Bob

Hmmm, not sure why but I suppose one could say it might have been witty of them? [to avoid any issues, this was, perhaps lamely, meant with humor]

I believe a foreign spouse of a Thai citizen can apply for some type of special visa status (and/or different rules apply to that spouse) but I'm not aware that a foreign spouse of a foreigner here on a retirement visa has any status or rights whatsoever (i.e., I think you'd have to qualify for your own visa). I personally don't see Thailand legalizing same sex marriages any time soon (I actually don't see the Thai government doing anything at all very soon as it's currently busy falling apart!).

Yep, unfortunately there are still some bad genes floating around there; regardless, in honor of the event, think I'll have a bacardi coke to celebrate.

Presuming you mean "gov" website, kindly attach the url to the site where you say the language is contained. Thanks. You said in your opening post that " We checked the housing agents that I can get a working visa via purchasing an apartment which is around 4 mil baht." It is that language/notion that some of us here are saying is erroneous.

Yep, the so-called "investment" visa involves 10 million baht....but has to be seasoned for 3 years. Obviously not available to the OP.

I believe the notion that anybody can get a visa in exchange for buying or investing in a 4 million baht apartment is erroneous. Never heard of that one before.

Koko, yes,many of those names mean exactly as they sound - the Thais adopt as nicknames (sometimes family-given names and other times self-adopted) all sorts of English words and plain letters. So "A", "Boy", "Sam", "Toto", and a ton of others are exactly what you think you're hearing. if you ask them to spell it and they spell it in English, they mean the English word. Sometimes, as Willie notes, a Thai nickname from a Thai word sounds like a western word to us (as Willie points out, the Thai word for chicken or ไก่ sounds like our English word "guy" if said with a low tone; on the other hand, I know at least two Thais who sport the nickname "Guy" and they spell it that way and took the word directly from English). Thais are often fascinated with foreign words, sometimes just because they perceive they are "cool" and not because they necessarily have a clue as to what any of the words mean. I've asked a whole lot of Thais I've met what a given weird English logo or phrase on a tee-shirt (that they're wearing) means and more often than not they have no idea. I've told the story before of running into a little old Thai granny walking her 8-9 year old granddaughter down a dirt soi in a dinky northern village, the cute little girl wearing a black tee shirt with the words "FUCK ME" prominently displayed on the front. I'm sure they all thought the t-shirt was cool but I'm also fairly sure none of them had a clue what the words meant.

When I hear Thais on rare occasion refer to themselves or one of their friends as a "rice queen", what they mean is that the person is only interested in asians (i.e., no interest in dating falang).

Most Thais are given their nicknames by their parents when they're born and rarely does anybody use their real names (except for official purposes). Some change their nicknames (and real names) at times, believing the new name is stronger or will bring better luck. I have no clue about the internet nicknames but I suspect some are just made-up names for obvious purposes.

While some of these events MAY have happened in Thailand, I don't see any of the alleged events as either "Thai" or "gay." This stuff happens everywhere with straight and gay couples although it's fairly obvious that it happens much more often in areas with a higher percentage of sex workers. I'm not sure if williewillie is attempting to paraphrase a moral lesson or is actually indicating that he has given his a "boyfriend" his pin number, credit account information, all his cash, etc. Whoever does that with anybody who's not a long-term partner is just being plain stupid and, if it happens to involve a "boyfriend" in a long-distance relationship, I'd raise the ante there to felonious stupidity. Somewhat the basis for a future story involving a "Darwin moment."

If I had my druthers (and I realize I don't), nobody would be allowed to use a different handle anywhere. While there are times when people use different handles on different boards for valid reasons (the name isn't available or simply the desire to innocently use a given moniker), there are also times when somebody adopts a new name to attempt to escape his known behavior on other boards (a tactic that often doesn't work as the poster still can't control his style or bad behavior) or in an attempt to sneak through the door after having been banned. In any event, a very good rule in my opinion and I'm hopeful that the owner/moderator actually has the ability to enforce the "no hydra" rule. We may be having alien visitors soon from a another planet that is about to explode.

