mark45y

11 hours ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

Wrong

5 baht for even the poorest Thai for a year is the same as free so it's safe to conclude Thailand has public libraries.  Sorry your are in error.

On 12/1/2016 at 9:21 PM, theguyfromanotherforum said:

I could actually care less.

I wanted to know if Thailand has a free public library. Apparently, it does not.

My curiosity has been satisfied.

Have also been amused by the fact that many posters have no clue what a public library is.

I think it's safe to conclude that there in no free public library in Thailand.

5 baht for even the poorest Thai for a year is the same as free so it's safe to conclude Thailand has public libraries.  I'm amused that you chose a subject to berate Thailand about and are having a difficult time admitting you chose the wrong topic.  There are lots of ways to berate Thailand but Thais do have the opportunity to visit and borrow books from free many free libraries.  So, old chap back to the drawing board for you and pick another subject in your quest to belittle Thailand and the Thai people.  Good luck and all that.

56 minutes ago, NeverSure said:

 

As I said, the US is huge and has "miles and miles of miles and miles." It is 900 miles (1450 kms) just to drive across Texas. All of those rural places have farms and ranches which have power and there are power lines along all of those roads and none that I know of are underground. I'd say your guess of 60 - 70% might be close for towns and cities but waaaay off for the whole country. I'll bet it isn't 10%. 

 

The point is that any that is either under or above ground will be up to code, neatly done and well maintained unlike Thailand.

 

We do lose a lot of linemen to electrocution. When one guy dies, they just send up another.  

 

Cheers.

 

The cost of putting all distribution lines in the USA underground would be, at a minimum, $2.4 Trillion. This equals 16% of the U.S. GDP.   I wouldn't hold your breath.   https://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/should-overhead-lines-be-underground/

 

How long have you lived in Thailand?  2 weeks?  I've lived here 20 years and have a good idea of costs.  This is how it works.  I say my house costs half as much as in the USA and you say but it's not as good as the USA.  Do a lot of Thai people retire to the USA?  I say my transportation expenses are half what they would be in the USA and you say but the roads are safer in the USA.  Food is cheaper in the USA and housing is cheaper in Thailand.  What percent of typical expenses are housing and what percent are food? Typical housing percent of expenses is 35%.  Typical food percent is 9%.  So which should we base our judgment on?  My wife who was 30 years younger than I in the USA cost me one million eight hundred thousand baht a year.  My Thai wife who is 30 years my junior costs me five hundred thousand baht a year.  That's a savings of one million three hundred thousand baht per year.  I'm in hog heaven and have save tons of cash. 

12 hours ago, NeverSure said:

 

The US is huge with "miles and miles of miles and miles". The lines are underground in most areas built in the past few decades and many towns and cities have be upgraded. You'll see overhead lines running cross country and in older neighborhoods.

 

Even so, if you see overhead lines they are neat and orderly and safe. Oh, and they are also safely grounded LOL.  

 

Cheers.

 

PS  I didn't see where your linked article said what percentage is underground, not that it really matters.

No article because I asked a question.  I wrote, "What percent of USA power lines are underground?"  I'd say about 60 to 70% of USA power lines are above ground

from looking at the decaying infrastructure of the country but maybe you can find a link for the total USA and not cherrypicked locations.

21 minutes ago, Elkski said:

I'm not sure I fully appreciate the dangers of the road in Thailand.  I do have a visitor and we drove 3,300 miles in two weeks and it is interesting to hear what she lines about.  driving from LA to SF on hyway 1 and then to SLC in I-80 she was so impressed at how few accidents we saw she lined about that.  She has really noticed the lack of liter.  She has asked if all the power and wires are underground.  She has asked if it is safe to drink the water several times and I tell her yes in the shower at all the normal places you can even let water get in your mouth.

I think now after 2 weeks here I have finally washed off the last smells of Thailand from her hair., Yesterday I taught her how to waste water and that my 50 gal fast recovery water heater wont let us down.  We have shopped at Asian stores in Colorado and Utah so she sees that she can cook Thai food.  I think any town you compare to Thailand must have Asian markets of which most under 20k population  dont.  

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/the-life-of-the-linemen-who-keep-your-lights-on/

 

What percent of USA power lines are underground?
 

3 minutes ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

 

I don't need a book.

I'm asking if Thailand has a public library where citizens can borrow books for free.

