petedk

I haven't been to Pattaya for several months, but will be going tomorrow.

Last time I took a songtaew from Pattaya Nua bus station to soi 12. He asked for 50 baht. I smiled and gave him 20 baht.

Behind me were some Asian tourists. They didn't know how much so they just opened their hands and showed him the money.

He took about 80 baht from each of them. I didn't say anything.

It's not difficult to find Thaksin.

His sister, pheua Thai members and even top cops have visited him in other countries.

At the university where I teach we are evaluated by the students at the end of every semester.

Our contract renewal depends on us getting good evaluations.

Some of the questions are something like this:

Is the teacher late? (How can they answer that when more than 50% of them are always late?)

Does the teacher use Facebook, Line and You tube in his teaching?

Are the rooms well equipped? (yes that also influences our evaluation.)

Other criteria:

Do we attend staff meetings, lectures, merit making outings?

Do we speak Thai or are learning to speak Thai?

Oh my actual interview went something like this.

Do you have Thai girlfriend? (I think 3 teachers asked me that during the interview)

Do you like Thai food?

There was nothing (and I mean nothing!) about my teaching qualifications or experience.

So what is the real measure of a good teacher?

Just fit in and make the Thai teachers and students happy.

I have 1 experience I can share.

When I was 14 I had a friend come over to my house on Friday night. He brought a ouija board over. We brought it into my room, shut the light off, and lit a candle. After asking the board if any spirits are there, the candle flame went nuts flickering (there was no breeze) and the room lit up so bright. We ran out of the room and told my sister and brother downstairs. I was so scared that I was shaking and cold. Even now typing this I have full body chills. o . o

I don't really believe in ouija but ..... I also have had a strange experience.

To make it short. I was about 21 years old and knew a lady of 74. She was a widow and sat in a wheelchair. Anyway she asked me if I wanted to join her at an ouija session. No bloody way. I was scared stiff of that crap at that time.

After the session I asked her what the spirits said. "That she would get married next year."

We had a good laugh and forgot all about it.

A few months later she mat a man of her own age. The following year they married.

I can never forget that. Coincidence or real? I don't know

That is the closest I have ever been to any black magic, paranormal or whatever.

A lot of money if it is a false alert and you can only fart!

I am planning to do my 90 day report by post today but cannot download TM47

I get a 404 Not found error

Have they stopped doing reporting by mail?

its about time the big guy of Thong Lor police who takes all the tea money from business's in this area spoke up and explained whats going on and why

Too busy enjoying himself in a certain pub on Thong Lor.

Walked past today and about 6 cops sat in there. I have seen them there the last few days.

I thought about taking a photo but decided against it.

Out of 150 customers only two were over the legal age limit.

The mind boggles.

I am sure there are many similar places in Bangkok.

When I ask my 21 year old students if they go to certain nightclubs they reply that they are too old.

BKK has to be one of the most boring day time places on the planet..take away all the shopping malls and what have you got , some pretty average temples, bacteria ridden street food, oh and terrible traffic with all the polution it brings

and the wonderful......Stop and search police harassment plus the Tesakit 2000baht scammers

I can understand why people are staying less

Add to that the increasing number of alcohol free days.

The idea of banning alcohol at New Year will certainly keep some tourists away.

Is it just me - but I've always felt at risk down at the Asoke Junction. Seemed that either the traffic or police would get me.

Anyway, bottom line has been avoidance.

What would be really useful now is if anyone knows the coverage of Thonglor Police Station, or of any other hotspots in that area?

Yes I am afraid of the traffic at Asoke junction but for the last couple of years I have used either the MRT tunnel under the raod or the BTS skywalk. Problem solved.

Still not afraid of cops as I have never been stopped and never seen them target foreigners. I have seen them stop many people though.... Thai (or Asian) and farang.

So, what happened?

Any ban?

I have lived here 15 years and go up and down Thong Lor and Asoke several times a day and at all times of day.

I have not once seen farangs being stopped by the police.

There are many reports but no proof.

Yes, I believe there are checks at night. I have been stopped when driving, but then again so were many Thais. Nothing happened... just a few simple questions about drinking, then a polite smile and on you go.

I've heard of pubs and nightclubs being raided but Thais were targetted just as much as farangs.

