onzestan

I have a friend who is arriving at Suvarnabhumi and leaving from Don Muang the next day. She needs airport pick up and would like to be close to Don Muang. She is looking for a hotel for under 2000 baht.

Any recommendations?

Try Airport Suite (Don Muang) Bangkok. Booking through www.sawadee.com.

Older hotel but clean and free shuttle to Don Muang.

cheers

onzestan

Got this little water fall / pool infront of the house, which has been a algae nightmare. Cleaned it, and in 3 days, had to drain it again as the water was growing tons of Algae.

In the last filling, threw in 7kg of Salt ( est 1000 l. of water ) which slowed down the algae, but did not eliminate it.

Got some chlorine ( say Ca CL2 O2 on the jar ). how much to put in there. Since no one will swim, dont mind putting more in there.

Cheers.

You need a measuring tool which you can buy from any pool supplier, because chlorine alone is not enough if the Ph of the water is not balanced. Depending on the Ph you might have to add acid or soda ash.

Sounds complicated but in reality it isn't. Chlorine best to add evenings as evaporates quickly, but for 1000 liter you won't need much.

Hope to have helped.

cheers

onzestan

Quite right Garro, my cat is smart but the the only question he answers right is when I ask who was the father of Chinese

communism.

This however does put him ahead of many Thais.

Oh, and he catches his own food when I forget to buy his Whiskas.

:D

Nice to have you back qwertz

Cheers

onzestan

Different perspective.

Once had a girl living in, and after some heated discussion I told her OK that's it, it's me or the family!

She started packing and when I asked her why, she said : I can find many boyfriends, but have only ONE family.

cheers

onzestan

other German imported Beers...

Paulaner

Weihenstefan

Franziskaner

Erdinger

Andechser

Kulminator

Warsteiner

Pilsener Urquell

Koenigspilsener

Becks

Jever

Einbecker Urbock

Koestritzer Schwarzbier

You forgot "Kölsch"

cheers

onzestan

Depends on who, how and in what context.

If about something that touches me personally I might react.

If not who cares.

Hello,

5 weeks ago, I moved to Chiang Mai from Belgium...would like to go to BB on friday but I have not enough posts...no way out???

Anyone some suggestions??

Thx

Daphné

Very easy,

Just post 5 times, you have 1 already

cheers

onzestan (also from Belgium)

Try the plants, pets, vets forum, as they have some knowledgeable folks on birds in there.

Consider grapes and fruit instead. Croutons are not good for such animals.

Good point, maybe the Mods would consider moving this thread to the Pets forum for me?

Most probably escaped from somewhere.

Parrots eat fruit and nuts (pumpkin seeds are much appreciated).

good luck

onzestan

Went by the Courtyard on Saturday and it had a sign saying "Open all day, every day" (or words to that effect)

Went by again yesterday afternoon and it was shut tight with a small sign which i couldn't read properly, but said something to the effect that it closed for 2-3 days as they had run out of something!!!

What with restaurants where the staff are too tired to cook (Mulligans) and places that seem to open and close on a whim, it doesn't say much for the professionalism of some of these establishments.

There are little, if any, tourists on the Darkside, and these places have to build up loyal custom amongst the local residents.

The mind boggles

I noticed too and actually slowed down to read the sign.

It said that they were closed because of the elections.

cheers

onzestan

Does anyone know where Meakmai 2 Village is? Supposed to be in an area of Pattaya called Rongpro!

Thanks

Hi Begs,

I don't know where Meakmai Village is, but I do know where Rongpo is.

If you follow Sukhumvit going north, past Naklua and Banglamung, you will come to the point where Road 36 to Rayong starts.

Continue just a little bit further on Sukhumvit and you'll be in Rongpo.

Goodluck

cheers

onzestan

I have a couple of questions and a couple of statements, onzestan. First, the questions. Is the price of the club sandwich at DeliBean the same as the price at Chonlada? What makes the DeliBean sandwich better than the one at Chonlada? I mean "loses out head over heels" doesn't really say anything, does it?

Now, a couple of points about the club sandwich at Chonlada. I had it once, and gave Pook my criticism. Primarily, that was that a "true" Club Sandwich, as made in the USA, has a slice of turkey breast or chicken breast, and not a fried egg. There should also be a slice of Swiss (or other) cheese; and a thicker slice of ham (or 2 slices). The overall flavor of it, IMO, was good, aside from the egg vs. turkey or chicken issue.

Also, sometime in the relatively near future, Pook will be adding a set of "super size" (or some other term) alternatives for many of the items on the menu, particularly the sandwiches and burgers. I suggested that to her, because, as I told her, most farangs are used to sandwiches with at least double the amount of meat and cheese (if applicable) that is put into sandwiches here in Thailand. She is, correctly, concerned about keeping the prices down to a level that Thais can afford. So my suggestion was to have the "super size" option, at a significantly higher price, added to the menu.

