ozzieovaseas

Hi OP,

After reading most of your thread im glad to see a (seemingly) good outcome. I dont want to alarm you, but seeing the conclusion, i do have a few points to add.
I am definately no psycological expert when it comes to the whole Thai mentality, but i have spent enough time around Thais to notice that individual (Thai) reactions to different circumstances ARE NOT really as varied as the people we are used to dealing with in our own countries.

By this i mean that many Thais faced with certain choices of a reaction nearly ALWAYS react in the same or similiar ways. Many here on TV may argue that this is a racist call, but i have seen it to many times over (time after time) for it to be coincidental trait by people with a similair personality .

The history behind your relatinship, IF not a sexual one (as others have insinuated) is only known by you, but im sure there is a lot that lead up to this.
I can tell you this, when working alongside Thais in a school environment, many will form an initial attitude of resentment that you are getting paid more than them.Money seems the key and answer of everything here.

They will then often scrutinize everything you do. Any success that comes of you will quickly raise their ire of jealously and it all builds on from there.

I will bet (in this girls mentality) that what happened..(taking your money and belongings) was her getting what was rightfully hers anyway. She probably even believes that you OWE her, because of both the difference in income and in what she probably sees as a gross unfairness in the different ways you are treated in a personal and professional sense. It comes down to jealousy in the end.

By your taking the legal route (although it didnt end up so serious) you never really stood to gain anything anyway..but your own personal satisfaction at "winning".
She may have given the stuff back, but in a case of compensation been awarded to you,im sure this person probably wouldnt have 2 baht to rub together anyway. At the end of the day they cannot FORCE her to pay anything in the same way they do in the west.

(I'd be interested to know if ANY farang has EVER actually received any sum of monetary compensation legally awarded to them from a Thai, but thats another thread idea.)

SO, if i was to make a prediction, i would say this person is now thinking along the lines.."OK, you have won round one, now lets see how you go for the rest of the fight"
A Thai, (especially one like this) NEVER FORGETS..and more so when a farang gets one over them..the humiliation is tenfold worse.
Without a doubt she will be plotting for revenge.

I know it goes against all our "priciples" and NO we shouldnt have to do it and YES, its a very hard pill to swallow, but if i was you..when the dust has settled and you have got most of your stuff back, i would approach this person and try to make a VERY friendly truce.

Even if that means expressing a want to be friends again, (since thats obviously what set the nutter behaviour off in the first place) its worth it to avoid any future paybacks.

It doesnt have to be sincere, and after its done you can avoid her like the plaque. Even if you have to hide your cringe with a smile, you really need to disarm this persons anger or things can seriously escalate in the future.

Remember you are dealing with tiny fragile egos here, and one scorned (especially a Thai woman) will NEVER never forget.

People like this often feel they are a failure within themselves if they dont get revenge for the perceived loss of face...

IMO, by letting them believe that they have won, even just in some small way, is a cheap way of de-fuseing a ticking time bomb

IMO, Bitching about Thailand is akin to wearing a sign around ones neck....."Thailand..ANOTHER place I couldnt make a go of it"

Usually these types are just bitter or envious of everyone who has made a go if it. Also this type seem to have the personality that cannot stand but to have everything their own way...all the time. Or at least expect everything the same as their superior homeland all the time.

That attitue will never go down very well here..or anywhere else for that matter.

SO..It didnt work out for them..easier just to blame someone else right?

I have heard so many of the bad luck stories that lead to this thinking. I have now concluded it isnt even bad luck..per se..but usually the results of stupid decisions (usually those made while under the influence of something) that lead people into bad situations here.

Thanks eveyone for all the contributions, such a lot to look through and many options to think about.

Krisb sounds like he is on a good thing there..a free system is a very good system..but i think the wording he used describing his account was "debit visa card"? If so, that would mean the card is only issued when in credit (just like many of our accounts here)

Im pretty sure most Aussie banks issue a straight visa card account...and as such, any cash withdrawal from a foreign ATM and using the credit button option would mean the transaction is treated as a "cash advance"....and charged a 3% fee.

