flare

If you're an adult who's working out to build muscle and trying to fit in five or six meals per day, protein powder is practically essential as it's easily digested (especially hydrolyzed protein, which is what I use before and after a workout as it's metabolized in under 40 minutes), allowing you to take in and digest large amounts of protein in the 16 or so hours you're awake everyday (it's almost impossible to digest five or six full meals- I count a protein shake as a 'meal').

This isn't recommended for children, though, except in cases of kids who suffer from ADHD, where research has shown a high-protein diet helps their concentration levels.

As others have said, trying to introduce more calorie-dense whole foods into this child's diet is a better option.

I was rail-thin until my mid-twenties, but eventually added muscle to my frame through exercise and diet (that included protein supplements)- unless this child has been diagnosed with a specific medical condition, don't try anything unusual without a doctor's recommendation.

Louse, have you been drinking (it's a bit early...)? I tried running your last few posts through Google Translate, but it wasn't any help.

^^

The law that forces you to ride in the left reduces your margin of safety. If you cruise in the left-hand-lane in Thailand (where it's generally less safe to do so than the right-hand-lane) to avoid a violation even though it decreases your margin of safety, please don't brag about your skills or years of riding (I've owned one motorcycle or another continuously over the past 25 years in three countries- like you, including several years in Japan and 15 accident-free years riding sport bikes over 1000cc in Thailand)-, so don't play that game with me as it won't work- I don't rent a bike once or twice per year and brag about it). I not referring to your 125cc scooter that doesn't have the power to flow with faster four-wheeled-traffic. Why would you think it's safer to be in the lane where traffic is constantly exiting and entering the road?

If you think cruising slightly faster than traffic while on your bike is incorrect, you're uninformed as to the safest way to proceed on the street. Allowing yourself to be constantly overtaken means you have to rely on the skills of others to pass you safely- if you're moving slightly faster, you not only have greater control of the situation, but you also increase your visibility. It has nothing to do with being 'frightened' (again, nice try at ad hominem), but, rather, it has to do with taking as much control of the riding environment as possible.

As you claim to love riding your post seemed hypocritical (as did your response to my post) so I called you out on it.

I was going to say 'Lets go for a ride' but then I realized you don't own a motorcycle.

I have been told by a reliable source that they are putting speed and observation cameras around the entire moat. They are going to get addicted to all this new revenue, and we are going to see CM blanketed with these cameras over the coming years.

Great! Let's hope they ticket not only speeders, but people making right turns from left lanes, left turns from right lanes, failure to use turn signals, and failure to stop for pedestrians.

Perhaps. Which will mean that all the folks who are crowing about these cameras will be getting nabbed as well. Som num na.

Yes... but ONLY if they are breaking the law. It's actually pretty easy to go through life without breaking the laws every time you drive a motor vehicle. So easy, in fact, that one has no need to even worry about it!

Really- so as a 'skilled motorcyclist' you strictly stay in the left-hand-lane at all times? You drive the speed limit even if traffic is flowing above it and let yourself be constantly overtaken even though it's safer for a bike to be moving slightly faster than traffic?

Are you making that point for cars only?

You can certainly make a valid argument regarding not driving/riding at very high speed for safety reasons, but a blanket statement about not breaking the law in general seems silly when there are road laws in place in Thailand that actually reduce your margin of safety. As a rider you do what's necessary to keep yourself in the safest possible position regardless of the law, or don't consider yourself to be skilled.

I break the law every time I ride my motorcycle to increase the chances that I'll keep the hard parts off the pavement.

I am familiar with the road as far as the police station, Doi Saket temple area. Around that area i turn off to go to the dam. I dont travel down that road often as i travel by bicycle. So thats where my viewpoint comes from. Vehicles doing 87mph flying past me. Travelling slowly along this road you will see the locals crossing the road and going about their business. The city is moving out. Around about 2000 i used to go do a monthly visa run to Mae Sai. It was all fields and country side after the San Sai turn off. Now its housing estates, shophouses and big stores filling in the open spaces. In the next 10 or 20 years it may become one big suburb all the way to Doi Saket?

