Crow Boy

Ian and I knew each other even before I joined TV. He was a hash house harrier as I had been in Singapore We did a couple of runs together but spent more time drinking than running. He was an ex police officer who developed too high a sense of integrity and quit. I think he is one of the few people I know who has had more jobs in more varied fields than me. He was generous to those he liked, intolerant of those he didn't and when told he was sexist or politically incorrect took it as a compliment He was also a loving father and now leaves behind a wife and young son in Indonesia.

Ian and I were true mates, we liked each other and accepted our differences in opinions. I will miss him and add him to the growing list of true friends I have lost.

Matt

I was at The Guitarman bar a few nights back and Nicky sent one of his staff (in the rain) to get a take away Guiness from the Red Lion up the road.

I wonder if I can get a few sent to me in Hang Dong?

CB

I have thousands of images

This is a great resource and thankyou for posting these images. I am guessing that some/many are taken by you? Please keep posting them and hopefully others will follow suit

CB

I sent my CBR150 (must be a lot of these bikes being shipped around the country by post) to BKK on the train. I would normally have ridden it there but had to take some additional backage so wasn't worth the effort. The bike was loaded (without fuel) on the train and with my ticket was a cheap option. The bus company would not take it being "too big" They will take bikes such as the wave or dream but the CBR was apparently too tall to fit in the baggage compartment under the bus.

Thai Post is very good especially if you have to forward it to some village after the train station/ bus terminal. As stated above there are additional charges for this but one of my bikes arrived without a mark after being strapped down onto the cabin of the post truck. The driver put it up there so it would not get damaged by the other freight goods. Watching them pass it down by hand from the roof to the ground was worth the money just for the entertainment value.

CB

In my local village is a guy who fixes pretty much anything electrical - I got him to repair my toaster the other day for 100 Baht. In my experience most villages have these sorts of shops so apart from the above mentioned one (which is a good choice but proabably double the price) go for a wander around your village. Of course if you live in a Mubaan Farung or similar forget it - buy a new one or take it to Amorn.

As an aside - as a chef you should be ashamed to admit to using a microwave for anything

CB

Had no idea you are 52 CB! You must be doin something right

It is all those years of clean living, avaiding intoxicating substances or people of questionable moral standards

CB

52 years old, first arrived in Chiang Mai in March 1977. I stayed for nearly two years and then came back about 5 years later. Stayed only a few weeks on holiday. Went back and since then have been here several more times, mostly on holiday but a couple of stints of 5 and 6 years. Left two years ago after 6 years to go back to Oz. Back here now for only 6 weeks. I have lived in central, and south Thailand and one stint in Bangkok. I love the north and the plan is to keep coming back here about twice a year to help stay sane unless I can link up another job in the Kingdom.

Over the time many things have changed, some have been losses but Thailand remains the vibrant and wonderful country that I love.

CB

"you can take a girl out of the bar but... "

Be very careful with that sort of statement. You have no cause to suggest that anyone in this situation was or is a bargirl or that it is anyway relevant to the story.

getting back to the original post it remains a sad thing that people have been killed over what appears to be a relatively minor issue. Two vendors trying to make a living and now two families pretty much destroyed as a result.

I lived in a small village for quite a while, after the event it was explained to me by my house mother. A man had been encroaching on other men's wives and was "sorted" out by a husband who beat the living bejesus out of the fellow. The guy had to wait until the local police left the village for a couple of days so that it could be handled in house. The guy got a beating, the wives got a bit as well, the police knew nothing.

I asked my house mother about the women who had been cheating with the guy and she said they had to be beaten but "not too much" so they would learn who was the boss in the house. Old fashioned and not politically correct in modern society but the situation was sorted out.

CB

You must ask yourself if CM is a safe place to live? Air pollution, death by automobile, on a 1st world basis, poor medical care. On has a duty to dependent children they may disregard for themselves.

I would say that Chiang Mai is a pretty safe place to live with a lot of significant benefits for children.

The pollution is bad for three months a year but compare that with any modern Western city. I would also contest the claim of poor medical care, in my experience there are very good hospitals and doctors in Thailand and most definitely in CM.

Add in the experience for children to learn a new language, become immersed in a different culture and gain major experiences that could never be had "back home" and I would say that living in CM has to be a good choice for many families IF they can make the cultural and social shift.

CB

I'm gay and made my wife pregnant nine times.

