Barnet1900

I have no idea where musical tastes come from. I'm pretty average in IQ yet I've always enjoyed a variety of music. My earliest choices were certainly conditioned by my dad telling me that certain musicians were great then others awful. This lasted until The Prodigy came on TV and he stated that this isn't music...total... I couldn't disagree more and so I started making my own opinions on music. I find that my tastes have changed massively with age. There are some musicians I adored as a younger man, like Oasis, yet now I can't take a minute of them. Modern music for me, lacks the mega bands/stars who you waited upon eagerly for new material as per the past. But then, maybe I'm just not 'with it.' I couldn't tell you who are the biggest artists on the planet now. I actually like some of the new rap artists such as Arrdee who are defining their own style. Different generation now with WiFi, smart phones etc so it's to be expected. As for Thai music, I can easily enjoy the folk/country songs that play in the background, even if I have no idea what they're talking about. Bodyslam were decent (and he supports Spurs). I can't stand the bass banging stuff however. Anyone remember the song that went along the lines of ...My name is Mrs. Smith...?

I've had constant problems with noise pollution since I arrived here over 15 years ago. Stray dogs all hours of the night, neighbours coming and going, slamming doors, that car alarm beep beep that tells the owner it's on. Music from both Thai and foreign neighbours. People walking around all night, both inside and out. For me, I've had no joy at all trying to deal with it both amicably and the reverse. I even asked some Thai work colleagues to help but nothing changed. It's put me off buying instead of renting as there seems to be no enforced law on the topic. I knew a Thai friend who bought a new build and within a year a snooker club/ karaoke bar opened up behind his premises on wasteland. Same for him, no joy in stopping it. Maybe in my case I've not been as fortuitous as others and reading a few posts there does seem to be a way of stopping it but the only way round it, in my experience purely, has been to move. I know this is not the answer you wanted but for me, I have always rented so I was lucky enough to count my losses, consider the impact it was having on my state of mind and jump ship. We're culturally conditioned to see noise from others as wrong. Thais seem to have a higher tolerance of it and it won't change, unless you do have luck or a knowledgeable assist on your side. If you can't move I'd recommend legal action rather than ramping up the music. He seems totally unreasonable so won't consider a compromise. I wish you luck in handling it and hopefully resolving the problem.

I often wonder how the police who deal with this sort of thing get over it. There's lots of criticism of the police force worldwide but stuff like this makes you realise how much they must live with. Horrific events.

I get the part that the system is too soft in favour of kids now. I went to school in the 80's and although beatings weren't common, kids weren't protected to the point of being able to do and say what they like to adults, teachers, without recrimination. It's definitely gone too far the other way....however... Hitting anybody is wrong. Period. I'm a reasonably sized, average male but very average. The thought of hitting a child with my size and strength advantage sickens me to the core of my stomach. How anybody can inflict 1, let alone continue to reign blow upon blow upon a child is repulsive. Look at what you're hurting. A tiny little thing. What does being punished with violence gain? I was smacked by my parents in the same way many kids of my generation were. Nothing brutal but a short, sharp repulse that left you with a red backside or cheek. In turn, if someone annoyed me my reaction was to use violence too. IMHO, violence is the sign of a very weak individual who clearly has issues. Best lesson I ever learnt. The only person that allows you to get angry is yourself. If you can't control it you shouldn't be working with kids, who can p off a dolphin when they're in the mood.

On the money there. Even if they get a good run of it through school, uni, teacher training, they'll eventually be brought into line.

I agree with everything you say here. The working conditions in government schools are shocking. The fact that just about all public buildings have AC yet these schools are made to work with fans is pathetic. I "believe" that the financial package, as a whole, is pretty decent however, depending on experience and time in the job. I'm not certain of the exact amounts but it's a good job to get, if you're Thai. The problems start when the politics and poor conditions are encountered. So, yes, that's where it has to start, then address teaching standards. Build the ship then look for the staff. The one point I'd raise difference to is the attitude of some teachers at these schools, both foreign and Thai. There are good examples but there are some awful, lazy, corrupt individuals who make it easy for the government to continue to underfund education. They need replacing outright, often top down. It's a vicious circle. One the one hand people can point to lack of funding, low salaries, etc, yet on the other, there are so many incompetent lazy members of staff who do nothing to force change. If any new, young, vibrant teachers join and identify areas to change or show initiative or have a positive impact on the students, they're often penalized in some way in order to maintain the traditional, ineffective yet manageable status quo of Thai education. This whole PM talk is just that....talk, talk, talk....he knows full-well it won't change. Politics.

Hi. Going back a bit I know, but us there any contact details on this brick? Any more reviews. Thank you

I agree about Spence. I thought he'd do well. Apparently his attitude wasn't great at Leeds. Spurs have put him straight on the market. Sometimes the club knows more than they let on.

That's wishing. I'd have no issue with that. Reality is, the scum that cause the carnage escape, innocent lives get lost in their selfish stupor. Absolute selfishness. I was in a restaurant today and Thai news showed a truck ploughing into a pickup at full speed. They watch it day in day out. This lot know what speeding, drinking and recklessness causes yet don't stop. No hope for them, no matter what the ministry says. I'm getting to the stage where I can understand why the OB do nothing. How can you change the mindset of such stupid, selfish holes?

I've never lived in Udon so I can't comment on that. Might be the best place on earth for all I know. Comparing to Pattaya is one extreme to the other. Like comparing a donkey to a lizard. Apart from traffic, size, ex-pat facilities, they're very different. The point I'd make is, that there might be other places in between that offer the best of both worlds. For example, places like Rayong, Sri Racha, Bang Saray, or other towns close enough to Pattaya for a day at the beach, night out, decent food etc. yet a million miles away, culture wise from the things many people choose not to live there for. I know it's slightly off-topic but I'd guess there are a fair few members on here that could recommend the same, possibly nearer to UT, if that's where you're set on. Either way, I'd advise a little more research than just those two. Best of luck.

