JAFO

9 hours ago, mike787 said:

MANY to choose from and ALL make me smile.

Man. Not one of them looks appealing or would even get a glance from me. Of course each of us has different standards.

2 hours ago, alien365 said:

I remember a while back you started a thread about hobbies (I think). I still believe that's where a lot of friendship comes from as people are more genuine. I've met a lot of good people through my hobbies.

I agree. I have met many off road 4 x 4 enthusiasts and we chat frequently along with some motorcycle riders. Having lots of various hobbies keeps you meeting folks along the way

Additionally I am not sure how old the OP is but age and activity level has a lot to do with meeting people, Thai or westerners Having similar interests usually leads to people becoming friends to some level. In all my years living here, the challenges I have had with most foreigners is their level of activity, their hobbies (or lack of) or capability to do things which is usually driven by their age. From what I can determine reading the site, most posters are older and do not do much so making friends with Thais or westerners is not likely. Then again, some may not want friends

4 hours ago, thequietman said:

Sense of humour is completely different also. Maybe with an educated Thai male who has a good grasp of English and has been educated overseas might work.

I have quite of few Thai friends, both professional and local neighbors. They drop by to hang out, we go out to dinner.  My work Thai friends are great and quite funny. To your point, they all have very good command of the English language and all are college graduates with professional careers. 

I also feel that ones personal demeanor will either engage people or drive them away.  

I have a Bachelor of Science degree. I have worked in the manufacturing sector my entire life, primarily semiconductor and optical industry. I retired early here in Thailand but during my early retirement I have accepted 3 jobs working directly for US companies. I still call it being retired because its all on my terms. This has been rewarding in that I have been able to mentor Thai engineers and operations people while working. I have always felt and witnessed the best education is the hands on real world.  I found looking back that college was a basic start but what you learn out in the work place is far more educational and experience is everything. So while I am not sitting in a class room, I am and have been teaching Engineers at the factory and its all on my terms which makes it quite enjoyable. The plus for them as well, they learn US business methods and more English.

Amazing that grown men still whack their pud and that its part of some daily routine. I mean with all the talent available here if single or the married guys who still wank......Really?  Crazy and a bit weird but might explain a few things............

To the OP, I do not have a daily routine. I mean basically Yes I do get up and do go to bed but the rest in between is an open book. In fact every day is usually different. I am currently working remotely during the lock down so I get up early as always. I might take a bike ride to my local coffee shop, a motorcycle ride in the mountains, walk my dogs to the river, work around the property, wash my vehicles and as a homeowner there is always something to do. During the course of my day I stay in contact with customers and the factory. But I can do that from anywhere on my phone

The virus, other than wearing a mask and having limited shops open to acquire things, hasn't had an impact on me like it sadly has for many many others. I feel fortunate in that regard.

I don't think you are going to see any significant swings one way or the other in regards to Baht to USD.  I watch it daily and converted some USD to THB when it hit 33.15.  I guessed that would be about peak and it was.  It has since receded back to the mid 32.5 range and I expect it to stay that way for the time being unless something radically changes from current conditions. 

I work for a US company and get paid in THB converted.  

5 hours ago, stephenterry said:

Another pointless topic, IMO

As are 90% of the topics. Just allows the top 30 posters to chime in quick with their idiotic one liners looking for acceptance and to be considered for the POTY ballot...????

People will find ways to drink if they want, just like smokers will find ways to smoke. Its a silly topic.

10 minutes ago, Zikomat said:

 I only get ‘wai’ed at public places when I get the cash from my wallet. I suppose this is the way to ensure that I will finally hand the banknotes to them and also the show of deep respect to the Thai baht.

Let me ask you this, when you were in your home country and paid for something or service did they always say Thank you?  I doubt it. 

I know in the states when I pay a bill for dinner they seldom say Thank You. They look for the tip. In stores where I buy supplies or items seldom does anyone say Thank you. 

I guess what I am getting at here, there seem to be a lot of people on TVF that want to make everything Thai exclusive. Not sure why there is that fixation. ????

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Such a small word, and costs nothing, but never said by them or my wife.

 

Not that it's a purely Thai thing. Few people show any gratitude in my experience.

Yeah TBL, I agree. It is a simple small couple of words that do go a lonnnng way. However I think people not saying Thank You goes along with all the entitlement many across the globe have. People have just grown to expect everything and say Thank you very little. The times we live in I suppose

My wife is very good about saying Thank You. But that did take some getting used to on her part but she understands the importance of acknowledging when someone has done something for her. 

Its clearly not just a "Thai" thing. 

1 hour ago, Thomas J said:

I am reasonably sure it is settling.  There is a gap also in the front deck. I don't see any cracks in the mortar.  There were some very tiny spider vein cracks throughout the homes interior in the mortar.  

It sounds pretty normal for around these parts. Our home is 5 years old and we noticed a few 'Settling" type events ( especially with our Teakwood doors but as Charlie said, most of the was seasonal swelling).  We built our house on long standing land meaning we did not add dirt. We have seen a few spider mortar cracks and we just fill them in and touch up paint.

I wouldn't worry about it to much. All houses settle. Now if you start popping floor tiles then that's a different problem.  

2 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

The problem is, in its effort to keep those who would exploit the previous easy-going attitude at bay, the authorities treat everyone as a potential criminal even though there are clearly no grounds to do so.

