Stray
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Posts posted by Stray
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13 hours ago, dbrenn said:
Er .... I'm Thai myself, so why would I Thai bash. You seem like the type of guy who just got off the plane, and still has Shangri-La syndrome. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Over a quarter of a century in SEAsia, myself.
Being a returnee doesn't put you above Thai bashing. Your type pass through my neighbourhood all the time and end up being the ones that can't hack it.
Enjoy your cheap steaks and cheaper cocktails . . .
And please don't kick my dog on your way out.
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1 minute ago, Ahab said:
Never said or implied that "all drinking " establishments in Thailand couldn't make a gin and tonic but was merely relating what occurred in one fairly upscale establishment. I thought making an acceptable gin and tonic would have been something that any bartender could accomplish as long as they had the ingredients (which they did). I was incorrect.
Did you discuss this with management of the upscale establishment?
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9 hours ago, dbrenn said:
I was generalising to make a point. Of course there are a few places that cook a steak to order - sometimes. Most places don't, can't or won't.
Ah, now I understand.
Never let "generalising" and "going off topic" get in the way of a good, old-fashioned "Thai bash."
seancbk, post ID#33, sums up (the off topic discussion) very well.
As some posters fail to realise, this IS Thailand and, within Thai establishments, things are done to Thai taste.
If you do not agree with how things are done, go to a foreign run establishment. Or, to be more specific, an establishment run by one of your fellow country folk. Then, if it is not done correctly, you can discuss it directly with management in a language and custom that you are both familiar with.
Even in Thailand, a business that doesn't cater to the local tastes (which is the majority), doesn't last long, or runs at a loss.
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1 hour ago, dbrenn said:
Same reason why it's impossible to get a steak cooked the way you like it (unless you like it well done).
Never had a problem at Arno's. Then again, some people don't want to pay for a steak, either.
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24 minutes ago, Lovethailandelite said:
Post 46. The figures should be a turn over of 800 million baht, not 800,000 million
. A slip of the keyboard but now I cannot edit it.
Don't worry about it, Lovethailandelite. Just continue to enjoy the peace of mind that being a TE member provides.
As a member of TE, your visa concerns are capably handled by a representative of Thailand Elite. As the holder of an alternative visa/extension, your concerns are capably handled by scores of posters on a website.
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4 hours ago, 4evermaat said:
I have met a couple of people who paid agents between 20-25k and got a non-O conversion + 1 year + multiple re-entry permit (or 15 months total); paperwork was very straightforward and it took about 3-7 days depending on whether you were in bangkok or not.
But they still had to do the 90 day reports. Most of them went on to just continue the extensions themselves. Mostly retirement, with a few that were married to thai national.
The PE or TE visas are classified as tourist visas. See this post:
As such, you cannot. You must obtain a non-immigrant visa + separate work permit in order to work legally.
I find that odd that the gov't didn't make an exception for TE members, but TiT. In practice however, I'm sure you could still manage a business in the background with little worries.
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add: does anyone on PE actually do the 90 day reports? You could just hop the border once a year and hardly ever touch the local immigration office. Enjoy the privilege guys.
I'm a member of the programme, live in the countryside and do my own 90 day reports. Apart from the drive to the 'local' immigration office (around 90kms), it is easy and very painless. An 1 hour drive (each way) and 10 minute immigration visit becomes a day outing of shopping, lunching and socialising with those in the local 'big smoke.'
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Flustered, there are a couple of simple questions for those that post negative views on the Thai Elite programme and the Privileged Entry visa.
Question 1: How many years have they been a member of the programme and an holder of a PE/SE visa?
Question 2: If they are not a member of the programme, on what do they base their negative responses? (I was informed, on another (unrelated) thread, that my comments were not welcome as I didn't have any personal experience on the subject matter.)
For those that post about the programme failing, I ask these questions. How many years has the TE programme been running? Since it's original inception, how many years have posters been posting negative comments and claiming that the programme will fail?
Before I close out this message, yes, I do have something negative to say. I purchased a 5 year membership. Now, I wish I had purchased a 20 year membership. Peace of mind for 20 years beats peace of mind for 5 years!
