Thighlander

Agreed, I had three meals yesterday. Pad See Ew pork for 30 thb, noodle soup with white chicken meat cut right off the whole chicken was 35 thb, and I drank my third meal: 5 large Leos for 199, but I did do 8 pork satay sticks for 40 THB.

People willing to work without the proper paperwork continues to keep the water muddy, at best. Farang with Thai wife (and kids), Farang who can't return to his home country (many scenarios), Farang that couldn't get a job with their liberal arts degree and a weak market.

I put on my resume, that agencies would have to work with me on a retainer basis. I haven't been getting any calls, this year. Might re-activate and see what happens. I love to teach Math(s), but I'll be damned if I'm going to jeopardize a perfectly good O-A visa, by working illegally.

I know someone who claims to teach English at the Department of Labor and has no work permit.

They likely realize what a hassle it is.

I'm going to give the Clemson replay a try at 14:30. The integrity of their listings is sorely lacking. Not to mention the integrity of the players. There is always ESPN radio.......

To keep costs down the US imports nearly all its fruit and veggies from countries with absolutely no controls but it allows them to be cheaper in the stores. You have zero idea what was used to grow them.

Let me guess. Michael Moore told you that. Agriculture in California is 45 billion usd per year. In the Winter months, we do import from Mexico. They use our seeds/sprays/ and technology...it is inspected by USDA. Some other stuff from South America, that will cost double to triple the in-season price in the US.

Name something not grown in the US....or even California....Oranges were 7 thb per Kg in Arizona last year....or free if you new someone with a tree.

I do not follow conspiracy theory people. I only know the name of the guy you mentioned, I never read his junk. I only know what I see on stickers on the produce my wife and I buy. In fact(embarrasing as it is) I never ever paid attention before. I just bought what looked good or on sale. Now my wife on the other hand looks at everything. She started asking me, Why is this watermelon from Peru, Why are these Bananas from Equador, Why are these oranges from Mexico. Really funny, She told me the garlic she bought last week was from China...I said "NO WAY". I go look and right on the packet label "Grown and imported from China". The irony in that is we live 45 minutes from Gilroy the "Garlic Capital of the World", go figure. Nearly all the Asian stores import which is why they have put a hurt on the big chain stores who probably buy local.

Without diving into politics because that's not the point of the thread, I understand why we import, people in America want everything cheap. We as American's are concerned about gross margin. Its always the bottom-line. While I have no statistics clearly we import for lower cost and export what we grow to make money. Selling local probably raises the costs where people will not buy it. Now I am in no way saying all is imported, I know its a split. But what I am saying is that anything imported I would never believe were grown and supervised and inspected to USDA standards. They can say what they want but a person with a descent level of intelligence knows the reality.

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm362462.htm

according to this statement by FDA......only 20% of vegetables are imported. A high percentage of those are from Mexico. As stated before, the Mexicans successfully use our technology, and often have our people onsite, providing assistance to the farmer.

@Neversure

Its funny. Personally I have never felt at anytime that I lowered my living standards moving to Thailand. In many regards I feel I improved them as I shed myself of just buying stuff to buy stuff and I got to stop working long before the avg retirement age of most Americans. Now I will say that some judge their quality of life or their living standards/status solely based on material possessions or how much they can buy. I get that. Its clearly an individual preference. I am glad I was fortunate enough to have lived both to fairly compare.

Just for me, there are some living standards I can't control, and some bother me in LOS.

Crap roads and crazy drivers.

Litter and piles of rubbish that smell and may even have rats in them.

Water into your dwelling that isn't safe to drink.

Lack of sanitary sewer.

Dangerous and unpredictable electrical installations.

Dirty streets, sidewalk and buildings with sidewalks so cluttered with carts and cars and scooters that it's dangerous to walk. Sometimes you have to walk in the street where no one cares what happens to you.

Uncertainty of food quality and safety.

I could go on and on, but to me any of those is lowering my standard of living.

To keep costs down the US imports nearly all its fruit and veggies from countries with absolutely no controls but it allows them to be cheaper in the stores. You have zero idea what was used to grow them.

Let me guess. Michael Moore told you that. Agriculture in California is 45 billion usd per year. In the Winter months, we do import from Mexico. They use our seeds/sprays/ and technology...it is inspected by USDA. Some other stuff from South America, that will cost double to triple the in-season price in the US.

