StreetCowboy

EDIT: WHoops - wrong thread!

deleted.

SC

Education in the West is superior because high school grads come out knowing on which continent Brazil is located???

Nope, education in the west is superior because the teacher knows on which continent Brazil is located.

Education in the west is superior because it turns out deep-thinking geniuses (genii?) like Zzaa

and sarcastic...

SC

Edited to remove obscenity

I wonder how the jet fans in tunnels work?

SC

My apologies for that; I had intended it purely as a spiteful wind-up to quench any flicker of positivity that might glimmer on TV.

Try getting some friends to talk to :jerk:

No-one deserves that, surely

SC

I also posted here some time ago as I was worried about my alcohol intake. To be honest it still worries me to a degree as I don't take days off inbetween. However I don't get drunk or indulge in binges any more. Maybe its just a sign of me being more responsible or the fact that I never touch the top shelf any more. I don't drink to get drunk nowadays...but I do like to get merry.

I'm the same, but I never drank to get drunk. I drank for the sake of the drinking, not the drunkenness; if I could have paced myself, I would have. But before the 'buzz', before the happy feeling, the first feeling I got from a beer was an insatiable thirst...

SC

I don't get a buzz like that any more SC....not from beer anyway....perhaps wine or good company and certainly great blues...

I don't think its the beer that gives you the happy feeling anyway; it just breaks down the inhibitions that hold back the happy feeling, which is engendered by the company.

When I'm sat on my own in the Royal Oak having my three or six pints, I'm not a happy, buzzy sort of chap; few of us are, drinking on our own - unless the craic on here is good...

SC

...

You still can't beat a Thai wife/GF no matter what the challenges!!

There's not many among us aspire to be wife beaters, I'm sure.

SC

I found Streetcowboys post humorous, some folks are a bit too serious.

My apologies for that; I had intended it purely as a spiteful wind-up to quench any flicker of positivity that might glimmer on TV.

Up till your post, I thought I had found a new and untapped rich vein of spleen and bile amongst posters who otherwise might be tempted to withhold their venom.

SC

I'm struggling to think of any specifically Thai positive stories; most of the pleasant experiences I have had here could equally have occurred elsewhere.

The only reason we stay here is for the excellent education that my children enjoy at their exceptional school.

Though as others will tell you, education is a waste of money and the only education worth having is one from the approved school of life.

Quite right. The ambassador story is a marketing tool. Surprising how much traction it has had over the years. One merely has to think about it for a moment. Thailand allowed Japan land access for the troops that defeated Singapore. How happy can the Allies have been at the time?

Indeed. It is so simplistic and illogical and yet it's so widely accepted -- that is surprising.

For all we know, Cordell Hull said to him. "If I were you I would take that thing back. Here's what we'll offer you: you get to go along with the Japanese and avoid the unpleasantness with them that your neighbors have had -- you can't beat them anyway and we certainly aren't even close to ready to kick them out -- and in the meantime you help us out during and after the war by...in return, we'll look after you even if your on the losing side". Or maybe it was something like that but it was Seni's idea. Or Phibun's.) And then the Thais proceed to have their cake and eat it too.

I think anyone can figure it out. Follow the money. Thailand assets in the US frozen and few of the diplomats or students in the US went back to Thailand when they had the chance during the exchange of diplomats.

The Thai embassy gave the Thai students in the US their money. So a lot of well connected kids were out of cash and a lot of well connected diplomats.

What's a fellow to do. Some of history is in books and some is logic. I have read a couple of books recently.

Siam becomes Thailand: a story of intrigue

By Judith A. Stowe

Thailand and the Japanese presence, 1941-45

By Thamsook Numnonda

I learned quite a lot I didn't know. GF thinks I am a bit nuts reading about Thai history. That does tell you something about this topic

.

Thailand did have a plan for fighting the Japanese. Move the capital to Phetchabun and fight them from the mountains. The communists fought the Thai army there for 10 years in the 1970's.

