Canadianvisitor

Why would anyone earning over $200,000/year only have $36,000 of disposable income? Maybe it is just the usual tendency of Thai journalism to get numbers completely wrong.

Noooo silly! Stop picking on people! Disposable income means the money they have left over after they pay the maid, the mortgage, the car payment, the country club chit, the accountant, the lawyer, etc. THEN they still have $36,000 (USD) to spend on holidays, booze, hairdo's, you know the fringe accessories.

Yes I was thinking the same thing myself. Just because he demonstrates an attitude consistent with that of an American does not necessarily mean Todd is an American.

And now for my two cents..... why is everybody so nasty to each others country of origin? Many, many, ill mannered people are from all over. It's so easy to be an a#sh*le. Anybody can do it really.

Given all the misgivings of policy, politics, and culture I found Thailand one of the nicest places I have ever been. Life is tough all over. "Todd" was a tad arrogant, so was our friend that referred to him as an American. Where did that come from? The quote could have easily been a Canadian as most of my "self-centred, me-generation, selfish, brainwashed, socially inept" friends (and I mean all that in a good way), talk like that all the time.

Those friends are far too scared to venture out in the World to experience anything more than an all inclusive resort in Acapulco, Mexico. I suppose that is what makes "us" cut from a different cloth. We ALL at least have the inquisitive minds to explore foreign culture and be expats in the first place.

Insofar as the survey goes, it must have been pretty difficult to find that many people, in that income bracket, to fill out a survey in the first place. I firmly believe the worst is yet to come. When Russia, China, India and Iran decide to close down the USD, the whole enchilada is going to change in a big way. Methinks human rights have reached thier peak already.

Oh and god (small "g" god, whoever he might be) bless the people of Thailand, who, with faults like everyone, have never treated me with anything but kindness, and smoothed me out some dough because I was new at the time, that was my fault not theirs.

Just my opinion.

I came out of my rental condo in Pattaya some years ago, 2003, and out from under the shrubs from across the street comes this 1.5 metre long snake. I froze, it went into the vacant lot.

I asked the local motorcycle taxi guys about it they asked if it was gray. I said no it was reddish brown. They said if it was a cobra it would have been gray. Then I saw a photograph a couple of months later of a cobra in a boot. Same markings exactly. I am sure it was a cobra now.

It was just going on about it's business not caring much other than getting to the cover of the vacant lot and the shrubbery. Nevertheless, it was exciting for me and it gets bigger every time I tell the story.

I am worried about all of this bad news in Thailand. It is not what is needed at all. Something like this once a week will gain recognition and then the articles will start on "Thailand - Land of Getting Murdered". Right or wrong it will come. God bless the dead and gods speed to the Swedish lady.

Well there certainly is a lot of chatter with regards to this poor souls passing while in the Ocean.

Maybe a reflection of ourselves the way in which we talk about it.

Poor guy.

It may happen to any of us, anywhere.

I hope he is identified and laid to rest properly, whoever he is.

I hope that the current government lets the Thai people know what a tremendous "loss of face" Thailand has incurred because of the hooligans in red. Under the direction of the banished Thaksin, Thailand has lost face in the International community. This is very bad manners and very rude to the Thai people's reputation. Something I was told is very near and dear in the hearts of the general Thai populous. So if the current Prime Minister were to exploit what a fool Thailand has been portrayed as, would not the general population dig in deeper to resist this deposed leader that lives in exile?

I have been reading this thread, ...............................

I didn't know the guy, but I will offer what so many other of you should be doing, instead of your mindless drivel . A simple message, RIP.

Phil

This is all too too frequent on the whole everywhere on the net and "Thank you" Phil.

I hope this is not the beginning of a witchhunt for hill Tribes.

To the friends and family, to all of us who read this, my respectful condolences.

Well I'll be!

I was in Pattaya for a few days and I saw this huge snake.

Huge is about 1.5 metres.

It was golden brown with a golden belly.

I asked the locals what I had seen as it froze me as it came from the bush and went across the street.

They asked me if it was grey, I said "No."

