richard_smith237

Not a hello response but funny nonetheless…

After collecting her car from the restaurant valet parking, an ex Thai Girl Friend told me that she’d been informed by the valet parking attendant that there was some ‘semen’ on the side of her car.

She told me that the valet park was near a construction site. I was astounded – workmen knocking one off on the 20th floor of a condo construction and managing to fire it as far as her car in the car park below.

When I visited her the next morning I saw ‘cement’ that had splashed up the side of her car !

-------

Regarding the Hello's... It depends on the tone, sometimes it comes across as slightly aggressive so I ignore it, otherwise a nod and a smile and maybe a hi...

It appears like fresh damage. Also, two jet skis were damaged which fits (if they bumped each other – and the location of damage seems to indicate that).

The amount requested to cover the repair costs were not over the top.

I believe the rental guy was being straight.

Should the rental businesses have insurance – Yes, so should all cars, motorbikes etc etc etc…

One step at a time though I guess.

How about starting some campains first about avoiding accidents than rather do these funny campaings about the results ?

Learn to drive a motorbike campaign

Learn not to use your mobile phone on a motorbike campaign

Learn the rules of traffic befor riding a motorbike campaign

Learn to be careful on a motorbike campaign

Learn not to drive piss-drunk on a motorbike campaign

Learn to respect others in traffic on a motorbike campaign

No no no ... it's allways the same old story, beter talk about the popular things which are sooooo much easier to tell everybody: "Don't lern how to do it, just wear a helmet and you are fine."

Sorry, but that's pretty naive.

BTW ... I am quite happy to NOT us a hlmet and it's MY decission. And I would prefer if I could keep this choice of NOT wearing a helmet !!! [maybe you should spend a minute or two tofind out WHY eerybody has to wear a helmet in europe ... and NO, the REAL reason is NOT because it' good for you !!! It's because social security systems save huge amounts of money. That's why they took the liberty from you to make a free choice.

And plase, spare me the whole discussion until you can tell me where in Tailand I can buy a real SAFETY helmet .... or do you realy think the 300 THB helmets from tesco will help you anything els than giving you a false impression of being safer ?

Start making a campaign about the real traffic problems plaese before always comming up with the same useless stories. Just becaus the europeans forced this apon every sheep there [for completely diferent reasons than the sheep think btw] doesn't mean it is good.

A helmet is NOT at any kind a solution to the real problem ... and it is NOT good to tell people otherwise.

If you see the following campaigns would you wear your helmet then ?

Learn to drive a motorbike campaign

Learn not to use your mobile phone on a motorbike campaign

Learn the rules of traffic befor riding a motorbike campaign

Learn to be careful on a motorbike campaign

Learn not to drive piss-drunk on a motorbike campaign

Learn to respect others in traffic on a motorbike campaign

You make good points. Then I see a great amount of irony in someone calling themselves 'brain' and choosing not to wear a helmet.

Agreed, helmets out here are crappy. But if someone can afford a 40,000 B bike (or whatever they cost) then surely 1000 B on a helmet is not too much is it ?

The Op appears to be planning his campaign on tourists (the 80% who read his site if I'm not mistaken) most of whom if they can afford the flight can afford a helmet.

It starts with education and you are quite right that there are other area's of road safety needing to be addressed. If this one step saves a life or serious injury then it's an honorable step to take, no ?

Did you have anything in the bed of the pickup?

Although we see it all the time, I thought that pick-ups with items in the bed without a cover cannot enter any express way (the bed has to be empty or covered).

You handed in your expired Texas licence, correct? That might be useful in similar circumstance in the future. If / when you retrieve it and pay the fine it would be worth asking exactly what the exact offence was, and have the ticket translated before you head to the station.

I have a suspicion that pickups get stopped more commonly than cars for similar reasons that motorbikes also get stopped commonly. Those vehicles cost less than the normal sedans and the person inside is less likely to have connections and considered an easier target…

PS Who was the black <deleted> in the Jumbo white sun glasses in the pits at Singapore? What a pillock! Someone should tell him it is a night race!

'Black Eyed Peas' front man.... rumored to have musical links with the 'Pussy Cat Dolls', Lewis Hamilton's girlfriend.

I'm always amazed at the massive amount of daily expenditure people on this forum feel is necessary in Thailand. An average day for me costs 500 baht. Room and bills for 150, food and water for 150, plus 200 to spend on whatever I want to do that day. A book that could last a few days. A session at the gym. A day at a lake or waterfall etc. I understand some people have families and some live in more expensive rooms and houses, and some people drink a lot and pay for entertainment, but apart from that what is it that you do everyday that costs so much money? Or is that just it? A nice house, beer and girls?

