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tirsdag 28. mai 2013

Vietnamese Brides for Sale

Jeg fant denne videoen på youtube.


  



       




Har Thai jenter gått ut på dato? Eller har flere menn oppdaget at Thaijenter som kommer fra Nord øst ikke er noe å satse på?

Jeg selv ha lenge advart menn om Isaan kvinner og kvinner fra Nord Øst Thailand.

Dette fordi jeg mener deres syn på ekteskap er helt forskrudd.
Og som uviten mann til deres metoder på å utnytte deg økonomisk er helt forkastelig.

En liten repetisjon, disse videoene er lagt ut tidligere på bloggen. Men for nye lesere er disse videoene læring som blir meget viktig!

Girlfriend for sale


 

(Cheating) Thai Women Should Marry (Rich) Foreigners?


 Det hevdes ofte at grunnen til at Thai kvinner ikke vil ha Thai menn er fordi dem er mye utro.

 Men det er desverre slik at Thai kvinner fra Nord øst ikke er stort bedre heller.




Men hva er ofte grunnen til at menn ønsker seg Thai kone?

Her er noen av grunnene som er listet opp.


Men grunnene er ofte lite undersøkt av menn som reiser til Nord øst Thailand for å få seg en Thai kone.


Og når man ikke undersøker fakta før man trår inn i Thai fellen.






Jeg har truffet så mange menn i Thailand som blir direkte ruinert av Thaikvinner.
Menn som blir saksøkt for intet, menn som oppdager virkeligheten til Thai kona.
Eller mann som oppdager at hun har en mann fra tidligere ekteskap som hun har fremdeles forhold til.

Kan det være slik at flere menn nå ikke ønsker thai kvinner og foretrekker heller kvinner fra vietnam?

The truth about Thai girls

Dating Thai Women Is Not All It's Cracked Up To Be - The Pros And Cons




søndag 12. mai 2013

Divorce American Style

Source:
http://www.stickmanweekly.com/ReadersSubmissions2009/reader4911.htm


Divorce Thailand - Divorcing under Thai Law - Family and Marriage

 http://www.thailawonline.com/en/family/divorce-in-thailand/how-to-divorce.html


Grounds for Divorce in Thailand : Defences



Certain defences may be raised when opposing a divorce. These defences are noted in the following statues in Thai law. The relevant subsections listed below are the most common used defences when getting divorced. speak to a divorce lawyer in Bangkok or a divorce lawyer in Pattaya or anywhere in Thailand if you are in the middle of a complex divorce as the legal system for defended divorces in Thailand is complex, costly and may take 2-3 years to reach its end. Always seek alternative options to a defended divorce if you have a prenuptial agreement in Thailand or there are child custody issues or a voidable marriage.



Section 1517: Divorce Defences in Thailand


Section 1516 (1) and (2) No action for divorce in Thailand may be instituted by the husband or wife, as the case may be if such spouse has consented to or connived at the acts under Section 1516 (1) and (2) upon which the action for divorce is based. This section takes away the grounds for divorce based on consent. As an example of the grounds for divorce in Thailand Section 1516 (1) and (2) would not be applicable if for example John and Lek are swingers in Thailand. Neither John nor Lek could apply for a divorce based on the other having sexual liaisons with one of their swinging partners during a night out swinging.


Section 1516 (10) If the ground of action for divorce in Thailand is under Section 1516 (10) has resulted from the act of the other spouse, the action for divorce based upon such ground may not be instituted by such other spouse. With reference to this subsection you are not able to use it as grounds for divorce in Thailand if the physical disadvantage was caused by your own actions or inaction.

Section 1516 (8)

Where the action for divorce in Thailand is based upon the ground under section 1516 (8) has been instituted, the Court may not pronounce judgment to effect the divorce if the behaviour of the husband or wife that causes the bond to have been executed is a minor cause or of no importance in relation to peaceful cohabitation as husband and wife. This simply spells out that you may not use a frivols excuse as a reason for your divorce in Thailand. Good behaviour has a wide definition and as such the court would frown on and deny a divorce application in Thailand on such bases.


Section 1518: Divorce Defences in Thailand
If there was ever a broad stoke of the brush for divorce in Thailand, this must be it. Under this section governing the divorce laws in Thailand the right to institute an action for divorce would be terminated if the spouse entitled thereto has committed any act showing his or her forgiveness to the act done by the other that has caused the right to institute the action for divorce. Raising this section or defeating any attempt to use this section would require expert legal advice for your divorce in Thailand.


