hiromj

Pub Beer in Sriracha is also another good seaside restaurant. Popular with the Thais and their families, the food is very good and inexpensive, and the menu is written in Thai as well as English. A band plays every night from about 8:00pm, but not loud enough to drown out conversation. An added bonus is the plethora of attractive uni students working after hours as service staff... very friendly and they love kids.

I agree with this one also.

Head on up to Sriracha to Mum Aroi, they have expanded over the years and have done a really good job of it. Sunset is a great time to go as it is right on the beach (Sriracha version of beach) and you can watch the sun go down over Koh Loi, actually head up after lunch and visit Koh Loi whilst your there.

I fully agree. Mum Aroi in Sri Racha has really done a great job and the view at anytime (but especially sunset) is fantastic. Great place to relax

Generalised sweeping insults of whole nations are not acceptable on Thaivisa. If you can't be civil, be quiet.

Sorry i do appologise, but it is a fact that - unfortunatley - the majority of americans have great difficulity reading and understanding basic text. There are obviously many very well educated americans, but unfortunatley they are the minority. I dont mean to insult americans - infact i have total empathy for the many who cant express there opinions through having been sh*t on by there masters.

I hope that if you really feel the way you express yourself, you will have the self respect, of boycotting, and not using any American technology, products or entertainment materials. I hope your point of view will be strong enough to keep you from being a hypocrite, and you can truly show your revulsion at my fellow countrymen difficulty ( which you misspelled) in reading and understanding basic text.

Americans(which you forgot to capitalize) unfortunately(which you also misspelled) will have great difficulties (which you also misspelled) in understanding such strong and determined intellect as you seem to have. Don't ( you also misspelled) take offense if this great display of your character and intellect goes unnoticed, in fact(that's 2 words not one) continue with such a boycott until Americans empathize and apologize (another word you messed up a little on) to you for not meeting your educational and intellectual standards. Personally if you would be so kind as to hold your breath while you are waiting for this, Americans will probably deeply appreciate it.

This is one of the funniest posts that I have read in a long time. Thanks Mellow1. (I sure hope I didn't mispell any words(:-))

Won't go far wrong with a Toyota Corolla (but not much face as the locals associate them with taxis) or even a Virus, sorry, Vios ... I hired one for a week and it handled a 700km upcountry trip without any problems. Bit popular with the laydeez though.

Maybe a Honda Civic might give you a little more style than the Corolla whilst still delivering economy and reliability?

I'd also be swayed by which company has the nearest reputable dealer to where I lived, as much as which one did I like the most...

Honda does not have the best reputation in the quality department and Mitsubishi just got into serious trouble in Japan for failing to disclose design flaws that resulted in deaths.

Strange - I had an Accord for 3 years without any problems. Equally as bomb proof as the Nissan Cefiro I had before it.

My friend bought a Civic about 6 mths ago - also no problems - and nor has he had any with the Toyota Camry he drives to work every day.

Wouldn't have thought you could go far wrong with any modern Japanese car ...

Edit: apart from a Mitsuibuishi by the sounds of it!

Basically you are correct. It's hard to go wrong with the Japanese cars, especially comparing to American cars (did I just say that??). For another example, I bought a brand new Mercedes E class a few years ago and it was THE biggest piece of junk that I have ever owned. For five years it was in the shop at least once every three months. No more Mercedes for me. I will probably buy a Camry when I go back to the states.

Won't go far wrong with a Toyota Corolla (but not much face as the locals associate them with taxis) or even a Virus, sorry, Vios ... I hired one for a week and it handled a 700km upcountry trip without any problems. Bit popular with the laydeez though.

Maybe a Honda Civic might give you a little more style than the Corolla whilst still delivering economy and reliability?

I'd also be swayed by which company has the nearest reputable dealer to where I lived, as much as which one did I like the most...

Honda does not have the best reputation in the quality department and Mitsubishi just got into serious trouble in Japan for failing to disclose design flaws that resulted in deaths.

I work in the auto industry (I can't say where in this post). Your best bet for quality is a Toyota. I have one and have never had a problem with it. (don't tell anyone I wrote this )

One time on my way home from Eurpoe (post 9-11) I was seated next to a person from Iraq. He was in the vehicle import/export business and had stamps in his passport from all over the middle east. He told me that he didn't even give the immigration official a chance to speak. He would just look at him and say "which way to the interrogation room please"? The guy turned out to be really funny.

Is it? If yes, where can i buy it.

If not what else is legal for self defense?

Any particular reason?

Some may consider having such diligent immigration officers to be a good thing

but it seems so inconsistent to me that they are more worried about the contents

on a laptop computer than in getting to grips properly with this highly controversial

illegal alien issue- for example the most recent one where the US attorney general

is fighting alongside the Mexican government AGAINST the state of Texas regarding

2 illegal aliens who have allegedly murdered and raped 2 innocent US citizens ?

Shouldn't they be concentrating more of their resources on this matter ?

The U.S government no longer represents the American people. I voted with my feet.