Thailand only had a population of 12 million during WW II and a standing army of 50,000. The Japanese rarely had more than 50,000 troops in Thailand. How long could 50,000 have lasted in the mountains? The communists lasted for 10 years. Thailand could have influenced the outcome of the war. They chose not to. And they choose not to remember it very well either. It is easier to manage a country when the citizens know little about the outside world or history.

Hello,

I will need to read Thailand and the Japanese Presence, 1941-45. I've enjoyed reading your posts on this thread, but please allow me to argue some of the points made here. While Thailand had a standing army of 50,000 (and could have brought up more without too much trouble) using considerably modern equipment, their number one supplier was the Empire of Japan. The Type-46, Type-83 (Thai designation of the Japanese Type-38), Type-66 rifles, bayonets, submarines, and modern warships all came from the Japanese. The Japanese also supplied them the munitions. Although Thailand had already bought equipment from Germany for manufacturing their own rounds, I believe they relied too much on Japan as a supplier to wage war with them. You do mention retreating to the mountains and waging war with the Japanese there. I do believe the Thais could have held the Japanese off a considerable while in this fashion. Thai soldiers were determined, and the Japanese were known for not making the most tactical decisions regarding attacks on entrenched opponents. Although they might have been able to hold them off here, and maybe they could have been supplied by other foreigners, what the Japanese really needed was was in the Southern parts of Thailand. Yes, the Thais did put up a ferocious fight for a short while in some places, and the Battle of Prachuab Khrikhan comes to mind. It may be easy to look at the significant number of Japanese casualties compared to Thais in this instance and figure they should have kept fighting. The reality is that the commander got the message of the cease fire, and thinking it was a Japanese trick, ordered his men to keep blasting away at Japanese who were under the impression that a cease-fire had been made. The agreement to a cease-fire must have been very embarrassing to many Thai soldiers, and I think the agreement was made primarily in the interest of a few Thais. However, I truly believe this agreement saved many, many, many Thais. The Japanese were not nice to the Thais after they occupied Thailand, and constantly humiliated Thais by slapping them across the face. If Thailand had chosen to fight Japan, after Japanese had helped them in so many ways militarily, I don't think the Japanese would have had any mercy for Thais, who'd be seen as backstabbing traitors. While they might have fought them off for a while in the mountains, the Japanese would have quickly swept across the South of Thailand torturing, raping, and murdering countless Thais. If this had been the case, I bet a lot more Thais would know something about WWII.

-James

Why would the Thais have chosen to fight on behalf of an oppressor from the opposite side of the world against an oppressor from their own continent, who had similar coloured skin and shared some religious beliefs? We all choose sides in our wars, and write our histories afterwards. If we are lucky, we can paint ourselves as heroes; if we are less so, perhaps we can claim to be victims. We all seek not to be stuck with Hitler in the Naughty Corner, beside Vlad the Impaler, even if that means sacrificing our reputation for courage and heroism, as the Italians have had to do.

What do the Chinese call the 1935 - 49 war?

Getting closer to home,

What do Europeans call the American War?

SC

Not a problem, i had 20+ for years every day except when my diarrhea was too severe

and yep, i got wasted every time, that was the point besides havin fun, the two are indistinguishable

Eventually i couldn't take it any longer tho, so i moved away from walking street

ink, or to drink less.

Maybe we're using different yardsticks. I never enjoyed being wasted, to the best of my knowledge (which is limited to appalling and embarrassing flash-backs, and deductions from credit card bills, where I subsequently found my schoolbag, and where I woke up. I never felt that the thousands of baht and hours that I spent between when I lost consciousness and recovered it again were anything but wasted. And the subsequent dentist bills, replacement telephones etc etc.

Anyway, there's no point in telling someone not to drink or to drink less. I used to limit myself to three pints, and I could manage that three times in an evening before I lost count...

They have to make their own decision, and all we can do is point out some self-evident truths.

I used to hope to die young, but that its too late for that now, and I realised that the best I could hope for through hard living was to die prematurely decrepit.

SC

sorry: these quotes seem some corrupted; not sure who said what...

________________________

Quote, 'they see the uk for what it really is,,A Shit hole'.