Section 1529: Divorce Defences in Thailand Defending a divorce in Thailand can be complex. Rights of action based upon any of the grounds provided in Section 1516 (1), (2), (3) or (6), or Section 1523 for a divorce in Thailand are extinguished after one year when the fact which can be alleged by the claimant has been known or should have been known to him or her. Grounds upon which a claim for divorce can no longer be based may still be proved in support of another claim for divorce based upon other grounds. Hence grounds for divorce in Thailand have time limits. As explained above, those time limits are based on one year after the act or breach being known or should have been known. Those grounds are therefore not usable or applicable after a year. Making application for a divorce in Thailand is a very complex legal process and can cost you more than you think if you don’t have the appropriate legal assistance. Your divorce in Thailand will be conducted in Thai. What might look like a simple divorce in Thailand could become a costly affair as you might not speak or even read Thai. Always find a reputable law firm in Thailand when you have reached the end of your marriage and are thinking of applying for a divorce in Thailand.
 

Ground for Divorce in Thailand



If one party will not agree to a divorce by mutual consent then you need to file with the courts for a divorce. In order to proceed with a divorce in this instance you will need to assert grounds for divorce and make personal appearance in court. Grounds for divorce in Thailand include the following circumstances:


  1. a 3-year period of separation
  2. One spouse has deserted the other for over one year
  3. The husband has taken another woman as his wife
  4. The wife has committed adultery
  5. One spouse is guilty of misconduct (criminal or otherwise)
  6. One spouse has physically or mentally harmed the other
  7. Lack of Maintenance and Support
  8. One spouse has had incurable insanity for at least 3 years
  9. One spouse has broken the bond of good behavior
  10. One spouse has an incurable, communicable and dangerous disease
  11. One spouse has a physical disadvantage so as to be unable to cohabit as husband and wife.
 

Prenuptial Agreements forms

http://blanker.org/files/premarrital-agreement-sample-1.doc 

http://blanker.org/files/premarrital-agreement-sample-2.doc

http://blanker.org/files/premarrital-agreement-sample-3.doc



Premarital Agreement is binding legal contract between you and the one you intend to marry. Among the purposes people have in wanting such written agreements is to try to ensure that their assets remain theirs if the marriage fails, to provide that their assets, or at least a large portion of them, go to their children in the event of death, and to work out arrangements for matters that may become problems after the marriage. For some, it is a smart and practical way to acknowledge the fact that nearly half of all marriages end in divorce.

Pre-marital agreements usually determine how property will be distributed when the marriage terminates either because of death of one spouse or divorce. Property may refer to property either partner is bringing into the marriage and property either partner accumulates during the marriage. Property may be real estate or personal property. Personal property includes tangible property such as vehicles, jewelry, and furniture; and intangible property such as stocks, bonds, bank accounts, and pensions.

If the premarital agreement is valid, the court will enforce these property agreements when the marriage is terminated. For example, if the agreement specifies that property, and its accumlated value, that the wife inherited from her father is to remain her separate property, the husband would have no right to any of the property at divorce or at the wife's death.

Premarital Agreements about personal items, such as church affiliation or who does household tasks, may be in the agreement but are legally unenforceable. For example, if the agreement says each spouse will do one-half of the food shopping, prepare one-half of the meals, and wash one-half of the dishes, a judge will not order either spouse to cook and wash dishes. However, even though not enforceable by the court, discussing personal items and putting them in writing is often useful to the couple, because it gives them the chance to consider the nature of their relationship.

Premarital Agreements about the support or custody of children of the marriage, if the marriage ends in divorce, are also unenforceable. These are rights that belong to the child. At divorce, child-support decisions are based on the incomes of both parents. Custody decisions are made on the basis of what is in the best interest of the child.

Thailand Prenuptial Agreement - contract template



fredag 3. mai 2013

High baht hurts rice sales

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/348222/analysis-as-baht-value-increases-rice-sales-fall


Vel det var vel egentlig dette som Thaibloggen tok opp for en mnd siden.

Nå kommer effekten av for høy kurs på Bahten, og at asiatene nå låner penger som aldri før.
Det neste er at konkurser kommer og da blir det hardt for dem som låner over hode.

Jeg har aldri sett så enkelt å låne penger som Thaiene nå gjør.

Nye biler og det siste av alt.

