hedonist44

Yeah I know ..... But it's relevant to the issue ..... which has NOTHING to do with bargirls ..... the issue is LABOR of all kinds and the voulentary payment of it ........ Before I got married I didnt use plumbers , maids ect !

Okay, just sayin'.......if you get flamed to death don't blame me

I'd say he has it coming.

To eat quality Chinese food anywhere other than in China is always a disappointment.

I have lived and worked in mainland China and I can tell you the food in China is nothing like Chinese food in other countries. For me, much better elsewhere.

HAHA, ok pal. Whatever trips your trigger:)

To eat quality Chinese food anywhere other than in China is always a disappointment.

Don't quit you're day job kid !

Eat at home.

+1, or even better don't leave his home. Thailand is Thailand, some days good and some days bad. After 21 years here you take it one day at a time in some areas and deal with it. I mean it's not like your going to change anything anyway...are you? I'm not trying to be a smart ass about it, just saying.

When I was working up in Khao Yai last year I used a True air card and it worked good. Now when I'm up there and in Pak Chong I use my BB with an AIS unlimited promotion. It seems to work ok, but like anything else it could of course be better.

If you want the "real deal" take a long drive to the city of Pak Chong in Nakonratisma. There's a place there called "Buffalo Bill's" and it's like walking into a tack shop back home. Has a wide range of leather belts, jeans, western shirts, boots and all the riding gear you need to fall off a horse and break you're ass with.

I bought a belt there 14 years ago and had my name in silver put on the back and then attached it to my silver belt buckle that I've worn everyday of my life since the age of around 17. All the gear is imported from the States twice a year by a guy who owns of all things a dog clothing manufacturing business here in Thailand that exports to the States. I buy all my shirts and Stetson hats there along with another western thingies I might see and grab up.

Just saying all this in the case you or anyone else gets over that way one day and then will know where to go for that western wear some of us still insist wearing her in the land of Smiles.

OR

You're a very cruel man, you know that don't you?

Second hand Merc, perhaps.

I've been on the lookout for a older 1996-97 Mercedes S600 V-12 for the last couple of years, exactly for the purpose that the OP is talking about, plus the addition of having the ponies under the hood to get you around most anything ahead of you without too much problem. Thing is I keep getting reminded about from people is that it's very difficult to find a good S600 or any good condition Merc for that matter that's 20+ years old that has not a nightmare of electrical and other age related issues. You can buy a newer model used Merc for around 2 mill, but not sure the newer ones are built as tough and I really like the looks of the older S's anyway.

I know many people who have bought land here in a wife or girlfriend's name without problems.

While I've certainly heard of cases where it has gone sour I think they are definitely in a minority.

The buy vs rent argument is an old one but personally I think there's nothing like having your own turf.

It gives your partner security and strengthens your relationship by showing trust in her.

You don't need to pay that price, bargain hard, then shop around.

+1

Firstly, this is no surprise, and of course everyone knows what goes on in the bars in Pattaya

The only difference is other bars and bar owners have enough brain NOT to go on local tv channel and brag about it.

Bragging about luxury villa and luxury yacht only attracts unwanted attention and consequences.

Many will note , that it was not Pattaya branch but Bangkok branch.

Lesson to bar owners, keep your mouth shut and run your business without attracting too much attention, or better yet stick to "normal" business

You hit the nail right on the head. Web site showing big fancy party van and the nice new (used) yacht and all. I can feel for the guys, but at the end of the day they brought it on themselves. You just don't flaunt your success here, period.

So you are all complaining about breaking the law and having to pay a fine? You're lucky you don't get 3 points on your licence too.

I travel on all those roads like Rama IV and Sukhumvit. I know where the check points are and I make sure I'm in the left lane, and guess what... they don't stop me.

Before you all say that driving on the left is not a rule of law then think again. I, like you guys, thought this was the case too, but I have now seen proof of this law on these forums.(also if turning right, you cannot move over unless you less than 100m from the turn) It's even written on the bloody ticket when/if they give it to you. So live with it and stop bitching about it, or perhaps you would prefer it if they stopped you everytime you were in the wrong lane, on the footpath, making an illegal U-turn, illegal right turn, illegal left turn, no helmet or passenger helmet, after market exhaust, 3 on the bike, on the wrong side of the road, jumping a red light, changing lanes without indicating, no licence, tinted visor and speeding????? (I'm sure there are more). We have all done some or even all of these things at various times but thank god they are not usually enforced. So stop complaining when the BIB finally get off their ass and enforce the law and require you to pay a few dollars for your trouble, it's most definately a small price to pay when considering the alternative.

Feel better ?

The English bring their ability to moan.....and the Scots bring their ability to annoy the English.

I'll get my coat

Don't let the door hit you're ass on the way out !