Name something not grown in the US....or even California....Oranges were 7 thb per Kg in Arizona last year....or free if you new someone with a tree.

If you could spell "Chrome"; your complaint would be more convincing. Mine works fine, but then again; my OS is legal.

You mean your free browser is legal ?

Didn't know there were illegal free browsers, thanks for pointing that out.

"OS" does not refer to the browser.

If you could spell "Chrome"; your complaint would be more convincing. Mine works fine, but then again; my OS is legal.

actually, I ended up doing a few 69 thb heinekens at the Balcony Bar at Nana, after starting out at Soi 39, and didn't see anything decent the entire way there. 7-11 beers are nice and cold, though.

They have English speakers in the cashier's office, which is very close to the entrance/exit. Likely, readily available. Call them up, or stop in and hear it from the horse's mouth.

Green bus is a much better way to go up to the border. Faster, and more flexible. Whether or not, what you bought at DF is counterfeit; not sure. They do have a history of selling fake cigs/cigars/wine/liquor and even some really funky German beer that a TV member actually posted photos of here.

At 100 thb for a small beer in BKK, you'll need every THB of it.

I just witnessed a CMU female student offer 15, and the driver was firm on 20.....she bit. I was charged 30 for a ride home from the airport, and it took more than 30 minutes, as it was raining steadily, and we passed a three car accident, and another fender bender......and the traffic around that school on the west side of the moat at 16:20.....I gave him 40....he earned it.

bears won.

They've got 48 F-16s, about an hour north of BKK (by car). That represents the majority of their airpower. The heads just recently visited the US Embassy to make sure the US would still assist with the 20 year maintenance that is due soon. As long as they don't use them on their own people; it is unlikely to be a problem. F-35 sales might be a different story, but I noticed Oz is buying 72 of them.

Is it the right place? Any freelance girls? Are they still open very late? Is it worth a look? Thanks!

Rimping: Wishbone salad sauces 2 for 1 in all sizes. Seen them at Promenada and Meechok branches. Italian, Thousand Island and not sure what others. We picked up both. Not a bad American brand.

I've been surprised a few times to find out that the sign actually meant buy 2 and get one free. Just beware for those who don't read Thai.

One of the better restaurant recs I've seen here in a while. Price, freshness, walkable.....is there a hot dog and egg promo? Can I sit there and drink tea for four hours? LOL.

Color has nothing to do with this. It's all about safety. I know that area fairly well. My brother lives in Flag and I've been in Phoenix dozens and dozens of times. It's one of the high crime areas in Phonenix, and the city itself ranks high for crime based on other cities of it's size in the US.

http://news.travel.aol.com/2010/09/14/safe-and-dangerous-places-in-phoenix/

4% African; but who's counting.

Crime is a factor in any city you visit. The Morgan Quitno survey ranks Phoenix as #10 in a list of the 10 most dangerous cities in the United States for populations of more than 500,000 based on 2003 data compiled by the FBI.

.......

Based on the June 2010 CARU report, the highest property crime area is in the Alhambra district. The majority of crimes occurred between 19th and 7th Avenues, and the area extends to about one-half mile on both sides of West Bethany Home Road. Interestingly, just two miles south of Bethany Home Road to Indian School Road, between 19th and 27th Avenues, is the highest density of reported violent crimes. This does include the area near Christown Spectrum Mall (1703 W. Bethany Home Road, (602) 249-0670) and Solano Park. If you travel there, just be vigilant.

.......

West Phoenix, roughly between Indian School Road and I-10 tends to rank very high in the number of crimes that are reported. Gang activity is one reason for this. This area leads in the number of violent crimes reported. Homicide and aggravated assault are major threats that make this neighborhood one of the scary places in Phoenix. In 2009, CARU reported a total of 8,732 violent crimes for the city.

If you are going to travel frequently in the inner city, you'll want to keep an eye out for the Central City area of town, especially Thomas Road. There is a smattering of violent crime hot spots as you travel eastbound on Thomas Road starting near the Interstate 17 intersection, followed by the 7th Avenue intersection (near Encanto Park), and then between 32nd and 40th Avenues. When unsure, just stay clear.