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2 hours ago, soalbundy said:
A friend from Germany visited me while on holiday. he is an engineer but a bit of a tree hugger. While out walking in a small market town he 'announced' (that is the only way to describe it) that he was finally ready. For what i asked, Durian he said, a pregnant pause followed which finally gave birth to '' I am ready to try Durian''. He bought a small piece put it in his mouth and instantly threw up on the street, he wasn't ready for Durian.
Definitely an aquired taste. Those that indulge inform me that eating one is an amazing experience. I don't know if they mean that in a good way. However, I strongly suspect they only want to witness my reaction which, I imagine, would be on par with your German friend.
Going back a few years ago, when a group of us would congregate at an outdoor cafe, would occasionally cop the strong stench of rotting garbage. Without looking, we would make wagers on whether it was a garbage truck or a durian seller. It was always a straight up 50-50 gamble.
Having said all that, when time permits, will be planting a couple of durian to see how they go.
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On 13/12/2016 at 11:10 PM, Mr Kie said:
nothing better than having coconut water right from the tree, decorated with orchid flower which is also available in the farm and using rice straw instead of using a plastic one. Banana was just first harvested and more will come.
Where are you obtaining the rice straws?
Since I saw your post I've been trying to find them but to no avail.
Sick to death of picking up discarded plastic straws (and other litter). We have many bins around the shop but a few lazy people can't be bothered with the effort of using them. The greatest frustration is with those that drop rubbish, on the ground, next to a bin. Perhaps the confusion of having three bins, side-by-side (recyclables (cans, bottles, cardboard, paper), organic waste, all other rubbish), is too much choice for some to process and figure that the rubbish will find it's own way to the correct bin.
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On 03/01/2017 at 3:00 PM, Mr Kie said:Many people have the same thought, growing many things will bring higher cost. in fact, it's opposite, the main cost is maintenance cost from what i think. so i just leave all this to the nature. we focus on creating the good soil, good soil will take care of the plants, many crops will bring variety of bugs good one and bad one and let them do the job. you just support the system, keep it in balance and harvest only the surplus.
I love your idea of letting things grow naturally and letting the ecosystems work themselves out.
To this end, I've been working on the same idea. Sure, my returns have been lower (lesser harvests than neighbours) but my inputs have also been lower (no money spent on pesticides and, as the soil is being conditioned by compost, no money spent on fertilizer). Although, my labour 'costs' have been higher. Not a financial cost as I do all the work myself but it is a 'time cost.' Luckily, it's a labour of love. Really enjoying the rewards (a monologue from the movie 'Silent Running' comes to mind).
To assist in the control of insect pests, I've been planting a quick growing tree. I have no idea what it is called but I have found that bugs like eating them more than they like to eat my other plants and trees (the bugs have been eating these leaves and not my palm oil).
The 'bad' bugs move in and eat the leaves on these quick growing trees. The predatory bugs move in to eat the 'bad' bugs. The birds move in to eat any bugs they can catch. The only real downside is that some hawks have moved in to prey on the birds. It's a minor downside as they've picked up a couple of my baby chickens (free-range) but, most of the time, my roosters sound a warning when the hawks are gliding overhead and all of the chickens take cover.
The pros of these quick growing trees are:
- they sprout everywhere during the latter half of the wet season so they are prolific and are easily transplanted to where they are needed;
- they grow quickly so, within a short period of time, they are well established;
- the large leaves provide food for insect pests and shade;
- they love water so grow easily in swampy/wet locations;
- they shed a lot of leaves which cover the ground and provide a fantastic location for growing wild mushrooms; and
- as they grow so quickly and are so prolific, they can be cut down without permission (I use them to make charcoal for my barbeque).
Cons:
- as they sprout everywhere, a bit of work is required to cut the ones that aren't required;
- the large leaves provide a lot of shade so nothing (except fungi) will grow under them;
- they drop a lot of large leaves so, as above, the same problems with nothing else growing;
- as they require a lot of water, until they are mature and find their own source, they require watering if you try to establish them outside of the wet season.
Again, I don't know what these trees are but I've been using them around the property. When they have served their purpose, or are growing where they're not required, I cut them down and use the wood.
One month old. Hand watering. The holes in the leaves show that it's already popular with the insects.
