pgs

For the benefit of those in/around Sydney that may not be aware, next weekend (10 & 11 March, 2012), the Thai Grand Festival is on at Darling Harbour.

Listed start time is 11:00 both days - previous years, this meant 10AM.

Probable 'bit after 9PM finish on Saturday' - Fireworks if the weather allows.

Mr Bo, haven't seen you here for a while...

I recall seeing a few small stores near the bus terminal & there was some new shops going in/opening on the road out to Ban Lat Yai

Had my first stop at a Homepro last visit - but like a Bunnings+Hardly Normal on steroids. Great place (near Korat somewhere)

Staff were quite helpful, so many offering to get me a trolley so I wouldn't have to carry things & couldn't fathom my not wanting one.

Until one questioned it. He even understood the answer

If we can't carry it, she can't buy it...

:-)

Not sure what VirginCrocodile is on (Does Richard Branson hold copyright/patent over that name?), but I'm not sure I want him/her sharing it.

Ghost, huh. Wordpad... Using IE? Blame Microsoft. It's OK, they are use to it.

maybe the problem is with the ipad.

people aren't wearing enough hats

I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.

– Jimmy Dean

Well.... after reading pretty much every entry here, I can very honestly say that I am EVER SO GRATEFUL for my Thai family.

They ask for nothing, are always ready to help, and are there if needed.

When Mrs calls them, they ask about me before asking about her - nieces & nephews included - as do a lot of her friends.

I am the only falang in the family - it wasn't always that way. Little sister married a Korean who was reasonably popular in the family - until she died & his colours became known. Nasty piece of work he was.

I'm not the only falang in the village - not even the only Aussie in the area. Not that I've met the others, but I do hear about them.

(start off topic)

Not all Aussies are anti-Brit... I can appreciate the nationals of any country that has decent beer. Yes, an Aussie with a fondness for Pommie Ales. By the gods, some are good.

Shame the US can't manage decent beer - even a nice one. I recall a comment - something to do with love & canoes.....

(end off topic)

Blasted Lottery God won't smile for me, at least the Good Extended Family God did.

I don't have in-laws. I have FAMILY.

Yes, it would be an interesting machine. Unless it's a new spin on the x-ray machines.

blown out of the sky at 30,000 feet - I'd expect to be dead, so it won't matter greatly.

Email this morning from AU Customs about this indicates it is an airline policy, not gov't - which doesn't seem right. However, here it is:

Thank you for your enquiry about changes to the 100ml going into carry on restrictions.

"Urban Myth" at the moment. If there are changes to airline policies, the airline and Duty free operators will let every one know . Customs may include such changes on its WEB site, even though it is not our control or legislation.

Sincerely

Paul R

Senior Customs and Border Protection Officer | Customs Information and Support Centre / CE&CS

Gold, gold, gold & more gold.

From today's Sydney Morning Herald, adding it because people go there:

Malayasian airports to install money detectors

February 2, 2012 - 10:36AM

Malaysia is installing scanners to detect bank notes at airports and border crossings to curb illegal money outflows believed to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars over the past decade.

The move comes after Washington-based watchdog group Global Financial Integrity said in a recent report that Malaysia lost $US338 billion between 2000 and 2009 to such outflows, ranking it fifth in the world.

The Star daily quoted customs deputy director-general Zainul Abidin Taib as saying seven such scanners were already operating at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the rest would be installed by the end of the year.

Advertisement: Story continues below

A customs official confirmed the report.

Prime Minister Najib Razak announced in December a special task force to check the illegal flight of funds.

He has come under fire from the political opposition which accuses his government of massive corruption, incompetence and inefficiency that is costing the country dearly.

Global Financial Integrity said Malaysia was fifth behind China, Mexico, Russia, and Saudi Arabia in illicit outflows.

Its report did not specify the causes of the Malaysian outflows but a earlier report by the group said possible causes were corrupt business practices and the large population of about 2 million illegal foreign workers in the country.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/malayasian-airports-to-install-money-detectors-20120202-1qu8u.html#ixzz1lC8cyGc1 (not actually more, just the same thing)

Oz bound can buy in Changi - they will give it to you AS YOU BOARD.

Last year's trip from BKK it was still "can't take it from here" with sealed airport bought water being refused at the final bag check.

