The Cobra

I find as I am getting older that I often reflect back on how things have changed from when I was a kid. What do you remember ? Here are some of the things that come to mind, Dad starting the car with a handle. Mother fighting with a clothes wringer Lighting a fire in the living room. Carrying coal Lighting it with paraffin block firelighters. Keeping pigeons as pets Sunday night bathtime Test card on TV Only 2 channels 45, 33 and 78 records Radiograms Fruit salad, black-jacks, bronco busters Coppers had capes that walked the street. Milk delivered in glass bottles Phonecall from a box in the street. Party lines Pathe News before the A and B movie Saturday cinema Saturday job in a Butchers Sunday was a day of rest and everything was closed. Playing "kick the can" What do you remember ? Not what you were told about but actually remember from when you were a kid ?

A lot of assumptions there, with a sprinkle of baiting. No thanks.

And why is that ? prefer not to engage Thais, dont really have a need ?, can you expand a bit please ?

The phenomenon of expats who've been living it up in Thailand for ages but still can't muster more than a basic "sawasdee" or "khop khun krap." Seriously, it's like they're allergic to picking up the local lamguage. I mean, sure, there are some shining examples out there who defy the odds and become fluent Thai speakers despite all odds. But for every success story, there's a whole squad of expats who've been here since the dinosaurs roamed the earth and still can't order a plate of phad thai without resorting to hand gestures and wild gesticulations. What gives, right? These folks have got the whole package - Thai spouse, adorable kids, a cozy home, and maybe even a thriving business. But ask them to hold a conversation in Thai beyond "hello" and "thank you," and you're met with blank stares and awkward silences. It's like, after spending a decade or two in the Land of Smiles, you'd think a little bit of the language would have seeped into their brains by osmosis. But nope, they're still stuck in English-only mode, like they've got some kind of linguistic force field keeping Thai at bay. Is it laziness? Stubbornness? Or maybe they've got a secret bee buzzing around in their bonnet, convinced that speaking Thai is not needed? Who knows! I've encountered my fair share of these perpetual English speakers during my time here, and let me tell you, it's a mystery wrapped in an enigma sprinkled with a dash of "what the heck?" So, what's the psychology behind it all? Your guess is as good as mine. But until we crack the code, I guess we'll just have to keep marveling at the curious case of the Thai-speaking-challenged expat. Can you speak Thai beyond the basics ? is it really needed and do you even care ? Just wondered what your take is on speaking Thai ?

He said so in the phoncall

Got a phone call last night..... So, the drama unfolds. Turns out, a mate has been nursing a broken heart ever since he picked up this girl at some disco joint a while back. We've all heard about her – supposedly a sweet, lovely student with a side order of life drama. But then he brings her to our regular dinner party uninvited, and let's just say it wasn't exactly a match made in heaven. Imagine us, a bunch of older educated guys with more degrees than a thermometer, and there she is, fresh from the bar and clearly out of her depth. We try to be nice but its hard work, it's like trying to teach calculus to a goldfish. By the end of the night, she's grumpier than a cat in a bath. We all exchange pitying glances at our friend, who's gone gooey-eyed over this girl toy. But hey, it's his life, his choices. After that evening, he's been avoiding us like the plague. Then last night, like a bad penny, he calls me up late at night, blabbering on. Turns out, he and Ms. Drama-Queen broke up not long after that disastrous dinner. And why, you ask? Because his buddy from England came to visit, and the girl decided to have a holiday fling, if you catch my drift. Apparently, she found someone who didn't mind flashing the cash. So, there he is, drowning his sorrows in the same disco joint where he found her, only this time she's hanging off some other dude with a wallet thicker than a dictionary. And what does my friend do? He calls me up to rant about Thai girls being the spawn of Satan – scheming, money-grabbing creatures who are all cut from the same cloth he drones. Now, don't get me wrong, I know he's just pizzed and blowing off steam, but hearing my mate trash-talk Thai women at 1 am is not my idea of a good time. I mean, I've never dabbled in the BG (bargirl) scene, thank heavens, but hearing him go on about it made my blood boil to be honest. For crying out loud! And let me tell you, I'd sooner cuddle up to a pack of stray dogs than deal with that nonsense. BGs might have their sob stories, but frankly, I've got more sympathy for a wilted houseplant. They give decent Thai women a bad rap, and frankly, I'm fed up with it. So, here's to hoping my mate sobers up and stops painting all Thai women with the same brush. Have you ever taken a bar girl out for awhile, did you carry on going back to the same bar afterwards, what was it like for you seeing the one you had a short time before with another farang ?

