Korat Kiwi

Yes the cream is still there. MinRes are still recruiting for dump truck drivers. A 3/1 shift would suit me fine. FIFO from Perth with direct flights back to BKK will work.

I hear what you're saying and agree 100 percent. I left Thailand about 5 years ago because of quite a few factors. I had a retirement visa although not getting a pension at that stage. Returning to NZ where rentals are fakn ridiculous and working an average of 60hrs a week did not leave much time to do anything else. My Thai partner also came with me to NZ. She worked a standard 40hr week. She did day shift and I was a Supervisor on night shift. You'd think we would be rolling in the money... Not with the cost of living in NZ. I was on about NZ$1200 (US$800) after tax. The missus was a lot less. We daren't ever think about going out to a pub for a few drinks. Our big event was maybe travelling 45km to have a meal in a genuine Thai restaurant. Nice food but at 4x the price compared to Thailand. After 5 years of the constant grind at work, I'd had enough. My Army pension kicked in... Which incidentally is a fakn lot less that Joe public gets. But it was enough to decide to get the fak out of Dodge and return to Thailand. Only been back 4 months and although it's not the best, it's easier to survive here without busting your gut. I'm still looking at truck driving in Perth for some extra shekels. So the grass is not always greener....

I'd call you a cock... But they have some use. Stick with your mates... Loser.

There's a bloke or two amongst that mix, I'm sure! Which one is Bob?

Wow, that's a good reply Mika. I'll stand down on this one as I don't have sufficient knowledge/experience. It obviously works for you so that's good. Unfortunately/fortunately Im not into a lot of social media sites so probably miss out on a lot of 'fun' activities. I don't have faecebook, Twitter, line, chatnow/chat box or any of the thousands of hook up sites. Doesn't really worry me either.

OK.... Note to self: Stay clear of Rich Hotel, give girls a few days to sluice themselves out.

So Somo, any feedback as to what you actually want? You were a bit vague on your OP.

In the Philippines it's encouraged. Most women are 'keen' to hook up with a foreigner. I never went that route but still got hooked. Roll on a few years and I ran as fast as I could. Nice honeymoon but damn it changed pretty quick afterwards. Escaped to Thailand and all is better for it.

Opposite of soft poos

It's a bit like teenagers on this site sometimes. All trying to outdo each other. FFS guys, get a life. Having a pissing contest over the most trivial of subjects. I now question why I even look at this site. Grow the fak up for godsake. Let's start acting your age and not your shoe size. I think most come here to gain extra knowledge about Thailand and life experiences. Not to see/listen to immature people bickering about crap. Give me a week and I'll probably exit this so called falang forum site.

Bob, the word is berth....

Not sure what you mean/imply by having life to it. Grand Centara next to the Mall is a very good hotel. No bar though if that's what you're after. Need more info....

I think a drunk clown could pass the current Thai motorcycle licence... Looking at the driving standards on the road I'd say that's a fair guess

Really? I just checked my NZ issued IDP which is valid in Thailand. I have both car and motorcycle endorsement. I use both here in Thailand until I get my retirement visa. The. I'll go and get my Thai licences (again). To get and IDP (In NZ at least) you must have a full licence for the category you wish to obtain. I have full licence for all categories less passenger and bus. Are you saying the IDPs are Incorrect?

Nothing wrong with bike bikes. It's the speed that kills. I feel a lot safer on a big bike than a scooter. At high speed, both riders are at risk of becoming a fatality. At low speed the scooter will likely crumble and rider hurt. A big bike can survive a low speed crash better due to construction and materials used. On a big bike you can use acceleration to get out of the 'danger zone'. Both types of bike still require respect when you ride them. Know their and your capabilites and ride accordingly. Use the mirrors constantly... a mindset that everyone is out to get you isn't a bad one to have in Thailand. Be seen... wear hi-viz. It helps alot.

I know which piece I want....

Was in Pattaya last Friday. Won't return for a other year. Only there to to see visa agent. Glad I won't be anywhere near the place come Songkran. I think Pattaya takes a certain type of expat to live there full time. I couldn't do it. Why? Too many temptations and I'd be broke within a month! I prefer the quieter life now, but still meet up with other expats at least once a week at a local watering hole. It's all good.

Maybe he could teach tantric sex in jail? Now just hold it there....

Bugger, that use to be my favourite crossing when I was living in Chiang Mai. Back in the day of visa runs. Duty Free Dark Rum was a bonus of the crossing. But I did notice/taste that more and more of it was becoming fake. Found Lao Duty Free to be twice the price of what could be bought locally in Vientiane. Go figure!

I don't mind riding bikes and have all the necessary licences to do so. However after just completing a trip from Korat-Pattaya-Nakhon Sawan-Chiang Mai-Nakhon Sawan-Korat in my sister in laws Honda Jazz, there are some roads that I would steer well clear of. I found that any of the motorways are just down right crazy. Yes I know bikes can't travel on them and just as well. Talk about dumb fakrs on the road. Here's just a small list of observations: No indication, Following too close, Excessive speed, Heavy Goods vehicles not staying left, Treating road as racetrack and driving from one side to the other to find empty lane, Failure to stay in lane. I know kiwi drivers in NZ are known to be very bad drivers but no where near the level of madness I saw here. Not surprised the accident level is so high and deaths from such is also high. Crazy stuff.... bordering on scary. Scooting around a local Soi is fine but some of the major roads near cities ain't really good for bikes. Open roads seem ok.

I recall a few years back when the BIB were actually invalidating IDPs (International Driving Permits). Unsure if it was legal or not but the reason given is that the IDP is only valid for 6 months. Although when you apply and receive the IDP it states that it is good for 12 months. Additional reasoning from BIB is that you should obtain Thai licence if staying longer than 6 months. Plus the BIB insist that you must also have your passport with you together with the IDP for it to be valid. These are probable areas that can/do trip up tourists.

Medal ribbons are likely issued out for things like: turning up to work on time, Wash hands after using bathroom, Ironing uniform A little like the USA forces! (Or the Girl Guides/Boy Scouts) So many ribbons of which many are not tied into any form of active service.

Now now Bob, there's logic in there thinking... You'll only confuse the poor boy

I've found the circular blades with tungsten tips are brilliant on small trees, as long as it has heaps of holes in the blade so it doesn't bind while cutting. Otherwise the line style cutter is great for grass. Triple blade I found cut better than either straight or 4 blade. Yes they do need sharpening but a cordless angle grinder takes care of that.

The first time I went to Aussie, the immigration officer asked: Do you have any criminal records? I replied: Sorry I didn't realise it was still a requirement.