Even if you have funds cashed up in credit on this sort of account, im pretty sure you will still get charged that fee. They seem to have covered everything so you either pay $32 or 3%

Anyway, i have sent secure mail to the ANZ asking many questions about fees and charging when using AEON ATMs in Thailand. I also asked how and by who the exchange rate is executed. They are pretty good at dodging those sorts of questions though..fobbing you off and telling you to go get a book from your nearest bank, hmm

will see how it goes and post the result!..thanks guys

Now we are just waiting for the "hang him high" brigade to wake up!

If he is spared, is the reason his difficult childhood, being a Yank or him being a "teacher" ?

Im sure if we dig a little deeper a thai person will soon come into the equation....

demands of a Thai GF for example

or dare i say, maybe the after-effects of having an Ex one

Just wondering if anyone used the AEON ATMs in Thailand to get funds from an Australian ANZ account?

I ask because i am sick of this banks constant thuggery (charge of $32 per international transaction, regardless of amount) and constant trickery to cheat you into getting them to send Thai baht instead of Australian $ from your Aussie account...grr

Even if you ask ANZ about THEIR fees and charges to withdraw money from your account at an overseas atm, they cannot seem to give a straight answer.

All of which is not good if the exchange rate is lowering and you want to withdraw smaller amounts until the rate goes up again.

SO..can anyone comment on how this AEON transaction works? and how the exchange rate is executed? actually, which bank..AEON or ANZ actually does the exchange rate transaction is probably the clincher?

If its anything to do with ANZ they will surely shaft you any way the can

Of course, there will be costs and charges from both sides no matter what, i guess what i am basically wondering is what amount of baht could you expect to get out of the AEON machine if you were to pull say AU$1000 out of an AEON ATM here?

(assuming todays rate around 29 baht=AUS)

thanks all

No takers?? Troppo where are you?!!

Oh well, back to crackdowns, scams and bargals then!

Amazing!! For the many years i have been reading this website i notice honest and decent well heeled tourists complaining about crooks..getting scammed by the jet ski guys and beaten up by took took drivers, yet nothing seems to happen..

And now, when it looks like the CROOKS might loose a few baht, the authorities immediately announce a crackdown on forieners!! speechless!!

Will be interesting to see if this crackdown is like all the others (cleaning up Phukets tourist scams for one) and is forgotten in a few days.

If not, and they make a real effort to prosecute all these Russians while at the same time turning a blind eye to all the other scum acting illegally..well one can only say SOM NUM NAH if they loose ALL their tourists...its becoming obvious they really don't deserve them.

Aussie boxing at its best today, a rematch of the first fight between these two, which was a cracker that Mundine won marginally by split decision.

Anybody know a good place to watch it in Bangkok today?

I notice the Aussie pub website link states he is doing a stream but cannot gaurantee 100% no hiccupps (Cudos for honesty their mate, instead of the usual Thai way!!) so that might be a place to start.

Goodness knows why the other majour pubs do not update thier webpages or fix the broken links ( not mentioning any names Kiwis ) they must loose a lot of business.

SO, its advertised as a 6PM start and the main fight at 8PM Sydney time, so i'd guess the undercard starts around 2 or 3pm Bangkok time.

Sorry if a thread has been started already but Ive looked back several pages and can't see any mention.

Lets hope Geale has improoved his fitness and lifts his scoring shots and punching power a little this time , i'd certainly like to see him shut up BIG Mouth for good.

You are confusing

kee + noun = bodily waste of some type with

kee + verb = modifier to transform verb into a negative human characteristic.

Please ask any Thai speaker if you don't believe us. Both kee are spelt the same way in Thai script.

Kee neow = sticky as a negative human characteristic (as in unwilling to part with money) because kee + verb

This is a really basic misunderstanding of the Thai language made by many noobs, please stop passing it on.

