55Jay

https://www.tmd.go.th/en/

5 hours ago, louse1953 said:

On the other hand,would have made a great bad news story if it sank on the maiden voyage.

Oh dear, the TVF commenters would be howling with indignant outrage at how stupid the Thais were for not simply canceling the trip due to bad weather.

When you've finally had enough of the CIA.....   Sorted! 

After the abominable flip flop lying they did on the Single Gateway, at this point, whatever the military government says....expect the exact opposite.

1 hour ago, victory015 said:

I signed a 3 month lease with the apartment.

 

I viewed the apartment two times in the morning and afternoon. There is no information about the garbage truck stopping in front of the apartment in 1.30am to 2.20am. 

 

The landlord was hiding this piece of information.

I was kind of on your side, until this post. 

Does your bedroom window face East?  Did the landlord "hide" that sunrise coming through the curtains might affect your sleep?

Nice, didn't know that.  Thanks. 

No kids or rent, outskirts of Korat, wife and I average $2,000/mo.  If we hit a stretch of active socializing in the city with friends, bit of local travel, spikes to around $2,400.00.   Keep a couple mil in the bank for medical/other contingencies and for show and tell at Immigration once a year.

I was a wine slurper but for beer, coming out of the GCC, my usual was Heineken, preferably draft "Ice", or Amstel.  Stayed with Heineken after moving here then worked through Singha, Tiger, San Mig Light until hitting (near) rock bottom with Leo.  I enjoy other things, Johnny Black, G&Ts, but for beer swilling with the lads -  Leo. 

3 hours ago, mogandave said:

Taxi ride from the old airport.

 

Me, clearly: Novotel Bangna

Driver: Novotel, Novotel, Novotel....Siam Square!!!

 

Me, louder and more clearly: No, Novotel Bang-na

Driver: Novotel, Novotel, Novotel....Lotus!!!

 

Me, still louder: No, Novotel Bang-NA!

Driver: Novotel, Novotel, Novotel....Bangna, Bangna okay Bangna!!!

 

So it IS true!  Raising your voice helps them unnerstand Engrit mo' betta!   

Harold reminds me of Carl Rove. 

LOL.   Baldness sounds like the least of your problems, mate.

Nothing a little alpha male role play won't cure though.

1 hour ago, Sooo Upto Me said:

 

Ru saying he's an american?  ?

What his response actually says is the gent above ^^ is spot on, hence the use of ad hominem to deflect from the embarrassment of getting "pulled up" for obvious misuse of English language by a mere colonist.  Bitter pill tough to swallow, eh, guvna'?   

Again... can't help but imagine logical, intelligent aliens in outer space are watching us, like pet hamsters, perplexed and amused by our contradictions and silly antics.

1 hour ago, joeyg said:

Never noticed that at all.  I take all people on a one to one basis.  Skin color is not a factor.  Now out in Fallbrook (former KKK strong hold), Riverside or up North in Orange County sure.

 

At the beach everybody was pretty chill.

Right.  Head East on I-8 for about 15-20 minutes, drop down into El Cajon, Lakeside and Santee.  Yee-Haw, ride 'em cowboy! 

Edit:  Which is one reason I love the place.  Surf in the morning.  Ride ATVs and horses at lunch.  Visit snow (maybe..) in the afternoon.  All sorts of people and mindsets between and betwixt the various landscapes.

Just now, joeyg said:

That's fair.  I try to never go West of third road.  It's like "the 5" in San Diego... 

Tropo's reaction above is fair too I guess, it's not just about the beach. 

Otherwise, this is an interesting, if not a "done to death" observation..... the gap between how foreigners - silly tourists in particular - perceive Thailand and Thais vs. actual reality. 

Take overt, flamboyant lady boys and gays, for example. To an un- indoctrinated tourist, it would appear Thailand is so open and accepting.  Some might attribute this wonderful cultural trait to an ill-informed, idyllic notion of Buddhism.

Scratch the surface, a more conservative, critical view can be found, suppressed to avoid unnecessary conflict and maintain superficial, social order. 

Ignorance is bliss.  Although I reckon some foreigners are aware of reality here and simply don't give a shit what "the Thais" think.

I think on the beach and within reasonable proximity of it, they are OK.  Even in a beach town, once you get further inland, in "normal" town area (excluding Dark Side Pattaya), not so much.  That's just how I view it, even being from San Diego.  I don't wear them, don't even own one.  

Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

Last year, the line of slow moving cars on Northbound bypass (highway 2) around the city was so long, I couldn't see the end of it.

7 days of staying home and off the roads for us. 

Private Dancer is set around farangs and bar girls, so may or may not be a good read for your mate. 

http://www.happierabroad.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11018&mobile=on

"Stephen Leather's novel is fiction, but it certainly feels like a documentary of a doomed Thai girl - Western guy relationship that happens all the time in Thailand. The story has a lot of the tired stereotypes, but Leather uses a great dose of humor to keep the pages turning. It is ultimately a book about unrealistic expectations of Thai women and Western men as they pursue a better life, and the inevitable collapse. It would have been more fun if it wasn't so depressing, but a great read for anyone curious about cross-cultural relationships."
 

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/699561-heinz-ketchup/?page=2

On 12/26/2016 at 11:15 AM, madmax2 said:

Called inflation depends on where it comes from and the exchange rate at the time of purchase

Maybe, in part.  4 pack of Nautillus sandwich tuna in spring water has been 126 Baht the last 4 years, amid fluctuating exchange rates and inflation. 

Last month, fell to and holding at 110 Baht.  

Probably running bootleg Windows too. 

On 12/25/2016 at 5:09 PM, mogandave said:

That sandie looks a little hungry.

 

is that "sunken city" in the background?

Point Loma, San Diego Harbor. 

How about predicting the next election. 

And for an encore, the next coup d'é·tat.   

33 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

Why stop at 99 ?

Stick broke.