richard_smith237

As explained earlier.... For someone who is into cycling, these are not extreme distances. Theses only seem extreme distances to fat slobs who sit at beer bars all day long. I've never cycled that much in one go, the max I've done is when I went through a phase of doing two laps of the Sky-Lane 4x per week (which is specifically 9776 kms - but likely less as there were days I missed - so from a personal perspective 6-7000 kms as someone who's not that into it, is very very doable). I know plenty of folk who do and these distances and much more. I would cover about 20-30 kms a week just through playing football - the distances covered with cycling are just far far more vast. When I was younger and competitively swimming - I would cover about 900 km a year in training. Thus: I'd suggest anyone levying the accusation of 'Liar' post a photo of themselves - and we'll see exactly why such distances would seem impossible to them...

Fair enough & sorry to hear about your finger disabilities... your experience highlights why cash is also so very necessary. IMO - Its stupid of a business to reject any form of payment.

You're not posting your perception and opinion as fact are you ?????...

It's doable.... its about 1 hour cycling every day... So.. if someone goes for a 2 hours cycle, thats only 3-4 days per week... good exercise. I know guys who do 3 laps of the Sky Lane 3x per week... they're easily covering more than 10,000 km per year... and thats when they are not doing their 150 km weekend rides etc.... Some people are 'just into it'...

(Yeah, apologies, that was a bit of a cheap shot).... & to be fair, I have to say props to you for the work you have carried out. I'm just left a little surprised that someone so 'giving' refuses to Wai when they have so much experience of the culture and surely knows how to wai without worrying about making a fool of themselves...

Thank for your advice Jack & Lacessit.... I did read somewhere that many of the Krathom sellers are getting 'caught out' not for selling Krathom which is legal, but for the 'other stuff' they are adding to it, the 'mixture' gets tested and if it contains some thing extra... but, I too wonder if thats actually a reality as why would they add anything extra and charge so little. I'll get the Wife to pop down the road and get a bottle and give it a try...

What is so scary about digital payment for some of you... ? I get that you have a preference... But to completely boycott something that can add a potential layer of convenience to your life just seems a little daft, overreactive, even... I recall going out and watching the rugby late at night a few years back... Only when there I realised I'd forgotten my Wallet... No issues whatsoever... Transfered payment via PromptPay, it was the first time I'd done and it was a great back-up... .... someone will ofcourse reply to this with... 'I never forget my wallet or some mindless bumff' but the pointer remains that having both cashless and cash options available is the better option ..... so we don't have to snoot off in some 'Victor Meldrew' strop crying "I'll take my business elsewhere"

If the system is down ???.... what system ?? Is this like.. 'they are watching you' ??? IF the 'system' (as you put it is down) with any degree of frequency, then wouldn't most people (Thai's) be carrying cash because they've been inconvenienced before ?... Thus: the mere mention from you that Thai's no longer carry cash, is perhaps because there's no need to, because 'the system' doesn't go down ? From my perspective - Cashless is easier and I use that mostly, but I always carry a little cash as backup... (for taxi's etc - although I'm sure most taxi's would take PromptPay too).

This has happened to me today.... After thanking the Surgeon for his efforts, I Wai'ied, he returned the Wai, then offered his hand-out and we shook hands.... I thought it a good show of mutual respect. It seems some on this forum think he'll now go away and snigger behind my back (Austin Racing)...

No... I'm just judging you on this forum as I imagine others may do so behind your back if you are as ignorant to think Thai's laugh behind the backs of Westerners who return a Wai... or offer a Wai to a more senior figure.

Thats just a living example of ignorance and how the politeness of Thai's readily forgives such. I too cringe, but for anyone who's been here any length of time, its easy to get right... or rather, its easy not to make a pillok of yourself by wai'ing all and sundry. I agree with this.... making the effort to show politeness is more important than the 'accuracy' or method through which we show politeness and respect. But, after being here for a long time, people I know know I've been here a long time, so refusing to return a Wai would be ignorant of me. And perhaps Harold Shipman said please and thank-you to his patients.... bad apples is not really relevant to 'wai'ing'.... But if your point is that a Wai is just a surface gesture and may not always be genuine, then I am also inclined to agree with you.

Under the Patronage of HM the King - over egging your importance somewhat, eh ???.... You don't remember ever giving a wai... fair enough... I wonder if they remember the ignorant farang !... Of course, if you are marrying into a family who value your money more than your respect. I don't have to buy my inLaws respect by giving them money, but have earned by being respectful of them and their culture as they mine.

