Tejas

Both of us were talking about the "general workforce."

Of course, you can find some Thais that are serious about other languages.

They are in a small minority. Most Thais can barely speak English.

In Cambodia you will find loads of students/workers who speak English well.

In general terms, you will see better educated students in Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia.

And you will find that they are less lazy than Thais.

I could say the same for China and Japan.

Disagree........no problem. As stated, there are exceptions.

But money talks. And the investment money is going to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia.

What is happening is a shift in strategic power in the region.

In biology there it is often said "adapt or go extinct." Put differently, "change or die."

I think that sums it up the choice Thailand must make.

It crossed my mind that many backpackers are not as poor as we might all think.

And it would certainly be a mistake to assess their wealth by the way they look.

My guess is that many of them are actually from middle class, upper-middle class, and some rich families.

They come here with friends for an "adventure."

And when they return they tell Mom and Dad about it.

If they have nothing positive to tell Mom and Dad (the ones with the money), maybe Mom and Dad don't come to Thailand to spend money.

Then they tell others........the bad news spreads. Thailand is out money. And not just money from the original backpacker.

So, treating backpackers with respect might actually be a good idea.

This is one reason Thailand needs to stop its "quality tourists" mantra and start encouraging tourism from all income levels.

After all, the tourism industry in Thailand is geared towards all income levels.

Why in the world would govt. policy be designed to punish all but the top sector of the tourism industry?

Makes no sense to me.

What an odd question. Are you afraid of political violence against you as an American? not likely no. Are you afraid of being assaulted? Well that can happen as it can anywhere so use caution like you would at home.

That is not an "odd question." Especially if the poster lives abroad.

The perception of violence and unrest in Thailand that people living outside of Thailand get from news reports is perhaps worse than you think.

The question is valid and deserves an answer from women living here, not men.

Why? Because most of us (i.e., men) never feel unsafe here.

Maybe women living here have a different perspective.

At the Hang Dong Makro in Chiang Mai, one day they stopped selling baking powder. It's been about a year since they have stocked it. They also stopped selling baking parchment. In that case I called the central office to ask them how to order it. They began shipping it out again to Hang Dong and it's been in stock ever since. Also unbranded ground cinnamon. I actually had a semi friendly argument with the staff in front who tried to assure me that they had never sold unbranded ground cinnamon even though I had been buying it for at least a year.

I found out, one a year ago, that baking powder is readily available in Thailand at Thai markets. It comes in a small package, white powder inside. There is no English written on the package. Ask a Thai for the translation. Have them write it down. Take that to the market. You should be able to find it. Sorry, I can't remember the Thai word for it at the moment.

The point the German Minister is making is this,

"<deleted> is going to invest in a place like this with such a bent, corrupt, Human Rights Abusing , undemocratic administration.

I think that is how politicians talk. In the real world corporations join hands with just about any country that can make them money. That seems to be a historical fact (sad but true).

IMHO, it is not so much about corruption, human rights, etc., it is more about "can we make lots of money here."

The solution for Thailand involves many changes in many sectors.

But, if corporations (that actually own the politicians) think they can make more money in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia........that is where the money will go.

In fact, for the past ten years or so that is where lots of money has been going.

Thailand seems to be putting up fences to foreign investment of the type that would make it more like Singapore, Hong Kong, S. Korea, Japan.

Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia have torn down fences, for the most part.

And corporations like stability and an educated workforce.

IMHO, workers in Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia are better educated.

So, where do you put your $$$$$$$

Personally, what the representative of Germany is saying sounds nice, but I think on a deeper level it is about more than just political turmoil (something that seems to be a constant in Thailand).

The fact is that there are very influential people in Thailand that do not want to share the MONEY PIE with foreign companies.

They like the status quo and will defend it even if the ship goes down (actually, they will never recognize the ship is going down).

Pretend you are an extremely rich owner of a major foreign based corporation (human rights is not your top priority.....making money is) and ask yourself this question: Why invest in Thailand instead of Vietnam, Malaysia or Cambodia?

3) They must attack a growing xenophobia, anti-foreigner sentiment in the country.

Are you referring to westerners or another group of foreigners?

All foreigners (people who are not Thai).

From an economic point of view, it is not that important unless it leads to economic policies that persuade investors to put their money in other countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, etc.

