BrianCR

A Thai person poisoning these poor Vietnamese souls. Is something you might read on Vietnam visa.

Ha ha what planet are you living on ? poor souls, if there are a people who steals, cheats and lies then its the vietnamese ! was not surprised at all to see it was vietnamese people.

Did you have a former bargirl friend overthere or are you a racist by profession?

I lived and worked there several years, and its nothing to do with racism (?), its embedded in the culture, lying, cheating and stealing is how you go about in vietnam and vietnamese has absolutely no problem with it foreigner or not.

Ask anyone who have spent time there.

How much 'time' did you do there? ha-ha

Also Tesco Lotus sell them but not Birds Eye

If you still have here I'd be happy to take and look after her. I live in a detached house with garden but in Chiang Rai

EMS to the Rolex center in Bangkok? I had mine repaired there many moons ago but took it in myself then

Hey Oshie in Koh Samui get a brain,you want to mail it? God why do I even reply to these threads? Send it to me, I'll repair it for you!!!

EMS to the Rolex center in Bangkok? I had mine repaired there many moons ago but took it in myself then

Your going to send a Rolex by mail? Forward it to me, I'll repair it!!!

Want to know why I love songkran so much?

Because I love to throw water on grumpy tourists and expats, who thinks (!) that their wish to stay dry weighs heavier than Thailand's traditions.

I believe most of you who talk of this being traditional don't have much of an idea of what the holiday is supposed to be about, or just how traditional the current Songkran madness is. I first came to Thailand 47 years ago, which predates most expats. Back in those days it was a much gentler and friendlier tradition, and I never saw any aggressive behavior. The water splashing was much more respectful, I mean WAY more respectful, than I see these days. I don't think I've gotten grumpier, at least I hope not--I still like to have fun--but the holiday isn't much fun for me anymore, and I try to stay inside and avoid as much of it as I can. I don't believe in banning alcohol or trying to force people to quit enjoying themselves, but I think that looking back to what the original traditions are here, and their meanings, would be instructive. I don't think that people who don't want to get wet should have to stay inside for days at a time. And the suggested "mai aow," in my experience, 1) doesn't work most of the time and 2) makes you look grumpy even if you really aren't. Didn't use to have to say that, or even think it. So when you mention tradition, be sure you know what you're talking about.

Nicely explained. The uneducated without an inkling of what a true Thai tradition is think that the current assault on people with high power water canons, blocks of ice and bucketfuls of water splashed on someone's face in a fun tradition. They are just in the dark of what Songkran is really about. But, to their reckless brains lacking the couth or willingness to learn, the random aggressive assault using water canons, buckets and blocks of ice that is just fun. A gentleman was explaining in TV that he had a cataract removed at the hospital and on his way home, although he had the bandage on his eye, he was splashed water all over his face several times. Other people who are going to work in their daily best suffer a similar fate. Songkran is indeed a lovely tradition, not what is going on nowadays. It has descended to the level of the lowest common denominator. If we defend the real tradition and we are against such mayhem then, in the eyes of the Western troglodytes telling us to go home or fit in we are just grumpy old men. Their lack of couth and insensitivity to other people's rights speak volumes of who they are.

Perhaps if we moved in higher circles and locked our cars when trans-versing through the lower classes we could still celebrate Songkran as it really was and still let others have fun? (32 years here)

Oh, and just like me you are a grumpy old git!!!

Want to know why I love songkran so much?

Because I love to throw water on grumpy tourists and expats, who thinks (!) that their wish to stay dry weighs heavier than Thailand's traditions.

I believe most of you who talk of this being traditional don't have much of an idea of what the holiday is supposed to be about, or just how traditional the current Songkran madness is. I first came to Thailand 47 years ago, which predates most expats. Back in those days it was a much gentler and friendlier tradition, and I never saw any aggressive behavior. The water splashing was much more respectful, I mean WAY more respectful, than I see these days. I don't think I've gotten grumpier, at least I hope not--I still like to have fun--but the holiday isn't much fun for me anymore, and I try to stay inside and avoid as much of it as I can. I don't believe in banning alcohol or trying to force people to quit enjoying themselves, but I think that looking back to what the original traditions are here, and their meanings, would be instructive. I don't think that people who don't want to get wet should have to stay inside for days at a time. And the suggested "mai aow," in my experience, 1) doesn't work most of the time and 2) makes you look grumpy even if you really aren't. Didn't use to have to say that, or even think it. So when you mention tradition, be sure you know what you're talking about.

