makavelithedon
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Posts posted by makavelithedon
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There are many websites specifically advertising jobs for Thai nationals and they are not always adverts written in English. A quick search on Google Thailand would no doubt bring them up but it really is a gloss on the outside type gig for most I think.
I recently had a Thai friend who was highly skilled go for a hotel job as a PA to GM. They wanted to offer what I consider a joke starting salary (and I'm taking into account the disparity)and a mouth watering 6 day week! Is it any wonder they have so many shortages? Apparently loads have left Phuket and got much better conditions in Phang Na etc.
The CEO was a farang (and in my experience of this industry here they're not much better if at all). Most want the cream and want to pay peanuts and we all know the old saying where that's concerned!
Heard it time and time again at the local expat watering holes jotted about. Moan moan moan and then when asked what they're paying them etc I bluntly reply "Is it any wonder then!" Think they'll learn as quickly as the slave driving Thai bosses! Never.
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Listen to these guys my friend. Most of the advice given in these type of forum 'help/advice' type affairs is 80% tosh but nearly everbody who replied to this is spot on. A few years ago, you would get by on it -with a little for weekend outings. Now, since the tsunami, prices have rocketed in nearly every area of general living. There's been about a 10% inflationary rise in 2 years here (food etc) which equates to 3000 grand on your 30000 and Thai's don't link anything like they would in europe so don't expect a rise after a chat with the school owner!!
You'll get by but that's about it! In Bangkok it's a lot better and 45-50k (if your clued up) but if it isn't for you (city life and all that) I seriously consider somewhere else.
Regards
Mak
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I would also like to remind our viewers that teachers working without work permits are not necessarily those without qualifications. Those of us who have been through "the process" know how fiendishly difficult it can be to complete the whole paper mill (a difficulty that I suppose can only be increasing as we speak) and how hard it can be simply to find a school that has any intention of going through it with them- you can't do it alone, it requires a semi-credible sponsor.
The danger of all this talk of "crackdown" when there are actually so few legal foreign teachers is that it will actually increase the ratio between illegal and legal foreign teachers here. At the moment, for reasons pointed out in exhaustive detail on the two *previous* "crackdown" threads, the requirements are somewhere between impossible and unknown.
"Steven"
Here here, the most pertinent, sane post I've read in weeks.
Just as a matter of interest how many teachers who use the forum would like the teachers forum regarded as a teachers only area? Perhaps we could have a vote?
I for one (and I know I'm not alone) am sick and tired of hearing 100,000 baht plus per month, ignorant, bigotted and far from angelic retired, one foot in the grave low life male whores continually making negative non-contsructive cheap shots day in day out that pertains to nothing to do with teaching other than the fake this - he's a judas- no WP-he's a Judas. Didn't have a background check and was caught speeding -he's a Judas etc etc etc etc etc tosh as and when they feel like it and starting another of these pointless topics.
It really is pathetic.
Mak.
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"3. A 4 year degree in Education or any 4 year degree and have completed a 1 year course in an Educational field." Quote
If this ends up strictly enforced the only teachers who'll remain here will be Internationals and some University placements. The 4 year bits bad enough, but the educational 1 year card is an absolute killer!
Another shambolic mess on the cards if it isn't already!
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Thanks for the info, Paul.
Ijustwannateach
If anyone gets a problem get their school to call Ministry of foreign affairs BKK.
Contact K. Ninwan 02 575 1062 ext 64
Paul
Sorry Paul,
But a problem in regard what?
Are you referring to problems for teachers already in positions who may have been told they need to get everything sent them checked and the kitchen sink etc when they don't?
Little slow noticing this one so apologies if not up to speed. Have several friends which it may interest.
