Mousehound

The answer is yes it will but not for a few months at least. When we wanted to retire a male from a breeding programme and bring into the house as a family pet we would have it neutered and then wait a few weeks to see how things were going. We had to have a vet's help with medication once just to speed things along but all went well in every case.

I met a ranger coming out of the jungle after he had spent a three day recy stint looking for poachers. He was fully kitted out - camo, radio and had an SLR. He was ex special forces trained and seemed very competent. However, these guys might do better with an AK47. The old SLR was OK in its time, in my opinion, but the AK is a great weapon for that kind of work and has some fire power.

I must say I had no idea that so many rangers had been killed. Not good.

Thanks for the clip rcpilot and for the info dru2. All helps with the CM experience.

These red mites are common on spiders as well.

Tokay lizard - really nice. Kon Thai seem to fear them. They can bite a bit if you pick them up wrongly but they are a great animal.

It may have been mentioned earlier but if you are paid in overseas monies you need to take into account currency fluctuations. Expats everywhere get into difficulties budgeting based on an exchange rate that later drops. In this case if the monies are paid in UK in sterling then it is possible that the exchange rate is changing for the better (at the moment) but I think you need to factor in a buffer. With savings, medical and other on top essentials I would guess 60k Bht/month would be comfortable for a young guy on his own. I hope you are strong willed, as if you are like me you quickly learn to spend to the level of your income. Also, I find every time I move to a new country I spend far more than I expect in the early stages. Then I slowly cut back on costs until I find I get bored and start spending again on entertainment, food, drinks etc.

As mentioned by other posts above - learn Thai ASAP. This will keep costs down and make the whole experience wore enjoyable.

I still have a bowler hat and beautifully slender black umbrella - part of my city uniform from when I worked in London (1968). I now know why I kept them and look forward to wearing them when I visit the BKK BC.

What what!

The gardens of the temple are really nice and, unusually, the plants are mostly labelled in English. The view from the top can be worth while. Had a great time there and ate at the Nest#1 and next door with Malee and her husband a couple of nights. When we were there last the average age was under thirty - we were the oldest and there were quite a few in their early twenties.

I would like many more street food vendors and any other kind of vendor that can fill the streets - then close all these new shopping centres. This would hopefully make all the whingeing farangs go to Singapore and leave me to enjoy the place that I love. Street food hasn't killed me yet and I've enjoyed it for forty years (include HK time).

I am shocked!! It was only two against one!!

Unbelievable!!

Yes, in most western countries if some doofus gave some guys on a motorbike the finger they would either (1) wave cheerfully and thank the jerk for his instructive communication because everyone in the country would be mindful of the importance of supporting tourism or (2) they would return and one would pummel the moron while his friend held everyone's outer garments but refrained from participating.

I wonder if some of you are visiting the planet for the first time.

There is no way you would give the finger to a bike rider/s or even motorists in Australia no matter what the provocation. You may get similar treatment to the German guy in Patong. And there would not be any old fashioned ideas of one to one chivalry - you would be beaten up by the guy and is many friends.

I am often puzzled by the comments by many contributors that Thais are cowardly in ganging up on their adversary. Where have you people been? In any conflict you attack in force, preferably outnumbering and out gunning your enemy. How do you think all wars have been won throughout history? The Thais are not cowards - just using their common sense. I would advise anyone else to do the same.

I happily give Ausie drivers (some of the worst drivers in the developed world IMHO) the finger. But actually, I find if you blow them a kiss instead and laugh at them it really gets them going. By the way, I am Australian.

Is there any news that this market is starting up elsewhere.

In my opinion. I would think that the deposit is held against damages, cleaning etc, and the lease is the lease. If the property can be re-leased then there should only be the problem of the deposit. Therefore if you could find a tenant to take over the lease or take out a new one with the owner then, provided there were no damages and the property was clean you should be able (in theory) to get your deposit back. Conversely, if you had damaged the property and no one were to lease the property for the remains of the lease period you would be up for the remains of the lease and loose your deposit as well.

But I am not a lawyer so may have it wrong. Might be worth a chat with someone that really knows the answers - but it may cost you, for peace of mind.

