daveinthailand

A word of advice: don't take a GF with you to open a bank account, buy a motorcycle/car, etc. I did that years ago and when I left the dealership the sales lady asked how long we had been married- we weren't!. The plates went to her home in the province. I got it all sorted out in the end- lesson learned. I opened accounts with Kasikorn and Bangkok Bank several years ago with no problem.

Ask yourself: "Do I really want to bank with someone that I can't communicate with?" Even if there is only one english speaker there, get his/her name and only do business with them.

As for US citizens opening accounts: get ready for a rough ride. The US is broke and in debt it will not answer for in our lifetimes. DC doesn't think it has a spending problem. It thinks it has a revenue problem. They are out to squeeze every baht from every US citizen wherever they live. Imagine a cocaine addict with the ability to print money and borrow trillions: this will be a HARD landing folks. BRACE!

TP? Why do you think I date ladyboys?!

I think everyone here sympathizes with you- because we have all been there! I recently bought a condo here in Naklua. It is a condotel kind of deal. From time to time we have Chinese guests who are impossibly loud. The slamming of doors in the corridor is truly unbelievable. In the States I worked as a night freight pilot for years and can offer this bit of advise: get used to wearing good quality ear plugs at night. When I hear the Chinese piling into the hallway screaming and door-slamming I always have the ear plugs handy. This won't help much during the day but should get you some good sleep at night. Good luck! D.

California, USA has been growing good olives for a while(regarding non-mediterrannean growers). Anybody know about growing different varieties and the climates they thrive in? http://www.californiaoliveranch.com/ is just 1 farm. I wonder if growing olives in Thailand might be easier/better at higher elevations? Olives are grown in many regions in Italy and I believe the climate varies considerably. What do olives want??

There's more to HHH than running. They have(or had) a great little restaurant/club in Chiang Mai. Stop by one of their clubs and check it out. I am not a member. I used to love running but in this climate and at my age I prefer to swim. The HHH outfit in CMX was very much involved with local Thai charities among other things. Keep an open mind and try new things. It's good for ya! http://thehashhouse.org/

http://pattayah3.com/

(Link to HHH Pattaya.)

Great bunch of guys...

You might want to stay in Jomtien. Close to some nice courses and out of the crowded Pattaya scene. GREAT restaurants there too. While in Pattaya be sure to stop by The Golf Club at LK Metro. Many avid golfers meet there for drinks and planning the next round of golf. Great source of info and golf buddies. There are a lot of good golf oriented pubs in town. Don't forget to visit Bang Saray just south of Pattaya. It is a quiet fishing village and well worth a visit- about 30 minutes from bustling Pattaya.

Hi. Just curious: why do you want to come to Pattaya? It is a great place for so many things- not just bars as you know. Just wondered what made you want to come here. I stumbled onto the place after many years of traveling. Great place to hang your hat.Hope you have a good visit.

D.

Not sure if you like a Ford, but the Ranger a great truck not sold in the U.S. considered recently one of the best built trucks in the world!

You are only half right. Not sure if Ford still sells the Ranger in the USA, but it was on the menu for years.

Google it, don't wing it. George Bush has done more for Africa than any other US Pres. Stick to the facts and keep it light. I spent 11 months riding a motorcycle through Africa and have had the pleasure of meeting so many fine folks on this amazing continent. Please put your politics aside and stay with the facts. BE WARNED: The facts may not support your point of view- the same for me. PS I am not diminishing the great work Bill Clinton has done. Google Clinton-Bush foundation. These great guys are still doing good!

This can get you started: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_Bush_Haiti_Fund

Regarding President Reagan. I met the man. He and Mr Gorbachev helped end the cold war. Good deal for everyone!

Regarding Bill...His wife is his path back to the White House. Imagine an unemployed Bill in DC with a working wife touring the world!!! STAINS are CUMMING!

Don't sell your shares in Chevron just yet. You just AIN'T gonna run a heavy little tuk-tuk on solar power(in a working mode) yet. We will get there eventually and I am excited about what the future will bring.