gummy

Well, I think it's fine for Guesthouse to want to define people primarily by their line of work. While people may work as prostitutes, perhaps that their also 'mothers' of young children is a more defining and relevant aspect to the way they relate to kids. Honestly the 'drink' (and perhaps 'smoke') part would worry me a lot more.

Absoluetely Chanchao, I have no problem identifying prostitutes as the kind of people I don't want my children to be hanging around with. And I don't give a toss if they are really nice people with families of their own. You can do your Julia Roberts Tart with a heart bit with your kids if you like, we all have our own standards. Mine and my wife's say that our children can have happy childhoods without going in bars (In Thailand, prostitution is one issue - though you would like to deny it, the other every where is alcohol and bar culture - Not the environment we want our children in). Our choice - Period. Your choice period.

I don't know maybe you don't have Pubs in Italy. In England it's where we like to socialise with friends and family. I've taken my grandmother to the pub on many occasions and for your information I probably heard worse language in the school playground as a kid than I ever did sitting in the pub with my dad.

No there are no 'pubs' in the English sense in Italy, and children are not allowed in bars. I know about the culture in some sections of English society to socialize with children at the pub, I have also experiences English nightlife... The English relationship with alcohol seems not to be a healthy one.

Gummy, what are you drivelling on about?

Clearly the cap fits you very well. And by the way why do you have a hang-up about prostitutes? You typify a person who has previously got a bad deal from one in one of those so many Pattaya bars you frequented ? When it comes to drivel you are head and shoulders above the rest of TV combined. The topic was "what age would you take your kids out to bars". Simple to answer for most but you had to launch into your normal puritanical crusade about prostitutes again.

And by the way, binge drinking in the UK, not just England, is on the increase. They appear not to have this problem in France and Spain where young children were mostly welcomed with their parents. According to the UK governement due to the higher earning power of teenagers as never before. This problem is greater amongst females. Well whether that is true or not had it been on the increase due to those teenagers having been taken to bars at an early age I am sure the "do-gooder nation", which the UK has now become, would have repealed the laws on allowing minors into public bars where food is served - don't you ? or perhaps your ego is such that you will now proclaim to be a better authority on this issue than the UK authorities.

Shedend, he decided to come to United cos of a desire to stay in the North, he had the chance to sign for you then.

I agree with your points fella but, with no service and moral seemingly at an all time low, strikers are always going to be affected the most.

Sad, I only hope Andorra don't pull something out of the bag....

redrus

They will pull Andorran goats out of the bag. At least McClaren will have something in common with them - Wool - the only differance being the goats wear it and McC keeps it between his ears.

To put it all in perspective I wonder how many people have passed away since this topic started through the unavailabilty of affordable drugs ?

Tell me they are going to get that right in your local travel agent in country of origin!!

The reservation system won't allow the travel agent to book connecting flights with insufficient connection time.

--------------

Maestro

OK. Lets assume that is correct, and the reservation system allows 5.245 hours to clear customs, change airports, & make check in for your next flight.

With flight delays of an hour or more due to bad sub-tropposheric weather patterns, a totally disorganised approach grid, customs delays while counting days, friday afternoon traffic etc. Do you really think this is a workable system?

I think the image of thailand's missmanagement of "national assets" is going to go from bad to worse.

Cheers,

Soundman.

Have you run an airport or worked with people who deal with these matters?

Actually, it would have made more sense to keep both of them open from the start. It would have provided passengers more choice, and over time, you'll see a level of competition between the two aiports. Remeber, although nominally, AOT runs both airports, the airforce still has alot of say in the running of Don Muang, so you've got to competitive forces right there and they'll agiate for more business over time (or at least the freedom to do business).

It was defientily highly inefficient, from a 'national assets' perspective, to have a perfectly usable sitting around doing nothing, when it could have been utilise to take pressure off Suvanaphumi, or god forbid, provide an alternate airport for airlines to handle their schedualling. From a finance perpersective, it was totally depricieated, and was a nice little earner for the RTG, AOT and Department of Transport.

Now, before you bang on about the latest cabinet decisions, as I said, things'll change. Having Don Muang handle the flights it handles now isn't sustainable. There are alot more economies of scale to be had from expanding usage of Don Muang.

At the end of the day, more choice for consumers, better prices due to competitive forces and airlines will have more bargining power in dealing with AOT over fees and charges (and thus not passing them on to consumers).