Regards
mak
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i was driving down the beach road one day when this idiot was behind me revving and revving his engine over and over and over again. it was driving me nuts.
each time he did it, he would look at the girls on the side of the road and give them a sleazy look as if to say 'big bike big balls' (crass but true).
anyway, he overtook me, saw i was farang and gave me a dirty look full stop. (i dont care how big his balls are really). so he revved and revved over and over again, but this time there was a cop right in front of him! straight onto the radio to the next BIB up the road.
i laughed my head off when i saw him stopped by BIB on the next corner. bet he felt like he had been dumped into a bath of cold water then. shrivelled to the size of raisins i suspect!
I don't know how these people end up like it. It's bad enough having to watch the same old 'never been on a bike before' fools in their twenties nearly falling off their hired rehashed for the 1000 th time big bikes week in week out. But when you see them still doing it at 55 years old you do have to wonder where were heading as a race.................................
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There is a place in central that will do it. It's a small shop in next to the TOT office. I think it's called power print, or something like that, it's a sign/design/print shop.
There is also a place in Tesco I think. Near the Home Pro in that little circle of shops selling arts and crafts computers games and such. It's a print shope come electronic design centre place!!!!!
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i agree with Duponts suggestion of dumping the lot off shore (along with their drivers in some cases).
THEY are the source of the traffic jams in patong, not anything else. Maybe we can get Chuwit on our side - at least the protest would be colourful!
I was coming through beach road the other night and the TUK TUKs were having a meeting on the football/sports field. I pulled over for a listen and surprise surprise they're all moaning and bitching about the new system already.
Main gripe was that they can't turn around if they have missed a hailing tourist and so have to do a lap of the whole circuit!
I bet it'll be less than a month and the whole thing will be scrapped. With the amount of police captains and the like who own them a few muscles will be flexed and that will be that.
Did anyone really expect anymore?
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Hey all
I'm coming to Phuket at the end of next month to live for a while and will be looking for a decent gym around Patong or those neighboring beaches (Kata, Karon etc I think).
I would prefer something well equipped and with lots of ventilation/cool air (working out in the Thai heat should be interesting!). Also if anyone knows how much I can expect to pay for a 6 or 12 month membership that would be good too.
Thanks!
Ther's a fairly decent one near the southern end of Patong and the OTOP market and Dive shops (name escapes me at present) and a friend who is a regular says it's a solid establishment.
As for prices I'd expect to pay western membership fees whilst the owner enjoys Thai overheads. Lack of competition and the like is much of it no doubt. If your happy with that then It's probably the best in Patong. As soon as I remember the name I'll post unless another member chips in first.
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Something that Heng once said that still makes sense: no matter how loaded you are, in an emergency in which you are unconscious for whatever reason, an insurance card in your wallet is more likely to expedite reliable medical care at a hospital than a note saying, "Trust me, I have the money." It would make sense for everyone to have at least some minor coverage that gets the ball rolling.
"Steven"
Who would you recommend using from inside Thailand where I can just pop in and buy? I read a few of you use AIA but is this sourced outside Thailand? I did look at it on the surface about 6 months ago but from what I saw it was very uncompetitve compared to sourcing cover in Europe. I go home in 3 months for a family visit where I could get it sorted then. However, if you guys feel there is ample cover available here I'd be wise getting it now.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Mak
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there are hundreds of farang run real estate sites, many of which advertise on TV who list absurdly inflated prices. Someone should do something about these con artists.
Yeh, problem is Sean the amount of tourists who come once or twice and reach for their wallets is endless so they'll pay the stupid inflated prices and self perpetuate the problem. A lot of the comments here from long served members who offer sound advice and experiences I listen too for sure, but much of it I feel is only relevant to Bangkok.
In coastal provinces the madness appears to be continuing and what do you do if you want a nice condo and you see the prices 3 years ago at 2 million now at 4 and in 2 years they maybe at 6????
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Have to echo all the great comments on this subject and include the silver taxis that race from the airport too!
I recently took a trip back from the airport in one and the guy was talking on his cell phone and driving like a tit and around 120 k's. When asking if he could drive slower and in a safer manner he had the audacity to say "slower will cost more" after I had already stumped up the rip-off cartel inflated 550 baht as it was. I just sat there wanting to smash him into the floor mat.