6 months old. Lack of water resulted in poor foliage. Although, the holes in the leaves show that it's tasty.
6 months old. Well watered but a different type of leaf to the previous.
7 year old trees which keep some of the pests from mango trees.
Attracting pests from the palm oil.
Three year old palm oil, 'fruiting.'
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On 03/01/2017 at 3:26 PM, soalbundy said:
I was going to do some Durian but i was put off after reading that they don't have very deep roots, don't like surface water (need dry feet) and they can grow up to 60 feet high which means they fall over easily in a high wind which can be expensive (and deadly) if they hit your or your neighbours house. I would like to try growing them in one of our fields but you would need a 24 hour guard when they bear fruit
Sarcasm on -
Please don't do it soalbundy. Durian are evil!
The 'King of Fruits?' How anyone could put something so foul smelling within the vicinity of their mouth I'll never know.
- Sarcasm off.
Give growing them a shot. As far as height is concerned, as they grow, cut out the top. That way they may grow bushy but not high.
Besides, what's the worst that can happen? A neighbour killed by a falling durian tree? There are worse ways to go. Eating one comes to mind.
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On 01/01/2017 at 3:33 PM, Mr Kie said:
Durian just been here for 3 months, probably gonna take 4-5 years till it start fruiting
Ohhh, Mr Kie, now you've done it. I was really enjoying your postings until this.
All durian should be strangled at birth!!!
Keep up the good work! Very inspiring stuff you're doing.
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On 05/01/2017 at 9:21 PM, James2020 said:I wanted to clarify an issue, so I sent an e-mail to Thailand Elite with the following question:
My wife is a Thai citizen, born in Thailand, and is also a naturalized US citizen for the past several years, and has both Thai and US passports. When she enters Thailand, she uses her Thai passport. We will leave the country together and return together, on the same flight. If I become a member of Thailand Elite, can she still use the airport services if she is not a member but travels with me? I want to be sure we are not separated during the airport process if she travels with me.
This is the response I received:
"Greeting from Thailand Elite …
Refer to your inquires please kindly inform you as follow;
1. Applicant who will be able to apply Thailand Elite’s member must be a foreigner only.
2. According to our policy concerning the fast track service at the airport that is restricted for Thailand Elite member only. The effective date will be on the 1st of February 2017. Therefore we cannot provide Airport service for who is not Thailand Elite member accordingly. We humbly ask for your kind understanding with this matter that it is an official instruction by Immigration Bureau which we have to follow. It actually has no effect to our service provided to Thailand Elite member and in fact, it is a benefit for us to specifically focus on providing the best service to our valued members."Therefore, my Thai wife is not eligible for the program, and cannot accompany me through the airport fast track service, or presumably the transportation service. There is no provision for a guest. Thus, I would not use the airport fast track and transportation service, which makes the program less valuable for me. I'm certain there are others in this situation. I asked whether she could pay for the service and they haven't responded yet. When they do, I'll post the response here.
Arrived back into Thailand yesterday, with my Thai girlfriend.
As ThaiElite have stated, immigration service is not available to non members. That is not their decision but an immigration department ruling. However, all other services (meet-and-greet (golf cart - one drop off to Thai national immigration + one drop off to fast track) and BMW limo service) are available to both members and their guests.
As Thai national immigration formalities are usually very quick, my girlfriend was through immigration and into the BMW almost as quickly as I was. In fact, I was sitting in the car and had just peeled the plastic wrapper from the cap of complimentary water when she joined me in the car. Our bags took longer.
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On 13/12/2016 at 10:18 PM, Mr Kie said:
we still keep planting more on what we can sell and grow better in such circumstances. seems like having more layer and grow more mushroom would the best, it generate every day income and follow by bamboo. mulberry is also doing well and banana too just take a bit longer than other crops.
<Cut photos from original post to reduce size of reply post>
Seems that you are using temporary housing for the chickens. Is this correct? Good idea for clearing and conditioning land. When the chickens have cleared out one section, move them to the next.
Was also reading about a company (not in Thailand) that rents out goats, for the same purpose. The company erects temporary fencing and installs water and supplemental feed bins then runs an herd of goats on the land until the undergrowth has been cleared.
Welcome back, Mr Kie.