So, as long as a few moron passengers learn to read their tickets, check before they go, then I don't think the loss to society in terms of a few missed flights and the wasted petrol, tolls, road usage of misdirected cabbies is going to outweigh the benefits to the community that two airports will bring.

But, hey, that is simply an opinion.

I wholeheartedly agree and it was only politics and pursuit of potential personal greed that DM was closed in the first place. At least the current regime has reversed that and followed the obvious business model.

As for the morons we shall all be able to spot them anyway as from previous threads they will all be wanting to push their trolleys down the escalators , complaining about the toilets, or looking totally dumbstruck as they realize ( or should ) 99.9 % of everybody else think they are stupid also.

Oh dear tryimg to impose Western planning standards in Thailand again. Well certainly planning controls need to be improved but it will not happen overnight and I suspect most certainly not in this case. It is still "buyer beware". A little naive to buy a condo 200 mtrs from the sea and expect no building to block their view in the future.

Anyway how did they measure 200 mtrs from the sea ?, low tide or high tide ? or just an elastic tape ?

Guesthouse, not all bars in Thailand have prostitutes.

And to answer the OP, when they are old enough to buy me a drink!

No No you missed the point, Guesthouse obviously only frequented bars with prostitutes during the 12 years he was here in Thailand so hence he can only generalise that they must all have them. Again perception and reality are quite differant.

Frankly now it is my kids that take me out so perhaps the question should be asked "when should kids stop taking their parents out to bars" ?

"Thompson" was actually an assumed name. His ethnic origins were actually Indian, and he did a runner from Malaysia to open a bespoke tailoring shop on Pattaya 2nd Rd; "Mr Jim Singh's Outfitters" which still thrives today.

An assumed name? Where did you hear that? Are you sure you're talking about the same Jim Thonpson?

Birth & family info found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Thompson_%28designer%29

So now his name was Jim Thonpson then ?

Although I obviously use broadband at home in BKK I have subscribed for many years ( and still do ) to inet gold. I always found it very good and have many local modems to dial into throughout Thailand. The link to their site is:-

http://www.inet.co.th/

Sooner Mourinho takes over from Sven's waste of time replacement the better. England need somebody with the ability to turn a bunch of multi millionaire wasters into a team who want to win. They are all mostly brilliant for their club sides and just need someone with the ability and kudos to make them play as well together for the national team.

Brother Tony,

May I suggest that rather than posting this obvious trolling feature on TV, then as deep as your religous convictions may well be, your should go to Saudi Arabia where you will be looked after more appropriately than you appear to be doing in Thailand.

SOURCE: Pattaya People: March 20th 2007

Market Gamblers arrested by Police

It was reported to the Pattaya Police that a group of gamblers were betting on animal pictures in Thepprasit weekend local market on 18th March at 9.30 pm.

On arrival, police found a lot of gamblers surrounding a mat behind a clothes stall at the market. It seemed like the gamblers didn't care about who saw them or not?

The police made a quick arrest of four people, 3 men and a woman aged from 21 to 39 years old, with the evidence of an animal sheet and some gambling tickets.

All were taken to the Dongtan Sub-Station where they confessed to gambling. They stated that they often played to kill time. They were all charged and will face a small fine for their troubles.

What the .... how do you bet on animal pictures?

Its called Snap

These magazines are crap. There is also nothing wrong with voicing displeasure about the vulgar movies that have gratuitous sex and violence.

There should be age limits for movies that have content not suitable for kids. I am not sure if there are in Thailand, it there are they sure are not enforced. I would like to see this happen.

I am not for censorship, but restricting minors' access to some things is quite reasonable.

Sounds like you are a gay pacifist

Zimbabwe and USA as they both have a lunatic for a President

Staggering to think about that sum of money spent on nothing it seems.

It is said it could have bought quality healthcare to every US citizen for the next 10 years.

That means it cost them 1000,000,000 ( assuming a US billion is a million million ) to kill each Iraqi or thereabouts. My my GW will certainly leave office with something to be proud about.

Although they don't say I assume their definition of "connecting time" is time from scheduled landing to time of scheduled departure ?

