chonabot

Another funny titbit here - I was talking to him on the first day and my wife was talking to the Nurses - they commented ' hmmm that man talking to him looks starnge - probably an alcoholic as well...' They were redfaced when my wife explained I was her husband and a Teacher at the School down the road,,,lol

My main concern would be that health care staff (who must see loads of examples) considered I looked strange and was most probably an alcoholic.

Wow you visited him too?

In the Teacher staffroom at my school - about 90% of them are women - the amount of gossipping and slagging off I heard on the first day was amazing.

When they realised I could undersatnd and speak Thai reasonably well, the gossipping was reduced but only slightly

Thanks everyone - usually I would not post this here as there are too many piss takers on TV these days but I was happy to read some nice responses.

TP - yes life is good for us so far - anytime you are in this neck of the woods please let me know !

Still cannot figure out if this was in the UK or Thailand.

Kalasin Hospital is in Thailand

There's nothing wrong with being kind hearted and charitable Chonabot, as long as it doesn't tip over to being taken advantage of.

I would say that you're a lucky man being married to such a kind hearted and considerate lady.

Cheers

I find these little cameos quite interesting, and often informative.

Did he have medals then?

By "Not the cheap stuff," was that code for something stronger?

Fascinated, tell us more.

Please define cameo....I've abused these boards many times

I've been happily married to my trouble and strife for 15 years, most of it in the UK but about 10 months here.

Last week the place opposite us ( a shelter org for battered wifes ) asked me and my wife to come to downtown Kalasin Hospital.

Basically there was an elder white guy with some injuries laid up in one of the wards.

My wife asked me to come with her, I was semi-sceptical..I am that way by nature.

We went with them and met this chap who was worse for wear.

An American in his 60's who looked like the bad end of a week bender..damaged hip and on his last legs.

The problem was the fact that there was no-one with a decent command of English in the Hospital and Police, they needed to know who he was and why he was there.

I quickly founds these details out, told the powers that be and had a chat with him.

We then went home and I thought that was that.

The next day my wife was asked again to visit him - they needed a few more details and the charity were inferring that they would pay his bill as he seemed to be in need.

Anyway to cut a long story short...4 days later we visited him and he should be released in 2 days - his original story was that he had split from his wife and went on a bender.

His injuries may have been from falling but he also owes money to his landlord.

At the beginning of this I realised he was a total pisshead and beyond help - his Special forces in Somalia story re-inforced this.

But I let it slide - my wife ( who was a nurse in the UK ) is less cynical and genuinely beleived she was doing some good.

In the last few days she has brought him a few snacks and drinks, and I smiled as she told me she thought it would be nice for him.

So today when she went off to berate the nurses for not polishing his medals frequently enough he asked me this - ' Have her bring me some water tomorrow - but not that

cheap stuff '

I didn't go ballistic, I just smiled and we left - after this I told her what he said.

She still thinks he is just misguided.

So what is my point here?

None really.

I am lucky..that is all

ps sorry for any typos

Tutsi - seem to be after the rain - in the morning theres loads of dead ones on the floor outside - have to sweep 'em away oitherwise it's cat on hot tin roof time...

I moved to Pattaya in 1984 or 5, can't remember exactly.

I loved it. It was great.

I had my own restaurant for years.

Rent for the whole 4 storey shop house on Second Road at the end of Pattaya Land 3 was 10,000 baht a month.

I had a Commodore 64 computer on the bar.

Shots were 35 baht and best seller Kloster was 40.

Fish and chips served on newspaper was 150 baht.

A plastic bag of Tom Yum Koong was 10 baht take away on the street. Rice free, ky dow 5 baht extra.

To boost the coffers I used to edit Pattaya Guide three times a month and contribute to Bangkok and Phuket Guides too.

But mostly we lived off the restaurant.

I was there when Simon Show was free. You just walked in.

I was also there when Simon Show packed up and moved to Phuket.

Everyone thought they were crazy.

I was there when the greatest show on earth was Marine Bar Disco after midnight (it wasn't always two bars).

