Bob

Not only this, but it is situated close to a range of attractions such as the Night Bazaar, Phra Singha Temple, and Tha Phae Gate.

If it is, that's a geographical miracle. Let's see, Wat Phra Singh is about one mile west of Taepae Gate and the night market is more than one mile east of Taepae Gate.

As to a "shopping complex" near there, just where might that be? One of the two malls that are maybe 2+ miles away?

I don't begrudge you advertising your guest house near Taepae Gate but a little truth in advertising wouldn't hurt all that much.

I told you I would get banned

I'm not a moderator, Frank, but, if I were, I'd give you exactly what it appears you've been striving for.

Sorry, Frank, I don't see the humor here (presuming you were trying to be funny). I also can't contemplate why you would post this (what was the point you were trying to make?).

Lol. Not much happening here lately, Frank, but I actually thought your post was pretty damned funny. But I don't think you have to worry much about being flamed or whatever.

Now.....given you obviously have a good sense of humor.....I would say that you do remind me of some expats who seem to be thinking more often with the little head rather than the big one.....

It appears that Mr. Bout could use a different lawyer. Perhaps he could contact that slimeball Roman Polanski for a referral?

Regardless, it's actually nice (and unusual) to see a country honor an extradition treaty. On the other hand, given what I think of the Thai government and how money or the color of your shirt can make all problems go away, I'll only really believe it when Bout gets to the US.

I have several members of my immediate family who are gay and lesbian. One of them resides in California. I expect and hope that this judges ruling will stand. I also expect to see this the law of the land before my teenage children enter college. They were brought up to love and respect everyone and they love their gay uncle. To me and to them, laws like this have no place in modern society and it will be up to the judges to give these rights to gays and lesbians. Unfortunately, the American people do not yet see how unjust or arcane these laws are.

As I noted, I share your views about what is fair; however, that's not what this is all about - what it's about is whether the federal constitution as written (versus what some may wish it would say) somehow says that the state of California is not allowed to decide what constitutes a valid marriage. Given there is no federal right whatsoever involving marriage and given the federal courts have previously ruled that marriage is a state decision and not a federal decision (and mainly for the reason that the 10th Amendment expressly states that all powers not given expressly under the US Constitution to the federal government are reserved to the states), I'll fall off a chair if the decision is upheld on appeal. Time will tell on this but I see no (zero) chance this will be upheld by the US Supreme Court (Scalia, Roberts, Alito, and Thomas are 100% sure "no" votes and Kennedy has previously sided with that conservative four each time any federal court has attempted to limit state powers or create some new constitutional right).

...he doubts the ban's backers have the right to challenge his ruling.

That comment by the judge is, at best, wishful thinking and, at worst, simple ignorance. While I support the constitution being changed to allow same-sex marriages, the opinion of the District Judge won't (in my view) be the law very long (only until the Court of Appeals reverses it or, if by chance that doesn't happen, until the US Supreme Court surely reverses it).

And what's happened to Siriwan, former governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (the person the jury found received the bribes)? Not a thing and maybe because he wears a yellow shirt.

Roman Polanski has a very selective memory. Memory that is not based on historical fact.

A very nice way to acknowledge that ol' Roman has lied through his teeth (either in public or in the court under oath.....or both).

I think you need to check some of what is on your forum for accuracy. For example, in the retirement visa section I saw, in the required documents area, "Medical Certificate..." A medical certificate for a retirement visa has not been a requirement for years. The only circumstance under which a medical is required is when applying for a Thai driving license.

Partially true, I believe. Yes, you don't need the medical certificate if you are applying for a long-term visa (a/k/a one-year visa or retirement visa) while you are in Thailand; however, if applying for it in your home country, it is required (or at least it was required for two friends of mine when they obtained their long-term visa in Canada and the US within the last 2 years).

I have over 30 Gmail Accounts

I must be on the wrong side of the tracks as I have only one gmail account.

a funny looking guy on the grassy knoll

Nah, that wasn't me. That was my identical twin brother, Jimmy Joe Bob. And that wasn't an alien spacecraft hovering there, it was our momma Selma Jimmy Joe Bob VonHindenburg (one of her many maiden names). She had a little gas problem that day.

Oh yeh of little faith!

Yep, that's me. And I missed the faith class as I had been abducted by aliens while I was on the grassy knoll in Dallas.

Jani, who claims to have lived without food or water since his childhood

He's had zero nourishment since childhood and he's 82 now? I don't believe that for a second.