Trouble is, unlike the Tuk Tuk fares you can't even threaten not to pay as you have to do so in advance. This is the third and last time I'll use these shisters. I'll get the coach next time even if it takes all day. As with everything else here, there's no accountability, no recourse on anything and behind the Modern cars and international hotel facade it really is 3rd world thinking and everything else. Tourists re4ading this thread and considering the place-there's a lot better destinations to spend your hard earned on.........a lot better!
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As long as it aides the Tuk Tuks it will stay. If there's as much as a 1 % drop in they're takings I bet it will be stopped after the 3 month trial with them screaming to the heavens.
The amount of influence they have belies belief.
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Its getting a fair bit of press this and Sweden is a main tourist provider for Phuket and Khao Lak.
I am finding that the more cars that appear on the roads, the less people are prepared to put up with the apalling standards of riding, espescially by motorcylists.
Road rage is certainly increasing and with the amount of guns on the island, sooner rather than later, some of these goons on motorbikes are going to be called to account. As a lot of car owners are now Thais the police cannot just keep blaming the falang and turning a blind eye.
A 10 year old uninsured motorcycle causes a lot of damage and grief to a proud new car owner, falang or Thai.
I use a car and a bike there's nothing between them. The driving standards of both are appalling and there's a big difference in the amount of damage some oversized pickup (that no one needs here) can do in a collision I can tell you! Amazing how well trained European drivers who reside here then appear to drive to the lowest common denominator like the majority of Thai's rather than set a good example - both in cars and on motorcycles.
Most of it though is made no better by the dreadful road planning of junctions and the like which even when followed correctly have no right of way. A classic example must be the back entrance to Big C and the exit road which crosses the main road from central leading to Patong. Terrifying whatever your driving.
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Apologies if this is slighter wider a post than just the drugs issue. I don't follow it as closely as some here, so perhaps a few could post in regard the current state of investigations that were said to be underway in regards alleged corrupt leadership especially the backhanders and company dealings?
I read in another topic that he is not welcome back at present which (tone wise) I find incredible. One would presume the only thing that was going to be issued in regard this man was an international arrest warrant and extradition process if necessary! Where by he would be tried and sentenced to life.
It seems to show just how ridiculous this country is. They discuss him being refused re-entry like a naughty little tourist thrown out for being drunk and disorderly forgetting anything in regard why he was apparently removed in the first place- the endless number of broken laws in every area of government known to man!
Is it as simple as the military and investigations unit just still building a case?
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Scott,
You appear quite knowledgeable on the subject (or you and the lady from your school do) so I would appreciate if you could give me your opinion on the upcoming visa merry go round!
A friend of mine works at a government school with only a TEFL teaching training certificate. He has a marriage visa and work permit from the school but I know he doesn't have a teacher license. He is very happy in the job (been teaching 3 years or more) and the school are very pleased with his work.
So when it comes for renewal of his work permit and extention of stay, how is it different in that he will have been at the school for over 2 years with what he has to submit, than if he was a new teacher just starting at the same school?
I would also appreciate if you could answer this for me! I work alongside him and have to extend my WP soon by visiting the Employment office after an initial 6 month WP option maturing. I also have an extention of stay with 2 dates one up in december the other next April which will be the end of the school year which I don't really understand. I have the non Ed qualifications and the Thai teacher license (luckily by the sound of it with test and G#d knows what else in the pipeline) but just want to know where it's different/easier in regard extention rather than renewal?
Anyone else who has some knowledge of this by all means chip in, I find all this new stuff a little much to keep up with!!
I'm just hoping my friend is going to be able to hold his position because he isn't moving schools!
Regards and thanks in advance
Mak
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Getting back to the main point of the thread (a fake passport stamp) and little else, this company by all acounts have a pretty shady reputation to say the least and it's not the first time there has been problems. Previously it was reported that a mass visa fraud was being committed on a mass scale pertaining to passport matters for 18 months or more!
