Friendly Stranger

Good idea from the hotel. Who'd want people running around their hotel putting HIV on everything and all.

Lol. That had to be tongue in cheek. Ahhh, the dark ages, where left handed ppl used to be killed.

Don't know if they were exaggerating about his mental capacity of a 12 yr old but if not then the family or whomever knew he was going should be ashamed of themselves. They should have him contact home weekly and wire him cash periodically. But then again, if his capacity was diminished as such then this whole plan was silly to begin with. Feel sorry for him and hope he gets along at home where he should be.

Also, look at their appearance, how clean/well kept their utensils/bowls are and how everything is laid out and packaged, as this is a decent barometer. I always stay away from pre-cooked or using displayed meats that have been out.

Colleague from CHina was stunned at the 10% per month interest rates land sharks were charging. I told him some charge up to 20% per month. He told me in CHina the Government shoots high interest loan sharks and if you are a borrower you will also get the death sentence.

Borrower get a DS as well, that's harsh..

ASEAN is of no benefit to the majority of Thai people. Big business and Big family will love it.

Majority yes but for tourism (hotels and the like) they will be unmatched against the other English speakers in the region that will come. I heard this is more for skilled workers but they'll be many utilizing this.

If anything, i'd think it would put a squeeze on professional farangs. Jmo.

Saddened by this as he was so charismatic. Loved the "files". Still remember the theme and messages on the answering machine at the beginning of each episode.

He body must have suffered badly as you can see his limps during the shows run 30+ yrs ago.

Rip rockfish.

I surely missed all the fun as I got here in 02. However it was nice doing searches on the net for pics of the bar girls of the 80's and a couple from the 70's, it was really something. Also enjoyed some of the older pics doing similar searches of "old bangkok". I don't have the personal recollection as most of you've had but reading this thread has been a pleasure.

Craigslist? You should check out the personals section if you need a good laugh!!

Examples please

You're asking for examples, come on, the fun of it is just going though them. Yeah, it seems like every single site has trolls and scammers.

A guy on cl said he was living in Phil's and wanted to rent his appt in toronto and it was a good price but he wanted me to western union the money then he'll courier the keys lmfao. He balked when I told him my buddy about 40 miles away from him will personally hand him the money in exchange for the keys.

Couldn't he have just laid low as after the first incident. Regarding who he was you'd think he would have some decent connections.

Look at the Aussie - he inconspicuously pointing at the perpetrators - he looks scarred to do it in an overt fashion

Not to be a smartazz but I'd probably do the same as I wouldn't know what is the proper pointing ettiquette. I imagine the officers would tell him to point, thus would be the reason for the "do I point like this pose".

Can't the report not have a caption or somewhere in the story that indicates person to the left or on the floor or indicated next to their names.

The ladyboys were brave, as the guy looks sizable but it's good he decided not to slug them as he probably knows his innocence would have been tossed out once a punch is thrown. Luckily the police saw what they did and he lived to point, I mean tell about it.

This is so frustrating. I have a girl (not married) and we have a little boy. I am the sole provider for both, I am here on a year long multiple entry visa and usually just do a visa run every 3 months and then after the 12 months go back to Australia and get another year long multiple entry visa. This is going to make things very difficult for me, I just want the best for my little boy..

ive seen nothing that suggests it will affect you

Hope so, lets see what happens on my next visa run (sept 1st) ... never know with these thai officials.

@wisemonkey - For the sake of your family don't take someone's word on here or just see what happens. Seek professional assistance from someone that knows the laws/system very soon so arrangements or what not can be made just in case you're denied in Sept.

Agree with above "PattayaPhom", but also for other cities.

My landlady has had a couple of properties vacant for aout 4 months. cosequently she is about 120,000 out of pocket. She sent me a letter the other day informing me that as of September my rent would increase by approximately 60%

In answer to the OP's question, I think that new house sales will be hardly be affected, but wental properties certainy will, and it will get worse. as short term renters vacate.

What a stupid woman. Now you'll move and she'll be out much more.

Unbelievable. I presume she is doing this to others if there are multiple units/properties already rented. Get out and let her pay for her stupidity.

