flemmie

Fair is fair, I used to do the same thing when I was younger, until I have seen the destruction that goes into a few crumpled cars, not to mention the body bags... I hate it still when people cut me off, but I have learned to accept it. In the end, he may get somewhere a few minutes earlier than I do, but in the worst case, I do not arrive at all, so I learned...

Choice of car is for me a Mercedes, had a few in the past, but I refuse to pay the ridiculous amount they ask for it here, so I drive an American monster for the time being.

OP will also learn from this experience, he has been bashed enough.

Try negotiaiting with them first- tell them you have moved to another part of the world and that you are willing to make small payments to a reduced level of overall debt (worked for a friend of mine). If you default, the standard procedure is they will sell the debt to a private debt collecting agency (for 20 p in the pound for example), the agency may then try to track you down if your debt was high enough (and they wont be too friendly either). But ifs its less than 5-10 K $/pounds they probably wouldn't bother. But if they find out you are in Thailand it may be they would come over here to combine it with a nice holiday in the sun (seriously). My friend who i mentioned earlier had moved to work in Pakistan for a contract, not very tempting destination for a debt collector.

Having said that you would never be able to open a bank account in spain again and possibly elsewhere in europe (im not sure how interconnected the backs are in the EU, but i wouldnt be surprised if they do swap info like this).

Pay off your debts, it's the honest thing to do and you don't want to burn your own bridges. You never know when you may need them again. I'd be interested to see a foreign debt collector turn up in thailand and start demanding payment - On what legal authority, fairly sure there is no inter government policy on such matters. Can see the police wanting to get involved in that, far too much work

I can only agree with the above (and I am a banker).

You could leave Spain and leave the debt behind (actually how much are we talking about...??), but in essence you borrowed it for a purpose, accepting interest terms which are now bothering you. You need to step up to the plate and take responsibility.

A good idea is indeed to be open and fair with the bank and to re-negotiate the terms and/or the repayment period. Banks would rather have a healthy credit on their books than a dud loan which they need to write-off.

Selling to a collector is an option for them, but they usually do that in a package deal (i.e. bundle a few hundred or even thousand consumer credits and sell it to a distressed asset buyer for a small sum, like cents to the dollar). If your debt is considerable, then a collection agency will com after you, if it is small, it will get lost.

In any case, your credit standing in Spain will be ruined and it may eventually have consequences in Europe, although I sincerely doubt that, banks do not exchange this sort of information cross border.

So the option is yours.

I completely agree. I no longer buy any produce or fresh meat from Carrefour. Everytime I bought meat (after carefully checking the expiration date), I opened it up at home the same day and it smelled rotten. The fruits and veggies looked ok in the store, but they always turned brown within a day. I had to throw away so much food from Carrefour. Now it's Carrefour to stock up on basics, and Tops/local markets for fresh products!

We should let the french butchery know, they are the one's supplying the meat to Carrefour. Just wondering if carrefour is letting it go stale or if it arrives that way...

List of religious leaders in 1829

Roman Catholic Church

Jesus

Pfffttt... we are busy!

Don't understand the fuss, go on time, if needed 3 hours and enjoy a nice drink at the airport if you get through quickly. What's the point of hurrying at all when travelling?

In reality, there is a quarantine mentioned in the paperwork that needs to be completed when arriving, only they allow the quarantine to be in your own house... (quite convenient n'est-ce pas?).

I brought my cat via airplane, can't tell if a bulldog would have breathing problems, the cabin is pressurized and heated.

I went there for two departments in one day thinking "great this is a chance to go to a Western hospital" in July. Was I wrong. They charge really high prices for very little to no medical service. In both depts I went to not only did I not receive any medicine, I was provided with no printout of diagnosis or any other health information -- it was just "out you go." Went to the eye doctor first, I didn't like the way he manhandled me, and there seems something peculiarly dissatisfying in his description of why the outer edges of my eyes seem soft like egg whites. He just said "don't worry, it's like the skin on the back of your hand, it just gets soft with old age." Umm, I'm 38. I also didn't like the way he suddenly jabbed a Q-tip into the bottom of my eye and pressed it in several times while chatting with the nurse. It almost seemed like the old man and I had developed a personality conflict the way he talked to me. I went back to the front desk about a half hour later after leaving his office and just asked them, sorry what was the name of the condition of my eyes the doctor said? The receptionists all started getting furious that I would return to ask about anything. Heck they could at least given me a printout of the other health info such as when they took my blood pulse and did an eye chart "exam". Apparently nothing was entered and I had no record.