I aso heard the rules were to change, just not sure ot a start date for it.

The go'vt site hasn't been updated for it yet:

http://travelsecure....utyfree_to.aspx

DO:

Purchase duty free at your last airport before Australia, but make sure it is delivered to the boarding gate, and that you are not transiting through another Australian airport before reaching your final destination.

Check with your airline to find out if you will be transiting in Australia.

########################

Australia applies restrictions for flights both to and from Australia. Australia requires airlines to put in place procedures at overseas airports for flights to Australia, to ensure that passengers do not have liquids, aerosols and gels in their carry-on baggage in excess of the restrictions. In general, the only liquids, aerosols and gels that are allowed in a passenger's carry-on baggage are:

• liquids, aerosols and gels in containers of 100 millilitres or less, in one resealable bag. The four sides of the resealable area should not add up to more than 80 cm (e.g. 20x20 cm or 15x25 cm);
  
• duty free liquids, aersols and gels purchased at the airport and delivered to the boarding gate for the passenger. No other duty free will be permitted (e.g. duty free purchased at Heathrow will not be permitted through Singapore); and
  
• liquid, aerosol or gel products supplied to the passenger onboard the aircraft after departure for Australia (e.g. cans of drink supplied in-flight or duty free purchased on board the aircraft).
  

########################

Buy your booze in town (where it's often cheaper then DF), put it in your check in bag & remember to declare it.

You're in BKK - a quick trip to Pantip should see you leave with an inexpensive toy that you can use to do it yourself.

I don't see it mentioned, and it's a serious inquiry. I can handle some of the chilis going down (on a farang scale, more than a tourist, but less than a real longtime expat or anyone that likes a good curry like my dad),but I have a problem with it coming out. It burns something awful. Because of the chemical composition and the nature of the mucous membranes in that region, the pain lingers a lot longer than in my mouth. What do you do to relieve yourself?

And I am sort of relieved to know that I'm not the only one to rub my eyes and suffer the consequences. The stuff still liners even after I wash my hands.

drink milk or have joghurt first.

My wife grew up with Isaan maids and parents too busy working to notice the spicy food she was always eating...

Consequently food that brings tears to my eyes doesn't even give her the sniffles....

Back in the UK over Christmas we had a curry (IMO curries in the UK are excellent). My Wife ordered a *Phaal.... The Chef and several waiters repeatedly came out to ask if all was ok, my wife was fine and hardly blinked at the spicy dish. I on the other hand (who enjoys spicy food) after tasting a bit used up numerous tissues and continued to sweat profusely and also from areas I'd previously never perspired before such as my eyelids and inside my ears !!!!

The hottest food I ever had in Thailand is Gaeng-Som in Hat-Ya... I was on iced water for nearly an hour after the delayed reaction of a few spoons of that soup hit me.

*A Phaal (fahl) is an Indian curry, much hotter than a vindaloo and re-invented for the British pisshead who after 10 pints has decided he is invincible !!! The Phaal has become known as the 'hottest Indian curry'

Water is not a good idea - unless you appreciate the extra heat.

Milk based products such as, well, milk, yoghurt, ice cream... are better options

Easter Show in Sydney last year saw the release of a chilli sauce made with the Trinidad Scorpion. Theoretically, the chilli is 150% hotter that the Bhut Jolokia. It has a lovely flavour & one hell of a sting.

It's now a constant additive to pasta & pizza sauces. We also grow them now.

I also eat hotter chilli than TW. Occasionally she wil treat me to 'chilli surprise' sandwiches for work. This is usally a meat/cheese/tomato sandwich with whole bird's eye chillis in there *somewhere*. The surprise is when I find it.

Better is when I am VERY generous & share my lunch...

Really? If you were in London/New York/Reyjavik what would you find for a 1 YO to do? They eat, drink, make a mess, sleep & bugger all else.

Take pictures of him/her outside the uni waiting for the short-skirted girls to come out of class - that way you don't get hit for looking.

I'm sure s/he would be ecstatic to go to the dinosaur museums. S/he can sleep there as well as anywhere else.

Cat repellent plants like Coleus canina, known by most as Scaredy Cat, are another natural option you might have for getting rid of cats.

