richard_smith237

Not confused at all... he didn't say he's 'North American'... just 'American' - hence the whole of the Americas There are 23 countries in North America and 12 counties in South America (35 in total).

Given your attitudes you're in one of two places... Pattaya or Patong... ... or rather, you only have experience of one of those two places... Perhaps a quick sojourn down to Koh Chang before getting threatened by a ho's bro's !!!

What to you expect living in Pattaya ? you need to be a lot more thick skinned or you become jaded and start seeing many neutral things as negative...

I'm guilty as charged.... But really disliked doing so... I used to use a hair salon down the road - it had nowhere nearby to park... So I'd ride my motorcylce 10m down the pavement and park next to a lamp-post (the pavement was about 4m wide). I don't think there's much harm when going at walking pace just to find somewhere to park etc... But, using the pavement as a road - IMO, thats a big no-no and bobs right - it is a selfish and antisocial thing to do, even though its the norm.... but its only a very small minority of motorcyclists doing this.. though, I've seen the police riding their motorcycles down the pavement many times.

Thats happened ( a man was knocked over) - its not a rare occurrence and of course its not ok... https://www.newsflare.com/video/276812/crime-accidents/shocking-moment-motorcyclist-rams-into-pedestrian-who-told-him-not-to-ride-on-the-pavement Its no more ok than dunk ayholes getting aggressive on the streets of the UK or many other western nations. There's a lot in the world thats not ok and authorities are failing to deal with the issue. This is just one of the many negatives of Thailand... but that doesn't mean all Thai's are bad... there are also many more positives which still makes Thailand a 'net positive' by significant margin....

c'mon - lighten up... you've developed a reputation and will of course attract such remarks - it was quite funny if you are thick skinned enough to see the other side of it...

I don't think its about a disgusting or horrendous attitude, neither is it about immaturity... Riding on the pavement (sidewalk) is just something they've always done... there really isn't any more to than that.... .. Thus, when told 'not to' there is a manner of indignation because thats what they have always done, day in, day out for years.

Is it acceptable ?.. no its illegal... Is it accepted, Yes, its not abnormal and such for a long time has become the norm at times of gridlock... BUT.. there are area's where its not the norm... Cars are expensive, walking is free - thus everyone walking is poor, lower down the pecking order and not worthy of consideration... Or, at least thats what I suspect the mindset of some of the 'pavement riders' to be. Also... There is a 'so what' attitude... the pavement is not for motorcycles, its for pedestrians... 'so what' !!... if they can get their bike on the pavement and not get caught up in gridlock, then...... yup - 'so what'. I remember being on the pavement with my Son in his pushchair... figured I'd walk the 1km rather than get a taxi (wife was out), big mistake, the pavement was dangerous with motorcyclists... most were courteous and gave space, but it was clear some were annoyed that I was getting in their way... The sad part is, because policing is so ineffective the the 'entitlement' exists amongst many motorcyclists that they can use the pavement.... the only way to stop them, also means barriers which also make it very awkward for those in wheelchairs.

I had the same issue.. I've started using the 'priority delivery' option.. But, if everyone is doing that, then its no longer priority is it.

I already have the primary troll of this thread on Block - so I missed any tosh he may be posting.. Other comments seemed quite useful.... I didn't think of places such as Smalls Bar (which is a good bar but I didn't know they did live music. I overlooked Saxophone bar as that one is obvious and I assumed the Op already knows about that places as its so famous. Brown sugar used to be a great place for music but sadly closed down - perhaps someone knows similar places ? Iron Faries (in Thonglor) has some excellent vocalist - worth a visit. As peoples specific area of interest varies, and as Bangkok is a wide and vast city with posters living in many different areas, then there will be a range of responses for the Op to chose from. The Op wasn't clear in his request for 'alternative' music - hence the assumption that he is looking for something beyond the usual cover band type stuff.

And... If every house has its solar panels and they can become more energy self sufficient, the government has to get their tax through alternative means. i.e. with ICE vehicles the governments get a lot of tax from fuel sales. As this dwindles and the move towards EV's continues, the governments will be forced to tax electricity, perhaps with night-time surcharges as thats when most will be charging their vehicles... As more people become energy self sufficient the reliance on the Grid in the summer will dwindle, though in the winter in the UK solar panels on roofs is not sufficient for 'self sufficiency'. I still see only nuclear as the viable energy alternative to fossil fuels.

Yet, at a very similar age (at 79), in the UK... this exactly how my mother has been treated - X-Ray / MRI / Arthroscopic surgery (day case). As you mention, Osteoarthritis is the usual culprit, but making that diagnosis on an x-Ray alone does not allow for soft tissue evaluation - An X-ray can rule out other issues, its still best (IMO) to have an MRI and cover the other issues commonly related to knee pain.