The second dept I went to was the skin section. Had some bright red spots as well as some greyish brown ones of a diff texture on various places -- back, neck, arms and even on head. I swear I wasn't in his office 3 minutes, total damage 900 baht. All he did is say you can take your shirt off, he stayed seated at his desk and glanced at me from afar and said, "oh that? that's melasma. anything else, or will that be all for today?" He didn't walk over to have a close look, he didn't try to look me over other than just ask me what "spot" I was concerned about. What if there was a real cancer on my back?

Because I was on a trip to BKK at that time there was one more dept I wanted to go to get checked out. Based on the previous two unprofessionalism I skipped the third. Total damage -- for a 7 minute eye "exam" and about 45 seconds of "skin observation (from afar)" was 1,100 baht eyes and 900 baht skin doctor. That in conjunction with a previous trip to Pattaya Memorial to get knee checked for 2500 baht only to be told "we're not sure, maybe arthritis or maybe knee damage," tells me Thailand medical is not recommended. I'd like my money back.

Had a similar experience with the dermatologist at Bumrungrad, 3 minutes, a cursory look and a new appointment for freezing treatment, 1,000 Baht... Needless to say I cancelled. Will go to one in Belgium next time I go home.

For eye treatment, nothing beats Rutnin hospital. Went the first time and had 4 hours of investigations and a laser treatment following all that, a total of 4,000 Baht and I must have seen 7 different Doctors.

Next timm you have a problem, go to see my Dr at Bumrungrad, a swiss gentleman by the name of Dr. Balankura (excellent french, english and thai) and he takes his time to diagnose. Same basic price.

Marriot group runs a genuine scheme similar to what many here refer to as a "scam"...you are invited to Marriot Resort Phuket to stay 2 nights free, the only obligation is to sit thru a 90min sales pitch...all made clear upfront. Under no further obligation to buy because they believe the product's merits will speak for itself. Marriot does't get spruikers and catch people on the street, it's be referral and the name of the person who introduced is named, as it should be.

Need to say that I have 2 weeks ownership in a Marriott development in Orlando. It was expensive at the time but worth quite some more now (had it for 20 years already). I use it every year and swap with other time share units around the world. If not used I swap for points redeemable at Marriott.

Their sales pitch is very, very good and they are very experienced at it. Not nasty as they have a reputation to defend.

My two cents worth.

We moved to Bangkok in July, and after having visited something like 40-50 places all over town, we have taken a place in Sathorn (just off Rama IV) opposite to the Lumpini Stadium.

For some reason, we had always heard that Sukhumvit was the area to be, and indeed most of the activities are there. In the beginning we were negotiating for a place there (soi 31) but on the way back we got stuck in traffic, took us over an hour to get back to the hotel. For us, we are happy to have the driver take us there whenever we want to participate, but I am happy not to live there. I think it is much too crowded.

Additionally, I work just opposite Lumpini Park so at the busiest times, a 15 minute ride to work. This morning there was no traffic and we were lucky with the lights, a full 5 minutes to the office, I am smiling now...

I must admit it is not cheap, but there are plenty of places to go there, plenty of restaurants and shopping. Metro is 12 minutes walk away.

I can confirm that we also adhere to Thai Law in this respect, and even beyond it. Apart from the Provident Fund, we will pay our staff up to 10 months additional salary as an indemnity when they retire and a same amount in Special retirement Benefits (negotiated some time ago and which have become an acquired right in the meantime in our company - a foreign bank). The indemnity is based on the law grid:

worked-

up to 120 days ---> 30 days indemnity

120 - 1 year ---> 90 days

1 - 3 years ---> 120 days

3 - 6 years ---> 180 days

6 - 10 years ---> 240 days

10 years+ ---> 300 days (10 months)

I have one lady retiring this mnths after 20 years of service, she goes home with a check for 20 months.

I have a True account, apparently 4MB, but I do not get anything close to that. Average speed test consistently puts me at around 1MB download and 0.3 upload, pretty dreadful. I would not recommend it (although cheap, B 900).

I also have a PACNET subscription of 4MB, and I do get A LOT better speeds from that, unfortunately it is about 6.000 Baht a month/ Download from there for your files would not be a problem.

I am in Sathorn.

