NONG CHOK

Hi there, In recent years I've developed a chronic sore throat caused by drinking coffee or tea even in small amounts. I've tried many variations including green tea, decaf all to no avail. I've lost 18 kg's from dieting, reducing my daily beer intake and I walk 90 minutes every morning around 6am. Has any others came a cross this problem and if so what substitute drink do they use. I suppose the perfect answer is water but I only drink water on a need to basis.

I tried to make an AU $ 5,000 transfer to Krungsri Bank on 15 April 2023 via Twise and I was reminded that they can't accept transfers exceeding the equivalent to 50,000 baht. As I have several Thai accounts I'll try Kasikorn next time.

I live in the province of Bangkok but on the eastern outskirts. I've lived there for 20 years and this year it's like a ghost town. There's hardly a car or motor bike around. No parties or water throwing not even loud music or loud mouthe ladies yelling at each other. Have Thais changed their ways? I'll reserve my judgement on that one.

I've always used baht buses when it's appropiate and I always stay in accomodation not far from where I'm planning most of my action. " those boots were made for walking ". Which reminds me I was in a baht bus in Naklua Road a few years ago, I payed the 10 baht and the driver snarled at me and took off with my wrist jammed in the window. A real cretin. Why? Probably because after ringing the bell he went well past my destination. So I rang it again. Probably it was my fault as I must've hurt his feelings. Not one word was uttered between either of us.

Where do all the instant back ups come from. Maybe the trouble is pre meditated and all the back ups are on stand by.

A few years ago I nearly got into a fight near my step daughters house in Bangkok. It was Songkran and I was drinking with my son inlaw in a bar close by and this cretin continually kept on throwing crushed ice into the faces of passing motor cyclists. He thought it was his right to do what he wanted to do. When he bent over I noticed a decent size blade so I backed off. My son inlaw threatened him with a visit from the " MOB " with that he soon backed off.

Could you image the carnage if most of the cowardly trouble makers weren't devout Buddhists.

I totally agree, in most countries road blocks are only ever used chasing after fugitives. Plain clothes cops in unmarked cars and on motor bikes should be mingling on the roads where most hotspots are.

I'm quite used to this total crap. I spent 3-4 Songkrans in Pattaya a long time ago. Now I live on the outskirts of Bangkok. Only my wifes family or our close friends are welcome in our house for the next 7 days or so. I stocked up yesterday with plenty of food and booze so I have no need to go out. The biggest Songkran brawl I seen happened many years ago in Yasothon. I could sense there would be trouble as everyone was totally bombed by 3pm and carrying some sort of weapon. The neck end broken from a beer bottle was the most common. All of a sudden there were spot fires everywhere, several minutes later there were at least 100 guys brawling in the one fight. One hero drove his motor bike at a fair speed into the brawl. The bike came to a dead stop and the rider was absolutely pulveried by the pack. Did the guy survive, I don't know and I don't care. Anyway my wife and I along with our friends took off before the cops arrived. In saying that 30 minutes prior to the riot there were 10-12 cops in uniforms enjoying free drinks in the Lao Khow tent. Needless to say the concert was abandoned 4 hours before it was due to commence.

I go for a 90 minutes walk every morning. I leave my house around 5-45 am. The weather is cool and perfect for exercising. Just after 7am it starts heating up and gets rather uncomfortable. Its really humid with no breeze and If I don't carry a small bottle of water I feel very drained when I finish.

I had a call from an Aussie friend of mine. He asked me how he can check the balance of his one2call phone number. I know here it's *121# but he wants to check his balance from Australia.

Did dirty farangs get a mention in Anutins diatribe.

Fancy a Thai mentioning the word rascist, does have any idea what that word means.

The biggest problem in regards to motor accidents is the BIB's simply won't get off their butts. Road blocks should only be used looking for known crims. What about the cops touring around in unmarked cars and motor cycles. Let's think seriously if you're a serious law breaker would you be passing through a police road block. All they're looking for is a regular cash flow booking motor cyclists and guys trying to make an honest living, which I'm sure they have no idea what that means.

The first thing you do if you're involved in a motor accident, that is, if you're able, phone your car insurance company. I've been involved in a few not so major accidents when I was totally in the right. The BIB's soon arrived but took off when the guy representing my motor insurance company arrived at the scene. Believe me the cops took off like rats in a house fire.

I've even told my wife that when she pays for everything like I do, only then she can fire the shots. Even my adult step daughter reckons her mom is a pain in the ass.

I found that most Isaan women are control queens. There's hardly a thing goes by where she's not telling me what to do or how to do it. May I add this started from the first day we were married. Her English is ok, so one day I told her that it's better to keep her mouth shut and at least people will give her the benefit of the doubt when judging her mental capacity. PS : I was married in my late 50's 22 years ago and she's my first wife ever.

Firstly when I stated T Shirts I mean't T Shirts which others might find offensive. There's so many self righteous screw balls getting around these days carrying all sorts of concealled weapons especially late at night. Secondly my ATM remark was tongue in check when the bar girl of your fancy is tagging along at your heels avoid ATM's. I had strict rules when I got here 20 years ago. Keep to the main roads and sois, don't flash jewellery etc. Avoid sois where there's no night lights. Get a Bolt taxi if it's very late or if you're hammered.

Firstly dont wear T Shirts etc in a foreign country. As for Pattaya keep to the main roads, don't walk along the beach after 10 pm. Avoid the scams, relax you're on a holiday. Walk everywhere, no motor bikes, jet ski's etc. Most guys are here for the beer and birds, stick to that and you'll never be at risk. PS : keep away from ATM's.

If your an Aussie living in Thailand you will understand my advice. You're a gamer man than me Gunga Din.

If it dusturbs you I exercise every morning, drink beer in the evening and throw the leg sometime after that and I'm 80 years old. I must add I don't fire blanks either. I hope that answers your question.

I did 2 years National Service in Australia 1966-68. I can tell you it was a total waste of time. Several of my mates died in VIetnam supporting the USA when it wasn't even Australia's conflict. The other option was to loiter about all day and whilst I kept myself in decent condition I returned to civilian life a seasoned drinker. The government sent me a letter 15 years later thanking me for my service. They generously awarded me a national service medal and an Australian service medal, which I conveniently lost. Of course the severance pay was zilch.The young boys here are only recruited to break up rallies, in a real war they'd do a runner.

Maybe a change of government here may see the AU/Thai exchange rate improve. I moved over here 20 years ago and the AU$ was barely 19 baht. Then it surged to around 27 baht and I was geting 33.5 Baht when Yinluck was PM. Shortly after the military muscled in it swiftly declined. Given the ecconomic situation in Australia at the moment I can't see much change if things remain as they are.

Driving back from Korat yesterday I was aware of the numerous speed cameras on highway 304. Every time I obeyed the speed limit I was instantly tail gated. Cars and motor bikes don't worry me, it's those 36 wheelers that can cause all sorts of carnage.

I've held a Thai drivers licence for the past 20 years. I always apply for a 5 years licence, so I've done several renewals. There's several strange things I don't understand. Firstly the movie we're " supposed to watch " nobody watches. The strangest thing to me though is the perception test, especially when Thais are chronic tail gaters.