The plant itself may be used as a barrier for gardens or other areas of your lawn, producing a foul smell that cats simply hate once they touch it.

You might even want to try using wild roses and bramble bushes as natural barriers to such things as your garden.

Or there's always the trusty BBQ method...

Generally, but if a sister notices first, she will be berated for not paying attention.

Gotta love those girls...

responses of similar nature if a comparison between the happenings at temples & western churches at my place.

mostly it's easier not to bother, but sometimes you just have to...

Usually, yes.

Occasionally I'll leave it - don't want the kids out of wrk.

Aussie, but a French National.

Usually just say I'm Australasian.

I've been to two funerals in our village - both I would prefer to have not happened. Wife's youngest sister a few years back and her mum last year, both of whom I was very attached to - and still am.

Little sister's was the worst for the family, as she died in Korea & her Korean husband didn't even want he family knowing she was sick, let alone dying. We found out she was in hospital through some other locals working in the same factory who made a very strong & much welcome effort to contact the family about it. After she died, none of her papers, belongings or ashes would he allow the family to have. Word came out later he remarried within a few months - paid for with the help of a very large insurance payout.

All we had to send off were some photos & clothing. We keep the memories.

Mum had been mostly paralysed following a series of strokes over a few days about 4 years back. She died last year a week or so before her birthday.

During the warm months, she stayed at her home, being moved to ours for the wetter ones. As we are not there as often as we'd like, either place was lonely for her during the day - even with a stream of visitors & helpers each day. One Thursday morning last September (2010), she asked to be taken home. Within 4 hours, she was gone.

Both of these resulted in rush flights from Sydney, followed by a seemingly longer-than-usual bus to Chaiyaphum, then the trip to the village.

I'm not sure if there was insurance within the family for little sister, but I know there was for mum. Both funerals went for a few days, with mountains of people, food & drink. In neither case was I asked for money. I was asked to "push the button" to start mum's fire. That I was not able to do. If it had been the first MiL, no problem at all - but not for this one.

For my funeral, well assuming I can be found I'm happy enough to be croc or shark food. They have to eat too.

To the misery-guts' on TV - don't bother flaming with the usual "doesn't happen" posts.

Just beacuse something doesn't happen to/for you doesn't mean it doesn't happen to/for others.

timing is everything - left there 3 weeks back.

parts of Chaiyaphum city had been underwater.

can u tell me what parts chaiyaphum under water.thanks and keef safe. vally

Sorry for the delay in replying - I don't get on here as often as I use to.

Which parts were under - pick a spot with sandbags... mostly around the river area.

Apparently the main streets were under, as were the roads out to Big C & Ban Lat Yai.

When I was there, there was still a fear of the river rising again.

timing is everything - left there 3 weeks back.

parts of Chaiyaphum city had been underwater.

We've got a house about the same distance outside of Chaiyaphum city proper.

We don't live there - our primary residence is in the US. We get there when we can, however, and I personally love it.

I have read that Chaiyaphum is the "least visited" province in Thailand. Somebody else mentioned that there aren't a lot of farang there. In my experience this is true. In 23 years of spending time there, I don't think I've ever seen a farang outside of the downtown area, and even that is relatively rare.

... continued ...

I'd agree with that. I may have seen 2 in the past 9 years. One in Chaiyaphum City/Big Town (Canadian) about 7 years back, & 1 in the next village about 6 years back.

I know there are more around - some I am sure are too embarrassed to venture past the gates as we know the TW is fleecing them....

I can only say for the area we're in - about 40k from Chaiyaphum.

It's nice. It's quiet.

Personally, I look forward to whatever time I can get there.

Chaiyaphum city (ok, big town) is pretty good & gaining more of the tesco/macro type outlets over the past few years.

Full run of main banks, not too bad to get around in, 2 bus terminals. Buses to BKK evey hour or so.

If you're hard up & need something bordering inedible, there's a KFC - otherwise there's plenty of real food outlets.

It can get hot - but so does pretty much anywhere in TH. I've not noticed it as humid here as I have in CM.

Wet season can turn roads into rivers in minutes.

5 weeks to go.

Must have been lucky there, never had any of those problems.

However, I'd be happy if the 'hide & ambush' ticketing technique was outlawed in Oz.

Hang on, the cops ARE outlaws here... maybe that's why.