JDJD

5 hours ago, Geordieabroad said:

I bought a Tefal 3 years ago for 1,500 baht and use it almost every day. The wife also uses the dry condiment grinding attachment on it when she's cooking.

Excellent, don't know how we ever managed without one

Any chance you have a model number for the Tfal? Thanks to everyone for the input. Reboot might be the way to go here. We shall see! :)

Thanks for the input. I had an Omega auger slow juicer for a few years and it worked well. The design of your Kuvings photo is eerily similar to the old Omega design. The new Omega design, NC800 seems to have much better reviews. At about ฿12,000, imported. I get it. If you juice regularly, the expense might well pay off, but I'm wondering if any of these sub ฿1000 juicers are even descent. Thanks again. 

Wondering if anyone had experience with any of these sub-฿1000 juicers? Do they remove the pulp effectively? Any bad experiences? Thank you! 

On 7/16/2021 at 11:35 PM, bbko said:

How long have you been in country and what type of visa are you on? 

It's a tourist Visa. Thank you. IS 200-400 for blown headlight or no helmet, black visor, something like that? 1000 for no mask. How about speeding? I rarely see speed limit signs. 2 beers DUI? Can I turn right at a 4 way intersection with a green straight arrow and no red right turn arrow? Must I wait for the right turn green arrow? In America you can make the turn as long as there is no red arrow and the path is safe and clear. If I don't have 400 in my pocket will they escort me to an ATM? I'm totally just curious about all of these scenarios. Thanks again. 

I'm driving on a valid US drivers license (with motorcycle endorsement), and a valid US passport with COVID extension visa. I have not been able to register a Thai license through Land Transport due to COVID regulations not accepting new license requests at this time.  I spoke with a few agents, they seemed to believe it wouldn't be a problem. Am I likely to have problems going through one of these checkpoints? The motorbike tax and insurance are paid. 

I have yet to be pulled over or checked during my stay. Should I stick to English only or use my marginal+ Thai to greet and show the officer respect? Should I wai? I'm sure results will vary, but your experiences would help. Thank you. 

For now I will lean towards bluebluewater and the Northern Tribes theory. He's asked around a bit. The first picture I showed most distinctly shows over exaggerated lips and chains around the ankles. Could be jewelry? I was talking to a pale skinned Thai friend of mine a few weeks ago. She asked me, "You like skin black?". Because I have been on the motorbike a lot lately and not covering my arms and legs. I told her I didn't mind either way.

I went on to explain how people like Trump, or DeCaprio, or Jolie have tans because they are portrayed as people that vacation to extravagant, warm, sunny places. People that have time to golf every day, take a cruise on their private yacht, or lay around the beach resort soaking up the rays. Properties in America and all over the world are higher priced next to the beaches. Wealthy people own the properties and enjoy the beach.  Wealthy people own plenty of property in cold places also, don't think I'm confused. 

I also believe companies love to sell whitening products to Thai people to make money. Lots of money! Make them believe they are not good enough or of lower class than pale skinned people. That many elite in Asia never see the light of day. From limousine to penthouse. She said, "Thai people like white skin because it makes them look clean and makes them want to hug and kiss haha." I said, "So dark skin makes you look dirty, like a fisherman or a farmer?". She didn't reply. Presumably because much of her family are farmers. Or because my skin is now tanned, and she doesn't mind kissing. lol Sorry, I left this part out. Then she said, "Tanned, not black men, look strong". Humans will go to every length to portray others as the others. Hilltribes sounds logical as well as cute stuffed dolls/culture brought over from America. Displaying them in front of businesses or selling them in religious souvenir shops seems like there is really a story behind it. 

This forum never seems to amaze me! Businesses displaying pieces might mean Blacks are not allowed at the establishment. That would make sense. Maybe it's a big thing in China? I'm sure someone will actually know. Keep em coming. Thanks! 

The Nakonchai Air Bus to Ekkamai and Mo Chit should still be running correct? 

I see various paintings, dolls and statues of blackface all around town. Anyone know why someone would intentionally display the pieces? Maybe they are a good luck thing? Was Thailand ever known for having African slaves? 

Sorry for the ambiguous title. Maybe it will draw some views. Seems every few days I'm looking for something and I can not find it. Maybe you can help.
 

I'm looking for a hanging clothes bracket bar. I haven't had any luck finding one. 

I'm also trying to make a very small Buddhist shrine. Space is quite limited. I need my items to be 1:12 same as a dollhouse. Particularly offering bowls. Would be nice to find very small Chinese Foo Guardian Dogs as well. I haven't found much at the religious souvenir shops. I have not ventured into a larger Thai Spirit House shop. I see so many small items on the Spirit Houses all over Thailand. There should be one on Sukhumvit. Know of any? 

Pictures large and small of Kings Rama 5 and 9? Can't seem to find a shop. I have been into 3 picture framing shops and they only had pictures on display for the frames. 

Is Buokao weekend market the best place to find second hand goods? in the US, we have so many thrift stores that have just about everything you might need for a home or office or kitchen. Stone mortar and pestle? Trinkets? Home decor? Oh nice! It's raining! There goes a an hour or more. ???? 

