Gaybutton

This whole thing is so typical. A close friend of mine said it best, I think: "Everything in Thailand is reactive. Nothing is ever proactive." In other words, they come up with these things without ever thinking it through. There was absolutely no warning that this was coming. Everyone affected by this simply received the letter and was given less than two weeks to comply. If Bangkok Bank handled this the way it should have been handled, then they would have sent out notifications at least one or two months in advance and would have asked people what problems might arise and what suggestions for solutions could be offered, and would have given people plenty of time to make alternate arrangements if they wished. But noooooooo. Just send out the letter first and then worry about problems later. I wouldn't be surprised if once full clarification is received by Social Security, or whatever entity, it will turn out that none of this was necessary in the first place.

Seems to me that catering by Niddy would work. On the floral part of that link it says: "Personally Customized Floral Arrangements & Gift Baskets We are happy to design a beautiful floral arrangement or gift basket for your special day. We can do vase arrangements, basket arrangements, hand-held presentation bouquets -- just tell us what you want! Also, let us know your favorite flowers and a color or occasion theme and we will personalize your order to your specifications and needs. We are happy to hand deliver to any location within the greater Pattaya area." Seems to be an easy solution.

Thank you for that post, 2lz2p. I read the Expats Club letter. While it is encouraging that they are trying to do something about it, I'm reluctant to expect they're going to accomplish very much, although I'm hopeful. Some of the methods they posted about how to get around this seem to me to be much more complicated than just going ahead and changing over to the Direct Deposit account and going to the bank whenever funds are received. One potential problem the Expats Club letter did not address: Suppose you happen to be traveling in another country when your monthly benefit comes in and something happens to you that requires access to your money. Since you have no access to it at all unless you can physically get to a Bangkok Bank, what do you do in that situation? There is always the possibility that some bizarre situation will occur. In accordance with Murphy's Law, that's exactly what's going to start happening to people. How would you like to have been arrested for something, find you can pay or even bribe your way out of it, but can't access your money. "There's always the unexpected, isn't there?" - Warden to Shears, 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' In my opinion, something is really wrong with a banking system in today's electronic age that prevents people from being able to access their own money. What Bangkok Bank needs to do is figure out some way to comply, but in such a way that the recipient can at least move the funds to a regular savings account without having to physically go to the bank to do it. It seems to me it shouldn't be all that difficult to come up with something satisfactory to all parties. By the way, last night I did receive a text message from Bangkok Bank notifying me that the SMS alert system for international deposits into my account is now in place.

Being the spoilsport that I am, I'm one of the crazies who absolutely loves Songkran. I thoroughly enjoy it, especially on the main insanity day (Sunday, April 19 this year in Pattaya). All those boys in wet T-shirts or shirtless! I don't mind the water splashing at all, at least on that day. I wouldn't dream of missing it. For those of you who will be here in Pattaya during the festivities, and many of you know the splashing starts sporadically several days before and there's more and more of it until the 19th, you can still avoid getting wet if you don't want to be wet. If you sit on a baht bus bench seat, it's virtually a given that you're going to get splashed. The trick is to sit up front with the driver. Then you won't get splashed. On the main day, if you're going to go anywhere or get into the traffic flow, make sure you have a full tank of fuel. You're going to be stuck in a hell of a lot of traffic and that would be the wrong day to run out of fuel. If you intend to go to Bangkok, if you go on the 18th (or come to Pattaya on the 18th), make sure you go via the Rt. 36, Rt. 7 expressway. Don't go through Chonburi. That's the main Songkran day in Chonburi and you'll be stuck trying to get through for at least two hours, probably more. But I too would be interested to know what those of you who dislike Songkran and are "stuck" in Thailand are going to do. Some choose to hole up in their rooms as much as they until it's over. If they won't even go out to eat and cannot or will not cook at home, they can always order food delivery from Door-2-Door or WOW. Burger King, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, KFC, and various Thai owned restaurants have delivery service of their own. During the day you're safe at places such as the beach, Pattaya Park, shopping malls, etc. Some choose to do as lvdkeyes is going to do . . . leave Pattaya during Songkran. If you are going to leave, where are you going? Last year TOQ posted some fabulous photos of Songkran in the rural areas of Thailand, on the Ting & Tong's Gay Thailand board ( http://www.gaytingtong.com ). I can't find those photos now. Maybe if TOQ sees this post he can post a link to those photos if he still has them online. But the point is that out in the rural areas Songkran is much more benign and subdued. A trip to the hinterlands might be a good alternative for some.

