wilko

Yeah! Peace off yourself!

The question was "Criime Against Falangs, Is It Common?" - the answer is probably "No" - most crime in Thailand involves Thais and if you are Thai you are more likely to be a victim too.

Percy - who made you God anyway?

you haven't made a single relevant point of view concerning the issues surrounding the temple, just some pedantic judgments on other postings

Criminals aren't usually racially motivated...they are opportunists - don't be an opportunity!

The World itself & many of the Countries you will have to pass through are too dangerous if you ask me..

thank god - nobody did!

Trevor - Lies go through stages to...

someone says it

someone believes it

and someone recognises bullshit when they see it.

PS - I would suggest that one person 4 week trial is not sufficient evidence as a "cure" or Profilactic for Dengue......do be careful....believing such tripe is dangerous to you health....

see someone about that paranoia too!

Diesel engines, bless 'em will burn just about anything.....but you have to be careful how it gets from the tank to the combustion chamber....e.g. injection system, seals fuel line etc....preparing the fuel can be done at home though.

Looks like utter hogwash to me....I'm sorry for anyone who falls for that.....it's your money...just hope you don't end up in hospital from it.

Bell Travel charge 150 bht. from airport to any Hotel in Pattaya-door to door service-can reccommend!

I'm aware of this bus service, I want to know about the taxis.

Do you work for them?

The fares on meters in Bkk seem to have gone up on July 4th....so really it is CURRENT (04/07/2008 and onwards that have the most value.

fares have always varied so one needs to get a few figures to get an average....perhaps if there are some posts over the next week we might get an idea.

THanks for the history lesson...not needed though.

ill emphasise the point.....in the west we really don't rely so much on one staple any more....if wheat runns out there's potato and so on...in fact as a percentage of our diet any staple has taken a greatly reduced part........not so in Thailand where rice is still a very important staple even to the middle classes...so any change...price , supply etcis BIG news.

of course there are some laws of supply and demand gpoing on here and the above biofuel fiasco will account for some of the loss of supply and/or hike in price.

This from the "Grauniad" - UK ....

Food shortage – Bio fuels

Biofuels have forced global food prices up by 75% - far more than previously estimated - according to a confidential World Bank report obtained by the Guardian.

The damning unpublished assessment is based on the most detailed analysis of the crisis so far, carried out by an internationally-respected economist at global financial body.

The figure emphatically contradicts the US government's claims that plant-derived fuels contribute less than 3% to food-price rises. It will add to pressure on governments in Washington and across Europe, which have turned to plant-derived fuels to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and reduce their dependence on imported oil.

Senior development sources believe the report, completed in April, has not been published to avoid embarrassing President George Bush.

"It would put the World Bank in a political hot-spot with the White House," said one yesterday.

The news comes at a critical point in the world's negotiations on biofuels policy. Leaders of the G8 industrialised countries meet next week in Hokkaido, Japan, where they will discuss the food crisis and come under intense lobbying from campaigners calling for a moratorium on the use of plant-derived fuels.

It will also put pressure on the British government, which is due to release its own report on the impact of biofuels, the Gallagher Report. The Guardian has previously reported that the British study will state that plant fuels have played a "significant" part in pushing up food prices to record levels. Although it was expected last week, the report has still not been released.

"Political leaders seem intent on suppressing and ignoring the strong evidence that biofuels are a major factor in recent food price rises," said Robert Bailey, policy adviser at Oxfam. "It is imperative that we have the full picture. While politicians concentrate on keeping industry lobbies happy, people in poor countries cannot afford enough to eat."

Rising food prices have pushed 100m people worldwide below the poverty line, estimates the World Bank, and have sparked riots from Bangladesh to Egypt. Government ministers here have described higher food and fuel prices as "the first real economic crisis of globalisation".

President Bush has linked higher food prices to higher demand from India and China, but the leaked World Bank study disputes that: "Rapid income growth in developing countries has not led to large increases in global grain consumption and was not a major factor responsible for the large price increases."

Even successive droughts in Australia, calculates the report, have had a marginal impact. Instead, it argues that the EU and US drive for biofuels has had by far the biggest impact on food supply and prices.

Since April, all petrol and diesel in Britain has had to include 2.5% from biofuels. The EU has been considering raising that target to 10% by 2020, but is faced with mounting evidence that that will only push food prices higher.

"Without the increase in biofuels, global wheat and maize stocks would not have declined appreciably and price increases due to other factors would have been moderate," says the report. The basket of food prices examined in the study rose by 140% between 2002 and this February. The report estimates that higher energy and fertiliser prices accounted for an increase of only 15%, while biofuels have been responsible for a 75% jump over that period.

It argues that production of biofuels has distorted food markets in three main ways. First, it has diverted grain away from food for fuel, with over a third of US corn now used to produce ethanol and about half of vegetable oils in the EU going towards the production of biodiesel. Second, farmers have been encouraged to set land aside for biofuel production. Third, it has sparked financial speculation in grains, driving prices up higher.