Personallly, I would MUCH rather pay 150 baht, or so, for a ham and cheese sandwich with 3 slices of ham, and 2 slices of cheese, than 90 baht for a wafer thin "snack" with 1 slice of each. People who do not have "big appetites" may not agree with that. It's just my preference. There's no way that any restaurant, other than a major chain, can make what I'd consider a "good sandwich" for under 120 baht, as an absolute minimum.

I don't know now far you live from Chonlada, onzestan. However, if you are reasonably close, I'd suggest that you try more than one item from the menu before writing the place off. If you live at a distance of over 5 or 6 kms, then it is probably not worth your while to travel that far for anything other than a very special venue, which Chonlada certainly is not. It's just a nice neighborhood restaurant, where they're doing their best to learn and improve. Since it's only 2-1/2 kms from my house, and is easily the best option for western food within that range, I'll continue to be a regular customer; and I'll continue to offer specific constructive criticism, in an attempt to help them improve and grow.

Hi George,

Wow, I'm sorry if I rained on your parade.

You may have noticed that I finished by saying that it's probably me, and maybe I was expecting to much, but that's hardly my fault is it.

Anyway I don't want to enter into a discussion about what you or I find a good clubsandwich because as has been mentioned many times before, tastes differ.

It is my opinion that the clubsandwich at Delibean's is a lot closer to what I find to be good than the one I ate today at Chonlada"s. I don't remember exactly how much it is at Delibeans, but even if it's dearer I don't mind that one bit.

Again, you like it very much and I'm sorry if my experience is different from yours but that's exactly the point of this topic isn't it.

cheers

onzestan

p.s. btw I live at Wantana Villa right next to Pattaya Land & house.

Just come back from Chonlada's and I have to admit at not being impressed at all.

Had 1 capuccino and a clubsandwich.

Coffee was good but very petite, and the clubsandwich although not to bad, loses out head over heels for the same at DeliBean.

Very clean resto and very friendly people but thats not the main reason I go to a restaurant.

Maybe it's only me?

cheers

onzestan

I've registered with my embassy (France). It makes my life easier (renewal of passeport, ID card). It's also much easier for my GF to get a visa.

Concur, I'm registered at my embassy (Belgium) and that makes living in Thailand just a little bit more easy on certain aspects of the legal requirements of staying here.

And furthermore, why would I forsake willingly some of the rights I have as a citizen of my country?

cheers

I will be having major surg with a long rehab at home.Is there any shop that sell home health care aids ? I live in so Pattaya. thanks

Fascino Pharmacy on Pattaya Nua across the street from Tesco has a large selection of what you are looking for - prices here for meds also the best i have found in Pattaya

Agreed, Fascino has everything you might need and at decent prices.

cheers

onzestan

[

Westerner, here's a question for you: If a girl gives it up is she still a prostitute? Is it a life long label?

Not if she really gives it up, but they hardly ever do.

Right now, one of my old "favorites" is in town who went to England about 3 years ago. She didn't tell me until she was leaving that she had already been married for one year and "had" to move in with her husband. Since she came back, she immediately went to work at her old bar and is selling it left and right and putting off her husband from making her return to the UK. She doesn't really want to go back but he is young and handsome and "she loves him and he loves her".

She is very young and very hot and dresses really slutty and LOVES her job. Many of these girls do!

Seconded!

You avoided the question Westerner. The question was "if a girl gives it up".

Okay...... if a girl gives it up she's not one - but she is an ex-one

That's political correctness for you. One cannot say an ex-con but ex-prostitute no problem

cheers

onzestan

My my aren't we sensitive tonite...just having a little fun at this poor British fella's expense. I mean, you gotta admit this video sums up the situation many guys end up in in Pattaya right? In this age of everyone having a video in their phone, whenever you do something stupid, you run the risk of the world seeing it on YouTube. Pretty amazing when you stop to think about it.

The one called, "Pattaya fat drunk English girl Thailand and big tits" is worse to me. She's dancing, not bothering anyone and not even very fat. How is she going to feel when someone tells her she's on Youtube and the name of her VDO?

I have no problem with the description of the girl in question.

I think it's very accurate.

cheers

onzestan

Your bet would be correct. But she is expecting me to pay her mother something. I had heard that tradition says you give the mom 5 ounces of gold. I understand now that they may be wrong.

She loves her mom, I understand that, but large sums of money - not to mention the periodic remittances - may serve to be a problem. There must be a guideline, right?

Mutual agreement.

cheers

onzestan

The coffee is an Italian brand - "Mocono", I think. I asked Pook if she sells it ground. She said they will do so soon. So then you can try pushing the button on your own machine, and see if it tastes as good.

It's probably MOCONA from Douwe Egberts. It's dutch BTW.

Cheers

onzestan

I was wrong about the name, but right about the home source. It's MOKADOR; and it is originally from Italy. I suspect that the source that serves Thailand is "Mokador Caffe Australia". In any case, it really is excellent coffee. You can read about it here:

http://www.mokador.com.au/home.html

Sorry my mistake

But you did put me on the wrong track

Will have to try it.

cheers

onzestan

There is nothing wrong about getting enthusiastic about Chonlada's restaurant. It probably is the best place for breakfast in town. I wonder why their coffee is so much better than in many other places...they also do nothing but pressing the button on the coffee machine to produce it...