You and your mrs will get no arguement from me, a very observant wife you have there.

___________________________

Yes, the historical tourist sites in London are complete shit. No idea at all why they are so popular amongst other Westerners.

Thank god the Thais realise that as they are not shiny and glittery they are rubbish.

___________________________

In your haste to have a pop at the Thais you overlooked what was written,

quote, 'they see the uk for what it really is,,A Shit hole'.

No mention whatsoever of 'historical tourist sites in London'.

I agree with your observation, 'No idea at all why they are so popular amongst other Westerners.', btw you forgot to mention other tourists such as Asians.

The fact you chose to live here in a land with people you obvioulsy have no time for only confirms that you prefer it here warts and all to jolly old blighty.

If the UK isnt such a shithole why aint you there?

Answer because you like I know it is.

_________________________

You're missing the point....

Yes, I prefer Thailand for various reasons - but few Westerners think the historical sites in the UK are without interest.

But I'm sure your wife is right, the UK is a shit hole without any redeeming qualities - whereas the cultural sites of Thailand are far more worth while.

I suppose the worst thing about it is the people, who seem quite lacking in any sort of national pride, preferring to whinge and run the country down, rather than doing anything about it.

I suppose, the same as the people who burn plastic bags and dump their trash at the side of the street. Although, as I understand, most of them will still tell you that Thailand is the most beautiful country in the world and that every tourist the world over would come here if they could.

Let's hope this generation of Polish immigrants contribute as much to our country as their grand-uncles who arrived seventy-odd years ago.

SC

BUT, the only thing that will change the UK (depressingly) is a revolution. And even that will only change the 'powers that be' - it will not change the 'Sun newspaper' mentality of so many.

Perhaps we could wangle some 'economic-refugee-exchange', and deport some of our own for every foreigner found working illegally.

'take our jobs, take our jobless!'

That would make the johnny-foreigner governments clamp down on emigrants!

SC

sorry: these quotes seem some corrupted; not sure who said what...

________________________

Quote, 'they see the uk for what it really is,,A Shit hole'.

You and your mrs will get no arguement from me, a very observant wife you have there.

___________________________

Yes, the historical tourist sites in London are complete shit. No idea at all why they are so popular amongst other Westerners.

Thank god the Thais realise that as they are not shiny and glittery they are rubbish.

___________________________

In your haste to have a pop at the Thais you overlooked what was written,

quote, 'they see the uk for what it really is,,A Shit hole'.

No mention whatsoever of 'historical tourist sites in London'.

I agree with your observation, 'No idea at all why they are so popular amongst other Westerners.', btw you forgot to mention other tourists such as Asians.

The fact you chose to live here in a land with people you obvioulsy have no time for only confirms that you prefer it here warts and all to jolly old blighty.

If the UK isnt such a shithole why aint you there?

Answer because you like I know it is.

_________________________

You're missing the point....

Yes, I prefer Thailand for various reasons - but few Westerners think the historical sites in the UK are without interest.

But I'm sure your wife is right, the UK is a shit hole without any redeeming qualities - whereas the cultural sites of Thailand are far more worth while.

I suppose the worst thing about it is the people, who seem quite lacking in any sort of national pride, preferring to whinge and run the country down, rather than doing anything about it.

I suppose, the same as the people who burn plastic bags and dump their trash at the side of the street. Although, as I understand, most of them will still tell you that Thailand is the most beautiful country in the world and that every tourist the world over would come here if they could.

Let's hope this generation of Polish immigrants contribute as much to our country as their grand-uncles who arrived seventy-odd years ago.

SC

On Astro Arena (Channel 801) this weekend - the Borneo Sevens

(not live)

SC

To be literate is one of the goals of a civilised society.

Myth and delusion. The greater goal of a civilised society is to mindlessly consume. Then, one has to consider what "civilised" might be.

I disagree, literacy and the benefits of it are what could be described as a goal. Mindless consumption is not a goal. It may well exist but seeing as it's mindless, it can't be a goal. More of a symptom of something debilitating.

