koratkid2

The mayor lives in Naklua. I live in Naklua. Presumably, he's driving over the same bumps as I so I can only imagine he's suffering too? Or maybe Thais are immune to bumpy roads the way most seem immune to loud noises?

Went to buy 2 cameras today. Total 50k. I was told the employee with the key to open the display case is on holiday. This was when I pressed to speak with the manager and I speak fluent Thai. I walked out to buy my cams at Central's Best Buy.

Brilliant.

I went to best buy a while ago looking to get GPS, sales person seemed pretty good, gets to the counter with product ahen I'm told its in Thai language only - <deleted>????

The branch manager sent me this apology note:

Went to buy 2 cameras today. Total 50k. I was told the employee with the key to open the display case is on holiday. This was when I pressed to speak with the manager and I speak fluent Thai. I walked out to buy my cams at Central's Best Buy.

I installed a box on the back of the bike. The box has a key lock. I still have my original helmets and it's waterproof.

There are 2 on 3rd road.

1) Diamond. South of Tony's gym in south Pattaya.

2) Xzyte Sports Club. At soi 2/2 in north Pattaya.

You are "falang". Thais don't want to be friends with you. They may appear friendly as long as you keep handing over more money than you should, just like your cat will be so friendly just before you feed it and then will either ignore or bite you once it has a full stomach...

I do agree with this but I do (occasionally) meet educated girls on the dating websites. Some have been abroad, had marriages/relationships with foreigners so they understand our culture and are open to talking about good/bad. The avg. Thai conversation is limited based on limited experiences.

Why no photos but OK by some?

Hi Koratkid.. thanks very much for the messages and fully understand the frustration.. look forward to you coming and joining me to re-jink the no photos message and signage. In the meantime - I will disarm the automated flash activated anti-matter, phaser cannons. Chris

Chris,

I appreciate the reply. I only ask that there's nobody playing favorites, ie: friends of the band can stand up blocking anyone's view to snap away without anyone batting an eyelash (on or off stage) but when a regular customer who may not be friends with the band tries the same thing, they get a reprimand. I'm assuring you, I am not using the photos in a commercial or immoral way. I only want to be treated the same as others.

Why no photos but OK by some?

I think the price is scary.

Worse yet, a Filipina will scold you that you can't take photos (you can if you buy drinks for the girls it seems). It happened to my Thai girlfriend who is a muay Thai boxer at Lumpini. I had to hold her in her seat as she wanted to take the singer's head off.

I lived at Ekkamai and faced the same problem. Conclusion: Bkk is not a cheap laundry city. Pattaya's shops have a standard package of 80 pieces for 500 baht, no questions asked. They do a terrific job and I even get both socks.

Any favorites?

http://www.thai-language.com/id/589868

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Thai_language_idioms

There will always be talk of reform. Who will enforce the reform?

The only Thais that seem to get off their butt to do anything are Lumpini park homeless "protestors" and parking attendants with a whistle. These are the only relentless Thais I see in our society.

Too far out for me.

Any good Thai restaurants in Wong Amat area? Thank you.

I ride a bicycle every day in Pattaya. People are respectful.

There's no point getting upset, this is Thailand and will be the same for many years to come, obviously in any other country this would make national headlines and the culprits would have all been caught. Most Thais will never even here about this.

We live in a developing/corrupt society here, daily wages match what we would earn in 5 minutes back home, that breeds scams, dodgy cops and ppl being ripped off. This is a consequence of your $2 dinner. Be aware, get smart and you'll be OK.

There's fire and ice on all sides of the spectrum, i love the fact that i can get caught speeding here and pay 200 baht for my misdemeanor, i can do this over and over, back home i would have lost my license by now plus a few grand. Like.

I feel for those guys, but nothing will be changing in a hurry.

Your assessment is very accurate, in my opinion. In 2015, when hordes of Asians are legally working here, Thais will get more desperate for income and this is by no means the last kidnapping or extortion. Tourism is at an all time high. That train won't stop for nothing!

Phrases like the "penny will drop" or the time is coming for Thailand to suffer for its misdeeds makes me laugh. This is a powerful train that will not and can't be stopped. My suggestion is to get the phone numbers of connected people and be prepared to pay them when they help you. That's your only hope: pay when your number comes up.

Every Sunday at 17:30 is a free concert in Lumpini Park (Bkk). The music does not stop at 18:00 when the anthem is played loudly over the speakers. In fact, people always stop and stand except on Sundays. Weird rule exemption, eh?

http://www.thaiticketmajor.com/concert/concert-detail.php?sid=2025&la=en

I wonder what's in the photo? The offended telephone at the embassy?

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