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Mr Alan
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I thought that Netherlands and Holland are the same country, just different names for the same thing, like USA and America.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:26 pm on July 19, 2003
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cmore
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You are correct bro ( There goes my geography merit badge ). Peace
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 6:29 pm on July 19, 2003
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jimaz
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Actually, Holland is just part of The Netherlands, but for some reasons the entire country is often referred to as Holland.
I'm sure our dutch brothers and sister can clarify this.
Az Jim
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:39 pm on July 19, 2003
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Mr Alan
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OK, lets get technical. Technically speaking, Holland no longer exists.
Holland was formally was a kingdom (or something like that) that is now part of The Netherlands. The old Holland now makes up 2 out of a total of 12 provinces that are The Netherlands.
Some purists take issue with calling the Netherlands the same as Holland, but many inside and outside the country use the names Holland and The Netherlands interchangeably. For example, The Netherlands Bureau for Tourism, uses the website http://www.holland.com. Many other governmental institutions do likewise.
So technically, Holland nor longer exists as a separate legal entity (since it is split between two different provinces). But in the colloquial terms of the locals, being from Holland usually means being from one of these two provinces.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 7:23 pm on July 19, 2003
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haam sup
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Yeah, but they're raising visa fees in Thailand...(just to get this geography lesson back on topic).
In addition, I have read a couple of posts to the effect that they will limit Tourist Entry stamps (30 day on arrival) to 6 consecutive, after which you will have to leave the country for 6 months before returning...
Here's what I think:
One possibility is that they want to corral all the 'evil farang' into the usual tourist areas, drain their vacation funds, and be done with them. ÝProbably a conservative 90% of those who arrive on a 30 day visa-on-arrival are punters, plain and simple. ÝA few more fancy themselves 'adventurers' and go to Samui, or an up-country province. ÝBut most don't leave their 'comfort zone'. ÝI think this is just peachy with the Thai government, as they tend to blame everything on evil farang influence.
In any 'cultural exchange' there will be, well, EXCHANGE, i.e., the farang will be changed in some small way, but so will the Thai he/she encounters. ÝI don't think this is peachy with the government, as they tend to blame everything on evil farang influence.
So, they encourage the largescale dumping of tourist bucks in Sukhumvit, and Silom, and soon, Ratchada (you didn't think they were building that subway for Thai guys to get to Poseidon, did you?). ÝAnd they DISCOURAGE long-term, quasi-legal residence. ÝThey figure, if you have the price of admission, you probably have a better reason to be there, than love of Khao San Road, or bar-stool warming. ÝMaybe you have a business, which might (must) employ Thais, or some greater assets to bleed from you. ÝWhatever, you are more likely to be a net IMPORTER of currency, than a bad influence/parasite/hedonist/deflowerer of young Thai girls.
Some time ago, I was roundly booed for tweaking CalifDann's nose over his whining about Thai net censorship. ÝCan anyone else see why spouting off about stuff like that, over which you have no influence or control, might lead to a backlash of some kind? ÝWhat Member of Parliament would have his heart warmed by vocal foreigners, stirring up the pot? ÝHow hard is it to make the leap to the conclusion that if you're not in Thailand to spend your cash, and have a good time, but rather to become a gratuitous social critic, you may wear out your welcome?
So, guys who have nothing better to do than spout their Western-dominated, unrequested opinions on Thai institutions get to pay for the privilege (in spades). ÝPresumably, it will help refocus these guys toward the likes of Cambodia, where knowing better than to shoot your mouth off is basic survival. ÝI note that SOME of the loudest critics were, indeed, all fired up about Cambo.
From a Thai point of view, good riddance. ÝThe problem is that all non-Thai look alike (almost, to Thais), and will be painted with the same brush.
All this means to me is that my plan to stay in country for at least a year, study Thai, and learn more about Thai culture will cost me 3x in fees, and a more complicated plan. ÝIf I want to stay, it will cost me $2200-$5000 (depending on my marital status) just to get a residence book.
Anyone notice that it's ALWAYS the farang at Songkran who gets carried away, and turns it into a fistfight? ÝThe Thais notice. ÝEver know a GTG who likes to go to Khao San Road with her friends, the same way we like to visit a zoo, to gawk at all the strange creatures?
This is way too preachy, and likely to fall on deaf ears anyway, but no one should be surprised at fee increases. ÝUnfortunately, I believe it's merely the tip of the iceberg.
Go ahead, re-arrange the deck chairs...
haam sup
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 8:45 pm on July 19, 2003
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Packripper
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Good post, although a bit farang-centric opinion of the Thai government's opinion. Ý The element that needs to be most eliminated (or at least reduced) is the non-western falang criminal element. Ý Western falangs who overstay tend not to be able to organize themselves into criminal enterprises (with the exception of some eastern European/Slavic groups). Ý They tend to just teach English and spend all of their salary. Ý Ah, and there's those 2-3 Euro guys who make porn with bar girls. Ý Ý(sooner or later -more likely when they start making some real money- someone is going to put a gun to their heads for a share of the profits.... don't they know porn is mafia controlled?) Ý Not exactly a big problem for society. The boiler rooms, wannabe drug dealers, and scam artists tend to be very quick, one and out criminals. Not a long term problem.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:00 pm on July 19, 2003
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Ballsburstin
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haam sup,
Unfortunately, I have to agree, I think it also may just be the tip of the iceberg. I wonder what impact it will have on current expat residents, some of who work within the local salary ranges (including some current and past members of the forum). Also makes me wonder a tad about my own retirement plans and longer term plans with my TGF.
I guess the answer is to make so much damn money while I still can, so that I have some buffer against this stuff in the distant and not-so-distant future. By it does certainly cluster-f_ck your year-in-LOS budget. Mai dee.
- Balls
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:02 pm on July 19, 2003
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Mr Alan
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Most likely, the Thai government, like all governments around the world these days, are in financial difficulities and just need more revenue. So they raise the fees. Probably nothing else behind the motive.
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:05 pm on July 19, 2003
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Smegma
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Quote: from Mr Alan on 6:26 am on July 20, 2003
I thought that Netherlands and Holland are the same country, just different names for the same thing, Ýlike USA and America.
Wrong in both cases. 
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is at present made up of Holland, the Netherland Antilles and Aruba (yes, Aruba is not part of the N.A.). When you go to Aruba, you are not going to Holland. And when you go to Holland you are not going to Aruba; but when you go to either Holland or Aruba, you are going in both cases to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Just as the USA and America are not the same -though most people on daily English lingo mix them (but just because millions of flies eat shit it doesn't make shit right). But I am tired of this one and we have discussed this on the board before.
I wonder what would happen if one day France changed its name to United States of Europe. Would then France become Europe and the French be the only ones to calls themselves Europeans?
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 1:28 am on July 20, 2003
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Mr Alan
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A person from the USA is called an American for two reasons.
First, America is part of the official name of the country (United States of America), and is the only country where that is the case.
Second, it is awkward (and incorrect) to call them United Statesians or some other ridiculous name.
Perhaps you would prefer United States of Americans. I don't know why some people are so anal about this.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 1:49 am on July 20, 2003
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