Nicely explained. The uneducated without an inkling of what a true Thai tradition is think that the current assault on people with high power water canons, blocks of ice and bucketfuls of water splashed on someone's face in a fun tradition. They are just in the dark of what Songkran is really about. But, to their reckless brains lacking the couth or willingness to learn, the random aggressive assault using water canons, buckets and blocks of ice that is just fun. A gentleman was explaining in TV that he had a cataract removed at the hospital and on his way home, although he had the bandage on his eye, he was splashed water all over his face several times. Other people who are going to work in their daily best suffer a similar fate. Songkran is indeed a lovely tradition, not what is going on nowadays. It has descended to the level of the lowest common denominator. If we defend the real tradition and we are against such mayhem then, in the eyes of the Western troglodytes telling us to go home or fit in we are just grumpy old men. Their lack of couth and insensitivity to other people's rights speak volumes of who they are.

Perhaps if we moved in higher circles and locked our cars when trans-versing through the lower classes we could still celebrate Songkran as it really was and still let others have fun? (32 years here)

I like the title of your post. Very true. But calling it madness is too kind. I call it stupidness.

Maybe it could be called a Thai way of having fun? If you don't like it just lock yourself up!!

There are printers on the ground level of MBK who will print and bind books but if you want to get it into bookstores such as Asia Books, the cover, binding and layout must be of a much higher level then you will get there.

A friend wrote a book and did get it into local bookstores but it wasn't easy and he eventually barely broke even on expenses.

First of all, it has to be in book format using a program such as PAGEMAKER, not WORD. Getting the chapters and pagination set properly is not as easy as you might think. It will need to be professionally proofread. I can guarantee that no matter how many times you try to do it yourself, you wont catch all the errors. You will also need an editor as no author of any note goes without one. You are just to close to the content to look at it objectively.

Then you will have to find and pay a graphic designer for the cover as it must look professional to have any chance of distribution. That also means obtaining cover art and paying the artist for it's use. Bookstores have strict rules about what sort of cover art and text they will allow so you will have to be aware of that also.

There are countless more details but the point is; you really do need a competent agent who knows the business.

BTW, even if you were to get it into chains like Asia Books, don't count on a lot of sales. Their distribution system is chaotic and you will be lucky to get one or two copies tucked into a lower shelf at some but never all the stores.

There are a few bookstores in Bangkok and Pattaya that will accept books on consignment but you won't end up with much to show for it. You will have to print a minimum number of books, usually no less than 500 copies so you will also have to have a decent place to store them.

Derek Sharron, the author of "MY NAME IS LON, DO YOU LIKE ME" is an agent working out of Pattaya. A friend who dealt with him found him to be reputable. His contact info is on the faceplate of his book, available at most local bookstores.

You are talking about vanity publishing - a system where the author can not get representation by a literary agent and so pays to PRINT his own book. If you want to spend 1-2 years writing a 200/240,000 word masterpiece and then take it to MBK to get some yo-yo to print it good luck to you! I just happen to know a great number of published authors and each will laugh out loud at the thought of self publishing. However if you are hell bent on throwing your money away forget MBK use the internet. Lulu.Com will allow you to vanity publish your manuscript FREELY including cover artwork then, for a fee they will publish it on Amazon.Com (I'm not sure but I believe they are owned by Amazon). Finally remember to publish a book you will need an ISBN number which, MBK doesn't sell!! Ha-ha

MBK doesn't sell Ha ha...? I can't tell if your trying to be helpful or you were born an idiot and want to display that talent in Public. He was just asking for help...why would you bother to answer it if your just trying to be smart A## . Maybe you should go back to school to learn basic social skills because you seem to of skiped that class.

Oh, and one more comment have you ever thought of getting a brain transplant? I can recommend a few good monkeys who will swap for a price!! next time speak from your mouth not your a'hole!!

Jesus! What the hell is the matter with you people - Viagra or beer has become too expensive, so you got to take it out on everybody? You forever criticize Thailand, what a boring life you must lead!!

Is Songkran on the road an arcade game, where everyone just gets up and carries on for another game, or is it really game over?

Copyright and patent pending as of now.

New school iPAD game for Grade 1.

"Songkran killer"

Rules:

1. You choose to be a waterside road water thrower, or 2. a 4X4 drunk driver, or 3. in a group on a motorcycle high as kites.

4. You have to kill as many people as possible.

5. There are secret rules for each player choosing 1 , 2 or 3.

6. If you choose 1 you have to earn tree branches or cones to slow fast moving traffic at random. The more chance of randomness, the better chance of your killing your opposition.