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I, too, am missing your posts. I hope the reason is that you've been too busy with the hands-on work and haven't had time to play on-line. (If you've moved your entire project reporting to Fakebook then I, for one, will not be able to follow your progress.)
Not only your success but I would also like to hear about your failures or results that didn't turn out as planned. By also posting those you may not only receive some actual advice on how to fix/avoid but you will also be advising some of us in errors that we may be on the way to making, ourselves.
As far as detractors are concerned, we can all help Mr. Kie out by using the 'Report' button on posts that are not offering any practical advice.
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19 hours ago, Asiantravel said:
my the electronic Australian passport with an embedded chip has 34 pages with only three empty ones left (32 ,33 and 34 at the very back of the passport)
it doesn't say visas or endorsements or anything on any of them but there is a blank page at the front of the passport entitled " observations ". Will I be safe to rely on being able to use the final 3 blank pages ?
Australian passports do not have the word 'visa' printed on the visa pages, however, each visa page has a number (1 - up to 69). All other pages, not for visas, are clearly marked ('Security Information,' 'Passport,' 'Observations,' 'Notice' and, at the back of the passport, 'Important Information'). The middle pages, where the security chip is located, are marked 'Chip Centre Page. Do Not Stamp This Page.'
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4 hours ago, Kommissar123 said:
It seems to be me that the people who actually have the Thai Elite Visa evaluate the program much more positively than those who don't have the visa. That alone says a lot.
In any case, though, I would like to ask if the current Thai Elite Visa holders are comfortable with their visa and their decision to go for the premium solution given the current political climate. Please be so kind and only reply if you actually have the visa stamped in YOUR passport.
Secondly, I'd like to know if there is a Thai Elite office in Pattaya that I can visit.
As several other posters have commented, I also feel much more secure with a PE visa than any other.
When my current 5 year TE membership expires, I will be purchasing a 20 year membership. Unless, of course, a longer term option becomes available.
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2 hours ago, DUS said:
The dilemma of not being sure what membership level to go for ...
<Snip>
5 years: 500,000
10 years: 800,000
20 years: 1,000,000
<Snip>
So, if you were in my position (don´t like visa-runs, don´t like yearly visits to immi for extensions of stay etc, but also not 100% sure of how long you will actually live in TH) would you opt for the 5, 10 or 20 years membership of TE? And yes, FOR ME it is going to be one of the 3 ....
Would be interested in your choice of option and the reason why......
Cheers and have a great w/end everyone!
DUS
I'm a '5 year' member but will definitely rejoin for 20 years at the expiration of my current membership. Unless, a more attractive offering (time wise) crops up in the next 3 years.
Why?
Thailand is home and I'm not in a hurry to head off. The peace of mind that membership in Thailand Elite offers just can't be beat.
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On 10/09/2016 at 5:26 AM, wordchild said:
I have used that area unescorted on a number of occasions. I have TE membership (original version), though i dont use the visa currently as i have a work permit. I was challenged once, i showed my membership card, and was waved through. i travel pretty frequently (2/3 times per month) in and out of swampy, usually for short business trips. I prefer to drive myself to the airport and leave my car there. I dont use the TE limo service very often and, for me, the airport escort service is a waste of time. I can find my own way around the airport.
I do not understand your second last sentence; ". . . escort service is a waste of time."
Are you saying that you can get off the aircraft, run through Swampy airport, pass through immigration, pick up your bags, get to the long term car park, load up your car and high tail it onto the expressway faster than utilising the TE arrival escort service and Beemer?
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Question To Thailand Elite Members:
1) Would you purchase Thailand Elite membership for 500k/5 years if it did NOT contain a PE visa or any visa related perks or assistance?
2) If not, would you consider a Thailand Elite membership without any PE Visa or visa related perks at a lower cost, if so, how much?
3) Do you use the Restaurant/Shopping related perks?
4) Would you purchase Thailand Elite Membership if it had no perks and ONLY the PE Visa and Visa related services remained (at the same price point).
Thank you.
1) No. I'm not after the perks but they are a nice sweetener. I'm more interested in the convenience that the visa offers. The airport services are a fantastic addition.