They said "Then it wasn't a Cobra."

Are Cobra other colours than gray?

Well I'll be!

I was in Pattaya for a few days and I saw this huge snake.

Huge is about 1.5 metres.

It was golden brown with a golden belly.

I asked the locals what I had seen as it froze me as it came from the bush and went across the street.

They asked me if it was grey, I said "No."

They said "Then it wasn't a Cobra."

Then what colour is that Cobra in that boot in the initial post?

It was exactly the same as the snake I saw in Pattaya.

Are Cobra other colours than gray?

Some of the quotes on here are astounding. The same person denying that global warming exists, no matter what the evidence to the contrary. You are making a fool out of yourself. Oh, sorry, maybe you're George Bush. I never knew Mr. Bush knew how to work a computer.

What an aweful thing to happen. I hope this lower than low life is well known behind bars, that is usually how they are disposed of. Do the criminals in the jails get the paper? I sure hope so. I also hope they print a very clear picture of this piece of trash so his new friends know exactly who he is. I am not one in favour of the death penalty but things such as this make me wonder. God rest this woman's soul and my heart goes out to the family who must suffer with this forever.

UEFA quota gives Reds a problem?

Written by Matt Ladson on July 14th, 2008

With the departures of Peter Crouch, Harry Kewell and Danny Guthrie - along with the potential sales of Steve Finnan and Jermaine Pennant - Rafa Benitez is left with a problem when it comes to registering players for next season’s Champions League.

Uefa implemented a ruling in 2006 regarding locally trained players that required clubs to register 2 club trained and 2 domestic association trained players each squad, that was increased to 3 of each last season and this season it becomes four players - meaning Liverpool will only be able to register 17 international players.

Last season Benitez registered young defender Stephen Darby, along with Gerrard and Carragher as the three club trained players. The domestic association trained players (eg. can be trained at another club from within England) were Harry Kewell, Steve Finnan, Jermain Pennant, David Martin and Peter Crouch. Two of those (Crouch and Kewell) have already left, and another two are likely to leave (Finnan and Pennant). Leaving Liverpool three players short of their four domestic trained players and one short of club trained players.

To qualify, a player must have trained at the club for three years between the age of 15 and 21, regardless of nationality. Therefore, the likes of Lucas and Babel are not eligible to fill the quota as they arrived at the club too late to have three years before the age of 21. This season at least, Benitez is left with somewhat of a headache.

Not that it is only Liverpool with the problem, Chelsea have just John Terry as club trained, and only registered 23 players last season, while Arsenal only registered 24 players.

This problem could explain why Benitez’s top targets this summer have emerged as Gareth Barry and Robbie Keane - both players would be classed as domestically trained - leaving Liverpool just one short of their four for that part of the quota. That could also explain the links with Stewart Downing, James Milner et al. It would also go someway to explaining why buying domestic players is proving so expensive too.

Furthermore, it may explain why Liverpool are signing a large amount of 17 year olds, who will qualify as club trained by being at the club for three years before the age of 21. Once the likes of Dani Pacheco, Kristzian Nemeth, Damien Plessis and Emiliano Insua, become eligible to qualify as club trained, Liverpool’s situation will be much stronger.

The single men's class is learning ethics and manners.

Ethics Teacher, Question: "How does one excuse themselves if they have to go to the bathroom during a dinner date."

First guy:" Excuse me my love I have to take a quick leak I'll be right back"

Ethics Teacher:"Well I think it could be phrased better without saying "take a leak",

that sounds a tad vulgar."

Second guy: "How about this, Have a look at the menu dear, I have to go to the bathroom".

Ethics Teacher "I think it could be said without using the word bathroom."

Third guy: "I know it I have used this one before, how about this ... I will be right

back sweetheart, I just have to go and shake hands with a good friend of mine, don't worry I will be introducing the two of you after we finish up our wine!"

Rafael Benítez will pursue his interest in Robbie Keane despite Tottenham's insistence that their vice-captain is not for sale. The Liverpool manager has proposed a cash-plus-Peter Crouch deal but the Republic of Ireland international will have to agitate for a move to bring Benítez's pursuit to fruition.

