maxmiller

sounds like a great place to be watching the Rugby and having a few jars, where exactly is this Irish Pub? thanks

We are guests in this country (stated ad nauseum)

n.

• One who is a recipient of hospitality at the home or table of another.
• One to whom entertainment or hospitality has been extended by another in the role of host or hostess, as at a party.
• One who pays for meals or accommodations at a restaurant, hotel, or other establishment; a patron.
• A distinguished visitor to whom the hospitality of an institution, city, or government is extended.
• A visiting performer, speaker, or contestant, as on a radio or television program.
• Zoology. A commensal organism, especially an insect that lives in the nest or burrow of another species.

Lots of variables, but no TIT's.

The lad behind the counter typed in the details by hand, apparently all that happens when they are overdue is that the barcode won't scan.

In all the time I've been here I never knew this, but it's very handy to know - thanks.

Do you know if it applies just to TOT or can it be done to any bill?

500 baht for sure will work. US$10 is on again - off again. Back in July they accepted 2 well-used $5 bills--certainly not crisp. But just yesterday I gave them 500 baht because I had no dollars. If you have both, offer the $10 first, and you will save some money. If they don't take it, then give them the baht.

I was told in late December by a Burmese customs official that they would accept $10 if you don't go shopping in Burma but insisted on 500 Baht otherwise. I don't know if this is policy or just one customs officers rule.

The admission fee is not set by customs officials, immigration officers or border guards. It,s set by the Burmese government and it is $10.

However, not being an opportunity to be missed 500 Baht will be greatly appreciated or even insisted upon, if you want to get in.

I think the only reason for foreigners to follow these reports is so we know what roads to avoid during they demonstrations. We don't have a vote and our opinion really doesn't matter. I think it's best to respect both sides opinion and just stay out of it.

Spot On

:thumbsup:

Just reading

'Why Marx was right' by Terry Eagleton

very interesting reading, a discussion of how capitalism has become so violent, extreme and oppressive that there is no longer hope for the poor and disenfranchised.

Considering your avatar, I would be very surprised if you disliked this book.

The DK Books in Chiang Mai is a good shop but I personally prefer the Suriwong Book Centre near the south eastern corner of the moat for new English language books and it's excellent selection of maps.

Gecko in Chiang Mai has nearly always had what I've been looking for and often books that no-one else wil stock.

I watched the religious intelligence squared debate between Tony Blair and Christopher Hitchens (which Hitchens won hands down), which prompted me to re-read God Isn't Great again today, which I liked even more after hearing him debate his case.

Khunblue:

What were you cleaning them with? I also got non-scratch, coated lenses and my optician told me to to never clean them with cloth but to use toilet paper or similar tissues to dry them after rinsing with water and soap. I have been religious about that and the glasses are 10 years old (my prescription has not changed over the years) and the lenses are as unscratched as they were when I got them. Of course, if they didn't tell you how to properly clean them, bad on them.

David

In Europe they tell you the opposite and advise washing, let them dry then polish with a good quality soft optical cloth.

Some of that toilet tissue scratches my rear, so I'm not certain about using it on high quality lens.

You're in Thailand now, you have to hose your glasses off the same way you do your rear..

I'm a "sunglass person" and only buy genuine polaroids, some of which scratch very easily. They have to be washed and dried carefully.

I never buy the really expensive ones as I usually lose at least one pair a year or sit on them and break them.

Been in Thailand for enough years to be able to do my rear and glasses at the same time, whilst brushing my teeth.......a smudge now and then, but hey TIT.

Khunblue:

What were you cleaning them with? I also got non-scratch, coated lenses and my optician told me to to never clean them with cloth but to use toilet paper or similar tissues to dry them after rinsing with water and soap. I have been religious about that and the glasses are 10 years old (my prescription has not changed over the years) and the lenses are as unscratched as they were when I got them. Of course, if they didn't tell you how to properly clean them, bad on them.

David

In Europe they tell you the opposite and advise washing, let them dry then polish with a good quality soft optical cloth.

Some of that toilet tissue scratches my rear, so I'm not certain about using it on high quality lens.

The opticians on the opposite side of the road are good, looks like I can't write their name but it has an orange sign. They have a good promotion too, buy one get one, my wife recently bought some new glasses which were 9000 for the frames and 2000 for the lenses and I got a pair of 10,000 Ray Bans free.

That's nice, an 11,000 Baht pair of glasses for only 1,000 Baht (taking into account the "genuine" 10,000 Baht Ray Bans)

Is the shop still in business?

I might be a newbie on this forum, but believe me I've been here a long time, many years.

Driving can be initially daunting, but once you get used to the 'Thai rules' and forget about the official 'Thai traffic rules' or any other country's rules, then everything falls into place. In all my years here I've had near misses, but I don't think it's any harder to drive here than in many congested European cities, where the only difference is the astronomical fines for traffic offences. Go with the flow, merge, be wary of flashing lights, stopping at red lights, watch every soi and take care of your fron't and side.....the guy behind will be taking care of his front and side.......hopefully!

No problem, there are nice places there, there's no rule that says you have to take the kids down Walking Street at ten o'clock at night.

Many foreigners live and raise their families there or nearby, the furthermost corners of Thailand aren't everyone's cup of tea.

Absolutely!

The good thing about Pattaya is that the 'naughty bits' are at least concentrated and you can find nice areas away from there.

The way people speak, you would think Pattaya is the only place in Thailand that nookie can be found.

Strange newbie post...I know, but hopefully it gets better.