Other reviews of the food crisis looked at it over a much longer period, or have not linked these three factors, and so arrived at smaller estimates of the impact from biofuels. But the report author, Don Mitchell, is a senior economist at the Bank and has done a detailed, month-by-month analysis of the surge in food prices, which allows much closer examination of the link between biofuels and food supply.

The report points out biofuels derived from sugarcane, which Brazil specializes in, have not had such a dramatic impact.

Supporters of biofuels argue that they are a greener alternative to relying on oil and other fossil fuels, but even that claim has been disputed by some experts, who argue that it does not apply to US production of ethanol from plants.

"It is clear that some biofuels have huge impacts on food prices," said Dr David King, the government's former chief scientific adviser, last night. "All we are doing by supporting these is subsidising higher food prices, while doing nothing to tackle climate change."

Not now? - this from the Bangkok Post July 4th...

" Operators of Bangkok's elevated train and subway are looking forward to increased ridership now that taxi fares have risen by an average of 12% per trip. The starting rate for taxis yesterday rose to 35 baht for the first kilometre instead of two kilometres before.

The fares would then be increased to five baht per kilometre for the second to twelfth kilometres, 5.50 baht a kilometre for the 12th to 20th km, six baht a kilometre for the 20th to 40th km, 6.50 baht a kilometre for the 40th to 60th km, 7.50 baht a kilometre for the 60th to 80th km, and 8.50 baht a kilometre beyond that. "

In my local supermarket the other day the middle class Thai shoppers were simply standing aghast looking at the rice on pallets....they just couldn't come to terms with the new prices.......this is similar to the status of th potato in Ireland in the 19th century.....its more than a staple it's a fundamental part of Thai life......put this with the price of fuel and you have RAMPANT INFLATION.

staples are going up in price everywhere in the world and this is probably the most profound change in the world economy for years.....

I must disagree with your comparison to the Irish potato famine. The reason why millions died in Ireland was because a disease had infected the potato crop and potatoes were just not available. Rice is still available in Thailand but the effects of rising production costs has pushed up the price of rice along with other products.

Now read what I said......I was referring to the STATUS of the potato as a staple.........I don't even mention famine

The dengue carrying Mosquito only live within a 200 feet of its hatchery meaning if you remove all standing water within that area around your house you will reduce the risk significantly

Mozzies sometimes get in my car, and we go much further than 200m. Of course I try and get rid of them for the return journey, being a generous person, try to share my mozzies with others.

how long do you think they live in your car?

They may even be breeding in the water in the aircon sump!

In my local supermarket the other day the middle class Thai shoppers were simply standing aghast looking at the rice on pallets....they just couldn't come to terms with the new prices.......this is similar to the status of th potato in Ireland in the 19th century.....its more than a staple it's a fundamental part of Thai life......put this with the price of fuel and you have RAMPANT INFLATION.

staples are going up in price everywhere in the world and this is probably the most profound change in the world economy for years.....

They've moved a little (25 meters?) towards the Indian Restaurant....still not quite sorted as the side road is blocked. the main dining room is now at the back...theentrance hall/corridor is a dismal affair and many customers seem to walk away without realising that the main restaurant is now AT THE BACK!

However the food is still very good ....I look forward to a bit of furniture and decor in the place!

( the layout is awful)

See if you can park round the back....looks like they may have a car-park on the way.....

I'd rather eat there than Bruno's anyday!

taxi fares, cost of fuel etc all would indicate that the standard fares to and from suvarnabhumi are to increase or have already done so.....how much are people paying now?

There was a dengue epidemic in 1998, precisely ten years ago, with the beginning of the rainy season. T

I also got dengue last year there is 2 types the less severe one is the one with just pain and the real serious one is the one where you bleed out (very serious and hospitalization is advised) the first one just rest and take in lots of fluids other than that nothing can be done to treat it.

The dengue carrying Mosquito only live within a 200 feet of its hatchery meaning if you remove all standing water within that area around your house you will reduce the risk significantly

As others have said its a bitch of a disease and ya bones hurt like hel_l not to mention no power which certainly is no good here in LOL (Land of Lies)

There are not 2 types but 4 main strains with many sub-strains - that is why a vaccine is so hard to produce.

UYes but it has to carry the disease from a host to a victim........not from the water....

in the past it was called "break-bone fever" due to the excruciating pain that sufferers experienced in their bones and joints....high fever ......etc......many cases go unnoticed or unreported because symptoms are so mild.....secondary infections from other strains seem to result in more severe symptoms......

the animal has to bite an infected person and then transfer to anoter.....this means it has a limited range of transmission.

Beware of small stagnant pools, old flowerpots and stacks of tires all make perfect breeding grounds....keep fish in any ponds etc....

Dengue - Thailand – 2008 - http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=78586

THAILAND: Dengue fever "crisis" looms

Photo: WHO

The 'Aedes aegypti' mosquito which is the carrier of dengue fever

BANGKOK, 5 June 2008 (IRIN) - Rising temperatures, longer rainy seasons and increased urbanisation are leading to an explosion of dengue fever cases in Thailand in what health officials are calling a near-crisis situation.