OP, how did someone get into the overhead bin above your seat without you noticing?

I would assume he has the same luck as me when I am one of the last to board the plane and have to walk half way down the isle past my seat to find available room over head for my luggage. Just a thought.

Only problem I see is if you buy a run down older apartment and do a complete renovation, it might be over shadowed by the other existing similarly run down apartments that will not be renovated. Would not make for a good return on your investment unless you planned on living your days out there and did not care about the re-sale issue.

OK, I'll ask the question another way as we have many bikers here.

If I feel you are about to kill me with your bike, do I have the right to assault you with my groceries?

Personally, if I was careless enough to be going too fast and do actually put your person in danger (as well as my own) I would not hold it against you if you attempted to hurl something (relatively) soft at me to get the point across. Pickles would not be appreciated, but of course you already knew that.

whats the interior like on the pajero is it a bit less plastic than the toyota and is the ride truck like

I find the ride and handling pretty simlar in both of them. The main difference I find is that the interior of the Fortuner has barely been seriously updated since they came out in 2004 so the PJS is just more modern, I think a nicer (less plasticy) finish, and has some more up to date features. The other main differnce I find is the versatility of the interier including the seating with everything sliding and folding easier than in the Fortuner, which I find helpful as we use all 3 rows of the seating very often. Best to go and have a look for youself to see what you think, but for me at least I find the PJS interior a long way ahead of the Toyota but neither of them are Bentleys!!

The only area which I had some preference for the Fortuner is that I think the engine is a little smoother and quieter (but less powerful), but to honest I don't find this a major issue with the PJS.

Definitely worth considering and having a look, as if you don't need 4WD you can get the 2WD GT for less that 1.2 mill and for that you get all the gadgets and functions that you have to pay 1.4 mill or more for in other models. I found that to be a good deal.

I have not looked at the Trailblazer but from what I can see to get most of the features you need to go at least to the 2.8 4WD LTZ model, so once again in the 1.4 mill range. Personally I am not a great fan of the styling anyway but that is just my opionion.

A Mercedes interior has basically remained the same for yonks, find a good ''not in your face'' set up and stick with it. IF you want flashing thingy's then that stuff is out there but Toyota got it right the first time as did Mercs.

+1

Timing is everything !

My daughter will be 12 next year (6th grade). you are right, not all of them are that expensive, but they are either very christian or british curiculum which would be very difficult for her since english is not her first language.

In that case, why not pick a school that has en English Programme, as opposed to full international? Those are more affordable, they stick to the official Thai curriculum (taught in English, by teachers from English speaking countries) which means that moving on to a regular Thai university becomes feasible. Most kids will actually be Thai (of parents who want them to learn good English), with some mixed Thai-Something kids as well as a couple full Western or Japanese or Korean kids; a nice mix.

For example at Varee, but there are a others too: http://www.varee.ac..../en/index.php

At Varee they have Mathayom education in English too (they also have a Thai program, of course), meaning your daughter can stay at the same school. The school is very big, which I tend to consider a negative, though I'm seeing a lot of individual attention. Overall I can recommend it. It's not super cheap, but well below the level of full International Schools.

I agree with WTK. My 13 year old Thai/American son has gone there for 7 years and loves it. He's always been in the English program and is fluent in Thai and English (reading and writing) and is doing very well and loves the school. The tuition has come down this year for him, from 45,000 or so to only 30,000 per term. Two terms per year. I have had some issues with them as far as not sending home thing in English that I need to know and having "hair police" keeping his hair cut to their liking, but at the end of the day it's not a big issue considering the big picture.

Don't get me wrong, it's not perfect, but what is?

The only place where most TV posters are guaranteed to show up, is where there is free booze and food.

+1

If I needed a "plain workhorse" I would go with the Isuzu(Toyota) for sure...they are not that much more expensive,but will work much longer(IMO)...and even when very old,you will sell them quick and for good money...much better service too...

...it's like with tools,if you need to work with them ,better get a good quality ones

I agree, If I was looking for a work horse, a Tata would be the last truck I would consider. I've seen too many of them with moderate loads and they look like their backs are broken as the frames are flexing under the stress. Stick with a Toyota or Isuzu and you'll be a lot happier at the end of the day in my opinion.

I believe for the most part that the stories are the same, only the names will have changed.

Quote: "I have a hunch that a lot of members who are in long term successful relationships here in Thailand read the battle zone threads in amazement then move on, without participating." End quote.

Pretty much sums it up.. See Ya !

Was just reminded (reprimanded) by my son that I had failed to post a pic of "His Ride".

Tariq, Thanks for posting these great pics. It's a pitty that it has never been kept up, but it must be somewhat looked after by someone or it would have been picked clean of all useable wood by now. Would be interesting to know the whole story one day.

Thanks again for sharing !