LanxangBillybob

I had just been arguing with someone about what "the average family has two and half children" meant.

Now I get it, so that's 5 of these half children you are talking about, right?

That means my brother was right again. Batcrap!

1. คำนึงถึงเพื่อนบ้านบ้าง กรุณาย่าส่งเสียงดั่ง

2. กรุณาย่าปิดประตูดังปัง

ขอบคุณที่ร่วมมือ

Yeah, I think "โอเคจะเล่าเรื่องต่อ" would work. Or try "จะกลับมาเล่าเรื่องเดิมต่อ"

You might be thinking of Hat Sai Thong closer to Rayong.

Seems rather obvious he was making a joke about Brunei because he is reluctant to reveal the real reason for going there, which is likely to be business related.

That could be true, or maybe - as the diplomatic face of Thailand abroad - he was trying to show regional neighbors that by selecting his destinations in a seemingly arbitrary way he's not picking any out as favorites, which may be beneficial when coming to negotiate with them over some issues.

nice observation

Thailand's backtracking after seeing how bad the China-Laos link has gone. Smart move.

Nice pics. Looks like it'd make a nice getaway.

How many days is it for?

Okay...back with another question.

What is the meaning of แก่ in this sentence? (old?)

อือ เพื่อเห็นแก่ความกตัญญูของเจ้า เราจะเว้นโทษแก่เจ้า

Uh.... because I see the gratefulness of thee. I will withhold thee's punnishment.

(hahaha...pardon my use of thee thee's...not sure of my own English grammar)

เพื่อเห็นแก่ here means 'for the sake of'

"As evidence to the contrary, he released his scheduled appointments for Tuesday, which confirmed his whereabouts and showed there was no time for any unscheduled meeting."

Oh, well in that case...

The test in France is complicated for a reason, they drive like nutters there just like Bangkok if not more so and the penalties for driving badly and accidents are much worse than here in Thailand, you would be better of doing things the correct way, including her learning the french language, the French people generally shun the English language and if you wife was to be involved in an accident or encounter any problems would you not want her to be prepared?

Hardly any country will exchange the Thai licence if any.

You can obtain a Laos driver's license at the Ministry of Transportation across from Pratu Xai. It will be the first building directly through the gate with the guard at it. There will be a counter to the left. Have your wife show them her Thai license and tell them she would like a Laos driver's license. She may have to pay around 35,000 kip or more. If for some reason they won't give her one, her other option is to take a driver's test. Not hard but time consuming. Keep in mind that Thai drivers come into Laos everyday and use their Thai driver's license. Hope all goes well.

The signs were put up just around the time a car with a loudspeaker was driving around with the same message. There were also these newspaper-like pamphlets with a big picture of hell on the cover (not that appealing) being handed out. Apparently it's a localized Thai church that's doing it.

No matter how you feel about it, why get all upset and emotional about it? The fact is, we have to share this planet with people who have different beliefs and ideas. When they express those beliefs and ideas, why act like it's some violation of our rights?

When they wickedly scare young innocent children, by telling them that they are already miserable sinners and will go to hell, with its fires, tortures and damnation for ever, if they don't constantly praise and worship some supernatural mystical being in the sky, that sees and monitors their every action 24 hours a day....then it's a violation of children's rights, of which we should all be concerned.

You make a valid point as far as preaching hellfire (a doctrine invented to keep churchgoers and those of other religions in line). My point was that the people here in Thailand aren't all up in arms over it. They are tolerant, they are emotionally intelligent (more so than many foreigners). Reading between the lines, some look at the Thais as naive, uninformed. Some have suggested that they're being taken advantage of. Give them more credit than that, please.

Also, as far as all the bashing on this thread, when I read the title 'I Thought I Could Get Away From This' I thought it would be attacking the very bigotry that this thread is now propogating. The other point, basically 'people should keep their own beliefs and ideas to themselves' is hard to take from someone using this thread to do just the opposite.

The signs were put up just around the time a car with a loudspeaker was driving around with the same message. There were also these newspaper-like pamphlets with a big picture of hell on the cover (not that appealing) being handed out. Apparently it's a localized Thai church that's doing it.

No matter how you feel about it, why get all upset and emotional about it? The fact is, we have to share this planet with people who have different beliefs and ideas. When they express those beliefs and ideas, why act like it's some violation of our rights?

Dental Home Clinic?

100% recommended

I believe the ban prohibits visitors from bringing alcohol into the parks. It doesn't prohibit vendors inside the park from selling.

Hi Doc,

I think you'd be best off going to Talat Khua Din which is just east of the Talat Sao bus station. But you have to get there early for good prices. Also, if possible, have a Lao friend do the buying for you.

Vang Pao, a former general of the Royal Army of Laos who many Hmong (especially abroad) look to as their leader passed away on January 7th. He's well known for leading the Hmong who sided with the CIA during the secret war in Laos.

Go to Walen. They accept credit cards.

As far as their method of teaching, the advantage to it is you start learning to think in Thai from square one. For example, instead of attaching 'prakaa' to the English word for pencil, you attach it directly to the object.

That's not to say that this method is for everyone, but it does have it's advantages.

เขามีบ้านหลังแรก Correct

เขามีบ้านแรก Incorrect

เขาอยู่บ้านหลังแรก Correct

เขาอยู่บ้านแรก Correct

That is an interesting puzzle. I was thinking that sentence #4 is correct because it translates as 'He/She is living in his/her first house (as opposed to a second or third house they own)."

The second sentence is incorrect because it would be strange to say "He has (his) first house." The meaning isn't the same as the first sentence which translates "he has the first house (as opposed to the second or third house on the street)".

However, I think the second sentence in spoken language could be used to mean "He has a first family."

This explanation is certainly open to criticism/confirmation. I look forward to seeing what others may have to add.

Nice catch. What did you catch that on (if you don't mind sharing)?

I moved here in 2003 when I was 25. It was a great move all in all, but adapting was tough (especially the first year).

There's been some really good advice on this thread. It's a good idea to come and 'check things out' without immediately making the big move. I decided to come for 6 months to see how things would go. I got some contract work while here and then just stayed. I had a good friend take care of things for me back home. Eventually he helped me sell my belongings there. I have done contract work on and off since then, but I also had to move to Laos on contract for a couple of years. Now I'm back in Thailand.

Reading your post made me think of myself when I was first contemplating a move. One thing I always kept in mind is, being young, if it doesn't work out, you can always move back. You've said you're not interested in starting a family at the moment, so that should keep things from getting a bit more complicated here.

Best wishes on your decision.

The traffic from Khon Kaen going south is much heavier than Chiaphum-Chumpae traffic, thus the need for a wider highway. I think many visitors are pretty impressed with the overall condition of roads. But just like in the U.S., you can't expect grade A highways everywhere.

There was a surprising announcement in Laos a couple days ago that Bouasone Bouphavanh resigned a few months before his term was to end. He said it was due to "family problems."

Thongsing Thammavong took his place. He was the president of the National Assembly.

Hi Ben,

Could you give an example where 'อ' is transcribed as short? Thanks

"call for a fresh general election if peace prevails in Thailand, the economy improves and, most importantly, election rules are acceptable to every concerned party"

Does anyone see these conditions possibly being met?

Those midday trains are free. The problem is you can't get a ticket in advance, you just show up and hope you get a seat.