bkkjames

Just happened to me last week, at Asoke intersection. They asked for ID, I showed them my driving license, and was on my way. No search.

Let me guess... Two guys on a single motorbike right? These two are well known on Asoke and they're a real pain. They've stopped and searched me with a nauseating frequency ever since I've lived here. They can also be found lurking at the quiet end of Suk 19/Asoke 3 quite often. The way they conduct the search (unwrapping bits of paper, sniffing ciggies etc.) indicates they're quite obviously looking for drugs.

I got stopped by these two last year - at the end of Soi 23 as you turn towards Asoke. Same shakedown.

I had high hopes that this government would be more competent, looks like I was sadly wrong. One can only ask why would they put a moron in that office? Apparently someone owes him big time.

perhaps he has shares in TG he is trying to boost.

I really don't care if it is right or wrong. I view it as a sign of respect for the people around me. They stand up, so do I.

agreed - imagine the looks a thai would get at a US baseball park like Yankee stadium if he / she didn't stand up for the national anthem.

Interesting is that 6 months ago or so we have record oil prices and inflation levels skyrocketing and now we have Central Bank's cutting interest rates (BOT 100bps early December, largest ever cut) and heading towards deflation.

I am no economist, but hopes of a much weakend baht seems unlikely in the near term as virtually every goverment of the world is decreasing interest rates en masse in hopes of spurring their own economies.

I.Q. isn't generally considered to be a legal concept. It is a diagnostic tool, so I highly doubt that someone is 'legally' retarded.

last time i took a IQ test (by accident, I thought it was a game) I scored 131. It's no wonder I can't see my picture on that chart.

or was it my blood pressure that i got 131 on?

One of my daughters is starting Prathom(Primary) School in May. We have to decide which one to send her to. There is an International school near our house but I think that it's a waste of money for a 6 year old. We can afford to pay it but we'd have to cut back on holidays abroad etc. From what I've seen of international students, I wouldn't want her to go there anyway. They seem to be spoiled brats into drugs and want to forget their Thai roots.

What we are looking at now are blingual schools, govt.schools and catholic schols, with or without English programs. I used to work in English programs in Bangkok years ago and from what I saw, I think they are a waste of money too. Former butchers teaching science and retired Scandinavian seamen teaching sociology.

My daughter speaks English well(well like me ) and I have no worries about that. I'm thinking that the best thing may be to go to a good Thai school and use the saved money to have tutors.

I'd like to hear people's experience and thoughts on this.

Sorry if it's in the wrong forum.

Not that you will listen to me but I do agree with you. My Mrs didn't go to a International School nor did she buy (donate) her way into Uni, she earned a scholorship the old fashioned way - hard work and dedication and support (time) of her parents.

With our little one on the way, we have discussed your situation already and have decided against 'big name - little substance' international schooling for ours when the time comes.

While it still has a way to go, the old heirarchy of career advancement based on seniority < skills is slowly changing and suspect that in another decade or so - advancement will be based more on merit / achievement and not because you have a big last name. One can hope at least.

Well we both know this won't happen so you better just hope for Arsenal mate.

It's Christmas time. Time for Christmas wishes. You better just go ahead and wish for the Carling Cup trophy, as that's all you're gonna get this season.

We already have the WORLD CLUB CUP mate, Carling will be #2 (are you still in the competition?), then the FA, EPL and Champions league. That would make 5.

I am speaking far too soon, but, is this like Istanbul when Dudek saved two point-blank sure goals at the end of the second half of extra time and at that point it just felt like Liverpool's name was written on the trophy? Could be, could be. I know, I'm speaking way too soon. But we've been top for at least a month, now? Feels like it. Chelsea just can't seem to get past us at this point. So let's see a Boxing Day win, lads!

Interesting to note that while Chelsea and Liverpool drop points, Villa are creeping closer to the top, now only 5 adrift. Their fans must be having a happy Christmas this year. However, I think Villa will have one bad stretch where they don't win for 5-8 matches, like they always seem to do. Or, they'll be improved and be in the top 4 at the end. It'd be nice to see someone else in the top 4 at the close, at the expense of manusuck even better.

