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Vintage_Kwai

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Everything posted by Vintage_Kwai

  1. KS, some of us have been here too long. I almost got caught out of curfew when Big Su (Suchinda) decided to bring the tanks out; fortunately the roads were empty and I got back home with minutes to spare. Note that comms were absolutely useless back in the day, but I was fortunate to be able to get permission for a 12' satellite dish (courtesy of my wife's position) so was able to watch the whole shebang unfold off the Indonesian satellite.
  2. Nice one, Coss. Will peruse later, enjoyed the first 5 minutes. Didn't know you also could write Thai script..
  3. ☺️ Yes, travel is a hassle these days. Since my last visit to SG pre-covid, I've had two stent procedures and one cataract done. One waiting list for next one. As for relaxing, I have a collection of (semi-vintage) organs, most around the 30 year mark, to keep my mind on track. The neighbors also like to walk around in the evenings so I get a bit of exercise too. Though the wife prefers the treadmill. Just don't want to get flooded out again.. (2011 was bad, wife rebuilt after we raised the land). Hanging on here with nowhere to go and not really wanting to go anywhere anyway..
  4. KS 2022 post basically sums it up for me. I can't think of a better place for me at the moment, and I've been here over 30 years. Time does fly. Singapore is just too expensive to go back to, I only visit because mum is still alive. Last time I was back I was quite peeved with the amount of Tagalog and mainland mandrin being spoken. The only thing I miss at times if the hawker food. Malaysia and Indonesia are definitely out, even though I speak the language. It's the bumiputras that put me off. Have not explored the Indochinese regions, don't think I ever will. Thailand is still affordable, we own the house, both kids have now finished uni so no major obligations. I have PR here so no major visa hassles. I'm also tired of traveling so am quite content to mosey on over to the 7-11 for a couple of beers to relax with. Still have to deal with some medical issues, but these are also affordable to treat here so am in no hurry to rock the boat. My two baht worth.
  5. And how many will back up and hit you again to make sure you've popped your clogs because • they don't have a license • the vehicle has no number plates • a funeral is a one-time cost with no protracted payments spanning an extended period of time
  6. Merry Christmas 🎄😁 Thai360
  7. Used to go there from before it became an institution.. Favourite hangouts for me at the time was Club 392, a shop house at 392 Orchard Road, just a few doors down. Then there was Tropicana, just around the corner from Lido, Jockey's Pub afternoon jazz jam sessions, and the infamous 'Ang Teng' Red Lantern at Clifford Pier. Fun days.
  8. I'm resident here, so any time is good as long as you can get enough people together.
  9. Hey, Stickman, I remember your get-together at Nana, was actually hanging on to a strap on the Skytrain on the way there and later realised it was you just a few feet away on the same train. Also a few trips down to Bradmans (think it was called something different back then) met with KS, Coss and yourself. Another get together was organised by the now defunct Schoochers crowd; met up with the likes of Phet, Union Hill, Marc Holt - fun days. However, that was a long time ago, I don't go into town unless absolutely necessary and the flashing lights and chrome poles don't hold the same appeal any more. If you (KS, Stick?) do think of organising something I may just drag myself over just for the hell of it. Still mostly in Bangkok. Cheers! VK aka Sick Water Buffalo
  10. I don't see any clown suits or big red noses?
  11. Bubi, I am Singaporean, and am, as yet, not vaccinated. Though waiting in the queue. I am appalled at my government's push for the mRNA vaccine from a particular country and any attempt to get a different vaccine, even if you pay for it, is rejected. Even to the point of you not being registered as vaccinated if you choose the other vaccine. I am not anti-vax, but would like a choice between mRNA and more traditional vaccination procedures. It is only recently that other vaccines are being recognized, but you have to pay our of your own pocket. Imo, the track record of mRNA vaccines is not particularly good and many of us who do have underlying health conditions would prefer the more traditional route. The push to force a particular vaccine on someone is also, in my opinion, unethical. And to deny them rights as a citizen to food and freedom of movement and work is even more so. My opinion, you are welcome to agree or disagree. No difference to me.
  12. The QR code is basically a location tag. When I went to Fashion Island on Sunday, they used the LINE app to scan me in. When at HomePro you had to scan another QR code, so basically they have an idea where your phone has been at a certain point in time. Tried to log out later, worked at HomePro but not at the mall itself. Apparently it's just linked to some sort of survey which I didn't bother with. I suspect that if you don't have your phone with you, you just fill in a form with your phone number. Will probably try next time with an old dumb phone that doesn't have a camera but still works, just to throw a spanner in the works, so to speak..
