morpho

I never understand, why unhappy expats continue to stay in LoS, when everything is so bad compared to home and/or other places.

Go home or go to one of the other “better” places.

I agree, but my guess is that they would just start up bitchin' and moanin' about that place after they got there because "that's what they do"! But at least I (and you) wouldn't have to listen to them.

IMO I think it sometimes depends on who I talk to. I've lived in Chiang Mai now for 2 years and I've met a variety of expats living here. It seems that if I'm talking to an expat who's really settled down here, then I hear less bitchin' and moanin'. By that, I mean guys who have married a Thai woman, bought a house, and maybe have a job and kids here. Sure, they still complain about some things but all in all, they seem content and positive about being here. On the other hand, when I talk to many single expats in bars or restaurants here I think I hear more moaning and groaning about what's wrong in Thailand and how they should fix this and fix that...and it's not this way back home and blah, blah, blah It's one reason I don't frequent some bars/restaurants in Chiang Mai much anymore where they seem to "reside". I'm also single and I admit can also be guilty of too much complaining too at times but I try to catch myself and tell myself I chose to be here so I can either like it and enjoy it the best I can or I can just make myself miserable being here.

Isn't all this rather petty ?

Of course. It's what we do here.

That last comment is not only hilarious, it is probably the truest comment ever made on thaivisa.com!

JetsetBkk, I salute you, sir!

He should have learned from Gen. Douglas MacArthur and just walked ashore through the surf and gotten his pants wet. MacArthur was a master of PR!

Preparations for when the Army decides to have another coup.

I'd like to know how much money changes hands under the table on this one!!!

Yeah right....and bears don't shit in the woods!

The Chang Mai people are much nicer than people from other regions, its just a simple fact.

I think there's a lot of truth in that...just hope it stays that way!

Chiang Mai is a great place. But wait until the Russian Mob take a more vested interest in it. Then the situation will deteriorate dramatically.

I live in Chiang Mai and I never worry about the Russian Mob coming here. If you notice, Russians like to visit and hang out in beach areas. That's the main reason they visit and have settled in Pattaya and Phuket. Same goes for Vietnam...they're all over Nha Trang, Mui Ne, and Vung Tau, all beach areas. I seldom see them in Chiang Mai or any other mountainous regions of Thailand and Vietnam. So without Russians coming to Chiang Mai, I doubt the Russian Mob will.

On the other hand, Chinese mobsters coming to Chiang Mai might be a serious concern someday!

Great news for sure!

I've always admired His Majesty...great king and great guy IMO. Hope he enjoys the fresh air by the sea.

Long Live the King...and Queen.

......Just shows the level of intelligence some of these people have

You mean "just shows the total absence of any shred of intelligence that these people have".

"Stupid farang!

Thai oil slick not same Farag oil-slick, Thai oil good for enviroment can increase speed for swimming fish and make more tourist opportunity.

We are the hub of good-oil-slick in ASEAN area!"

....a spokesman said.

Really sad...but funny and true!

The Thai way is the ONLY way!

Fortunately the time I was there about 8 years ago, there was no full moon or half moon or no moon or one-quarter moon. Must have been 1/8 moon and there was no party for that moon yet. It was nice and peaceful on Haad Rin and the rest of Ko Pha Ngan for that matter. But based on what I've heard since then, development has taken off and it's only a matter of time before the island becomes Ko Samui II. So I'll probably never go back...and just hang on to the blissful memories I have of the place.

Good grief!!! Who are these PTT guys trying to kid? Do they think everybody else is as stupid as they are????

After working 30+ years in the environmental protection field back in the States, one thing I find interesting in this situation is that I have not heard or seen any Thai or foreign environmental group (or fishermen) screaming bloody murder about the effects on the marine and avian life that will result from this. You hear a lot of people complaining and worrying about the money to be lost from tourism but that's about it. If something like this would have happened in places like San Francisco Bay or California coast back home, there would be countless environmental groups, fishermen, birders, you-name-it screaming for the local, State, and Federal government and the company involved to react ASAP.

Agree, BUT here most persons dare not speak out to the authorities-different ball game, ask the wife if she complains in shops-water board-electric company-TOT-TAT-police you name it MOSCT will tell you, you CANNOT.

Many go as far as to say if you do maybe someone will kill you---FACT--ask locals, mums the word. So I for one, I'm not surprised.

Yeah, I hear ya. I've been here long enough to learn to complain little and complain softly if I complain at all to any Thai authorities.

Quite the contrast...as a gov't employee back home responsible for environmental protection, I actually welcomed (and in some cases personally initiated) the environmental groups getting agitated so they would keep the heat on gov't agencies...and especially some recalcitrant politicians...to deal with the situation. Definitely a different world.