Well we both know this won't happen so you better just hope for Arsenal mate.

it's a bizarre season this. all the pundits are lining up to say that we're only top because united and chelsea aren't firing and are dropping points. however we're not firing and are dropping points too, plus we've been without our star striker for most of the season. if we can hang onto top spot until torres is back and match fit, and the mancs and chelsea keep up their levels of inconsistency (which is more than possible), we could do this. and if we do i will get drunk for a week.

Sounds like something Arsenal fans said last Xmas.

Suggestion: Enjoy your position now and get drunk over the holidays. If by chance you are still in this position come the end of the year - you can do it again.

In the early hours of Sunday Morning, Khun Sadrawoot aged 21 made a report at Pattaya Police Station concerning the theft of his motorbike which occurred in Soi Gopai, South Pattaya.

The case began when the victim spotted a woman in distress on the side of the road and he decided to stop and assist her as any Good Samaritan would do.

When he approached the woman who was provocatively dressed, two men emerged from behind a tree and, at knife-point, the men stole Khun Sadrawoot’s motorbike and drove off in the direction of the South Pattaya Road.

Descriptions of the two men and the woman were given to Police who are now searching for them and the stolen White Honda Wave motorbike.

Pattaya One News

This is what is oft referred to is the good old "Pattaya Bait and Switch Blade"

What happened to “The Nation” web site (nationmultimedia.com)? I can only get the “XPRESS” web site, and many of the images don’t load properly, showing only “?”.

When I click on the “News” drop-down menu I only get a message stating  “The requested URL /breakingnews/ was not found on this server.”

I have tried e-mailing “[email protected]”, but the e-mails fail.

Any one know what’s up?

I have always preferred "The Nation" to "The Bangkok Post" when viewing online.

loads fine for me ... http://nationmultimedia.com/

What are they trying to achieve with this? So what if your drunk-as-a-skunk in the back of a taxi? There's no law against that is there? I very seldom carry my passport/work permit with me (never if i am out drinking that night) - but usually carry a photo copy of my passport ID page, current Visa and Work permit in my wallet... would this be enough to pacify the cops at one of these road blocks?

Usually it's the fishing for drugs thing I guess but if one is truly annoying enough when dealing with them, they can do you up for the not carrying the passport rule / law for 5k.

2000 baht per person per night including accom!!! that's a deal. For a family of 4 it's only 8k.

Not uncommon for this time of year but would like to let everyone know that the BIB are out in force at night doing their usual spot checks of farangs heading home late in the evening.

Case in point, last Thursday night I was returning from setting up an event at CF lad prao at 2:30 am and the taxi turned off Rachada onto Petchburi Road - into a road block.

Now normally one would think they are doing this to check for drunk drivers but nope - it's hassle the farang time of year again.

The head cop pointed his flashlight through the windshield and saw me sitting in the back of the cab. At which point he summoned it to pull over. He approached the passenger door where I was sitting and then asked me to get out. What proceeded was the usual silly questions 'where have i been / going x 2' at which point he realised that I hadn't been drinking and perhaps my dirty hands and clothing were enough to convince him that I was in fact doing what I said and was just heading home.

On other occaisions, the BIB usually do the old empty the pocket / look in the wallet routine and ask for the passport, but this time it was just the annoying questions. FYI, Sukhumvit Road up to Ekkamai is notorious for these 'security checks'.

In early January, American friends will be visiting Bangkok for a few days...and I am trying to plan one day for them to spend with one of my Thai friends. So far we've decided on the things to see -- they will choose from a number of choices such as Wat Phra Keow and Wat Pho in the morning, and Vimanmek and Wat Benchamabophit in the afternoon.

The problem -- a good place for dinner somewhere along the river. They will be staying in Thonburi way down by the Krung Thep Bridge. The places I know are all around Silom, Rajadamri, and Sukhumvit. However, since they'll be spending the whole day nearer the river, it seems that a restaurant in the area of the river makes more sense. It can be on the "somewhat expensive -- but not rediculous -- side", should be "very Thai in terms of authentic culture", and some place that both my American friends and my Thai friend will feel comfortable.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

any of the 5 star riverside hotels include the Shang, Oriental, Peninsula, Marriot Riverside and Sheraton have what you are looking for.