And they played LP records and cassettes.

The 'purple persuader' was just fine, even with gogo bar girls.

'Lady off' was 100 baht.

Third road was the outer limits of Pattaya, and there were empty fields on Naklua road between Pattaya and Naklua.

Maybe 6 bars tops on that road, mostly near the dolphin corner (and mostly German).

Baht bus was 5 baht and baht bus drivers were just as <deleted> irritating.

There used to be a Soi Post Office and a Soi Yamoto and a Soi Yodsac.

Now all you get is Soi 2, Soi 2a, Soi 7, Soi13 or whatever.

The powers that be ripped down the big Boys Town sign days after it went up.

I don't know what they paid but it's back.

These same powers refused my mate permission to put up a sign on his bar 'Two Camels fuc_king'.

But the OK'd a 5' x 5' sign with a photo of those same two camels doing the same thing and the letters 'TCF'.

Pattaya Land 2 used to overflow with western bars, probably 12 or more.

Now it's just Cheers, Shamrock, Palmers and a load of mediocre girly venues.

(By the way, g'day Terry, Colin and Rod)

Nirun Condo was an empty paddock and there are quit a few who wish it still was.

If you turned right where the road hit Jomtien, there was no danger of running over a gaggle of gays.

And sadly, there was nowhere to drink on Jomtien beach once the sun went down.

Now the even more sad part.

I was back for 6 months in early 2011.

The beer is still cold and my buddies for the most part are alive and well.

But the same can't be said about Pattaya.

The Big Money guys, Koreans and Russians own it lock stock and barrel (same as Angeles).

Seriously, a suggestion.

If you want to know what Pattaya was like 25 years ago, check out Phnom Penh on your next visa run

Kenny

Nice post - I went there in about 88 - me and my mates had a poster made of us wearing Cheers T shirts and Indian head dresses - it stayed on Colin's wal for at least 20 years - prob gone by now.

Yer tis.....

I checked a few old threads - I'm sure its not a wasp/maleng - no sting or bulbous abdomen - shit I think the wife just got stung again !

Over the last week myself and my family have been stung many times by these buggers.

They look like a cross between a mosquito and a flying ant.

The have wings , shaped like a slightlky larger mosquito with a orange boday.

I will try and post a pic later - they are usually on the floor - when they are stepped on by mistake they either sting or bite - I suspect the former and the pain is quite severe for a few seconds - almost like a pin being stuck into the flesh.

They seems to be prevalent after a heavy rain.

My wife is from Thailand and ,as per usual, she had no interest until she was stung as well

She has no idea what they are either.

Hi all again

I have 2 questions here - we will probably be sending our dog back before us - various reasons

Question 1

I am getting the serum done tomorrow and sending it asap to UK/Europe for the testing asap.

The only problem I see is the original Rabies shot was given on the 12th August 2011.

I am fairly sure it's a 1 year shot.

What concerns me is the dates/expiration etc.

If I follow the 3 month rule - and say the test is done within 2 weeks from now - that will be a 3 month wait from the 22nd May ( even that would be stretching it )

3 months from then will be 22nd August - the original shot will be out of date....

Is there any leeway with these dates?

Can we fly her back early August and be subject to some quarantine?

I have askled DEFRA but they take 3 weeks to aswer an email.

The blood for the serological test should be taken before the expiry date of the Rabies vaccine. If the vaccine expires before the 3 months, (after the blood is drawn) is due then just have another vaccination done a few days before that expiry date.

make sure that the vet stick the vaccine label in the vaccination book, his/her stamp and sign it.

Hi all again

I have 2 questions here - we will probably be sending our dog back before us - various reasons

Question 1

I am getting the serum done tomorrow and sending it asap to UK/Europe for the testing asap.

The only problem I see is the original Rabies shot was given on the 12th August 2011.

I am fairly sure it's a 1 year shot.

What concerns me is the dates/expiration etc.

If I follow the 3 month rule - and say the test is done within 2 weeks from now - that will be a 3 month wait from the 22nd May ( even that would be stretching it )

3 months from then will be 22nd August - the original shot will be out of date....