Jeg ble skremt over å se at så mange Thaier nå har de siste mobiltelfonene. Dette har en bakside og det blir å merkes nå. Og på en shopping tur kan man se noen helt vanvittge biler.

Ferrari, Porsche,BMW, MB  og alle er helt nye på prøveskilter.

Jeg tror forbruket til Thaiene nå er mye høyere enn i Europeiske land.
Det handles over evne hos flere. Og dette blir å få sin pris lapp.

Videre hører jeg nå at det også blir en omlegging av arbeidsplasser etter at minstelønn på 330 baht pr time ble innført i år.

Dette har man ikke helt kontrol over mener jeg.



les også :
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/348153/perspective-view-of-baht-urged

onsdag 1. mai 2013

Broke American Milked Dry By Dead Thai Wife

 http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2013/05/01/broke-american-milked-dry-by-dead-thai-wife/

A 63-year-old American asked for help from the Ministry of Justice, claiming that his deceased ex-wife and her family had embezzled 40 million THB from him. He lost everything and now has to live in a temple, he said. 


JANTABURI – April 30, 2013, [PDN]; At the Department of Rights and Liberty, an American sought assistance for an embezzlement claim.
The victim, Mr. Roger Ray Harpel, 63 years old, was accompanied by Provost Samuhadeva Jinnavaro, from Permthamjarern temple, Saikhao, Soydao, Jantaburi.

Mr. Roger came to complain to Pol. Col. Narat Sawetanan, the general director of the department, to get help in his legal case. The American claimed his deceased ex-wife and her family had embezzled 40 million baht from him, leaving him broke.

His Thai ex-wife, “Miss Nathiyanee” (surname reserved) had already passed away, but she had arranged for the assets worth 40 million baht to be transferred to her mother, a pensioned retired government teacher.

Mr. Roger said he first came to Thailand in 1989. He married a woman and had a child, before they got divorced. Mr. Roger then got married again to Miss Nathiyanee, and they had 1 daughter together.
In 2005, he decided to start a company, but he was not Thai. So Mr. Roger had his wife legally made the company director, and run the business for him.

But in 2007, Mr. Roger discovered his wife had embezzled 11 million baht from the company, to give the money to her relatives. So he notified the police, who obtained a warrant and arrested her. She later bailed herself out, to fight the case in court.

However, in 2010, Miss Natthiyanee had an accident and died. Her mother filed a motion to legally inherit her assets, and be named as the company director. But Mr. Roger filed a motion to oppose it.

The court later issued an order that the two parties had to manage the company together, and have an agreement of compromising. The agreement called for them to sell the properties, and if one party found a buyer, it had to inform the other party.

However, Mr. Roger said he has not received any compensation or return of any of the properties, although some of them had been sold.

“Now I have nothing left ,” Mr. Roger said. “When I came here from the U.S. I has 25 million to invest. But I had problems, because I don’t know Thai. So I believed the lawyer, who lied and got money from me. I was lured to sign in a compromising agreement, but it wasn’t my intention. So this made me have a legal disadvantage throughout,” he said.

Mr. Roger added that his ex-wife and her family have literally left him penniless. “Now I have no money and no shelter, and I have to live in a temple.”

Mr. Roger asked the justice department to help him to find a lawyer to fight the case in the court. He also wanted a translator to translate all documents in English, so he would know the details of the progress of the case.

Mr. Roger further wanted a lawyer to file for legal custody of his daughter, and also wanted money for a DNA paternity test.

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ingeniøren

Dette er slike saker som Thaibloggen ble laget for .

For å informere menn om farene med å være gift med Thai. Jeg kan nesten garantere at denne familien er fra Isaan.

 


Bangkok Workers Polled On New Minimum Wage Law

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2013/05/01/bangkok-workers-polled-on-new-minimum-wage-law/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PattayaDailyNews+%28Pattaya+Daily+News+-+Pattaya+news+Powerful+news+at+your+fingertips%29 

 

Most people in the Bangkok area said they are not affected by the minimum wage hike to 300 baht per day, according to a poll by the Bangkok University Research Center. Some said their lives got worse, mostly due to rising prices.

How to Get a Thai Driving License

http://www.thai-blogs.com/2010/11/17/how-to-get-a-thai-driving-license/

How to Get a Thai Driving License



Today I went to apply for my Thai driving license. I know a lot of expats in Thailand will be wanting to do this themselves, so here is exactly what I had to do to get a driving license.
1) Don’t panic! It is not as hard as you might imagine, even though you need to throw out all Western ideas and concepts of how it might work. Get a good night’s sleep, it might be a long day ahead!

