silver sea

A student had to write an essay about John Milton.

He began his essay thus:

"Milton is famous for the poem 'Paradise Lost', and then after his wife died, he wrote 'Paradise Regained'....

Why did your Thai Chinese friend refer to the man as "my electrician"? Was he his employee? If so, did your friend offer to contribute to your expense of fitting a new box and meters for your neighbours? Is he still your friend?

Yes.

No.

Yes.

He expected no payment for his workers assistance.T.I.T

Thank you for reply. Still not sure I understand though, but then I'm still fairly new to Thailand and its ways

If the "electrician" was your friend's employee, then why didn't you ask your friend to reimburse your bill? Or are you saying that because "he expected no payment for his worker's assistance" he was not liable for your losses?

Did he not feel embarrassed, as your friend, that he had caused you considerable trouble and expense, and so felt obliged to make some sort of contribution towards your bills? Or is that just another example of "Thainess"?

'T.I.T.' meaning what? Two Idiots Talking i.e. your friend to his employee?

Why did your Thai Chinese friend refer to the man as "my electrician"? Was he his employee? If so, did your friend offer to contribute to your expense of fitting a new box and meters for your neighbours? Is he still your friend?

To hang or not to hang, thats a personal choice, but I wouldnt be hanging it quite so in other peoples faces.

Hey Charlie, after this mornings football results, I started taking your advice seriously.
I don't want the Greek flag in other peoples faces............not the Thais but.......the English, the Americans, the Italians, the Australians and others............

But you do want to, Costas, you do. That's the whole point. That's why you put the Greek flag up in the first place. It's worth taking Charlie's advice if you can though. What he said makes sense.

BTW although the Americans lost to Germany, they still go through to the last 16 on goal difference:

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/26/sport/football/world-cup-usa-germany-portugal-ghana/index.html

... and good luck to them ... and to Greece too. No problem wishing you all well. England didn't deserve to progress. Perhaps they need to have more bite ... :)

The OP has gone quiet on this thread. He has the Greek flag as his avatar and he says that he flies the flag outside his house. It would be helpful to know what he hopes other people think when they see his Greek flag? Presumably he expects a positive response, even from the Turks!

What do Thais know about Greece? lla regguB, I would have thought. If Thais ask you, what does Greece mean to you, what do you tell them?

 
The OP, has other things, also to do.......clean the house.........drink his Café Yen.........
The OP, also is not very much interested as to what other people think when they see the Greek flag.
The OP, is very proud of being Greek and loves his country.
The OP, thinks the Turks also love their country and they are good friends of the Greeks.
The OP, has established that Thais, know a lot about Greece, and sometimes he is very pleasantly surprised of that.
The OP, will answer, if he is asked from Thais what Greece means to him.........EVERYTHING.
The OP, will also tell the Thais that he loves Thailand and Thai people.
Regards
The OP.

Hello Costas2008

Thank you for your reply.

My previous post was not meant to be as impolite as you seem to think. No disrespect was intended.

It's just that culturally we are so different. I may have strong feelings about my home country, but those thoughts and feelings are my own business; they are nobody else's. It would never cross my mind to fly the flag or even to wear a T shirt with the flag emblazoned upon it. It's too "in your face".

Edited to remove last two paragraphs which were perhaps on reflection, too negative.

The OP has gone quiet on this thread. He has the Greek flag as his avatar and he says that he flies the flag outside his house. It would be helpful to know what he hopes other people think when they see his Greek flag? Presumably he expects a positive response, even from the Turks!

What do Thais know about Greece? lla regguB, I would have thought. If Thais ask you, what does Greece mean to you, what do you tell them?

I went to my local Siam Commercial Bank branch. I needed my passbook updated and a 1000 baht note changed to 10 x 100 notes.

There were four desks. From my right, at desk 1 was a female clerk; desk 2 was unoccupied; desk 3 had a female clerk; desk 4 had a male clerk.

When it was my turn in the queue, I sat down at desk 3. She updated my passbook but couldn't help me with the 1000 baht note. She pointed to the lady at desk 1 and indicated that I should go there. I stood up and moved over.

The lady at desk 1 was already ocuppied with a customer. I waited patiently for 5 minutes and then she was free. I sat down and asked her to change the note for 10 x 100 notes. She opened her drawer, frowned and indicated she did not have enough notes. She then stood up and walked past the lady at desk 3, and interrupted the male clerk, who was helping a customer, at desk 4. She whispered something, he opened his drawer, took the 1000 baht note, and gave her 10 x 100 baht notes. She then walked back to her desk and handed the notes to me. Why couldn't the lady at desk 3 have done that?

As I stood up, I shot a glance at the lady at desk 3, but she did not bat an eyelid.