I am not anti car but i would say the speed limit needs to be dropped on that stretch of road to reflect the urbanisation. Its not the motorists fault that thai road planners dont think of other road uses than cars or the communities that the road cuts in two. A big chunk of motorists dont give a damn for other road users and are oblivious to what the road is like for pedestrians, old people, children packed into a songtaoew, motorcyclists experience with endless speeding cars and pick ups doing 87. If the motorists put themselves in their shoes for a day they might actually be happy to stay within the speed limit. They might think its the right thing to do!

Whoever suggested losing your vehicle for a month or two if you get caught drink driving, or losing it for x amount of days if you are well over the speed limit, that is a brilliant idea. I think it will work really well in Thailand. The shock and inconvience of losing your aircon metal box for a week! Standing on the side of the road trying flag a songtaow down,. Getting hit by the vortex after the speeding traffic flys past. This a much better deterrent than a fine.

I didn't think you were a driver. I'm on that stretch of road weekly (usually on my motorcycle, not my 'aircon metal box'), and I rode it yesterday morning- we have very different views of it. I think the road should be reassessed and the limit should actually be raised to 120kph on that section as the layout easily allows drivers to safely proceed at that speed. It's a major thoroughfare, not a bike path- there's ample room for bicyclists if they'd like to use it (the recent a fatal accident was caused by a drunk driver, not someone in control of herself and her vehicle- it was a needless tragedy, but I don't think it's relevant to this argument- considering how little traffic there is on weekend morning and how good the sightlines are in that area, even at 150kph you'd have to be drunk to not see and avoid a group of riders), and it doesn't need to be repurposed for bicycles. It's a two-lanes each way road (with additional run-off on the left, not to mention a third lane in the newly-black-topped section), and there's room for everyone who'd like to use it with an ample safety margin, even at 120kph). Further up of down the road it's a different story, but not in that section.

I have no issue with you fighting for your cause, though, nor do I mean anything against you personally- if I rode a bicycle I'd likely be singing your song instead of mine. I'm still waiting to be able to (legally) ride my motorcycle in the right-hand-lane.

I've recently been to the location in the OP twice and to their new Canal Road location twice- I had three great meals, but the last one was below par for the place (not terrible, but not up to their usual standard). I would atill re commend the place, but not with the same enthusiasm I had before. Maybe it was just an off night, but the sushi lacked its usual freshness.

400 baht is way too low a fine. 4000 might be a deterent? Someone mentioned on another thread that the temporary loss of your vehicle for x days or weeks whould be the best way to stop drink driving but it would work just as well with speeding. You pay the 400 baht fine and they say you can collect your car in 7 days or whatever. The convience might be very effective?

Maybe they could establish a dedicated 'speeder's prison' where your sentence would be determined by how many kilometers you were clocked above the limit- that would be really inconvenient...

This thread gives me the desire to hop and my bike and fly down that stretch of road at the double-ton. Who hasn't gotten a speeding ticket in their lives (most people have, except for every poster in this thread minus the OP, Prism, and myself- maybe we could share a cell)- if I got nailed by a speed camera, I'd sure like to know exactly where it happened so it doesn't happen again- why trash the guy who asked? I didn't see him making any excuses or feeling sorry for himself, and he wasn't going insanely fast in that particular spot, which is straight, has excellent sight-lines in both directions, and has very little traffic- it's not like he was doing laps around the moat.

87mph or whatever it was is not a good speed. The road isn't a motorway or autobahn type road. Houses and shops on either side. Are you aware that pedestrians have to cross this road. Locals trying to cross and u-turn on an old beat up Honda Dream. Riding against the traffic. Before you race down doing double-ton get out of your car and try crossing the road as a pedestrian or doing a u-turn on a bicycle or motorcycle loaded up with kids going to school. Its not pleasant standing on the side of the road waiting for a gap in endless 87mph pick ups and cement trucks traffic. Totally different world to inside your car with the aircon and stereo playing flying along at 87.