2) Prepare the following documents:
- Passport with Visa (You need a valid Non-Immigrant Visa, Tourist Visa won’t do)
- Work Permit (Or a Certificate about your resident address in Thailand from your embassy)
- Original Medical Certificate (not older than 1 month)

You will need photocopies of Passport and Work Permit, but don’t worry, best you do it directly at the registration.

3) Bring a Thai friend, who can help you to fill out the forms and is great to shorten the waiting time.

4) Proceed to one of the following Departments of Land Transport

Head office
1032 Phaholyothin Road
Lardyao, Chatuchak district.
tel: 02-272-5322, 02-272-5493.

Covers the districts: Pomprarb Satruphai, Samphanthawong, Patumwan, Bangrak, Dusit, Phayathai, Bangsue, Huay kwang, Bangkhen, Bangkapi, Don muang, Chatuchak, Din daeng, Lardprao, Saimhai and Rachathevee.

For other areas, please follow that link:
http://driving.information.in.th/thai-dmv.html
http://driving.information.in.th/driving-licence.html , a good site to get infos about Thai Driving license)


I decided to go to the Head Office of the Department of Land Transport, which is a huge area near Chatuchak Market. Ask for Building Number 4 and proceed to the second floor.
Friendly Ladies at the reception will hand you the application form and check your documents. This is what you have to fill out. Have your Thai friend ready!
Don’t think you can save time by printing out those forms. Even your printout might look identical, it is required that you fill out their original forms. Photocopies can be obtained just a few meters away. Just hand over your passport and work permit, the ladies know exactly what they need to have copied.

Usually it is recommended that you arrive in the early morning. Of course, I was too late. I had the bad luck that my international driving license (which I found out that moment would anyhow be only valid for 3 months in Thailand) had been stolen. 

Even if I had a copy of it and done a police report, I was informed that by Thai Law I had to go through the full process of obtaining a Thai Driving License, including theoretical and practical exam.
That was quite a setback and a surprise. 

But it opened a little door to a shortcut, which might or might not work for you. I asked politely if it would be possible to speak with a kind of supervisor, still hoping to find a way to work out things and was shown into cubicle 17 of a big office just beside the registration. There a very friendly man, who listened to my story of motorbike & license theft, took my documents, fed the data in the computer and told me that he can only help me by giving me permission to go directly to the 4th floor but first he needs to see my Medical Certificate.

Of course I was badly prepared, but willing to obtain one. I left building 4 again and found a motorbike taxi, who immediately understood what I needed. A few minutes later I arrived at a doctors practice and was shoved inside. I was asked for my passport and waived through to see the doctor.
Fortunately enough, I did not need a medical examination and the doctor did not bother to force one on me. He simply asked: “Sabai dee mai?” which I confirmed and left 2 minutes later with my Medical Certificate. (100 baht, probably farang price). The motorbike was waiting and dropped me off at the Department of Land Transport again.

Enter building 4 (again), up to the second floor (again), see the friendly man at cubicle 17 (again) and presented him with a big smile my brand new Medical Certificate.
He informed me that I can go directly to the 4th floor to start the exam. At the 4th floor I found a huge empty room where an energetic lady pushed me down on a stool, pointed at some dots at the wall and asked me what color it was.

I answered correctly in English.
Time needed: 10 seconds
She dragged me across the room in front of a strange looking machine, monitored me to rest my chin in front of it and look inside. Then she pressed a button and I had to signal if I saw the small light appearing in the periphery of my vision.
Time needed: 10 seconds
I was told to go to watch “The Video” which was also on the 4th floor. I handed over my work permit (they didn’t need my passport) at the reception and was given a small booklet in English with Driving Instructions.

I was shown into a tiny classroom where a TV was playing “The Video”. I was told that it will last 1 hour. It must have been playing already for quite a while as it finished after a mere 20 minutes. Don’t get discouraged when the reception lady pops in during the video, shakes her head and informs you that for Farang exam “yaak maaaaak!” It’s not so difficult!

When the video ended, I left the classroom. I strongly recommend you to watch the whole video and study the folder as they contain very important information that you will need for the theoretical exam. Even if the video finishes, you can ask to watch it again. If you fail the exam and have to come back to take it again, you will not be permitted to watch the video again!
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours

Next stop: Third Floor, where the exam takes place. Being a government’s office, everybody takes lunch break from 12 to 13.00 h. On this floor you will find a few computers for e-learning, in Thai and English, where you can train for the test questions. While the Thai language selection seem to have a lot of questions, the English version is rather slim. 