PS

I've never heard of Kee buri, it could mean waste from cigarette (as kee + noun), but usually only used for animal waste.

(more likely bar girl talk)

Kee + noun

Kee jamook = snot (waste from nose)

Kee hoo = ear wax (waste from ear)

Kee dtaa = eye grunge (waste from eye)

Kee + verb

Kee bon = negging person

Kee mao = drunkard

Kee lum = forgetful person

I am certain Kee means poo. Sorry if it offends you, and no, I have not learnt my Thai from hookers, but I have never heard any Thai say "No K.Pseudolus, Kee does not mean poo. It is a random word used to turn something into a negative" . If I hear from someone that works for me in my office the word Kee followed by another word I do not understand, the translation is always "Shit XYZ (whatever the other word is)"

I've only heard once before someone telling me Kee does not mean Shit and this was from a Farang whose wife called him "Kee Wan" and he went to great lengths to explain that I was wrong. He wore those Thai Clothes and looked like a monk as well; Thai'r than Thai I think; basically full of Kee.

Sorry to say, but I suspect you probably were wrong.

The "Kee" word is used in different tones and be used in the context for asking "how many".

The guys wife might possibly have been asking "how many days?" presuming waan was meaning day, and not sweet.

If you've never had a Thai ask you how long you've been here...pak yoo mueng Thai kee phee...(how many years have you been here) its obvious they aint talking about shit!

In any case this a pretty good thread for arguing the case of having to learn to read Thai to speak good Thai

edit: Of course, always possible the guys wife was saying shit is sweet or calling him a sweet shit, guess we will never know

good lord this thread is full of people who havent the slightest clue pontificating like experts.

The word you are rambling on about erroneously is Gii with a hard g sound rather than the K sound of Kee. they are two different words with two distinctly different sounds

And this thread also has no shortage of wanting to bignote themselves

Yes, I do know where the K sound in Kee comes from thankyou, and im also aware that the word i was "rambling on" about starts with Gor Ghai.

for your information that would be a ก

But the average joe poster on here cannot usually differentiate between the two, so when they post what they think they heard in phoenetics the arguments start....hence all the confusion in the kee words

If you took my post in context you would know my point was that (in a learning context) its not possible to know FOR SURE what this OP or anyone is referring to unless they write what they are talking about in Thai text

just like klons and noobs have done...bravo!

There is really only one plausible solution here JohanBKK.

I am sure others will agree as it has yet to be brooched.

If the husband has been calling you, you will have his number.

Call him up and ask to meet him for a coffee as you have something to discuss. Now it is up to you if you think his wife should come or not. That ball is in your court.

Meet him and start talking in a friendly manner.

Tell him you have been shagging his wife but you didn't mean any harm. Make sure he understands that you do not want to break up the marriage as even though he is a poor Thai, against all odds he seems like a good man.

Tell him you know about the 200k sin sod.

Tell him you still want to continue shagging his wife as she is Thai and therefore shagging is all she is good for.

Now comes the business part, tell you want to make him an offer.

Start low, but suggest if you pay him THB 5,000 per month he continue to let you share his wife. Maybe alternate nights, his wife stays with you and he takes care of the baby, odd nights you take care of the baby and he gets his wife for the night.

If 5k is too low then up it a little. Mind you if it gets above 10k a month then you have to introduce a little more into the mix for yourself. Say, a friend every now and then. Suggest he can watch also if he would like.

I personally would not above 30k per month for a deal like this. But 30k per month would mean she is available to you any time you want, and you can also share her around with your friends. 30k is a lot of money for a poor Thai guy like her husband, so he will probably jump at the chance to make that kind of money.

YOU MUST reassure him that he will also be able to use his wife sometimes. But only if you or your friends are not busy with her. Perhaps you could buy a webcam and open an internet site so he can log on if he misses his wife, he can still watch her getting pounded by the Frenchman and his friends.