Just wanted to add that I have taken this Xenical for about a year at the advice of my doctor. It does flush out fat, in a very unusual color (bright orange) and every time you use the toilet it is necessary to clean it properly because it is bright orange and very, very sticky. Mind you the cleaning does get you some excercise.

Additionally, I have suffered during that time from embarassing hemorroids, which I think personally, were brought on by the Xenical as well.

In the end, it does not work at all. Only the chemical company making them benefits because they are not for free (quite expensive in Germany where I was staying at the time).

Take the advice of the others on this forum, read the lectures, grind your teeth and go with their proposals. I have started very slowly (coming from 133 kg) and have managed to shed some 5 kg in the last 8 weeks. I would have wanted more but I am happy with the result.

No matter how you slice it, we all know what we need to do and thinking otherwise, is only fooling ourselves.

Funny post, I think it is time to read Private Dancer by Stephen Leather again...

After residing in a plethora of pissant shit-hole third world countries on many different continents I finally threw a dart at the map of the world. Unfortunately with the earth being over 2/3 water, not surprisingly, I hit an ocean, but it was closest to the glorious "Land 'O Thais" so I moved here.

I've found for the most part it's no better or worse than any other pissant shit-hole developing third world country. The thais ignore me just as I ignore them, it's a mutually beneficial, intricately symbiotic yet somewhat parasitic relationship for all of us.

Before some witty economic pundit weighs in to erroneously point out thailand is a "second world country"; please realize second world countries were the former Soviet bloc countries, and there is NO such thing anymore. The choices are first world, developing third world, or third world.

My wife tries to make a difference to the needy with the American Women's club and I can assure you that all funds go to the needy, the administration is done by volunteers.

The problem of gangs is in every country, therefore I support through organizations. This does not stop me from giving also on the street.

Wow

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It is really quiet in Thailand...

Don't do the crime if you can't spend the time!

I think it is time to read "Private Dancer" from Stephen Leather, it opens your eyes...

I do not see very well where the problem is of this couple.

First of all, the limit of 30 Kg per bag (I do not know where the 32 Kg comes from, perhaps a variable...?) has been negotiated by the unions in the various countries in the world so that baggage handlers will not hurt themselves picking up bags. Anyone laughing at this, I give you just 2 days of handling bags (at 30kg each) in any airport, you will be broken. Sure there are belts moving the lugagge, but somewhere there is human interference, perhaps not in the airport of departure, but maybe in the arrival.

I recently moved from Moscow to Bangkok, and had of course too much luggage with me (apart from my cat which also cost me a small fortune). My excess luggage (on Thai) amounted to 25 Euro per kg. Official rate? I am not sure, but I have paid similar in other European countries and on other airlines. And I fly business as well (Moscow-BKK is 8.5 hours flying only...). If they figured the additional luggage cost can fly then from NY to China and back twice, it is obvious this was economy class, so do the math.

4 bags, each over 2 to 3 kg over 32kg, which is 34kg times 4 = 136 kg, with an allowance of 4x20kg which means 56 kg over. Give an allowance of 2 kg per bag, this will still leave 48 kg over. 25 Euro x 48 kg = 1.200 Euro @ 50 = 60.000 Baht.

I suspect that they were buying things in Thailand to sell in Panama and wanted to save the transport/customs duties...

Whiners...

I have had 2 nice experiences

EAT ME Restaurant (EATMERESTAURANT dot com) in Sathorn.

Pandanus (50 Soi Nunta, Sathorn Soi 1, Bangkok 10120 tel 0-22874021-2)

The latter has the advantage that you can go upstairs afterwards for some music.

something to the effect of how long you have known X

(if its not been too long then no need to mention how many months, just something like in the time you have known X, he/she has always been ---all the nice adjectives here) make sure to mention the good work she does in the office, how she is liked and trusted by all colleagues. if you have met the groom, say so, and say how he is always polite, respectful and comes across as being intelligent and sensible.... etc etc

(I will be happy to write you a speech for a fee Im good at these things )

envelope - certainly should be more than 4,000 baht at the very least (are you going alone? if your partner is with you then its expected to be more) but no need to go overboard and give more than 10K

but then again, it also depends on where wedding is being held, who the other guest of honour from the other side is? plus the standing of the couple's parents in society (the last may be hard for you to gather...but other factors like venue of hotel would give some indication)

Thanks for the advice. It is held in the Narai Hotel, and is a lunch of 2 hours or so. I as told (by my Assistant) I should be OK with 5K in the envelope. Not much to say as I have only been here 5 months, so quite short. I am practicing with my Thai teacher some nice Thai words, keeping them on the safe side so I do not make any faux pas.

