His Masters Voice

75 and still saving ? For what ? Next life ?

Seem ridiculous to me, he already had 75 years to save...

I agree, I'm 72 and now buy what I want, within reason. If I want lamb shanks and a good bottle of red I buy it. Just bought a brand new Mitsu pickup as well. I had enough scrimping and saving in my younger years when 50% of my income went on my mortgage and I was so broke I couldn't afford to put new tyres on my car, now is the time to reap the benefits of my savings. Some people have been tightwads all their lives and find it impossible to spend a dollar unnecessarily. Only their surviving kin benefit from their money.

You are yoo young, but what about your Parents?

They lived through the Great Depression of the 1920's.

I've heard the stories from those times and maybe that has ingrained a level or frugrality not experienced by the generation who didn't live through those times?

Strange, yesterday the same OP troll told us that he stayed for free in his girlfriends appartment, who also let him bring other girls to the room.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/796498-i-got-mentally-sick-and-left/#entry9011704

A new resident troll has joined, don't feed him.

I tried to read that OP, but that was way too hard!

I wouldn't be happy to NEED to live as frugally as that guy. He does sound like a bit of an extreme case for an expat here. Washing your clothes by hand ... egads. Anyway, he sounds OK with it and that's what matters to him.

I agree. That's more then a few steps too far for me up that frugal ladder.

Washing by hand, no way.

Mind you, he is an older man, and if he's enjoting his lifestyle, good luck to him.

Nice Opening Post BTW.

Bye Bye Greece ... don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Socialist Sh** Politics, believeing that the Euro Zone owes them something.

Better on the Table then dished up on the plate.

I cannot believe it does not have a dip stick, how is the fluid topped up? I would add a can of auto box additive and give it a good run, may help, worth a try?

Do you remember the days when Battries had those cute little lids you could twist off and fill with water (distilled or not).

Then came the 'sealed battery'.

Actually, I havn't 'run it into the ground'.

It's because I know what is required of it is testament to that fact.

Cars are a machine, with basic maintainace requirements.

Eventually, machines reach a stage where it becomes cost prohibitive to continue that maintainance program.

For example, replacing the serpinitine belt is a case in hand. It's not broken, just worn.

But it's the major belt, so you replace it before it's broken.

Still, I appreciate the advice here, as I'm not across all the aspects of a car, and autos is not something I know a lot about.

Just in case my beer count has gone past it's Friday night limit, what has this got to do with Thailand?

Spanish Cops?

One thing I have learnt with emails and Thai culture/mindset.

With an email, keep it to one brief point. your chances of a reply is much better.

Also, never make the email confrontational.

Apart from that, I've had no problems.

Live in Canada and find a Canadian GF/wife?

Possible, but it would be an ass thing to do.

The bigger issue is that I have nothing in common with a typical Canadian woman.

Not judging, but it is what it is.

Is that a one way street?

It's a closed unit, so no ability to check anything.

Chatted with the mechanic who referred me to the Specialist Auto guy.

Described the problem to him, he replied with some techinicial stuff which made sense at the time, but an hourr later, when I was trying to recall the terms used to retype here, I forgot, sorry.

To effect a repair to the Auto is roughly, through a re-conditioned unit, would cost more then then 1/2 the cars worth.

Add in a bit of rust in the sills, lower ball joints (+ a wheel alignment) and the serpentine belt (fancy fan belt), front pads and judging on the slight grasp and release of the brakes, the rotors need machining, a rocker cover gasket (slight leak) and a high pressure hydrolic line (power steering), indicator lens and a recommended brake fluid flush (not done this past decade), it makes the car, not economicial to repair.

Looks like I'll drive her into the ground, then buy something new.

Thanks for the replies, I thought there was a cheap simple fix.

Yes most definitely should have had the filters replaced at that service, you said it had this issue the day after the fluid was replaced? Has it happened again since? You may have already worked it out, as stated possibly needed to be primed in a sense under load working all the air out of the system.

The problem existed for some time before I had the car serviced, so, the mechanic did not cause it.

It had a standard 'kit' used (though I don't know exactly what the 'kit' consisted of).

The brief 'shudder' happens on a daily basis before and after the service.

'Air out of the system'?

No idea if the filters were replaced, or not.