I would add that normally the staff at SCB are very good; just an off day I suppose.

A little disappointed here.
Lot's of answers about my flag being lower or higher than the Thai flag and if the pole is short enough or long enough.
My original question was, are you proud of your own country as to display your national flag or you have just forgotten everything living the good life in Thailand?

I come from a generation where it is felt that being openly patriotic is "not British". It's ok for other nations to wave their flags if they wish; no problem.

Also it's ok for the Scots, Welsh and Irish to paint their faces and to let off steam on international occasions. Of course, if the English try to do the same then we are accused of being racist and arrogant towards our Celtic and Gaelic cousins! All part of the fun of being English/British I guess.

My late father was born in 1920. In 1939, like most men of his generation, he knew where his duty lay and volunteered; he did not wait to be conscripted. He spent the next six years risking his life almost on a daily basis because Britain was in danger.

My late mother lived through the London Blitz (although she didn't volunteer for this). On her deathbed, she raised herself up, and said, shaking her fist: "I'm glad I was born English and I don't believe in God." The next day she was dead.

I was lucky to have been born in the post war period. By the time I was a teenager, compulsory national service in the armed forces had been abolished. I have enjoyed all the benefits without having to make any of the sacrifices of previous generations. I would feel uncomfortable flying the flag in such circumstances. My parents never felt the need to do so, they just got on with things, so why should I?

Indeed, I am aware that the British flag is not a happy sight for everyone. For instance, I often visit the Shamrock Bar, which is an Irish themed pub. You can buy Guinness on tap, although I believe it's shipped in from Singapore.

At the front of the pub, to show how welcoming and friendly the Irish are, they hang the national flags of other countries. I sit at my table and count them off: Sweden, Russia, Greece, Scotland, Ireland (Eire), Norway, Australia, England (red and white Cross of St George) .... but no Union Jack! And then one of the owner's best mates, who's also Irish, comes in and he's wearing a T Shirt saying: "County Cork - The Rebel County". So, no need to ask why you won't be seeing the British flag flying in an Irish pub. But no problem; I understand. Sadly, we are all prisoners of history.

Anyway, living on Koh Samui, I don't need to worry, because the Union Jack and British culture is everywhere. It's not in your face, but it's there if you look. In the Thai owned shops you can buy Union Jack crash helmets, purses, bags, trousers and shirts.



[attachment=272117:image.jpg]


The Thais, both men and women, are happy to go around wearing English Premier League football shirts. The Thai owner of a small restaurant I go to, proudly wears his Liverpool shirt. This last week he has been wearing the England Three Lions shirt. It was crisp and clean, presumably brand new. I guess he knows by now that watching England play is like the Chinese Water Torture - sheer agony! I gave up watching them years ago. It's just too painful.

Thais also wear T Shirts celebrating their love of The Beatles and the Rolling Stones. I even saw one young fellow with Black Sabbath on the back of his shirt (although, strangely, the letters were in deep purple!)

To make money here on Samui, the Thais have to speak some English. Those Farangs, who are not native English speakers, have to speak basic English to have any success with the local girls. One Austrian told me that when he first came to Thailand, the only English he kew was 'yes' and 'no'. When he got one of the bar girls back to his room she started telling him something in English but he didn't understand a word. So he had to pull out his mobile and phone a friend who could speak English. "Have a shower" and "Don't forget your towel" were the first English phrases he learned.

And of course we all drive on the left here ...

Honda Wave with no telephone number, probably local.

RIP

According to one of the readers' comments on OP's link, the deceased's name was Skippy, so presumably an Aussie. As you say, probably local rather than tourist.

RIP

me thinks more to it than just mobilizing the A team for helmet violations?

Nothing sinister! They have been having roadblocks all over the island for over a week now. Started last week at Naton with two seperate road blocks. So no reason to get excited.

Hello oldsailor35

You say nothing sinister, but what is the purpose of the roadblocks? Are they looking for drugs? Two separate roadblocks in Nathon suggests more than just a standard helmet check.

Hello RJDuncan

When you say top of Chaweng, where exactly do you mean please?

When I come out of Tesco in Chaweng, I turn right onto the ring road and head towards Lamai where I live. After Tesco, and having just gone through the first set of traffic lights, I sometimes notice a police presence. If they want to stop you, they direct you into what looks like a (Catholic?) church area. As I pass by it looks like this area has plenty of space to park bikes and for people to line up to pay their fines. Is that where you mean?

Thanks

Q: What did the digital clock say to the grandfather clock?

A: Look grandpa, no hands!

Q: What did the buffalo say to his son as he dropped him off at school?

A: Bison

My faith in so called fortune tellers is non excitant

I remember 1 in Sydney's Kings Cross, in the early 80's

As she was predicting a guy's fortune he was shot by a stray bullet.