Ok... So Wife just told me its everywhere, even on our soi... But until I get my 'eye in' I'm oblivious to noticing this stuff... But I do wonder what else they put in it... Wifey mentioned that it makes people hyper, so I'm assuming the 'on street' potions are loaded with 'additional' stuff (i.e. highly caffeinated etc) which I don't want... ... I don't mind a little buzz and pain relief, but don't want all the other stuff which may make me a little hyper.

Line Shopping. Search for red Kratom. It lifts mood and suppresses pain to an extent I didn't believe possible. Thanks.... Its a wonder why they didn't give me this in hospital... because Tramadol did naff all !!!...

I've just had a surgical procedure (on my leg).... its quite painful and I have some 'gummies' ready to assist with sleep, but don't want to be taking those every night (its going to be a long recovery).... So... I'm thinking of mixing this up with a 'bit of Krathom'.... but know nothing about the subject at all (I think I've mentioned this in other replies on this thread - specifically to you Lacessit, if I'm not mistaken). What advice would you give - recently operated on (nothing major, just ligaments), but seeking some pain relief.... And I don't want to end up taking a a few glasses of whisky every night so I'm open to alternatives and not fearful of something such as Krathom... Also - where to get it from, buy the stuff on the street ?.... or from elsewhere. If so, where on the street ? (in central Bangkok for example). I'm not worried about getting addicted... I have sleeping tablets, Xanax, Clonozopam etc left over from similar times in the past when I wish to sleep better post injury / surgery... and I have no issues managing that, so I'm not concerned.

Oh don't know about that.... The 'drowned babies' stories have certainly done the rounds in the media too... we're getting the mix of info, propaganda, and misinformation from both sides and the truth is in there somewhere. We (or rather the British Government) firstly has a humanitarian crisis that as a responsible developed nation needs to respond to... but it is also fighting a massive abuse of immigration - its a very delicate playing field not helped by the extreme's in the media (extremes on both sides). One question that is raised a lot - why are all these refugee migrants passing through so many nations to get to countries such as the UK, when their culture is so alien, wouldn't they be better suited migrating and seeking refugee status countries closer to their own culture ?.... The answer of course as we all know is on of economics - while the plight of many migrants is genuine, so is their understanding that the standard of living they secure in the UK is far greater than that in other Arab nations... ... Think Syrians coming to the UK instead of Iraq (and there are many who also go to Iraq). As far as this young girl is concerned - of course she should not be left stateless. But, as she turned 21 because of Bangladesh's citizenship laws she has lost her Bangladeshi citizenship. IF the UK has relinquished her citizenship, she then falls within the rights to regain her Bangladeshi citizenship, if she wants it. OR... face Terrorism charges in the UK for her actions.

100% agree.... I don't think the British Public are against Immigration at all... ... But they are against boat loads of only men coming to the British shores and the ensuing problems and reliance on the soft policy at the high cost of the British Tax payer. I don't think the British Public have anything against genuine refugees either, families through official channels, not just 'only men' groups terrorising lorry drivers. And, I think the British Public certainly welcome the qualified 'immigrants' who arrive in the UK and support the community, integrate, pay taxes and contribute to the wonderful cultural colour of the nation. This is certainly not a black and white subject - but it the solutions need more discretional resources, some of which need to be very very hard lined, while others need to be a lot more considerate of genuine cases. Our family Dr. in the UK was an Indian Gentleman, the only non-white family for miles around in a very white area of the UK, he was not only respected, but very well liked by everyone in the community as an elevated member of the community, and this is because of what he contributed to the community - he was never considered an immigrant in the terms thrown around today....

Also a low budget Airline.... I wouldn't put my Father in Law on that.... For regional flights I think TG are fine... for flights to Japan, TG are also fine (as JAL and ANA are more expensive and not really a great deal better).... Again... this has little to do with ground services.... apart from when comparing other airlines... i.e. when using Qatar Airlines with Business Class, on arrival the Baggage comes onto the Carousel quickly... I'm assuming this is because of the organisation of their ground services in Doha who put all Business Class Bags in the Baggage Cart which is loaded on to the air-craft last and off it first. Garuda (Indonesia) the Business Class bags come out on a different carousel. With all of that digression, I'd like to note that I think the baggage handling at Suvarnabumi airport is pretty decent - the bags nearly always arrive within 20 mins - which I think is rather good.

I have also worked in Japan.... I guess our experiences differ a little on the prices we have experienced... I still think beer is cheaper there.... I'm not comparing a Leo Beer to a Yona Yona ales because the two are completely different in quality... Get a beer of similar Quality in Thailand, i.e. Craft IPA and the price is significantly greater in Thailand than in Japan. But my statement remains the same - Japan is not a non-tipping culture because of the Cost of living there or price of items. I don't think tipping is related to cost of living in many countries, I suspect its more to do with how much Western, specifically American influence that culture has been exposed to. In Thailand, tipping used to be 'leave the small change'.... this seems to have turned in to Leave a specific percentage and with the onset of digital billing 10% has become the norm.