2) For me, the membership is centred around the visa and the convenience that the programme offers in achieving that aim. Perks are a bonus but not the decider.
3) Yes.
4) Yes.
You're welcome.
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Thai Immigration rules state that a Visa can only be issued for the validity of the Passport. TE will only issue the Visa for the current length remaining on your passport.
Your current passport requires 3 blank pages in order for them to affix your new Elite Visa
If your current passport or passport pages are nearly run out and you need to renew your passport, send your new passport to the member contact centre in order for them to update your information and affix a new Elite Visa for the remaining period.
Non Immigrant Visa must be cancelled before Privilege Entry visa is granted.
Thanks Ronuk.
So, there you go. The remaining time of your 5 year, or 20 year, visa is simply transferred to your new passport.
How easy is that!
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Visa is valid from June 08 2016 and expires on May 25 2021.
So if you re-enter on or before 25 May 2021 then you should get another 1 year stamp. Isn´t that how it works?
But don't the dates seem random? my membership began may 16 my visa was issued June 08 and expires on May 25? Shouldn't it expire on May 15 same as a passport does the 5 years and a day earlier than issued? Does that make sense? How did they come up with the expiry date it doesn't some to correlate with the other dates?
My membership started on June 12th and ends 5 years later on June 11th.
Normally a visa would expire around the same time as a passport expires. I've never had a visa that overlaps the validity of a passport, I really like to plan well into the future though.
I can't comment on the situation in Thailand but, a long term visa (for another country) expiry date was longer than the term remaining on my passport. I applied for a new passport and, when passing through immigration, it was simply a matter of showing them both passports. The cancelled passport (with current visa) and the new passport (which was stamped each time I passed through immigration).
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I only have two complaints about my TE membership and PE visa.
First, that I didn't apply for it sooner (could have saved time by not stuffing around with other visa options).
Second, I only purchased the 5 year easy access option (next time I'll definitely upgrade to the full membership).
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Hi Stray...very interesting comment. I see what you mean and i did my Bachelor in Dairy farming and agriculture in the Netherlands for 5 years. what i have seen and learned over there is exactly like what you are explaining here. I think if in such case and if we have to do the same like you told...with a tiny land we have will not be able to raise any cow then....right?.....Mr Kie, your goals are admirable, however, you may have to rethink your cattle feeding strategy.
On our farm, in Australia, we used to run 500 head of dairy cattle and required 1500 acres to do it. To put things into perspective, that's 3 750 rai for 500 head. Therefore, each head required 7.5 rai of land for grazing.
The farm was roughly divided up into three paddocks of 500 acres, each. As the grass was eaten and trampled down, in the first paddock, we would move them into the second paddock. Followed by the third paddock. By the time the third paddock was reaching the end of it's grazing term, the first paddock had sufficiently recovered to move them back.
Again, it's fantastic to see someone putting their energies into something positive.
it is just a matter of how much roughage do you have whether it's enough to feed your cows or not...that is the reason why i'm growing Napier here. over here we have 4 cows including 1 heifer 1 calve 2 cows all are female. and the average weight is around 300-400kg and the DMI is should be around 3% of the body weight.....so...then we look at the Napier grass we have. the production per cut is 15 tone per rai. and we can cut it 6 times a year. we provide irrigation all year round so they are expected to be 1.5 meters height in 2 months... based on this data i think it will be very well matched with the number of the animal i have right now..... if not it's still manageable.
Ah, okay. I understand.
Yes, I was referring to grazing, not cutting.
I haven't had any experience in the method that you are following so cannot comment further.
Just one other comment, I assume your full property boundary is fenced. The reason I mention this is, with regards to the produce you are growing, it is not uncommon for people to wander onto the property and help themselves (including nets in our fish ponds). We had this issue until we fenced our property (in Thailand) and obtained a few dogs which have full range of the land (25 rai).
And please don't kick my dog on your way out.
. A slip of the keyboard but now I cannot edit it.
Why does it seem impossible to get a decent mixed drink in Thailand?
in General Topics
Posted
If this was, as you claim, an upscale establishment, the point would have been that management may have been made aware of an issue that they may have taken steps to rectify.
Yeah, I guess it's just so much easier to go out, buy your own spirits and mixers and post about it on a forum . . .