving any more interviews.

Sorry but I have no faith in this program. Dengue has been around for years, its nothing new. We did not wake up this morning and figure out there was a problem.

Stopping Dengue starts with education and peoples back yards. Teach people to beware of symptoms and fevers. 90% of Thai households do not even own a thermometer much less realize that the danger begins with children when the fever ends. There are so many useless people and agencies here in Thailand sitting around doing nothing, why not put these people out into the street collecting mosquitoes and seeking out troubled areas.

Last year my neighbor in a very expensive neighborhood set up a frog pond with giant frogs which filled with larvae. The mosquitoes were just pouring out of the thing but the owner of the neighborhood had no interest in the matter. Finally it started stinking so bad that he himself decided to get rid of the mess. Nobody here has any interest in taking responsibility and going door to door dumping out water that contains larvae and no fish. Its a simple matter to knock back fifty percent or more cases of this fever but it will never be handled, never.

Health ministry prepares for adverse impact on public health

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry has created a Health Intelligent Unit to monitor the impact the current economic situation will have on the health of the Thai people as well as on the public and private healthcare systems.

This unit will draw up a plan and prepare measures to help people adversely affected by the state of the global economy, such as the poor, the unemployed, the young, elderly and single mothers.

The ministry's deputy permanent secretary, Dr Chakratham Thammasak, said the ministry's surveillance committee will be running the unit and collecting information to estimate the adverse impacts.

The surveillance committee is comprised of the Bureau of Policy and Strategy, Department of Health, Department of Health Services and Support, International Health Policy Programme, Health System Research Institute, National Health Security Office, Health Insurance System Research Office, National Statistical Office and the Social Security Office.

The Bureau of Policy and Strategy's director, Dr Suppakit Sirilak, who is also chairing the surveillance committee, said the unit would be monitoring the impacts on public health until December 2010.

"We will team up with experts and scholars to study any possible health impacts," he said.

Meanwhile, the National Statistical Office will survey the impact the global economic crisis is having on the labour market. The unit will report to the ministry's highlevel officers every three months to come up with policies that help mitigate the problems, he added.

Dr Chakratham said the ministry believes this economic crisis is worse than the one that hit Thailand in 1997.

About one to two million workers will lose their jobs, while those with no health insurance will be most at risk. The number of povertystricken people would increase to one million and the government will end up having to cut its health budget. The ministry said it expects newborns to be malnourished and the number of stressrelated suicides to rise. In addition, he said, more people will also choose to purchase overthecounter drugs instead of going to the hospital.

-- The Nation 2009-02-09

Whats the deal with driving back and forth to Malaysia with a Thai licensed truck? What kind of insurance do you need and how long can you stay in Malaysia, is there a time limit like two weeks? What about associated fees and costs involved?

Can you just drive over and stamp your Visa and come back? Sure would like to hear if anyone is doing this.

Mengwan, where are you living now? Do you miss living in Hat Yai? What about the Christian Hospital down there, any info on that? Do they have western standards or is it typical and dirty?

Dont they have a big medical school down there, how did you find the Emergency Services? Medicine is pretty horrible in Isarn, sometimes it seems like they know what they are doing but most of the time I think they just get lucky, if you live anyway.

Kind of on topic, but, Tiger Woods, although he could get citizenship via his mother, but never did, was also offered honorary citizenship at a royal level, but declined...can anyone confirm or deny this ?

Tiger is the ultimate poster boy for all that is wrong with Thailand. He is Thai with a Thai mom from Udon Thani. He made a name for himself by hard work and discipline. He was interested in his roots and came to Thailand after he was rich and famous. The Thai Golf Association, The Government, The Police, and every other organization that could get anywhere near him showed up begging for hand outs. From what I understand his trip here was pure hel_l, he has never tried to come back after 2000, never has any plans to ever come back and for that matter I have not even heard him mention Thailand since he was here the last time years ago.

