Vintage_Kwai

I don't see why the dentists should make a fuss. The issue here I think is radiation safety, where the OAP (Office of Atomic Energy for Peace - office around Chatuchak and has been there since time immemorial) want to have the radiation workers controlled. Which should really be the case. They will be issued with a film badge and have these monitored - does not cost an arm and a leg for this service. Also, having x-ray equipment registered and having someone responsible for the equipment - and not the operation - makes a lot of sense if this is not already in place. They do need maintenance and monitoring. The dental x-ray equipment typically runs only around 60 -70 kV for a split second, unlike the industrial units I have used before that can go up to 300 kV and can be set to run for minutes...

Well all the pavement space where the vendors used to sell food were cleared almost a month ago in front of my soi. The good thing is there is space in the market behind for them to rent. note I said rent. Many of the people selling stuff on the pavement in the evenings were older people who had obviously taken home-grown veggies from their own little gardens to supplement their life. Don't see them any more, nor do I see the unusual veggies some of them used to sell..

Could be worse. 'Give me the money or I'll take my shoes off in the bus!'.. But seriously, begpacking starts at home.. Back in 1980, I took a trip to Perth (Australia) and spent a month there (took me two years to save up for that). I was surprised to find a lot of the locals were on the 'dole'.. Enough to survive on, so most didn't bother working. Also found that many of them crowded together in a low rental place, and when they had enough, flew off to Bali for a couple of months till the money ran out.. To repeat the cycle..

Yes. And s-a-nake, and so on. They will try to spell a word in their own language and get tripped up with the English pronunciation. Note that many English speakers have a problem with 'ง' -ng sound. If that wasn't so bad, Bahasa also have a 'ny' sound..

Pronunciation depends on how the language is spelt, and in what language. In English, Pattaya would typically be broken into three syllables, Pat-ta-ya. Depending on where you come from, accents can be on the first or second syllable.. In Thai language, however,it is spelt as พัทยา where there are only two syllables and the 'a' between the two is a very quick one, almost part of the first.. พัท - pat, ยา - ya. Join them and you get the Pat-a ya. Hope that helps

Having all those bits hanging out is a bit of a turn-off for me. Thought it was due to 'over-use' and would never have imagined people actually doing that on purpose.

Been to Amsterdam around the time, had some Dutch guys in the Mermaidium at the time, even they were surprised..

Oooh! The Mermadium, Nana, when there were still mermaids swimming in it. Circa late '80's.

Yes, Flash. Memories. When I first introduced my brother to the nooks and crannies way back when. Think there was an Indian place just round the back? Race Course Bar, Patpong, run by a friend back in the '80's. The other one opposite with the 'egg' getting old, memory sometimes fails me. Three Roses, Nana. Many friends, some passed on. The place next door, most of the girls came from the same village. DC10. Spider's Web. Dollhouse at Clinton Plaza. Didn't fancy any of the other places there. Those were the days. Oh, and the Federal Hotel coffeeshop. With some friends who were Vietnam vets.. Now gone.. However, have not been for years. For whoever is there, I'll raise a glass for the occasion at home. Unfortunately it's the price of progress

Yo, Stickman. Visiting Thailand?

How sad. Another historic landmark on the chopping block. Though not a frequent visitor, it has it's own charm. As did the Intercontinental in it's day. Remember walking around the area back in the day before the World Trade Center was even built..

Yes, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

There are many more Thais who do speak decent English, but they are in polarized markets such as bank or phone service provider help lines. DTAC comes to mind. The other thing that needs to happen is for them to resolve the uni entrance examination criteria - it is, I believe, still in Thai and though there have been half-hearted mumblings as to change I do not see this as a real agenda. This is a major stumbling block for those who have enrolled in and paid a much higher premium for the English Program. I speak from experience and wrote a short article for Stickman's website voicing an opinion on the eduaction system and the worries of a concerned parent. Wonder what it would be like if a Thai tried a similar stunt in the Bible Belt?

Always enjoyed his ramblings as someone who told it as it was, and wasn't worried about all the flak.Though sometimes would wonder how he could put another twist in an already convoluted trip report and the almost expected outcome..Though we never met, RIP.

KS, I used to work in Huay Kwang until about two years ago and there was always this policeman who was directing rush hour traffic in the soi behind Bangkok Hospital, always a smile on his face. Regular drivers (myself included) would always wish him or wave at him and he would respond in kind.He even remembered me on foot when I broke my elbow (in a cast, couldn't drive) and would give a friendly wave. Dying breed, unfortunately

Banks charge (too much!!) for counting money; I used to have a small sideline with those phone top-up machines and a coin-operated petrol bowser out in the boondocks that used to generate tons of coins. The best places to change them into notes are the petrol stations (at least upcountry) and your local 7-11. If you're lucky the 7-11 staff will count the coins for you if they're desperate enough. Another place used to be the AIS counter at BigC upcountry; they never ever had enough coins.. Difficult to find coin-sorting machines here and they cost way too much if you're using it as a one-off. My two baht worth

Not Sillypore.. it's still five years..

RM, I got PR mainly because both my children are Thai citizens and I have been here this long. The PR is valid for life*. While I still need a work permit if I want to work, there is a lot less paperwork involved. It is only if you intend to travel that the fees become an issue - the re-entry permit and stamps do cost but it ensures you keep the PR status. No problems at the airport coming in, I believe I now qualify to use the electronic passport control and can bypass all the long lines. I know someone who has been here 18 years and has never left; he just goes to the embassy every 5 years, gives them an old, unused blank passport and gets a new one done. *as long as you stay here and don't want to leave. No reporting, no additional fees, no annual stamps, nothing.. Stay as long as you want..

BB.. everything is relative. Anyway she got to keep the phone and while I may have perhaps been rather generous during the time I spent with her, they were happy times while they lasted and I have no regrets. She now has her freedom to do as she pleases, as do I. And the program is still on her phone..

Not everything is spyware but could be construed as such at times. Yes, it is too easy to install (and hide) applications. I use Android, but I guess as long as the phone is not 'rooted' or 'jailbroken' a full factory reset should remove the offending software.In most cases. I installed a anti-theft program on the phone of my then mia noy as it was a fairly expensive one, and showed her (and some friends and neighbours) how I could locate the phone on google maps without the user being aware the phone was being accessed. I *could* also download all the contacts and messages if I had so wished but didn't. I can still find that phone's location today..

I have PR and have had it for many years. You can get a multiple reentry permit, valid for one year, I think it would be folly to get a single entry. KS, do you relly want to vote in this place?

If you're planning on finding out more about Hua Hin, you could sign on to the Hua Hin Forum. It's somewhat like this one insofar as that it's like a small village pub, but the members are more Euro oriented and have both a Nordic as well as Euro section...

Flash, its popular with the Thais because of all the Japanese style stickies and icons.

Goes to show how many people actually read the fine print. Only registered two months ago under pressure from the other half but have only used it a couple of times. LINE is very popular with the Thais. SG and MY users seem to prefer WhatsApp, which is on my phone. I still will not cave in and get Farcebook or Titter. Oh, and people actually get upset when I turn off my phone...

On the upside, I stood in my garden in Bangkok till way after dark and was not bitten by a single mosquito...