7. If you choose 2, you get extra points for filling up with gas, and simoultaneously buying beer and Lao Whisky at a filling station. The better you swerve the better are your chances of killing 1 or 3.

8. Get high on Ya-Ba, get as many mates on your bike as you can, and swerve as well as you can. If you choose 3 you are a loser before the game begins.

Copyright.... mel. 2556.

Grow up!!

Seems the PM's predictions didn't quite work out eh. Perhaps some will now lose their jobs, but l don't think so.

Can you please grow up? The PM is NOT responsible for riding her motorcycle whilst drunk!!!!

There are printers on the ground level of MBK who will print and bind books but if you want to get it into bookstores such as Asia Books, the cover, binding and layout must be of a much higher level then you will get there.

A friend wrote a book and did get it into local bookstores but it wasn't easy and he eventually barely broke even on expenses.

First of all, it has to be in book format using a program such as PAGEMAKER, not WORD. Getting the chapters and pagination set properly is not as easy as you might think. It will need to be professionally proofread. I can guarantee that no matter how many times you try to do it yourself, you wont catch all the errors. You will also need an editor as no author of any note goes without one. You are just to close to the content to look at it objectively.

Then you will have to find and pay a graphic designer for the cover as it must look professional to have any chance of distribution. That also means obtaining cover art and paying the artist for it's use. Bookstores have strict rules about what sort of cover art and text they will allow so you will have to be aware of that also.

There are countless more details but the point is; you really do need a competent agent who knows the business.

BTW, even if you were to get it into chains like Asia Books, don't count on a lot of sales. Their distribution system is chaotic and you will be lucky to get one or two copies tucked into a lower shelf at some but never all the stores.

There are a few bookstores in Bangkok and Pattaya that will accept books on consignment but you won't end up with much to show for it. You will have to print a minimum number of books, usually no less than 500 copies so you will also have to have a decent place to store them.

Derek Sharron, the author of "MY NAME IS LON, DO YOU LIKE ME" is an agent working out of Pattaya. A friend who dealt with him found him to be reputable. His contact info is on the faceplate of his book, available at most local bookstores.

You are talking about vanity publishing - a system where the author can not get representation by a literary agent and so pays to PRINT his own book. If you want to spend 1-2 years writing a 200/240,000 word masterpiece and then take it to MBK to get some yo-yo to print it good luck to you! I just happen to know a great number of published authors and each will laugh out loud at the thought of self publishing. However if you are hell bent on throwing your money away forget MBK use the internet. Lulu.Com will allow you to vanity publish your manuscript FREELY including cover artwork then, for a fee they will publish it on Amazon.Com (I'm not sure but I believe they are owned by Amazon). Finally remember to publish a book you will need an ISBN number which, MBK doesn't sell!! Ha-ha

MBK doesn't sell Ha ha...? I can't tell if your trying to be helpful or you were born an idiot and want to display that talent in Public. He was just asking for help...why would you bother to answer it if your just trying to be smart A## . Maybe you should go back to school to learn basic social skills because you seem to of skiped that class.

Thank you for your educated comment and proof that you are unable to read - my post was giving advice AGAINST going to MBK and paying to print your own books! As for the idiot comment it's okay being one but quite another thing confirming it in writing!........ Check your post - "you seem to of skiped that class" shouldn't that read .... you seem to HAVE SKIPPED that class? Never mind, I accept your apology

Quite common with Samsung TV's, most have 640 lines you must only have 639 contact the company and ask for an additional line! - I agree with Sam Drucker what a silly question!

In Thailand even loo tood (a''hole) sounds polite if accompanied by a smile - the smile grows even bigger when the tourist smiles back and says thank you with a 500 baht tip! Who is the clever one the Thai or the Westerner?

Hope you claimed off him

Breathalyser's and helmets may save lives?

So might having to sit a controlled driving test and passing it, rather than just paying a bribe!

Any of you remember this true and interesting little snippet? - About twenty years ago a middle aged lady went into a Sukhumvit car showroom and paying cash brought a new car. Two days later, the car being ready for collection, the dear lady returned to take delivery. The staff offered to drive the car from the showroom onto the road but the lady insisted that she was more than capable so they walked off and left her to it. A few seconds later there was a God Almighty crash as the car sped off and crashed straight through the showroom window, across the road, finally stopping in the doorway of a shop opposite the car showroom. Frantically the showroom staff and others ran to her assistance and to ask what had happened? To their disbelief the dear lady replied that she had never driven a car before but thought that it would be easy!! This was actually reported in both the Nation and Bangkok Post newspapers.

