khun custard

In the absence of a Forum specific to 70's aging rockers I thought a few TV members would be interested in this breaking news:

Guns N Roses Axl Rose has finally been confirmed as the new frontman of AC/DC, taking over Brian Johnson's role for the remainder of their scheduled tour dates.

Brian Johnson, who has sung for the band since 1980 when he replaced the deceased Bon Scott, is stepping down due to instruction from doctors regarding potentially permanent hearing loss.

Though Rose initially announced a collaborative effort with AC/DC, it seemed as though nothing had been followed through on until now. A statement from the band confirms: "We are dedicated to fulfilling the remainder of our touring commitments to everyone that has supported us over the years, and are fortunate that Axl Rose has kindly offered his support to help us fulfill this commitment."

Rose will be fronting AC/DC for the bands remaining shows on this years tour, but it is unclear whether Rose will be permanently replacing Johnson as the AC/DC frontman. Rose will also continue to perform with the reformed Guns N' Roses on their extensive US tour.

Is that annoying waste of water really worth all the deaths, injuries and angry tourists who cut their vacation short in Thailand and traveled to another country so they could be dry and comfortable?

Please provide a link to the number of deaths, injuries and angry tourists who cut their vacation short due to presumably Songkran celebrations.

Most would have come her FOR Songkran.

As they do EVERY year.

I live in Pattaya and it's not exactly bursting at the seams, it has the opposite effect the many thousands of expats who live here either stay indoors for a week or go for a holiday elsewhere till the madness finishes. They far outweigh the number of tourists, the supermarkets do well though as we all stock up with beer and food.

Previous quote: "Motorcycles were blamed for most of the accidents followed by pickup trucks"

I'm so glad it had nothing to do with a large portion of arrogant drivers with little to no open road driving skills or respect for the weapon they have on loan from a bank

The ministry expects the country to rake in 2.33 trillion baht from tourism this year while voicing confidence that the tourism revenue has a high potential to reach 2.4 trillion baht.

Pity that Thailand does not receive all this revenue into the economy - I wonder what percentage of this total that remains in Chinese Bank accounts of tour operators 20,30,40% ???

If 100% of the revenue/ cash flow came to Thailand some real progress could be made in future proofing the tourism industry and improving infrastructure (to the benefit of all)

As the Chinese become more affluent and well traveled (seen as the next 10-20 years) their holidays preference may well depart the cheap bus tour holiday options.

Seems Australia is already has its sights on future markets (good luck to them!!!!!)

http://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/australia-trials-new-visa-rules-for-chinese-travellers/?utm_campaign=Tourism+&utm_term=Tourism+Icon+&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=linkedin

Funny how the visa on arrival arrangements for Chinese is not reciprocated or enjoyed by Thai or Aussies traveling to the PRC :-)

Perhaps if those who levy the exorbitant charges to display signage and the adverting companies who rent out the structures in and around BKK were a bit more reasonable in their charges this could be resolved?. Companies who do not have billion Baht adverting budgets would also be able to afford to rent space and the number of the trashy banners could be reduced. Thai street scapes are a morass of advertising and telecommunication wiring crap

Like the pic that serves sensationalizes the article

Its all a bit stacked to grab a headline

I for one would like to read a truthful account of the horror the Police and Medical professionals

have to endure as 3rd parties dealing with the carnage during these so called festive seasons.

They have my deepest respect

But wait.......

Yet another stunning piece of town planning & traffic calming has just been unveiled

I almost got cleaned up by a coach here late this afternoon!!!

Check out intersection /traffic lights opposite the BMW dealership on Sukhumvit Road (the road turning off to Silver lake)

The new bitumen is laid , the artistic yellow lines marking out a traffic island with the obligatory bump markers BUT some one forgot to remove 3 power lines - now stuck in what now looks like almost the middle of the road

The power lines create a 7-8ft chicane which cars (let alone) coaches cannot pass without entering into the oncoming traffic lane

The new pedestrian crossing without any stop or go lights (or adequate night time illumination) right on the corner (you can turn left from Suk into this road at any time) is amazing

The BMW dealership would do great service to set up a first aid service - the carnage is eminent!!!

