magic

I was drinking solo at a bar many months ago, a russian dude started a conversation with me, etc..

Chatted about vodka, he ended up buying me vodka shots, etc.. Then, his friends came in (one russian girl & guy) invited me to a club, bought me more drinks, & were very nice cool generous people!!

They didn't even accept payment for any drinks that night, one dropped me off at my hotel on his motorbike, & that was that..

However, I have just watched the Russian working women here & they seem very to themselves, etc. I never see them interacting with non russians..

My point is treat everyone as separate individuals..

Somebody back home in the states told me that if you are working here in Thailand, you can also be taxed back in the states for salarly you've earned in Thailand!

Is this true?!

I have not yet worked in Thailand, so I'm not so sure about the tax procedures..

Anyone shed some light?

Thanks..

not planning on eating 'em

not this lifetime.. just need them for possible filming in Thailand for TV..

still searching..

any idea on where I can get these things, but in a live state?

I have seen many along the roadsides being sold dead of course, with the exception of butterflies..

Any clues would be great.

ps. It really is a serious question.. but, will accept the jokes that will surely follow too.

thanks

I see a lot of tailors in Bangkok... Don't know if most are worth the trouble.

I just need a black jacket / sports coat that won't fall apart.

Any recomendations as to a specific store you have had decent quality & a good price?

(bangkok)

Thanks guys,

Over the past years, I've bought around 50 Acer laptops. Only 2 have had any problems, which were fixed within warranty.

You have to keep in mind that Acer notebooks outsell all other brands in Thailand by a *large* margin. Let's say you sell 1,000 Toyotas and 10 BMWs in the last year. 2 BMWs had to be sent in for service, while 10 Toyotas needed servicing. Do you say "Oh, Toyotas SUCK since so many more were serviced" or "Wow, only 1% of toyotas needed servicing, while 20% of BMWs needed repair"?

From your needs, you would require a notebook with:

A fast processor, dual core would help A LOT.

A good seperate video processor, but not the best.

Lots of memory (the more the merrier, go for 2GB)

Lots of HDD space (100GB+).

I can think of a few budget Acers/Asus/Compaqs that go for around 40k, or a few Toshibas, Sonys, etc, that would go for around 60-70k. IBMs, while they *can* do multimedia, won't do multimedia better than an average notebook.

I'm looking to spend frm 30k -40k baht only..

So, what I undertand is to look for a good warranty with either of the following: Acer, IBM, Toshiba, or Asus.

Anybody have experience with Asus???

The asus line is gaining my interest right now..

Any experiences on those brands for laptops?

thanks..

What will you use it for?

Word/internet/dvds?

Then make sure you have atleast 512mb of ram.

These days almost all new laptops will run basic applications with no problems.

If you want to run games then higher specs needed.

Don't overbuy.

I am after:

-internet use

-a lot of windows media files

-no gaming whatsoever

-photoshop, movie editing, etc..

-multimedia stuff

I'm looking for great reliability & warranty. It sounds like IBM, then Toshiba..?

The asus line is gaining my interest right now..

Any experiences on those brands for laptops?

thanks..

where are you kids headed this year! I am looking for a scare myself, but in a good way.

Joking aside, where can one go for a scary halloween experience?

ps. tempted to start a thread on what I used to do on Halloween..

YES !!

The Federer express does it again.

I think a lot of it comes down to the unforced errors.

I did not expect 6-0 in any set ! I was jumping for joy when I witnessed this psychological blow.

That made my night when the final point was won.

I am always amazed at how cool & calm Federer appears to be in all his matches, not to mention the finesse & grace he has. Sounds silly, but I find it very inspirational, & try to apply it to what I do.

I've been watching the whole thing from the start. As much as I prefer Federer to win, I must say that from the what I've seen, I do not give Federer much of a chance. Nadal plays nearly the same quality as on clay (The grass courts have been redesigned to a slower ball speed) and given his incredible fighting spirit he will overcome whatever he lacks in specific grass experience.

I also noticed that Federer has a kind of build in fail trigger in his mental set up. He tends to loose concentration around the 2nd (half way) or the 3rd set. That is exactly the point where Nadal tends to grow into his best play...

But I sure hope it will be an exciting match, not such a disappointment as with Mauresmo-Henin.

