Doza

southerners-bangkok.com is what you want.

British Club used to be good but is now almost a purely Thai club.

Old Bangkok Bangers are a vets team with some young guys but not what you want if you are under 35.

Bangkok Lions is the junior rugby in Bangkok.

Get on and play with Southerners and get your kid in with the Lions when he's ready.

Enjoy...

Above post is exagerated. Aussie owner (or used to be), lots of sport, and girls do not hassle if you make it clear you aren't interested.

Equitech is developing commercial scale biodiesel from jatropha in Asia but it hasn't really been tested at commercial scale (viability / cost etc I mean). However its a great development fuel. Grows in marginal land and farmers can run their basic tractors off it.

Wave power - no way does Thailand have enough isolated regular tidal wave motion to develop this to commercial scale. It is being done of the southern coast of West Aus though.

Thailand- always behind the curve (democracy, safety to name a few pertinent ones). Do they even know what that means???

Can you imagine a Thai forum for Thai expats or students in say, UK, USA, Aust. Where Thais get together to talk about the lack of decent som tum, the overbearing rules, the visa issues, the impoliteness if farangs, the language issue, the crime, the expense, etc etc.

How many Thais do you think get on that forum and chastise other Thais for complaining about the place and demand they shut up or go home (back to Thailand) if they don't like it???? How many do you think get on and whinge about their fellow Thais who whinge about farangland???? I am guessing about zero (if there ever was such a forum).

Why do some people hold this country so precious???

When you come up against stupid sh*t anywhere in the world, its natural to complain / vent / comment about it whether its your country of birth or not.........

I'm pretty happy, have loved this place for 6 years.

But I'm going home - better career prospects | better air and facilities and quality of life | I need to refresh myself as I am growing more and more annoyed at the stupid sh*t going on in the country (everyday stuff that just beggars belief. Reading the paper all you can do is shake your head).

But hope to be back in Asia again in the future and sad to leave many good friends and colleagues behind. (and not looking forward to going back to queing up in a bar for a drink, cost of living, obeying rules all the time, and no moto taxis....

Hey Felixer - would love to help but I am leaving Thailand to head back to Aus soon so wont' be around. I got that price because I joined before they even opened! Got a 1200 deal to begin with I think and then dropped down. But definately you shouldnt settle for anything above 1500 / month which is a reasonable starting price.

Enjoy the Tri-Nations. I am loving it so far! ;-)

Oh, and how poor are the really poor? I know villages in Isaan where the official income figures are THB 25,000 / person (adult) / year on average. Yes there is some subsistance farming but that is also not free and with the price of oil going up and inflation etc - this is the poverty line.

Someone said it already - Thailand is now classified as a Middle Income Country and multi-lateral donors are not funding much in Thailand anymore...

"As a middle-income country with strong growth, Thailand is determined to "leap frog" in development status...

This ongoing transformation of development status has two major characteristics. The first is Thailand's focus on becoming a development partner with former donor-countries, as opposed to a recipient of international aid....

The second is Thailand's desire to become a donor country itself, assisting in the development of poorer countries, both within and outside the immediate region through its "Forward Engagement" foreign policy...."

UN Thailand

Jeez....I'd much rather drink at Cheap Charlies (which incidentaly is mainly full of expats not cheap backpackers) than amongst the sleeze and hookers at Queens Park Plaza, soi 4 or Patpong. CCs has a fun relaxed vibe. Those others are dirt. Maybe good though if your 50+ and like hookers giving you massages or exchanging banter like "you come from?"...

Go you Wallabies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I use Cal Wow Sukhumvit 23 and pay 900 / month no contract so I really cant complain at that price. But I agree totally with Kiakaha - Thais' gym etiquette is terrible and makes using the gym a bit of a pain.

I have seen people do a set then start reading the newspaper while remaining on the bench/machine for a good 3 minutes or so before the next set. This is freakin rude since at peak times there isn't enough to go around. I must say though that when I politely ask someone if I can do a set while they rest they are always obliging.

I have seen a guy in there in Doc Martins up to his shins, and boxer short. Yes, tight boxer shorts - not gym pants, you could see the band around the waist with the brand. He was being over doing row. Not nice.

I dont appreciate being stared at / perved on when using the shower or getting changed.

It annoys me watching trainers talking on their phones / doing their hair in the mirror while their client rests in between sets.

I have seen people sleeping in the upstairs stretch area. They had to put up a sign to say no sleeping - <deleted>??!!