I see. Ok, then maybe they're in a Burger King in Nacogdoches.

"How often does a man get a compliment like that?" - Tevye, 'Fiddler on the Roof' Actually this old dog is still up to the same tricks. Sorry, no new ones. If you read previous threads on the Googie subject, you'll find that what I wrote on this thread is the same as I wrote on the previous threads.

"Mr. Towns, you behave as if stupidity were a virtue. Why is that?" - Dorfmann to Towns, 'Flight of the Phoenix,' 1965 version When you ask if they'll ever learn, and they don't, the above is the most likely reason I can think of.

That's absolutely right. No matter what you do, you still have to have the letter from the bank.

Yes. Googie can bring it to light himself, if he so chooses. Other than that, it's really nobody's business.

Maybe now they're in Purgatory.

Some who lives in Bangkok will probably know far ore than I do, but I've heard that the St. Louis hospital is very good: http://www.saintlouis.or.th/main_page.php

Not long ago, buckeroo2 posted: _____ OK, I did the retirement visa renewal this morning. There is a moderator on thaivisa.com forum who corrects people when they call it a "retirement visa". He always says Thailand does not offer a retirement visa but rather an extension of your stay in the Kingdom for retirement purposes. Anyway, when I entered Pattaya Immigration and went to the machine to get a service #, number 8 is clearly marked "Retirement Visa". As it is a Monday and supposedly a busy day at Immigration, I arrived early - at 8:10AM for an 8:30 AM opening. There were about 15 people already waiting when I arrived. I got in line and by the time they opened the doors at 8:30 AM there were approximately 50 people in line. As I said, I got a service ticket pressing #8 - marked "Retirement Visa" Even with 15 others entering before me, I was still #E002 - the second person applying for a retirement visa. I waited about 5 minutes and my # was called. I checked everything thoroughly and had copies of everything I figured they could possible ask for. But, of course, they always want something else. They told me I needed another copy of one page in my passport. It had the original Retirement visa stamp from 2007. I had already copied the page with the latest current/expiring retirement visa stamp but they still wanted a copy of the page with the 1st original retirement visa stamp. I went to the copy shop, had that made and returned to the desk to complete my application process. They did not ask for any additional income verification other than the U.S. Embassy proof-of-income letter. Also, I bank at Siam Trust and last week I decided to go to a different branch here in Pattaya to get the bank letter but I was told I had to get that from my original branch where the account was opened. I was trying to avoid that as I bank at Siam Trust at Tuk Com. While their hours are usually convenient as they are open 7 days a week until 8:00 PM they do not open until 10:30 AM. The bank from which I tried to get the letter opened at 8:30 AM. Anyway, I did not want to wait until 10:30 AM - wait in line for a service agent to draft the letter and then head off to Immigration. I figured by that time Immigration would be closing for lunch and I would have to be there all afternoon. So I took a chance and got my bank letter on Sunday - the day before I applied for my retirement visa. I figured the most Immigration could do was tell me they would not accept it and then I would just go back to my bank and get another letter and return the same day. Anyway, no one questioned the date on my bank letter - it was just one day earlier than the application. While I was there, a farang came over to the Immigration officer who was waiting on me - they exchanged pleasantries as if they knew each other. They shook hands and the farang placed 1,000 baht in the palm of the hand of the immigration officer who in turn put the money in a cup on his desk - and not in the same box where he put my 1,900 baht fee. This farang handed the officer some sort of form and the officer stamped it, the farang thanked him and out the door he went. After I finished this first process I was directed to another lady officer who had me sign all of the copies I presented and told me that I can pick up my passport tomorrow after 2 PM. I looked at my watch as I was leaving and it was 8:55 AM - so the entire process took 25 minutes once the doors opened. But to the question at hand, I repeat - no one asked me for any income verification other than the proof-of-income letter I presented from the U.S. Embassy. And yes, I dressed properly this time - dress shirt, khaki slacks, and loafers.