Why do I have an image of someone looking like this 'leaving their village in a couple of weeks and an adventure to buy a computer'....?? To Answer the Ops question: BANANA IT store seems like the biggest store.... Is there any variation on offered warranty ? - if the price is the same, perhaps warranty and availability of servicing if someting goes wrong is the biggest factor.... (no offence intended to the Op - just the phraseology of his question raised this image in my mind)

Given that most stores use electroni tils, ringing the purchase up is more of an issue than receiving payment. my phone works during most power outages, and unless internet to the city has gone down, you should still be able to make payment. I have seen plenty of 7-11s refuse cash during a power outage, online banking is not the issue here. and how does a quick scan and transfer take longer than a using a credit/debt card? last time i stored to use my card they tried 2 machines and asked if i could scan. Indeed.... this degree of 'whatifery' is quite entertaining as the myopic channels of someones mind meanders down a rabbit-hole of narrow mindedness oblivious to the bigger picture... If there's a power outage in a store is something like a big-C or 7-11 the tills aren't working anyway - no transactions are being made - but how often has that every happened to anyone anyway ???? Of course, the response is usually... if its in a 'mom-and-pop' store... they'll still take cash.... and those comments are made without the comprehension that a 'photo to phone' transaction can also be made just as easily with PromptPay - Go to a wet market and we can see the phone to phone transactions being undertaken.

Because she joined a Terrorist organisation and allegedly served in the Islamic State's 'morality police' and recruited other young women to join the jihadist group. Separate intelligence reports claimed she stitched suicide bombers into explosive vests, a potential offence of preparation of terrorist acts. Thus... her crime is 'terrorism' and she can be tried anywhere.... Just as those guilty of War-Crimes are not tried in the country in which they commit said crime... Hopefully with this explanation the over simplified and dumbed down folly of your argument that she committed her crimes abroad and should be tried there is something you now understand.

Never miss an opportunity to Yank bash, even though it was an Euro tradition picked up by Yanks visiting Europe, days past, as already pointed out. Do try to keep up, and know your history I agree with you Khun LA that the comment was a Yank-Bash... But its also fairly accurate... as highlighted, tipping started in Europe and the Middle East when houses would take in Guests and the servants would have to work 'extra'.... It became custom for the house guests to 'tip the servants' for their additional work... In the 1800's the visiting wealthy Americans thought this 'quaint' and ran with the idea, and of course amplified this practice across businesses to such a degree that as pointed out by Andyfez, businesses in America pay their staff 'sub-minimum wage' rates which are subsidised with tips.... When not growing up in this culture for those such as myself this is viewed as a somewhat 'exploitive' business practice within the service industry in the US. Thus, when there are people who suggest not tipping is being a cheap-charlie, it begs the questions who the cheap charlies really are... those not tipping, or those who created a situation where their staff's wages 'need' to be supplemented with tips just for them to make minimum wage (and in cases extra).

Its comparing tipping cutlure and the art, or lost art of tipping... I'm in Japan every year, often twice per year... A Glass of very fine Crisp Sapporro beer there is 600 JPY in a regular restaurant, and a large pint size glass for 900 JPY (Thats about 143 baht up to 215 baht)... The best you'll achieve in Thailand is a drinking a beer on the 7-11 steps. Perhaps in a mom & pop non-AC restaurant you can get a large Chang for 140 Baht with tour meal. Now... the comparison is about cost of living and cost of wages vs tipping. Japan was used as it the 'opposite' of a tipping culture and the excuse was used that this is because costs are higher and wages are higher... I have pointed out that the costs of a lot of every day items in Japan are as cheap as or cheaper than (or very close to) the price of every day items in Thailand.... The same parallels can be triangulated across to the USA where the price of products are higher than Thailand yet tipping is far more prevalent (mixing geometric metaphors there). The whole facet of that part of the discussion from my contribution to this thread is how tipping is more a cultural phenomenon than it is related to 'cost of living' - I think this point is lost on some, or simply too difficult to follow if a comment is not just a throwaway one liner.

TrueMoney Wallet... No need to carry around all those 20, 50, 100 baht notes in the first place. In a very thin, unobtrusive wallet, I carry around 1000 baht and 2x 100 baht in notes (which is very rarely touched)... the 1000 Baht is just incase the phone dies... the 200 Baht is for taxi's if I can't get a Grab / Bolt.