FruitPudding

Yeah, it's weird how Soi Cowboy (and Patpong) bars almost always have a distinct smell. About the attentiveness of maids, there is a particular bar at the front of Nana that has over-attentive maids. They get really irritating. There's one who puts a time limit on my beer consumption. She's like, "10 minute, I come back" and this is after like the 3rd time they have asked me if I want another drink (while I still have a quarter pint left). I dunno if they think they are being helpful or they are trained to be pushy.

Poll is coming along nicely. The Game and Buddy's get zilch? Kinda surprised by the latter. Hillary doing well. Which Hillary is the best?

You have a good point. We should make a list of the hidden gems.

So, I know I have obviously missed out a lot, but I tried to pick most of the popular pubs and bars that have been around a while or have a big name and are located in the main expat hangout areas in Bangkok. If you don't see your favorite on this list, please feel free to post it in the comments. Cheers.

Well, at least every Seiko (even the cheapest ones) has an entirely in-house Seiko-made movement. Whereas, Rolex only makes part of their movement. Other parts such as the balance wheel, spring, jewels and suchlike are outsourced from another manufacturer (and therefor not Rolex made). Legally, they can say "in-house" if a certain percentage of it is made in-house. But not very nice after spending thousands for a watch with generic stuff inside. Rolex is just for flash characters with little taste or appreciation for timepieces. Try comparing virtually any Rolex watch to a Grand Seiko though, lol.

I'd say the average teacher earns low 40s in Bangkok. Not sure about Pattaya or Hua Hin, but out in Isaan 35k is typical and some in Bangkok will be earning that too.

Nah, I don't think so. The West is F'd up with political correct <deleted>. Could you imagine Thailand tolerating a BLM riot destroying cities?

You sound a bit nuts mate. Your discussions range from sweet 40 years olds to celibacy.

Basically, "farang looking women" We tend to prefer the exotic. That's why Thai men go for plump white and we go for petite dark. Whatever is exotic to us.

.....when rotating your ankle feels so good.

The answer is this: They are from a low socioeconomic background and, therefor, only have access to two types of men: a motorcycle taxi driver or a farang.

If I had a year to live, I'd enjoy the last year in a very systematic fashion.

Probably in most cases late 20s or early 30s. There are, however, women in early 40s who are wild and still good looking. But younger women, 18-25 are often shy or just not good at it. There are a few gems though.

LOL...just slipped in??

How did it happen?

I didn't pay for a haircut once when a ladyboy completely ignored my instructions. I walked out of there so <deleted> off because my simple instructions were ignored. And to add insult to injury, I ended up looking like a total poofter. There wasn't any "sabai sabai" or "mai pen rai" that day.

depends on the women

infrastructure is way better the place has been cleaned up a fair bit, especially around Asok and Sukhumvit things aren't that much more expense; beer is generally cheaper in pubs these days. I don't recall 99 baht pints back in 2000s Bangkok is more cosmopolitan and civilized air has gotten worse much better English proficiency in general freer thinking citizens now Thailand is very high-tech, way more than my European country; people here very tech-literate Women are curvier It has become a bit more boring crime is down, disease is down, corruption is down

Exactly, those damn women. How have they been getting away with it?

What does it taste like?

I think there are more positives than negatives. I like that Thailand: is relatively non-judgmental, liberal, and open-minded doesn't subscribe top politically correct BS has pretty good weather mostly has plentiful and diverse things to enjoy is full of novelty is modern and advanced in most ways is safe and relatively clean has a fairly decent immigration system has mostly non-confrontational people

WOW!

No, somtum every day is a Thai minimum wage or an Isaan less than minimum wage earner. On a farang teacher's salary you can afford to eat international food a few times a week (eating out too, na)! Actually, cooking at home, you can make international food cheaper than Thai food made at the market. I make Indian curry, Lebanese hummus, European soup, muesli, Scots porridge oats, spaghetti pesto or carbonara, and it is FAR cheaper per portion than, for example, a prawn fried rice or papaya salad meal bought from the market. I mean 500 grams of lentils, chickpeas, oats, or pasta costs less than a single serving of fried rice or noodle soup from the street.

Exactly, I earn about 50k. I support myself, my child, and my GF. We stay in a spacious, modern condo close to BTS. My child studies in a top-tier Thai school. We have a few holidays within Thailand every year. I waste money on luxury food items regularly and drink more beer than I should. We all have our luxuries, in fact. We are all covered with appropriate health insurance. Admittedly, I would struggle to afford a family holiday abroad regularly - but that isn't important to us.

If you care about appearances buy a Rolex. If you care about mechanics buy Seiko.