But here is the killer blow, charge him for membership to the website...

nice work, but you forgot to tell him how much to charge for the website?

for quality content like that and if having 24 hour access, i would ask for a clean thousand baht per day.

if he thinks its to expensive thren tell him you have to cover the costs of condoms, beer and KY jelly for the frenchman and all his friends

IMO, we really should'nt get worked up about what is essentially "the system" here.

It seems to work out OK for the Thais anyway...maybe they see it as a form of paying dues (or respect) for the position of the higher person, therefor this tea money being given as compensation for what that person would surely have had to pay to gain such a position..

The err..shall we say...tea drinker...is then greatful to this person he now sees as JAIDEE, and in turn will endeavour to do his tea provider a little favour wherever he can...

As a bonus, said tea maker has gained a friend for life..who could always come in handy late on.

Not much use us farangs comparing things from a western viewpoint. Arguing that our individual global "systems" (whether labelled corrupt OR sanctioned by the passing of various laws) are any more morally superioir than that of the Asian way is a completley pointless waste of time, as it will never change

Indeed, we will never change these things, nor have we the right to do so, in the same way as an Asian has no say in the way we run our countries.

IF a Thai were to respond to any criticism from, lets say, a US citizen, he might defend his stance by asking " SO..how has YOUR system being working for you lately??

In Aus we say "Hey have a look at the scoreboard mate"

I can still remember my youth, my cousins and I playing Monopoly, we'd always run outta that dam_n paper money..little did we know how easily the problem could have been solved..

alas it was an impossible task, since the old commodore 64 we had did not come with a printer and scanner

If I had a dollar for every "novelist" or "film maker" who did a story about hookers in Thailand I'd be a rich man. Instead I'm just bored with them all.

You got that right..Not to mention the prison story books, bunch of complete <deleted>. What was it? "Send them to hell" from memory..nauseating fiction BS

It could also be a hint that the OP has been doing to much of another form of riding and the good lady wants a break

Hi Nip,

I also have lived close-ish to that area. Depending on what side/location of Don Mueng you are, you could possibly pass (or be nearish) the Bang Khen circle/roundabout on your travels??

As you might know, thats the junction of Chaengwattana, Raminthra, and Yothin...which then goes further on to Saphan-mai and Rangsit.

There are a few places around that vacinity on each of those main roads, but obviously you have to explore those places during the night time to notice the places that are well lit up with bright lights.

Yothin has many but as someone said it is mainly infested with uni students. Have you ever been to Central Lat Phrao? or Majour Yothin? there are a few good places around there where they have out in the open beerfests from time to time.

Also one i have spent a lot of time at is Union cafe at Union Mall in Lat Phrao, good aircon and food, also jugs of beer LEO 139baht, or botts of hienekin.

Ive noticed a few smaller bars all around those areas as i did explore the region years ago, but as others have said, they are all Thai and nothing flash. There is a few terrace places on Lat Phrao road with a good view and pool tables and good food but sorry i will have to get back to you on the exact desinations.

As it happens i have just got back to BK and will most probably be on the prowl around these areas again.

I did know of a few Koyote places that were a bit out of the way. I just stumbled on them while looking for appartments in different areas.

There is a big one on Raminthra ive never gone inside but quite impressive from outside.

There was also a big one in Lat Pla khao road but it has since closed down and been replaced by a large restaurant that has live bands every night. From memory that place had a rather curious building section off to the side where i did spy all manner of thai guys and girls walking in and out of...and it wasnt the toliets either! Got no idea what goes on there!

Also, would be a bit of a hike for you, but there is a German Tawandang out on Raminthra but it is probably best for special occasions, although they do have a big bar area you can hang around and deep fried pork hock which is so dam_n good it becomes hard to stay away once you get the taste!.