Mindless drunkenness can be a goal, so I don't see why mindless consumption could not.

How does one measure the greatness of a goal, in any case? I've seen some great goals, though Johnny WIlkinson's world-cup winning goal of 2006 must rank amongst the greatest. Possibly the greatest goal of any civilised society.

WIlknson: "...and to win the world cup, I just kicked the ball over the bar"

Beckham (thinks):"...kick...ball...bar...over"

It was funnier with the illustration...you'll need to use your imagination.

This might be a link to it... I can't access youtube here to confirm

SC

...

...

I agree western womens attitude sometimes does border on racism the way they react to the behaviour of Asian women. I also feel there is sexism in the western womans attittude also towards Asian womans behaviour, saying it is done to pander men or make women feel inferior.

and they always generalise.

SC

Australia fans may hold off on tickets

TRACY WATKINS Last updated 05:00 19/09/2011

Close to half a million fans – nearly enough to fill Eden Park eight times over – have flocked to Rugby World Cup matches so far.

But the shock Wallabies defeat has thrown predictions for ticket sales for the quarter and semifinal matches up in the air, with Mr McCully conceding Saturday's result could cause fans to hold off buying tickets till the last minute once they knew which teams were through. About $12m of the $15m target for remaining ticket sales is for games at Eden Park and organisers had always talked up the Wallabies making it to the finals as a dream scenario to drive interest from across the Tasman in the quarter and semifinals.

more

I was not exactly seething, but a little disgruntled, after paying full price long in advance for our tickets for the Scotland Quarter-Final four years ago, only for the road to the Stade de France to be lined with French blokes trying to get rid of their tickets.

Maybe hubris was Australia's downfall against the Irish

SC

and a lot of SA or OZ fans will be selling tickets to semis and final on basis their team has already gone home after losing the qf.

People who booked package tours from those countries just for semi and final will be worried - this is the same example as what happened to NZ supporters 4 years ago.

What will happen NZ v France - now according to media there is advantages in losing this game for an easier route to the final; this was in the news when the original draw was announced, that the runner up in that pool was perhaps better than winner; maybe both sides could try to lose?

I suppose the Kiwis that went to France for the semis and final were lucky to see some teams they wouldn't normally see. Let's face it, they see the All Blacks often enough at home anyway.

SC

There are in fact few people world wide who has an understanding how and why the world functioning,

only those that studied physics understand

Speak for yourself. I don't.

SC

...I started this thread as I am fed up with the relenting negativity, ...

So its just to pander to your own discontent and intolerance.

Well, forgive me if I keep all my own pleasant experiences to myself. I would hate others to get jealous.

SC

EDIT: Maybe you need to improve your mental attitude and social behaviour, so that you are not reliant on the vicarious positive social experiences of others....

What do you call an Aardvark that's been beaten up ?

Oh no.. this has turned into a what / why thread.....

Windscreen wipers: I figured it was because some people believe that the heat will stick the rubber to the windscreen. However, I suspect it's more of a 'they do it, so it must be the thing to do' type reaction..... the more who do it, the more will copy.

Another couple:

In the past I've been told to straighten the wheels after parking (reversing into a space for example) could it cause damage to the car?)

In the past I've been told to turn off the air-con before turning off the ignition (I never bother with this).

Why does everyone reverse into spaces in the shopping mall or supermarket when getting the shopping into the boot will be more difficult?

I follow the practice to turn off a/c before ignition, someone gave me a reason for this but i can't remember....i also park with my wheels straight for some reason, don't know why?

Reverse parking at malls - maybe they're only going to eat or getting a solitary bag?

JH

I have never heard anything so cruel and heartless

The car wash wallah used to put the wipers up so that you knew he'd washed the car. In case it was not particularly dirty to begin with. I never had a regular wash-wallah, and paid a bloke on the street on an ad hoc basis. I never had a problem with sticky wipers in Dubai, but then, I left in June. And, to be fair, it had not rained for a few weeks then, either.