  13. I went to the mini Big C to get a couple of bottles just after 11 this morning (and after my haircut) and the guy in front of me picked up 5 cases. Just behind him was another guy with just 2 bottles. He said he liked a beer after dinner, and probably like me decided to go a little early just in case some muppet had a change of heart and decided beer sales were off later this evening.. At least I'll be able to end the drought with a sip or three this evening,,
  14. My Thai is also decent, but I started learning in adulthood so I don't expect to be anywhere near where they are, even after more than thirty years here.
  15. Yesss!!! I think the decision has also been prompted by fears that many people will start to resort to homebrew hooch if the ban is continued, and that, in itself, could start a different kind of epidemic..
  16. Jumps in... Too painful to watch. Poor bloke, only in Thailand for a couple of years, and living in the typical Youtuber bubble.. Certainly not in touch with the 'real' Thailand, he has a relationship with a well-to-do Thai and her family, can cycle around every day if he wants to, and knows just enough Thai to make him stand out like the typical Youtuber he is. The content is based loosely on comments from most other furriners' hard luck stories. Well, you typically don't see the success stories being glorified in any chat group, Farcebook or your typical social media platforms. In my books, avoid with barge pole. Train wreck no matter which country you're in.
  17. One hopes this board will continue as is. Though I am not an active participant, I drop in on occasion just to see how things are going on. Many old names are long gone, I remember their posts with a sense of nostalgia. Part of the reason the board is the way it is is that many of the board members have actually met up socially. I did attend a couple of get togethers at that Aussie place; Stick walked in a bit later and Coss had just had his teeth done.. Though I did spend more time contributing to Stick's website, and did meet up with other contributors through the get-together and also the short-lived Schoocher's website. As KS infers, situations have changed as have priorities - though I am still in Thailand I am seldom in the capital for any length of time any more. Family also tends to take precedence over social outings. I, for one, would not like to see the board go the way of the dodo, so please keep it the way it is. (Would have posted earlier but couldn't remember my password - it came to me at 2:30 a.m. last night)
  18. Good on you, giving up the fags is quite a stressful experience. Have had on on-off then on again and now off for at least five years, think I'm off them for good now. Have scaled back the beers to almost nothing and bought a mountain bike for exercise as the treadmill didn't do my knees any favours. Having three heart stents done recently probably gave me the motivation to make a fairly dramatic lifestyle change so guess I'll be around a bit longer to stick my head in on occasion. Have a happy and healthy New Year Cheers VK
  19. Went from being in the middle of a large roundabout, to a traffic light intersection, which changed to and intersection with tunnel, and was basically a parking lot for government vehicles the last few years. The past year or so has been part of a construction site for the extended electric train so I think is being 'moved' to make way for the MRT station slated for that site. It is of less significance than that of the Victory Monument (where they built the track to go around it) so in some ways no surprise.
  20. PS, my views on learning Thai, and it's usage.. First off, I am a firm believer in that if you stay in any country for any length of time, learn the language! Now, with that off my chest, I will tend to agree with Stick, KS and Flash in that you will find it to your advantage to speak Thai, but only if you speak proper Thai and not bar gibberish. It helps if you read and write the language too. I've never had any problems in dealings with government officials; in fact the immigration officer I usually deal with for my PR status recognizes me and greets me every time I see her. Ditto the people at the local market, supermarket - even hospital!! I've contributed an article on this particular subject to Stick's website ages ago but I think it is still as relevant today as when it was written. Though under a different nom-de-plume of Sick Water Buffalo. But as you say it is always better to size up the situation first as there are times when I would rather not acknowledge the fact I understand the language. It's called tact.. Cheers VK aka SWB
  21. I prefer offline maps, and am using Sygic on my Android phone. Think they also have packages for iPhone. Does not cost an arm and a leg and has lifetime free map updates, unlike Garmin and other service providers. If you lose your data connection you're in the dark until back online again. Although Google Maps does allow you to download for offline use these days. I use both as each have their strong and weak points. Note that when using navigation your battery life will suffer.
  22. Haha. Thanks for that, made my morning..
  23. Yes, KS is correct, condos only need provide for 40% parking. Re misuse of moobahns for both parking and passing through, I have yet to stand outside my house with a machete since some numpty has found a convoluted shortcut through my moobahn and it has become a defacto shortcut during morning and evening rush hours. And in similar vein, the BIB aren't too keen to enforce the peace. Maybe I'll invite those aunties over for tea one day.. hehe.
  24. G-Spot was definitely back center. Not one of my favourites, though. I preferred the Three Roses and Hog's Breath next door. Good music, unlike the techno pop they were playing everywhere else. The DJ also had some morlam stashed away, this used to really energise the girls.. Hehe. For spectacle, the place of choice was the Mermaidium, before they the drained the tanks..
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