Magic water?

The coffee is an Italian brand - "Mocono", I think. I asked Pook if she sells it ground. She said they will do so soon. So then you can try pushing the button on your own machine, and see if it tastes as good.

It's probably MOCONA from Douwe Egberts. It's dutch BTW.

Cheers

onzestan

BKK/Melbourne return abt 21.000 Baht + taxes.

cheers

onzestan

A partial explanation for some of the idiosyncrasies that the Thai exhibit can be attributed to the fact that Thailand is still, & will be, for a quite a number of future generations, an agrarian society. By far the huge majority of Thais are less than a generation away from a village/rural life & have a mindset that is firmly rooted in the 'country'. If you think about the divide that exists between 'city' & the 'country' in western countries, it might help us to understand what is happening in Thailand. When I go back to my mothers village in north east England, it's not remote by distance, but more remote by time. It is almost like going back in time 100 years except everybody has a microwave. Country people think differently from city people & I am not making a judgement of which is better, but there is just a different way of doing things.

Thailand is exactly the same in this respect. When we come here we see the locals driving around in BMW's or late model sedans & utes, they have DVD's, computers, mobile phones etc. They go to work in ultra modern multi storey buildings, air-conditioned 7-11's & shopping malls. But what happens when they go home everyday? Essentially it is village life transported to the city. When you go to the smaller provincial towns & rural areas everything is exactly the same (except for the BMW's). In the west the transition from agrarian society to industrialized society has taken place over 150 years or more, in Thailand this hasn't happened yet, but all the trappings we associate with an advanced industrial society can be found here, thus giving the illusion of being a 'sophisticated' society ( I am not sure if this is correct word to use in this context, to illustrate what I am getting at - you go into a shiny, new, modern department store in London/New York & you have certain 'expectations' of how your interaction with the people found therein will transpire. You see someone in a 'setting' & it is natural to assume that that person has certain 'qualities' 'abilities').

Westerners like to be precise which is the result of living in a modern city - exact times, places & distances. The Thais are vague because in a rural setting it is appropriate.

A few thoughts on 'face' & the 'saving of' - I think westerners are too preoccupied with getting an admission of guilt or acknowledgement of being wrong out of the person that they are interacting with. I am not talking about the more extreme situations, but just the everyday interactions, where in the west there would be just a 'casual' acknowledgement, a sort of "oh, yea you're right" response, the Thais response is more in body language, I know you are wrong, you know you are wrong, we just don't have to say it, why rub salt into the wound. In a lot of situations this then leads to the the person repeating the 'incorrect' statement, and this where you move on & the whole thing is brushed aside.

The thing is if you want to live a relatively stress free existence in Thailand you have to be prepared to adapt, to bend & be flexible in your thinking. If you insistence on being rigid & uncompromising in your thinking, & expect Thais to react & behave as a westerner would you will go insane. This has got nothing to do with liking it, it is all to do with adapting to it.

How can you live in Thailand, be surrounded by Thais & not become 'Thai' to some extent? Impossible.

I couldn't have said it any better!!

onzestan

Sorry !!!

Or maybe all of this has something to do with "<deleted>'s", eh?

That would be Washington right?

onzestan

Oooh the memories. (smiley with wings and a harp) I remember in 1990 when being on a visa run to Penang, all the guys one met on the train, could be found at the McDonalds one hour after arriving in Georgetown. No Mc, KFC, BK, Pizzahut etc. then in Patters.

cheers

onzestan

I think the first MacD was the one in Royal garden, right from the beginning somewhere in 93-94 if I recall correctly.

Correct, as was KFC. The first Burger King was in The Big C complex.

It was only after Au Bon Pain opened that we could find something akin to a good sandwich.

Gladys Knight : Memories......... may be beautiful and yet..........

cheers

onzestan

With all due respect 'onzestan'; what do you want me to do about the exponential rate of crime in Pattaya? I live 50 yards from Soi Buakhaew and witness this kind of stuff on a daily basis. Pattaya is always changing, but during the last 18 months things have spiralled out of control. There is a large amount of crime that is not reported or covered up, I am unable to report such matters on a forum such as this, because I have no official source.

I shall leave Pattaya later this year and resettle in the North East of Thailand. The main reason being the increase in crime in Pattaya. I suspect that more will follow {me}.

With same respect offered, I'm not expecting only you to do something about the crime rate in Patters.

You're doing a good thing reporting the facts, it's just that your own personal viewpoint is not mine.

I do not believe in doing nothing when one is confronted with petty thieves. These are cowards as proven by their behavior running away, and probably they don't expect their victims to react.

I agree that a little old lady being robbed has no means of self-defence, and should therefore not try to do anything, but come on a sturdy young guy should not react?

I'm sorry that Patters has become to dangerous for you.

Anyway that's just my point of view probably because in my youth one had to stand-up for oneself in the neighbourhood where I was born and raised but that's beside the point.

Good luck

Onzestan