Last year Wowpow posted about it: http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.ph...5&hl=prison

We're getting a bit off topic here, but it can't hurt to talk about hospital care for a moment. I'm happy for you if you're rich enough to be able to afford to have $10,000 worth of liquid cash readily available in a Thai bank. Unfortunately, not everybody has that kind of money. If you choose to live here, you have to do the best you can with what you've got. Alternatives to Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital are available for those who can't afford it. That hospital is the most expensive in the Pattaya area. For those who don't have so much, there are alternatives and far less expensive places to go, including Pattaya Memorial Hospital, P.I.C. Hospital, or even Banglamung Hospital. I understand the Samitivej Hospital in Si Racha is excellent. See: http://www.samitivej.co.th/sriracha/aboutus_en.aspx An excellent hospital is the Queen Sirikit Hospital in Sattahip. You won't have the luxurious accommodations that Bangkok-Pattaya can offer, but the competence of the doctors and staff is just as good and, in my opinion, often better. You won't be anywhere near as comfortable, but you'll at least have just as good a chance of coming out alive and well, and for a hell of a lot less money. See: http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/modul...cle&sid=937

A couple of things perhaps. First, you're thinking in terms of logic and you're right. But 'logic' and 'Thailand' is virtually an oxymoron. Bangkok Bank is interpreting a US Government Agency to mean funds received from any government source within the United States, whether it be national, state, or local. We might not see it that way, but people like me have to deal with the fact that Bangkok Bank does see it that way. I complied because I don't want any trouble receiving funds. I do receive monthly income from those types of sources. Also, at this time of year, those who are expecting an income tax refund from IRS, for example, might have problems getting it if they don't comply. People receiving funds through sources such as veteran's benefits, federal retirement, teacher retirement programs, etc, could run into problems. In my case I prefer to comply rather than risk difficulty receiving funds. Also, I may not be eligible for Social Security just yet, but that day will come if I live long enough. So, if this is the way Bangkok Bank is going to handle it, I might as well get used to it. I don't see where I have much of a choice. The fact that the letter was addressed to me, and the phone calls that went back and forth, made it clear that my account was specifically targeted. I suppose I could try to fight it, but I don't see how fighting a losing battle would benefit me. Unfortunately, Bangkok Bank is in the driver's seat on this one. So, I'll have two accounts and I'll have to go to the bank once a month. I don't see any other way to handle it.

For a very simple reason I did not. That's because I'm still too young to be eligible to receive Social Security benefits. I have a few years to go before I'm eligible. Maybe I could have created a new account as the Direct Deposit account, but the bank letter does say, "In compliance with the US direct deposit program regulation, we need to request that you change your savings account to a Direct Deposit account." It says to change my savings account. It doesn't say anything about creating a new one. I also chose not to try because the payments I do receive were already set up to be deposited into the existing account. There will be no change in the routing number or account number, so I saw no reason to do anything other than to change the account type from a savings account to a direct deposit account, in accordance with the letter's instructions. That way I don't have to bother informing the sources of my income and I also don't have to worry about anybody screwing up the new numbers or other types of unforeseen "Murphy's Law" scenarios to arise. I have to open a second account with Bangkok Bank anyway if I want to be able to do ATM transactions, pay bills online, etc, so it might as well be a new savings account. I'll let that one be the one with new numbers. I do have accounts with other Thai banks, so I suppose I could elect not to open another savings account with Bangkok Bank, but it would mean I would have to physically carry the cash to another bank. All I would need is for a criminal to see me leaving the bank with a lot of cash. Thank you, no. I'll just have to start going to the bank when my money arrives and have them transfer from one account to the other. I suppose I could do it with a cashier's check, but that would be more bother than simply opening a new savings account, and cashier's checks aren't free. From among all the options, converting my existing savings account to a direct deposit account and then opening a new savings account seems to be the lesser of the evils.