However, as pointed out by others, I'd imagine the American gent will be the one who gets the full force of 3rd world punishment and the company a trivial fine at best.
I was also quite shocked reading many of the views expressed in regard punishments that fit 'the crimes'.
I think in the league of things then the majority here feel a forged stamp or document is second only to child murder?
I think deporting someone with a black stamp/mark and either a life ban from returning or say a 5 year or so duration is quite fitting and suitable but I appear in the minority!
Why don't we all discuss speeding or parking in a red and white marked area next, so it can come in at number 3? We can push rape, child prostitution, murder, beating people senseless and a host of others to their rightful places near the bottom eh?
Pathetic
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QUOTE:
I wonder what the future for the Condo, market will be? With no more investment visa's being issued, and no new threshold set, who in their right minds, is going to buy a Condo, and those who's stay is based on such an investment, will be trapped, into holding on to theirs. How many Thais opt for Condos over houses?
I'd imagine that considering the virtual non-existant regulations in regard codes of practice to do with honest selling in Thailand it will make virtually no difference. Prices near me have rocketed to western values in recent years, with poorer quality in most cases (other than size) and most constructed with Burmese and such like labour costs.
Case after case of ripoffs, mis-sold land and a stack of other pitfalls and roads to ruin. Has it stopped foreign tourists buying in their droves listening to wonderfully honest real estate agents that make Thaksin look like an angel from above?
Not in the least. A fool and his money are easily parted and for now I don't see much changing!
The mentality amongst most who visit once or twice is that everywhere in the world has the same legal safeguards as Europe. I think there may be more than a few screams if this falls like a stack of cards in the next year or two!!
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I just checked the listings on yingyong's site, and every Wave uses 91 or higher, so 91 is fine. Even the Sonic RS has a compression ratio (c.r.) of 11:1, and my CBR150R sportbike at 11.1:1 c.r. also takes 91. So, new bikes are not a problem.
I still don't understand how high compression engines can use 91 octane gasoline, but they do.
Yep, have to agree, I have a wave i 125 and it clearly states in the handbook and on a sticker- 91 so I don't where that story about only using 95 comes from. I have had it 1 year and has never missed a beat on 91. Funny enough I had a normal carb model 125 previously, and it hated 95 always ran like a dog.
There was a Q and A session in the local paper when Gasohol 95 was first introduced with a head engineer or similar from PTT and he quite clearly stated it was not to be used with any non-injection kit. I see brand new scooters of all makes having the stuff put in by all and sundry with none of the staff or owners obviously aware that these bikes shouldn't be using it!
Don't know if anyone else has seen the recent adverts for LPG that PTT are running. Quicker every thing changes over as the norm the better in my book. Runing out of time for the planet fast now people!
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Mak
Not that difficult to grasp, but completely false.
Thailand's visa policies are clearly open to certain kinds of skilled workers, people wanting to make large investments, people wanting to open certain kinds of legitimate businesses that employ Thais, tourists on tourist visas staying 2 to 3 monts, retired people over 50, and some other categories as well.
BTW, I don't think your term sexpests is gonna catch on, sexpats is just too perfect ...
Thaiquila,
I think you'll find the topic related to the 30 day Visa not the entire available visa portfolio as you well know. Those people you mention such as skilled workers etc apply for workpermits and get the related cat B visa or whatever. Just as a Backpacker who wishes to travel around the whole country would usually apply for a 'proper' tourist visa from their own country and Thai embassy.
This crackdown (if it is actually implemented) is in regard (at a wild guess) to pedo tourists and the sexpats, those with sin bars paying no taxes or anything else that resembles a legal framework of business practice. Have no work permit or correct visas and umpteen other groups of 'undesirables' who do nothing in any positive fashion than exploit those without advanced western legal infrastructures to promote the top common denominator rather than the bottom.