Its a pretty sad state of affairs but Tiger did not do anything wrong. I'm sure there is more to this story but he is to smart to let on about it. One thing is for sure, he learned quickly all about Thailand. I would like to of heard what his mom had to tell him about the place, that would be a interesting story for sure.

http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/200...iger.woods.html

Woods' first trip to Thailand as a professional in early 1997 was a three-ring circus. Politicians and TV crews boarded his plane when it touched down in Bangkok before he could unbuckle his seat belt. Woods would describe it as the craziest week of his life; he was hoping things would be a little saner this time around. "I always enjoy coming back to Thailand," he says. "It's always neat to be back among family and friends." Not everyone was so enthusiastic, however. Some Thais feel he should donate more of his wealth to their country; others resent the fact that he lends his name to companies that, in their view, exploit millions of low-skilled local workers. "He basically has forgotten the Thai people," says Prasong Pathom, a medical doctor who followed Woods around during day one of last week's tournament. "He is a great golfer and has done some good with his foundation in getting equipment for young kids, but a number of Thais see it as nothing more than a token gesture."

Thailand is perfectly safe, the sun always shines, and Somtam Lao is good for your stomach!

Its my experience that any Expat that stays here long enough will lose out.

My prediction, based on 6 plus years of living here, get out now while the the getting is good.

only 6 years ? you're just a baby

what are you other thai related qualifications that lead you to this nihilistic point of view, because I have been working here more than twice your tenure and work with other foreigners who've been here 20, 30 years..and are all very much "winning" , so to speak.

What are you calling Winning? Ive had a pretty good adventure over here and always planned to go back to America in a few years. I was in a pretty serious business deal three days before the Airport got over ran with idiots which collapsed the deal and put it back to ground zero after a couple years work getting the people together. The same deal I can do in America in a week it takes two years to do here, is that winning? The paperwork nightmare over here is just ridiculous, try to do anything with honor and keep it legal and your in for a world of mental anguish.

If my goal in life was simple and I was happy to sit and drink beer every evening with a bunch of drunks and I was to stupid to understand how terrible the health care system is here life would be great. I have two places in America, and one house in Thailand. Both places in America have ultimate privacy and security, one offers helicopter flights for emergencies and the other one has first class emergency services with helicopters available if needed, all covered by insurance 100%.

My house in Thailand, a first class home in a exclusive gated community offers idiotic security guards who are to old to fight off a teenage school girl. They spend their days and nights riding bicycles around and drinking cheep whiskey. In case of Emergency a couple truckloads of baffoons will show up, more than likely get into a fight, throw you in the back of a truck and if they can, they will empty your pockets of money and your neck of gold if your silly enough to wear gold. Then half arsed doctors will take wild guesses about your condition and if you live it will be because you were going to live without the hospital anyway and your bill will end up with all kinds of charges for services and medications you never saw or received. The staff at the hospital, to simple to figure out basic paperwork will refuse to accept your insurance forcing you to go to their office in person and pay with cash or a credit card and then do all the paperwork to submit your own bill to insurance and wait a year to get your money refunded.

Dont bother with driving, not to mention the expense of a vehicle, its constantly being pulled over for no paticular reason and having hands go out for payments that becomes a bother. One of my favorite was when the cop reached for money and I stuck my hand out the window and shook his hand, said thanks, and drove off leaving him standing there. If you do have a accident, well, there's a 99% chance you will have to pay and your insurance will do everything they can to get out of doing anything. Having damage done to one of my trucks by teenagers who I caught and got their names and addresses the police offered me this advice, "We never go over there, its a bad neighborhood, the people are very bad there" but the funny thing was, its a beautiful place beside a nice lake but there is a 6 square block slum down a small ally that cannot be seen from where I parked under a beautiful shady tree.