After 10 minutes you should know all the answers by heart. It is not difficult. The other options you can choose at the video terminal are rather useless, skip them.
Get mentally prepared for some of the most insane questions you have ever heard. Some won’t have rational answers, while others will make you laugh out loud. Here are some examples:
I felt like being in need of an amphetamine pill…but not time for it! Just beside the terminals is the registration for the theory test. Hand over an ID card (passport, work permit etc), put down your name on the list and wait for your turn. At around 13.30 h my name was called (“Farang!”) and I received an electronic card and was shown inside. I found myself in a huge room with hundreds of computer terminals. I sat down in front of one and inserted the card. One staff was so friendly to press the button for English language and told me that I had 1 hour time to answer 30 questions. I needed 23 correct answers to pass.

I worked through the first questions. A few were very simply to answer, showing traffic signs very similar to the ones in the west. Some were Thai, but usually the correct answer was simple to guess. Questions showing an animated crossing with tiny cars moving across it and the choice of 4 answers, of which none seem to fit. 

Then a few questions which I had learned on the e-learning terminal. Probably if I would have watched the video, I would have known more. In the worst case…just guess. I had questions in which I was asked if it is legal to drive a tank on the street in case of war. I was asked if I was allowed to drive with a broken tail-light. Then almost the same question. Driving without a windshield? The more the questions dragged on, the more I got confused. Best choice…the lucky guess. After a bit more than 10 minutes I have reached question number 30, the last one. I pressed the finished button and waited for the result.

Damn. Failed. 22 points, one less than necessary.
I went outside looking utterly confused, overwhelmed by questions for which I could not prepare. The woman at the reception must have guessed my state of mind. She grabbed the slip of paper from my hand,  gave me a slim English Driving Manual and told me to study it, then try again.

I read through it in 10 minutes, not much information was provided. I glanced over to my neighbor, who had suffered the same fate and worked through a rather thick Thai manual. I decided that it must have some reason why the English manual was so slim and leafed through it again. I memorized the pictures with parking positions over which YES or NO was written.
Don’t try to understand all of the booklet, some things were beyond my comprehension. I decided it is time to give it another try. If I fail, I was allowed to come back the next day and try again…and again…and again. Knowing from some Thai friends it is not unusual for some to come back 5 or 6 times to pass the test.
Again I found myself in front of the computer. This time the questions were completely different but the same mixture of weird, easy, not understandable or just strange questions. I worked through them quickly and was quite relaxed, knowing that if I fail, the worst thing which will happen is that I have to come again. No extra fee was required to pay.

I pressed the “Finish” button. Tataaaa! 25 out of 30! Yes! With a big smile which was reciprocated by the staff the “Farang” had passed the written exam. Even I had failed the practical test, I would not have to do the theoretical test again, provided I took it again within 90 days.


As I wanted to leave the room, I was held back by the staff. I didn’t understand and waived the slip with PASS on it in front of her eyes. She only said: PASS motorbike OK. Then she handed me another pink electronic card and told me: CAR EXAM, go! I must have looked like the last fool standing. No, it can’t be! I was gently pushed back to the computer terminal and had to endure another 30 insane questions. I looked around a bit in order to calm down and noticed that some of my Thai colleagues, were still trying to answer their first round of questions. Oh come on! I took a deep breath and prepared myself mentally for the challenge.

Computer said: PASS (24/30)
I was relieved. So was the staff.
With two pieces of paper in my hand I proceeded to the ground floor and asked my way through to the Driving Test, which was an area just beside building 4. We entered a small house and were greeted by the staff. Again, they were all very friendly and ready to help. I handed over my ID card and showed the slip proving having passed the theoretical test. I received a pink card with a number on it (#179) and was informed that this was an “odd” number, which I found utterly strange but did not question. I passed beside the reception desk to a small room and was shown into class room 1, where another instruction video was playing. I received a piece of paper with the exact instructions of how to pass the practical test on it. Now I was confused.

The 5 minutes instruction video of what to do at the practical test already went into it’s third round and even my Thai friend tried her best to translate me as accurate as possible the instructions, we both were not clear on all the points. An instructor entered and we asked him if he would have an English version. Sure he had and soon we enjoyed a very clear and actually simple instructional video of what to do.
After this video, the same for the motorbike test. We proceeded to the registration counter to rent a car (100 baht) and a motorbike (forget how much).