If the majority of those caught in this net end up being those mentioned then well done the Thai government for a change. However, as I stated previously there are no doubt some decent folk that will suffer from the new enforcement. I just hope with perhaps advice from one or more of the legal service providers here that they will be eligible for another form of visa.
Mak
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Anyone who has lived here for any amount of time and has even had to make the odd border run knows all to well the sorts of abuses and undesirables that this appears intended to reduce.
Reading the posts on this topic there are numerous examples in the minority who will no doubt suffer from a blanket policy. However, it's the mindset that I find amazing time and time again on this site. Because it's a developing country it shoulddn't have rules and regulations which are in the interests of it's own people. Anyone with a few thousand dollars should be allowed to come and go as if it were and extention of their own western abode and if not it should be taken up in the UN as a crime against westerners!
This sort of tosh wouldn't dare be echoed by anyone from developed Europe, the states etc if the roles were reversed because any government officer there would laugh at it and you know it! So get real.
It's quite clear that there are those in the administration who have at last had the courage to try and stop the sexpests and the like and be one of the few countries in the world to look at the appalling shambles we've made of the 'immigration on a mass scale' bit and think 'no thank you'!
For all the criticism and insults the Thai people get they don't seem to be far off on this one!
It's easy for me to understand the concept- Thailand wants genuine 2/3 week holiday makers once/twice/three times a year similar to Spain, France etc etc. Otherwise your not welcome!
Not that difficult to grasp is it?
Mak
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Thanks guys, getting cold feet already! I think I'll leave this well alone after chewing it over. And I'm going to advise them do the same. If it goes drastically wrong you've got no recourse bar a 5 year expensive court action and a 50/50 outcome after that. Took skipper to bring me quickly to my senses. Thank you.
I've been here long enough, why should this process be any different from day to day stuff eh?
Cheers,
MAK
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Hi all,
I would appreciate some wisdom from the more senior members who have probably been down the route of buying, and if doing it again would have done things differently!
Two of my family wish to buy a Condo here between them, so I wondered if you could advise on the best course to take from the off! They have found something they like, and that's as far as I've got before posting here. I will say that I will have to liase for them, as they are not planning to come here for some time and construction has only just started -with estimates being 16-17 months.
I wish to have a lawyer deal with everything that I am sure of reading previous posts( Recomendations would be good), but would welcome views from people here with far more experience of this in Thailand than me -I really don't want this being any hassle!
Many thanks in advance
MAK
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High on thai,
If your living mainly here then buy one here. I've had my Acer 10 months it gets heavy use and it's great. It was a cheap model (AMD) but has everything most people would need. There are a lot of service centers around and they are excellent.
I upgraded the RAM (bought elsewhere) no charge. I have had a new battery just replaced under warranty, no fuss at all. The Thai guy spoke good English, checked the battery capacity in windows gave me it back and said he'd order me a new one, it took 3 days.
My main reason for buying one was simple- like building a house, if you start solid it usually stays solid. The finest mainboards in the world are from Taiwan and that's where their made. Out of warranty that's the last thing I want to be replacing. They're no 1 here selling 49% of all notebooks and Malaysia is similar. They're great value, and you get a full 1 year warranty on the battery (a lot of the American ones were a disgraceful 6 months when I bought mine).
I also have a friend here who owns a computer shop and by far the greatest number of faults he gets in are HP HP HP.
Hope some of this helps just my experience for what it's worth. The only caution is to check the real time for battery usage as most of the pamphlets/brochures quote sneaky stand by times only!
Regards
MAK
Prosecutors Vow To Arrest Thaksin Upon His Return To Thailand
in Thailand News
Posted · Edited by makavelithedon
Apologies if this has been discussed before (I don't follow it that closely) but why has it not be possible that on the judicial findings of this corruption case being released and a case for Toxic to stand trial being filed why hasn't an international arrest warrant ever been requested?
Seems incredible this clown is allowed to hop around the planet without a care in the world and no accountability for his wreckless actions!