Bob

Had a colder than hell winter and rather cool summer here in northern Michigan. Bring on global warming!

Why only one? How limiting. Given how the real world rarely seems to be able to stay married to one person, I see no reason to tell anyone else how they should handle their personal relationships. To each his own.

Ditto. The most enjoyable part of his novels are the occasional glimpses into the Thai manner of thinking (usually slightly wierd to the westerner's point of view). For those familiar with/stymied by some of the strange ways Thais look at various things, you'll find yourself chuckling occasionally while reading some of the more innocuous passages of Burdett's novels (and I'm still not sure if Burdett intended for that to occur).

Love the headline about the "CHEAP" oral sex. Not sure if they were commenting about the falang being a "cheap charlie" or how anybody could be stupid enough to give a blow job for only 20 baht...haha.

I actually prefer to hear them singing as the signing guys fall off the stage much too often. But, to each his own....

Quite unfortunate. KT, GB, and Oogie playing hide the weenie would have been a classic (please do not take photos!). Actually, Khun KhorTose is already scheduled for a date with Chuang Chuang. After a drink at Soho, they'll both be floating down the Ping on their love boat, a giant krathong made of bamboo which, of course, Chuang Chuang will completely devour before they get to Lampang. I'd suggest a life jacket, KT!

It's approval to be in Thailand for 30 days, you get it when you arrive (can't get it in advance), and it's free - so your term makes perfectly good sense to me. And, yea, we could be splitting hairs a little (but not as much as those who just insist that nobody should ever call it a visa).

A rather minor point but I'm always a bit puzzled when somebody feels the need to point out that the "30-day" freebie when you show up in LOS is most definitely not a "visa." Besides the fact that a lot of people refer to it that way, I'd note that an online dictionary defines a visa as: An official authorization appended to a passport, permitting entry into and travel within a particular country or region. Since you do get an official authorization stamped into your passport, anybody referring to the "30-day" freebie as a visa is not incorrect. [For those thinking my logic is wacky because the "30-day" freebie is not on a separate piece of paper, I'd point out that neither is my long-term visa as it too is only a stamp in my passport]

In answer to somebody's post (Geezer?), the term "defamation" covers both libel (a written defamation) and slander (a verbal defamation). I've seen some of Thai laws on the subject which were translated into English....but I'm not sure the translation was very accurate (perhaps translated by a westerner who applied western thinking or, alternatively, translated by a Thai who's English isn't all that precise). In any event, the real problem to me in this area is whether you trust the Thai authorities to be consistent, logical, and/or fair with respect to who they charge with criminal defamation. Myself? I don't trust them myself as I've shaken my head in disgust too many times after reading about somebody thrown in the pokey longer than some attempted murderer just for saying or writing something. There ain't no freedom of speech in Thailand and the only safe defense in this area is to be somewhat careful with what you say or write. I'm guessing that GB might be a bit more sensitive to the issue in that he is a known quantity/person in Thailand (or at least in the Pattaya area). Even though my real name is "Bob" (boring at that may be), nobody other than some Thai and expat friends could possibly identify me on these boards (or at least I don't think so); regardless, I try to be a bit cautious as I would be heartbroken if my long-term visa ever got cancelled. [if there was freedom of speech in Thailand and no consequences for saying what you really thought about some of the Thai elite, I'd break every board rule here and scorch some rather elite ears]

You know, I've not wanted to believe that and I'm still not sure I do. I've chalked it off mainly to ignorance (stupid people not taking the time to do their jobs right). And I just have a hard time believing that people in the Thai government are intentionally allowing creeps into the country to get their tourist dollars. Yet, it continues and continues and, at some point in time, maybe I'll join you with your conclusion.

I wish I was in Pattaya (or even Thailand) at the moment so I could at least make the effort to go over to the hospital to say hello. Allen might not remember me but, given his kindness in the past, I'm sad that I'm not in a position to try to say hello. Still wishing Allen the very best.

