biggles45

You could be right but does anyone really believe that a Labour government, with its liberal minded support base will do anything to stop the illegal immigration of all those potential voters? Think of the Democrats response to the 'problem' in the US

They are safe in France already! By sailing in a rubber dinghy to the UK they are making themselves 'unsafe' again. They have no right to 'destination shop' once the 'threat' has been removed.

I heard a politician trying to justify this on the basis that 'immigration was too high' and people were concerned. That's true, but it's not the legal spouses of Brit citizens they are concerned about! so instead of stopping the illegals in their rubber boats, let's keep putting them up in hotels and giving them lots of benefits. We will cut the number of LEGALS, and penalize the British citizens who have dared to marry outside the UK.

Centre link has two rates for old age pension. Full rate, inc some allowances, for those living in Oz and a lower rate (without the allowances) for those overseas. The rates are on their website. Centre link also gets info from immigration computers and is well aware of recipients travel movements

'and it's possible to open a Philippine bank account on line without even going to the Philippines. ' Have you done this, or know someone who has, who is NOT a Filipino? I have lived here 15 years and the requirements to open an account are strict, even a foreigner here on a 60 day visa can't open one so it's difficult to believe that Anyone, living Anywhere can. As you asked some one earlier..... Link please!

No it's not. It's valid for 90 days BUT only if shown with a valid IDP. As a previous poster said ASEAN license holders do not need an IDP under a recipricol arrangement. I have shown my Philippine license many times in the last 7 years at checkpoints without problem

Sorry, they did and they spend millions of baht, and have a whole govt department whose only job is to do just that!

'Problem with Benjamit is you get farang who like the sound of their voice, ' Yes, on market days I now go after 1pm, much quieter. I always find the European customers, especially noisy. Been going there 15+ years now, right back to when it was only single-fronted. Really nice people.

Benjamit coffee at the Buakaow market, have 2 copies of the Bangkok Post to read every day. Very popular with Europeans and can be hard to get a seat on market days. Starbucks must make a fortune, selling coffee at USA prices with Thai labor and other costs.!

Didn't he die from cancer?

Hardly likely to deter illegal gambling then! Also, high end casinos will not be affordable to a great many lower income thais

You could double their wage but corruption is so ingrained into the system that they would be unlikely to forgo that income For those at the top, paying millions of corruptly obtained baht to secure a more powerful position you could not pay them enough.

Not only that, under a reciprocal arrangement between ASEAN countries, the Thai embassy in Manila will issue a 60 day tourist visa to a Filipino passport holder FREE OF CHARGE. My partner has had two a year for the past 8 years. We spend 4-5 months a year in Pattaya. She has 4 Filipina friends who live with foreign partners in Pattaya for many years. There is quite a large group of Filipinos in Pattaya, many musicians, service staff, cleaners etc We met in the Philippines, she is 33 years younger than me and we have been together 14 years

It's really laughable at the outrage when 2 foreigners attacked a Thai policeman. Where was the outrage when a wealthy Thai ran down a cop with his car, dragged him along and then fled? Oh yes, he was Thai and wealthy so a different case. Apparent these 2 guys have REALLY wealthy parents too.!!

So, with all these often ludicrous requirements for renewals, why is it that so many are eventually located, often by accident, on overstays of years? Seems like a total waste of time, manpower and resources!

If the foreigner can only have 49% of the company and he dies, what happens to the 51% of the house value, which is the companies asset? He may have a will but he can still only bequeth his 49% of the houses value (sale price) as the rest is 'owned' by the Thai nominees? Anyone have 'real world' experience of the answer here?

Your right of course but I have had the same one for 14 years and she does like it darker.

Yes, tho more salt and pepper but it also depends how short you cut it. It takes very little time to go back to a natural, in my case, brown. Of course you can choose not to use it on parts of your hair, sideburns for example and let them be grey

This is the product to use, Discrete, by Restoria. It's not a dye but a restoring cream. I have used it for 15 years and no one ever realizes my 'naturally' dark hair, at 78, is not natural. Start applying it 3 times a week, reducing as the color changes. No mess, no fuss. Available in Thailand beauty shops, supermarkets. I get mine in Big C Extra in Pattaya.

Yes, the usual. Hotel accom, return ticket etc. I also provided a covering letter, (with copies of my passport page and ID) even tho I was with her and getting a 60 day myself. Provide too much rather than too little was my motto. Never had one refusal over 7 years applying

For future reference, the Thai consulate in Makati, Manila will issue Filipinas a 60 day tourist visa free of charge (ASEAN agreement). partner has had 2 a year for many years. Unfortunately it does take 2 business days.

I suspect that many potential hirers cannot ride a bike with a clutch and gears. Catering to the mass customer market maybe!

'Without clear evidence, the police were unable to make arrests.' This never stopped the Pattaya cops who would often drive along beach road, load a bunch of LB into the pickup and off to Soi 9 A 100 baht fine usually and released. BIB didn't worry about' evidence' just being a LB there was enough. Maybe their just to damn lazy?

KL is a favorite of ours, short and inexpensive flight with Air Asia, based in Malaysia. Clean, civilised, friendly people. Inexpensive hotels, if you want them. Been many times.

It doesn't make sense to send the case back and for the police to investigate so many of their own. The case will go nowhere but if we keep it here we can move it forward and who knows how much money will come our way... Logic, Thai style.