OP Here! Yesterday I perused the shops on Pattaya Klang. Indeed there are dozens of ฿100 shops and at least a hundred masseuses. Up to you? For me I went with a shop on the north side of the street and a block or so east of Buokhao.  Pink sign. ฿100 in the window. Red shirts. Private room. Nice air con air flow. Smelled wonderful. Bathroom was very clean.  Relaxing music. Delicious ginger tea. 1 hour Thai massage, no extras!

The Thai owner and her troop of 4 Thai masseuses apparently opened the shop last week. All 5 were in New Delhi, India for the past 4 years. Just decided to bring the business to Pattaya and charge ฿100 for foot and leg and ฿150 for Thai and Oil. The owner chose to move here and charge what she charges. She could have moved anywhere in Thailand. Any of  a million closed shops in Bangkok, Pattaya or Jomtien. She said she would be charging ฿100 for Thai also but for now the Thai and Oil must be done in the private room with private AC, rather than downstairs on the main floor beds. In the end, she charged me ฿100 and I tipped ฿100. The massage was excellent and I will be going back.

On a side note, the owner seemed thrilled at her personal business goal of 30+ customers per day at ฿100 per hour for all types of massage, once business picks up.  Whatever deal was made, it must be worth it for her, the staff and the landlord. She has her doors open and she loves her location. Giving high quality massage at rock bottom prices. I reminded her that is the secret to business in America. Make a better mouse trap and undercut the competition on the price. It's a service. Not real estate. The rules are not the same. 

And in the end my legs and back feel much better. On a side note, the 10 or so massages I've had in Pattaya Jomtien have ranged from $200-300. Depending on the masseuses attention to my requests ie: this part of my back, this area of my neck, I typically tip 40-80. My tip does depend on the full price of the massage including tip. It's what I've got. Maybe I should consider skipping the relief if the only moral thing to do is to pay ฿375+ tip out the door. 

Good to know. Thanks Ralf! I learn something new every day. 

I was in Pattaya for my second visit ever, in September 2020. Yes, it was a ghost town. Stayed for under 24 hours. I do remember there were 2-3 massage shops on a street perpendicular to Beach Road that had 1 hour Thai massage for ฿100. I skipped the massage but my 2 friends, a guy and girl both adventured inside and confirmed later that day they were indeed ฿100 for 1 hour Thai massage. Maybe it was a COVID special? Does anyone have any idea if there are such deals out there still? No need for extras, thanks! Just the massage will do. 

I appreciate it! 

I like the seafood and vegetables myself. I was simply trying to elaborate on the offerings they had. Thanks though. Nice informative post you have there. 

Aah, ok. I see a car and a motorbike. They must go to the island somehow. Thanks for the great pic. ????

Thanks for all the info. I didn't see anything about the barge on the internet, so I'm glad I asked. It's a 150, not a big bike. If I can, I'd certainly prefer taking mine over renting. On a side note, sorry for the rant... Sure there are shops that will scam. That is one worry of mine upon reopening. With so many service industry workers living on the edge, I am guessing scams of tourists will be up 100% or more. That will scare off some but in the short term (1-2 years from December) the country should boom anyway. The long term effects of increased scams is a reputation that will be tough to move on from. From what I've seen more people are turning to scams, drugs and alcohol to  supplement the fact they are without much work. I say this because a few acquaintances  of mine that had little food shops or ran the circuit started using. 

Would like to take my motorbike to explore the island. Does one exist now? Was there one before COVID? Thank you. 

Went today at 9:00. Line to get in the door was about 35 minutes. They sent me to a side room for the additional Bangkok to Jomtien residency transfer and update of their computer system.  That took 10 minutes. Then they sent me home to return at 1:00. Finished up the paperwork with an officer about 2:45. Not so bad, but not at all the 25 minutes in and out I had been receiving at K counter in Bangkok. 

P.S. The papers I turned in for the transfer to take place was

1) A printout of the email sent by the condo manager to register my TM30.

2) A copy of my rental agreement.

3) A letter of residency from the juristic person that works daily in the lobby of my condo. 

One more request. Anyone know of a baguette sandwich place? The Baguette in Hua Hin has a super legit menu of delicious sandwiches. I go for the brie and salmon with sliced tomato and rocket. It's like user B150 if i remember correctly. Actually, Hua His has a huge array of great value food. Here is just a taste. 

12 hours ago, jwdub said:

 

Never mind, I found their FB page. It's listed as a gay bar and restaurant. The dead giveaway is they have a menu item listed as the Big C*** Burger 555. No problem I have no phobia as I lived in San Francisco for a couple years. Gotta say they seem to have some pretty good prices and reviews. 

Indeed. Really an terrific value if you ask me. I've had the Salmon Bruschetta, Farmer Chicken Burger (Melted Feta), a few pizzas and the pork chop. I had the Rib Eye, and although it was cooked (Grilled even)  quite nicely, the quality of the meat suffered a little bit. Honestly for B200 and change is was awesome! The pizzas are like 9-10 inches. Lastly, I can eat their blue cheese sauce on anything and it will taste delicious. Highly recommended.