I did see in a thai.visa post today that Greenpeace spoke out and said the gov't is understating the environmental damage from the spill. And apparently some other conservationists have also expressed concerns....but apparently quite softly.

Thanks for the advice. Since the spill appears to be worse than initially reported we are going to go elsewhere. It is just not worth a risk when there are so many other places to go. Thanks for the suggestions. A friend suggested Hua Hin too.

Time to research places and hotels again.

Hua Hin would be a viable alternative. Obviously easy to get to from BKK. You might check out the Pran Buri beach areas just south of town if you're less interested in staying in the Hua Hin city center area.

I would recommend Ko Chang. I've always liked it more than Ko Samet (even before the spill). With kids, you might check out the White Beach area on the west side...probably more activities for them, wide selection of hotels, and the sunsets can be spectacular there. The beaches in the south are nice too but much quieter than at White Beach.

YEAH, Yeah, I know, self praise stinks, but whats a guy to do, when all his former friends forget him ????

[besides this is not praise, its promoting]

We have been an ' American Style Restaurant' for over 17 years now and like to think we have real American style prepared food. In other words , breakfast that is food to 'EAT' not take photos of for Better Homes and Garden type mags.

This Breakfast, the Chicken Fried Superman Breakfast is currently only 195 Baht. Other full American Breakfasts at almost half that price.

If you are new to the area, stop by for a chit/chat. Maybe we can help wear off some of the new-ness. In any event welcome to Chiang Mai.

P S Identify yourself with your Thai Visa nic and also receive a 10% discount.

The Pun Pun Guesthouse and Restaurant

G

That's some breakfast G, I think I've gained weight just looking at it!

Ooh look... a heart attack on a plate

Yeah, my dad, who was fit-as-a-fiddle throughout his life, loved a breakfast similar to this almost right up until the day he died at the ripe "young" age of 91! Some people can handle it and some can't.

Absorbent pads appear to have some effect...at least on the surface of flat beach sections.

YEAH, Yeah, I know, self praise stinks, but whats a guy to do, when all his former friends forget him ????

[besides this is not praise, its promoting]

We have been an ' American Style Restaurant' for over 17 years now and like to think we have real American style prepared food. In other words , breakfast that is food to 'EAT' not take photos of for Better Homes and Garden type mags.

This Breakfast, the Chicken Fried Superman Breakfast is currently only 195 Baht. Other full American Breakfasts at almost half that price.

If you are new to the area, stop by for a chit/chat. Maybe we can help wear off some of the new-ness. In any event welcome to Chiang Mai.

P S Identify yourself with your Thai Visa nic and also receive a 10% discount.

The Pun Pun Guesthouse and Restaurant

G

Sorry to be critical but...that's looks like a respectable attempt but still lacking IMHO. Onions and green peppers in home fries is not what I grew up with...and I like my home fries a little bit undercooked. The chicken fried steak (not chicken) is best when it's a large, single piece and smothered in a heavier gravy, plus the fried batter crust looks a little too much for my personal taste. And serving a toasted baguette just doesn't cut it for me...either only quality toasted white or wheat bread will do (except for those who prefer some fluffy buttermilk pancakes). Oh, and the coffee must be free-flowing...no one cup limit.

I don't miss many foods from the States but a quality American breakfast and a 20-24 oz. one-inch thick American (or Costa Rican or Argentine would suffice) beef T-bone steak (that Aussie and Kiwi stuff just doesn't cut the grade) are two things I sorely miss after being here for 2 years. Still looking for both....

...from Born in Texas and Bred in Oklahoma.

I'm no oil cleanup expert but having been a wildlife biologist in a previous life, I worked with many. My guess is that the damage has already been done and it will be years (i.e., decade or longer) before those beaches recover. The Thais working on this need to save losing any more face and call in foreign help ASAP from cleanup experts who actually know what they are doing before it gets any worse.

The evaporation rate is much much higher due to higher temperature and higher winds spreading the oil faster than for example in Alaska so it will not take very long. Some even say the use of Coreexit in BP spill made the spill even more toxic to the environment than the oil alone.

Yeah, my understanding is that a lot factors come into play...water temp and salinity, ambient air temps, exposure time, depth of exposure, sand or substrate texture, oil viscosity, dispersants used, etc But the pics are quite dramatic and definitely show that some beaches got a real soaking of oil.

What makes an breakfast American?

Must it have heartattack side effects?

Must it just be a lot of food but greasy?

Must the cook be a overweighted individual?

Just curious!

It definitely doesn't have baked beans like its English cousin...but to answer your last 3 questions, both versions fit the bill.

I'm no oil cleanup expert but having been a wildlife biologist in a previous life, I worked with many. My guess is that the damage has already been done and it will be years (i.e., decade or longer) before those beaches recover. The Thais working on this need to save losing any more face and call in foreign help ASAP from cleanup experts who actually know what they are doing before it gets any worse.