masuk

6 minutes ago, Airbagwill said:

Smoking kills twice as many people  as road deaths in Thailand 

It's by far the biggest killer in Indonesia; the average age of death of the male population was 53 not so long ago.

The smoking industry there has a lot of support from the Govt.  My high school students defended this as the govt propaganda extols the huge number of people employed in that industry.  That does not include doctors, nurses, burial services.

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

I saw them breath checking someone yesterday, it was about 11am.

wow!  let there be more.    The 1000 seater karaoke bar next to HILLSIDE needs a few of these at the various exits at throwing out time.

This must be one of the few ASEAN countries where alcoholic drivers kill more than smoking does.

10 minutes ago, samjaidee said:

I've been working in government schools in Vietnam for 10 years and haven't seen a child writing with their left hand. Here they're also forced to use their right hand. They also learn cursive writing from the start. No print writing. It's crazy.

I had a bit of culture shock when I moved to Indonesia to teach English.  Being a Muslim country (85%), it was a total 'no-no' to use one's left hand for anything apart from the rear end shower.

As a total left-hander since day 1, I had to adapt rapidly; accept or give money with my left hand, point with the thumb of my right hand, and most difficult of all, use chop sticks with my right hand.    I managed to do it, but not so easy.

However, I refuse to use the American version of the International Metric System, and a metre is a metre.   

3 hours ago, jimn said:

Proves how out of touch you are. Many people now call on video calling via apps like Messenger, Line, WhatsApp etc. This requires the caller to hold the phone so you can be seen and have on loud speaker. But being one of the old school you wouldnt know that would you.

Well, sarcasm aside, I've suggested a couple of times as people shout down the corridors of the condo, that they try turning the phone ON.   

On another occasion, I spoke to one hyper-loud lady that she not say anything too personal.

She looked quite shocked when I told her we could all hear everything she was shouting into the phone.     

17 hours ago, Blue Muton said:

But did the cop let them continue their journey without helmets? I feel stopping them from riding until they have helmets and for that matter valid licences and registration is the only way to change the mindset of those who don't give a shit about traffic laws.

The only way is the Viet way!!   Take their keys and impound the bike for 48 hours.

Then they may return, with nice helmet, (one per person) pay their fine and take their bike.  

2 hours ago, Oztruckie said:

Thai work skills at there best,reminds of the time a technician at a condo run a percussion still right thru the wall into the shower recess.

Sounds like Mr Bean, the builder!!

The rather important matter of increased CO2 seems to have been avoided.  Also another important factor is that the dust from coal smoke contains traces of mercury.  This spreads out over large areas, and crops such as rice would be contaminated.

19 minutes ago, atyclb said:

in colombia you must look left, right, up and down before crossing any road, same style as in thailand because drivers have little respect for pedestrians but colombian drivers are much more aware as opposed to thai's.  not infrequently the equation is . sabai sabai + mai pen rai driving = accidents    not say it happened in this particular case

Sorry, but in Thailand, you should look right, left, then right again.

Most of the country drives on the LEFT.

I loved the photo last year of an elephant wanting to play with an impatient motorist;  he sat on the car, which definitely needed a new paint job after jumbo had finished.  

3 hours ago, mikebell said:

Here's another question that will dumbfound a Thai; 'Do you understand how to work traffic indicators in your car?'

ii   Do you understand they are meant to be used before you pull out, not after?"

13 hours ago, rugbyjacks said:

Just grow coconut trees! Use your family savings to tide you over until they bear fruit in about 5 or 6 years!

Oh wait...

"Importing coconut products from other countries..."  ?

Reminds me of the old saying "Coal to Newcastle".

16 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

As if a lot of the drivers here are going to take any notice.

It's a good idea, and hopefully, if enforced, it will reduce casualties on the roads.

Good chance of the 'fines' kitty being greatly increased too !

50km/g hr is the norm in Australian built-up areas.   60km/h on other roads, 90km/h freeways and 110 intercity.    

To see hoons on large and ultra noisy m/bikes travelling at 80 - 90km/h in central Chiang Mai amazes me, but they're obviously relying on fate, as not many worry about helmets.

CCTV cameras which actually work, recording speeds and fines to match might possibly work.   