Well and that is the downside. Many have to fight through the rules in place because of the problem folks. I however do not feel like a criminal. My 90 day check in takes about 10 minutes, my annual takes about an hour or so including the paperwork package

2 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I mentioned the absurdity of my still having to apply for a visa, and then only being allowed to be in Thailand for a limited time, despite being married for nearly 30 years to a Thai. The 90 day report nonsense is like being on probation and having to report yourself to the authorities, and having to apply - at a price of course - to be considered to be allowed to stay beyond 90 days.

I have been in Thailand for nearly 15 years. Married to my Thai wife for 10. I work and pay Thai taxes here. I do wish that they would revisit the current process and adjust based on the individuals status etc. Years back, I couldn't understand why if you married a Thai and lived here that you would be reviewed differently. Well just like the US, Many would come here and marry to be given free pass and you know how that works out. Thailand just doesn't have the infrastructure in place to review foreigners based on varying situations. Maybe in the future. For now we are all reviewed by the same rules which is necessarily fair but it is what it is.

1 minute ago, Bangkok Barry said:

There are special rules for foreigners, and rules made to make life inconvenient for many, to no practical purpose

I wasn't shooting the messenger BB, I was merely using your post as a lead into my POV.

Yes there are some special rules for foreigners and honestly some I like. Why?  If they let this become an open free for all, it would get out of hand as virtually anybody could land here and as many know, there are likely quite a few that would come here to exploit the lack of policing by selling drugs, scamming people both locally and using Thailand as a home base, start Porn businesses and engage is pedophile activities. 

I like that Thailand is making it more challenging to live here.  I have no issue adapting to the rule changes. If you comply then you are probably a value add to the country and not a drain on it. I wish the US had started making rules for immigrants years ago. Look at the mess us Americans have now. 

I read 1.5 pages and that was enough for me. I think the ones full of themselves are the foreigners who have some sort of inferiority complex.

The fact that posters sit around all day thinking and talking about this <deleted> is laughable.

You all carry on with your insecurities and do not worry, Thai people are sitting around plotting and planning on ways how to hate you...???? 

What about the Italian in Laem Chabang today? All over the local Social media sites.

Make it 49..... if we can even trust 48...????

Pattaya is a dump but that is the charm for some (even me sometimes as I don't live there and nice knowing I leave).  Its kind of like Cabo San Lucas, Mexico or Nassau, Bahamas etc. The sleaze about those locations has an appeal. I take it for what it is when there working. Generally speaking Pattaya is filthy, loads of traffic, terrible roads to drive, usually packed with Indian and Chinese tourists. Scams are endless and the food is overpriced unless you get out of the area a bit. I personally think it is an alright place to visit from time to time but I am always reminded as I am leaving that its not a place I would ever live. 

That said however, there is always some good entertainment people watching. Seeing that poor old foreigner with fresh tats walking with his young "Date" in tow talking pigeon English holding hands is always good for a laugh. ????. Or the foreigner on the back of his "Dates" Scooter. Maybe the getting attacked by Ladyboys or paying a lot of money for <deleted> cocktails is the "Edgy" part the OP likes.????.

IMHO Pattaya is clearly not the best place to live in Thailand but everyone has different standards and expectations of their living environment.

3 hours ago, bankruatsteve said:

That's good advice for many of the products out there.  But, I can attest that would not be necessary for a Quik-Fire grill.  That is one of the most durable grills I have ever owned and could rival a top of line Weber IMO.

Quality of product goes a long ways most certainly.  At lot will depend on how much one uses their grill. The gas diffusors while made of SST, deteriorate.  If you use your grill once a week or so then it's probably not necessary to buy spares. But if you use it like I do 3 to sometimes 5 days a week they burn out rather fast.  

I have had my BBQ grill for near 12 years now. Back in the states it was used once a week maybe and winter very seldom.  But here you can enjoy grilling virtually year round.  

@ Razz. Its advisable to attempt a guess on how much you might grill.  If very little then buying a grill for a lower price is a good choice.  If you plan on a lot, spend extra and get a good set up.  

Again best of luck whichever route you go.  

I BBQ 3 or 4 times a week. Can vary from Salmon/Chicken/Ribs to an occasional steak and of course Veggies or corn on the cob. My wife loves grilling the big shrimp. Wife really likes the grill.  We have a completely detached outside kitchen and my BBQ pit is outside under  an awning cover. Its a large 3 burner grill with a burner on the left that my wife uses for big pots of soup and does not want her kitchen to get to hot. Had it here for 5 years and works perfectly. 

That said to Razz, if you buy something new I highly encourage you to buy a full set of replacement burners. I say this as models change and then they discontinue the burners. I brought my BBQ pit over from the states when we moved and I bought 3 extra sets. First set lasted 3 years.  I should be covered for another 8 or so years. Maybe more.  

My recommendation is anything that will be outdoors should be made of Stainless Steel. It will hold up well. I would do the sink, Thai stove and BBQ out of SST. The frame could be made out of cement and tile. 

Nice design idea. As another suggestion, Make sure that you have a hood over the Thai Stove to draw fumes away or that area will become smoked out when cooking occurs.  Hoods are really inexpensive

Good Luck