The areas outside central Phoenix are great. My favorite is Sedona. An absolutely amazing place to visit. I've spent a lot of time in Havasu, Parker, and Page, where my brother use to live. The Colorado river and grand canyon are fantastic. Can't wait to go back and visit again!

The home in question is not in West Phoenix...the streets start on the east side of Central Ave, and count up. So technically it is East, but so close to Central, it is actually called "Midtown," and is home to one of the top private golf courses in the US, which would still host the Phoenix open, but there was just not enough parking for the crowds that exceed 120,000. That home is a 10 minute walk to the 3 billion dollar light rail system....anyways, I held it for almost exactly two years, and sold it myself for 1.4 million thb, and had the buyer paying me 8% until he paid me off, 9 months later. During my stay there, I made 580 thb per hour part time, which isn't perfect...but no rent to pay.....no debt.

Sedona is a tourist trap, pure and simple, quite beautiful..ok to visit, but people who relocate there find themselves in horrible employment predicaments. I also lived on the river in Bullhead City....bought a furnished condo from a dead man's kids for 26,000 usd, and worked a a part time teacher; full time gambler....just about the white trash capital of the free world.

Flagstaff is all style, no substance...nice university for those who can't get into U of A or ASU....but terrible wages and high rent. Santa Cruz County is probably the best, with about a perfect elevation of 4000 ft +/-. No A/c needed, and still plenty warm. Duty free shopping at the border, too. Very low food prices down there...saw red grapes at 35 thb per KG a few months ago. See what they have to say about that at Wororat Market.

Really? ASU and U of A are somewhat selective now? Things change I guess. There was a time when any HS graduate in the US could get into ASU or U of A.

Don't the Mexican drug cartels run Santa Cruz county? Isn't this the area where the Governor asked Obama for federal help (as in law enforcement officers) to drive the cartel out of the National Forest and back to Mexico, but got "Americans Keep Out" signs instead?

Acceptance rate at U of A, 77%........ASU, 80%....NAU, 91%.....UNLV, 88.2%......UC Boulder 88%....Drug Cartels? it would be singular, as in "cartel." And yes, Obama has done a disgraceful job of securing the border, but the high concentration of Law Enforcement in Nogales give it very safe streets.....show me one case of a tourist getting robbed in Nogales, Arizona and it is one of the top five tourist destinations in the state.

front yard.....moonrise

back yard

front yard

Color has nothing to do with this. It's all about safety. I know that area fairly well. My brother lives in Flag and I've been in Phoenix dozens and dozens of times. It's one of the high crime areas in Phonenix, and the city itself ranks high for crime based on other cities of it's size in the US.

http://news.travel.aol.com/2010/09/14/safe-and-dangerous-places-in-phoenix/

4% African; but who's counting.

Crime is a factor in any city you visit. The Morgan Quitno survey ranks Phoenix as #10 in a list of the 10 most dangerous cities in the United States for populations of more than 500,000 based on 2003 data compiled by the FBI.

.......

Based on the June 2010 CARU report, the highest property crime area is in the Alhambra district. The majority of crimes occurred between 19th and 7th Avenues, and the area extends to about one-half mile on both sides of West Bethany Home Road. Interestingly, just two miles south of Bethany Home Road to Indian School Road, between 19th and 27th Avenues, is the highest density of reported violent crimes. This does include the area near Christown Spectrum Mall (1703 W. Bethany Home Road, (602) 249-0670) and Solano Park. If you travel there, just be vigilant.

.......

West Phoenix, roughly between Indian School Road and I-10 tends to rank very high in the number of crimes that are reported. Gang activity is one reason for this. This area leads in the number of violent crimes reported. Homicide and aggravated assault are major threats that make this neighborhood one of the scary places in Phoenix. In 2009, CARU reported a total of 8,732 violent crimes for the city.

If you are going to travel frequently in the inner city, you'll want to keep an eye out for the Central City area of town, especially Thomas Road. There is a smattering of violent crime hot spots as you travel eastbound on Thomas Road starting near the Interstate 17 intersection, followed by the 7th Avenue intersection (near Encanto Park), and then between 32nd and 40th Avenues. When unsure, just stay clear.

The areas outside central Phoenix are great. My favorite is Sedona. An absolutely amazing place to visit. I've spent a lot of time in Havasu, Parker, and Page, where my brother use to live. The Colorado river and grand canyon are fantastic. Can't wait to go back and visit again!

