laobali

What did you really expect from those conceited dimwits on Top Gear? They are supposed to be entertainers and they think of themselves clever, but really they are just bums.

That says a lot about the millions of viewers all over the world who enjoy watching Top Gear – compared to the minuscule amount of people who complain about it, doesn't it?.

Playing the racism card is getting out of hand these days. In Seattle, you can't say 'brown bag.' No wonder so many of us ex pats 'fled' to Thailand, where you don't hear 'racist' 'sexist' 'fascist' (except on Thai visa 555)

Yeah, except that of course you can say brown bag, and that fleeing your own country for a less developed country so that you have the freedom to be more racist doesn't make you look good.

I think you mean so many "racists" have fled to Thailand. sometimes I'm ashamed toy admit I'm an expat as it associates me with some of the most ignorant and racist people I have ever met.

They're in good company. Are Thais not racist too?

clarkson should issue a public apology to the bridge

Not the 'slope' on it? He might even do that; more publicity, more money for him and the BBC. Great PR.

to make the PC brigade happy, clarkson should be sacked and replaced by a drug-addicted elderly retarded bangladeshi lesbian vegan animal-rights activist convicted pedophile with AIDS... even if she doesn't know as much about cars as clarkson, at least she wouldn't be accused of being a biggoted middle-aged white guy...

...and i'm sure top gear would be just as funny to watch

Even better if she was trans-gender!

The 53-year-old is heard saying: 'That is a proud moment, but there's a slope on it', as a man walked towards them on their makeshift bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand.

Jeremy should have said 'in it' and not 'on' it.

I don't think so... "there's a slope on it" sounds ok to me

but if he noticed a crack in the wood he should have said... "there's a chink in it"

Assuming he was quoted correctly it would have save a Jeremy and Top Gear lots of unnecessary and silly controversy don't you think?

For "lots of unnecessary and silly controversy" read "lots of extra free global publicity for a syndicated show".

If it was a Thai "Top Gear" programme, would the presenter say 'there is a farang on it'? Seems there are double standards somewhere... :-)

No, because it would have made no sense in a Thai context. Humorous word play and puns are best used so that only certain people will see ambiguity of meaning – and choose to be either amused or offended, or a bit of both.

clarkson should issue a public apology to the bridge

Not the 'slope' on it? He might even do that; more publicity, more money for him and the BBC. Great PR.

ok that's good that you can see the benefits of price discrimination (so your not lacking in basic economic understanding) but you are worried about inequality between people from thailand vs westerners...

so would you agree its about time, we did away we the birth right of citizenship (and the many advantages/disadvantages that come with being born in your home country) and share all the world's resources, including educational and career opportunities (and all public services) equally for all people on earth?...

if so, i admire your principled philosophy. if not, i am amused by your selfish and lop-sided view of what racism / inequality is...

I have no problem with any of that.

I do. How on earth does this relate to Jeremy Clarkson and Top Gear?

Clarkson is a pratt - an extremely well paid one, but a pratt nonetheless. And yes, the term "slope" is offensive, though coming from such a perennial adolescent it's entirely predictable.

The word is 'prat' and frequently qualified with 'pompous'.

He wouldn't be so well paid by the BBC for one of its highest earning shows if it wasn't worth the occasional outcry from one of his non-PC throwaway remarks. It's part of the show. They know it and most intelligent viewers with any sense of humour (even Yank) know it.

Oh dear, I suppose now I've insulted Americans!

when 2 people enter into a romantic relationship they should forget about everything else in the world and focus 100% on making love

For at least a couple of weeks anyway.

love me, love my dog. its that simple.

You're comparing the lives and future of two children with a pet dog?

I think if he even has to ask himself this question, he doesn't have the maturity to get involved with this woman.

I agree if by 'maturity' you mean acceptance of the status quo regarding Thai women with young children from a Thai father (cop or not). They will all definitely become his full financial responsibility. The only thing that can (should) change in this case is his own mindset if he wants to take this woman and her baggage on.