I didn't say that. Of course I mind it. But if they're going to do that whether I like it or not, then I would rather they go elsewhere. I admit it's selfish of me, but when they do those things in my neighborhood, it has a direct effect on my life. I hate to read about terrorist bombings too, but I'd much rather read about one than be a victim of one.

Unfortunately, as far as I know Bangkok Bank is the only Thai bank that has a branch in the USA. If you know of another one, please let us know. If another one exists, I would switch provided they don't have a similar idiotic rule. If someone at Bangkok Bank came up with this nonsense because of a misinterpretation of the actual regulations, then it would have been very simple to pick up a telephone, call the appropriate office in the USA, and simply ask for a clarification of the rules and making damned sure before imposing this on account holders. All I know is the system was working just fine all these years until I received that letter. It wasn't broke, but someone fixed it anyway. Leave it to the Thai way of doing things to come up with a set of rules that throws a monkey wrench into the whole works. If the idea behind this is, as Astrrro suggested, "the usa gov doesn't want situations where friends of a dead person are withdrawing money from an atm," then how, pray tell, would those friends have done that anyway? I don't know about anybody else, but I'm not in the habit of giving out my PIN to other people. If under this new system, all it takes is a letter from a doctor to designate someone to withdraw the funds for an account holder, then how much effort do they think it would take to find a Thai doctor willing to write such a letter, especially if some money exchanges hands? My favorite paragraph in the letter is the one that says, "With a Direct Deposit account, funds are deposited directly into your account without you needing to physically receive a cheque and deposit it at the bank, saving you time and enabling you to receive your funds faster." What the hell do they think people like me were doing in the first place? I had always used direct deposit.

If you're back in Boyz Boyz Boyz again, checking is easy. If the boy you thought was him has the same set of tattoos, then it's him.

Bingo! Right again . . .

The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: For photos, see: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/showfeatur...reID=0000001067 _____ THE AMAZING TALE OF CHINA’S LAST EUNUCH In a story reminiscent of medieval torture, China’s last eunuch, described the excruciating operation to render him neuter, in a recent account by a confidante. Ironically, the operation was in vain as his father had hoped to curry favour with the emperor by castrating his son, but he had sadly abdicated the week before, unbeknown to the eunuch’s father. Sun Yaoting had the dubious honour of being Imperial China’s last eunuch, a 2000-year-old tradition. Eunuchs were traditionally employed in ancient Egyptian, Arab and Persian regimes as bodyguards in the ruler’s harem, being deemed sexually inactive, or at least impotent. In Imperial China, the same held true and only the emperor and eunuchs were allowed into the Forbidden City's private quarters. Boys were emasculated in the hope of gaining exclusive access to the emperor and the remote prospect of being elevated to positions of power and influence. Here, if they were lucky enough, the privileged eunuchs became essential intermediaries between the outer bureaucratic world and the inner Imperial Court, as the emperor gradually withdrew further and further from the outside world in his self-imposed seclusion. This particular castration was undertaken in the hope of Sun ingratiating himself with the emperor, gaining power and wreaking revenge on an unscrupulous landlord who had stolen their fields and burned their house. Before his death in a Beijing temple in 1996, Sun Yaoting confided in the historian, Jia Yinghua, relating the account of how he was castrated, the sex life of eunuchs, how he had been tormented and impoverished in youth, punished in revolutionary China for being the "Emperor's slave", but finally celebrated as the last living relic of a bygone era. He related tales of the tortuous rituals of the Forbidden City, Emperor Pu Yi's sexual proclivities, cruelty and final moments and the court run by the Japanese in the 1930s. He also described how he had rejoined society, become a Communist official and then persecuted by radical leftists, before finally being allowed to continue his life unmolested. These accounts were written up as Sun Yaoting’s biography, "The Last Eunuch of China", and published in English, this year. As far as his castration went, Sun described how he was more concerned about having lost his ‘3 treasures’, the term used by eunuchs to describe their preserved genitals, which were normally held in a jar till death and then buried with the body in the hope he would reincarnate as whole a man once more. In Sun’s case, however, the jar and its contents had been thrown away long before his death during the Cultural Revolution as a means of protecting the family, when the possession of any relic of the imperial regime may have resulted in punishment and even death for the holder. Apparently, his father had performed the castration without anesthetics, using an oil-soaked paper as a bandage; a procedure which in others was often lethal, and caused incontinence. The operation was performed in one swoop, using a small, curved knife. Sun was unconscious for three days and virtually incapacitated for two months. When he finally recovered his mobility, he discovered to his extreme dismay that the emperor he had hoped to gain influence from had abdicated several weeks earlier. However, Sun still managed to gain employment, recruited by a middleman, to serve in the imperial palace as a eunuch, as the ex-emperor was allowed to stay in the palace. Sun subsequently became an attendant to the last empress, Wan Rong, faithfully serving her for 8 years, until the Imperial Family was banished from the Forbidden City, in 1924, ending Sun's aspirations. Shortly afterwards, Sun finished his career as a palace eunuch.