Tourism and foreign retirment, for example, are being negatively impacted by Draconian immigration policies that are clearly rooted in xenophobia.

So, it is not xenophobia per se, it is the policy impact of it that is of most concern to investors.

Large corporations look for stability and economic policies that maximize the probability that they will make money in Thailand.

The view expressed by the German is representative of Western investors, businesses, corporations.

It refocuses Thailand on the great and urgent need to return to some semblance of democratic stability.

You hit the nail on the head. I would add the following:

1) They must change their education system so that graduates are competitive in the global marketplace.

3) They must attack a growing xenophobia, anti-foreigner sentiment in the country.

4) They must address human rights issues.

5) They must take the immigration system, flush it down the toilet where it belongs, and start over.

6) They must make strong changes to foreign business rules, especially for small scale businesses.

7) They must address income inequality, especially between rural and urban residents.

8) They must address environmental problems like air pollution.

9) They must learn something about urban planning.

I could go on, but that is enough for now.

de Best.

Soi 23 Ban Chang.

Tacos and Salsa is my favorite place at the moment (still have not tried Los Cabos and La Monita).

Jorge, the owner of Tacos and Salsa, has managed to do something others have not: make good Mexican food in Thailand.

To make all the rich people happy, they should triple the rate and only 20k cars will use it per day, while increasing revenue by another 20%.

Or they could find one really rich person who is willing to pay 5 million baht a day for the honor of having it all to himself.

Think of the gain in face for that person.

Ahhhhh.........wouldn't it be better to lower the price on the toll road to ease traffic jams on non-toll roads?

I think that may have been one of the reasons they built it in the first place.

How many more things can they manage to screw up?

Tourism industry (screwed)......visa system (screwed)........image abroad (screwed)........transportation system (screwed).....etc.

Several nonsense posts removed.

Many people find the question about income offensive, especially if they are from the West.

The question is most likely used to determine the level of "quality toursts."

Calling people "quality tourists" is also offensive, especially if the person is from the West.

Absolutely the information can be abused, especially if coupled with a firm statement about where you are going to stay (never mind that most people have no idea where they are going to stay prior to arrival).

Surely they know how offensive and potentially dangerous the questions are.

No doubt this fact has been pointed out to them repeatedly.

The real question is why they don't remove them.

I have never seen a question about income on any other arrival card outside of Thailand.

Some Thais respect foreigners and have some positive things to say about us.

I think they are the ones that have lived abroad and have benefited from the experience.

They will divide us into a "good person" vs "bad person" category. Jai dee vs Jai dam, in essence.

Most, I am afraid, think we are little more than walking ATM machines.

Xenophobia is very high in Thailand (seems to be growing each day).

If you are not Thai, you are outside of the "circle of positive human beings."

If you are not white as white can be, you are somehow inferior (that applies even to Thais).

In addition, it is assumed you know nothing about Thailand and can never understand Thailand.

Sadly, the people who have the most difficulty understanding Thai culture are Thais who have never left the country and experienced what it is like to live in a different culture (the vast majority of Thais).

But try telling them that. It will not make sense to them.

It is like a fish trying to understand the water it never notices because it is immersed in it.

Regarding the upcoming "The Secret History of the United States" , it sure sounds like an Antony C. Sutton plot line. I sure hope that Oliver can pull it off and doesn't get poo-poo'ed again by the media. 'Cause there's things goin' on that you don't know...

It's a relatively short and uncomfortable leap of logic to question who controlled the banking system which supported Hitler at that time...

By "at that time," you mean prior to the mass murders of Jews? Prior to the "world war?"

I am sure there were many people who, "at that time," had no idea what Hitler was about or would become.

That is no excuse. I am just trying to put it in perspective.

Just one example, at one time the USA supported Saddam (later changed its tune.....but probably for financial reasons).

If the "banking system" continued to support Hitler after the atrocities, that is a story worth telling.

Children in real life, children in business, how i find a lot of Thais

That is it.......children in adult bodies.

Personally, since these companies have been cheating Thais (and foreigners) for years, I hope they end up destroying each other.

What discount? Seems to me the assumption is wrong to begin with. I have not seen any reduction in prices.

This year, the average hotel-room rate in Bangkok is expected to be Bt2,373 a night, down from Bt2,584 last year.

So 211 bahts a night reduction is considered too much to bear on this price of room? what utter nonsense.

