BaronCasey

Unfortunate for the women involved, but it's nice to see the boot on the other foot for once.

Agreed. When they are many lovestruck expats losing their life savings every day in Thailand thinking they are supporting the love of their life and being left with nothing, it's kinda hard to feel sorry for this one anonymous woman (is she does exist) who lost nothing and the other women in the rumoured other cases.

Any Expat over the age of 45 that has or is in the process of losing their life savings because they are LOVESTRUCK .... deserves it! IMHO

Anyone of any age who marries a hooker deserves it..!

It looks like we need a miracle here - hang a minute, what about calling Super Bono and Sir Bob Geldoff...?! - Super Bono would get even more praise heaped upon him by an adoring fan-base, and Sir Bob could buy another multi million pound home to add to his already-expansive property portfolio..! And everyones a winner..!!

Thaimate, If you think Pattaya is a good choice place to bring up children, you're quite ill.

And your a fool ,my son doesnt hang around walking street ,we live in a quiet area with quite well off Thai neighbours ,and he mixes with other boys from his school , dont judge what you dont know.

The summary of your considered defense, quite satisfactorily demonstrates you're not well balanced. If there should ever be a town in the world that would enjoy having a sign saying "Adults Only", it's Pattaya. Admit it - that was what brought you here in the first place. Your either sick, or selfish, or both.

Thaimate, If you think Pattaya is a good choice place to bring up children, you're quite ill.

And is it not each persons option to have their own version of paying respect be it praying or some other form of respect? If you wish to ask for something in a prayer or ask for help for others that is your choice to do in any religious circumstance I can think of. What is right in your heart is right in this world. Just my 2 baht!

I agree – normally, it is perfectlyacceptable and natural for many people to have a relationship with a powergreater than themselves and interact with this ‘higher power’ or ‘god’ in themanner that they find most suits their personal interpretations and needs.

I also recognise that what manarak hasposted as “no god, no prayer, no blessing” is totally correct and in-line withBuddhist teachings. And that therefore, to wander from this, is detrimentalfrom the overall aim of on-going development of enlightenment.

But, of the five realms of existence, (onlyone of which is flesh and bone), one is clearly translated and presented as‘gods’ (plural).

When Thai lay-people have used the term‘prayer’ in broken English conversation to me, I’ve historically accepted thisas their term for reciting mantras. But I’ve often wondered, and guessed, thatsome prayer is also going on, not necessarily to Buddha himself, but perhaps tobeings in the some of the other realms of existence even though they accept theimage Buddha as the portal for this.

And when it comes to blessings, it’scommonplace to see Thai’s request them - play the shut-the-boxdice game with any bar girl and if she is one throw away from winning (usuallymoney!) they’ll regularly make a light hearted reference to Buddha when shakingthe dice to make them come up with the lucky numbers. And, if that’s not prayerseeking a blessing/reward, I don’t know what is!

I’d like to hear more thoughts on this, becauseit’s certainly not clear to me.

"...officials would catch the fish from the river and place them in privatelyrun fish farms first. After the situation improved, the fish would be released back to the river."

It all sounds a bit fishy to me...

“Kevin ran a very successful bar and was the sweetest man in the world. He had no enemies".

Yeah right - he was a Bandido! He may well have been sweet, but sworn enemies from rival clubs are inherited the moment you join a club such as this.

Evidently he was a complete plank... (boom boom)

Take your girlfriend to Sri Racha Tiger park and get her to talk to one of the keepers and agree on a price for a bucket of Tiger turds. And place these on the runs that the dogs use to enter your land. Keep the turds as close to your property as you can, so that the dogs will associate your land/garden with the tiger scat. My suggestion is to take an old paint bucket with a lid so you don't stink your car out. You won't be seeing the pigs again either!.

I think that all nations should take a lead from the way that the Russian Navy deals with these Pirates when they come across them - very, very, brutally. According to some media sources, when patrolling Russians identify offshore (in international waters) Pirates, they simply raid it for verification, and then just eliminate the boat and it's crew - I am led to understand, that old international sea laws, when bent a little , still permit this line of action. In contrast, the British Royal Navy, upon finding Pirates, sink their boat and guns, but return the crew, unharmed, to Somalian waters. During which time, the 'prisoners' are fed, watered, and given ciggaretes to keep them quiet. The philosophy being, don't antagonise these Pirates because they may start taking (Islamically justified) retribution on future hostages, and to date, hostages have been treated reasonably well in general. Personally, as a Brit, I preffer the Russian method. And I imagine most Brit's do too.