A BIT OFF TOPIC

And as we speak a delegation of 1,000 Australian business leaders are on a week long seance in China wooing them for new business and tourism opportunities .

Let's hope someone at the ATC has been watching Thailand and the other nearby countries who have been totally "romanced" by these shrewd operators.

Good to see the Royals in India this week too - could this be the next big destination for the Chinese - OR do the Chinese share the same love of Indian as the Thais??

I've always thought the allure of blue/ green algae to be more attractive for tourists

Pity TV does not offer smell-a-vision I'm sure it will soon be up there with the legendary Pattaya street drains

Best of worst I have experienced was 9 years ago during the construction of the Bang PaiIn by-pass

Suvanabhumi airport in the early evening to Sarburi=7 hours; Sarburi to Petchabun - bit slower than usual but 3 horrific , fatal crashes

A trip to 711 is really the max I am willing to venture in the next week.

But don't forget the equivalent salutations from whence we foreign scum did a cometh? :-), :-)

T'othersider (1800's speak), Niger, Abo, Dago, Slope, Curry Muncher, Jungle Bunny, T-Towel Head, Pommie, Kraut, etc., etc.

Please add to this list as you choose!!!

Makes Falang seem like a one word fits all solution be it good, bad or indifferent!

When Thai's include the F word quite necessarily (an repeatedly) - that usually puts me on Xenophobia/ about to be conned alert.

But as it occurs in general conversation, it is harmless enough, and an ingrained figure of speech in their daily vocabulary.

Caught tampering with the Meat-er

Ahhh Pattaya by night.... punters are just spoiled for choice!

Out doin' it with the Cigar Fish or getting sand (and sontam remnants) in their sandwiches on the beach!!

Now there's something the CM government and tourist industry "captains" should be very concerned about in the future - the emergence of the Chinese backpacker market.

Millions arrive, only pennies spent and not in the conduit created (in China or Thailand)!

I was always of the opinion that the land foreign embassies occupied were by the grace of the Monarchy (sorry if that causes flashing lights on TV's dashboard) or the socialist, dictator (whatever) entity ruling that country.

The days of dispatching a telegram and high tea awaiting the intrepid traveler on arrival - the only real value of Embassies is long gone.

For individual to expect any form of assistance from their embassy abroad is a joke, to expect tax payers to prop up government funded trade offices (for the benefit of free marketingof big biz) quite frankly is a wank!

Please, if they take out the Brit Embassy can they also dispose of that other bastion of the "sun never setting on the Empire" and all the pompousness that goes with it in the neither regions, in an alley, off Silom Rd. :-)

Did the British Club decline your membership application or were the fees beyond your financial means ?

Hmm... seem to touch a bit of a raw nerve here!!

The Emoticon :-) in my post represents a bit of giggle to most computer literate posters..... does it not??

But, to respond to your question on the establishment, in an alley, off Silom Rd.:

Never been a member, never wanted to be a member; financially - I would suggest they would appreciate my patronage and fees more than I need to pay for a membership in a location I seldom, if never visit.

Would you like me to share an overview of the establishment thru the opinions of some of the more recalcitrant, car park members

Did the Brit Embassy ever own the land??

I was always of the opinion that the land foreign embassies occupied was by the grace of the Monarchy (sorry if that causes flashing lights on TV's dashboard) or the socialist, dictator (whatever) entity ruling that country.

The days of dispatching a telegram and high tea awaiting the intrepid traveler on arrival - the only real value of Embassies is long gone.

For individual to expect any form of assistance from their embassy abroad is a joke; to expect tax payers to prop up government funded trade offices (for the benefit of free marketing of big biz) quite frankly is a wank!

Please, if they take out the Brit Embassy can they also dispose of that other bastion of the "sun never setting on the Empire" and all the pompousness that goes with it in the nether regions, in an alley, off Silom Rd. :-)

No green book = no go!