That's the most inane statement yet on this thread. Please tell me, MM, where you can get away from exhaust fumes on any street in BKK or any any other road in LOS? Clean air space? Go to a sleepy little village and the main road is full of lorries/trucks, buses, bikes, and diesel powered vehicles belching out exhaust. And noise.

Oh, and MM, I never smoke in enclosed areas. The milkrun bus was all open windows, too. You militant nonsmokers should do a temple retreat. Chill!

Well said!

I couldn't agree more, it's the militant non smokers that spoil it for every one.

I recall one incident in particular on one of my birthday party's where a friend brought a friend to my house, to enjoy my food and my booze and the music, but was offended (in a loudly manner) when I started smoking an after meal cigarette. You probably can guess what happened next but anyway the atmosphere of the party was shattered.

The world is getting smaller and smaller for smokers for all the wrong reasons. All the militant non-smokers always want to prove their point mentioning statistics and more statistics, thereby (knowingly) forgetting that statistics are made by people or organisations that want to prove a point, and you can prove anything with statistics. Fact is that even the WHO is not unbiased on this topic.

Governments are quick to point out how much money is spent on smoking related diseases, but fail to mention that the amount of taxes they receive on smoking is much higher, so who is paying for it?

And please don't tell me I should stop, I don't want to!!

Cheers

Onzestan

Statistically there are two excellant points that all us non-smokers should bear in mind and be very pleased about.

First, the money contributed thro' tax to most governments is quite, high although of course not high enough, and it is unfortunate that those governements do not re-invest fully into health programs that smokers utilise more than most and secondly:

Statistically, you all die younger on average.

So carry on and enjoy.

Khun? and Nick2k

How on Earth do you think that the USA and the West got to be rich? by supplying themselves with products? Doesn't make any sense, countries need each other, only have to look at N.Korea, Cuba etc... to see that.

You guys love to spout commercialism, well a huge part of that is supply, demand and cost/competition. The US just couldn't compete, it really is as simple as that.

Why should 1 million people suffer because a couple of companies want US prices for their drugs in the third world with a PPP of about 10% of the USA..

the usa is rich because the land we live in is full of resources, and fertile land. that is why we are rich.

..as for needing other countries, we don't need them. frankly, I would be happy if the western countries and those others who respect the "rule of law" kept to themselves.

we don't need to have to deal with thieves.

as for competing.. why do we need to compete with everybody?

the usa is one of those countries that can support themselves TOTALLY. we have the means to supply all americans with food, and whatever else they need to lead a happy life.

we don't need anyone.

we are not obligated to help anyone that is not american. period.

..as for the 1 million people who are suffering that you mentioned, we didn't put them there. if there is anybody who can be blamed for their current status, it is the rich people of thailand who kept them that way by not providing them a decent education or a decent salary. talk about greed. look to your own first before placing the blame on others for your problems.

personally, I think america should stop outsourcing to other countries. bring back all the factories. bring back all the jobs to america for americans.

with guys like garro, jdin, etc bashing america, I know that my dream will come true some day.

keep up the good work, guys. you are doing a good job.

Yep and with all the bullsh1t you guys spout your lands will become without doubt even more fertile. And as for not being obligated to help anyone I guess their are many families of the few 100,000 Iraqi's who wished USA had never "helped" them either ! It is strange that the only people you choose to help are those willing or able to pay extortionate prices for your goods and drugs.

Often it is useful to understand something by reversing the game.

What would Thailand think it it s major company, Thai owned, was having its drug stolen by the United States or a European government? Of course Thailand would be outraged. They would be right to be angry and retaliate by refusing to sell those nations new drugs.

If you buy stock in a company, why would you continue to own it if governments were stealing from the company and the company stopped making profits? You would not. Companies would die and no drugs would be made.

No profit--no new drugs.

End of story

I know you from the left will never give up your hate for those who make more money than you but even you know that the governments are very poor at running businesses.

Why is it the communist Cuban government has not made your new drugs?

[/quote

re-arrange this phrase into another well known phrase or saying:-

"Talking arse stop your out of"

Then follow it !

gummy ,

you have obviously been in Thailand too long.

You seem to actually beleive what you are saying.

Perhaps you would like to inform us as to why DM is reopening ?

2 Reasons - One, because it will have lower operating costs for budget airlines that will see a rapid expansion of business in the Asia Pacific region in the coming years and ,

Two - It is more convenient for myself and associates

No but when you are mature enough to understand and not believe in comic story's than I look forward to receiving your pictures, but I won't hold my breath.