I wish they would eat a hell of a lot more of them . . .

Even with this nonsense, I would still choose to do it this way. I might have to be inconvenienced now, but I'd much rather be able to go to a bank branch here than have to deal with anything overseas if problems arise or my ATM card is ever lost, stolen, damaged, or simply expires. The part that does have me angry, though, is this rule that you can't have online banking or even an ATM card with a Direct Deposit account. Next logical question - why not? I fail to see any reason for that. That's what will cause the major inconvenience. If I happen to be out of town when my money comes in, then I'll have to make sure I have my passbook and passport. Then I'll have to find a Bangkok Bank branch somewhere to be able to retrieve the funds. That might be especially interesting if I happen to be in another country at the time. Come to think of it, it will be inconvenient even if I'm in town. Now I'll have to personally go to the bank, rain or shine, and most likely be on a line, waiting for a teller, that stretches from here to Oxnard. And the teller will probably have two speeds . . . slow and stop, along with one personality characteristic . . . clueless! Can't have an ATM card or online banking with a Direct Deposit account? That aspect of it has earned a prominent spot on my "I Don't Get It" list.

'Star Wars' Scientists Create Laser Gun to Kill Mosquitoes By Anouk Lorie For CNN LONDON, England -- Scientists in the U.S. are developing a laser gun that could kill millions of mosquitoes in minutes. The laser, which has been dubbed a "weapon of mosquito destruction" fires at mosquitoes once it detects the audio frequency created by the beating of its wings. The laser beam then destroys the mosquito, burning it on the spot. Developed by some of the astrophysicists involved in what was known as the "Star Wars" anti-missile programs during the Cold War, the project is meant to prevent the spread of malaria. Lead scientist on the project, Dr. Jordin Kare, told CNN that the laser would be able to sweep an area and "toast millions of mosquitoes in a few minutes." Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people from the bites of female mosquitoes. It is particularly prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world and kills an African child every 30 seconds, according to the World Health Organization. There are an estimated 300 million acute cases of malaria each year globally, resulting in more than one million deaths, the WHO reports. Responding to questions about any potential harm the laser could pose to the eco-system, Kare said: "There is no such thing as a good mosquito, there's nothing that feeds exclusively on them. No one would miss mosquitoes," he said. "In any case," he added. "The laser is able to distinguish between mosquitoes that go after people and those that aren't dangerous. What remains to be seen is how precise we can get." Don't Miss He added that other insects would not be affected by the laser's beam. Kare said the lasers could be mounted on lamp post-type poles and put around the circumference of villages, to create a kind of "fence" against mosquitoes. The research was commissioned by Intellectual Ventures, a Washington, U.S.-based company that was founded by Nathan Myhrvold, a former Microsoft Corporation executive. His previous boss, Bill Gates, who funded the research, asked Myhrvold to look into new ways of combating malaria.