I can also add the time I was leaving a multi-storie car park on Ratchadapisik and twisting around the many bends on the downward ramp when a Thai driver ran into the back of me. When asked why he crashed into me he responded that he was used to driving an automatic car and was busy sorting out the gear shift on the manual car he was driving at the time of the collision!

He claimed insanity so I let him off with a warning and told him where he should stick the gear shift (he spoke with a squeaky voice for weeks after Ha-ha)

I had the same thought!!

Grawburg,

From : BambooSinfonia Publishing

PM me and I will tell you everything that you would like to know about publishing here in Thailand.

If your book is interesting, we would translate it into French and German as well.

If not, :-( , we would be happy to connect you to all of the other publishers in the area. We have translated some of the other publishers books, so we are on good standing with them.

Many people print and sell their own books in Thailand. Some do well, and some others, not so well.

Some authors pay for their own printing, and we receive a % for storage and distribution. This way, they receive more of the book's income. Other authors have us pay for everything and they receive a royalty. We have a far wider distribution system than only AsiaBooks / Bookazine.

I can provide you with many references from authors of note in the country as to our competence and integrity.

BrianCR

Further information I checked the statement by ddDave "Derek Sharron, the author of "MY NAME IS LON, DO YOU LIKE ME" is an agent working out of Pattaya". he Is not a registered literary agent and infact his manuscript was 'published' by Bangkok Books. Below is their rates(taken from their website)

No I am not, nor have I ever represented myself as an agent. I do however assist many authors trying to get their books published either locally or in the US /UK /Europe, without expecting anything in return.

Our company is also the largest non-Thai language distributor to AsiaBooks / Bookazine. We have sold many more French and German language books in the past five years through AsiaBooks/Bookazine than they had sold in their 40 year history. We also have the best selling English language book in the country.

Derek - thank you for your note - I was not trying to caste any aspersions on your good self - just trying to correct the advice given by another contributor to the instigator of the thread in trying to publish a manuscript himself. You are most possibly aware of a saying used in the publishing trade - If many agents will not accept your manuscript forget it - if there's money to be made from it they want it!! I have never known any agent to turn down a manuscript that he or she believes will sell and make money. One may make a mistake but keep trying and if you get repeated no, no, no, either the manuscript is no good or Mr.10-15% just doesn't want to make money and knowing agents as I do, i find that impossible to believe!

Further information I checked the statement by ddDave "Derek Sharron, the author of "MY NAME IS LON, DO YOU LIKE ME" is an agent working out of Pattaya". he Is not a registered literary agent and infact his manuscript was 'published' by Bangkok Books. Below is their rates(taken from their website)

E-publish your book with us and sell worldwide on Amazon, Apple, Sony, Barnes & Noble, Google, Android marketplace, Kobo, bangkokbooks, asiabooks, AIS e-bookstore, B2S e-bookstore and many more.

Get your e-published book ready as printed book - use our Digital Print Services. We ship worldwide by registered airmail or courier.

Quick turnaround: E-books within 24-72 hours, Printed books 3-7 days

Fees:

E-books = FREE

Printed books: starting from US$3.99 per book (for a 200-pages book), high quality printing

Optional services: Professional cover page design: US$ 199.- (front cover) or US$299.- (front, back, spine)

Two crossing points into Laos spring to mind: Mae Sae, which is north of Chiang Rai and Tha Li, a more remote crossing point in the north of Loei province. I have crossed over at both with no problems.

Mae sai doesn't cross into Laos. It crosses into Burma. Chiang Khong is the nearby border crossing into Laos (Houey Xai) which is just across the mae kong river. Chiang Saen has boats over to Laos casinos but not sure if it is a proper crossing point..

For the record Chiang Saen is not "a proper crossing point." for use by non natives of Laos or Thailand.

The most expensive way to fly is to buy a ticket at the airport, even on domestic routes , expect to pay 50% more than with an advance booking. For International routes you will need to take your Bank Manager with you!

There are printers on the ground level of MBK who will print and bind books but if you want to get it into bookstores such as Asia Books, the cover, binding and layout must be of a much higher level then you will get there.

A friend wrote a book and did get it into local bookstores but it wasn't easy and he eventually barely broke even on expenses.

First of all, it has to be in book format using a program such as PAGEMAKER, not WORD. Getting the chapters and pagination set properly is not as easy as you might think. It will need to be professionally proofread. I can guarantee that no matter how many times you try to do it yourself, you wont catch all the errors. You will also need an editor as no author of any note goes without one. You are just to close to the content to look at it objectively.