Outside the video class rooms we sat in line. Mostly young women were waiting to take their driving test. I knew it could take forever. When an instructor entered and asked something in Thai, my friend jumped up and shoved me with the pink paper (#179) in my hand to the exit onto the “test course”. Only later I found out that the instructor had asked if anybody wants to drive with a non-automatic car, using the traditional gear system. Non of the Thai wanted. I was happy with the choice. I found the car waiting right in front and jumped in. A young man checked my pink paper and said: Number, you 1-7-9. Now you go “A” course.
The riddle of the “odd” and “even” numbers was solved! All “odd” numbers will have to take course “A”, while “even” number B. Fasten your seatbelt! I drove into the right lane (A) with three cars waiting in front of me. Being the only Farang there, I received a lot of friendly smiles from the testers and other fellow applicants for a Thai Driving License. I observed the first two of the three step test program. It didn’t look too difficult. Even though I was used to sitting in a left-hand car car, I didn’t find it very difficult to sit in a car on the right.

First test was simply to drive into a very short dead end street and stop without touching any of the red cones placed at the end of it. Easy. Then drive out of in the reverse gear. Wait for the signal of the instructor so that you don’t crash into another car. Make sure that you go back in a straight line and don’t stall your engine.
Second test was to parallel park. I feared this step a bit as I was not used to cars with the stirring wheel on the “wrong” side. I ventured backwards into the parking space, carefully avoiding to touch any cones around it. I look at the instructor who shook his head. “No? Not good”. He shook his head again. I remembered from the instruction video that I could go back and forth 7 times. I tried again and this time I received “Thumbs up!” and a big smile! The instructor gave me back my card and showed me the way to do the last part of the test.

I had to take a right turn and already saw the traffic light in front of me. I stopped and grinned to the female instructor holding the light control button. She smiled back and gave me the go! Green. I cautiously proceeded forward trying to spot the yellow/orange line which I remembered from the instruction video. This line was on the left side beside the curb. I had to drive very close to the curb, not further away than 25 centimeters and stop not more than 1 meter before a stop line without going over it. When my car stopped, I looked at the instructor. She had a firm look at her face and said: “Mai dai!”. My mouth stood open! “What!?” Not possible! Then she broke out in laughter and told me: “PASS!”, handed me a slip of paper and told me to drive back to the start.
I had no time to recover from the shock when I was told to grab a crash helmet and do the motorbike test. “Reo, quick” they told me as the testing stops at 15.30 h. 

One instructor followed me to a small parking area with a long raised small speed bump on it. I knew I had to drive over it and not too fast. It was not allowed to put a foot down on the ground or stop the engine. It was more difficult than I had imagined. I forgot to drive slow over it, but the instructor nodded and pointed me in the direction of the motorbike course. I knew I had to bring my bike to a halt at the “STOP” signs, look left and right, not crash into anything…oh come on, I am driving a motorbike for years in Bangkok! I followed the motorbike course, took a left turn in front of some parked cars ….
and found myself on the busy main street in front of the Department of Land Transport. “That can’t be right”, shot through my mind, then another evil thought “…could just drive off with the bike….”. But as it was a very cheap and rather old motorbike I decided to turn around and drove back where I saw my instructor already running towards me. He told me to go back to the start and try again. So I did. I drove on and soon found myself again in front of three parked cars. 

The only option was to the left where I would end up again  at the main street. I stopped and turned around, searching for help. The instructor monitored me to drive straight on. I understood. I slowly made my way through the parked cars, carefully avoiding touching any of them. Later I found out that the cars were parked there as the testing area had already closed.

I drove along the motorbike course, stopping at the “STOP” signs, looking carefully left and right and of course took the wrong turns. My instructor tried to wave me directions, but I could not understand what he wanted, so I zig-zagged around the motorbike exam course for quite a while. After a few minutes I was waved over by my instructor. A small group of 5-6 female staff had formed who all laughed and smiled.

The instructor asked: “What girl you like?” This questions came entirely unexpected. I answered: “I just want to PASS!” They all laughed and said: PASS OK.
I was relieved! It can’t be! Tossing off the motorbike helmet and back to building number 4, second floor where we still found the friendly man in cubicle 17. I waived triumphantly my PASS slips and asked me if it had been difficult. I really could not answer that question!

