Thailand Thread

[*Robert* 2]

Uhhhhh. my wife? LOL! I'll ask her where she heard it from. She seems to know some people who are quite updated and know the extended story past the news media (the why's).

So now you are married and applying for a K-1 visa?!

LOL!! We posted the same thing at the same time. Bored minds think alike....

Yeah. Even though I know he's not, it's not something one should get used to saying when applying for a K-1 visa. Guess some people think everything's better or more official when you call someone your spouse!

There are more Cambodians in the US compared to Thai. I'm surprised that there are no Cambodians here often on VJ.

You are welcome here!!! regardless of the border conflic.. Thai and Cambodian are brothers and sisters anyway.

Sister Anya! Always the lady!

[HYENA 4]

He's definitely a huge crook. I guess alot of Isaan people consider him some kind of Robin Hood.

I don't know anyone from Roi Et (Isaan) who doesn't think he's a crook. It's just they literally had no and likely will have no representation without him. Even if his motive was buying votes, likely it was...it still saved people's lives (the baht health care card, free bus rides which have made the difference for poor working Isaan in BKK).

If someone else came out of the woodwork and was determined to help all people, I think it would be a landslide.

Now for that reference. I asked her a couple hours ago and she said "everyone knows that...the news is biased and once a leak is made, everyone knows because Thais like to talk (but if it wasn't true, someone would lose face for making it up)" She put 2 and 2 together and it does make sense. The King, for the first time didn't intervene and the Princess initiated paying for hotels for protesters and stranded tourists alike. THis helped the business in BKK in a big way, calmed the tourists down and gave room and board for protesters.

I guess it's like anything...when rumors were spread about our leaders then a lucky shot something is proven.

Regarding this color of shirt for each day of the week; sounds like a BKK fad to me. Isaan loved the king and the family a whole lot but they felt abandoned with this latest yellow shirt airport stunt just as the economy was coming to a screeching halt, they closed all the airports and it crippled many businesses.

My wife was also telling me of Thakisins other stunts and other things that angered the Northern people. Apparently Thaksin paid off Thai debt with his own money with promise of Thailand to repay him then some stunt was done to leave him with no money, no repayment as promised. Don't forget I'm agreeing he's a downright crook. They say--- but also who's not? Every single government overthrow, they rob the treasury and pay their buddies who got them in, then change the constitution to make it legal. They're all crooked. The royal family inaction is what angered the north because this was a first...especially when they were on the news saying Isaan people shouldn't be allowed to vote because they're so stupid, uneducated and there should be an education requirement to vote. unfortunately education costs money. My wife had to leave home at 12 to work in a sweat shop because they had no food (not a little food, NO food) so it is a money thing-the school; the have's and the have nots. On top of that, the current president said to kill em all. THat REALLY pissed off the red shirts because nothing but support was given to the yellows but you've got a president saying "you will suffer no recourse if you kill the protestors". Apparently this was before things got out of control. My wife said a true Thai president would typically try to calm both sides and bring about peace. Never before has a president said to kill em all (he really said this...on the news). The red shirts said "Oh you want violence, we'll show you violence" then it got way out of control.

If you put yourself in their shoes, Thaksin, no matter how evil is all they've got. Yellows win and get their paws in the constitution and isaan may lose their vote and any poor people's benefits to give them a leg up on equality. it's far more complicated but that's the jist of it. They've fighting for equal opportunity and equal rights and trying to hang on to voting and political rights. It's not like the legislature is filled with equal representation and equal weighted votes there. They really have no representation and the alternative to their crook is worse.

Edited April 21, 2009 by HYENA

[daboyz 36]

He's definitely a huge crook. I guess alot of Isaan people consider him some kind of Robin Hood.

I don't know anyone from Roi Et (Isaan) who doesn't think he's a crook. It's just they literally had no and likely will have no representation without him. Even if his motive was buying votes, likely it was...it still saved people's lives (the baht health care card, free bus rides which have made the difference for poor working Isaan in BKK).

If someone else came out of the woodwork and was determined to help all people, I think it would be a landslide.

Now for that reference. I asked her a couple hours ago and she said "everyone knows that...the news is biased and once a leak is made, everyone knows because Thais like to talk (but if it wasn't true, someone would lose face for making it up)" She put 2 and 2 together and it does make sense. The King, for the first time didn't intervene and the Princess initiated paying for hotels for protesters and stranded tourists alike. THis helped the business in BKK in a big way, calmed the tourists down and gave room and board for protesters.

I guess it's like anything...when rumors were spread about our leaders then a lucky shot something is proven.

Regarding this color of shirt for each day of the week; sounds like a BKK fad to me. Isaan loved the king and the family a whole lot but they felt abandoned with this latest yellow shirt airport stunt just as the economy was coming to a screeching halt, they closed all the airports and it crippled many businesses.