Obvious answer is another iPhone SE (3rd Gen - released in 2022) You like the size etc - so if cost is not an issue, another one of these as you already know how to use it and there is no pain switching over to android etc. If cost is an issue, the 2nd Gen Iphone SE is also (released in 2020) is also a good option (second hand). I'm using one of these as a back-up phone and agree, the size and weight of this phone is ideal.

I'm sure you know this already, but checking with an Orthopaedic Dr is by far the best way to evaluate your knee issues. Years of impact sport have taken their toll, I thought I was getting away with it as I entered late 40's... but no, within the past 18 months I've had arthroscopic surgery on both knees to repair, or rather trim back a torn meniscus (on both knees) - they've basically worn out already ! You'll likely undertake an MRI to evaluate the issue & depending on what needs to be done you may have simple Arthroscopic surgery - recover is fast and the surgery itself is less risky than conventional surgery which utilises a general anaesthetic.

Why wouldn't you ???.. . This forum can be an outstanding resource for local information, often much better than the AI generated bumf and sponsored results google searches return. So... whats wrong with the answers this forum may result in ?... Are you under the flawed impression that all forum members are not capable of providing a healthy decent response because they are too busy propping up a bar in Pattaya ??

If the woman who was attacked is a Doctor, then a lot of traction !!... But.... she's not a woman who the Thai public consider above this treatment as she does not hold a revered position... Had the Swiss guy (*allegedly kicked a woman in Hua Hin (case was dismissed btw)) had a confrontation with a regular member of the population and not a Doctor, that story would not have gained traction either.

Agreed... the area we live in certainly makes a difference... .. not just on perceived risk of muggings, but also with things like stray dogs etc... As you pointed out, inside any moo-baan is perfectly safe, safety and security of the surrounding area of course varies depending on whats and who is there... Fortunately in Bangkok there is very little reason to be walking anywhere late at night because taxi's are so readily available.

We have some forum members who swear by it.... They drive carefully when pished up !!!

Are you sure about that ?... Whenever I go out, I usually end up going home with the exactly same amount of cash in my wallet.... Payments are digital. That said, your comment does open a point that if we are using digital payments, smart thieves will have set up a 'mule bank account' and muggings take the form of being forced to make a transfer. Luckily, most thieves aren't smart. If you are spending only the amount you have in your wallet, what if you decide to go home earlier, you'll be taking cash home, and if you want to stay later ? another trip to the ATM - only withdraw what you think you will spend ?... seems excessive for Thailand. I had friends in Brazil who did as you describe - no watch, no jewellery... Just cash and an ID card. When their money ran out, they went home... Invariably got held up (by thieves) on the way back and showed they had no cash - seems like a fairly normal occurrence, luckily Thailand is not like that.

Is it clear [that he's living in the wrong area] ? - could that mean any area in Pattaya that isn't well lit and has a lot of people is a dangerous area ?... You 'think' your area is perfectly safe - if these thugs were riding in 'your' area are you so sure any other foreigner would not become a victim ? Press here are not exactly known for their accuracy - I wouldn't be hanging on to their word that he was a tourist.

There was this place... Speakerbox... but, its now closed... the owner is opening up a new project, though I'm not sure when. ... I'm guessing the new place will also be called Speakerbox to continue using the name and maintain the following.- so watch that space... https://bk.asia-city.com/nightlife/news/thonglors-favorite-live-music-spot-speakerbox-closes-its-doors-party-weekend

That doesn't stop the nutters crawling out of the woodwork claiming dystopian doomsday is approaching and we are all supporting it....

And? Your point is, other than stating the obvious? If the shoe fits... And... my point is clearly lost on you... Doesn't matter... you're not from any of the Southern states of the USA by any chance are you ?

When we've had family over, we've used mini-vans.... down to Hua-Hin - the drivers was very courteous and safe (the van had headrests and 3 point seat-belts). We also used mini-vans when travelling from Bangkok to Pattaya, then Pattaya to Koh Chang... We used the van & driver in the Pattaya area for a few days and had to pay accommodation too (in expensive local accommodation as the driver was from Bangkok)... All was great until the last day of hire when we went from Pattaya to Koh Chang... once we got to the ferry to go across to Koh Chang, the driver had arranged for another Mini-Van to meet us, that one had no seat-belts, we only needed to get it to the hotel (and that was the end of the van/driver hire), nevertheless I was rather annoyed at the 'change' as this exposed children to risk...in fact one of the kids fell out of their seat when going down a steep hill on Koh Chang. It doesn't matter how well we think we have planed things covered all eventualities... 'Thainess' will creep in somewhere.... I guess in this case, even though we'd hired the Van and driver all the way to our accommodation, the driver wanted to get back to Bangkok and figured he'd save himself 2 hours by avoiding the ferry and getting someone else to do it - I can see the logic and was fine with it, apart from the no seatbelts issue, but by then it was too late. ... As a result, this cost the driver the return journey and we used a different company.