When something is grossly overpriced to begin with, 211 baht is not a real discount.

Having said that, I never believe any of the offical figures published in Thailand.

I have not seen real discounts on hotel prices.

They remain way too high for the market and quality of services.

It is no wonder that many travelers are going elsewhere.

Are you sure Customs did it? It could have been removed from the box and retaped at several different points.

All I know is that in the Hub of Theives this happens regularly.

They (workers) open items and remove things.

One of them has my capo. Maybe he is fishing with your gear and using my capo on his guitar to strum a tune:

"Farangs, farangs, suckers you are, send something to Thailand, lost like a shooting star, when will you learn, that in the Land of Smiles, nothing is safe, even a shit load pile."

<br />

Hamsters in a concrete prison....gives me the creeps.

Is it possible to do what most other countries do: Promote tourism for all people and income categories?

Would that create chaos at TAT?

When he says "any" does he mean you can get one anywhere not just Chaeng Wattana, but must be your local one

or

When he says "any" does he mean you can go to any Immigration office, not dependant on where you live, to get a re-entry permit

Let me clarify. The officer was aware of my assigned immigration office.

The officer told me that it was no longer necessary to get the re-entry permit at your assigned office.

The officer went on to say that it is now possible to get the re-entry permit at any immigration office.

In other words, if true, you can now get a re-entry permit at your assigned immigration office or at any other immigration office.

That is what the officer told me. Maybe this is new policy.

Maybe we will start getting some feedback on it.

Be sure and ask about this at your assigned immigration office.

I, for one, would welcome this change in policy if, in fact, it is a change in policy.

When prices drop back to correct levels, buyers will come out of the wood work.

Maybe.......maybe not. But surely there will be more buyers then.

As an aside, one way of determining the "market" is to keep an eye out for real estate shop closures.

Are many closing shop?

New ones opening up?

3-4 years ago it seemed like you could not walk 20 meters without seeing three or four shops.

What discount? Seems to me the assumption is wrong to begin with. I have not seen any reduction in prices.

I don't want to spread false information or get hopes up, so please moderators check this out and provide corrections if necessary.

I was just told by an immigration officer the following: "You can now get a re-entry permit at ANY immigration office in Thailand."

The possible good news is that some of us who do not live near our assigned immigration office can now get a re-entry permit at any immigration office.

True?

Just a reminder so that we can stay on topic: As stated, many of us would like to see reviews of Mexican restaurants in Thailand (not just Bangkok) with pics. We want to see pics of the actual food at the Mexican restaurants in Thailand and not from Google. Thanks.

I found it ironic that he is purported to have said, in a recent speech at FCCT (Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand) that "we are all living in "a dark time - darker than anything I've ever known in my 60-plus years".

....and then he goes on later to emphasize we should, "think about the positive and not give in too easily to the negative."

Somehow the two concepts don't quite mesh.

All in all, I've always liked Oliver Stone and his work. He's someone I wouldn't mind sitting next to on a long train ride - sharing stories, opinions.

I'd venture he's one of the five best movie directors living today.

It seems like he was stating what should be an obvious fact (living in a dark time) and warning people not to succumb to negativism (e.g., loss of hope). The only way out is to latch on to a positive vision and work to attain it. The alternative is barbarism.

He is my favorite director, by the way.

Tacos & Salsa - Most authentic, best tortillas, best guacamole, tacos de alambres very good, love the chilaquiles (only place that has them on the menu), tostadas de tinga (ditto) tamales the best, good salsas, cheery atmo. Avoid the fajitas recently added to the menu in an attempt to please gringo palates. Order alambres instead, closer to fajitas most gringos know. Not too expensive (but wish it were cheaper).

I wish somebody would post pics of the "alambres" at this place. I understand it is some type of Mexican beef dish (I do like good fajitas,grilled and not tough).

I have no idea what chilaquiles are (Googled it and still don't know). Pics, pics, pics with explanations of what is on the plate.

Thanks.

Reminds me of those old public housing projects in Chicago. Cabrini Green or something.

Why do they keep building concrete-coffin-Ghetto-like condos in Pattaya-Jomtien?

Sometimes I think people don't see the reality of what they are buying (or maybe they are coming from Siberia).

Of course, if you buy two units and knock the wall out and it is on the front facing the sea, you have a nice view and place (until the crazy Thai neighbors start doing karaoke night and day).