bheard

A positive way to attack a 'problem' is to come up with a 'solution'.

Here's such a 'solution': use that 'sleeping' time teaching the kids to swim.

Given that figures suggest there are more than 2600 Thai children drowning each year, that's 2600/365 = 7/day !!, then teaching them to swim would be a sensible thing to do.

A cheap above ground pool is sufficient. Oh, and some dedicated teachers, as well as the will in government circles to actually face up to the problem and fix it.

http://swimsafe.org/drowning/drowning-data/

Tissue paper? Isn't that the same type of paper I wipe my backside with?

Don't miss Jim Thompson House - very interesting, then get the book and read about him! It's a short walk from the National Stadium BTS station.

Go see Madame Tussards wax museum (spelling?, not sure) - worth a look, take your Thai woman with you and see if she knows of any of the famous Thais there (if she's a teacher she will). It's on the 6th floor in one of those massive shopping comlpexes near Siam station.

People throwing around the term 'overdrive' would be advised to look up the meaning of the word - just go to Wiki.

These days no manufacturer offers an 'overdrive' gear, whatever the advertising blurb or the armchair experts say. If the transmission is a 5 speed then the 5th speed is 5th gear, not overdrive.

Gearing in vehicles is designed to use most efficiently the torque/power available from the engine over all speed ranges and throttle positions. Overdrive is an outdated notion which has no place in the modern vehicle.

Whilst I agree with you Epicstuff, you could look at it that we farangs pay the normal price and the indigenous population get a hefty discount. I live near Phanom Rung ( supposedly ) a site of historic interest. Personally all I see is a pile of old stone that over the years has collapsed. If I want to go in, I'm charged the normal farang rate whilst the family get the huge discount -- or is it the other way round, they get in cheap and I'm fleeced. So now, if anyone wants to go, I'll wait in one of the shaded seating areas to relax while the others risk limbs climbing to the demolition site.

What ever you pay at Phanom Rung you are being ripped. The toilets are DISGUSTING!

Nothing to do with the number of cylinders, let the manufacturer sort that out. It's a Nissan - it'll outlive you. My Nissan Micra (precursor to the March) was a great car (left the country, had to sell it).

A friend of mine loaned 30,000b to a friend of hers, a ladyboy, to have a party prior to joining the monkhood, on the promise that it be paid back.

Apparently the person did pay it back later on.

I assumed it was just to be pissed up against a wall, what a waste. Just an Aussie thought . . .

On the subject of multiple entry Tourist Visas obtained from an overseas consulate. Perhaps an upgrade on what people know about these visas is required.

I am currently in Thailand on the first entry of my triple entry Tourist Visa obtained at the Thai consulate in Melbourne during April last.

In the past I have obtained double entry visas there, 90 days each entry.

This time I was told that 90 days is no longer available, each entry now lasting for 60 days only, however I could get a triple entry tourist visa if I wanted.

I did that and am looking forward to two seamless re-entries at a land border . . .

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Yes it is still possible. These new rules do not apply to real tourist visas. The confusion comes from people calling visa exempt entries tourist visas.

You should not apply for your visa now. It's 6 months validity starts from the date of issue. Wait until a couple of weeks before you are leaving to make the application.

Just a comment on my experience with a tourist visa, don't know about your 'extras'. I applied at the Thai consulate in Melbourne, Australia.

Reading from my passport it says:

Type of visa: Tourist.

Catergory: TR.

Number of Entry: 3.

Issued at: Melbourne.

Date of Issue: 5 Mar 2014.

Enter before: 4 Sept 2014.

Remarks: Employment prohibited.

Nowhere does it say each entry is for 60 days (which I requested on my application form). However when I entered the country on 26 April my passport was stamped and says: Admitted 26 Apr 2014 Until 24 Jun 2014.

So they gave me the 60 days.

Written on the visa by the immigration officer at the airport is the notation '1.2. and 3', on separate lines. Next to the '1' is a date stamp: 26 Apr 2014.

My GF, a Thai accountant, enquired at the Mukdahan office per phone as to the new rules and was told: This visa entitles me to walk out at the border and walk back into Thailand to obtain the next 60 day visa. But, as a precaution before I walk out, go to said office to confirm these details over the counter (my comment - maybe they think the rules may change between now and then!).

All the best!

As one would expect, the government quoted figures on child drownings are way below reality.

http://swimsafe.org/drowning/drowning-data/

Check the true numbers given in the link - a group working to reduce the number of children dieing by drowning, everywhere. 7 per day (!) in Thailand = 2555 per year. The complacency of the Thai people to these drownings is abhorrent to say the least. Thai people love their children? Yeah, right!

Also take a look at other Asian countries, OMG

Was sitting nattering to a friend of mine in his wife's barber shop in Korat. She's in the cutting room with a customer - young bloke around 20 years old, his GF is sitting waiting on the motosi outside. After a bit the young guy comes out, hops on the bike and off they go, not a helmet to be seen.

The wife comes out after cleaning up - she's freaking out. While cutting she discovered a largish section of the scalp was soft - no bone underneath. She asked about it - the result of a motosi accident a while back. She was scared to death lest she 'punctured' it with the scissors! She asked him if he wears a helmet now. Nah.

The light didn't go on for that guy, next time it's even a small 'off' it'll be 'scrape the brains off the road' time.

This is a true story!

The OP makes many good points. Good luck in China, and I have to say, on average, beautiful women! (skin a little light coloured for me though . . .)

I'm coming this month back to Thailand for a six month teaching session, out beyond Yasothon.Li ving in a small town, I wonder if I'll be able to cope with the boredom? Not a lot of action in small towns in Thailand. But hey, that's true all over the world isn't it.

Awesome. Thanks!

I just yesterday picked up a triple entry tourist visa from the Thai Consulate in Melbourne (third floor 566 St Kilda Rd), good for 6 months stay obviously.

They said the visas would be honoured when crossing a land border (I'm personally a little wary of that). Total cost $135.

And as noted in another post, dates for use of the visas are included on the stamps. Turn around at the Consulate is 2 days minimum (used to be pick up next day).

Look up the web site to see what documents to take. If you forget your passport photos there is a shop on the ground floor at 566 which does 'em.

But most drivers don't know what the rules are do they and many will not even stop at red light crossings, good luck to the cops.

Neither do the police.

How many have you seen:

Ride without helmets

Ride on footpaths

Ride on the wrong side of the road

Jump red lights

Talk on mobile while riding motorbike

also (not traffic related) throwing cigarette ends on the floor.?

Like this bloke I snapped - helmut straps flapping in the breeze, unregistered motosi. Sigh . . .

They only going to enforce the rules on the road too or will it cover those driving on sidewalks too?

Excellent point. Being a pedestrian only in BKK, the strict application of those strict rules on footpaths would be a blessing for me. I presume Thais would appreciate it also.