Marriage Business

[Nereus]

Ok you lot, is that why you got married? I can not believe some of the crap some of these jokers come up with. I really like the bit about the foreigners overcharging other farangs!

http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/t ... ?id=120687

Bangkok Post, 7th August 2007:

Marriages to western men cause of concern

THEERAWAT KHAMTHITA
Chiang Rai _ Tying the knot with western men might be a dream come true for many local women who believe it is a ticket to lifelong financial security.

But they might be merely marriages of convenience for both bride and groom, according to Prachan Sakorn, chairman of the Maeyao tambon administration organisation (TAO) in Chiang Rai's Muang district.

He said there was growing anxiety that some westerners might make business gains through marrying local women. There was need for a close watch on possible business takeovers by ''western sons-in-law''.

He said the recent marriage of three couples _ western men and Karen women _ in the Karen-run Ruam Mitra elephant camp in Muang district was a case in point.

The wedding was not a problem, but he wanted the elephant camp's owners to make sure there was no foreign dominance of the business or unfair treatment of tourists, especially overcharging for tours on elephant back.

Isae Saewa, chairman of the Elephant Mahouts Association at the Ruam Mitra camp, said elephant-back tours had gained favour with foreign tourists.

His association had 34 elephants to cater to nature lovers who want to trek through the forest on elephant back.

Three foreign men, from France and Switzerland, had decided to marry Karen women, leave their own country and settle in Thailand.

''I don't think it is a problem if some westerners hold shares in the camp business side by side with the elephant mahouts, or marry local women and help look after the business.

''We have effective control measures to prevent any would-be foreign capitalist from taking hold of the local business, which has been run by Karen people in Ruam Mitra community for more than 20 years,'' said Mr Isae.

Meetings with the mahouts to learn of their problems and find solutions to them were held regularly. The association also sought cooperation from the Maeyao TAO to help preserve the business.

[PeteC]

I saw that also and just shook my head. Sometimes an article like this one comes along where I'm overwhelmed by what I would like to say but simply don't give a damn. It's not worth the effort.

I do like when he said..."any would-be foreign capitalist"...we ain't "would-be's" puchai, we are the real deal, born and raised to make money. We'll not only take your women, but your business too, bar the doors and lock the windows, the farangs are after our pachyderms, both two legged and four legged....LOL. Pete

[Condoking]

The wedding was not a problem, but he wanted the elephant camp's owners to make sure there was no foreign dominance of the business or unfair treatment of tourists, especially overcharging for tours on elephant back.

Me thinks there is a far more sinister plot afoot. Note there are 2 French and a Swiss, countries not often associated with elephant handling. I suspect a cunning plan to get revenge on Hannibal who invaded France with his elephants some 2200 years ago. The French are not renown for rushing matters, particularly invasions, Tunisia had better keep an eye on this one.

[STEVE G]

Does anyone know if Elephant husbandry is a prohibited occupation under the Foreign Business Act?

[Chas]

This is just a weird news article! It smacks of something from a novel, though it is not well written enough. (Wasn't there a movie a while back about two British soldiers becoming kings of some remote Indian tribe. .starred Michael Caine I believe ( not much of a clue I realize, as EVERY British film made during the last 50 years stars Michael Caine) Anyway, reminds me of that scenario.

I think condoking is on the right track with the link to Hannibal.

And you just have to wonder what "control measures" they have in place. ( "Control measures"??. .TIT!)

[lomuamart]

Chas,
The film was "The Man who would become King". Michael Caine and Sean Connery. In my view a "classic". Couple of likely lads up in the Himalayas.
SteveG,
Reckon you're right. Animal husbandry is not allowed for farangs - except for specialists:
http://www.expathuahin.com/jobs-huahin.php

[Bamboo Grove]

In some places of this fair country, some people are charged 20 Baht to get in, some others have to pay 400 Baht. I think the authorities should check these places whether some dubious farangs have married their owners.

[lomuamart]

In some places of this fair country, some people are charged 20 Baht to get in, some others have to pay 400 Baht. I think the authorities should check these places whether some dubious farangs have married their owners.

Last month, with my farang friend who has bungalows down south, the four of us went to a waterfall near Phuket.
My friend said he'd get in for 20B as would our Thai wives. However, he wasn't sure about me. It could be 400B.
Fortunately, after some conversation, I was let in for the 20B as well. The Rangers were told that I worked in Thailand and they didn't want any proof. My friend had his Work Permit etc with him. I was just told to keep quiet.
Anyway, I forget the name, but the waterfall was great and we stayed there for an hour or so.
So, yes, on this occasion the horrible farangs bent the rules. However, I enjoyed the waterfall for the same price as a Thai. Were we bad?
I swam in the same water, bought the same cigarettes and pissed in the same toilets as everyone else. Other than the colour of my skin, I certainly couldn't see much difference between all of us.