James, when you say 360 is not cheap, is it out of this world expensive or like V9?

I really find V9 very resonable.

Robert

It's been almost a year but if I recall standard drinks were 180-250 baht ++ so if you drink as fast as i do, it can add up quickly

I will definetly check out the 360 bar, I have always wondered what was up there.

Good to hear that there is a sign for Long Table now. I was there during the first week they opened and it was a bit hard to find.

Robert

The 360 Bar in The Millennium Hilton is excellent. Great views of the river and a nice, relaxed atmosphere.

Wine Pub in the Pullman Hotel, near Victory Monument, is a very nice place also. No river view but some nice wine and tapas.

By the way, how can you say this about Long Table:

Hard to find

- there's a massive sign on the side of the building, visible from miles around!

360 is nice, great views of the river, as expected not cheap though.

Re: The Long Table, nice big ugly sign on the side of the office building - evokes class

SHERATON GRAND HOTEL...IS FANTASTIC,,,was there last year and was a lot of fun as well,,,,, Santa will show up and come say hello to you,,,,, happy holidays to all....

that's because they have a Canadian F and B manager

I wish....."certain someone" would just leave me alone!!

i left you alone a long time ago

This is silly.

Those that can afford to use the bts and / or already do, do not need to earn points in order for them to continue to do so.

I mean, I am not about to give up the convenience of my daily 20baht per trip bts ride for an hour commute in a 10 baht bus.

Or are they thinking they can entice commuters out of their million baht camry's and accords to ride the bts because they will earn points?

Like the last poster mentioned, sounds to me like a good way to gather specific ridership data for nothing more than marketing purposes.

Good day all,

I posted this in Hua Hin section but maybe will get a response here.

I was thinking about a trip to Hua Hin or Cha Am for a few days between xmas and new year. Hua Hin or Cha am, which is the busiest? Just me and the wife, price range 1000-3000 baht per night. I would prefer a place with a beach or close to the beach, pool and has internet connection. A walkable or short distance to food/pubs etc.

I have never been to Hua Hin/ Cha Am before so if anyone has any ideas it would be most welcome.

Thanks for your time.

Grand Pacific Soverign Hotel and Spa, have stayed there several times..a five star hotel in Cha-Am...and very good prices at present. plenty of places to eat..try the 'shop' at the harbour end of the beach road, on the sea front just before entry to harbour.

sovereignresortandspa.com/accommodation.htm

booking2hotel.com/hotels/grand_pacific/grand_pacific_rate.asp

By coincidence, when I tried to book at another hotel the other day via sawadee.com, I got the usual full treatment but recommended this hotel to me @ 4000 baht a night ++ and a 5000 baht New Year's Eve mandatory dinner. To which I said, no thanks - I was born at night but it wasn't last night.

Had to go deep into the search engine for this I guess, seeing as it was over a year ago. Still not sure what the point of it is though.

I like going to the Dusit Zoo.

Look at this way, you are on target to be the richest club in the Championship.

What's the story here? Even the hotel where we stay once a week keeps taking a photocopy of both our ID, the wife's and mine, every single time! ** For T/Cs the passport details are looked at, then written down. Especially with higher than $ 100 per check or many checks at once, the duty of care is required.

I would raise a big stink immediately. Start by making sure you did all you could (Police report?). Then call AMEX' New york HQ and speak to their Execurive Relations folks.

If you are from Europe, get the banking ombudsman involved.

They are terrible with their cc's. They froze my cards based on false information which the CRA apologized for in writing. I never was reinstated.

Fight them hard, do it right now.

Even if your passport was stolen, too the problem of your photo remains.

Granted this was year's ago, but a golf caddy nipped some out of my bag during a round here. Phoned Amex, they told me to go to make a police report. Did that, and within a day or so they replaced em.