sanmiguel

I was hoping to be in LOS for it but the prices for flights went up by 150gbp in the space of 5 minutes so will be watching it at Gatwick and arriving Sunday, it'll make the flight happier if we win.

Newcastle are draw specialists, but for some deluded reason i think we'll win, on the basis we have to and we were fcuken useless to throw away a 2 goal lead at St James's when we were the better team by a million miles (if you saw it you'd agree) even Stoke were singing 2 nil and you fcuked it up.

Anyway only 1.5 days to find out.

Owen and Oba have been useless of late theyre both too good to be consistently bad, and Shearers spotted the insignificant fact that they get <deleted> all help from midfield or anyone else.

Plus weve a proper centre back (Bassong).... back, and maybe Taylor.

First up, Thais ARE fairly dominant in boxing at the weight levels that they fight at; lightweight and lighter. Plenty of champs including a few hall of famers, Khaosai Galaxy being one if I recall. Successful at an olympic level. what more do you want?

Thais are not even close to dominant in any weight division in boxing they never have been, there is the a couple of them in the mix amongst several of the lighter divisions thats not domination or even fairly dominant.

And it is a fact someone who has a stance and is trained at boxing would knock the head off a muay Thai boxer, in a boxing contest which if you read what i wrote is what i said.

If you wish to prove me wrong state examples of Thai's dominating queensbury rules boxing, at which point i'll be glad to admit im wrong, i'm pretty sure im not.

Cheers for the lead to the place in Sukhumvit, im only into fitness and slapping bags and pads about, i've a feeling these people arent into letting someone quietly go along and do this kind of thing.

From what ive seen regarding boxing in BKK where farangs are involved it seems to be aimed towards wanabee failed tough boys and university backpacker wanabee tough boys, ........ and gyms trying to make ludicrous profits 3000 bht a month for hitting bags is crazy money...... all i wish to do is 6 rounds of hitting a punch bag 4 times a week .... in England i pay 7 quid a week with the option of 6 different bags for this, and a perfectly equiped gym.

There must be somewhere in BKK that offers a similar option for a reasonable price.

Here is a decent article about Shearer, well at least i think so you can make your own minds up.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle6069800.ece

Its defintely better then the Piers Morgan piece of sh7e that many of you had pre - plagiarised without realising.

I personally still cant get my head around 7500 kids going to watch training, maybe i'd have gone if free entry to the ground and this option was open to me as a kid, im sure other grounds would be just as full if clubs entertained it.

Just seen on Skysports news you scabland bunch of throw in specialists have won 9 home games all seasons, which is none too bad.

So to make your simple lives a little simpler, if you'd like to make some easy money put it on black on white this weekend not on the mackems in disguise.... we're due a win.

In fairness to the lp fans/supporters, a couple weeks back when they thrashed us - I knew how they now feel.

Is it nice to feel like a scouser?

Grow up James.

I see his point. I am all into a bit of banter, but you become boorish.

All he done was repeat the thread on the Manure board, there seems to be some bad losers on here.

If he's wound someone up his work is complete.

Always next year.

There must be some genuine cases out there you big big hearted people.

My problem is i wouldnt trust the civil servants with my donations, so none.

Anyone see them 2 Manure fans the camera went to after Porto scored the 2nd that were laughing and joking they ought to be banned for life for such an act.

Anyway whats happened to Ronaldo he looks a shadow of last seasons player.

Word in da Hood is that his head's in Madrid...

Be a pity if he leaves as ive got to take my hat off to the bloke by ignoring Fergies desire for all his players to settle down and get a bird, and sh4ggin his way through most the brass in Manchester.

Once the property owners get them repossessed from the banks or someone buys for the pre property boom price and then charges reasonable rents things will start picking up.

This bar opposite Golden sounds interesting, Golden used to have some cracking girls there several years ago, now anything half decent looking with a friendly disposition seems to get snapped up in no time.

Live life on the edge and splash the 138bht and let us know.

The banks arent going to lend until this crash hits the bottom.

And the bottom is going to last a long long time with the upcoming tax tsunami Europe and the US have coming.

It seems Gordon Brown has failed in getting the banks lending huge sums to us to reinflate the burst housing bubble, though his messy plan does seem to have prolonged the much needed housing crash, IMO once property hits rock bottom in 2-4 yrs then things may start to look up.

Anyone see them 2 Manure fans the camera went to after Porto scored the 2nd that were laughing and joking they ought to be banned for life for such an act.

Anyway whats happened to Ronaldo he looks a shadow of last seasons player.

The thing with the Mike Tyson of old (ie before prison) was people knew exactly what he was going to do but they just couldnt stop him, though i dont think he was that great at taking a punch at least after prison where he was like a rabbit in headlights once hit.

When the news shows gangs of young Thais fighting on the street they usually seem to use their fists, as lets face if you do a kick in a street fight and miss youre pretty much in the shit and fists are quicker and more accurate.

Ive boxed as a kid and when i watch Thai boxing i think i'd knock them out no problem if the bout turned into a fist fight as their balance/stance for punching isnt right, but if it was me using Queensbury boxing rules against Thai boxing rules i reckon i'd just give up as i wouldnt know what was coming next.

Also the lack of Thais who make money in pro boxing shows their punches are weaker, as there is more money in this sport im sure theyd turn to it if they had the ability.