Within 5 minutes, two pictures were taken by a digital camera mounted on the desk and I held 2 Driving Licenses, one for motorbike and one for car in my hands. Cost for Car License: 305 baht, Motorbike 255 baht, a bargain! Those were so called “Temporary Licences”, valid for one year. After one year I had to renew them for a 5 years license. Do not forget that, or you have to take the whole driving test again!
And you surely don’t want to do that!
It was a very interesting experience. You need a bit of luck and the ability not to take everything to serious. If you fail, then you fail, come back again another time and try it again. Looking back it was a beautiful experience, I received a lot of smiles and everyone was willing to help the “Farang”

Top 10 Scams in Thailand

http://www.thai-blogs.com/2008/08/05/top-10-scams-in-thailand/



It Pays To Be A Government Worker In Thailand

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2013/02/18/it-pays-to-be-a-government-worker-in-thailand/

A government worker in Thailand may get a lower monthly salary than a private sector worker, but because of greater job stability, the government worker will end up accumulating more lifetime income, according to a special report by the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).

Thailand Will Run Out of Gas In 10 Years

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2013/02/21/thailand-will-run-out-of-gas-in-10-years/

Thailand gets 70 percent of its energy supply from natural gas, which mainly comes from the Gulf of Thailand. However, about a fourth of Thailand’s natural gas is imported from Myanmar.

Corrupt Police Officers Bring Shame To Thailand

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2013/03/04/corrupt-police-officers-bring-shame-to-thailand/

There is even a Facebook page called “Kliadtamruadkhongthai”(I hate Thai police). It has gotten more than 100,000 “Likes.” Many Facebook posters are always are talking about the misbehavior of Thai police.

Food Sellers And Cabdrivers May Pay VAT Taxes

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2013/04/16/food-sellers-and-cabdrivers-may-pay-vat-taxes/

This year the Thai government is estimated to lose about 100 billion baht in reduced tax revenue, after lowering the corporate income tax rate from 23 percent to 20 percent.

The Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) - Strong Baht

MPC cautious on rate change


The Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will only slash policy rate if necessary, Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) chairman Payungsak Chartsutthipol predicted on Tuesday.

The central bank will use foreign exchange and capital inflow management as the main instruments in preventing the baht from rising beyond the economic fundamentals, he told reporters after a meeting with the MPC to discuss impacts of the baht's recent appreciation.

The MPC released a statement on the meeting late last evening, saying the committee agreed "on the need for a timely implementation of appropriate policy mix as warranted by circumstances, in close coordination with the Ministry of Finance and others".

It said that despite the exchange rate appreciation of the baht, the committee expects the Thai economy to remain resilient, which is in line with the assessments of other agencies.
The committee said it was concerned over the recent volatility and rapid appreciation of the baht, which, at times, have not been justified by economic fundamentals.

Although it was the MPC's regular meeting with the central bank's officials on the monthly economic data, the market eyed it as a harbinger of whether to expect the MPC's members to cut the policy rate and attempt to tame the baht's rise ahead of its scheduled meeting for such a decision on May 29.

Recently, the government has renewed and stepped up pressure on the policy rate-setting committee to cut the rate, reasoning the currency reached a 16-year high of 28.55 per US dollar early in April, but the market's expectation of a possible rate cut and other measures has caused the currency to weaken slightly in recent days.

The MPC at its latest policy rate call on April 3 kept the rate unchanged at 2.75% for a fourth straight meeting, citing concern about rising household debt and inflation.

The FTI has cut its 2013 export growth target to 4.9% from 6.9% following the recent rise of the baht, far lower than the Commerce Ministry's target. A two-per cent cut in the export growth translates to US$47.5 billion, he said.

The new export growth target is based on a baht rate of 28.90 to the dollar.

Also read:


Food exporters concerned about effect of strong baht

Strong baht hurting SME exporters

Kittiratt again says baht too strong

Exporters urge swift action to tame baht

 

Ten Golden Rules of Thai Bargirls



Ten Golden Rules of Thai Bargirls
by Khun Nana
When I first started writing this column I explored the top ten rules for dealing with regular gals as well as a top ten for surviving with bar gals.  I received a lot of positive feedback from both readers and close mates of mine who have to be constantly bombarded by my rants and unsolicited opinions.  Since I live in an area surrounded by bar gals who are plying their trade (much like Louis Armstrong and Vincent Van Gogh did) I am often privy to the way these gals think and act.  So if you were ever curious about how the other side thinks, here comes Khun Nana’s top ten rules for being a bar gal:

1) The Golden Rule is to make the most money while doing the least amount of work.  Yes, I know that most of you are thinking that this is rule number one for anyone working any job.  You would be right!  The gals are no different.  They all want money and most are generally very lazy (I can relate) so maximum income for minimum effort is the key.  Guys who send money from abroad are the Holy Grail.  Huge money for virtually no effort.  Ever wonder why they always ask what hotel you are staying at?  There are two reasons for this.  First is to set the price, as punters staying in four or five start hotels will definitely be charged more.  Just as important is that they want to know how far it is to your place.  Guys staying two minutes away are much more desirable than guys staying across town.  If you are willing to use the short time room that is 50 feet away you are a dream come true.