I was stopped by the "litter cops" but after a short friendly conversation was allowed to go. (Yes, I dropped a tiny piece of paper on the street when I took my mobile out of my pocket.)

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe there is more harassment from the cops, but I haven't witnessed it.

On a final note.... I have noticed more hatred towards foreigners (I mean hatred) from other groups of Thais, but that is a different thread.

What about that video that is posted as a proof.

I saw it orginal on fb guy who posted it...

I am not saying it doesn't happen.

That is ONE video. I see Thais being stopped on Thong Lor too.

I am just saying we need more proof that foreigners are being targetted by the police. Yes, I know the "tasakit" pick on foreigners littering.

I have lived here 15 years and go up and down Thong Lor and Asoke several times a day and at all times of day.

I have not once seen farangs being stopped by the police.

There are many reports but no proof.

Yes, I believe there are checks at night. I have been stopped when driving, but then again so were many Thais. Nothing happened... just a few simple questions about drinking, then a polite smile and on you go.

I've heard of pubs and nightclubs being raided but Thais were targetted just as much as farangs.

I was stopped by the "litter cops" but after a short friendly conversation was allowed to go. (Yes, I dropped a tiny piece of paper on the street when I took my mobile out of my pocket.)

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe there is more harassment from the cops, but I haven't witnessed it.

On a final note.... I have noticed more hatred towards foreigners (I mean hatred) from other groups of Thais, but that is a different thread.

Forced to drink four liters of water?This could cause death.

I was going to say the same thing.

I don't believe it. Maybe he was forced to drink 4 glasses. (if the story is true)

Does he also have a similar process, to turn lead into gold, perchance ?

You beat me to it

I have lived in Bangkok for 15 years and at the moment I take 2 or more taxis a day, so I have had plenty of experience with the drivers.

Most are good but there are many (and I mean many) who refuse to take me to the destination I want. Ok I just wait for the next one.

Some try asking 200 Baht for a 50 baht trip, and one even wanted a blow job!

Today, however, I have just experienced the worst.

I wanted to go from Bangkok Hospital to Thong Lor (near Camillian Hospital). It's not far but I had two or three big boxes. I thought about taking a motorbike but didn't like the idea of holding the big boxes.

I asked the security woman to get me a taxi to Thong Lor. He drove in but when he saw me he said he wouldn't go. I asked why. (In Thai) and he said the traffic was too bad (15.15 in the afternoon). I told him rubbish and that the traffic was ok. He then asked for 300 Baht. The security woman was taken back too and I saw her write something in her book. I said I would complain but he sped off before I even got his number.

A few minutes later I got another taxi. Cost ... 45 Baht . Time .. about 5 minutes

She forgot, (or didn't know), one of the golden rules of travelling.

If you are approached by a local when in a foreign country, they are probably up to no good.

Why is that a golden rule?

I have met many nice, friendly locals on my travels.

I am surprised that this hasn't been mentioned on this forum as I have read about it in The Bangkok post and seen it on BBC World News.

Thai scientists have spent 1 million dollars inventing a robot that can taste the authenticity of Thai food.

This has been done to "guarantee " the good taste of thai food in other countries.

The machine will go on sale at 18,000 dollars each.

No it is not April 1 yet!

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30110282

Boonthavorn , its pricey but has better stuff than most diy sheds

7/11 great for filling up with junk food

Tesco, well its a UK company and the rules were if we buy/build we have to be within 5 miles of one

You mean it WAS a British company.

From what I gather Tesco Is pulling out (or already has) and CP aim to take over.

so they have to go to a short time hotel "

I see a business opportunity here.

Are there any laws determining the distance of short time hotels from universities?

A friend of mine claimed that his Line had been hacked and that the hacker was sending messages to all contacts offering them some kind of voucher to iTunes.

He even went to the police to report the hacking. Could this be the virus?

Somehow I doubt it, because he uses iPhone.

"Have suggested the government improve laws".

What do they mean by improve?

Just enforce the existings laws would be easier.

They can make as many laws as they want but if they aren't enforced then there's no point.

There is a restaurant about 20 metres from our university gate and it openly sells alcohol to students, yet 150 metres away is a completely "dry" 7/11.

To the OP

So you would pay 100 Baht for a 60 baht trip and you moan at the 200 baht?

That's a tip of 66%. No wonder taxi drivers love foreigners.

Nuff said.