As soon as you are mature enough to stop believing in Santa Claus and the the Easter Bunny you might realise that the cracks in the airport building, the leaking roof and the falling apart doors are all on purpose. You might also find the time to read the original engineering report again. There you will see that they have temporary turned off gravity out there or are pumping the water that comes to the surface to...where actually? The Gulf, where it promptly comes back?

The fact remains that a bunch of corrupt crooks have built a piece of c*** using my money cos I pay tax here, if you don't, keep sleeping.

Well I would suspect that as I have been here 20 years and together with the business that my wife and our family operate , I suspect that we have probably contributed more to the Thai revenue then you ever will many times over. That aside you have made some very strong allegations that some or part of the construction, you do not define which, had been built by a bunch of corrupt crooks in your own words. What evidence do you have to support this rather serious statement ? Or is it perhaps, like many, problems associated with the new airports construction, has been blown out of all proportion to purposely and unneccesarily defame the Thai airport operators and those construction companies whom were involved ? I suspect that you like a few others are just jumping on the "lets knock Thailand" bandwagon and most of your problems are associated with your dreams - possibly wet ones judging by your intentional flaming.

How bad is it and what are the health consequences?

The last few days it has been quite windy which has cleared some of the traffic originated pollution but as the winds have been coming from N / NW I suspect that the high level haze seen may be a combination of general pollution in the city compounded with some smoke and dust from the North.

Just a reminder for all you Brits here or elswhere that it is Mother's Day in the UK this Sunday, 18th Mar

You should inform your bank the reason for the money transfer so they do not send

30% on to the Bank Of Thailand. Or better yet do it in sums low enough to avoid the question altogether.

Thanks "lopburi3" for your input. From your answer I assume that there is a maximum amount to be transfered without having to avoid the Bank Of Thailand's rule. What is that amount bearing in mind the cost of bank transfers.

US $ 20000 and less will not attract 30% WHT but should still advise reason for transfer

Hi

Coming to Pattaya in May after previously visited in 2004 and 2002

I always like to look on forums before I travel to see local news etc. I have read quite a few threads and I would appreciate any feedback from members on the following

1/ I must say I am saddened to read many posts about a huge rise in crime. Is this really the case? I ask because before my first trip in 2002 I read some horror story's only to find Pattaya to be about the friendliest place I have ever been. Obviously I appreciate that no where in the world is 100% safe but I can not help but imagine that things might be getting blown out of proportion. After all, most seaside resorts in The UK are now filled with benefit claimants and Asylum seekers and my home town of Ipswich has in the past few months witnessed 5 murders on vice girls, three nightclub shootings (one fatality) and the odd stabbing here and there. A night in town rarely passes without a mass brawl of some sort.

After my last visit to Pattaya I went to Koh Samui and found the place much more inhospitable than Pattaya. Sure you can go to a deserted Island in Thailand and swim with turtles but where is the fun in that? I might add that on both my previous visits I was with my wife and children and at no time at all did I feel threatened in any way despite being out in the bars at all times of night (with the kids)!

2/ My previous stay was at The Dusit which I thought was a great place but this time I fancy renting a Condo for a couple of weeks at the beginning of May. I fancy the condo option for two reasons; a/ cheaper, b/ no problem with guests. I was looking to get the best studio or one bed roomed apartment for around 17'000THB per week so if anyone has any ideas I would appreciate any help. Alternatively I have been offered the following;

CR2134: Corner unit for Rent: View Talay Condo, Building B Project 2 (101

Sq.m.) 16th floor. Large living room, European kitchen, bedroom, bathroom,

tiled floor, Telephone line, Cable TV, fully furnished and decorated,

Pattaya side view over the sea. Located 500 metres from Jomtien beach, and

2-3 minutes from central Pattaya. The condominium building at View Talay,

has 24Hr security, a very large swimming pool, many shops and other

facilities on-site, as well as a large car parking area.

Priced at 25,000 Baht (2) weeks - (Water and Electric not included)

CR2560: Double Room for Rent : View Talay Condo (Project 2) Building A (82

Sq.m) on the 12th floor. 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, European kitchen, tiled

floor, 2 balconies, Air conditioning, Cable TV, fully furnished &

decorated, Jomtien side. Located 500 metres from Jomtien beach, and 2-3

minutes from central Pattaya. The condominium building at View Talay, has

24Hr security, a very large swimming pool, many shops and other facilities

on-site, as well as a large car parking area.