Just noticed that it might be able to be dropped off at the US Embassy in Bangkok. Anyone know if there is a tax attache there?

Nope, sorry, I don't. But I'm not sure why you're not thrilled with mailing it from Thailand. Just keep a copy and write on it the day you mailed it, that ought to do the trick (in the unlikely event Treasury ever asks about it).

The winner was heard from a few weeks back. He has been getting medical treatment and will be using the prize during high season this year.

Well, congrats to the winner. And who was it (asking for his posting name, not his real name)?

There were four posters who qualified for the drawing. The winner has not been hear from for several months. The owner has said that if he doesn't respond by June 1, there will be another drawing.

I actually did look through a ton of posts to see if I could find the answer myself but was unable to find any answer. Thanks for the info, that satisfies my mild curiosity.

I had a very slow internet connection at the condo in Hua Hin the last couple of months and was unable to access this forum all that often.

So.....

(1) Did somebody win the trip contest? (Unless my feeble mind is failing, I thought there was some contest amongst those (not me!) who posted 500 or more times).

(2) Why has the posting numbers dropped like a rock here? The contest being over?

(I'm just curious, not trying to offend anyone)

Strange article and not exactly something in my field of interest. After all, who really cares if some swami is showing his salami to some mommy?

To my knowledge Bell Travel Service has no booth/table at Suvarnabhumi, unless it is something new in the last few weeks. The Jomtien bus has a booth, but all Bell has is a small sign by some chairs where people wait for the next bus.

As I noted, I went to Pattaya via the bus at Suvarnabhumi just 5-6 weeks ago. And against the one wall was a table with a Bell sign and some Bell people there - and I got the impression that I could walk right up and buy a ticket from them to Pattaya (I didn't as I already purchased a ticket on the VIP public bus). There was some lady there with some paperwork, a cash drawer, and, if my recollection is right, a small sign reflecting the departure times and ticket prices. While I suppose it could have only been a meeting point, it didn't look that way to me (I didn't stop and ask).

What a bunch of morons. Why the Thai troops would open fire (presuming that's what occurred) is beyond common sense.

Then, again, the "gang-that-couldn't-shoot-straight" apparently didn't hit anybody. Not surprising at all.

I'm told by my Thai bank (SCB) that the answer is "no." One can put their "beneficiary" on the account as an owner but at least SCB tells me that I can't name the person as a beneficiary.

I use the 800k baht routine for my one-year visa and I've heard about all the nightmares in getting money back to the US in case of your death (it can be done but it's apparently expensive and a nightmare). On advice of a Thai lawyer, I simply made a Will (in Thai) to make sure my Thai beneficiary gets the money if/when I get nailed by a bus or whatever. He (the beneficiary} and the Thai lawyer each have an original Will (and, yes, I can change it if/when I should ever want to do so).

I simply don't want my beneficiary as a co-owner of my account. Mainly that's because I like to keep my personal financial matters private although I also don't know 100% that I can always trust him (the beneficiary) all the time. My beneficiary also has an account at SCB and I can transfer funds to his account online with the click of a mouse (and with no charge from the bank for doing so).

I may have been misleading. The mini van is only from home to the N. Pattaya bus station or from the station to home. From the N. Pattaya bus station to the airport is a nice air conditioned bus.

Or maybe I misread it. Thanks for the clarification - now I have no reason not to give Bell's service a try. I saw their booth/table at Suvarnabhumi and almost stopped there in the first place. Next time I will.

I have used Bell many times and have never had a complaint about leg room on the bus. The mini bus is a typical 9 seat minibus. Not the best for leg room, but the ride is short.

Thanks for the info. I'm sure the Bell deal is fine but, personally, I actually enjoy the ride more in one of the nice air-conditioned buses. More room, smoother ride, easier to watch the countryside, etc. But I very well may give Bell a try the next time I get the hankering to visit Pattaya (which, admittedly, is only about once every 2-3 years and then I can only handle it for 2-3 days).

I'm wondering if somebody can comment on the Bell bus (or is it a mini-bus?). What's the legroom like and how are the seats?

A few weeks back, I took the bus from Suvarnabhumi to Jomtien and loved that bus....decent seats and lots of legroom. On the return, I ended up in a bus from the north Pattaya station that, while air-conditioned, had much worse seats and almost no legroom (I'm still wondering if I could have found a better bus there).

So, yea, the Bell deal sounds inviting if the legroom and seats are decent. Like Lvdkeyes said, I wouldn't lose any sleep over the extra 76 baht (plus I probably paid most of that for a ride to the hotel from the bus station).