Standing of the family is quite normal as far as I can tell.

One more experience, have been to so many in the last 30 years I am oversees...

I use FF and have been having problems with timing out very quickly while trying to load pages though I'm not experiencing the other problems you mention. I uninstalled FF then reinstalled which fixed the problem, had to do it again yesterday as started timing out again. So far, so good again

Thanks, will give that a try, I only hope I do not need to reload the program first...

I am baffled by IT and as such cannot figure out why I keep getting the time-out screen when I surf the internet. I use an expensive connection from PacNet (supposedly 4MB/512KB), but a speedtest tells me I do not get anywhere near that speed.

Whenever I use the internet, the connection times out very quickly. I know already from the moment I click and I see "Connecting to....", it will freeze out on me. It happens without warning, and very often. I have a Dell which is somewhat older, just ordered a new HP, so I hope it is the computer that gives me this trouble. I use Firefox. It is not just when I am waiting for a download, it happens when I play cards on line, wait for a site to load or when browsing YouTube.

Thanks for any help you may have for me.

Nick (the frustrated)

One of my staff members has invited me to a wedding and I am to be a guest of honor and say something to all the guests.

What should I avoid talking about? What is safe? How much money am I expected to pitch in the envelope (I am her bosses boss)? Anything else I am to keep in mind?

It seems to be the luncheon only, which makes it easier I guess.

Thanks for your advice.

Having just spent 3 years in Moscow, and having had to go through the lines in Moscow Airport (both of them) several times with packs of Russians, I can confirm that they all do it. The sport is to join someone you know that is just about to get served. It is accepted in Russia and no one cares too much. Once you have stood 1 to 1 1/2 hours waiting in line at the Russian immigration, you will appreciate the lines in Bangkok. For a meager 10.000 Baht or so, you can join the rich and go the VIP way. Car picks you up straight by the plane, whisks you via the tax free zone to a VIP area, where you have your own private Passport officer and they go and pick up your luggage for you. All you do is sit and sip a nice drink and have your driver stand by and take over the suitcase when they deliver it to you. Talk about decadence... I loved it...

As far as the ladies are concerned, we (my wife, who is not Russian, and I) still have Russian friends visiting us from Russia. I can confirm that they enjoy shopping very much in Thailand as the prices in Moscow are totally outrageous. Their dress code is quite daring and therefore are often mistaken for ladies of the night. Ultra short skirts and towering heels are a trade mark. Go see the ladies that work at the customs or other services in Moscow, they look yummy...

Let's not forget that Russians have made an art of standing in line, so much so that in the old days when there was a long line of people waiting. they sometimes joined to line without knowing what was for sale. They figured that if so many were waiting, it must be worthwhile.

Lastly, when I was in Moscow (I work for a bank), we had contracts with companies that provide people to stand in line for you (everywhere there are lines). You pay them by the hour.

I'm looking to lose about 15Kgs, but am in no rush. If I hit that target by this time next year I'll be happy. Im using this "diet plan"

http://www.theloseweightdiet.com/

Personally I have no idea how many calories are in what I eat. Most Thai food doesn't come with convenient labels with that sort of information and I really dont want to sit all up all night learning that, but I do know its important to count calories.

So I use that in conjunction with this site:

http://caloriecount.about.com/

One of the best features this site has, is the recipe analyser. So being I simply pop the recipe into the site and it roughly works out how many calories it contains, and it also gives the meal a Nutritional value rating.

I add in everything I eat or drink into the food log (which can be quite surprising) and add in any activity that I do.

Its my first week testing this and am looking forward to the results, although I don't expect to see anything immediately. What I have noticed though is the simple act of thinking about what I eat every day really makes you think twice.

Hi,

I will check out the sites that you have posted, and wish you good luck on your efforts. I have just travelled again visiting the family in Belgium and attending a conference in some chateau near Paris, and have sinned again when I see all the food there. Back to the drawing board I guess...

The water excercises are doing me good, although I am not consistent enough. Always a good excuse when I work late or if it rains or it is too hot or I just ate or I still have some things to do ...

Weight has not changed.

Nick

That's why I always check the profile before answering...