My wife was also telling me of Thakisins other stunts and other things that angered the Northern people. Apparently Thaksin paid off Thai debt with his own money with promise of Thailand to repay him then some stunt was done to leave him with no money, no repayment as promised. Don't forget I'm agreeing he's a downright crook. They say--- but also who's not? Every single government overthrow, they rob the treasury and pay their buddies who got them in, then change the constitution to make it legal. They're all crooked. The royal family inaction is what angered the north because this was a first...especially when they were on the news saying Isaan people shouldn't be allowed to vote because they're so stupid, uneducated and there should be an education requirement to vote. unfortunately education costs money. My wife had to leave home at 12 to work in a sweat shop because they had no food (not a little food, NO food) so it is a money thing-the school; the have's and the have nots. On top of that, the current president said to kill em all. THat REALLY pissed off the red shirts because nothing but support was given to the yellows but you've got a president saying "you will suffer no recourse if you kill the protestors". Apparently this was before things got out of control. My wife said a true Thai president would typically try to calm both sides and bring about peace. Never before has a president said to kill em all (he really said this...on the news). The red shirts said "Oh you want violence, we'll show you violence" then it got way out of control.

If you put yourself in their shoes, Thaksin, no matter how evil is all they've got. Yellows win and get their paws in the constitution and isaan may lose their vote and any poor people's benefits to give them a leg up on equality. it's far more complicated but that's the jist of it. They've fighting for equal opportunity and equal rights and trying to hang on to voting and political rights. It's not like the legislature is filled with equal representation and equal weighted votes there. They really have no representation and the alternative to their crook is worse.

Jeez. Looks like I'll have to write another Essay when I get off work tonight. Response forthcoming.

[HYENA 4]

I refer to her as my wife (too much time in Thailand...I'm sure many you know who have spouses may never have their marriages registered but no one blinks an eye). That's what they call us over there...husband and wife. No it's not recognized by the government but it is socially and family and friends. In the carnal sense and social sense (not legal sense) we're married. I like the Thai way...live together and you're good as married (otherwise you're using each other)--poor but loose translation. The majority don't bother registering marriages unless property is involved. her parents and grandparents never registered theirs. We did the full ceremony already in THailand but never registered so we're not legally married so we legally answer NO on the applications. People do the same in the US but it's more often than not (at least up north) not to "legalize" a marriage. People have ceremonies all the time without registering. It depends if you're a carnal, religious, legal or social interpreter of marriage, I guess.

My wife was married before for 5 years but the law office we used knew of this and asked "paper marriage or marriage" and she said "marriage" so they told her answer "no" on the "have you been married before" question. This was the first I knew most from her area don't "paper" marry. Her parents, grandparents, sister and brother and all the neighbors (except one) are "married" but not "paper married". so that's why we're doing the K-1...no paper there or here yet.

[HYENA 4]

Jeez. Looks like I'll have to write another Essay when I get off work tonight. Response forthcoming.

I'll save u some time...Thaksin is a crook...if someone would rep the north they'd win but Thaksin bruised the economy in a big way and the reds are idiotic to tout him as their leader. I'm with ya. Winning hearts and minds, put yourself in their shoes (trust me, he's a convicted crook, I'm with ya). I think he'd be better at the rap ya posted! LOL! Mr T's Criminal Jams!

[*Robert* 2]

Jeez. Looks like I'll have to write another Essay when I get off work tonight. Response forthcoming.

I'll save u some time...Thaksin is a crook...if someone would rep the north they'd win but Thaksin bruised the economy in a big way and the reds are idiotic to tout him as their leader. I'm with ya. Winning hearts and minds, put yourself in their shoes (trust me, he's a convicted crook, I'm with ya). I think he'd be better at the rap ya posted! LOL! Mr T's Criminal Jams!

Now that we have that settled, we can move on to solving world hunger.

[HYENA 4]

Sorry to change to topic. Anyone ever flown Air China? There is an extremely cheap ticket from BKK to SFO (350 +tax) but I don't want to sit in misery for 25 hours if I can avoid it. Although the 9 hour layover in Bejing might be nice, never been to China. Can anything be seen done in 9 hours there?

USCANdual have you ever flown Israair... I want to avoid a plane like that, where the seats are so close together even the 4'10 girl sitting next to me felt uncomfortable. We got ready and were walking out the door at 6:30 this morning to pick up the visa when I decided to look at the card they gave us, and realized it said to come at 3:00, oops. Thanks,

Noi (end quote)

I have no idea how to shrink quoted stuff without messing up the format!

I've never done it but my next trip will make sure the point of entry will be better than Dulles airport (customs are a little gestapo-ish, while Baltimore was much better)

I think the best airline is the fastest cheapest one...but if you have a choice, I'd go with anything BUT an American owned company because they're more reliable and don't nickel and dime you (and won't leave you on the tarmack for 3 hours so they can "say" the plane departed...too many games with US airlines. Sure, I'd fly communist China air any day over a US (are the seats really that close, though)?