2) Try to have fun.  Thai gals are fun loving and easily bored, so it is very important for them to have at least some fun while making money.  Many gals will quit a job that they consider no fun (“mai sanuk” in Thai) even if it is the 28th of the month and they have no money for next month’s rent!  This may seem insane to us responsible foreigners, but believe me when I tell you that the biggest insult you can receive in this country is to be labeled “mai sanuk.”  Most gals have chosen the venue that they work in because they have at least one friend there.  Often if the friend quits or moves to another bar the gal in question will move on with her.  What fun will it be to work in a bar with no friends? 

3) Never ever ever ever say you have a boyfriend!  They all realize that they are not just selling their bodies, but are also selling a fantasy to the customer.  I wish I had one baht for every gal I have heard say “I no have boyfriend. Thai man no good.”  They may have a steady Thai boyfriend, several Thai lovers, four western guys sending money every month and dozens of customers, but they will absolutely tell you that they are unattached.  This also works in reverse.  Many of the customers are married or have a girlfriend but very few ever talk about it when meeting new gals.

4) Seize every opportunity to benefit financially from the time spent with a customer.  Receiving clothes, jewelry, mobile phones, etc. will all increase the bottom line.  The customer really should be prepared for this one.  If you go to a tailor shop to buy a shirt, he is going to attempt to sell you suits, shoes, etc.  It’s his job. One of my favorite gals always says “my job to ask, your job to say no.”


5) Collect phone numbers and email addresses from every customer even if he only bought you a cola.  I don’t need to tell you the HUGE reward that comes from sending out 357 emails and 642 sms messages requesting money.  Just a one or two percent response rate and bills are paid for the month.  One gal joked with me “my Mom is sick and the buffalo died, or the buffalo is sick and my Mom died, can’t remember which one but it’s really bad!”


6) Learn to put your mind away in a separate place.  Whether the gal is bored, tired, listening to a punter drone on and on about his pathetic life, staring at the ceiling while a stranger has his way with her, or perhaps just not in the mood to work, it is essential to be able to separate the mind from the body.  I once asked a gal what she thought about when she was making love with a strange man. Her response was “I think about how I am just about to walk out of there with xxx baht in my hand. And what I am going to buy with that money.”


7) Always say to the customer that the reason you are working in the bar is to help out your desperately poor family.  Some gals actually do send some money home.  Some give it away to their Thai boyfriends.  Many others just blow their money on the latest fashions and mobile phones.  Regardless, everyone must learn to say the following: “I no have boyfriend. I no like Thai man. Thai man no good. I no like work in bar but need money to send to family.”  No gal will be allowed to work in the bar until she memorizes that script.


8) Learn to prey on the emotional weaknesses of Western men.  You must learn how to make customers feel lust, guilt, responsibility, jealousy, and a myriad of other emotions.  This isn’t that easy as no Thai man would ever fall for the silly little games that come from this but many (certainly not all) Western men are unequipped to handle these games. One of my best mates likes to say (when referring to Western customers dealing with Thai bar gals) that “the gals have the home field advantage and many of us don’t even know the rules to this game.”


9) Don’t trust all the other gals in the bar.  Yes friends, they lie, cheat and steal from each other as much (if not more so) than they do with customers.  One more reason it is so important to have at least one true blue friend in the bar.  There is no such word as “LOAN” in the bar gal dictionary.  It was not a loan, it was a gift.


10) Always accompany the customer to the airport.  Guys are so emotional when they must leave Paradise that they are known to lavish gals with money and gifts while waiting for the plane to antisepticville. I was in G-Spot in Nana Plaza one night when a gal came in and started throwing bank notes around the bar and the whole place went nuts.  She later told me that her customer gave all of his local currency to her while he cried at the airport. It was over 76,000 baht.
Until next time have fun and be happy!






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