You're obviously not familiar with the stretch of road in question- drive down it sometime and see if you still advocate the confiscation of vehicles exceeding the speed limit on it. Like many roads, it has sections that dictate driving under the limit, and sections where the limit can be safely exceeded (i.e. the section on which the OP was cited). It has little traffic during much of the day (practically none in the early morning on the weekend). I doubt the OP was flying through rush hour dodging cars, as traffic flows at a high rate of speed there in any case- 120+ is the norm. There are certainly many areas where your description above would be accurate, but not the one being referred to.

As far as the camera goes, I think every person who's read this thread will be sure to slow down as they pass the area where it happens to be (if it's ever determined)- I sure will, and if I decide I can safely exceed the limit after passing it, I'll speed up again.

400 baht is way too low a fine. 4000 might be a deterent? Someone mentioned on another thread that the temporary loss of your vehicle for x days or weeks whould be the best way to stop drink driving but it would work just as well with speeding. You pay the 400 baht fine and they say you can collect your car in 7 days or whatever. The convience might be very effective?

Maybe they could establish a dedicated 'speeder's prison' where your sentence would be determined by how many kilometers you were clocked above the limit- that would be really inconvenient...

This thread gives me the desire to hop and my bike and fly down that stretch of road at the double-ton. Who hasn't gotten a speeding ticket in their lives (most people have, except for every poster in this thread minus the OP, Prism, and myself- maybe we could share a cell)- if I got nailed by a speed camera, I'd sure like to know exactly where it happened so it doesn't happen again- why trash the guy who asked? I didn't see him making any excuses or feeling sorry for himself, and he wasn't going insanely fast in that particular spot, which is straight, has excellent sight-lines in both directions, and has very little traffic- it's not like he was doing laps around the moat.

I was on the 118 on my bike early this morning (about 6:30am, when it was mostly empty)- I also thought there might have been a camera near the weigh station (I might soon find out as I passed it a fair clip). If that's the case it's going to generate a substantial amount of revenue as traffic (non-TV posters, of course;)) tends to move well in excess of 110kph on that stretch as the road is straight, the pavement is in excellent condition, and there's very good visibility both ways.

I'll take a closer look the next time I pass by (probably next Sunday morning when I'll get my ride in before the heat descends on us).

That would explain the confusion I had with my GPS a few weeks ago when the road sign and the info I was getting weren't in synch.

Pursuant to the comments of the officials not letting you cross if they aren't willing to let you back in, I should have noted in my previous post that I crossed on a public holiday when it was extremely busy with Thais making the trip over for the day- I wasn't sure of which line to take, and I followed the crowd, where I was 'stamped out'. Upon my return I was pulled aside by a very annoyed official who wanted to know who had allowed me out (I had to point out the line and desk I used)- I was told that as they knew it was gong to be very busy that day they had people without proper training manning some stations and I shouldn't have been let out via that particular line (it wasn't noted if I would have had an issue going the proper route)- it was almost funny as they tried to make it seem like it was somehow my fault, when the person manning the desk clearly made a mistake (how he failed to notice my US passport amid a sea of Thai documentation I couldn't tell you;)). I did notice later that the line I took was for Thais only, and that the desk for foreigners was temporarily unmanned.

I suppose they were obligated to let me back in- perhaps if they hadn't made the initial error, I wouldn't have been let out in the first place.

I can only post of my experiences 'yesterday';) but, while they let me cross there (and back the same day) in January, I was given a lot of grief about it and told I wouldn't be able to do it again. I had brought my marriage certificate and other paperwork with me and explained that I was going to apply for my new visa within a couple of weeks (which was true, and which I did), but I needed some extra time before starting the process. Eventually the official relented, but it was tense for a few minutes. Like you, I had previous long-term visas (the stamps were noted at the crossing and helped me look more legitimate) and no previous 'visa exempt' stamps in my passport.

While things may have changed since then ( which I doubt) I don't think I'd try the there-and-back-in-one-day route again- I'd likely choose another route or stay a night or two.