The OP mentions customers approaching for BioPic4Life for comfort or BioBizzPic for pride. Could you share more insights into the motivations or specific occasions that prompt individuals to seek out these biographical portraits? I wrote down my life story once, I am thinking more about perhaps capturing it on video How long does the process usually take ?

I dont get where this mentallity comes from at all, Pattays is so much more than bars! Yes of course they have them and specific areas are dedicated to them and nightlife and so on BUT that is just a part of of it, it isnt its sum total. I dont drink and have NO interest in the bars or the associated activities but visit Pattaya a few times and every time have a great visit. No I wouldnt want to live there as its way too commercial and touristy for my taste but it has alot to offer in wide range for all tastes. Each to their own and honestly, dont knock it until you ve tried it, ALL of it.

If this was a young bar-girl situation I can totally get the "reson to return" issue, but an established 12 yr relationship,a 57 yr old woman escorted both ways, returning to their established Thai lifestyle after the visit, it all seems very unreasonable and unfair in my opinion not to let them proceed. Hardly likely to be going on the game or running off with others is she. (no offence intended)

Can anyone recommend a nice Red wine that's readily available in Big stores like Big C Tesco Makro etc? I know nothing about the stuff and don't want to end up with something thats like Vinegar. Any help appreciated., thanks.

If you are buying those pretty outdoor Christmas lights be careful as they are not as described.with some sellers. I must emphasise that technically its correct, but probably not what you think you are getting. The lights are described as 5m long BUT that's the wire length, not the length of the lights.The lights are only attached to HALF OF IT.So what you get is 2,5m of lights and 2.5m of just plain trailing cable. So if you have something specific in mind, better double up to cover it properly.

What's the correct process for cancelling a work permit ? What docs are required ? Resignation letter, tax papers, do I get X amount of days to leave Thailand ? Any help appreciated. If I go another route, can I move the work permit from one company to another or is it a fresh application ? Thanks

I know there are some here and there, I think one works in our local Tesco Customer service desk and I have seen one running a telephone shop locally. But when you consider the amount of ladyboys, like those 30-40 shown in the Pattaya cop shop recently, the number of "young" ladyboys compared to those that are visible later in life is a huge difference, in my opinion. Do you think they give it up, revert back to being a guy ? All those "show girls and beauty pageant entries,where do they go. yes a very few are on TV, there always a token "gatoey" in most Thai soaps, but again, the numbers generally just dont add up.

Something occurred to me recently: you never see older ladyboys? What happens to them? do they just decide not to be one anymore. You never see any older transgender people. They seem to just disappear after about 35. Surely if that was, as is often claimed "not a choice," then they would continue in that persona, presumably forever. I know in other countries some do, but I am just making an observation as to Thailand and mature ladyboys just do not exist, or do they ?

Everyones situation is different,depends entirely where you choose to live as to how much of anything effects you. For me: Peace and tranquility No laws in your face No camers in your face no heavy traffic Peaceful countryside Nice village people very friendly and helpful. Eveythinbg I need within 20 minutes drive. VERY cheap to live day to day Easy access to medical care either in the village or at local hospitals 90 day reports online- easy Annual visit to immigration - no hassle. 1900bt cheap. Dont drink so alchohol/bars doesnt even register Dont care and cant vote anyway so Politics is of no interest what they gget upto. As for the weather, great, warm all the time, rainy season is nice change. Its not your surroundings or rules etc, its your attitude toward them. They are only an issue if you allow them to be.