Any links...proof..articles of what you claim?

LaoPo

Of course not. 'According to some media sources' - 'I am led to understand' and other nonsensical nonsense. One thing in this thread is obvious - there are VERY few posters in it who've ever been to sea and who understand the logistics and conditions that apply to merchant ships in places like the Gulf of Aden.

I obtain most of my info from British broadsheet newspapers, and British documentary television, who, don't seem to have their reports disputed. And of course, one takes this information on face value (i.e. these media sources can't really afford the egg on their faces by getting their journalism totally wrong). Be my guest, do some searching of European origin, and bring yourself up to speed on international affairs ('not been to sea' - ha ha what planet are you from - Kentucky?)

did i say come ? this place is changing FAST and if at least one or one half of the reasons u r coming is / are the cute girls , i give that 5 years more at the most .

It's changing so fast 10 years from now you won't even recognize it. Most likely it will be turned into a huge resort for Indians and Russians. Most of the bars will be bulldozed and gone. Walking Street will be bulldozed and most of the western expats will be long gone.

Personally, I'd prepare for 5 years then think about other locations in Asia to retire.

I'm interested in your opinion, and I don't have one on this aspect of Pattaya, other than the fact that bar-girl scene has only grown since my first visits from the early 1980's onwards - what exactly do you predict, and why?

Think twice about purchasing a condo immediately. It's not uncommon for people to buy one, and then one or two years later, wish they'd bought in a different location, only to find that the market is awash with new condos and they just can't find a buyer for their own unless they take a significant loss. Rent for a year, and see.

Following which, Israel can no longer be forbidden by the USA to travel through Iraqi airspace in order to (once again) eliminate the Iranian nuclear program.

I think that all nations should take a lead from the way that the Russian Navy deals with these Pirates when they come across them - very, very, brutally. According to some media sources, when patrolling Russians identify offshore (in international waters) Pirates, they simply raid it for verification, and then just eliminate the boat and it's crew - I am led to understand, that old international sea laws, when bent a little , still permit this line of action. In contrast, the British Royal Navy, upon finding Pirates, sink their boat and guns, but return the crew, unharmed, to Somalian waters. During which time, the 'prisoners' are fed, watered, and given ciggaretes to keep them quiet. The philosophy being, don't antagonise these Pirates because they may start taking (Islamically justified) retribution on future hostages, and to date, hostages have been treated reasonably well in general. Personally, as a Brit, I preffer the Russian method. And I imagine most Brit's do too.

Bangkok can be explored for years. It's a very interesting city. And all around, are thousands and thousands of tourists all finding interesting things to do every day. Your girlfriend is right - you worry too much about nothing..!

This isn't 'World News". In fact it's barely a news item.

Sounds like there's quite an Iranian social club forming at the Bangkok Hilton. Nice, they'll all be able to go to prayers together.

No drinking? Mai sanook na ka!

I think you can enjoy yourself without alcohol.

Yes Dad......!

Sorry to sound a bit crazy, but I always get a bit irritated when people think that the only way they can have fun is to dull their normal feelings with some drug or another. While I understand that drinking can be a pleasant experience, this is only pleasant for others when the drinking is done in moderation.

Drunk, out of control, aggressive people are always the main problem when these kind of festivals happen across the world. It is the most serious problem that we will have this coming SongKran, and many moderate or dare I say non drinkers (including impressionable children) will bear the sufferance of a person that is so intoxicated that they are unaware of how much an ass-hole they are being.

If you can't have fun without getting out of it, then there is something seriously wrong with you (or your life) and you should probably go see a psychiatrist or something.

I ain't your daddy, but I do love my children, I won't be drinking this SongKran.

"...sound a bit crazy" Sound a bit miserable old Dad more like. "I won't be drinking this Songkran" What's that? - an ego statement to the forum. Live and let live old chap. If these young people want to party and let their hair down amongst themselves, get out of their way and go and buy some easter eggs or something. You might not like to hear this, but alcohol is a drug too, and you take it. And even before you have lifted the glass to your lips, you are already starting to bask in the comfortable glow that's about to embrace you. So let the people play!!!!!

I get it - everyone has to 'run the gauntlet' to get to a safety area, by which time you're soaking wet and covered in flour and well pissed off. You sit down behind the barricade, thoroughly disgruntled to read a wet paperback, dry your telephone, and smoke a few soggy fags with a bottle of soda paid for with dripping wet money. A little time later, once you've dried off nicely and wish you'd stayed at home, you leave, crouching beside little old ladies or stray monks for protection, and run the water gauntlet all over again. I can't stand the water throwing business, but I'm warming to the idea of sitting at the nearest bar to do a bit of ice-cold squirting at the inmates intimates.