Anyone who enjoys playing a game where the goals are constantly moved and the winner is always predetermined by his ability to influence with illegal payoffs, enjoy the ride. I have had a good run, had some great experiences and will spend the rest of my life looking back to my life in Thailand before the internet when I lived in some pretty wild and untouched by western culture areas. For me its just onto the next adventure as I have done everything I wanted to do here and its time to move on and take care of business. Because I'm leaving with more than I had when I arrived, maybe I'm a winner after all!

Back on topic, Trink said it best, "If you want leave Thailand with a little money, you should bring a lot when you come" or something along those lines. The absolute majority of Farang who fancy themselves as Thai usually end up getting a heck of a wake up call in the end if they don't end up dead from drink, stress, or violence. Personally I don't have anything good to say about what I believe will happen here over the next two years but there will most assuredly be bad times a coming and no Expats will be running for governor anytime soon. Just makes me wonder, how many Thai Americans are in office in the States? Certainly there are plenty of Thai Americans running successful businesses there.

By winning I mean setting goals for myself and my family and achieving them. However, not everyones situation is the same....I am not a business owner, as long as i've been here i've been shielded from a lot of crap by the company I'm deployed with . I find that being able to read thai(well enough to read the thai newspaper) and therefore speak correctly to a high level also makes a huge difference to "winning" (cultural adaptation), just my opinion. And I dont really drink or party at all, so that side of Thailand that can easily detract one from their goals is not a factor. By design, we keep all assets abroad and live a totally serviced/leased lifestyle in Thailand, so no ownership headaches on that front. Own a house in the west, could up and go in and instant if the $hit hit the fan. Regarding healthcare, I have never required emergency services, but for regular healthcare I've had no problems. I find a leased car & driver package solves all headaches on that front.

Point being, you can "win" in thailand..it is very much about how you adapt yourself, your situation and your ability to focus on achieving your goals.

So by your own statement here you do not have any financial investment into Thailand, do you have a emotional investment here? Are you married to a Thai? Your here working for some corporation on salary and do not have to do anything but your job. Your company shields you from the everyday normal dealings with the Thai Government so your not bothered with all the hands that stick out for donations during start ups and operation.

You have all your money offshore, that translates to me into a scenario where you have no faith in this country to invest any of your own money here. You rent a home, rent a car, and pay a driver to keep yourself from having to deal with police or the justice system in case of a accident. This is just more evidence that you have no faith in Thailand or the system. Maybe you and or your company have found a hole in the system you can exploit for financial gain but it does not sound like you are actually living here, just drifting through on a high tide.

Best of luck to you and your friends, I'm looking forward to my new adventures elsewhere. Truthfully it will be nice to deal with some stability instead of chaos.

Its my experience that any Expat that stays here long enough will lose out.

My prediction, based on 6 plus years of living here, get out now while the the getting is good.

only 6 years ? you're just a baby

what are you other thai related qualifications that lead you to this nihilistic point of view, because I have been working here more than twice your tenure and work with other foreigners who've been here 20, 30 years..and are all very much "winning" , so to speak.

What are you calling Winning? Ive had a pretty good adventure over here and always planned to go back to America in a few years. I was in a pretty serious business deal three days before the Airport got over ran with idiots which collapsed the deal and put it back to ground zero after a couple years work getting the people together. The same deal I can do in America in a week it takes two years to do here, is that winning? The paperwork nightmare over here is just ridiculous, try to do anything with honor and keep it legal and your in for a world of mental anguish.

If my goal in life was simple and I was happy to sit and drink beer every evening with a bunch of drunks and I was to stupid to understand how terrible the health care system is here life would be great. I have two places in America, and one house in Thailand. Both places in America have ultimate privacy and security, one offers helicopter flights for emergencies and the other one has first class emergency services with helicopters available if needed, all covered by insurance 100%.