Again, we find out the one guy was arrested at least twice for the same alleged offense by the Thai authorities. Yet, he's allowed to stay in Thailand? Why don't the Thai authorities simply send letters to all the Thai parents to advise that they simply don't give a shit about protecting their kids? And the other guy was on the UK's watch list but still allowed entry into Thailand? Most of these pedos have a prior history (a prior arrest and conviction record in their home countries) but the Thai authorities don't check that when they swipe the incoming passports? Unbelievable. Nobody has a right to enter any other country as it's simply a matter of the discretion of the host country. And one would think that a host country might have some desire to keep out the murderers, bank robbers, pedos, etc., of the world - and a simple linking of the immigration computers with the computerized criminal data bases would fairly instantly tell you that a creep is trying to break into your country.

While I'm not an expert in Thai libel laws, I know enough to say that our western understandings sure as hell don't apply. First, under Thai libel law, criminal penalties (jail, fines, etc.) apply. Second, truth is not necessarily a defense! Two very fundamental differences with "western" libel law. From what I've read, negative comments about businesses are quite often libelous in Thailand regardless of the truth of the matter. A rather sad state of law in my opinion - but Thailand hardly qualifies as a champion of free speech. Your comments, KT, are a bit unfair. To be honest, if I thought that the Thai authorities could actually tell who I am on this or other boards dealing with Thailand, I would be very cautious to make the cracks I do about the corruption and governmental idiocy occurring as I wouldn't want them to keep my sorry ass out of their country.

Ditto. And I pine for the days that we had straight-up news - and professional journalists like Cronkite - rather than the biased entertainment versions we see most often today.

Exactly my comments too. He was very helpful both in person and over the internet to many of us. I wish Allen the best.

If ol' Bernie lives that long, I'll be happy to invest with him (especially with US dollars which, by that time, won't be worth diddley....). B)

I like that attitude, Geezer. And (stealing again a line from Sinatra) may you live to be 150 years old and the last voice you hear is mine! Yea, Thailand is a mess in so many ways but I suppose it's a comfortable type of mess. I'm used to it although I always wonder why I'm "surprised" when reading of another idiotic event that occurs. But, then again, I do that at home in the USA too.

I always get a chuckle or two when posters start arguing over what restaurant or food is best. It's almost like arguing over clothing styles or your favorite color. Now, while one of my favorite dishes when in Thailand is a simple steamed rice with chicken (with or without the side soup), I must confess that once every week or two I'm drawn to the golden arches (if one is around) for a cheese burger and fries. And it tastes pretty damn good at the time!

What you need is the Non-Immigrant O visa and, with that, you can obtain the retirement visa. I arrived in LOS with the 60-day tourist visa this past January and, when I went to get the retirement visa, I was told that the retirement visa can't be piggy-backed off of that (only the Non-Immigrant O). So, they issued me the Non-Immigrant O (which I think was 2,000 baht) and the retirement visa (really a long-term visa) for 1,900 baht (both of which I got the same time - and within 45 minutes of entering the immigration office in Hua Hin). I've heard (which means don't rely on this!) that you can do the same thing with just the 30-day deal (which is really an exemption versus an actual visa). But, since you need the "O" anyway, I'd suggest you get it. As to the one-way ticket deal, I've heard that technically you're not allowed to get the 30-day exemption if you don't already have a ticket to go home. But.........nobody in the approximately 19 trips I've made to LOS has ever asked to see any airline ticket.

Lol. So far, it's only merited a funeral for being rather dead!

Thanks, GT. Yes, I'd like to know as it looks like a place to try to see if one is in the area. A lvdkeyes mentioned, there's another white temple (Wat Roong Koon) just south of Chiangrai that is rather spectacular and worth a visit. I've been there a few times (and would post a photo but nothing seems to be working here at the moment). Edit - just to see if I can post the photo now.... Yea, it works!

Ah, you presume too much, KT. We'll never be normal. Sorry. I am kinda surprised at the number of double posts so far. But I am seeing the posted photos (no "red x" here).

Nope. Guess that happens when you get to a certain age....

I don't get (receive) any of that when I log onto the Nation's website. Only guessing but does whatever browser you use stop pop-ups? The url I go to is: Nation

Very nice photos, GT. They really capture a snapshot of some daily life up there. Can you advise as to where that white temple is located?