I hope for a lot of things but one thing I don't bother hoping for is that any group here (including Suthep's followers and minders, the Democrats, Peua Thai, and half a dozen other groups) will "sort out their differences." That just ain't gonna happen anytime let alone in the next few months. A military coup would calm things down for a while (until after the next election, of course) but I simply can't imagine any reconciliation or accommodation by any of them. You've got a better chance to win the lottery in my view. I've too have received the government warnings (heck, about 5 or 6 in the last three weeks from the US government), read the Bangkok Post here almost every day, and see the Thai tv news on occasions; however, none of that means any practical difference for those here in Chiangmai (or Pattaya or Phuket, etc.). I'm guessing some tourists in Bangkok are being inconvenienced by traffic screw-ups but, other than that, I actually haven't heard of a single non-Thai being harmed at all. For those flying into Swampy and then heading on to other locales, I'd worry more about jet lag and off fees than what "could" happen with the Bangkok protests. But, given we all have different comfort levels, up to you (as I'm sure you heard many times over here before).

Probably shouldn't worry as the anti-government groups haven't even hinted that they might repeat the 2006 PAD idiocy of occupying the airport. I'm guessing (and would hope) that you've actually not incurred even a minor inconvenience during your present trip and, presuming you head back to the Suvarnabhumi from Pattaya at the end of your trip, you very likely won't even see anything out of the ordinary. Have fun on your current trip and, as the old Bobby McFerrin tune goes: Don't worry, be happy.

Nothing much at all has happened so far (probably less than the average number of murders in Bangkok per week) and no tourist or falang in my view needs to concern himself/herself at all with what's happening. I might have mild concern if I was hanging around the protestors in Bangkok or, perhaps, hanging around with the people in the few areas of the South where they're somewhat blocking voting stations; other than that, there's zero concern anywhere else in the whole country and tourists and falang ought to respond in the same way the whole country responded to the 2006 coup (that being: a collective yawn). Up here in Chiangmai, the Reds are usually preaching briefly in the evening at a small stage set up at Chang Phuak gate but nothing else is happening. I'd guess there is about the same level of excitement (meaning "none") in Pattaya too. Why anybody who allegedly is living in Pattaya is sending out "sky is falling" messages is beyond me. I can't even conjure up a yawn up here in the boonies (Chiangmai).

I won't repeat some of the comments made although I concur with most of them. And I'm getting a bit tired of the crudity (let alone the posting name as has been mentioned by others) that makes me think I'm hanging around a junior high bathroom.

I met jinks (and that's with a small "j" --- he hated it when I wrote it with a large "J") only once, about 12 or 13 years or so at one of Allen Brigg's get-togethers on the Ambience porch. Nice guy, glad I met him. As moderator over at Sawatdee, I always tended to sympathize with his handling a job nobody in their right mind would want in those days but, as far as I was concerned, he did a good job and I actually wished he had more power so he could occasionally use his broom to sweep out that which needed to get swept out. A good guy and he'll be missed. Condolences to family and friends.