My house in Thailand, a first class home in a exclusive gated community offers idiotic security guards who are to old to fight off a teenage school girl. They spend their days and nights riding bicycles around and drinking cheep whiskey. In case of Emergency a couple truckloads of baffoons will show up, more than likely get into a fight, throw you in the back of a truck and if they can, they will empty your pockets of money and your neck of gold if your silly enough to wear gold. Then half arsed doctors will take wild guesses about your condition and if you live it will be because you were going to live without the hospital anyway and your bill will end up with all kinds of charges for services and medications you never saw or received. The staff at the hospital, to simple to figure out basic paperwork will refuse to accept your insurance forcing you to go to their office in person and pay with cash or a credit card and then do all the paperwork to submit your own bill to insurance and wait a year to get your money refunded.

Dont bother with driving, not to mention the expense of a vehicle, its constantly being pulled over for no paticular reason and having hands go out for payments that becomes a bother. One of my favorite was when the cop reached for money and I stuck my hand out the window and shook his hand, said thanks, and drove off leaving him standing there. If you do have a accident, well, there's a 99% chance you will have to pay and your insurance will do everything they can to get out of doing anything. Having damage done to one of my trucks by teenagers who I caught and got their names and addresses the police offered me this advice, "We never go over there, its a bad neighborhood, the people are very bad there" but the funny thing was, its a beautiful place beside a nice lake but there is a 6 square block slum down a small ally that cannot be seen from where I parked under a beautiful shady tree.

Anyone who enjoys playing a game where the goals are constantly moved and the winner is always predetermined by his ability to influence with illegal payoffs, enjoy the ride. I have had a good run, had some great experiences and will spend the rest of my life looking back to my life in Thailand before the internet when I lived in some pretty wild and untouched by western culture areas. For me its just onto the next adventure as I have done everything I wanted to do here and its time to move on and take care of business. Because I'm leaving with more than I had when I arrived, maybe I'm a winner after all!

Back on topic, Trink said it best, "If you want leave Thailand with a little money, you should bring a lot when you come" or something along those lines. The absolute majority of Farang who fancy themselves as Thai usually end up getting a heck of a wake up call in the end if they don't end up dead from drink, stress, or violence. Personally I don't have anything good to say about what I believe will happen here over the next two years but there will most assuredly be bad times a coming and no Expats will be running for governor anytime soon. Just makes me wonder, how many Thai Americans are in office in the States? Certainly there are plenty of Thai Americans running successful businesses there.

You aren't Thai. And why would a Thai person even respect you when you have so little respect for your own country? Alpha males tend to dominate in their own environment. Lions don't tend to wander off out of the jungle and into the forest if you know what I mean.

Alpha male humans tent to prosper in whatever environment they live in, pass through, or relocate to as in the cases of the aforementioned Bill, or Jim Thompson, or Adoph Link, etc.

The rest tend to get whatever visa they are required to get, push their carts around Tesco Lotus whilst making sure that the the price of each item doesn't blow their daily "budget," and spend their lives waiting for the scraps/dividends paid to them by the alphas to come in on "pay day."

I don't think any of the whingers or Thailand haters actually want to just get citizenship, or become a member of parliament. What they want, and what they have long been missing IMO is their own dignity and self respect.

Jim Thompson was murdered for his troubles here, not to mention the whole saga of of him being accused of stealing many of his statues by a group of people who would have received them in his will, the ungrateful persons they were. The story of Bill H. has yet to be written and is far from over. There is also the question of his assets if he expires before he hands them off. I can foresee a very large court case there but I am no longer optimistic about this country or its future.

Its my experience that any Expat that stays here long enough will lose out. Statistically speaking your life is much more likely to end horribly here than in America or the U.K. and I'm not sure about non English speaking countries. Medicine is just a bad joke here, horribly done, and they continue to get it wrong. Recently at a brand new hospital the entire place was just a mess, the floor at Starbucks was much cleaner.

My prediction, based on 6 plus years of living here, get out now while the the getting is good. I don't believe Thailand will ever reach its potential in my lifetime and the current set of circumstance is volatile to say the least. Its a sad state of affairs but one must be drunk on alcohol, nationalism, or sex to believe anything else.