Hopefully, they'll start clearing out all the vendors on lower Suk. What a mess...

I think it's at the point of walking sideways through odd soi section. Ppl give the dirtiest looks to those that stop at the vendors.

I know they have a strong dislike for Israel but doesn't he know that they would have been down the line if the allies fell? Ignorance/hatred alive and well.

Stop the planet and let me off - W T F is going on in this world!!

Another death because of soccer/football?

I don't understand it but RIP to them.

Why all the negativity and snarky replies?

I think it pizzed off a couple on how the question was posed.

Ppl that want to go this route should understand, just because you know English does not mean you can teach as I would be dreadful.. Also, like one has mentioned, it's not like it once was as many now have to work at multiple schools just to get full time hours.

I'd suggest Vietnam or Cambodia, they need teachers there..

If your educated in Thailand then it's like the job market in the Uk was 50 years ago (or so I have heard) because of the growth In Asia this will play out massively over the next few decades.

Sadly expect to see an influx of graduates coming to Asia.

Sadly?

What's sad about it beyond the fact they're forced to do so because of a shortage of roles in their homelands?

I'm hoping it'll go a long way to diluting the pool of sex pensioners exploiting the local women

Well, that influx coming to Asia will be in tough, since Asean is supposedly opening the flood gates in 2015 so that the skilled and educated within the region will be able to cross boarders for employment; I'm unsure of the particulars of this but what I gathered this is happening. No link necessary, as this is pretty much old news.

im very lucky as are a few others on here in the same game as me,

we earn the same if not more while living here,

i just cant get my head around why the young would move here to become a teacher, unless they are having a gap year as they call it i think,

i agree with some others, i would work my ass off in the west if i was them get a good amount of money in the bank they move here,

Other than people being assigned here or schooling, I believe the young have this notion as how others used to go to Europe and backpack, however, they've took it one step further to find work so the experience does not end. I really don't believe they stay here too long as I feel after a couple of visa's they move on. The people that do stay, g_d help them if they get caught up in the scene thinking it'll never end, because it always does... The ones that make it, good for them, as they're the ones that could've made it anywhere.

In my early 30's, the attraction for me was that it was exotic and western enough that I can have the best of both worlds. The cost of living and the woman were a definate plus, no beating around the bush there.

I do agree with one other poster, some of todays' under 30's crowd has this sense of entitlement, which is dangerous.

This thread would be more appropriate many moons ago when the rules were changed or for an uninformed tourist.

So now ppl know, just party accordingly.

Just saying

Some of you people are just so up your own bum!

Wow what a gem of a comeback.

It's just very old news and the way it is.

Like mentioned, just alter those plans next time and you"ll be fine. No use getting all bent out of shape over this.

Next time will not be for a while, hence the frustration, mai pen rai

The Wimbledon final is quite good, I was watching the game in The Crossbar and headed back after the 4th set ended, got my go go bars in early!

This has been the beef of many but there are a few after hours places but I guess it was more a generalized statement as to why and not where.

This thread would be more appropriate many moons ago when the rules were changed or for an uninformed tourist.

So now ppl know, just party accordingly.

Just saying

IMO, I wouldn't say it's dead but it has changed.

In 2002, it was a fun place, too fun in fact.

Now, Bangla Rd seems like a mini walking street but another difference I noticed, and it's not all bad, is that the demographics has definatley changed:

Way more women visitors than before.

More families.

I did not see alot of men with their date for the night, as it just seems that ppl are just there to look/gawk and drink a little.

With this being said, had an awesome time at Tiger disco.

I preferred Karon beach area, as it resembled Patong over 10 yrs back..

Am surprised that the Royal Paradise is still by far the largest structure in patong after a decade.

Sorry if some of my details were off topic.

What is rich? Just have a plan, this means follow certain co's or sectors with goals.

Ppl are in too much of a rush and don't have a plan or they get so called "hot tips" and don't understand how the market works. Just do your homework like any other job as swing/day trading on solid companies can be rewarding if you have set limits and a plan. When I isay rewarding, this means 400 to 700 at a time. It's obviously not guaranteed but there are other strategies like short selling, hedging and averaging down.

Good luck.