I see your point, but, the last 2 matches Federer has played near perfection, completely wiping out Henmen & the Swed..

This is his his favorite surface too. I must say I am anoid by nadal for his fist pumping on every point. I think there may be some mind games involved. But, I think nadal succeeds for his high topspin, which gives him a bigger margin for error than other players, & he's quick. So we will have to see tonight.. I prefer the humble Federer to win.

between Federer & nadal.

Federer is an artist on the court.

I have an apartment in Bangkok now, but may spend a large amount of time away (1 yr). I have considered renting it out during that time to cover the payments,

(or)

buy my apartment room, then rent it out for the long haul. (my 1st choice)

Any advice or experience with this fork in the road?

Sincerely,

Steve

Thanks for all the replies guys & girls !

any recommendations. Not looking for guest houses really..

I heard that one could obtain a 3 month tourist visa or non- immagrant visa at the immigration bureau. So I went today, but the lady told me I could not get anything of the sort because I have stayed in Thailand for more than 1 year now..

"It's for short term stay only"

I would just like to have a few months free from the visa run is all. Is there a way of doing this legally of course?

Of course, I was astonished at this attitude and told them that I really think they missed out!

Hmmmmm... I would NEVER recommend visitors to eat streat food, espaecially the soups.

I tried my luck many times with the wonton noodle soups, etc, and have paid the price. Not everyone is immune to the water here. I have lived here for 1 year, & if I temp my fate at the free water or some of the soups, I can be suffering for 1-2 days with no sleep. Not to mention the site of skinned chickens hanging from the stalls, which scares me as to how long they have been there..

Since, I have used only bottled water & avoided the street soups, & have been MUCH better off.

We covered video cameras in the photography section a few weeks back.

I am not sure you will find one that records in WMV directly.

You will have to do conversion on your PC.

I wonder why you chose that format?

Well, my purpose is to spend minimal amount of $, & put what I record onto a CD or DVD for another person to easily view on their computer..or possibly their TV, which would be ideal !

any recomendations for an inexpensive video camera, small, that easily records in WMV?

thanks

I've never had any problems with the Police in Thailand, always been smiling and helpful... the only minor problem is the want to practice their English with me and me trying very hard to understand

totster

Ditto. A couple of the guys at my local nick have got used to the sight of me walking around and if they see me driving they salute! I salute back and we get on fine. Mind you, we drink in the same bars.

Well, maybe I have to start drinking in the cop bars & buddy up with them...

uhhh are you sure they are real police? do you look like a sasquatch or something?

well, maybe you can tell me why they would want to stop me:

//link to blog removed//

How do you tell "real" police from the fake ones? I understand that there is some drug activity in the area that the supposedly patrol for, but repeatidly stopping the same guy is a little absurd..

I live in an apartment in the Thong Lor area. In the past few months I have been stopped about 5 or 6 times by police on a motorbike. (one time, even before I got out of my taxi they opened the door!) I could swear they are practically singling me out. It happens when I am returning to my apartment from midnight on..

We seem to go throught the same routine of them checking every pocket, every crevise of my wallet, etc. Of course they have never found anything that is illegal on me. One time they found playing cards on me which should be no problem as long as they are not witnessing gambling activities. It's like they are really trying to catch me with drugs or something, but fail every time.

I told one Thai friend about this, & she said they should not even be allowed to search me. Does anybody know what they are allowed & not allowed to do?

It is really begining to piss me off now..

I have always just went along with this, but I am beginging to lose my cool. I have heard the stories of some corupt Thai police, so my heart beat picks up its pace at every encounter. It's enough to make me want to get another place to stay..

Am looking for a talent agent in Thailand or any leads to a listing of them..

Thanks,

steve

I am looking for any contact information on any TV networks, channels, or shows in Thailand. I have tried searching the net, but many of these sites are in Thai.

I would be grateful for any contact info..

thanks,

steve

Am looking for "natural essential oils anywhere..

I here there is a difference between "100% pure" & "natural" essential oils.

It has been said that "100% pure" actually doesn't mean what is claims to be, but "natural essential oil" is the closest thing to really being pure without pesticides, perfumes, additives, etc. (highest quality)

Anyway, any idea of where I can find these in Thailand?

Thanks