"At least 14,000 people have been diagnosed with dengue in 2008 alone - most since April when the rains started early," said Wichai Satimai, director of the Department of Disease Control.

The 2008 outbreak marks a 72 percent increase in proven cases since last year, according to the department.

Neglected disease

"[Dengue] is the most important neglected communicable disease in Thailand … it is all over the country," said Chawalit Tantinimitkul, a spokesman for the World Health Organization (WHO), in Bangkok.

At the BNH Hospital in Bangkok, one doctor said dozens of cases had been admitted in May alone. "It is impossible to cure dengue," the doctor, who wished to remain anonymous, told IRIN. "We just monitor their blood platelet levels and make sure they are properly hydrated and fed."

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Dengue is a tropical, mosquito-borne virus found mostly in urban areas

Dengue is a tropical, mosquito-borne virus found mostly in urban areas. The disease is more common than malaria in Thailand. "Malaria is mostly confined to the border areas [of Thailand],'' according to Chawalit, while dengue is more common in urban areas. With dengue, the patient usually develops a high fever, joint pain and a rash that can last up to six weeks.

Health authorities are also reporting increases in the more dangerous form of the disease, Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS), which are more likely to kill. In a written response to IRIN, the WHO called the spread "a major public health problem of international concern".

According to the WHO, the disease was first detected in Thailand in 1949 when about 2,100 cases were reported. Since then there have been two major epidemics – in 1987 and 1998. The most recent outbreak has been more severe because of increased population and warmer and wetter conditions, said government officials.

Dengue is transmitted by the aedes aegypti mosquito. Unlike malarial mosquitoes, which live in rural or forested areas and breed in muddy water, the aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed in stagnant, clean water. Often called Tiger Mosquitoes because of their stripy tails, they are active during the day, unlike malarial mosquitoes.

Photo: Dr. Charles Delacollette/Mekong Malaria Programme

A Thai family with its insecticide impregnated bednet

Awareness campaign

Wichai said local authorities were being urged to take extra measures to prevent the virus from spreading further.

"We have enlisted the help of more than 800,000 volunteers nationwide to help to get the word out about this dangerous virus," he said. They are helping authorities hold awareness workshops and conduct patrols to spot areas of standing water that are potential mosquito breeding grounds.

"The government has also launched a major television campaign aimed at educating the public about how to prevent the virus," he said. "We are telling people to make sure that there are no containers where mosquitoes can breed and to be careful of everything from flower pots to old tyres," Wichai said. "The rainy season has been coming earlier than normal, and there are a lot of containers where mosquitoes can breed."

A WHO report, ''Dengue/DHF Situation of Dengue/Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever in the South-East Asia Region'' stated that the higher dengue infection rates were a result of "demographic explosion" and "rapid growth of urban centres with a strain on public services, such as potable water".

Bangkok's growing slums are especially susceptible to dengue outbreaks, according to the WHO. Residents have poor access to drinking water and often use ceramic jugs to collect rainwater. The jugs are ideal breeding grounds for dengue mosquitoes.

According to Wichai, undernourished poor people are most vulnerable to serious symptoms or death.

"Their immune systems are weaker, and their symptoms are worse … especially for children under nine," he said. The problem is only expected to get worse when Thailand's wet season peaks in June and July, Wichai told IRIN. "It is not yet a national crisis, but we are trying very hard to get things under control to prevent a crisis situation."

Dengue fever in thailand - "crisis"

Yep - if you cant get it...swim....it's by far the most comprehensive form of exercise....you use more muscles swimming than in any other form of exercise.

most "unfit" people who take to gyms diets etc a really victims of their own life style....if you develop an active lifestyle you really don't need to worry about exercise by itself because you will be doing it anyway. Swimming walking and most outdoor pursuits involve getting the heartbeat up and putting a little pressure on those muscles...that's all you need.

PS - sports bars and WATCHING football don't get you fit!

No diet, no gym, no "miracle" equipment.....get yourself a girlfriend and shag yourself fit!

yes - believe it1

250k MILES should be OK for the engine1

Unfortunately the engine is only part of the whole story.....chassis body transmission and running gear all have to keep up......the good news in Thailand is that running repairs are still ridiculously cheap.......although I notice now that "Main Dealers" are trying to introduce International style servicing price scales.....

PS - despite this almost every second-hand vehicle I've looked at on Sukhumvit, Pattaya was "clocked"!

How can it be a valid question without a definition of its terms......e.g. what is a sex tourist.....sociologist my arse!

Go for it!

How sad that some suggest taking the plane! what a sad little life they must have......

You CAN get through Iran...i haven't looked at a map recently but it will require a lot of planning AND hanging around at borders etc ....days/weeks even.........so you need money or "exchangeables".......and TIME....

I'd love to something like that and I guess sayingI haven't the time or money is not really an excuse.........you just need the will to do it.