Thais never use the towel on the equipment to stop sweat (yes Thais sweat). They seem to try to avoid getting their towel sweaty - this is the point of the towel!!!

Just generally watching the Thais do as little as possible in the gym and waste their time and someone elses chance to use the equipment.

There are a few weird farangs in their too occasionally who annoy me it must be said.

But I am over it now and usually manage to just get in, put the head down, and go for it and not get too annoyed - more amused these days you could say.

Bob, fair enough the chicks don't so much "hassle" you but they used to and they are there

(distracting!)...but upstairs has a much better atmosphere of pure sport watching. Must say, the Office used to have bad service and ordinary girls. Now, the girls are pretty hot, service is very good and I enjoy it more than I did a year or few ago. Could have more light though...

Sports coverage top notch.

Personally I think one of the things about dating a western guy for Asian women is they aren't restricted and confined by traditional roles or ways of acting that they are with guys from their own (often more traditional and conservative) cultures.

They are more free because they see the western guy as having a much more liberal culture which they may wish to embrace but aren't confident to do so with guys of their own culture for fear of unwanted labels or whatever.

For example, being confident and assertive sexually may not be looked upon well in a traditional Asian culture (and perhaps many Asian guys don't like that from women in their culture) however they can be this way with a westerner.

Just an example of why we might be more desirable to be with (for some)...

You don't go to Spice sober...

For something different to QBar, BED, RCA etc, but not so clubby (more bar-ry) try the new place that used to be soi 1 (what's it called again?)- kicks off abit later in the evening - quieter early on but have supposedly good food and good live music last time was there. Also Nest above Le Fenix in soi 11. Just new places to try...

Are they any aussies out here who watch the AFL?

Yes there are plenty. There is an Aussie Rules club here Thailand Tigers (actually they play Hong Kong tomorrow in Pattaya) and many more who aren't attached who love to watch. They are usually at the Office (see website for schedule), sometimes DownUnder, and other random places. Office mainly. Also where the league-ies head to as well.

I remember Aunistes when she was in Suk soi 8. Let us know if she is still in this same place for sure. Used to love her food (and prices!)

The old story the embassy will help you is cr*p. I have / had friends who work at a few different ambassies and they don't do much except notify someone at home for you if its possible and you cooperate (many times no one at home and/or no one wants to help) or provide the usual support if you are arrested or in detention.

They do not help down-and-outers / beggers etc.

If you're over 50 and Kiwi - get into Wall St on soi 33. But bit dark and dingy - although the lads are all good blokes.

Londoner on soi 33 corner is not bad - lots of screens, not too many people, good service, but expensive and lacking atmosphere at times.

Soi 8 pub (another Kiwi joint) gets too packed and screens are small. Can be a mission.

Downunder in 23 can be too pokey although not bad if you are an Aussie and you get a good seat early. Service can be ordinary.

Forget the Irish pubs - especially if its clashes with soccer (yes not this weekend but...)

Tenderloins in 33 is a good spot - no longer run by an Aussie but plenty of Aussies and Kiwies and few Saffas among others in there. Lots of screens. Light. Good service. Good food.

Office I do enjoy. Especially upstairs where the chjicks don't hassle you. Sound is always right up. Good screens. Good service (used to be <deleted> they have improved), food is just ok. Good Aussie atmosphere but not parocial (sp?)

Top 3: Office / Tenderloins / Londoner in no order.

Coyotes on Sukhumvit by soi 33 and Convent at Silom always seems to be buzzing with ex-pat girls. Especially on a Wednesday night (ladies night).

You will probably have to be quite bold and just approach a couple of friendly looking people and say "hi" and you should be fine.... Its a pop chicks hangout anyway.

If you like Indian, Indus on 26 is fantastic and the ambience is great. Perfect for a romantic meal.

Also a bit of a fan of V9 Sofitel - nice ambience, views, and wines. Food is also good.

Last time I was there there were heaps of Thai dudes riught into it - professional guns, all the kit etc etc. This was at the one in soi 62? Try to meet those guys and get in with them maybe.

Usual suspects for big stuff, professional packing and service: Asian Tigers/Transpo, Crown etc.

Clearly now a troll but anyway...<deleted> is this about???

had one of those awkward questions that Thai Wife's/GF's or just females the world over like to ask one night.

The question was: "What would I do if I impregnated another woman?"

Ermm.....really? I have never been asked this - you think this is a common 'girl question'....? And you gave a serious answer? If my GF asked this I would tell her stupid question going nowhere forget it...

Definately a troll!!!!

Sh*t drunk spaghetti?