I know my third world country of Serbia has many. I know Canada has many. I know many countries have public libraries.

So far not a single reply about Thais being able to join a library and borrow books free of charge.

For most normal people 5 baht a year is free.  So there have been many posts informing you of free libraries.  You don't seem to be able to realize you are in error.  It's no big deal.  If you think it worth trying to make a pedantic point out of 5 baht for 365 days a year membership I suggest you have issues other than the topic of the thread.

6 minutes ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

Google told me there are no public libraries in Bangkok. The above examples are not public libraries.

As for my "point" apologies for not starting a thread about bar life or Harold the great.

Still waiting for a reply where one can borrow a book for free in Thailand.
 

Lumpini Public Library

Lumpini Park

Tel : 252-8030

Open : 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed on public holidays

Soi Pranang Public Library

Soi Pranang, Rajvithi Road

Tel : 246-3517

Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Closed on public holidays

Anongkharam Public Library

Wat Anongkharam, Klong San

Tel 437-1381

Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed on Sundays, Monday and public holidays

Wat Sangkachai Public Library

Wat Sangkachai, Issraphap Road

Tel : 465-1659

Open : 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed on Sundays, Mondays and Public holidays

Bang Khen Public Libray

Inside Bang Khen District Office

Tel : 251-3375

Open : 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed on Sunday, Monday and public holidays

Wat Ratchadathithan Public Library

Inside Wat Ratchadathitan

Soi Charansanitwongse 35

Tel : 412-0702

Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed on Sundays, Mondays and Public Holidays

Wat Ratchaorotsaram Public Library

Soi Amphoe Kao, Chom Thong Road

Tel : 416-0816

Open : 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed on Sunday, Monday and public holidays

Wat Lad Pla-Khao Public Libray

Inside Wat Lad Pla-Khao, Soi Chokchai 4, Lad Prao

Tel : 570-5792

Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed on Sunday, Monday and Public holidays

Phasi Charoen Public Library

Soi Petchakasem 50/3

Petchakasem Road

Tel : 458-1281

Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Closed on Sunday, Monday and Public Holidays

Nong Chok Public Libray

Inside Phakdinoraset School

Behind Nong Chok District Office

Tel : 988-4480

Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed on Sunday, Monday and public holidays

Chatuchak Public Library

Chatuchak District Office, 7th Floor

Tel : 513-3444

Open : 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday to Friday

At all public libraries, the annual membership fee is five baht. There is a 20 baht deposit for children below 15, and 10 baht plus 40 baht for those above 15 years. 

 

If you are going to contend that there are no public libraries because of the 5 baht annual fee, you must be from Scotland not Canada.

10 hours ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

Please school me and provide a name of one public library in Thailand where people can borrow books. Previous poster mentioned universities, but these are not public libraries.

 

Academic libraries

Public and autonomous university libraries

• Burapha University Library
• Chiang Mai University Library^[1]
• Chulalongkorn University Library^[2]
• Kasetsart University Library
• Khon Kaen University Library
• King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang Library
• King Mongkut's Institute of Technology North Bangkok Library
• King Mongkut's University of Technology Library
• Mae Fah Luang University Library
• Maejo University Library^[3]
• Mahasarakham University Library
• Mahidol University Library
• Naresuan University Library
• National Institute of Development Administration Library
• Prince of Songkla University Library
• Rajamangala University of Technology, Thanyaburi
• Ramkhamhaeng University Library
• Silpakorn University Library
• Srinakharinwirot University Library
• Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University Library
• Suranaree University of Technology Library
• Thammasat University Library^[4]
• Ubon Ratchathani University Library
• Walailak University Library

Public Library

15/5 Huai Kaew Rd.

T. Chang Phuak

A. Muang

Chiang Mai 50300

Thailand

Telephone:

053-221159

10 libraries to seek peace and quiet in Bangkok

http://bk.asia-city.com/city-living/news/best-libraries-bangkok

Does Canada have Google yet?

I have been employed in both the education and hospitality industry in Thailand and they both seem to me to have more women executives than men.

In health care I believe there are more female doctors and dentists and administrators than males.

I don't think the OP was about political bosses so I will give that a pass.

I don't think women are exploited in Thailand. From what I see the woman controls the purse strings in most families. In my personal experience I have seen more dominant women in Thai families when it comes to issues of money than males. I have seen many examples of women letting the males think they are in charge.