I rarely use Amazon now. I find the Book Depository far cheaper and all prices include shipping. They are fast shippers as well. have a look - I'm sure you will be impressed.

http://www.bookdepository.com/

Possibly because Australians enjoy a good free health care system at home they don't think about insurance.

It's also possible that they are a bunch of knuckleheads that end up hurting themselves all the time as well.....

Unless you are on a social security card heath cover is not free in Australia.

The best bike to get her is the bike she chooses. Otherwise, anything that may go wrong will be your fault. Take her shopping, let her make the decision, and you my friend will always be a happy man. Such is life.

Read the following first. http://www.thaitravelbug.com/products/negotiating-in-paradise/

How true - in the end it will come down to the colour. If its pink its good.

As several posters have pointed out living in a place is very different to visiting as a tourist. I enjoy visiting London and doing the touristy things but I hated living and working there - that's why I left it in the first place. Actually, when I think about it, pretty well everywhere I have spent time living and working in I have come to dislike, whilst on the other hand, most places I have visited as a tourist I have really liked. Could be a message in this pattern?

I agree with granuaile that preparation makes a huge difference. We were reluctant visitors to BKK (and Thailand) being convinced that Europe and the USA were the only real places that offered what we liked. However, having been to BKK once we changed our minds totally. We had a great time and have visited Phuket Island (not patong) , Krabi, Kanchanaburi and Chiang Mai several times now. We usually aim to spend a few days in BKK if we can. The place has so much energy and there is a lot to do and see. We do try to get off the normal T track to some degree: take busses and trains, go fishing and bird watching as well as doing a lot of photography. We do now stay at a nice Khao San guesthouse as we can afford this, know the owners and it is convenient. I have spent some time learning to speak and read Thai and although I am far from fluent it does make a great deal of difference. Outside of BKK we rent a car but I have to say I am not up to driving in BKK. Each trip we try to strike out a bit further - last time to Phanom Rung and Phemai and our next trip will include a second visit to Kao Yai NP. So we are not tied totally to a BKK experience. Can't wait to get back. This time I am determined to try out the bicycle tours. This would be our first paid and organised tour. I had the collectors markets next to Chatuchak down as a must do but see that this is now closed.

I left a ziplock pack of prawn bait on the back seat of my Merc (beautiful new Marino custom sheep covers) and went on a trip fro a week. The car was in a secured compound but in the sun - temp got up to C35+ during the week. When I returned the rotting prawns had caused the bag to open and the juices had soaked all the way through the seating - great ride home with three kids in the back! I sold the car shortly after!

I like the Narai on Silom road - close to good eating, the river and the rot fai fa (overhead rail). It is a family orientated hotel and has a good buffet breakfast - it's Sunday brunch buffet as excellent. $60 a night is usual. But as I posted previously look at Trip Advisor for reviews and then, as Toybits suggested check with Agoda for a price - I always check direct with the hotel as well as I have on occasion had a better deal.

Like most big cities the area you stay gives a rather different experience. Silom is more a business area, Sukumwhit is shopping and Banglamphu for tourists but has its attractions as well. Depends a bit on what you want to do whilst in BKK. Taxis are cheap and with overhead and underground rail make getting about pretty easy. So you may well find that spending a lot on a fancy hotel is a waste as you will be out and about most of the time. I used to stay at either the Hilton or the Peninsula years ago but now we stay regularly stay at Lamphu House (guesthouse), for a fraction of the cost, and strangely prefer the experience.

Nissan March EMT would be my choice - get the ABS etc. Might save your life. Know a couple of people with Mirage and they are happy. I had a Fiesta - rubbish car.

As suggested above, I would seek out the manager and ask if he can help you out with a problem (don't lay the blame at his door). I realise this not the western way but I have tried this approach many times in Asian countries and I have had far more success with this approach than beating the table with my fist or threatening to cancel an order. I can see no value in going to the police as it is a civil issue.

What is your budget? Try "Trip Advisor".

I like gecko - and Oh My Cod when in BKk.

Another nice visitor today in our garden..

Nice little Vine Snake. Low level venom. hatches live young and swells and flattens body to show black and pale scale patterning when threatened. Looks like a totally different snake when in defensive threat mode.

Thanks everyone for some excellent thoughts.

I think you are mostly in agreement that it is not a good idea, and having read some of the excellent arguments I shall give it a miss.