Is there any leeway with these dates?

Can we fly her back early August and be subject to some quarantine?

I have askled DEFRA but they take 3 weeks to aswer an email.

The blood for the serological test should be taken before the expiry date of the Rabies vaccine. If the vaccine expires before the 3 months, (after the blood is drawn) is due then just have another vaccination done a few days before that expiry date.

make sure that the vet stick the vaccine label in the vaccination book, his/her stamp and sign it.

Phew that gives us some more leeway - thanks Nienke

Hi CM

So the date the 3 months start is from the date of the sample and not the date of the test result?

That may make it easier - but will check with DEFRA as you advised.

No we only have a stamp from the UK vet for the original Vaccination - they offered a Blood test one month later plus a certificate - stupidly I said no because

this would have been required for the PET passport ( we didn't go down that route ) and didn't realise we may be bringing her back so soon.

The 3rd world stamp/sticker plus the approved test result certificate should be fine - again may be worth checking.

I will let you know with regards the DEFRA reply.

The agents are suggesting Thai Airways - they are on the approved list.

It's about 12000 baht handling charges - I may look into the process myself - also sending the dog(s) earlier means less stress on ourselves as we will not be

having the hassle of our own trip to plan until later.

Cheers

Phil

Hi all again

I have 2 questions here - we will probably be sending our dog back before us - various reasons

Question 1

I am getting the serum done tomorrow and sending it asap to UK/Europe for the testing asap.

The only problem I see is the original Rabies shot was given on the 12th August 2011.

I am fairly sure it's a 1 year shot.

What concerns me is the dates/expiration etc.

If I follow the 3 month rule - and say the test is done within 2 weeks from now - that will be a 3 month wait from the 22nd May ( even that would be stretching it )

3 months from then will be 22nd August - the original shot will be out of date....

Is there any leeway with these dates?

Can we fly her back early August and be subject to some quarantine?

I have askled DEFRA but they take 3 weeks to aswer an email.

Question 2

Is it worth using an export agency?

I got this quote from one earlier today - let me know your thoughts on the cost - in particular the Clearnace/handling charges.

Thank for this thread, it help understanding Thai mind

วัวแก่เคี้ยวหญ้าอ่อน - Old cow likes to eat fresh grass ( Old men like young girls )

I knew this one but I thought it was for cougar, older woman with younger boyfriend.

Certainly fits the bovine gender directive better

หน้าเนื้อใจเสือ - Face of a deer, heart of a tiger ( A wolf in sheep's clothing )

วัวแก่เคี้ยวหญ้าอ่อน - Old cow likes to eat fresh grass ( Old men like young girls )

รักพี่เสียดายน้อง - Love the older sister and long for the younger one (The grass is greener on the other side)

And my favourite - หนูตกถังข้าวสาร - A mouse falls into a bin of rice (A poor man who married a rich girl) - surely never happened to a Male Westerner over here?

I've been here since 2003, some interesting members such as Scamp, the Gentleman/Tornado, Taxexile, Doctor PP, tutsi (still here) stand out as real characters - these days there are many many more characters - but they don't seem to have the same impact as the larger forum seems to dilute the impact of their viewpoints.

My own views since those days have changed just as Thailand's own world standing and attitude to Westerners has progressed/regressed.

Still happily married to my wife and living the dream in Kalasin, however this may change within the next 24 hours - always expect the unexpected.

Have you had any success yet? What kind of position are you looking for?

I already have another position - this school checked with the MOE about the OU degree whilst I was being interviewed.

After posting here I emailed the school a lot of info about the OU plus various links - I then called the headteacher who told me not

to take his comments so seriously and he would be in touch next week -

Thanks for all of your comments !

Thanks all - feeling all warm inside now hehe

Thanks Guys

I'm just looking for a way to help them recognise it without sounding too shirty.

I could bring a load of printed bumpf and have it at the ready but that may seem a bit desperate

No views..awesome

Does anyone have a link ( if one exists ) to the list of Universities accredited by the Thai MOE ?