I'd be interested to see what other posters come up with. I prefer the private message as i didnt want to post on the forum main as there are a few dickheads that seem attracted to my posts..just for the purpose to throw shit at me , and i really couldnt be bothered dealing with them to be honest!...and for sure i dont really relish the thought of seeing them at any of the locations i have mentioned!

Anyway mate, all the best with it, i will be sure to share any further (good) info i get...might even see you around some time!!

cheers,

ozzie

Its obvious that most foriegn learners of language mostly learn English through TV. I know many Thais who learnt very well from TVs and movies.

My question is HOW are they going to learn from TV when nearly ALL Thai TV channels completely neglect any English content.

True visions is disgusting for this. On my package they once had many English channels and English content. Gradually they have gotten rid of all channels but 2 or 3.

Whats worse is any English movies or English content shown is dubbed over in Thai...so there again, total disregard for English.

I was horrified to see recently a common practice of not only dubbing the English soundtrack in Thai but also having subtitles written in Thai as well!!!...go figure that!!

If the government is serious about not wanting Thailand getting left behind in the coming ASEAN environment it better start encouraging Thai TV channels to add some English content..i really think channels like True vision are really letting the country and its children down.

Not only for Thais, but i would urge even farangs living in Thailand to write to Thai Newspapers and Thai media outlets on this issue. I don't think there is any other country in the world who totally disregards English like Thailand does!!

Hi,I don't know where to post this but its in Eastern Thailand (Sakhon Nakhon). There's been a lot of rain lately .my GF didn't call the other day because she said she couldn't because of the "big rains". I don't know if I believe her. Is this a common occurrence in Sakhon Nakhon Issan,that the cell phone service go's out? I've been bitten before by Thai girls with there Go Hoak Ghaang Jai .

Rick

Interesting if you happen to be German because I may be able to give you some information on a woman from said Sakhon Nakhon and answer your question at the same time.... A girl who works for me was unashamedly telling me in passing that she has a friend from Sakhon Nakhon who told her German boyfriend that she is at home working in a restaurant when in fact she is in Chaing Mai with one of her many wealthy Thai boyfriend. She rang my friend because her German boyfriend had been calling the day previously and she could not answer or sms him because she can not write English and was with this Thai man. The excuse that was sms'd by my employee who speaks and writes English to her friend and was forwarded to this hapless German was "Sakhon Nakhon have big rain my telephone not work." I tried to point out that conspiring with this woman to etc etc but was to no avail... "She my friend!" Justification enough I guess?

The last part of your story is really what defines the psyche of these people.

Their friends will lie for them and be a party to any sort of deception that is asked of them, without the slightest thought of morals or any concept of right or wrong. It seems anything is fair game as long as its not them on the receiving end.

What REALLY disgusts me the most however is this practice of mothers getting their young kids to talk to multiple farangs and getting them to refer to each boyfriend as PAPA...

Its a sad thing, what chance have the kiddies got of growing up anywhere near normal

These people.Run Somchai RunThese people. That is the preface to all the bad and silly and stereotypical remarks. It comes right before we get all the wonders of Western culture and morals. Right before we hear about the Yellow menace. Normally it is written by the 2AM Aussie wannabeinThailand brigade.

wannabe eh? that is rich coming from you.

BTW: I am in Thailand now, but don't worry, i only have a tourist visa, so you can go on thinking you are very clever and special with your superior "thainess"

ABTW I think my drunken ramblings at 2AM made more sense than your offerring

Hi,I don't know where to post this but its in Eastern Thailand (Sakhon Nakhon). There's been a lot of rain lately .my GF didn't call the other day because she said she couldn't because of the "big rains". I don't know if I believe her. Is this a common occurrence in Sakhon Nakhon Issan,that the cell phone service go's out? I've been bitten before by Thai girls with there Go Hoak Ghaang Jai .

