Octpob

3 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Does this new rule also apply to motorbike riders ...........................LOL

I have seen a policeman on a motorbike using mobile phone whilst riding in Sukhumvit..

22 hours ago, Boarn said:

 

Pla ra, Gaeng Thai Pla and all the other fermented <deleted> is vile to put it lightly. Rice noodle used far too often when egg noodles are far better, everything eaten with hideous jasmine rice when basmati rise is so much more palatable.

I divide my culinary experience with Thai food to an era before Thailand (BT) and after Thailand (AT), a more sobering realisation that what I thought was Thai food as experienced in Thai restaurants (outside Thailand) was in fact a westernised version of genuine thing. I certainly have never come across any of the vile fermented concoctions during my BT (pla ra) that Thais love so much; or the awful stench produced by cooking (burning more like) garlic and shrimp paste...or the horrible taste of cooked basil or bitter melon. I find it fascinating to see Thais sitting on the floor to eat...right next to perfectly good table, and then proceed to tuck into their raw vegetables? I am not sure if that occurs only within the lower strata of Thai society like village people or Hi So as well?

On 10/3/2021 at 12:22 PM, SEAsia Traveler said:

18.  Feudal practices (groveling, inwardness, xenophobia, heavy-handed treatment of foreigners, patronage system, nationalism, censorship, bloated civil service and military, profligate spending, protection of elite class, disregard for vulnerable populations)

19.  Lack of modernity (intellectual curiosity, innovation, product expertise, city planning, skilled workforce, economic opportunity, rising incomes, transparency, free speech, talented and representative leadership)

28.  Thai vices (gambling, loan sharking, lottery, consumer debt, corrupt monks)

Yes, negative 18 drives me nuts...especially the groveling that my wife feels obliged to do with her "betters" aka HISO.

Negative 19 seems to be widespread but surprisingly very much evident even among the university educated Thais.

The negative 28...oh my, where to start? The constant play of "money games", ever increasing debt in order to buy c*ap...

6 hours ago, Captain_Bob said:

"bent down to pick up his water bottle" 

More likely playing with their stupid phone. See that all the time on Thai roads. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. more important than (other) human lives. 

I've seen a cop in Bkk on a motorbike using his phone while riding

9 hours ago, Lacessit said:

My GF discovered secondhand stores in Australia - Savers, Salvation Army, Lions, you name it. She was in seventh heaven, she could spend hours in them browsing, while I went off to do other shopping.

My wallet was quite safe too - at 40 kg, all of the clothes were too big for her.

 

 

I relate to this, my wife's favourite shop is Vinnies.

On 3/28/2020 at 9:41 PM, ianezy0 said:

I bought a lot of CSL for $45 in 2010. Sold for a $4 PS profit a year later. Then...bang....look what happened ???????????????? the emojis are not me laughing, but crying!

Yeah, I know what you mean, I bought at $16 and sold at $30 many years ago...been kicking myself since!

As an outsider and foreigner, I have observed that this issue seems to be very political. The ruling class wants to get their hands on Dammakhaya's substantial wealth, on the other hand Dammakhaya promotes a Buddhism which concentrates on meditation and clean living, eg 5 basic precepts: no lying, no stealing, no drinking or taking drugs, no sexual misbehaviour, and no gambling. In comparison, the rest of Thai society seems to either ignore or at best pay only lip service to these basics. Hence, there is an attempt to portray Dammakhaya as a cult, perhaps because they do have very large and dedicated following and, even more importantly because they do not toe the line as expected by the ruling class.

Could someone please help/advise, I recall seeing car rental booth at Sukhothai airport few years ago, but I am unable to find out any further information or contact details. I would appreciate if anyone is able to help out. I don't think it was one of the major car rental companies, maybe just a small local outfit?