I'm flying Isaan Airlines next time. http://isaanair.com/

Edited April 21, 2009 by HYENA

[*Robert* 2]

I think the best airline is the fastest cheapest one...but if you have a choice, I'd go with anything BUT an American owned company because they're more reliable and don't nickel and dime you (and won't leave you on the tarmack for 3 hours so they can "say" the plane departed...too many games with US airlines. Sure, I'd fly communist China air any day over a US (are the seats really that close, though)?

I'm flying Isaan Airlines next time. http://isaanair.com/

Good luck getting a flight from Bangkok or Udon Thani to the US.

Is there a reason for inserting "communist"?

[bill13060 0]

last time i went to Thailand, i flew with china airlines. was not that bad. i would say it compares right up there with japan airlines. food and service was bettter also. i'm 6 foot tall and was not uncomfortable at all.

[HYENA 4]

I think the best airline is the fastest cheapest one...but if you have a choice, I'd go with anything BUT an American owned company because they're more reliable and don't nickel and dime you (and won't leave you on the tarmack for 3 hours so they can "say" the plane departed...too many games with US airlines. Sure, I'd fly communist China air any day over a US (are the seats really that close, though)?

I'm flying Isaan Airlines next time. http://isaanair.com/

Good luck getting a flight from Bangkok or Udon Thani to the US.

Is there a reason for inserting "communist"?

While not a governing body recognized by P. R. China's constitution, the Party's position as the supreme political authority and power in P. R. China is realized through its control of all state apparatuses and of the legislative process.

Just saying I'd fly Cuba air over any US carrier given all the games and nickel and diming the US carriers play making it miserable. If you've ever been stuck on a tarmac for 3 hours only so they can sey they "departed" playing a statistical game, you'd feel the same way. I've spent days (put together) sitting on tarmacs where the plane is going nowhere only so you don't take advantage of the ticket reciprocity (if it's the airlines fault you're late, you have a right to use your ticket on ANY other carrier if it's not weather related...another game they play blaming it on weather and you have to catch them at that frequent lie to utilize your rights and find another carrier). Our laws are OK but they work against us leaving big companies to play the system at the cost of paying passengers.

I'm feeling very, very very down about this USCIS crud. I contacted my senator's offices again and the white house again today to see if they can give me something other than canned responses and misinformation. Feeling very down...can't even get a NOA2 and I sent it in July!!! I'm technically an August filer and nothing.... Now these idiots want 60 days just to respond to a "where the hell is my file" request...nothing to do with adjudication to get my NOA2...they want 60 days just to tell me the status of why it's taken 8 1/2 months awaiting nothing.

[daboyz 36]

You know Isaan air is not real.

[HYENA 4]

You know Isaan air is not real.

Sure, i fly them all the time! Love em..they play morlam and give you grass hoppers after watching the live muay thai fight. It's a grand time! LOL!

[daboyz 36]

You know Isaan air is not real.

Sure, i fly them all the time! Love em..they play morlam and give you grass hoppers after watching the live muay thai fight. It's a grand time! LOL!

Just checking.

[HYENA 4]

last time i went to Thailand, i flew with china airlines. was not that bad. i would say it compares right up there with japan airlines. food and service was bettter also. i'm 6 foot tall and was not uncomfortable at all.

That really is good to know. I hadn't heard much about them. I did Korean air. If you ever fly them, they left 20 minutes EARLY and arrived in Bangkok 1 1/2 hours early. I'm not a fan of the food, though. The only spice they give you is in a bottle and I used all that up (the stewardess acted surprised and asked "you really like spicy food?" I guess we all have our stereotypes. Their food was similar to US country food (grits, turnips, etc). Thai air was the absolute best but they don't fly direct to NYC anymore (bummer). I did have 3 seats to myself on Korean, though. Flight over stank because they kept waking me up to put my seat up every time they serve drinks (all the other airlines know the tray tables don't move when a seat is moved) but this one stewardess seemed to be a control freak. The return trip was completely different and the staff were a lot nicer. Iguess an opinion of an airlines can change just that fast but many only recall the negative flights and learn from there. Me included...more bad experiences considtently (individiual and policy related) making passengers low on the priority list. I think anything is a step above a US owned airlines, though. It is good to know China Air offers decent service. I'll keep that in mind!

[*Robert* 2]

You know Isaan air is not real.

Aw now... you mean that

Our flights and services are accessible to everyone and everyone is treated equally. We do not charge for anything but the flying fare. It is only based on mileage. That is the only rule we have! always same fare everyday and for everyone. We offer free onboard services from IFE, somtam, sticky rice, and much more. Enjoy our comfortable leather seats with generous seat recline and leg room. Yes your still thinking? we sure give you the whole soda can and a wide choice of exotic fruit juices.

is all a lie?!