Rick

Interesting if you happen to be German because I may be able to give you some information on a woman from said Sakhon Nakhon and answer your question at the same time.... A girl who works for me was unashamedly telling me in passing that she has a friend from Sakhon Nakhon who told her German boyfriend that she is at home working in a restaurant when in fact she is in Chaing Mai with one of her many wealthy Thai boyfriend. She rang my friend because her German boyfriend had been calling the day previously and she could not answer or sms him because she can not write English and was with this Thai man. The excuse that was sms'd by my employee who speaks and writes English to her friend and was forwarded to this hapless German was "Sakhon Nakhon have big rain my telephone not work." I tried to point out that conspiring with this woman to etc etc but was to no avail... "She my friend!" Justification enough I guess?

What REALLY disgusts me the most however is this practice of mothers getting their young kids to talk to multiple farangs and getting them to refer to each boyfriend as PAPA...

where do they do this ?

Ok, as Cdnvic has stated, not fair to taint all with the same brush.

Let me just say i was a witness to this whilest staying with people up country. The lady in question had three guys on the go from different countries, sometimes even getting calls from all three on the same night. Each time she would hand the phone to 12y.o old kiddy, directing him what to say to "papa".

The whole family went along with it, not batting an eyelid, no shame in it whatsoever, just as normal as eating somtam.

When i commented about it they laughed and joked about it, telling me "everyone" does it.

Funny, when you can understand a bit of the lingo you have to ask yourself are you acually hearing right

Hi,I don't know where to post this but its in Eastern Thailand (Sakhon Nakhon). There's been a lot of rain lately .my GF didn't call the other day because she said she couldn't because of the "big rains". I don't know if I believe her. Is this a common occurrence in Sakhon Nakhon Issan,that the cell phone service go's out? I've been bitten before by Thai girls with there Go Hoak Ghaang Jai .

Rick

Interesting if you happen to be German because I may be able to give you some information on a woman from said Sakhon Nakhon and answer your question at the same time.... A girl who works for me was unashamedly telling me in passing that she has a friend from Sakhon Nakhon who told her German boyfriend that she is at home working in a restaurant when in fact she is in Chaing Mai with one of her many wealthy Thai boyfriend. She rang my friend because her German boyfriend had been calling the day previously and she could not answer or sms him because she can not write English and was with this Thai man. The excuse that was sms'd by my employee who speaks and writes English to her friend and was forwarded to this hapless German was "Sakhon Nakhon have big rain my telephone not work." I tried to point out that conspiring with this woman to etc etc but was to no avail... "She my friend!" Justification enough I guess?

The last part of your story is really what defines the psyche of these people.

Their friends will lie for them and be a party to any sort of deception that is asked of them, without the slightest thought of morals or any concept of right or wrong. It seems anything is fair game as long as its not them on the receiving end.

What REALLY disgusts me the most however is this practice of mothers getting their young kids to talk to multiple farangs and getting them to refer to each boyfriend as PAPA...

Its a sad thing, what chance have the kiddies got of growing up anywhere near normal

I have told previous GF's that no matter what the situation is, theres be no lies.

But to make that stick you have to be able hear the truth without judgement and then gain the trust that you will not freak out at every admission, or go ballistic should an "opportunity" may arise.

Basically it means i promise not to mess with their food bowl, and so far i have not had to compromise my own values, and am confident that the truth has been told on all occasions.

This arrangement may be a little warped, but i figure they will do as they will, no matter if you know it or not, so in that regard its better to know the truth and be able to make an informed decision on the consequences afterwards, rather than being taken for a fool, being lied to, and not knowing any better.

IMO, it helps if you give up this "ownership" mentality of your partner, of which thinking we are well accustomed to in the west. Things seem to become a lot clearer here once you realise the futility in that.

Truth is, they have had to survive before we came on the scene and will have to do the same after we have gone.And im sure it will be a lot tougher road for them as we farang are afforded in our relatively comfortable lives in the west.

As we all know, there has never been any great welfare sytems in place here, and what some people have had to do to survive is pretty sad.

In hearing stories about what my GFs mother and family went though, (re Vietnam war period) and how JUST surviving was a struggle for everyone, my previous egotistical ideas about how things SHOULD be seem pretty dang insignificant.