Unfortunately, the biggest problem here in Thailand is complete lack of care or skill when it comes to driving and riding- this is especially true for scooter riders, who are often their own worst enemy. Lack or turn signal usage, making right turns or U-turns from the left side of the left lane rather than moving to centerline, absence of adequate lighting, the huge no-helmet factor, etc all increase the number of deaths and injuries.

If you are a competent, smart rider, your chances of avoiding a mishap increase exponentially, even when faced with a road full of fools who are intent on killing you.

^

When I crossed in December, they gave me grief on the way back from Tachileik to Mae Sai- leaving LOS was no issue and I wasn't told a return would be a problem- they just processed me as usual and let me cross the bridge.

Yes, I want another 30-day exempt stamp. There's no warning stamp in my passport, but of course it has the exit and entry stamps showing the same date from December when I did my run. I was wondering if all the border checkpoints are cracking down on this, or if Tachileik is special. I'm looking into the non-O visa, but I need to leave in a couple of days and I doubt I can access my marriage certificate before them as it's pretty far away from where I am now- I more likely do the application process in a month- I'm just looking for the easiest, cheapest route.

Great- that sounds like what I'll need to do- your help is much appreciated.

Thanks for that info- now I have to figure out how to do it- it sounds like Tachileik isn't the place for what I need.

My purpose is to get another 30-day tourist visa- I did a one-day bounce there a three months ago (with no prior ones in my passport) and they pulled me aside and specifically said that they weren't allowing visa runs (they said 'visa run') in one day and I would need to use another checkpoint the next time. They did stamp my passport, but it sounded like it would be a problem doing it again. Since then, I got a two-month family visitation extension, and now I need to do one more 30-day stamp as I'll be able to apply for my marriage visa in April. I thought if I stayed the night it would make a difference (though I'd much rather get it done in one day).

I know the quick one-day bounce across the border can't be done there, but is there an issue returning to LOS after staying overnight in Tachileik (I have a US passport)? I'll make alternative arrangements if necessary, but it's my easiest option.

Any information or advice would be appreciated.

Great- now I have something to go on- thanks for that.

That's possible- I did search for it before posting, and I was surprised there was so little info- ah, well, maybe my wife won't get her croissants.

Can anyone help me find the address or approximate location (GPS coordinates would be fantastic, but I'm not expecting them;)) for Dominique's Bread/Bakery? My wife saw an article in Thai and wants to try it, but there was no map or address listed.

I'd appreciate any assistance you could offer- I'm not a CM regular, and I'm pretty clueless as to finding my way around here.

^

The 'heavily intoxicated' and 'punches thrown by Jack' portion of the letter is from the attackers' account of what happened (from the police report they filed)- the mother calls those charges 'laughable' in her letter, and only mentioned them to show the character of the Chinese boys and the father who's become involved.

Thanks for the thoughts and advice, Khun Per- I appreciate the effort you put into that post.

I want to keep the construction cost under 20mil if possible, which- for ~600m- works out to about 33K per sq m- this would include all finishing- I really don't want to go higher than that. I realize this isn't going to be Four Seasons rental villa level, but it should be pretty nice in the sense of my being able to expect straight lines and proper alignment, as well as wood and tiles on the better end of the spectrum. I would raise the budget slightly to get exactly what I want, but I don't think I'll have to.

At any rate, I'll be visiting some contractors soon- I'll report my findings.

Thank you all for the replies.

I'm planning on a modern courtyard style home. I saw a few house plans today that suit my style in the 30K per sq/m range- I've seen nothing but sketches and haven't yet talked to the builder, but I liked what they had on offer- I've no idea of their reputation, and I'll visit their office in the next couple of weeks to make an assessment of what they can do for me (I'm researching companies- any suggestions would be most welcome). I'm still a ways from breaking ground (perhaps I'd be able to start in late October), but at least now I have somewhere to begin my search. As far as the architectural plan goes, I would probably opt for an existing design modified to my own needs and specifications (I'll also be building a fairly large man-cave separate from the rest of the house where I can hide from my family and have a bit of peace;)).

Enough time had passed since my last construction project that much of the pain has faded (in much the same way that we remember the good times and forget the hangovers), but I know it will be a struggle to get what I really want...