flyingdoc

In the 27 years I have been coming to Thailand, I have noticed a very great decline in the ability to speak English. So many of the posts are correct. Corruption abounds, but there is also a feeling of 'jingoism' and lack of any need to speak a foreign language in what is, after all, their own country! What impact entry to ASEAN will make , should soon be clear to see, but I agree that it will probably lead to acute resentment!

Ask various banks as to what their clearing time is, and choose the best.

I agree that a smart appearance and convincing qualifications are a great bonus, but you have got to get to an interview in the first place, and that is where your age will be accepted or not!

I like dogs too, but must confess the all night barking can be overpowering at times! Quite clearly many want to converse with others some way away, and this can go on for hours!

Expensive one off bike rental!

I asked an academic about the origin of this topic, and was told without any hesitation, that the reason was because of the predominance of betel nut chewing, and a partner would not want to be kissed with that odour around !

This sounds fascinating.

I shall certainly change my tactics!

They can go on, but it would then be a one party state, and look undemocratic, so effectively they are forcing an election in the hope that they might get elected or reduce the Shinawatra power base!

Tiger Balm is the brand leader and is made in Singapore, and is known all over the world.

However, there is a Thai Balm, by Golden Cup,which is every bit as good or better, but less well known, which I import into Europe. The reason for Tiger Balm having two colours, is mainly that the darker version stains clothes and bed linen that it comes into contact with, whereas the lighter white version does not, and is slightly milder in action.

Thai Balm / Tiger Balm is used for bruises, swellings, strains, sprains, insect bites, and can be used as a nasal decongestant by applying a couple of dabs at the base of the nostrils, which also acts to keep a driver awake if tired, though obviously it would be safer to stop and have a rest!

Why not do a couple of border runs, and see whether you are still as enamoured with the LOS, then decide?

Astonishing!

Quite an array of different options and slants to what seemed at first, to be a simple story! Caveat emptor again with air tickets from there!

Certainly on Samui almost everyone working on a building site or staffing most restaurants are Burmese, so I suggest popping down there to increase your chances!

I would say that lane discipline is the main thing to adhere to when driving a car in BKK. Far less horns than in any other city which is very welcome!

No earrings and don't drive a Merc, then maybe a salesman has a chance?

Fans are better for the throat !

Seems like a case of 'caveat emptor' to me, or would it be 'caveat delicto?' !

Surely it must depend to some extent on the type of underlying soil? If it is clay or similar, then watering in on level ground, must result in potential waterlogging?

I agree with most of the comments. Action must stem from the parents. How old is this spoilt guy?

Loss of face is one thing, continuing intimidation is another. As a father of a daughter who suffered 20 years of mental abuse from her partner, I am all too well aware of the risk of the battered victim syndrome! Make sure things don't get that far with your daughter, before it is too late!

Yes, respect is the common theme, isn't it? Without that, you cannot even begin to make a long term commitment!

I agree with Chrisinth!

How can you live in a country and ignore the politics of it, when laws can be passed which may affect you dramatically?

I am not advocating getting involved - just be aware!

Hua Hin out of those two!

How about Samui? Not everywhere there is expensive!

If the choice were limited to just Cha Am or Hua Hin, it would be the latter in my book, for sure. My house is on Samui, which could be O.K too. Not everywhere is expensive there!

I am appalled by Ticketmaster's revelations, but he is so right!

Religions, wrongly used and abused, just leads to corruption with little or no care as to the plight of the donors.

Then , as the Catholic church was mentioned in several posts, we have the abuse of children scandals as well!

Going into the rights and wrongs of religion or religions per se, is far too huge a subject for here, but greed on the scale described is totally unacceptable by any standards!

I can see why some members cannot make sense of any or all of this story!

What are the 11 animals? Do they have to live in every room in the house?

Could you at least not have put all your valuables in one room and locked it up?

Did you leave the keys to your vehicle for it to be used?

If she is that loyal a member of staff, can she not see the damage her son has done?

Being so loyal, and presumably wanting your approval, would she not agree to her son moving out? How old is the son?

Hammered is absolutely right!

There has to be two sides to this!