Keane has emerged as a leading target for Liverpool after discussions between Anfield officials and their Spurs counterparts about Crouch, the England international who is valued at between £10m and £12m and is also wanted by Portsmouth, Manchester City, Newcastle and possibly Arsenal.

Woo Hoo.

Source , The guardian Monday June 30, 2008.

Sounds like Rafa is loading his gun for this season in a big big way.

Nice to see Torres put the ball in like that.

Stunning speed and an awsome flicker in to the net.

Good on him. His skill has changed the way the entire franchise views the future for sure.

50-50 chance of first iceless summer for North Pole: scientist

The Associated Press

A leading American ice scientist says there's a 50-50 chance that the North Pole will be ice-free this summer,

which would be a first in recorded history.

Mark Serreze, senior researcher at the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado in Boulder,

said the weather and ocean conditions in the next couple of weeks will determine how much of the sea ice will melt,

and early signs are not good.

He said the chances for a total meltdown at the pole are higher than ever because

the layer of ice coating the sea is thinner than ever.

Last August, the Northwest Passage was open to navigation for the first time in memory.

Preliminary February and March data from a NASA satellite shows that the circle of ice surrounding the North Pole

is "considerably thinner" than scientists have seen during the five years the satellite has been taking pictures, NASA ice scientist Jay Zwally said Friday.

He thinks there is slightly less than a 50-50 chance the North Pole will be ice-free.

Last year was a record year for ice melt all over the Arctic

and the ice band surrounding the North Pole is even thinner now.

"A large area at the North Pole and surrounding the North Pole is first-year ice," Serreze said.

"That's the stuff that tends to melt out in the summer because it's thin."

A more conservative ice scientist, Cecilia Bitz at the University of Washington,

put the odds of a North Pole without ice closer to 1-in-4.

Even that is far worse than climate models had predicted,

which was 1-in-70 sometime in the next decade, she said.

But both she and Serreze agree it's just a matter of time.

"I would guess within the next 10 years it would happen at least once," Bitz said.

Already, figures from the National Snow and Ice Data Center show sea ice in the Arctic

as a whole at about the same level now as it was at its low point last year in late June and early July.

The explanation is a warming climate, scientists said.

For the last couple of decades, there has been a steady melt of Arctic sea ice,

which covers only the ocean and which thins during summer and refreezes in winter.

In recent years, it has gradually become thinner because more of it has been melting as the Earth's temperature rises.

That left just a thin one-year layer of ice that previously covered part of Siberia.

The Canadian Press

Spanish Fly maybe? I dunno, I really was impressed with the Ruskies against Holland.

They sure didn't have the same flair against the Spanish.

Oh well, I love to talk about it.

Win some lose some I guess.

We as Red Men are looking like we are certainly on the way though.

Dos cerveza, pour four more!!!!

Hoe did you know I was writing during the night before the day after by the way?

Was it that obvious?

12:00 am EST Thursday. Germanyjust squeaked in there, 3 -2 over the Turks.

I will go out and out it up I think the Russians are in over Spain.

Firstly: The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain .... and there are no plains in Spain.

Secondly: The Ruskies are always sleepers in the first rounds. No matter what the sport.

They always do it. They never show you what they have in the prelim's.

Thirdly: They sure shocked me in the way played to get in, I thought they're play was the

best I have seen in the tournament. From our point of view it is too soon for

Torres to win a major yet. He has got to get hungrier to perform at his peak.

If he wins too early in his career, then he's done it, got the prize. I think,

(then again , who am I?) Russia beats Spain, Torres works harder next season

for us, to prove himself.

I thank you all for your help. I will continue to read the banter on this thread and count you all as friends. I also really like this completely autographed filled Liverpool FC football I have here signed by some guy named Ian Rush and his friends. Just thought I would throw that in.