I think people reverse into parking spaces as they feel it is safer to come out forwards, while they are confident they can get their shopping into the boot no matter what. Maybe they intend to drive round to the supermarket entrance for the wife to put the shopping in the boot while obstructing the flow of traffic. Maybe they think they're driving a VW Beetle. Probably they just do it to wind you up, because you're paranoid. I drove through from the other side.

SC

Deflated Australia coach Robbie Deans said: "Ireland were very effective. They defended really well and did not allow us to recycle the ball. It was effective.

"We would have liked more field position. Our decision-making was not always great."

"Ireland were very effective in denying us momentum. The nature of the game at World Cups is the passion of the defense and you can't be sure of getting any momentum."

Wallabies captain James Horwill added: "The Irish did well to spoil our ball. We couldn't get any momentum."

BLOODY AUSSIES CANNOT TAKE THEIR BEATING.

I could be missing the sarcasm, but are you saying that the game was a dazzling try-fest of dynamic and exciting attacking Irish rugby?

I think "Ireland were very effective. They defended really well... The Irish did well"

Let's face it. Ireland won the game because Australia scored less than 15 points. Thanks to the Ireland defence. Thanks to the Irish stopping them scoring points.

I think that's what the Australians said, isn't it? If you beat them again in the final, then maybe it will be time to crow.

SC

I don't want to hijack the thread, but if I had a million dollars, I would still buy Ikea furniture. Or, to be more precise, I would send a man to buy it. Ikea furniture is the McDonalds of practical furniture; consistent and reliable.

IKEA products are indeed like McDonalds: tasteless, soulless, overpriced and intrinsically unsatisfying.

I woudn't buy anything from either brand, no matter how rich or poor I was.

I've always found IKEA products to be exceptionally good value. McDonalds, I find frustratingly bland, and I'm quite happy to pay a few baht more for food, so I rarely eat there. But it appeals to the immature palate, and the bairns can think of little finer.

I bought a bed from another store, once, and then spent half as much again on tools to fix it when it broke. And even then, because of design deficiencies, it was not in good condition when I threw it out in less than a year. Having said that, I did enjoy the joinery. I can see why the joiner of Nazareth could have been fatally tempted to put two pieces of wood together....

SC

Occasionally, I come across some Americans who still think Taiwan and Thailand are the same country. I suppose that it is not only Thai people who don't know much about the outside world.

,

education ain't what it used to be that's for sure, doesn't seem to matter which country you choose.

You're thinking of nostalgia. Nostalgia's crap, nowadays. Old people don't know they when they're well off nowadays, not like when I was young.

SC

Then, one would have to speculate on long-term survival stranded on the proverbial desert isle.

How about an alternative venue? A lush tropical island where natural food might be abundant.

....and after some time, the one chosen song [favourite or not] listened to over and again would become wearing on one's soul.

I think desert islands are normally deserted, rather than strictly speaking desert. THough even then, I think they are mostly as virgin as TV brides, rather than abandoned.

Were I to relocate to such a place, I would have to take

The Mystery of Ragoula, by Darts

http://new.uk.music....oula--186929344

"I knew at once I'd found my paradise

The Island of Ragoula"

Its all a bit Gaugin, isn't it?

SC

EDIT: Or, if we're talking deserts, then Squeeze: take Me I'm Yours would win out over Night Boat to Cairo (Madness), though if its urban deserts, Croydon, by Captain Sensible, bought with Jimi Hendrix' Strat, if memory serves me correctly.

Talking of Urban Desert Islands, my nomination would be the Isle of Dogs. I'd want more than one 7" single if I was stranded there for any length of time...

SC

YOHO!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/9589105.stm

St Helens put one over on Wigan in their Qualifying Quarter Final, so Wigan will have to play again to reach the Semis

Smokie:

I believe that might mean you have to beat Leeds and Wigan to get through to the Semis... Still, I suppose its as well to work your way up to the top, as no doubt that would bring you to the Wire in the Semis... Or do you face Huddersfield, if you beat Leeds?

Can anyone tell me when a team from the Elimination Quarter-Finals (5-8 in the League) last won the Play-offs?

SC