BFD

Resurrecting an old, but very interesting, thread.

I arrived in Thailand four days after the tsunami, in 2004, with the intention of doing some reparation work in Phuket. I'd never been here before, but I had a brother here with a Thai wife and newborn daughter. I did my best down in Phuket, but I don't think the altruistic lifestyle is the one for me (plus, I'm a helluva lot more squeamish than I thought I was). I traveled around in Chiangmai, Samet, koh samui/phangan/tao, for four months and completely fell in love with the place. The people, the excitement, the smiles (unfortunately, I couldn't handle the food too well).

Anyway, went back to Canada, and resolved to finish my education degree and get myself back to Thailand within two years. I didn't quite make it, as it took me 2 years, 2 months and 17 days before I was back in Don Muang airport getting hit in the face with the unbearable (for a hefty Canadian) heat. I secured a job at an international school, and have been here for almost two years now.

The only regret I have is that I brought a farang girlfriend with me when I arrived. While I loved the girl to death, the 'pressures' of Thailand got to us both and she went home about seven months after our arrival together. I still love it here, love the people, the excitement, my new girlfriend's smiles (I still can't handle the food), and intend to stay for a minimum of five years. I know that sounds a bit silly, but I think it's a bit more logical than setting a maximum.

Anyway, let's revive this thread: how did you go from tourist to expat?

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What actually goes on in 'Bedlam'? Is it similar to the Farang Pub? I don't need specifics, but I'd just like to know if I should keep posting useless responses just to get my post count up!

Thanks,

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My favorite game of all time is Final Fantasy 3/6 (in was called 3 in Canada, but 6 in Asia). In the 'worst videogame thread, I listed Final Fantasy 8, as I just was so utterly disappointed... I might begin to weep again.

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Final Fantasy 8. Just couldn't get used to the new magic system and threw my Playstation out the window in a fit of rage. The damages incurred from this act had me placed in prison until Final Fantasy 9 came out, so I regret nothing.

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full of moxy.

The Hunt For Red October - Tom Clancy

That's not a book.

FAIL!

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Since we have 'name that tune/movie' threads, let's start a Name The Book Thread, too. Just need to use one word from the post before yours and come up with a new title. I'll start"

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

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I must say that Facebook in general, and Scrabulous in particular, has decreased my productivity by roughly 79%.

I love it.

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Tangled Up in Blue - Robert Zimmerman

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Punch Drunk Love

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1. Chiangmai

2. Cheap Charlie's

3. Khao Yai

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That's exactly what I meant. The post seems to be a good anti-drug campaign.

Honestly, I'm not a grammar/spelling nazi, but a post about the benefits of marijuana should be spelled correctly to avoid the brunt of my scathing wit .

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Just wanted to bump this.

I felt sure that there would be more people who would have advice on neat ways to get to Chiangmai... After all, you're such knowledgeable folks!

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Yeah, I realize the timing is not ideal. We'd be whooping it up with drinks etc in the van, so I think we could keep ourselves entertained.

All of this is very last-minute, so anything that can be done will do.

Please keep the suggestions coming, folks .

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Hi there friends and neighbours,

I'm hoping to rent a van and hire a driver to go from Bangkok to Chiangmai on about April 12th or so. I have four Canadian friends coming in earlier in the week, and I think it would be a fun way to show them a bit of the breathtaking countryside while getting drunk in a van.

I am talking about a one-way trip, if possible; we'd probably fly or take the train back to BKK.

Anyone know any options?

Thanks,

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My first word of any substance was 'Drink'.

This was while she was cutting my hair and after she asked me "What you do for fun?". Her response could quite possibly make her marriage material: "Want to come to my house tonight and drink with me?"

This was two weeks ago, so we'll see how this pans out.

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Very much agreed.

RIP, Artie Clarke. Hope you're up there with Robbie Heinlein and Ike Asimov chasing after angel-tail.

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Well if you new me Jack you would understand. For some people weed is a madisinal medisine and thoroley supported by some docters.

I'm actually speechless.

Was this intentional?

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I had a lovely acquaintance (female) who used ครับ once in a moment of, shall we say, intimacy. Scared the ครับ out of me, I tell you! We talked about this later on, and her reasoning is that she grew up with four brothers and was just used to saying it. I believe her... I think?

Anyway, I think, as most others have said, it's simply a cute way of talking. I would feel like a bit of a silly guy if I went around using คะ, though. On the other hand, siamesekitty said that some gals swoon from this. Okay, I'll give it a try. Anything for science.

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whats a "magic step"

Yeah, I want to know what this is too.

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Any thread about Thai music would be completely remiss if they didn't mention one band:

Job 2 Do

Excellent Thai Reggae.

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This happened to me in October. I went to the AIS office in Central Bangna (5th floor, i think). I brought my passport and I knew a couple of the numbers that I called frequently. In the end, I didn't have to pay a dime for the new SIM and I even managed to get the receptionist's number out of the deal!

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Kraft Dinner is available here in Thailand (at Villa), but I have never seen it for less than 100 baht/box. When I have my friends come visit me, I always tell them they can stay with me for free if they cart over a case of Kraft dinner (24 boxes/$10!).

This is my one true vice, and the main thing I miss about Canada.

By the way, I'm from Edmonton, myself. You've made a good decision to get out of Albertan winters!

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Where you go?

Mister, where you go?

Welcome, welcome, have a look.

Ping-pong show upstairs.

Man, who would have thought that those Patpong touts were actually poets?!

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