Having said that, there is also this insipid greed factor, and I think sometimes there can be many shades of grey between what we identify as what makes for a "normal" Thai GF and a naughty one.

Definately it is the all consuming greed that makes a person cross over to the darker side of themselves, and you can always see it in a true bargirl...they cannot possibly resist the big money, consumerism mentality, and of course this ridiculous "face" thing being all they have in regards to their own worth.

My advice to the OP...

If you can't handle the truth, don't ask for it!

OP, As another poster metrioned, you can get a bus from Mochit 2 bus station to Mukkdahan. I think its not more than 300-400 baht, but its a long trip (about 9 hours from memory) so keep that in mind.

Once you are at the Mukkdahan bus staton you should look for the timetable for the bus that does ithe run over the friendship brige2 into Suv..

It is a nice new bus and i think is 100 baht, they will wait for you to pass customs and the bus will be on the other side to then take you to Suvanakhet bus station.

If you want to stay at the Casino, or even just use the Casino bus service, i noticed they will take you to the casino from either Mukkgdahan or Savanakhet staions, but seeing how i didnt have a pre-arranged Lao visa, i didnt use that option. I got a tuk tuk from the station to the border for 100 baht and then went hrough customs in my own time and got the same bus to Suvahnakhet bus station. From there tuk tuks wll take you to the embassy for around 50 baht...well, it used to be that price anyway

Once on the river in Suvanakhet it is easy enough to walk to the embassy and there are many cheap hotels in the vacinty along the river.

Have a good trip and be sure to report back.

It's hard to see why the "foreign 'boyfriend'" bit has any business in an article about the vicious murder of a local seamstress.

Its not hard to see through that one..

hint : farang boyfriend + Thai GF shot = bullet loaded into Thaivisa gun..

Mention of a farang invites TVs armchair internet psychics in to investigate the case...all of whom will probably deduct that the farang ordered the hitmen in to do the business, before the evil missus spent all of his money and gambled the house away as well

So, theblether...

Have i got it right? The way i am reading the information you speak of..

It will be possible to apply (to some sort of united Asean immigration/body?) for one visa which will allow a single entry into any of the Asean countries involved?..

Of course that visa would then be subject to the rules and durations of entry as applicable for each individual country? as they stand now?

I can not imagine all these countries adopting and changing a lot of existing laws and immigration policies as to come inline with some fully unified system?

So, in affect does it mean all the countries involved will be charging the same fee for a multiple country visa obtained from ones own country?

Then you would have to ask will Thailand still keep the visa on arrival policy IF one is only wanting to come to Thailand...or will they scrap that system and make everyone get this new visa?

I had a little giggle the first time i saw the MRT sign..

<..To Bang Sue

Never did find that Sue girl..guess that might have something to do with the arrow pointing away from Sukkumvhit

Edited, as my question answered already, although after ringing Soi 8 pub i was told they will be showing this fight on at 9pm nightime

I guess another one of those times you have to make allowaces for inconsistancies in LOS

If you live in issan you won't learn no Thai at all, locals will only speak Lao or Khmer dialects so unless you live in the central plains you will be wasting your time because people from issan cannot speak good Thai or even pronounce it properly,

Maybe if you live in boondocks central. My sincere apologies but the statement that locals will only speak Lao or Khymer dialect and can't speak good Thai or pronounce it properly is, for want of a better word or words, a load of &lt;deleted&gt;

Have to second that..complete &lt;deleted&gt;.

Yes, there's many individual words and nuances in the Isaan dialects that might differ from the traditional Thai, but in no way does this hamper an Isaan person from communicating or being understood by a Bangkok Thai..

I'd say nearly all Thais have a pretty good knowledge of the various Isaan words that differ from Thai, in general conversation anyway.

But to say you will learn no Thai at all upcountry?? how do these guys come up with this stuff??