Then you will have to find and pay a graphic designer for the cover as it must look professional to have any chance of distribution. That also means obtaining cover art and paying the artist for it's use. Bookstores have strict rules about what sort of cover art and text they will allow so you will have to be aware of that also.

There are countless more details but the point is; you really do need a competent agent who knows the business.

BTW, even if you were to get it into chains like Asia Books, don't count on a lot of sales. Their distribution system is chaotic and you will be lucky to get one or two copies tucked into a lower shelf at some but never all the stores.

There are a few bookstores in Bangkok and Pattaya that will accept books on consignment but you won't end up with much to show for it. You will have to print a minimum number of books, usually no less than 500 copies so you will also have to have a decent place to store them.

Derek Sharron, the author of "MY NAME IS LON, DO YOU LIKE ME" is an agent working out of Pattaya. A friend who dealt with him found him to be reputable. His contact info is on the faceplate of his book, available at most local bookstores.

You are talking about vanity publishing - a system where the author can not get representation by a literary agent and so pays to PRINT his own book. If you want to spend 1-2 years writing a 200/240,000 word masterpiece and then take it to MBK to get some yo-yo to print it good luck to you! I just happen to know a great number of published authors and each will laugh out loud at the thought of self publishing. However if you are hell bent on throwing your money away forget MBK use the internet. Lulu.Com will allow you to vanity publish your manuscript FREELY including cover artwork then, for a fee they will publish it on Amazon.Com (I'm not sure but I believe they are owned by Amazon). Finally remember to publish a book you will need an ISBN number which, MBK doesn't sell!! Ha-ha

I don't know your experience at having books published here in Thailand but perhaps it's not as easy as it seems - firstly almost 100% of so called English language book publishes in Bangkok are vanity publishers (meaning that you have to pay them for the privilege of having a book published, Some (few) will agree to distribute it for you as well (for an additional fee!). To publish a book in the west you will need to get yourself a literary agent as publishers to not as a matter of course accept unsolicited work. If you are lucky enough to get an agent he or she will also sell the foreign publishing rights for you. The hard part is getting an agent to represent you and after submitting your work expect to wait as long as six months or longer for an answer. NEVER pay an agent - if they ask for a reading fee they are most probably a sham, it's the agents job to get you a deal with a publisher and to get an advance payment not to try and get money from you!

However, depending on the content of your manuscript and how well it is written and edited there maybe a way to get it published in Thailand.Silkworm Books is a general, independent English book publisher based in Chiang Mai. Khun Trasvin is the owner and believe me she seriously understands the quality - or lack of, in a manuscript. If she believes in your work she has the means and distributorship to publish. If she accepts your work don't expect to make a fortune her first runs are/were usually only about 2,000 copies on which (once sold) you will receive a royalty. Good luck with your writing.

It's very simple : Thai drivers are ignorant , selfish, aggressive and for most downright moronic ..

If you randomly picked 10 Thai drivers , and got them to take a proper European style driving test, the failure rate would be 100 %.

They simply have no idea what to drive responsibly and safely means.

For the most part i agree with you but, as for the "selfish, aggressive and for most downright moronic" have you ever witnessed the western twenty-something year-old to be found in all Thai holiday resorts trying to break the world land speed record (usually whilst drunk) on their rented 50cc motorcycles and at the same time yelling at anything wearing a skirt that they ride past? (Might be a wake-up call for them if they managed to pick up the 'wrong' piece of 'skirt' - they wouldn't be sitting on a rented motorcycle for a few days after) Ha-ha

Breathalyser's and helmets may save lives?

So might having to sit a controlled driving test and passing it, rather than just paying a bribe!

Any of you remember this true and interesting little snippet? - About twenty years ago a middle aged lady went into a Sukhumvit car showroom and paying cash brought a new car. Two days later, the car being ready for collection, the dear lady returned to take delivery. The staff offered to drive the car from the showroom onto the road but the lady insisted that she was more than capable so they walked off and left her to it. A few seconds later there was a God Almighty crash as the car sped off and crashed straight through the showroom window, across the road, finally stopping in the doorway of a shop opposite the car showroom. Frantically the showroom staff and others ran to her assistance and to ask what had happened? To their disbelief the dear lady replied that she had never driven a car before but thought that it would be easy!! This was actually reported in both the Nation and Bangkok Post newspapers.

I can also add the time I was leaving a multi-storie car park on Ratchadapisik and twisting around the many bends on the downward ramp when a Thai driver ran into the back of me. When asked why he crashed into me he responded that he was used to driving an automatic car and was busy sorting out the gear shift on the manual car he was driving at the time of the collision!