The home in question is not in West Phoenix...the streets start on the east side of Central Ave, and count up. So technically it is East, but so close to Central, it is actually called "Midtown," and is home to one of the top private golf courses in the US, which would still host the Phoenix open, but there was just not enough parking for the crowds that exceed 120,000. That home is a 10 minute walk to the 3 billion dollar light rail system....anyways, I held it for almost exactly two years, and sold it myself for 1.4 million thb, and had the buyer paying me 8% until he paid me off, 9 months later. During my stay there, I made 580 thb per hour part time, which isn't perfect...but no rent to pay.....no debt.

Sedona is a tourist trap, pure and simple, quite beautiful..ok to visit, but people who relocate there find themselves in horrible employment predicaments. I also lived on the river in Bullhead City....bought a furnished condo from a dead man's kids for 26,000 usd, and worked a a part time teacher; full time gambler....just about the white trash capital of the free world.

Flagstaff is all style, no substance...nice university for those who can't get into U of A or ASU....but terrible wages and high rent. Santa Cruz County is probably the best, with about a perfect elevation of 4000 ft +/-. No A/c needed, and still plenty warm. Duty free shopping at the border, too. Very low food prices down there...saw red grapes at 35 thb per KG a few months ago. See what they have to say about that at Wororat Market.

Try Tesco for this too (Shaving foam that is).... product is called Barbasol. Made in the USA from what the can says. Its a 283gm or 10oz can. Im still on my first can after 2 months. Lots of pressure in the can so you get good foam and not a sputtering damn mess. If memory serves me right its just 129 baht.

I came with two, 170 gram cans in early February. Got 6 months out of the first one. Barbasol "soothing aloe." 32 thb per can in the US, and the "Dollar Stores" sell the 10 oz. for 32 thb, also....I went with smaller for the long flights. So yeah, it's 300% more in Thailand.....can't imagine why anyone would want to shop around.

Tesco just cut their dividends 75%, and were practically laughed out of the US, with heavy losses. WalMart has also been faltering, with many store closings expected. Both just became too big, and too complacent. The trend in the US is for people to go to "Dollar Stores." Jim Cramer on CNBC sets some analyst straight the other day, who had claimed the Dollar stores were simply for poor people. Actually, some very wealthy people shop there and it has almost become a social event. Most wealth in America is new money....they didn't get wealthy squandering money. Saving is instinctive to most self made millionaires. For those of us on retirement extensions, we can't work here, so what's wrong with putting a little energy into saving money and keeping our host honest?

Joe has beat this egg thing into a souffle......eggs rank 8th as a global protein source, so their prices can give good insight into food price trends. Finding a place that actually handles them well, is also useful information. Never heard anyone order their eggs at Denny's "slow cooked for four days at 32c."

I'm not from a "poor, tough, small town." I'm from a tough, highly educated suburban area, that is one of the wealthiest areas on the planet. People still count their change, and scrutinize their bills. Costco, a warehouse store, which is the low price leader for quality items is mobbed on the weekends, and as a result the other grocery chains have been force to compete.

Here is the house I bought for 550,000 THB in late 2010, in the US. http://www.zillow.com/homes/3831-n-8th-st,-85014_rb/

I think a good Shop Vac is the best way.......otherwise, they tend to smear. The Thai housekeepers are great with floors, but often terrible about anything higher than their two meter reach. I've seen some otherwise sparkling clean hotel rooms, but a closer look showed about a Kg of dust on top of the wardrobe closet.

From what I have heard Loih Kro bars are being targeted and many of the bar owners I know have already rented new premises near to Foxy Lady opposite the car park just before Foxy Lady at the back of the night bazarr.

More than 40 units have already been rented on the 2nd and 3rd floor and some Bar owners have already opened bars there with many more to follow.

There were only about three bars open there in March.

By the time I returned in July, they'd all closed down.

They have only just rented them

this is NEW

I took a walk through there after doing some shopping at the Night Bazaar. Typical bad business practices of bars with few customers (depending on counting the owner as a customer); no happy hours, no prices posted, gritty people playing pool......it was possibly worse than the boxing arena.

bring back the rains; I'm on high ground.