desertrat

"Now, I ask you, how often does a passenger in Thailand wear a seat belt? Perhaps one in 1,000, or one in 10,000?"

I must be that one, even wear in the Pattaya-Bangkok bus when they have them, much to the merriment of the other passengers.

I have had two significant accidents in last 10 years

1. I was jaywalking in Bangkok and hit by a motorcycle in a contra lane outside Robinsons Sukhumvit

I was taken to Pattaya via Bumrungrad and while recovering, a very anxious young Thai couple visited me, having tracked me down,apparently they were in trouble.

I wrote a waiver that it was my fault, nothing more heard.

2. A Motorcycle with two passengers hit my company pickup as I was turning right, (Pattaya), and he was trying to overtake me on double yellow dashed lines,. minor damage no injuries.

At the Police Station a significant number of the family arrived. The Officer said it was 50-50 and I should pay compensation. I said it was 100-0 and I would appear in court if necessary.

After many phone calls between the insurance agent, my employer and the police. I walked away after many hours and paid about 400 baht for the report.

The family appeared very disappointed.

When driving my car I expect motorcycles to turn across me and to come bolting out of side turns.

None have yet to approach head on, except in the safety lanes.

I drive very slooowly and am probably a PIA to other road users.

When cycling never any problems.

Despite the above, if I thought I could "escape" I would flee the scene.

B4 I'm flamed I'm not knocking tattooed people, as I don't know any.

Really? What cave do you live in?

It's not so much the cave one lives in, it's the circles in which you circulate.

"As for Reynolds' 'Lady of Bangkok', you can't get hold of it because it's out of print. They all say it's worth reading though."

Who wants my copy ?

Ok, desertrat, back in your box - it's not even lunchtime yet.

Even though you asked for "sex tourist getting sunburnt in Pattaya" novels, one of my favourite Bangkok novels is about a guy who spends his days trawling the streets looking for the best burger - they even opened an Internet forum dedicated to the book. Find it HERE

You are confusing me with the OP...QED.

Would rather watch paint dry .

As someone who has played and watched Rugby Union since the heyday of Barry John, first match I watched at Twickers was first Post war All Blacks V England, I unhappily tend to agree nowadays.

Recently the Scotland Ireland match was on, every time I looked up from the PC, either a penalty was

being taken or the ref was raising an arm indicating another.

That three points are available for really what are technical infringements and only 5 for what may have been a prolonged effort of skill and muscle is beyond me.

Not releasing the ball, not rolling away..seems the guy could have done neither under penalty of death.

In MY day scored penalties were virtually unknown. In my army team we had a tiny Scottish soccer international, he could convert from anywhere without any preamble.

I understand (I think) that all the law changes were to keep the game flowing..if that's what people want watch Rugby League, Union was never really a spectator sport.

The England France game had some redeeming features but the exception proves the rule.

"It's quite illuminating that in a country of 60 million people the predominant recollection of western visitors is whorehouses. Perhaps you guys ought to get out a bit more..."

The OP asked for information on this type of novel, if he had wanted recommendations on Philosophy, History, Politics and Astronomy I could offer some.

Perhaps some guys ought to read the OP a bit more.

I'm a Dawkins, Sam Harris, Bill Maher guy, but do try to see some benefits of the religious, (not easy).

Please tell me..Does this amulet nonsense have anything to do with Buddhism.?

After 35 years in Asia, I have been often approached by Asians for awkward personal advice for a "friend"..it was soon patently obvious that they were speaking on their own behalf, and due to the culture not admitting any defects.

The first occasion was from a highly placed manager about his mia noi (Chinese equivalent) and the hole he had dug.

When I told my girl friend, a Chinese girl, she immediately said.."It's him".

Forgot to put in my Best Novels, and not asked for, but WORST novel I've ever read, actually never got past first few chapters was something from someone called Jake Needham.

Good old Trink also rubbished it.

"like me they are well qualified engineer types"

A much abused description, it is illegal in many countries to describe yourself so if not properly qualified, (Good Degree plus Professional Training and Proven Responsibility at Appropriate Level), a long way from the striped hat and oily rag of the train driver.

In Europe Engineers are addressed as "Engineer"

and admitted to a professional institution, I.Mech.E etc.

In my experience I have never met an Engineer who was tattooed, which doesn't mean there aren't any.

Plenty of bald heads though.

B4 I'm flamed I'm not knocking tattooed people, as I don't know any.

"Woman of Bangkok" (Reynolds) '50's shows that nothing changes.

Bits that stick, guy has paid bar and given few thousand baht to girl for joint trip. waiting for bus, she buys a 5 baht comb and asks him for the money, exasperated he say' "I just gave you x thousand baht!"

"That's MY money", she says.

He went to visit her in the back sois.."She lived in a cradle of noise"

His encounter with a policeman after a minor traffic accident, which did not really involve him.

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"Killing Smile", Christopher Moore..The good old days..the original Thermae.

The chapter about the juke box and the hierarchy of girls.

The guy who went back to USA and was asked if he fancied a plump 30 something.

Was on the next plane back..based on true character.

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and of course, Stephen Leather "Private Dancer"

as mentioned should be required reading.

Fer cryin' out loud..What Next ?

This will help

Remember Probability Zero = Never happen

Remember Probability One = Sure thing

I have created this puzzle which works fine for me, but with so many PC configs

I would like to if it is OK for others

It is not neccessary to solve anything (but you can if u wish), just please check

that you can hear the sounds I know that windows media player and realplayer are OK for me, but VLC

(usually very universal) chokes.

No need to log in just click on the wav files shown please. (none is more than 10 seconds)

It may d/l the files just a few kb, then you will need to click play on your player, or it may play straightaway

Please click on the wav files

"does anyone know any other hillwalking spots around here,"

Here

" Would like to explore a bit more "

These guys have explored it all from Koh Si Chang to Rayong

Maps and driving instructions on the web pages..all free

This is very exhaustive and maybe exhausting

You can go the the USAF Officers Mess from that era.(U-tapao). But you'll need to PM me, don't want the hoi polloi finding it.

Mao or Deng said "Women hold up half the sky"..In Thailand its 98%

If ever there was a no-brainer.........

"she keeps a Thai boyfriend, Joe thinks he is a cousin"

Cousin, brother, uncle this stuff is par for the course often their husband.

"If a thai hits you - it is your fault' - 'if you hit a thai it is your fault'"

Not for me I was knocked down and badly injured at the extra counter traffic lane outside Robinsons in Sukhumvit.

I was taken to Pattaya after I recovered consciousness in Bumrungrad

Aweek later a very anxious Thai couple from Bangkok came to the hospital, asking for my version of the accident.

It appeared they were up for the high jump, I just signed a waiver, saying it was my fault for not using the overhead walkway, and apologised to them.

"I always carry my camera in the car to take snapshots of what i think are foolhardy or amazing scenes"

Like this ? , a guy is usually perched on top...I'll dig it out.