Priced at 25,000 Baht (2) weeks - (Water and Electric not included)

The View Talay thing is very confusing to me as there appear to be quite a few buildings and they must vary greatly in quality. Also, the prices for these two seem higher than others in View Talay which I dont mind as long as they are of better class.

Thank you for sticking with this long post, I was going to end asking advice about purchasing a Condo in Pattaya but am wary now as everyone seems to advise against it. The situation is thus;

I was about to put £10k down on a new Merc and finance the rest through my company but then I thought that I could buy a Condo in Pattaya for £10K! Even if the Condo does not rise in price it can't depreciate as much as a new car will. Then I thought I could buy off plan (I can hear the shrieks now) as I will not have to pay the total until it is finished which gives me an extra year to then be able to afford up to £20k. Again, advice will be appreciated.

Finally, if the horror stories about Pattaya crime are true then what is Chang Mai like? Is it horrible and sanitized or is there still some scope for mischief?

Regards

Mugwump

Hi Mugwump, you are from silly Suffolk like myself originally so you will possibly appreciate my comments more than most. After moving I travelled a lot with my work and finally "resettled " in London where I met my now Thai wife. However having lived in Thailand for 20 years now let me put things into more perspective. Whilst living in London for 7 years the amount of crime in areas such as Brixton and Stretham went into an increasing upward spiral. Daily ,black drug gangs would be fighting turf wars and unfortunately, innocent bystanders were often caught up in it. The Met police appeared to be either disinterested in stamping it out or else were otherwise commited elsewhere to make any significant differance. This crime was one of many reasons we decided to live in Thailand all those years ago. Looking at the news and on frequent return visits nothing has changed, quite the contrary.

Now here in Thailand Pattaya is often decried, I do not like the place, never have never will because to me it reminds me of the alchohol fuelled destinations like Benidorm etc in the early 1960's and consequently it appears to attract most of the dross that visit Thailand. To balance that I must say that the dross is in the minority, but like Spain was , it gets the majority of the adverse publicity. Now to conclude my ramblings although there is a bad element there, visitors and locals alike, compared with many UK cities, you should enjoy your stay and no harm will come your way and you will still enjoy every minute of your stay, but like anywhere in the world you obviously need to be aware of your surroundings. As for investment, why not ? You will get the dejectors to say don't bother as you are a Farang etc etc but then what a pity those self same experts where not on hand to advice many investors in Spain 30 years ago as they look like losing their property, and that is the EU !

As for 10k it's not a lot of many but not sure if or what you could buy for that in Pattaya but even 20k is not a lot and for 1.4 million Baht I suspect you could buy a suitable studio to meet your needs. Lets face it you could buy a 20 K car tomorrow and in 2 years it will only be worth 10 in the UK if you are lucky. Also by virtue of reading TV you will see that there is a lot of concern about the authorities making it difficult to live here. Well follow the correct channels and it is not difficult at all and the big big advantage of that policy is you do not yet get the problems that you are seeing in the UK with an uncontrolled immigration policy as you have illiustrated. Best of luck too you.

My husband and I both smoke and are on our way to Bangkok and Phuket in April so we are curious to know how serious this ban is in Thailand.

If you smoke in the street, bars, beach, hotels etc, Will we be fined by the tourist police? Ouch!!

Thanks

Cessnock

In case you were unaware Thais are incredibly sensitive when it comes to personal hygene. Therefore as you both smoke why come here with your entire body, clothes and breath reaking like dirty ashtrays as most locals may consider that disgusting.

Well well well, aren't we hospitable.

Plse bear in mind that if all the smokers stay away from Thailand, that would mean 30 % less tourists.

That would be very nice indeed.

Plse bear in mind that 1 (one) motorcycle polutes more than 10 smokers. Do you want to ban them to.

Cheers

Onzestan

Absolutely and anybody who knowingly damages or commits to damage, the health of another person either directly or indirectly as is the case of smoking is my my opinion repulsive and irresponsible. In fact statistically, the effects of smoking has killed more people directly than all of the WMD since 1914. What a thing to try and justify ! guess you must smoke yourself ?