In my "regular" account (a generic savings account out of which I spend money for living expenses here), I'm paid interest twice a year. The bank does not withhold taxes on this account and, while I'm not too sure of the interest rate, it's somewhat low (about 1%). For my "visa" account, I last elected (in October of 2012) to do a 22-month timed account which pays 3.75% interest but they actually pay the interest only at the end of the 22-month time period. So, using my example (and I happen to have 1 million baht in the visa account), I'll earn 68,750 baht in interest this coming August; however, the bank will withhold 10,312.50 baht and pay it over to the government. Next January, using the procedure noted above, I'll get all that withholding back. Is it a tax on income? No, it's a withholding tax just like a withholding tax on a paycheck from the West. In the west, you'd have to file an income tax return to get back withheld taxes that you don't owe but here you can get at least bank interest back (provided you're not earning wages here or elsewhere) by following the procedure noted. Yes, you'll get it all back (again, provided you owe no taxes for working here in Thailand). For most/many falang residents who don't keep much money over here, they likely don't have any earned interest withheld as taxes and so wouldn't be interested in this whole topic. But for those who keep 800,000+ baht in an account here to support their retirement visa, it's likely worth it to them to get the refund. Please note - for those who choose the 800,000 baht scheme to support a retirement visa - you need to be careful as to which type of account you use. It must be an account where you can get your money whenever you want and not a traditional CD where you cannot get your money until the end of the time period (this type of account doesn't qualify and you won't get the bank letter you need to get your new one-year retirement extension). Every bank (I think) offers acceptable accounts and you just need to make sure (ask!) that you can get the bank letter for whatever particular account you choose. My current "visa" account is, as noted, set up for 22-months at 3.75% and I can go withdraw it any time I want (however, if I do, I'll lose all or most of the interest on it). In my particular case, I just let the money sit and earn interest - considering it a decent return (about 3 times better than what the US banks are paying) and also considering it a safety net should I ever need the funds for some unknown emergency. Most of my friends here in Chiangmai who do the 800,000 baht routine elect much shorter timed accounts - usually 6 to 9 month accounts. They feel more comfortable with the shorter time periods although they also earn a lower rate of interest. Since I never touch the funds in my "visa" account, the longer time period and higher interest is fine with me.

For those who have fixed savings accounts here in Thailand and your bank withholds the usual 15% for the government (e.g., those who have visa accounts where you keep your 800,000+ baht in a timed savings account), you can obtain a refund of the withheld tax and the procedure to do so is fairly easy. I read about it a year or so ago somewhere (perhaps Thai Visa) and wanted to give it a try. Anyway, here's how it worked in Chiangmai for two of us who went to do it together: (1) Go to your bank and get a document showing how much interest they've withheld. Since you can apply for a refund for 3-years back, obviously get one for each year (or, perhaps, your bank will put all that information on one piece of paper). At SCB, they knew exactly what I was requesting and in short order, without charging a fee, gave me a form made for that purpose for each of the two years I wanted. (2) Go to your local Revenue office*. Once there, explain that you're there to apply for a refund of interest withheld by your bank on your savings account. We were shuffled to a room on the second floor where a very friendly Thai lady then told us to go back to the first floor office to obtain a Tax ID number. We did so....it took the guy maybe 5 minutes to take the information from each of us and another 5 minutes to use a computer to print out our Tax ID cards. Then, we were off to the second floor office again and the Thai lady took a copy of our passport identification page, some proof of residence/address** and then she filled out the form (Kor 10 form which is all in Thai) for each of us for each year we were applying for the refunds. She did carefully question us to make sure that we were not working or earning wages or a salary in either Thailand or our home country. She then told us that we would receive within 30 days in the mail some vouchers which we then needed to present to another revenue office to obtain our funds. (3) Two weeks to the day from that visit, I received two checks (and not vouchers) in the mail and then deposited same into my bank account. I'd note the checks were written on Krung Thai bank but are marked in the corner "AC Payee Only" - meaning that you can only deposit them in your own bank account. My bank promptly took care of that and explained that it would be 2-3 days before the money actually appeared in my account. (4) As a final note, I read before that you're supposed to apply for these refunds in January or February or they will charge some fee for doing it "late." I have no clue if that's true as we applied and received our refunds in January. To be safe, do it in January. *Here in Chiangmai, we went to the Revenue Office on the southwest corner of Chotana Road and the Seven Hundred Year Road (the first building north of the Chiangmai City Hall building or the third building south of the northeast corner of the complex). The name on the building in Thai is สำนักงานสรรพากร (which means Revenue Bureau/Office with the word "สรรพากร" meaning "revenue").] **We had heard that one must present proof of residence. My friend presented his yellow book and the Revenue lady was happy to take a copy of that. I had both a copy of my lease and a 50-day old Certificate of Residence (which I had previously obtained to get driving licenses) and she said either was fine - she took a copy of the Certificate of Residence. However, a third friend who applied for and received his refund only had a business card which showed his Thai residential address and that was accepted as sufficient. So, perhaps, all they want to see is something to verify the address to which they will mail the refund checks.