I have seen many examples of male preference in child raising and early education situations. I really don't know how to explain this discrepancy. But I can see how some would think males exploit women.

A quick and accurate measure of exploitation might be had by watching a bank. How many women make transactions as opposed to men. That would probably give one an idea of who controls the cash. The person who controls the cash controls the family. I would suggest the majority of the time in Thailand this is the woman.

I don't know wether I agree or disagree with this. Its a hard one morally for me. On one hand I think, its a party and a hundred years ago women walked bare breasted anyway. On the other hand Thai culture is slipping away and I can understand why people want to keep their cultural identity, especially with much of the west to hold up as a "shining" example of were you end up if you allow the cultural decline to go unchecked.

As far as the YouTubers go, if they staged it it could be argued I supposed that it was a direct attempt to slur or debase; however, if it was just some guys that caught it on camera and then posted it - and it was done in public - then they should not be charged at all IMO.

More like 70 years ago.

Not from Issan. But they are happy. They are fed and in a good mood. Nothing special about them; just Thai women. They are all talented. They can sing, dance, plant rice and cook. To me they are beautiful. What does an old guy in the West do for lunch? A beer and a sandwich maybe watch sports on TV. In Thailand? Where you go? Eat lunch. I go with you. OK. By ni? By gin cow. By doi? Alli ga di.

one thing i cant stand is seeing some 60-70 year old fat filthy looking dirty pervert holding hands walking down the street with an 18 year old beauty, time to act your f*****ng age !!! wise yourself up, get a life and get someone nearer to your own age.

Welcome to the “Young guys who have discovered old guys have it made in Thailand club.”

Wondered why Thailand is still getting lots of foreign investment when to be honest its got quite expensive here and there are better places to invest. So sex does make the world go round?

You have hit the nail on the head. Thailand is a male dominated country run by women.

The INTERNET is so popular because of porn. No one can really talk about that but the reason all the nerds figure out how to do things on the net is so they can download porn on the sly, business is only a byproduct of sex.

The reason the baht is strong is because the TPI.

The TPI is a little known index used by investors in the know. Thai P***y Index. Ask yourself, would Song Kran work without women?

All over the world women are out beating the drums for equality. In Thailand they are buying gold rings. Women in Thailand know they have to let men think they are in charge for the system to work.

The lubricant that makes Thai industry hum is not oil of the Middle East but the tears from the maidens of Issan.

I don't care if it

Rains or freezes

As long as I've got my

Plastic Jesus

Ridin' on the dashboard

Of my car

Through my trials

And tribulations

And my travels

Through the nation

With my plastic Jesus

I'll go far

Ridin' down the thoroughfare

With a nose up in the air

A wreck may be ahead

But he don't mind

Trouble comin'

He don't see

He just keeps his eye on me

And any other thing that lies behind

With my plastic Jesus

Goodbye and I'll go far

I said with my plastic Jesus

Sitting on the dashboard of my car

When I'm in a traffic jam

He don't care if I say dam_n

I can let all my curses roll

'Cos Jesus' plastic doesn't hear

'Cos he has a plastic ear

The man who invented plastic

Saved my soul

With my plastic Jesus

Goodbye and I'll go far

I said with my plastic Jesus

Sitting on the dashboard of my car

[From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/billy-idol-lyrics/plastic-jesus-lyrics.html ]

An if I weave around at night

Policemen think I'm very tight

They never find my bottle

Though they ask

'Cos plastic Jesus shelters me

For his head comes off you see

He's hollow and I use him like a flask

Woa Woa Woa

Save me

So far young ladies were rather absent on this thread to explain their points of view.

A beautiful young female would never take an old man as a partner without material considerations. Why should she? There are millions of handsome, strong men around to share moments and much more with a young woman. That's a simple natural fact...

I have to say when I was a rich handsome young man I was a butterfly. I wonder if I was one of a kind?

I was where I should be all the time And when I was not I was with some underworld spy or the wife of a close friend.

I always thought someone should have written a song about me.

Oh lord it's hard to be humble...........springs to mind.........

Whsssssh, the words are from a Carly Simon song

You had me several years ago when I was still quite naive

Well you said that we made such a pretty pair

And that you would never leave

But you gave away the things you loved and one of them was me

Well I hear you went up to Saratoga and your horse naturally won

Then you flew your lear jet up to Nova Scotia

To see the total eclipse of the sun

Well you're where you should be all the time

And when you're not you're with

Some underworld spy or the wife of a close friend

Wife of a close friend, and...