PS Im coming to BKK shortly can anyone tell me where there is a gym with punch bags preferably near to Sukhumvit that i can use, im not looking for a Muay Thai camp just somewhere to keep fit.

We are seeing lots of changes in Thai society. The more the Thais distance themselves from their Thai heritage and become like Westerners the less foreigners are keen to come to Thailand. Any thoughts?

How many foreigners are coming for the Thai "culture" ?

Though you could say ladies of immoral virtue and having a good time are parts of Thai culture.

When shopping we now get the same treatment like any store in Europe for example.

I'm about to go shopping for some clothes i hope to fcuken god i get western treatment and they dont speak to me.

no i don't agree and there is no law, neither in Thailand nor in any other country i know, that governs bank charges. as far as any excessive profits are concerned i doubt that they exist.

In the UK for the last 3 years the Office of fair trading has taken the banks to court over the excessive cost of bank charges, for if you say go overdrawn by 1gbp you get a letter that costs 40gbp.

The OFT have won this case hands down as the law states they are only allowed to recoup their cost of going overdrawn which is literally pennies as opposed to the 40gbp they charge, and that it is seen as being an illegal fine for which they dont have the right to issue ...... the banks argued it was a service but this was not accepted.

It will cost the banks billions and its believed will see the end of free UK banking.

But my major point was this collusion of banks must be illegal as its against the open market, surely Thailands got laws to enhance free trade/ the open market even if they get ignored.

Thankyou to the people who have come up with ways around this fee.

Maybe OP you're just one of them people who finds it impossible to be content.

Since ive cut down on drinking and almost stopped chasing women when i go to LOS i also find it hard to have fun filling in my days.

I read books, i box or exercise for upto 2 hours almost everyday, surf the web, go for walks, cook, watch sport etc etc when im there, but it just doesnt replace the feeling of getting drunk or doing chemicals in paradise with lots of sassy women and being a 4 week millionaire, in the days when its all new to you.

What on earth are you wittering on about Miguel?

It is fairly clear, including the first line that said i wasn't responding to you in the initial post, and the line that highlights the fact ive never been charged by 2 banks for 1 withdrawal anywhere in the world, how the <deleted> someone of your undoubted genius couldnt fathom this out is a worry for me.

How much do you pay for your petrol at the pump or are you trundling along on your bicycle in protest at that cartel?

I use red diesel, exclusively made in British waters as a protest, kills 2 birds with one stone this does, as it enables me to avoid my other pet hate ....... taxation.

PS You are quite right to acknowledge my genius.

Yes the only prole genius in the world who thinks Cartels that cost him money are tickityboo.

Miguel,

Which bit of my post did you not comprehend?

I wasnt quoting it.

I didnt realise once i read your post that i was now enlightened. Though in response to your genius i would say that western banks hardly hold the superior moral ground when it comes to being fair with customers.

If you read my post im saying in the west it would be illegal for a cartel of banks to do what theyre doing ....... sometimes our regulators get things right for the consumer.

Thailand is supposed to have a free open market this cartel shows it is not.

Ive lived in several European countries in the last few years and have only ever got charged by my bank not the bank who provides the ATM, if i make a telephone call i wouldnt be charged by their provider aswell as my own this is akin to that.

But Lopburi99 is right banks are looking for new avenues to make profits, and they arent going to get anyone arguing with them over this.

Police really on the ball eh!

Couldn't imagine it happening to Gordon Brown.

Thats because he has created an Orwellian police state, where the few elite are protected, not too safe walking the streets here in Benwell Newcastle, be nice for him to feel the fear most who walk around here do.

and if it was known that the fees are excessive then what? UN Security Council sanctions?

Possibly or maybe the Thai monopolies commission or similar body, would say that it is illegal for all the banks to collude into making such a deal ....... not exactly creating a free open market im sure you'd agree.

Surely all bank charges in Thailand are governed by the same laws, if Thais were to get charged 150 baht (which as all i know they do) then surely this would be seens as excessive profit and the government could put limits on such cartel like profiteering.

But Thailand have been used to a one sided free trade agreement with western nations for so long that they dont know what free trade is.

Thailand is trying everything in its power to disuade foreigners from coming here.

Mind you, thats quite a wack, 150 baht, more than most countries.

Ernest

Your joking right? Do you seriously think any tourist/foreigners is going to change their minds and not go to Thailand because of this? If you live here and depend on cash from overseas then simply do a wire transfer once a month or so.

Tompa,

It'd be good to know the actual cost of using the machine and the setting up the computer system that transfers the money, id be willing to bet it'd be nearer a few baht then to 150 baht, this 150bht does seem excessive, thing is most tourists using Atm's in Thailand wont know about this extra charge until they return home.

Big deal. Banks are busineses, not public services.

Many major British, European and American banks are most certainly not private stand alone businesses, you could be sure the same rules would apply to Thai banks in similar circumstances.

Don't forget that The Nationwide have recently announced that they will be charging on their cards very shortly, but they are still the cheapest.

I read on a thread somewhere here that if you get the card that isnt Visa with this account they dont charge for cash withdrawals.

Reading the links it looks as if the Caxton fx global traveller card is the best in terms of charges, it also claims to offer old fashioned customer service.