Part of it is simply cultural. I always (not sure why) think in terms of north/south/east/west but I've yet to meet a Thai in Chiangmai who has any sense of those directions. They don't even seem to know that the mountains are on the west side of town, that a shadow at noon is north, and the like. And almost all of them (including some tuk tuk drivers!) don't know the street names except for a very few of the more popular ones. On the other hand, I've yet to meet a Thai up here that doesn't have the ability to get exactly where he's trying to go. In the end, I suppose that's all that counts. And I would note that most of the baht bus and tuk tuk drivers up here can read a map (but, given everything up here somewhat relates to the square old city section, I suppose that helps a lot).

A story by Aljazeera today indicates that 85 people in the world own half the world's wealth and that disparity between the rich and poor is growing and "threatening democracy." I'm not sure I buy all the writer's premises but the story is interesting....The article is here: http://www.aljazeera.com/video/europe/2014/01/oxfam-says-world-rich-threaten-democracy-2014120235946861191.html

Let me get this straight. You post a message on this board on January 5th saying you're in agony and you've been scammed and cheated by this guy. Now you say you're still sending him money on January 12th? The January 12th money, supposedly, was for his grandma in a hospital. Have you ever heard of the 30-baht health scheme (which almost all rural grandmas use)?

I concur with your comments. In spite of some legislative efforts to benefit the lower classes, the long-term record for the last 40-50 years back in the states has not been in favor of the poor or even the middle class at all. Their share of the "pie" is lower now while the share held by the top 5% has only increased. I've read that the situation (percentage of wealth held by a small minority) is even worse here in Thailand but, then again, one always has to wonder if any statistics issued by any Thai governmental agency have any level of accuracy. The recent rise in the minimum wage here, for example, likely won't have much effect (plus it seems a whole lot of people here - at least in the Chiangmai area - aren't being paid the minimum wage in any event).

Comparing the political history or current situation here in Thailand with that in the US (or the UK, Germany, Australia, etc.) is a bit mind-boggling.......not to mention a bit off-topic. I'd likely join in some criticisms of the situation in the US, Firecat, but why don't we do that in a thread you start for that purpose?

I can't judge whether this is a total windup or an actual true story but, presuming it's the later, the scenario presents naivete that's simply breathtaking.

Voranai Vanijaka of the Bangkok Post continues to discuss - or alludes to discussing - the current (as in decades-long) political situation here in Thailand. You can read it here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/390300/with-all-sides-wrong-there-can-be-no-right He approaches a critical topic which helps one understand why Thailand is where it is these days but wisely (given he enjoys his freedom) doesn't cross any lines. For example, he says: "First, for decades the old elites have struggled over the "destiny of Thailand's future". Thaksin happened to invest in a future they do not welcome, to put it mildly. It's a conflict of, not just interests but survival. We shall leave it there." Unfortunately, we too are compelled at least partially to "leave it there" as some parts of what he is alluding to cannot be discussed; however, not all of the "old elites" have lese majeste protection and they include a whole lot of high-ranking military men (most of whom are now "retired") and, for lack of a better term, the group of elite who have ruled Thailand through their wealth, political connections, and, from their point of view, their god-given-right to do what they see best for the their own pocketbooks and the "rest of them." Democracy - where those dimwitted farmers from the rural areas have the audacity to believe they can control the government (money and the potential to limit corruption) because their votes count for more by their sheer numbers - just doesn't cut it as they believe (incorrectly in my view) that it presents the possibility/likelihood that their slice of the pie might be reduced. Their fears, I think, are actually incorrect as every democratic nation has had the same phenomenon occuring where a smaller and smaller percentage of the population control more and more of the wealth of that nation; regardless, the elite do seem to be concerned that elections in themselves present a significant threat to their interests. Their power and their wealth (one in the same in most societies) substantially stems in my view from the protection they've been given by others and which, perhaps, they feel they've paid for by their patronage and partial subservience. Without that protection, a happening that's awaiting events we can't discuss, then perhaps they truly feel that they then will be at the full mercy of this unknown and fickle beast known as democracy. That, to them, is pretty scary.