On 28/11/2017 at 7:42 AM, Lizard2010 said:

So have you ever been recently?
 

The nag is still finishing last these days at the races

The Chiang Mai Expats' Group is a good mixture of interests, monthly meetings with interesting guest speakers, a number of specialised groups, such as photography, computing, rather large breakfasts, small trips within the province.   

Give it a go.  You'll meet all sorts of interesting people.

1 hour ago, marko kok prong said:

Fools, but many times i have had often flash mercs or bmws come roaring up behind flashing their light's it's better just to move over,never get involved in road rage here.

It's quite common in Europe, for a following car to flash their lights to let you know they're going to overtake.   

I wouldn't dare try it in Thailand, with their super-short fuses.

3 hours ago, keith101 said:

Wow a toll of 1.5 baht per kilometer will certainly keep foreign vehicles of the Kingdom whereas a one off fee would keep tourists coming in 

If traffic fines were more realistic, and the actual money went into the treasury and not you-know-where, the whole country would be rolling in money, the hospital emergency departments would be looking for work, fewer funerals, fewer accidents. 

Drivers would have to learn that it's them who cause accidents, not fate.

14 hours ago, Topdoc said:

Here's a photo of the elephant, Phlai Ekasit

 

 

Is this a genuine photo of the bull elephant?  It's certainly not at the Chiang Mai zoo.

7 hours ago, csabo said:

It's a retic.  Get help to remove it from the drain and release it to a suitable environment.  One was recently taken from a drain in Saphan Hin in Phuket as it was lodged in what it believed was an escape route.  While it has a food supply it would be much happier in the wild.  Do go report it.

I would be very careful about where you sit!

4 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

A response easy to anticipate any country. The guys with noisy bikes are generally overcompensating and likely to be violent.

Transam being an exception of course I am sure he never left his ride rumbling and popping right were everyday folk were conducting business.

Like motorists with sound turned up too loud.   Supposed to be a sign of sexual inadequacy.

I stick to frozen veggies from New Zealand, available in Chiang Mai.   There are similar mixed vegs from China, but they taste different and I am not so sure about their pesticide rules.

On 25/11/2017 at 7:51 AM, Csaw said:

It's USD. Thought it was a giving thats its American when not specified. 5555 baht at current rates.4th floor, dont know about water. It's furnished, with WIFI and satellite TV. Not too far from the BTS too.

Oh come on now.  The USA is a long way from here.   You're not in Kansas now.

A lot of condos available, fully furnished, for 8000baht and above, power, water extra.  This city has an absolute glut of places to rent,  so bargain a bit or read notice boards inside buildings of where you're interested.

1 hour ago, Cadbury said:

Action in Thailand translates to "form a committee". 

The only action I ever read about is when Senior police are transferred to office duties.

On 04/03/2017 at 4:01 PM, dunroaming said:

Except most of the time it is not real Viagra.  It is a "generic" form of Viagra from India or China and it is dangerous.  It looks the same and has the same packaging much of the time and you buy it from legit pharmacies thinking it is the genuine Viagra.  Thai pharmacies are full of "generic" products being sold as the real thing.  Be very careful out there.

Two or three years back there was a government announcement that genuine Viagra was available at pharmacies in Thailand.   Production was increased and prices kept down, in order that people would buy the genuine article and not a cheap copy.

I can understand his frustration.  The soccer field in front of our condo has been converted to a hotel, with half an acre of hot concrete for parking and the local yokels roll in around 2am, talking loudly, singing.     

Then around 5am, the farmer type emerge, chattering and talking loudly as they load their transport.

Yet another hotel is being built opposite, and the builders start preparations around 6am.   Time to give up.

No, I don't like to close the windows, so it's out with the ear plugs or head under the pillows!

Maybe an old-fashioned potato gun??   

On 14/09/2017 at 1:42 PM, smew said:

Fake goods and fake banknotes the principle is the same, but most of us here knowingly purchase copies and accept the consequences.now consider this scenario: you just purchased a upscale copy Rolex and you paid 1300bhat with two genuine 1000 notes but your change was in fake notes: wouldn't that piss you off?

...and did you get a promise that a written guarantee would be posted to you?