You room for 150 baht per day ? (4500 per month?) Eat for 50 Baht per meal ?

And 200 B for whatever ?

Your monthly budget is about 15,000 Baht, correct? I guess many locals live on that or less, so without ridicule it is possible and believable.

I’m game to try the 50B per meal game and see how it works…

For the rest I’ll have to budget separately: recreation, comfort and general standard of living.

Children were born in thailand and have dual citizenship they were married in Sweden been together 8 years, he said he was taking them for a holiday, and now he won't bring them back . Any suggestions on what she should do next,

Yes, Get a someone who can articulate the details more clearly...

Is 'She' Thai and 'He' Swedish ? Did they get married in Sweden and move to Thailand where they lived together for 8 years ? Where are they now?

From the information you have given - They are still married, kids have dual nationality and they remain with a legal (Parental) guardian.

Yep, OK, so he’s a cock….

But what’s next, no drawings or cartoons?

No wait.. Morgan Freeman played God in a recent movie.. Isn’t that blasphemy?

I guess there is a difference in intention and arrogance plays quite a role - but the line is fine...

Believe what you believe in your heart - If you lived on a desert Island or were the only person left in the world, would you give 'two hoots' then ?

IanB ?

Ouch..... ai-yaaaa....

Ok, sorry...

I believe Yanhee hospital in Bangkok is renown for it's cosmetic surgery, particularly if I'm not mistaken in area's of... well... private areas..

If you are in Bangkok and your research is genuine, by attempting to speak to specialists directly your search of knowledge in otherwise embarrassing topics may illuminate your sincerity and prove more fruitful. If not, perhaps attempting to e-mail a Dr. at Yanhee hospital my yield the information required.

I opened this thread out of shear curiosity - and guessing on the direction its going to take I wish you luck in avoiding a 'lengthy hard' struggle ;-)

I’m struck totally numb by this thread. On a forum where everyone is anonymous my heart turned momentarily cold, the hairs on the back of my neck stood and a chill shot through my body…

To the parents of Paul, I wish to offer my most sincere condolences.

I truly hope someone somewhere can be protected, learn or even be saved in some way after knowing of the tragic events which have struck your family.

After reading this thread, I for one have remembered not to take anything or anyone for granted and if it’s of any value 1376 people who have read this thread so far feel the same.

I apologize in the way I so weakly articulate my thoughts at this tragic loss.

That's really not much money to live on but I guess it could be done.

Not much money to live on? 40k? In Thailand? Have you any idea how much salary the average office worker in Bangkok earns? Christ almighty, what planet do you come from? Not everyone expects to live in a luxury condo and buy a new car every two years, you know...

Sarcasm or irony ?

I tried the boxes of white in Villa - One was rocket fuel, another was quite drinkable... it's put me off experimenting a little, but at B1200 for 3 or 4 liters its not so over priced when compared to the bottles if all you are looking for is something to wash down your evening meal.

I have just picked up a case of Penfolds bin 2 for 500 baht a bottle

There are deals to be had if you ask around and buy by the case

Slightly off topic, but how long can you store it here at room temp before it goes bad??????????

Check your bottles, they won't have the 'tax' strip across the top. You have probably bought wine that has been smuggled in through various channels

Keep your supplier, he will save you a lot on wine costs !... But exercise caution as I'm not sure what would happen should you get caught with a crate of un-excised wine.

Buy a wine fridge (some are about 15000B in places like Emporium) store your wine in that and it will last.

ever heard of George Clooney or Brad Pitt?

This from a guy who calls himself Don Juan Demarco ? comeon......

I don’t believe that someone who has concerns regarding the seconds savings between a cash and card transaction lives a life whereby the difference in efficiency could have any impact whatsoever.

-----

I’m not sure it’s quicker to use cash or not.

But I do know that if I used cash all the time I would waste more time returning to the ATM. I have no wish to carry around B20,000 or more in my skinny wallet to cover the expense normally covered by simple card transactions.

IF my card or wallet is lost or stolen the card is easily cancelled, cash however is lost.

Conversely we are also subject to the risk of fraud when using a card, I’ve been subjected to this fraud and lost nothing after signing an affidavit.