If you can..fork out the extra, buy new and avoid dealing with 2nd hand.

Also check where you can get factory KTM service & repairs - the biggest deterrent for buying anything other than the run-of-the-mill here

It started in CM over a month ago with the banning of those transparent plastic shorts during Songkran (as if anyone other than 'entertainers" or a car show model would wear em')

It then progressed to suggestions that water misting (window cleaning) squirters would be the only acceptable device as pressure guns are banned and now a code on dress and dance styles which are really not that offensive.

Seems fun has left the building for those revel in this once a year, few hours of frivolity.

Should not the REAL CHALLENGE for the authorities during the Songkran break the Jai Dee management of allocated days and areas for the splash battles to occur, minimizing abuse of alcohol and carnage on the roads??

All work and no play makes Somchai a dull boy

So life at 21 years of age leaves you with the middle road or three other options......

Red Ball, black ball or no balls!

Apparently if you've got some of the kit and a frock but have not gone under the scalpel they will postpone the decision for an additional 2 years to get the job done.

"Nobody is showing friends pictures from the polo matches held in Pattaya".

I am.

http://www.pattayadays.com/?s=polo

Interesting shots and commentary - thanks

Truly a great afternoon out at either of the Polo Clubs

Both are excellent facilities.

Pity they don't market their sport to a wider audience; chuckers without a crowd can be pretty flat

No La Martina stores opening up in Central Festival to woo the Chinese "busurists" any time soon!!

To add to the nonsense if you read the actual article he then speaks about being in Bang Saray and Ban Amphur, neither of which I would classify as Pattaya, and nothing about Pattaya itself.

Re Bang Saray he says "a few kilometres south of town." Only if a few is about 15 or more.........

do not talk here about Bang Saray. that can only lead to it being ruined 555

Seems in recent months many have already woken up to this in a big way

The traffic going past Ban Ampur on Sukhumvit most weekends has increased 10 fold in the past 6 months

The Bang Saray beach is currently a construction site with the beach sand being reclaimed (I don't know how long that will last) car parks relocated and drainage being installed on the ocean side of the road

Quite a pleasant (non sterotypical Pattaya image) to see Thai and European families picnicking in the foresore most afternoons

"Thai people also spit on the ground when they say the name Pattaya. No Thai parents hope their children grow up and get a job of any kind in Pattaya. My former mother-in-law from the Northeast said it best Pattaya have bad people.

Utter crap!

With Tripadvisor listing hotels (410), B&B and Inns (451), Specialty Lodging (359), Vacation Rentals (1,362) in the Pattaya area there is an abundance of real employment opportunities for Thai's all ages just the accom sector.

No need for Thai kiddies to invite their pants down if they are prepared to do a decent days work in Pattaya; but isn't this prostitution issue based on values and education their parents have afforded them?

HOWEVER

With the bulk of the labor force not being born and raised in Pattaya, yes there is an element of "bad people" not only from the "North East" BUT from all corners of the globe.

Go to any night club area in any major city in the world late at night and the danger is equally proportional to where you go and what type of entertainment or substances you are seeking.

Not limited to Thailand

The monkey forest in Ubud & the Ulawatu Temple, Bali and hotel I stayed at just outside Kathmandu a few years ago was overun with them - not a pleasant experience when they are aggressive and looking for a feed

Needed to read this headline twice - very scary!

I had immediate visions of the fearless leader donning on the big hair rock 'n roll wig for a rendition of Steve Stevens - Atomic Playboys

The world does not need another Radiation Romeo!

Like most, I've often been offended by having to pay 400% more than Thai's to visit national parks etc.

To visit the Grand Palace in BK last Thursday it was a TB500 ticket from me and free for the wife and daughter.

To think that these Chinese tour groups are paying the same as foreigners who live in Thailand or are visitors would be extremely optimistic

News just to hand this plan had been canned in lieu of the University of Nakonowhere's Dept of Physics and Flux Capacitors announcement today that they had a perfected a matter transfer unit and that airports (and inter-city fast trains too) would be redundant with 5 years

Beam me up Somchai!