Though, I'm fairly sure the system wasn't 'flushed'.

What gets me is that after the first few minutes of driving the car is sweet as, sooooooooooo smooth.

Shifts up and down with out issues, no jerking.

The overdrive kicks in @ 80 klms/phr, kicks out a few k's below that (implying that the sensors are working correctly).

Kicks down to a lower gear if asked to hurry along.

Lets have some honesty please.

The lady in question, no, not the Cow (standing), is not Thai.

http://taufikalmask....dan-bagian.html

I think the proposition that this is a genuine image of your girlfriend is probably not true.

I have a problem with either my Auto Transmission or the Torque Converter.

First my, my bad. The service was 5 years past it's due date, plus 20-30,000 klms overdue.

Yes, I don't drive the car a lot as I don't drive the car that often. My car is in the West.

I've owned the car for more then a decade, I don't tow.

So, I got my car serviced recently.

Being the time between services, I just presumed that the Auto was a bit low on fluid.

No visable leaks.

So the mechanic just replaced the fluid and used a standard gasket kit in it.

The problem is that after being left overnight at the first time it's driven the next day, and the transmission is placed under a little stress (5% uphill and turning a corner) the car shutters a little bit.

Sometimes a little, sometimes a moderate amount. Not when you first drive off mind you, it's a flat road.

Once it's done that first stress, it works fine, smooth as, not a hint of a problem.

It's almost like the system gets 'primed' then it works fine.

Any thoughts on what both the issue is and how I can get it fixed relatively cheaply?

I saw one of these areas dominated by immigrants just recently. It was filled with businesses catering to the immigrants, with signage in their own language. There were immigrants everywhere, dressing and acting as they chose without any regard for local custom. They spoke their own language and expected locals in the area to do the same. Many of them seem to look down on the locals, and most made no effort to integrate with local culture in any way.

Sukhumvit, I think it was called.

Sukhumvit Soi3/1 ?

Proper sized wine glasses in biz class would be my first suggestion.

Why is the Thai food so rank flying out of Bangkok?

Amazing Thai Airways!

Pffttt ... a 'left turner'.

I'm gonna be rich one day and be a left turner also.

One day.

I heard, and maybe it just an Urban Myth, there are a lot of 'freebies' given to those people who know people and fly Thai for free?

Anyone got any facts surrounding my question?

My experiences are that the Security Officer has stopped everyone who has set the metal detector off, thai or not.

I never do, but I usually exchange pleasantries and I have to say, they are usually returned, if only sometimes with a smile.

As most will attest to though, they are nothing more than a 'token look'.

Was a bit more serious during the Military Coup a few years back.

Thanks for sharing. Not only the lose of a friend, but also how your wife was taking care of him.

As for the other question gripping this thread, I would presume it's Thailand related because the dog was breed, lived and died in Thailand?

We have a whole Sub-Forum about Thai Pets.

They are an odd bunch, but a friendly bunch.

I enjoyed the time I was there.

Long Weekend from memory?

Of my few talents, cooking anything edible (except to me) is a bridge to far.

Curious to read what the others are whipping up though.

Did your cooking style alter much coming to Thailand?

Maybe fewer hot (heat) dishes, stews etc?

My only claim to simple cooking is grabbing the flavour sachets out of the MAMA Green Chicken Curry packet, copping up some veges (roughly chopped onion and the long green bean), adding some light coconut cream and a breast of chicken. I like it, the nephew likes it, the Outlaws won't touch it, which is fine by me!

I suppose a photo of the 'non looker over 35' is available.

Others may wish to confirm your eyesight.

The cards expire after five years.

Yes, it's currently 5 years from purchase to expiry for a Card which, IMHO is a good time to have them in service.

Considering the wear and tear they will receive of their lifespan, they need a use by date.

Sure, you could buy individual tickets to travel, but the cost savings and convenience of using a Travel Card far outweigh the few baht that would be residual on their card.

I have a Gold one which was issued on His Majesties’ 80'th Birthday, I'm keeping that one.

Currently using a standard Rabbit Card when I'm in Bangkok.

Because it's very difficult and not essential.

I lead a comfortable life without a desire to learn the language.

And no, I don't 'live in a Farang bubble'.

But some people learn it tone perfect and I think that's great.