Isn’t it easier to keep enough cash for cash necessary transitions such as taxi’s, bars etc? Then in restaurants , supermarkets and other places of ‘transaction reliability’ (i.e. when you are confident your card will not be cloned etc) you can slip out your slim wallet which is not bulked up with an excessive number of notes.

Do you also round up so you don’t have to waste time waiting for change ?

??? You've just done it !!!

If you want to post in a specific section, go to that section of the forum and repeat the process.

£25K - Maybe gets you a single 35 sqm studio on the outskirts...

IF you had 45 MB I'm sure they wouldn't have a problem with you buying property, additionally, if there were any units for rent and you were prepared to pay the rental then I'm sure that would also be acceptable.

Is it possible that this was just the security guard being typically dumb and lazy by simply saying that foreigners cannot own the apartments there because that was the easiest and quickest way to answer your questions ?

i.e. The security guard knows its an expensive place and assumes 99.9% of people can't afford it, as he works there, his status is increased by proxy and he was perhaps attempting to flex his muscles and dispose of someone disturbing is mental slumber.

I've seen this occur a lot, even at my own apartment when I try to drive in past new security after being away for a few weeks / month.

Security often overstep the mark and attempt to show off their perceived power at any opportunity.

Last time we rented a van was in 2007. Rate was 1,500/day plus fuel. The driver was invited to eat all meals with our group of 8. We rented several rooms so he was able to shower twice a day. He said he preferred to sleep in the van as there was a lot of room. Wife gave him a nice tip when we got back to Bangkok.

It is a small privately owned company which my in-laws always use. Probably the reason for the reasonable price.

Thanks for the replies everyone...

Based on the best quote I've received, I also believe 1800 B to be the going rate. I don't mind paying about 300 B for a room for the driver - I'd prefer that than have him not having such a great nights sleep in the van.

1,500 day is a great rate - Do you have a contact number for these guys ? And, what was the van like ? I'd prefer for my friends to be in a Modern Van (i.e. a Toyota D4D with full seat belts).

I've been getting quotes for 3,500 B day... I've replied a couple of quotes asking them to improve their quote as I've received quotes of 1,800 B - I've received a couple of face saving response of 'use the other company then' !!!!

my gfs son w/o permission used my bmw. short story, he hit neighbors buffalo, he says buffalo hit him.

neighbor wants me to pay as i have money, about 20,000 baht. i say boy pay. my gf say i pay as boy said he sorry.

ps. we been having lots of buffalo casserole lately, getting real old.

i pay for everything, is this how to treat a bf?

You've got to try to understand Thai logic. I'm not saying that I do - 10 years of trying to figure it out and can't say that I do, yet. I do know it's got something to do with your gf truly feeling that you are now responsible for the 20,000 because the boy said he was sorry.

Look at the bright side of this. After eating an entire buffalo, you should be able to write cookbook specializing in that particular type of meat.

OK - Try smacking the lad about a little, forcing him to pay up for the damage to your car - And then you can tell your girlfriend and her son that you are sorry, that should absolve you of any responsibility according to the above statement...... OK - not the right thing to do...

BUT....

It might be a bit harsh, but really you should stand firm on this one. As another poster mentioned earlier; Your girlfriends son 'stole' your car, he clearly doesn't respect you and as your girlfriend is siding with him it shows that she doesn't either.

I don't know a single western friend here in Bangkok that are treated in such a way by their Thai girlfriend or wife.... neither would they put up with it.

People who have little respect for you treat you as poorly as you permit them to. Maybe you can earn their respect by being stronger, maybe they will never respect you, but at least you can prevent them from being quite unreasonable and treating you like this by standing firm.

I guess it's the norm for parcels etc, letters and general mail doesn't seem to hold much value for potential mail thieves.

Whenever I've had magazines, local news papers etc sent over I'd guess that about 30%-50% have not arrived.

I’m looking to rent a van / mini-bus (and driver) for 10 days for visiting friends in Feb.

I’ve used the search function and while there is some good information for Chiang Mai, there is not much for Bangkok.

I’ve also contacted a few companies this past week based on results from a google searches, classifieds etc. I’ve received some pretty silly quotes (i.e. 33,000 .

I believe that the going rate is approximately 1800 B per day (fuel on top).

Any recommendations based on personal experience would be helpful and appreciated.

I think it's possible to obtain a Non-Immigrant Type B visa from any Thai consulate. KL should be fine with a valid LOI.

That should be fine to obtain a Type B visa from your local consulate back home. I think you need to make sure that you have the company address on the LOI.

You'll need the type B visa to apply for your work permit here.