You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you

You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you

Don't you? Don't You? Don't you?

The post was demonstrating the dangers of young handsome men.

So far young ladies were rather absent on this thread to explain their points of view.

A beautiful young female would never take an old man as a partner without material considerations. Why should she? There are millions of handsome, strong men around to share moments and much more with a young woman. That's a simple natural fact...

I have to say when I was a rich handsome young man I was a butterfly. I wonder if I was one of a kind?

I was where I should be all the time And when I was not I was with some underworld spy or the wife of a close friend.

I always thought someone should have written a song about me.

I have never met a woman who I haven't had to pay - in some shape or form.

Hate to say it but -- this may say more about you than it does about women.

Great stuff.

I would of course agree. I wonder though just to set my mind at ease if all the Western guys who are married to Thai women living in Thailand that the wife pays the majority of the bills would stand up and be counted.

I will leave the Ian Forbes posts alone only because he needs to up his med dosage to stop the delusional thoughts and to quit try to convince himself it OK....

My thoughts on the subject of Age difference.. It does make a difference HOWEVER where it makes a difference is how young is the girl in the relationship. If you are say 35ish and up and dating a late teen or 20 yr old, you have some serious issues to overcome(within yourself) primarily as this "Child" has zero life experience and is doing nothing more then looking at you like a father figure. I mean what would you talk about? Her Make up, Hello Kitty collection, help her with her homework? Sit around with Mom and Dad at dinner? Let's be realistic.

If you are say ~50 and she is ~35 and up, that is not uncommon both here and in the US. This women, "for all intents and purposes" has lived a bit, understands what she likely wants in life. Has life experience behind here, Probably a few bad relationships under her belt, Most likely works, has a circle of friends and so on. Of course this is all generalized, cannot be any other way. To many age variables to discuss

In the end, if you are paying for the "Sex" and believe you are getting affection and have a 'Wonderful, loving care situation, You feel like a MAN because a 20 year old thinks your are sexy and so on I agree with others, stop paying and see how fast they stay around and compliment your bed time prowess. To comment about it as a "Relationship" is silly. it is nothing more then paying for sex.

I think the OP was asking this question for the people who have a long standing, "Not business arrangement" Those do not count.

As for me, I am 50, my GF is 38( 39 next month). Up to this point our relationship is very good

Absolutely 100%.

But there are those old guys who are living a delusion in some sort fairy tale make believe world. This is why so many of them fall down flat on their faces and still don’t understand what tripped them up.

If you are an old spaz married to a kid just out of Puberty, then it`s for the money, perhaps the girl is even pressured by her family to marry some old farang for his money.

All is fine while he is paying for it, rent a wife.

If this arrangement suits some old guy and he has the money, then fine, good luck to him, but if he believes it`s the real thing, then he’s a plonker in the first decree.

When I was 27 I knew everything. 26 I was still learning but when I hit 27 I hit the big time. So I have to listen to some of the young guys here. I'll admit they think they know a lot more than I do.

As I got older, 28 and 29 and so on, I became less smart. I realized I had made some errors. When that margin call came I should have had more cash in the bank. At 40 I knew even less. I should have had a pre nup; some old lawyer told me that but I didn't pay any attention to him.

You know the difference between the old spaz living in a delusional world and the young guy in love with an age appropriate woman? Age. They both believe it is the real thing and in that belief they are like brothers.

Some guys can buy a used car and do quite well because they know a lot about cars. They know what to look for when buying a used car. If you have owned three 280 Mercedes you are probably safe buying a fourth one. The rest of you guys would be better off buying a new one. And getting a new one in Thailand for a reasonable price is not as easy as it once was. They even have doctors in Bangkok that can reset the odometer, so to speak, and I understand that is quite a popular operation now.

I first came to Thailand when I was 22 years of age and I will admit I had a lot of women. I had a lot of fun. I lived here for a couple of years.

Maybe I should have stayed, married and raised a family but the political situation back then frightened me a bit. So I went back to the States, married and raised a family. The kids grew and set out on their own and so did my wife so I came back to Thailand. The political situation is far more stable now than it was in the 1970's. The women are about the same, a bit heavier maybe.