It's a package deal and I would expect nothing less. It's called "family" and "parents" will (usually) always put their children before themselves.

Your "friend" was an idiot for not checking sooner if it was going to be an issue. It's one of the many questions I ask when I first meet someone new.

Unfortunately, asking and even lengthy discussion is not enough. The surprises can and will be sprung later, even years into the relationship. I know.

If he doesn't want to take on the kids, he should end it with her now, and find a woman WITHOUT KIDS.

But why does he have to take on the kids?

When they first started talking he didn't know she had kids. I agree with some other posters that this info should not have been withheld, but that aside, he is willing to pay for rent/food/utilities, and I'd expect other day to day stuff.

He should realise that the woman was fully aware of her situation (perfectly normal and common in Thailand) and the kids will always be her priority. If the new husband-to-be cannot accept a 'Thai package' with a good heart and without resentment towards the kids' father (and probably her extended family too), then he should walk away now..

Don't know about the community spirit thing ....BUT I for one enjoy a good party ....especially if the drinks and food are on the house !

That's really it. Thai and Lao enjoy a party. The richer ones sometimes reciprocate; the poor are just welcomed. The expensive wedding is the most important; it's about status (face) for the parents of the couple. Parties are always way over-catered as they never know how many will come, written invitations or not.

Two "new" links below....both very confusing.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/03/14/malaysia-airlines-search-heads-toward-indian-ocean/

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/se-asia/story/missing-malaysia-plane-mh370-said-be-traced-sea-australia-20140315

I mean...in which direction out of a possible 365 has it gone & who are we to believe?

Or is all this stuff just disinformation?

There's your answer. It must be along one of those 5 extra degrees.

As they say , if it is too hot in the kitchen , get out.

Almost. "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen".

'They' also say, "Out of the frying pan, into the fire".

In the center of town there is a fountain that is surrounded by restaurants. The are bands that rotate in every hour and the musicians are excellent. Pick a restaurant and be entertained for hours.

There is the monstrous thing that looks a little like the Arc de Triumph. You can go to to the top of it and take some pics. Stroll by the river at sunset for people watching and the open market.

I also like Nong Kai. In fact I like it more. It's less expensive.

Agree until your last sentence.

Nongkhai seems less expensive because there's nothing to buy (except at Tesco), nowhere decent to eat, virtually no nightlife at all, and bugger all for tourists to see or do. Fine for the odd old expats you see in the few places they sit around to eat and drink. NK has hardly changed in 15 years.

It'll never happen.

I don't intend to remain here forever

I most certainly don't intend to settle down with a Thai woman

For all of my homeland's woes, I owe much of what I am and what I have to the realm and the notion of cutting ties to that in favour of a country where the law is but a suggestion and an education of any acceptable standard is a privilege is, frankly, unthinkable.

Yes I love living in Thailand. I still find its pros outweigh its cons by a very comfortable ratio but I can never forget my first, true love; Great Britain.

God Save The Queen

Agree with everything you say, except for your last sentence, as a Republican I was almost going to disagree, however the more I thought of it, the more I agree, the longer "Lizzy" stays on the throne means less time on it for the idiot who will follow.

GSTQ.

Who follows will not change anything - for good or bad.

'The only difference from the real Singapore licence was the absence of holograms. '

So not very good at all then.

Do you really think the holder was going to use it to drive in Singapore?

"I hope that the honest Thai police will do something to stop this actions and not let it out the control. Will be more damaging than anything to Thailand's reputation."

Classic.

A military airbase....for refueling? And then on to where? Incredible story..... But wait.... why no ransom...why no warbling old ladies dancing around in the goat field? How could this be a hostage situation if no ransom notes/demands are made? Or are these being kept quiet? Perhaps for a surprise rescue?