Now then, Now then, Now then, (as the old white haired pervert Jimmy Saville used to say as he eyed up the young boys), is a picture starting to slowly form yet Jinngy?

Were you there when Somerville allegedly said this? An active participant?As you are a Pattaya devotee, I don't think you should really be pointing fingers at perverts.

It's 'Saville' not 'Somerville'. Look, people have relocated themselves to places all over the world without the emotional requirement of being a 'devotee'.

And on the subject of finger pointing, I consider pointing a finger at perverts to be the socially correct thing to do. Perhaps this is a sensitive issue for you...

Watch how the UN won't cancel the report. Because the UN doesn't really care about fairness and objectivity in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/goldstone-claims-of-israel-s-gaza-war-crimes-should-be-reconsidered-1.353630

Absolutely hilarious Jinthing - backing up your clear authoritarian credential by attaching a link to the subject matter in.... Wait for it folks...!!!! an Israeli Jewish newspaper......! How utterly broad of you! That's really funny. Honestly. Look mate, there's an expression that goes "if you need to ask the question, you probably won't understand the answer". Sorry old chap, I'm only trying yo help you.

Actually, out of curiosity, on the newspaper's web site, I chose to randomly open a section from the front page. The one I was drawn to was entitled Jewish World. There were about half a dozen stories in it. The first four listed as: (1) MI5 believed Jewish underground wanted to assassinate Winston Churchill (2) Some Nazi called Adolf and the holocaust. (3) Romanians and the holocaust (4) Nazis and the missing synagogue.... hmmm.

Now then, Now then, Now then, (as the old white haired pervert Jimmy Saville used to say as he eyed up the young boys), is a picture starting to slowly form yet Jinngy?

I'd love to see some old pictures of Pattaya before it developed into what it is today. My intro to Pattaya was in 1982. What I'd like, is to see some pics from the twenty or thirty years preceding then. eg, from the 1950's and 60's and 70's. Has anyone got any old ones that they can scan and upload? Bar shots, street shots, beach shots (no 'money shots' please, I find them rather distracting!)

One acid tab too many......

I'm sorry gents, but I cannot accept that ladyboys and their consorts are part of the heterosexual scene. And I do have something against them personally, though sexually I find them repugnant; they are the source of a much larger percentage of the local crime than their percentage of the population. No, I don't have statistics to back that up, but I have 4 friends robbed in hugger/mugger situations, which is out of all proportion to other crimes.

I have said this before and I will repeat it - putting your favourite sheep in a dress is still bestiality, and putting your boyfriend in a dress is still homosexuality, whether he still has a penis or not, and no matter what he thinks he really is. Homosexuals apparently wish to disown them as well, which brings us to the concept of bisexuality. IMO by interacting with a man who resembles a woman, the bisexual man can pretend that he is still "straight" until he no longer needs the pretence. Bisexuality is much more common and accepted than "pure" homosexuality in many cultures.

Out of curiosity Oz, how frequently are you finding yourself repeating to people "putting your favourite sheep in a dress is still bestiality"?

And four separate mates, each of them robbed by a ladyboy. Hmmm... no smoke without fire Oz. My guess is that when your mates are not thinking about farm fertilizer, they're secret ladyboy fanciers. Mind you, even the hellish looking ones on Beach Rd are better than a sheep and a well-used can of WD40.

Come on OZ, now that you know what you're mates get up to, you can have a go too - fair dinkum mate!

Please disregard this post since I got 12 people to pick up the dogs now the owner wants money for the dogs...............Some people! Sorry to any of the people that replied.

How much does she want for the young uns?

Not sure but I am a little disappointed in her after having 15 people reply & now she wants to make money on them so we are & probably won't be talking for a while. Had she had been up front about selling instead of needing to find homes for the dogs I still would have helped her- but having anyone misrepresent themselves for personal gain is unacceptable.

This is a breed of very tough little working dog that was bred to work on it's own initiative. They are clever and fearless. As such, they need to be given plenty of individual attention and reminded 'who's boss'. Without this, they can be ruthless little buggers that won't easily respond to attempts of new owners to re-train them. Never take a dog like this from someone who has fifteen of them because they can not possibly have been given appropriate education. For god's sake - fifteen...!?