The Thai women I dated in 1970 did not speak any English and the women I date now don't speak any English. They wanted to marry me in 1970 and they still want to marry me now. They expected me to pay for dinner in 1970 and they still do now.

How much about ones tastes change? I mean the basic stuff. Did you like beer when you were 22? Do you think you will stop liking beer at 65? When I was 22 I age eggs, bacon and baked beans for breakfast. I still do today. I have three blue button down cotton shirts in my closet along with a blue tropical wool blazer and cotton khaki slacks and a few regimental striped ties. I had the same thing in my closet in 1970. I am a creature of habit.

I don't change much.

40 years ago I liked good looking 20 year old Thai women. I still do today.

Try and invest and leave most your money outside Thailand unless you go for Investment visa.

Interesting advice...US dollar has lost 25% of its value (purchasing power) vs. the Thai baht over the past decade...and predicted to continue to loose value...

US real-estate market/investments have lost 30-50% of their value over the past decade...

The Thai stock market has tripled over the past decade while the US stock market is basically flat over the same period...

I wonder where the better place to invest one's money has been...and might be in the future

I got to Thailand in 2005. 40 baht to 1 dollar. I changed my dollars into baht because I was too dumb to know any better.

You wish!

Ya I do. I was kind of hoping the Russians would lead the way to Song Kran reforms. No bras, No early starting, stopping at sundown, that kind of thing.

Different strokes for different folks. Here's my 2 cents on the subject.

Life is short. I was diagnosed with cancer at 38 and it changed my life. I was given a 50% chance of living for 5 years even after all the treatments they wanted me to do. I got the tumor cut out and never looked back. My main goal was to get my kids raised and after that I quit my job and hit the road. For the first 10 years or so I would take a year off and work for 2-3 and then it reversed to taking more time off. This was against the advice of everyone and I admit that there were some lean times but I was living the dream and doing all the things I wanted to do. The great thing about free time is time to think and explore ideas for making money. Unfortunately the doctors prediction has not come to pass yet but I think it is lurking. At the rate I'm going I probably won't make it to SS. I've always been able to pull a rabbit out of my hat but I have to admit it is not for the faint hearted.

My fall back has always been to be a Walmart greeter assuming they still have them.

The guys I started out with, who kept on the career path are all millionaires. I keep in touch with them and they are stressed to the max. They may have huge assets, but I wouldn't call it a satisfying life. What is happening in the states right now is eating people alive and I'm glad I'm outta there. I just hope that they don't find a cure for cancer (as is my wife I imagine) then I'm screwed.

One important point Pattaya is great. Don't expect to live here and not fall in love unless your made of stone. Plan on breaking the budget the first year and then you'll settle down.

75 percent of people report significant regrets in old age that they didn't do this or that I will not be one of them.

I agree Pattaya is great and I also agree about the old guy regrets thing. For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: "It might have been!"

But I would suggest starting somewhere else besides Pattaya. Pattaya can be a killer if you don't have some Thai experience.

Pick a smaller town at first, learn some Thai and some Thai ways before you hit Pattaya.

So, what did all of the Russians do during Song Kran? Did they throw water and party with the beautiful women in wet T shirts?

This list is terrible, it looks like a marketing ploy to get people to go to N America. Is it really necessary to

list Florida 4 times. Trip advisor have sold out to the big corporations.

not been to all of these but what about :

Bali or Gili Isles (Indonesia)

Bonsai Beach- (Australia)

Many on Samui, Phuket or Ko lipe etc

Bay of Islands (New Zealand, not strictly a single beach but take yer pick!)

Goa (India)

South Carolina at number 6 surely a picture speaks a 1000 words lol

Suggestions anyone?

I lived in Florida for 20 years. I never went to any of the beaches listed because there are at least 4 other beaches in Florida that are better.

So I guess they should have listed Florida 8 times by their standards. My standards? Clean beaches, powder like white sand, T-Back topless or nude,

world class food close by, good looking college age women, clean rest rooms and showers, sea shells, good swimming, good fishing.

Thailand has a way of filling up your time very quickly.

When I first got here I took a term of Thai language 4 hours a day 5 days a week. It was not near enough. I should have done 6 hours in class and two with a tutor for at least a year. It is not like it is expensive.

After 6 months in the country my life began to fill up with things to do and education was not easy to schedule. Then I started working and one job led to another and I had no time at all.

College and language course do it while you have the time.