I posted before about those 20 employees from Freescale Semiconductor company about having some kind of weaponry hi-tech device (UWB) ultra wide band. Whatever it is, someone wants something from this plane.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

This thing, if it is what I think it is. Would have taken a hell of a lot of planning. And it would have taken plenty of time. I mean it is bordering on Hollywood stuff. How would they have projected so far ahead that these scientist were going to be on this particular aircraft at this particular time ?

Also crew rostering and a captain with a home 777 flight simulator.

What about the pilot and co-pilot?Pilot error?Accomplished?

Possibly "over-accomplished" in the case of the captain.

The United States has spy satellites that can read the serial number of

a dollar bill you are holding.

Don't you watch too much movies .

Hey I like movies.... The best resolution for an older discontinued American spy satellite was

2.5 inches. So can only guess what current ones can do....

http://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/3637/are-military-spy-satellites-as-advanced-as-people-think-they-are

In any event a scan by a satellite sure seems more efficient than flying around a helicopter....

On a side note, with the misinformation and lies coming from Malaysia and Malaysian Airlines

with their bizarre cover up, ( Oops sorry the plane is really west of Malaysia not north)

China is going to be super pissed off. Water bottle throwing will just be the start. With

153 Chinese citizens missing, you can be assured that the truth will come out....

Regarding the pilot in command having in essence a very complex 777 simulation setup

in his house, perhaps he was training himself for some upcoming tricky flying.....

I don't see anything suspicious about a pilot having a 777 simulator in his house. Some people just love their work and live for it 24/7.

If he was training himself for some tricky flying why would he post these photos on Facebook?

Maybe someone else saw him as suitable for a 'mission'.

I know of pilots who have the PMDG addons for Flightsim. They say it keeps them sharp. Very realistic in their view.

Fair enough, but I wonder if the average operating pilot does this for his own current aircraft type or only the more passionate/extreme/fanatical.

You would be surprised what lengths some simmers go to. One guy, had a set up that he had a passenger cabin set up in gis attic. He world have friends and neighbours round. While he flew the flight. They would watch an in flight video, while his wife served food and drinks.I'm happy with a yoke and pedals and righting AI flightplans for a group I'm with. His set up was not out of the ordinary for a dedicated simmer.

All good, harmless fun, but was he a 'real' pilot or just a wannabe?

This MAS captain was more than a flightsimmer/gamer. His wellwishers' dedication site has photos of his homemade 777 simulator with controls, SIX large monitors and touchscreens. One can only imagine what simulations he may have been running on his own and unsupervised, possibly way beyond the scope of normal flight crew simulator training for standard operating and emergency procedures, route flying and airport approaches - and for whose benefit? I find it odd.

http://www.sharelor.net/1/post/2014/03/tribute-who-exactly-is-malaysia-airlines-captain-zaharie-shah-of-mh370.html

Another forum's poster:

"From the comments so far it seems that there would be some sort of transponder signal even if the plane was disintegrated. If this is the case hijack was a real possibility. Where can the plane land without detection?

I am thinking if someone's up to no good then they would make sure they pick the best pilot out there who can expertly manoeuvre the plane to where ever they want to go."

Do many 777 captains spend their off-duty time at a sophisticated flight 777 simulator with 3 widescreen panoramic monitors at home? (published on Facebook)

I know of pilots who have the PMDG addons for Flightsim. They say it keeps them sharp. Very realistic in their view.

Fair enough, but I wonder if the average operating pilot does this for his own current aircraft type or only the more passionate/extreme/fanatical.

You would be surprised what lengths some simmers go to. One guy, had a set up that he had a passenger cabin set up in gis attic. He world have friends and neighbours round. While he flew the flight. They would watch an in flight video, while his wife served food and drinks.I'm happy with a yoke and pedals and righting AI flightplans for a group I'm with. His set up was not out of the ordinary for a dedicated simmer.

All good, harmless fun, but was he a 'real' pilot or just a wannabe?