dumball

Stay away from your cell phone 555 , he forgot to mention turning off the TV and covering it with a blanket , but do not forget to watch the news for further weather updates and safety tips .

Prey tell me what suddenly turns a man into ' An old fart ' when he turns 70 ? Some of us older gentlemen can give men of a lesser age , a good run for their money in the ' Customer ' satisfaction field , without the need of medication to enable us to stand up for rights of entry , so to speak .

It is almost impossible to explain the wide range of diversity in human nature , what may be good for one causes others to get apoplectic , age is not even the only reason this happens , size , shape , packaging , ethnicity , morals , colour , gender , etc , also causes some people to get up on their soap box to spout off to who-ever is prepared to listen .

Cool your heels , lower your voice , keep your opinions to yourself and allow others to get on with and enjoy life the best way suitable to them , you are nobody's keeper .

='Phatcharanan' timestamp='1303215814' post='4366594']'PhoenixRising' timestamp='1303215269' post='4366582']

When it comes to cheating tourists, Cambodia, Lao and Malaysia are a lot worse.

[

MALAYSIA?

Have you actually been there? Not once have I ever been a victim, so to speak. Sure some have 'tried it on' but it is nowhere near as endemic as it is in THailand.

Same applies to Cambodia , having conversed with tourists and expats visiting from Thailand for a ' Rest ' , the less scamming is quite noticeable . Often scam can be related to the naivete of the one in an intended scam , failing to read up on intended destination .

'frenchfarangjomtien' timestamp='1303212144' post='4366509']

hum ?

I have a feeling you want some one to remove your old air conditioner for free and then charge them for your allowing them to do so , why not just let the people installing the new one remove it ? That would be one mess , one time .

The gist of the problem is that most people just shrug their shoulders saying " What is the point , nothing ever gets done " . That is precisely why nothing gets done when no one complains , no one is aware that a problem exists within a company or agency , so why or how will anything ever change ?

For many years I told my customers " If you like my work tell your friends , if you do not , tell me " this produced ideas to improve my business simply because I had a better grasp of what people called ' A problem ' as apposed to not having a clue of peoples mind set .I feel that every one should make a complaint no matter how small they may think it is , it could be endemic within a company , the people in charge would just sit back and wonder why customers where going elsewhere .

It has been my experience in Asian countries where I have lived , that they do not like to answer e-mails , for whatever reasons .

The truth of what matters with a large age differential is your state of mind " If you don't mind , it don't matter "

If you do not like it , lump it , just look the other way , as the gorgeous lady said to the dwarf " Keep your nose out of my buisiness "

IanForbes' timestamp='1288247895' post='3985727']

'isanbirder' timestamp='1288242855' post='3985505']

What none of you seem to realise is that Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines are all countries where most of the forest cover has been or is being destroyed; this provided the most diverse habitat for the largest number of species. Destroy the forest; species become extinct in large numbers

Yah mean like we do in Canada? And, Canadians are hardly starving. Just go into any big super market and look at all the fat people walking around.

Hardly room to point fingers Mr Forbes what ??? You often brag about your plentiful supply of wild meat and fish etc, thy table surely runneth over .

Ever noticed that most civilized countries rear their own meat supply and have enough left over from demand to export to other countries , hardly worth a call of extermination in the wild , they even have ' Farms where wild animals are reared in captivity for human consumption .

Obesity is not caused so much from " Food guzzeling " as it is from a poor dietary habit and lack of activity .

Dmax , did you not even give a thought to the fact that the beauty of any age has a personal choice of her consort , 18-80 , they have only to say NO in a very loud voice and the consort can be apprehended , that way she may even get payed without even " Coming across " so to speak .

'Ulysses G.' timestamp='1303001722' post='4360770'dumball' timestamp='1303000541' post='4360756']

You are most definitely out of touch with reality ,

I was thinking the same about you. Many of the expats in Cambodia whine and moan on Internet forums about all the problems while you always insist that it is so much better there. Yeah, sure. "Cambodia is no replacement for Thailand at all.

Cambodia is widely underdeveloped, economically far below Thailand, the Cambodian government cannot be trusted, it depends also on supply of goods mainly to Thailand...all what you need as a foreigner is imported, not cheap at all. Nothing is yet available for long-term stay...

No retirement visa, no visa exemption for tourists, no condominium for sale for foreigners, nothing to hear about owning your own land, medical facilities often not existent, many streets in terrible condition and so on, many areas are not safe...."

"I would never invest a Dime here as long as any big-shot can walk in and take away your business. I thought corruption in VN was bad, but the Vietnamese are babes-in-the-woods compared to the Khmer."

http://www.orientexp...-next-thailand/

You know , I could most likely go through TVF history and find several posts similar to the vindictive one you have displayed today , in my mind that would be nonsensical , I have never spoken about Thailand in that manner , in fact , should you do a search on my posting history you will find quite the opposite . No country is all bad , there is always worth or places there in that appeal to tourists and some people , to decry or denigrate an entire country and its people shows only the worth of the author .

As to moaning expats on forums , can you show me where a day goes by on TVF where an expat is not passing a comment which you do not agree with , or do you just have to look through rose tinted glasses with blinkers so you can poo-poo personal comments by people you wish not to even consider that they too have experiences of their own .

Have you lived in Cambodia in recent years so you are able to have formed an unbiased opinion of your own , or do you take the words of the disenchanted as the gospel according to Ulysses to be the truth , the whole truth and nothing but the truth , or are you capable of independent thinking ?

Being as I am not affected personally by much of this country , I get on with my life in a happy , contented manner , speak as I find and will continue that which I have done all of my life , relate things as I see them from my perspective , if this is not what you can be content with and take me as I come , so be it . I do recall an old saying which you may heed if you so wish " The truth hurts " .

'geronimo' timestamp='1303000396' post='4360752']

Ive been on this planet seven years longer than my wife!

Just out of curiosity , where were you living before and what was it like ?

Oberkommando' timestamp='1302935779' post='4359521']

Go to Bayon Market in Phnom Penh and compare prices of imported foods with those available in Western style supermarkets in Thailand.

Everything is cheaper; cheese, breads, wines, spirits, cans, sauces, soft drinks etc. And there is a comparible selection.

I would love to know why that is considering the logistics of importing into Cambo must be more expensive, significantly so, than to Thailand.

You chose one of the more expensive places to shop in Phnom Penh , city mall has more choices for less , is more pleasant to wander around and the staff are very obliging , I find living in Cambodia less costly than Thailand was 5 years ago . I had a fair sized apartment with plastic tiled floor , small balcony with almost no view to speak of , contained an iron bed and a clothes closet, it had surveillance in the corridors and the staff were friendly as were the vendors in the soi outside , the area was almost a hundred percent Thai , cost B5,000

Here I have a 1 bedroom with tiled floor and walls , an airy balcony with a reasonable view , a larger toilet , furnished with good furniture , cooking facilities , sliding glass door kitchen cupboards , large fridge and TV etc , cost with a recent rent increase B4,500 . I used to shop half and half stores and market , now my wife shops mostly fresh markets , we eat very well and she has learned to cook western foods with health in mind , she is very hygenic in preparation and cooking , uses the fridge as it is meant to be used and keeps it well stocked . I first I did the shopping with her but we decided she would have a ' House allowance ' and be responsible for all expenditures in regards to house and food . B15,000 covers every thing including eating out now and then plus she keeps herself well dressed inside this same allowance . With the escalation I have noted just for food in Thailand if you want to live healthy , there is not a dogs chance you can live that well that reasonably , it costs people that much to eat off of unhealthy street vendors plus the higher cost oh a decent furnished apartment .

Some have mentioned food being low cost in Canada , on my visits I do not find it that way at all , many things are more expensive for similar items imported into Cambodia , the stores are generally larger with a some what greater variety but you can in no way eat as well for low cost . In regards to eating out , here you can eat good healthy western style foods at half the cost with good , polite staff who give good service , they also speak reasonable English and get your order correct first time .

This country has come a long way forward in the 5+ years I have lived here , the big bonuses are that you are welcome to be here and the visa is a no hassle deal , very few scams especially by the police whom I have found easy to talk to , young people who vend books etc are able to carry on a conversation in good English . Many TVF posters are completely out of touch of their immediate neighbours and how well an expat can live at low cost , please stay where you are , we will not miss you .

'473geo' timestamp='1302960405' post='4360130']

Well my mind has always been young and flexible for my years....add a bit of premature senility and I guess my wife and I are the same age mentally...

Very well put , it all has to do with the mentality of both partners , money has not been an issue between my younger wife and I , before , during or until this day , we both enjoy each others company and converse on many subjects , age is not considered of importance , why should it ? Not once in over 5 years has any one brought up the differential nor do we get side-long glances , in fact , the opposite is the case , we act and re-act with each other like any well adjusted couple should , both inside and outside of the home .

Take what I say as you wish , it is your problem to live with your thoughts and feelings , not mine .

What a bunch of silly , childish comments , reminds me more of my 5/6/7/ year old children than a supposedly educated consortium of adults , how boring can life become for some people .

ding' timestamp='1302910779' post='4358944']

Good that it didn't end up like that water festival episode in Cambodia last November IIRC. Looks like fun to me.

That ' Episode ' in Cambodia had nothing to do with incidents on the roads or with drunk driving , it was a very sad affair that could have been averted on the newly constructed bridge , people going the wrong way on a one way route to the island .

What part looked like ' Fun ' to you ?

'zzaa09' timestamp='1302789962' post='4356595']

'dumball' timestamp='1302720610' post='4354908']

zzaa09 , It is nothing to do with being social , why does a person go any place he knows that he will not feel uncomfortable for a plethora of reasons ? My wifes family , even though we get along well with each other , are not my family , we do not even speak each others language other than her sister whom we sent to school to learn English to her advantage .

During occasions such as religious rites celebrations , I am and look completely out of place and feel like a spare penis at a wedding , I attend weddings and birthdays which I can feel comfortable with , but the rest means nothing to me and my wife appreciates this , bless her little cotton socks .

Please do not get on about learning the language , I gave up on that score many others have ..

...seems to be your loss. As it has everything to familial and social extensions.

No loss at all actually , we all get on like a house on fire outside of THEIR religious environment , they enjoy coming into the city for get togethers , family members also have their own likes/dislikes which are respected by the other members .

Please remember , children are born into a family , they had no choice , but as they age they have differing choices from their siblings , for true unity these differences need to be appreciated and accepted , you sound that all should be compulsory , what a dominant attitude to be sure .

zzaa09 , It is nothing to do with being social , why does a person go any place he knows that he will not feel uncomfortable for a plethora of reasons ? My wifes family , even though we get along well with each other , are not my family , we do not even speak each others language other than her sister whom we sent to school to learn English to her advantage .

During occasions such as religious rites celebrations , I am and look completely out of place and feel like a spare penis at a wedding , I attend weddings and birthdays which I can feel comfortable with , but the rest means nothing to me and my wife appreciates this , bless her little cotton socks .

Please do not get on about learning the language , I gave up on that score many others have ..

I think I would be correct if I suggested that the only ones concerned with all of the published statistics on road deaths and injuries , plus the ongoing carnage on Thai roads , are posters and readers of thaivisa , Thai do not seem to give a hoot .

Some clean living people drop dead from heart attacks much earlier than some posters think , you do not need to be an OAP to succumb to unsuspected heart problems .

One article posted recently in regards to consumption of alcoholic beverages , moderate consumption can reduce or negate the onslaught of ED , commonly known as ' Limp dick affliction ' , especially if you have been a long time drunk , ahem , drinker .

It should be obvious there is some one in charge in Cambodia , no one seems to know who is the boss in Thailand , Ahbasit is the elected PM but it appears he has no true authority in many matters , how can the country ever make any meaningful advancement into the real world of today when they are so deeply entrenched in history ?

I think the ministers calculations are somewhat off , it also depends on the alcohol imbibed , a couple of alcoholic drinks a day can be beneficial provided it is not the gut rot home brewed variety .

doggie888888' timestamp='1302665476' post='4353512']

'geriatrickid' timestamp='1302664119' post='4353480']

Is there cake?

I am not interested unless there is cake.

Cake is a good foundation for a lasting friendship.

You bake, I eat...can I be your friend?

I have a freshly baked cake my wife got up early to bake before she left to go to her village and enjoy new years with her family , have a visitor coming later to enjoy it with me , he came from BKK to avoid the slaughtering/watering .Shame you are so far away , you could have come to my place to enjoy , enjoy . Happy new year .

It is quite simple really , my wife and I agreed that we would not interfere with each others religious or cultural way of life , nor would we expect the other to participate in each others religious ceremonies etc . The reason being that we had married each other for the person we were as apposed to the person we could change each other into , we only changed aspects of this to become compatible , we met somewhere in the space between us caused by these differences .

Six years together and only the normal couples disagreements have arisen , today my wife left to go to her village to be with many family members , some she had not seen in a long time , I was left with prepared foods and all that I may require for her time away .

The problems many have are due to not having arrived at a respectable compatibility that both can live comfortably with or not trying to understand the others point of view from THEIR perspective .

It takes to to tango , do not step on each others feet .

I purchased a good quality charger and 6 lithium batteries in Pantip plaza , use them in everything I have that uses AA , that was over 5 years ago and still using them today , not much help to you it seems , which part of the hinterland do you live in ?

I turn 79 this year also , I still function well and have no complaints , looking forward to many more to come .

'pauln' timestamp='1302389394' post='4346558']

'dumball' timestamp='1302355704' post='4346064']

I am always amazed how they can willy nilly turn a 1/2/3/ day holiday into 1/2 weeks without a care or a jot for anyone else , just pack up and go . When they return they will likely complain they have no money , when nI was working , if I did that there would be no job/customers on my return , what a joke .

A miserable party pooper. I guess you spend Xmas and New Year just like Scooge!

[/quote

Taking time off for a holiday period is one thing , abusing this by extending to suit oneself is yet another , the way and manner in which it is enjoyed is a personal choice , to get pie-eyed and disrupt others enjoying them selves is just because that is YOUR choice , does not make it a good celebration, for every one except you of course .

As to the other misinformed poster , it is definitley NOT the norm in most countries to extend a holiday period to suit you , lack of attendance on the days prior/post gives you the privilege of forfeiting your holiday pay .

Scrouge the pooper was my title in a previous life , please do not confuse the audience .