As a straight man I can only applaud your efforts.

CB

I had promised to take a friend (English expat) to Sunday lunch at the Vic when I get back to CM, sorry to read that apparently it has dropped its standard.

I will also be going to the Olde Belle for a meal and a drink as well before heading down the road to see Kevin at the Red Lion, might even pop into O'Malley's pub on the way home.

CB

I was given one when I went there for a meal. Was talking to the manager who asked if I lived in CM, as I did (then) he sent a waitress over to our table with a card.

Good to see you are showing it at the Belle and the nosh there is good.

Will be a good game so enjoy

CB

Lanky, I think you should change your topic title, it reads Gold Clubs

the title caught my eye as well and wonder what the? Title now altered assuming that Lanky really did mean Golf Clubs

CB

Moderating Team

Thai Visa

Thailand used to be famous for it`s beautiful cute smiling little ladies that only had desires to settle down with a nice Farang guy and live happily every after.

If Thailand was ever that kind of place I assume it changed quickly after the smiling ladies learned that the "I love you long time" farang were mostly short-timers.

And again we veer into mentioning prostitution, short timers etc so this topic is now closed

Crow Boy

moderating team

Thai Visa

I thought promotion of prostitution by the sicker members of society was against forum rules?

Where was prostitution mentioned? You only drink some whiskey and sing a few songs with the girls

this is correct and if this thread is to continue then there will not be any discussion of prostitution. When I lived in CM I went to a couple of these places with Thai friends and they were VERY expensive but fun nights out. I have also been out to one with a farung friend and it was just expensive.

Caveat empor

CB

Ok we agree Kevin a great bloke for a Pom from Liverpool and the Red Lion is a decent pub but this thread adds nothing to the forum except for free advertising and so it is closed.

Crowboy

Moderating Team

Thai Visa

....would the word " touche' " seem to fit......

Yes it does, the FYI was added as an edit after the initial post was written. I should have added more detail.

CB

Please remember we mods walk a line between what is information for our members and protecting our sponsors.

Regards

CB

With all due respect, why are sponsors "protected" and what are they "protected" from?

Sponsors pay money to the Forum to advertise their products and/or services. This entitles them to consideration by the moderating team. It does not allow them to break the forum rules nor abuse their status as a sponsor. One of the reasons they are helped by the moderating team is because sometimes they are targeted by members for malicious reasons.

Hope this helps

CB

guys these threads always border on being perceived by moderators as being a form of advertising for the venue. I look at them as being a way of spreading the word amongst the members of where to find a great pizza, ribs, English Style breakfast, late night snack etc BUT please do everyone a favour including the owner of the venue by putting more into your posts. A post such as "Bar XYZ does the best breakfast" is useless, tells us nothing and is pretty much a waste of electrons. Tell us WHY it is good, why it is better than the others, and put in some prices and selections available. That way they become useful reviews and have a much higher chance of staying alive.

One other point - in the past, some owners have either done blatant self promotion or had a mate put up a thread that reads like an advertisement. Please remember we mods walk a line between what is information for our members and protecting our sponsors.

Regards

CB

Just fyi - I liked the breakfast at the Laughing Leprechaun, Mad Dogs, and the Olde Belle. Not been home to CM for 12 months now and so things may have changed.

This is my last gentle attempt at moderating this thread. To date no suspensions have been issued but either this thread gets back on track and people learn to play nicely or it will close and people will have a few days to enjoy the sunshine.

Everyone understand this?

CrowBoy

Moderating Team

Thai Visa

As has been stated (correctly) above it is illegal in Thailand to bring into disrepute the court system. That includes the judges and the police. As an illegal act it is against the rules of the ThaiVisa Forum. I have only quickly read this thread and am giving the following GENERAL warning. Drop the flames that have occurred in several posts or disciplinary action will be taken. I suggest that if parties involved cannot make a reasoned case for their view then they should drop out of what is a serious discussion and move to something like Pub and Farung.

CB

Moderating Team

Thai Visa

Incredible - thank you so much for sharing the information with us. I can hardly wait until the next instalment on how you bought a fitted sheet and it was so good.

Sheesh

CB

The topic of double charging has been done many times on this forum, it happens, accept it or not - up to you. You pays your money, you make's your choice but let's not let this thread degenerate into a Thailand bashing contest because then it will have to be closed.

CB

Moderating Team

Thai Visa