keemao

1,582???? + 2 if counting driver.

Tipping is entirely up to each person. Everyone thinks differently and whether they tip alot or not at all doesn't make them nice or a prick. Generally I tip a small amount as deserved. If it is asked for or demanded, they get nothing. Same no matter where I am

In Thailand when I go out it is always with the same group of people. We frequent the same establishments and are well known to owners/ staff. I am the only 'farang' in this group. We always receive exceptional service and are never expected to tip. however every now and then one of us will give some cash to the manager and she then gives this to all the staff as a bonus, not stating where it came from.

We'd rather be respected as good customers than laughed at as 'big tippers'

Anyone wishing to sell some copper PM me for a great rate. >1 tonne please.

quite often when we get people selling bulk amounts of cable to us, we wonder where it came from but then we think about the profit we will make and that makes it all better. Welcome to Thailand!!!

Until the day the police roll up & confiscate it all with no compensation......

Welcome to Thailand!!!

touche

Anyone wishing to sell some copper PM me for a great rate. >1 tonne please.

quite often when we get people selling bulk amounts of cable to us, we wonder where it came from but then we think about the profit we will make and that makes it all better. Welcome to Thailand!!!

can but aren't required to. It is your choice. Perhaps contact embassy website for further info. I checked last election as I was in bkk at the time, was told it was not compulsory if outside of Australia.

hi-so!!!!

doleh is used by bar girls almost exclusively. in my years of friendships with Thai men and women, I've not once heard this work spoken in conversation....'kee goh' is the most common way to call someone a liar, however it is offensive if said at wrong time. 'doleh' if playing, teasing, joking and said correctly is ok, but not really spoken by men. I believe it best to avoid altogether if you don't have a strong grasp of the language.

Correct me if i'm wrong.

goes she have the visa yet??? I always thought that aus embassy asks for the return ticket when issuing the visa.

They are running some anti vote-buying advertising on some tv-channels, if I didn't completely misunderstand it. This guy tries to give money to people and everyone says 'mai au' and runs away.

running away to what???

The fact is over half of thailand needs cash and will take it.....advertising won't change that

Its the same in every country. people vote for where the money is. The money being thrown around by government in Australia now is crazy. Personally I'd prefer the cash in hand. I should run this past my local member in sydney!!!

Thanks for the replies. I've checked already and it is law. Over 2 years old have to have a seat. No exceptions. my point is simply that my son is no different now than he was 2 months ago.

As for the flight attendant............you can look after my son AND fill my glass with whiskey!!!!!

Not one to complain, I've booked and paid already, But it was worth checking first IMO

A little behind the times, the writer of this article.

Gumnans and pooyaibahns have been & are up to their necks in every marginal electorate allready. This happens to be where they make most of their income in influencing local & general elections.......

The party canversers don't go and see the indivual voters, they go to see the pooyaibahn, negotiate a fee for all votes in his little piece of the pond, & once it is all "negotiated, signed, sealed & delivered", the pooyaibahn will instruct the voters which way to vote & inform them how much they will be paid for their vote.

Obviously the pyb keeps a large proportion for himself....

exactly..........pyb makes 3000 per month.....the other money comes from these activities. in a village, perhaps only 10% of voters vote how they choose, the rest take the cash.

I don't comment often on here, but Soundman.....you are always on the ball mate.

Hi everybody,

I am travelling on Thai airways in December with my wife and son. My question is regarding my son. He turned 2 in October which will make him 2 years and 2 months old when we will be travelling. Thai charges 70% of the fare for a 'child' (2-11 yrs old)

under 2 he only pays 10%. Has anyone ever attempted to pay the infant price for a child over 2 yrs old?? It seems silly that I am up for an extra 20,000baht for the sake of 2 months.

Is there any way around this? or is this just the way it is?

Thanks

I love driving a manual car, however my latest car in Australia is an auto. The way they build them now is absolutely amazing. choice between semi auto or full auto. sports/ traffic modes. I have to say that the new cars are definately better in auto. But if you are looking at an older car, or want to save some pennies, manual is great. Especially in cars with limited power.

ftw............

I speak thai to everyone except my wife. She still likes to think I am the farang that can't speak thai. Funny how I'll be having a conversation with her mother, sister or another and she will then translate mid conversation......golden. gets a few laughs from the family.

how much was the bill???

Australian wines were supposed to be cheaper in Thailand after the FTA (Free Trade Agreement) was signed between Australia and Thailand. Why are they not?

They will be.

I am currently negotiating a deal to ship Australian wines from Barossa Valley and Hunter Valley to Thailand with planned retail prices of between 500 and 800 baht. Good wine too. The price in Thailand will be equivalent to Aussie retail prices.

If anyone has some contacts or wishes to buy bulk, please PM me so I can organise samples.

We have to ship 10,000 bottles...(ALOT!!!!!)

Hi,

Sydney has a HUGE thai community, in which I am heavily involved. Happy to meet up if you want her to meet some people here. My wife is here with 2 cousins and I have 13 thai staff, 8 girls. Also involved with social events etc.

PM if you want my advice on anything.

Hope the move goes well

I know Asanee Wasan have a big concert coming up, not sure when, check with thaiticketmaster.com. Those guys are great live.

talk to the hotel. I think you'll find u can check in early. If the room is not yet available they should store your luggage and maybe even give you a meal while you are waiting. (if you ask)

My uncle and his 25 yr old son drive a taxi operating 24/7 sharing the shifts. An average day yields about 1600-2000 in fares and then they get commissions averaging about 800-1000 baht per day from various 'fine establishments'. (normally the driver receives 200 baht per customer sent.) They never rip anyone off, rarely refuse a fare and if they do, they will say why.

This is good money for them, the petrol/ car costs do not exceed about 1000 baht per day.

Between the two of them not unusual to see more than 50,000 per month. Keep in mind that they own the vehicle and don't pay any 'protection money' where they work. Normally a driver has to pay around 200 per day to someone that 'looks after' their soi.

The drivers that refuse fares hunting for 'prey' more often than not don't really make alot of money and are quite simply lazy.

There are plenty of honest hard working drivers in bangkok, it's just that most of them don't pick up farang because of the language barrier.

The gods must be crazy- hilarious

trading places and coming to america

Hear no evil, see no evil. - Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder. Genius.

Police academy series.

Groundhog Day - absolute classic.

no

the latter

nokia 6110 navigator.... good value, and has GPS covering all of thailand,. I've been using it, accurate and covers everywhere. even business locator included. It is worth buying just for this feature. But it has all the other nokia stuff too. only negative is the camera not too great (2mp).

worth alook IMO