Today I received a letter from Bangkok Bank. Here are the significant portions: __________ Bankok Bank understands that you have set up a normal savings account to receive funds transfer under direct deposit program of the United States government agencies through Bangkok Bank. The Direct deposit program of the United States government stipulates that in the event of a person receiving funds transferred from the US government dies or is declared by a court as of unable or of impaired ability, Bangkok Bank is required to hold the funds immediately after the death or court ruling, and return the funds to the US government. In compliance with the US direct deposit program regulation, we need to request that you change your savings account to a Direct Deposit account. Failure to comply will result in Bangkok Bank not being able to deposit funds transferred from the US government agencies into your account. We will also be required to return the funds to the relevant organization. We would therefore like to ask you to please contact the Bangkok Bank branch where your account is maintained by March 31, 2009. With a Direct Deposit account, funds are deposited directly into your account without you needing to physically receive a cheque and deposit it at the bank, saving you time and enabling you to receive your funds faster. However, you can only withdraw funds from your Direct Deposit account using your passbook. Withdrawal by any other person, making transactions with an electronic card, or using any other channels is not allowed. Once you have received the funds in your Direct Deposit account, you can withdraw the money and deposit it to your savings account, from which you will be able to conveniently withdraw, transfer, or make other transactions via an ATM, Internet Banking, phone banking,or other channel. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your cooperation on this matter. __________ In case you didn't quite follow, I had to go to the Bangkok Branch at which I originally opened my account - passport, passbook, and this letter in hand. This new Direct Deposit account will keep the same account number I already have, so I don't have to worry about something going wrong when direct deposits are made. It does, however, mean that now I have to also open another savings account. From now on, I will have to personally go to a Bangkok Bank branch office and have them transfer what is received in the Direct Deposit account to my new savings account if I want to be able to use online banking, an ATM card, or anything else. If I don't open a new savings account, then all I can do with the Direct Deposit account will be to make withdrawals via a bank teller. I will also have to create a whole new online banking account once I open the new savings account. The old one will retain my old account number, so that online banking account will become useless and eventually deleted, once they get around to it. So, I asked some obvious questions: 1. Do I have to notify any of the agencies that make direct deposits? Answer: No. Bangkok Bank takes care of that. 2. Since I'm doing this at Bangkok Bank's request, do I have to pay for a new ATM card (or Visa Electron card, as they call it here)? Answer: Yes, I'll have to pay for it. 3. Since I will have no access to this account online or by ATM, then how do I even know a deposit has been made? Answer: You can set up an SMS alert with Bangkok Bank. Whenever money is transferred to your Direct Deposit account, you will receive an SMS telling you the deposit has been made and for how much. It takes about a week before the SMS alerts will go into effect after you make the request. 4. Can I set up a similar SMS alert for the new regular savings account I'll have to open? Answer: No, they will only send an SMS alert when money is received from overseas into the Direct Deposit account. 5. Will my new savings account have a different account number? Answer: Yes, it will be a new account, completely separate from the Direct Deposit account. 6. Can I withdraw funds or make transfers into my new savings account at any Bangkok Bank branch? Answer: Yes. 7. There is a new Bangkok Bank branch much closer to my home. Can I open the new savings account at that branch? Answer: Yes, you can open the savings account at any branch, but make sure it is in the same province as the Direct Deposit account. If you open in a different province, then you'll be paying fees every time you do a transaction. 8. Can I make transfers from the Direct Deposit account to the savings account by telephone, to avoid having to actually go to the bank? Answer: No, you have to go yourself. 9. What happens if I'm sick, injured, hospitalized, or anything else that would prevent me from personally going to a branch office to retrieve the funds? How will I get my money? Answer: Bangkok Bank will allow you to designate someone to do it for you, but there must be a letter from your doctor. Those are the questions I thought of. If you have any other questions, let me know and I'll try to find out. If you receive funds by direct deposit into a Bangkok Bank account, then you can expect to receive the same letter and have to do the same thing. In other words, this is going to be a pain-in-the-ass. From now on, I'll have to maintain two passbooks for two different types of accounts and I'll have to personally go to the bank to do the same thing that has been done automatically all this time for years.