Agreed on the comfort part. Amazon isn't comfortable but I imagine it's because they don't want people buying a cup and sitting around for hours, which is common here. However they got where they are today they done it right. I used to hate Amazon but I enjoy it now so they've upped their game somewhere. That's good business no? Starbucks are packed out with only those that can or want to spend such prices. The prices don't reflect the average Thai wages. They don't reflect superior coffee tastes. Who walks around with a coffee brand on their bags? Those that often go to Starbucks. Showoffs. They only pop up in affluent areas. I've had terrible coffee all over Thailand. Amazon might not be to everyone's taste but it's not Good awful.

Trust? What has trust got to do with it? What are you scared of? Catching a dose from a cup of coffee. That's hilarious. I've no issues with Starbucks other than the ridiculously high price. My point is that it doesn't taste superior and doesn't warrant the price. Starbucks sells coffee as a guest in a country where they offer nothing to the everyday native. Amazon is popular throughout Thailand whether, you, me or John Doe likes it or not. They cater for the country as a whole. Starbucks offers FA other than to those that can either afford over-inflated prices or are stupid enough to pay them. To say it's total junk is hilarious no? Go check their popularity and success. They've nailed the market here. You'll have to lump it.

Amazon is terrific in every sense. I can't find fault with it. Starbucks is popular with Koreans, wannabe rich showoffs and those that think brands and high prices equal better quality. Probably get a new IPhone each year and have no idea what functions they have/have not. Long may it continue as it keeps them out of the queues in Amazon.

I got burnt at the beach Saturday, sitting in the shade. Seems cooler in the evening but certainly no cool season to enjoy

I'm with you on this. No excuse to kill, that is obviously an entirely different matter. However, if you've lived next door to people who constantly pollute your home with their noise, barking dogs, loud exhaust pipes etc etc...life becomes miserable. I had this for nearly a year and just the thought of going home after work, knowing I'd be up half the night was dreadful. I don't think COVID made any difference. Maybe people are struggling financially but they are all over. I think it comes down to growing up in a country that has no help for mental health. You're either normal or abnormal.

Typica Levy. Just as we make progress he takes the momentum away. Did it with Poch no? If Gallagher is available at 50m, a CB and another forward what could happen with Ange at the mantle? Pipe dream with DL at the helm. Couldn't tell you anything about the players we're after at the moment. Sound good in the press but they all do. We had a right touch with VDV. Hit the floor sprinting as did Vicario. Hoping Dragusan can too. Seen a fair few world beating defenders join and be total wrecks. Remember Vlad Chiriches? Be interesting to see if Ange can get Sessagnon to fulfil his potential when he returns. I still think there's a player in him. Reminds me of Danny Rose's career.

Save your money for a holiday here and experience it for yourself. Thai women looking to be taken care of is very normal for Thailand but doesn't make it right. There are plenty of others here that take care of themselves without asking for handouts. People that start paying like this end up like they would in a casino. Never again, no more money...oh but maybe just one more throw and my luck will change. The more you give the more they want, usually the family get involved and golden goose appears. These ladies are experts on getting money from all sorts of ventures, and losing it. It's not strictly a scam but a way of life learnt from people passing on stories of their own. Mostly all myths but they believe each other and try to copy suit. Foreign men = £££ If my dad was thinking about doing something as risky as this at his age I'd be doing everything I could into talking sense into him. How does your family think about it? In a nutshell why on earth would any sane person send money to a person they'd never met before?

I'm not defending anybody because I don't know the truth behind either story, however.... Why do men all over the globe get named publicly before a verdict has been given? The old saying, mud sticks, is never truer than in cases like these. By all means name and shame after a guilty verdict is passed but if you are innocent and you get accused of any sexual crime your life is pretty much over. People will forever remember you for a crime you didn't commit. Not saying he's innocent at all but there should be laws that give protection to a person's identity before a court has heard the evidence presented.

If this happened in the UK, can you imagine how much coverage the BBC would give to stories like this? Busses crashing with passengers killed, exposed electric cables electrocuting the public, 40 odd people dead in a day on the roads etc etc etc...the daily list goes on and on regarding atrocities that happen all over Thailand. Sadly, it's just a part of life here. A story in the daily news that will be forgotten soon after and replaced by another equally preventable and tragic event. 15 years living here and nothing changes. The recent thread on feeling safe living here addressed how it felt to walk around at night in Isaan. Ask how safe people feel in regards to Thailand's road safety standards and it would be a different argument. Very sad.

Oddly enough I experienced the best two journeys to and from Isaan this month. Left at 06.30 on the 16th, returned same time on the 26th. I know they're not the busiest days but literally no traffic, no police stops at all. I took the older route, no tolls, from Chonburi to KK. Bit slower but lovely scenic driving.

Yep. It's like one of those BBC great migration films. Many make the trip with casualties along the way. About 10 years ago, I made the mistake of journeying through the mountainous range near Korat, when it was 2 lanes. It was carnage. It took an eternity to get across, mainly due to impatient idiots making 2 lanes into 4. Plenty of vehicles ended up in ditches or collisions. My trip was in the Songkran holiday but much the same as this.

Absolutely.

Kalasin health park

I've been eating it in Thailand for 3 years. Never had a bad one. 220bt for a large pepperoni is unbeatable. Not authenticate Italian pizza granted but vfm.

Dominos for decent value. South Pattaya Pizza big - Naklua Old school pizza Pum Puis. Both darkside Spellings might be off but they're good choices.