Gullivers on beach Road? I've always like it as it's very clean.

This is the main reason that I dread returning to the states. My wife is Japanese and they always give her a hard time when we get there. It's always such a relief when we are finished with them. Now, take those agents and put them on the southern boarded and they can have all the attidude they want. It has always puzzled me as to why they try to intimidate law biding citizens but they are willing to let between 12 and 20 illegals enter and live with no problem. America is out of control.

Salad bars are just too dicey, so much so that experienced business travelers will usually avoid them even in 5 star hotels as it costs too much in down time if they get sick on a business trip.

The other one they will avoid is putting ice in their drink, no telling where it came from.

I am an experienced business traveler and I do exactly this. Most other travelers that I know live by this same rule. So far, I have not been very sick but I know many others (didn't follow the rule) that did experience serious down time.

Plenty of information on TV concerning your requests. Use the search function and you will find what you are looking for.

My TW thinks I'm crazy too. She couldn't control her laughter when I told her this. She was going to tell her mother, but I immediately objected!

Oh, She told her mother. Just watch for the snickers

My GF uses it for everything from breathing assistance to headaches to stomach aches. BUT, I have NEVER considered putting it THERE. I would have loved to see the facial reaction though.

I was in there a couple times last week. I really enjoyed it. The food was good and I do enjoy looking outside. The staff has always been very friendly and that has carried over to the new place. The prices have only increased very slightly over the previous location. From 4:00 to 7:00 they have a decent happy hour. I usually drink Tiger and I get a pint for (if I remember correctly) 95 baht, comparable with Kilkenny's on Walking Street. I will be going back the next time I am in Pattaya. It's still new but as time passes, I think it will devolope into a better environment.

Disclaimer. I have no financial or business interest whatsoever in their establishment. Just my outside opinion.

Got an e-mail today from a friend of mine that worked at the old Shinanigans and now works at the new one. I was told that business is better at the new one.

We dont know how big a " "babys" bank account " is but

doesnt he need at least 400,000 THb to start with in

Thai bank just to get his own visa ?

I'm not exactly sure but I believe that rule is for a retirement visa, not a spouse visa. But, I could be wrong.

Try to start a new company, pay off the obligations, and save enough live comfortably for the rest of your life in Thailand. That way, you won't have to live your life looking over your shoulder worried about the debtors. Life is a lot better when you can spend money like a drunken sailor. Pipe dream? I'm sure it is but it may be worth a try.

BTW, sorry about the string of bad luck.

Drunk Already????

Me? Never as I only post from work. No internet at the house, I'm sure that's a good thing.

Do I really have to know which way I am pushing the handle bar to turn to where I want to go? I thought the instinct feeling was good enough to ride a bike.

It has always been my body and mind that lead me the way I go and my hands just follow.

Although this is true, I have noticed that since I became aware of the countersteering concept, riding has become more enjoyable. I am able to take corners much faster with better control.

Really?

Maybe I should try next time if I get the chance to ride a bike again. Stopped riding for 8 years after I got married.

Yes. Really.

Do I really have to know which way I am pushing the handle bar to turn to where I want to go? I thought the instinct feeling was good enough to ride a bike.

It has always been my body and mind that lead me the way I go and my hands just follow.

Although this is true, I have noticed that since I became aware of the countersteering concept, riding has become more enjoyable. I am able to take corners much faster with better control.

Showing you licenses and credentials? Hm. Had something like that happen to me in Colombo a few years back. But, being a bit stupid and overwhelmed I know the end.

This guy also chats me up, makes a show of flashing his licenses etc., but of course he is no Muay Thai teacher, but a teacher for the blind (teacher! another common element, ha!). So of course I tell him that it is nice of him to devote his time blablabla. Also got to see some pictures of him and (blind?) children. Nice and cute. Then he said he really likes to chat with foreigners to improve his English and could I sign his guest-book and write my name next to the signature? (well, I should probably name it encounter-book). Stupid me did. I mean if anybody tells me to sign I sign. But then I know my reflexes and the trouble they could create for me and decided to give him a nonsense-signature and a phantasy-name. As soon as that was done he uncovered the left half of the paper he had been holding and Ta-Da! there was an empty column for a donation amount. For the school of the blind. I told him I will write a zero. I know enough people in the aid business to give them donations whenever I feel depressed by the amount of money I possess. That was that and it's a possible scenario for your encounter. Except for the blind children.

Had a similar thing happen to me in KL Mayaysia except it was a monk(?). I gave him a little money so he would go away and he got really angry and told me how much he expected that I should give. At that point, I walked away.

Forgive my reference to the op. sex toys are illegal in Thailand??? How could this be a law? Can someone 'seriously' explain please?

I mean, how can sex toys be illegal anywhere?

I believe they are illegal in some parts of the States, as well.

Definately not illegal in San Francisco.

I live in Japan on a spouse visa and I had to prove a very large bank account AND guarantees from my wife AND her parents to get my visa. It can be tough here as well so it's not just Thailand. Just like in the states, they don't wan't people coming in and living off government hand-outs.