Guess the near future is a bit hard to predict

Ha ha very funny monkey4u

... but way back then, not every one shared your view. For example, the world's most powerful man in the 1980s, aided by his loyal wife, was always willing to consult them before making important policy decisions in his fight against the Evil Empire.

"Not since the days of the Roman emperors, and never in the history of the United States Presidency, has an astrologer played such a significant role in the nation's affairs of State."

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Quigley

Here in Lamai, on Koh Samui, he is still fondly remembered. Indeed, well-groomed Thais still aspire to look like him:

It has always been a problem back in the UK. Indeed, it could be said that England has created a new Position for the Karma Sutra. It's called the Plumber: you stay in all day, but nobody comes.

Do you know if he expects passport, or is he happy with passport copy and deposit?

Not that I plan on smashing the bike up or running away with it, but I don't feel safe handing my passport over, plus it will probably be a 5 month rental anyway unless I get an edu visa and end up buying my own bike.

He generally asks for the passport which he keeps in his safe. I am happy for him to hold mine so I know it won't be stolen. He gives it back to you if you need to apply for a 30 day extension on your 60 day visa from Immigration; or if you need to do a visa run; or if you need to show it to your bank e.g. you need a new transaction book because the old one is full up. But that is something you can discuss with him.

Samui is hopelessly expensive, Phuket not much better. Both tourist traps full of annoying russian and aussie tourists.

Id go elsewhere if i was you

Your definition of hopelessly expensive and mine appear to be at odds.

A two bedroomed, detached bungalow, two aircon, large lounge, laundry room, buig Western style kitchen along with a huge walled in garden also with its own well and 10 MB internet at 5000 a month ? It was also a few minutes from Lippa Noi beach and 5 minutes from Nathon centre Just what do you call cheap if that is expensive ?

When did I say I was talking about long term rentals Do you think the 300 baht starting fare for a taxi in Chaweng is not expensive? What do you call expensive if that is cheap?

Add in the obscene flight prices and expensive restaurants and i still contend its the most expensive island in Thailand.

'

Hello tullynargardy,

The airfare to the island is I agree a bit of a bummer, but if the price were to be cheaper it would just mean that more and more people would want to visit. A much cheaper alternative is to take the ferry to the mainland and then the bus or train to Bangkok, which I admit I have not yet tried, but is highly rated by those Farangs who have; the Thai locals of course have no choice.

As Seducedbytheseas says in his post above, the airport is owned and operated by Bangkok Air. There had been talk of building a second airport on Samui to break this monopoly and to lower the prices to attract more visitors. Thankfully, that idea seems to have died a death.. We are a small island; there are enough people here already. The strain on the infrastructure such as electricity and water supplies would be too much.

You complain about the expensive restaurants but as you can see from the photo below ...

...we have so much fun here there's only time for one meal a day anyway!

Samui is great!

My landlord owns about 80 motor bikes (and 11 cars). He has his own motorbike repair shop on the ring road in Lamai, between TescoLotus and the turning into Walking Street. It is very busy but his rented bikes get priority over anyone else.

I have known him about 2 years.

See his website for prices and contact details:

http://www.bigtreesvillagesamui.com

Hope this helps.

'New Sherman House Resort'. Absolutely nothing on Google. Mysterious luxury resort... Ps RIP.

Hello Gulfsailor

It does exist, so no longer mysterious. By coincidence, I was just passing. Photograph is below. As you can see, as SamuiRes has said in post 27 above, it is not a Resort, but a luxury villa that backs on to the beach.

Although it is on a busy road, it is set back, and looks secluded. There is a traffic cone outside with a sign saying "STOP" in Thai and English.

Very sad story. Like everyone else, I hope that the family receive full cooperation from the authorities and so discover the reason for his death. RIP.

And the fact that he was found dead at a "luxury resort" is relevant how?

Hello cgphuket.

I'm sure that his family and friends back in Oz are relieved that the headline and story say that he was found dead at a "luxury resort". If the journalist had simply said that the man had been found dead in an hotel room, it would have been all too easy, for those who like to gossip and speculate, to assume that it must have been a cheap hotel and therefore, by implication, that he must have been a sex tourist.

Of course, working girls do get invited back to plush hotels, but most readers of this story and headline, which will probably be copied verbatim by the Aussie newspapers, are likely to give him the benefit of the doubt on the information provided so far. The fact that he was in Samui rather than in Phuket must help too.

The world's most famous MacDonald's sign is in Yass, Australia, I believe

Mr Jukebox,

"if you enjoy looking at rock shaped genitalia" ??

Which bar is this

Hello cornishcarlos

This may help:

And to get you in a dopey mood you may enjoy this: