craigt3365

I only use wifey with people I know very well....and who know her. It's rarely used. I use her name 99.9% of the time.

It'd be like her referring to me as hubby. A term of endearment. Not farang, a generic classification of people. Huge difference, IMHO.

P.S. when I started getting a bit of a belly, she also jokingly referred to me as moo noi. But only to me. Nobody else.

You know, it's so funny that years ago we'd laugh at ourselves when we'd go to the mall and shop at Sears, Penny's or Macy's. Now, I dream of having their selection of quality clothes at the same prices! Many of which are made in Asia! LOL

MBK always had a decent selection of clothes no matter what you were looking for. At least decent selection for Thailand.

I just asked my wife about this. She says it shows a lack of respect. I would never call her "Asian girl" in a conversation. Only her name or refer to her as my wife. She does the same. Mutual respect.

What about clothes?

Are there are any clothes stores in Bangkok that would be better sources for decently priced decent quality "farang" sized clothes that Pattaya doesn't have?

Not talking high fashion.

I'm not aware of any now.

MBK use to be very good for this. I know Chatchuchak is cheaper, but MBK has AC! Worth an extra few bath. I can't remember what floor, but it was packed with clothes shops. Bargain hard!

Buying online technically does not fit the title or spirit of this thread.

Somewhat agree, but not totally. If you can get it online, then many of us would prefer that. Especially those living a bit outside Pattaya. With traffic the way it is now, I avoid central Pattaya like the plague! But even then, many items I'd like are only available online from outside the country. And sometimes come with super high shipping costs and of course the obligatory import and VAT tax. Ugh....

Wow. Best of luck to you. I can't even imagine going through that. Glad you are in the recovery stage. One question, and please feel free to ignore this, was the skin cancer related to the lungs? Or different situations?

My father's neighbor had a spot on his ear. He was the cheapest son of a gun you'd ever met. And hated doctors. He waited until the pain was just unbearable. It was too late. It had moved into his brain and he was dead in a few months. Just goes to show preventative maintenance is a good thing!

Good luck and thanks for sharing.

Glad it worked out well for you. I met an Aussie up in Issan. Local doc told him "no worries. your spot is not cancer". He knew it was, went to OZ, had it treated, and is OK today. Not every doc knows how to deal with this stuff.

Congrats and thanks for the post.

A work permit is a definite necessity. Which will be extremely difficult to obtain. Without, you're opening yourself up big time. One of your biggest problems will be other farangs turning you in for a share of the fine imposed on you by immigration. It happens.

What context did she say it in - what was the sentence she said?

I trhink you are over reacting. I have been married to a Thai for 8 years and she still cals me Farang when she talks to her friends once in awhile. Of course if you are insecure and think she is using you, which she probably is, ditch her and find another one.

Do you call her "Asian" when speaking with your friends? I'd never call my wife that. She has a name. As do I.

Low-cost carrier makes U-Tapao its fifth base in Thailand

Thai AirAsia has unveiled plans to launch two new routes connecting Pattaya with mainland China, as it makes the resort town its fifth operating base in Thailand.

The low-cost carrier will launch flights to Pattaya’s U-Tapao Airport from Nanning, the capital of southern China’s Guangxi region, and Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi, on 25 and 26 September respectively.

These flights will primarily serve the needs of Chinese tourists wanting to visit Thailand’s beaches, enabling visitors to fly directly to Pattaya and the eastern seaboard, without having to drive from Bangkok.

“We believe that tourism in the east and Pattaya is growing very rapidly and that U-Tapao Airport is absolutely ready to accommodate regular flights,” said Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia.

Continued:

http://www.traveldailymedia.com/226193/airasia-connects-pattaya-with-china/

It's serious stuff. With many nations around the world participating. The one at Nellis is the premier event. I've met the pilots and they are top notch. No messing around. Highly trained.

ambiguouse, you have met the 'Thai Pilots' and they are highly trained, among the best, top notch, etc...?

Many Thai pilots are highly trained. You don't get to participate in this event if you are not good. It's serious stuff. I use to work at Nellis and met many pilots there. That was many years ago, so don't remember all the nationalities. I worked at the officer's club on base.

The selection in Bangkok for just about everything is greater. Example, King size bed pillows I couldn't find here (even difficult in Bangkok) but I finally got 'em. Pattaya has no specialty photographic stores (only chains). Reverse the question what does Pattaya have that you can't get in Bangkok? Go to Chatuchak market and there are many items unavailable here.

Have you been to the new Index Mall on Suk? It has a really good selection of pillows. For Thailand anyway!

Yep, been there, "mai mee". Central Festival same same. Central Chitlom had them.

I've been having pretty good success with Lazada lately. Delivered to my door, COD!

http://www.lazada.co.th/zleepsleep-king-firm-207837.html

If it's somebody you don't know, then I'd say it's OK. If it's your GF, then I'd say it's totally inappropriate. You have a name, it should be used.

Personally, I think the use of Farang is part of the xenophobic problem Thailand has. I don't really like the term. I've been to many countries around the world and about the only other place this type of expression is used is here in Asia, especially Japan and China.

Red Flag is one of the best training exercises for combat aircraft. Probably the best in the world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Flag_%E2%80%93_Alaska

It's serious stuff. With many nations around the world participating. The one at Nellis is the premier event. I've met the pilots and they are top notch. No messing around. Highly trained.

Carrier 42TSN18-703 17,603 BTU non-inverter, on promotion at HomePro 25,559, 8% off if you have one of the listed cards. Free installation up to 4m of pipe, cable and insulation.

http://www.directtoshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/directtoshop/Appliances/air-conditioners/wall-air-conditioner-carrier-42tsn018-703-17603btu-p1028368

Several others at around 25k, possibly cheaper if you go to a mom&pop aircon place.

Isn't an inverter one better? Quieter and less energy use?

I just got one at Numchai, 12,000 BTU, on sale at 15k, down from some 22k or so. The 18,000 BTU was about 26k or so. LG inverter types.

The selection in Bangkok for just about everything is greater. Example, King size bed pillows I couldn't find here (even difficult in Bangkok) but I finally got 'em. Pattaya has no specialty photographic stores (only chains). Reverse the question what does Pattaya have that you can't get in Bangkok? Go to Chatuchak market and there are many items unavailable here.

Have you been to the new Index Mall on Suk? It has a really good selection of pillows. For Thailand anyway!

Sorry a Lil off topic , How about a service Dentistry, is it better in Bangkok or Pattaya is it cheaper in either or better

Generally, Bangkok is better. Price is always a tough one. Need to do some shopping around. But price isn't everything!

The list is endless. Especially if you are a homeowner. Or musician. Or photographer. Or sports enthusiast. Or ???? Or don't want to pay the higher prices here! LOL

With that being said, shopping in Bangkok pales in comparison to back home! We always leave with empty suitcases and come back with them full.

My favorite is to leave with no suitcases and come back with big beer coolers full of stuff. Because beer coolers here are generally expensive crap, if you can find one at all.

GREAT IDEA!!!!!!! I've seen the big ones with wheels on sale at Walmart for $30 or so. Tough to beat!!!

Will you need your sim immediately upon arrival? If not, easy to get one at almost any grocery or drug store. Either with a phone or without. I'd bet they are even available at the airport on arrival, but would think the price would be higher.

I've found wifi pretty widespread. Make sure you've got a device that can do that, get Skype, and you might be able to save some money???

Have a great trip!!!!!!!!!

quality cable in a variety of sizes and colours, from AWG4 to AWG24

IP67 plugs/sockets

the motor/engine market is miniminimini in Pattaya, huge in BKK

bolts/nuts/springwashers and washers in marine quality stainless (316)

top quality HSS stuff for milling and drilling

proper marine quality fuel filter arrangements for crap and water

various quality tools

Gammel Dansk

plastic bolts/nuts/washers

For the stainless bolts and a lot of tools there are plenty of shops in the Mabtaphut area and on highway 36.

Easiest from Pattaya is to go check at Ruam Charoen in Ban Chang, just after PTT gas station on the left coming from Pattaya on Sukhumvit.

And that's one of the problems with shopping here. The shops that have specialized stuff like this only have signs in Thai, don't advertise, and tend to be on smaller roads. Hard to find! Oh...and typically don't speak any English. LOL

Tough time to buy. And I'd never buy unless I saw the project up close and personal. Could be an all night karaoke bar right next door. It does happen....

Mr T. Tell him how many people and how much luggage and he'll get the right vehicle.

The list is endless. Especially if you are a homeowner. Or musician. Or photographer. Or sports enthusiast. Or ???? Or don't want to pay the higher prices here! LOL

With that being said, shopping in Bangkok pales in comparison to back home! We always leave with empty suitcases and come back with them full.

My wife bought some wine the other day from a well known store. She briefly showed me the bottle and I saw Rhone Valley, so thought, OK, let's give it a go. It's OK. 350B/bottle was a fantastic price. Well...read the fine print. Very small print. Fruit wine. DaLat beverage. Vietnam. LOL. I actually enjoyed it! And I'm a bit of a wine snob...got me!

Many cities around the world are cracking down on this. Plus, each building can set it's own rules and regulations. I use to live in a condo where NO rentals were allowed at all. Only owner occupied.

Yes, in Canada these condos are called co-op.

I am not sure if there are any in Thailand?

I think they can set whatever rules they want, right? It's up to the building and the management/association. I have heard about buildings here who won't allow these types of short term rentals. Makes sense. If I was living in a nice condo, I wouldn't want this either.