I have also read that Ronaldino wants to play in the premiership. What are your thoughts on that? Oh, and by the way, I am in Canada our coverage over here is sparse to say the least, I rely heavily on the opinions and input from you guys here on Thai Visa for the goods. So if I seem a bit misinformed all I have are websites to form an opinion.

After watching him in the Italian game I wonder if he is worth the money. He is not very strong looking.

Tottenham beat Chelsea & Liverpool for £20million ace?

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club have won the race for David Villa, according to reports.

The Sunday Mirror claim Juande Ramos has stolen ahead of rivals Chelsea and Liverpool to land the Spanish international striker, who has scored four goals at Euro 2008 this summer.

Valencia made the player available for around £15million at the end of the season, but his form has been of such a standard in Austria & Switzerland their asking price soared.

And Ramos is concerned if he doesn’t act now he could end up paying even more for Villa so, although it remains unconfirmed by either club, an offer of £20million has been tabled and accepted.

Liverpool rocked as Villa price rises to £32million

Valencia are believed to have DOUBLED their asking price for David Villa which, if true, is more than likely to end Liverpool Football Club’s interest.

Before Euro 2008 the Spaniards were asking around £15million for their star striker, as financial troubles at the Mestalla looks to have forced their hand in selling the 26-year-old.

However, his price shot to around £20million when he scored a hat-trick against Russia in the Finals, and as his form as Spain’s progress continues, reports in Spain claim Che now want £32million for his signature.

As much as Rafael Benitez would love to pair Villa up with his Los Rojas pal Fernando Torres in a potential world-beating strike partnership, if is unlikely he would be able to push through a deal at that price.

Liverpool Football Club are plotting a move for David Silva.

The Reds are desperately trying to bolster the left side of their midfield this summer, with Hamburg star Ivica Olic and Middlesbrough’s Stewart Downing previously linked in recent weeks.

However, reports on Friday suggest Rafael Benitez will turn to his former club Valencia, who are having financial difficulties, and lodge a £20million bid for Silva.

The 22-year-old would be a great signing for Liverpool, but with Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry also said to be on his way for possibly as much as £20million, does Benitez have the funds to pull off the deal?

I am thinking Villa is being smoothed over by the prospect of playing with Torres. If Barry is coming then

the I think that half of Europe will want to get in on the parade. It bodes well for the Club if both

(if they are coming) sign early, it would set a precedent for others to want to be part of the growth phase.

Seeing that they have released a few players thus far, do you think they already have a deal in principal

with either Barry or Villa verbal or otherwise.

Liverpool Football Club could begin the season well equipped for a Premier League title bid.

The last time the Reds celebrated a league title success was back in the 1989/90 season, during the days when John Barnes terrorised defences down his left wing position.

That could be a role for Stewart Downing to fill next season as Rafael Benitez continues to be linked with a £12million swoop for the Middlesbrough winger, or Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry?

And on the other flank, Benitez could add David Bentley, again for around £12million, as the England international revealed over the weekend that he wants to leave Ewood Park.

David Villa of Valencia is widely tipped to partner Fernando Torres in attack next season.

Liverpool Football Club are favourites to lure David Bentley this summer.

The England international has stunned Blackburn Rovers by demanding a transfer during the summer window, as he seeks to realise his ambition of playing for one of the bigger clubs in England.

"I made it clear to the club what I wanted to do," Bentley told Sky Sports News. "My situation is I want to move on, I want to be playing UEFA Champions League football. I want to be playing in Europe.”

It is believed Bentley’s first choice of new employers is Liverpool, and this is good news for Rafael Benitez who would happily spend £12million to prise him to Anfield for next season.

Sounds like Rafa is getting set to load up on English boys at last. Good thing too, it will be sure to keep the team from acting up. I think we are in for a good fight, this is the kind of aggressive signing that will bring the team to form. Stevie deserves it.

I do hope Rocco makes a go of it. I don't dislike Tiger, but it is a great story for Rocco.

He is such a nice and honest person and his enthusiasm is in the right place.

I am over here half way around the globe, it's not that far really.

I have been to Thailand many times and have no interest in those kind of places.

The nice farangs are probably the ones at the zoos or something like that