horsewell

I was sitting in a coffee club the other day for almost 3 hours when I met with a friend. We where talking and we don't see each other often. Really, even if the shop had a big poster with their rules on them I wouldn't know and would be mortified to have to pay extra like this. Really, the staff member who added the extra charge should have given the customer warning that it was going to happen or the business is at fault. You shouldn't be passive-aggressive with your customers. That said, I don't disagree with the charge.

Any company should have a right to do, within reason, whatever they want with their space. If they say that you can do one thing and not another then it's ok. If they want to charge for sitting there doing work while drinking coffee then so be it. Just as long as the consumer knows up front.

There is an opening for other, quieter, shops to offer this service for free or a reduced charge (like free wifi in cheaper hotels where as most of the 4-5 star hotels it costs extra). There could be a need for rentable business spaces, meeting rooms that serve coffee as well. Maybe this is a need that is not being met around Bangkok!?

Really, seems like some people are completely oblivious of what is in front of them. I saw the same sort of thing with a small lorry a few months back and just don't know how it could happen. My wife helped a guy out, in front of the licensing office in Phuket City, when he drove into a minivan that was turning right into the road. I just think some people just don't keep an eye on the road in front of them. Just think that the traffic will just flow and everything will be alright until it isn't.

If they have more bike lanes it will have to be like I've seen in Bangkok with a fence of some kind around them. It seems if something is possible it will be done, by enough people to make it a problem. They should probably mandate that all new cars need a breathalyser as well as a key to start. That would sort out some of the drunk drivers... There are aways around this. Making bars responsible for the actions of their patrons? It all starts sounding like a nanny state. I would rather people do what they want as long as they don't hurt anyone else. The saddest thing is that innocent people get murdered when intoxicated people have an accident in a car.

Sounds like they should get some high quality CCTV cameras pointing around and inside the house. These days CCTV systems are so cheap and they can even be monitored via the internet. It may help police catch these brazen criminals. Hope that they can sort it out soon.

Entry is free... even if the fights are one sided and medico still great entertainment for the price.

If he can be seen trying to avoid a confrontation and a scuffle broke out that lead to the poor man fearing for his life and he stabbed the guy. I would hope it would be difficult to prosecute. It almost seems unnecessary to even have the guy on bail. However, carrying a knife for protection is not legal in itself, in a lot of places, and can be used as proof of intent. I always have a good steel shaft pen on me, just incase I have the sign something.

I have had arguments with locals on occasion (only when the confrontation is unavoidable) and it's been a lot of luck that it hasn't ended in death (at times) and there seemed to be no room for negotiation (or protection from the authorities). Seem to be a lot of desperation (for some people) to prove a point. Seems lots of people are looking for a fight and feel justified in their violence.

Hope for the best outcome.

thats what keeps the gold shops ( money lending) and mafia lenders in business

I do not understand how gold shops are money lenders?

If you have any gold jewellery then you can give it to the shop to look after for some money. As long as you pay the "interest" every month or two then they keep the item for you. Of course, you need something to pawn first. I guess if you don't, it's off the the local "mafia" leader with you.

It's hard to live and have any fun on 15K, certainly not the high-life but then it depends on what you are looking for. It's especially hard when accommodation and transport is over half that amount before food and clothing. Paying off any loan as well, education or otherwise would be really hard. You wouldn't want to need to look after parents or children as well. Some do and it's commendable.

From what I read what is expected is just over half of the target... that seems like a lot more than an miss!?!

It's better to go "all in" as each of the four communication skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. These are all skills that will help you communicate with native speakers to the highest levels. If you need to have a chat about your relationship, business, partner, it will be hard enough in their native language let alone trying to communicate in yours. It may take a while to pick up the first parts of reading and writing but after you get the basics down you will just start absorbing new vocabulary and grammar as you go, as you need them.

I found out just recently that there is a national test for foreigners who want, or need, to have their Thai language skills certified. It's held in Bangkok in November. If anyone is interested I will look up and post the details. There is one test for everyone and it's set out to give the person a level from beginner to owner of the language.

I would have to agree with the first response. Respect is not automatic it needs to be mutual or eventually there isn't any. I think the expectation is another thing. With all the monkey business that goes on in Thailand, it's probably pretty low. Unfortunately, some of the worst examples of local nationals behaviour is on show in the tourist areas and many of the tourists that would otherwise be better behaved normalise the the lowest common denominator.

It's an ugly thing if you can't take your own chair to a public beach. The dissociation that needs to be employed for some people is too much to bear.

@yankee99 that is exactly my question.

Sad... but I don't know if a driver could have anticipated that. It's a bend and even if the driver in the car was super human the motorbike was probably already going fast enough to kill or maim themselves horribly. I'm hard pressed to know how they could have gotten on that road mistakenly. I'm sad for all the people who die because of carelessness, mistakes or negligence by another driver. This on the other hand almost looks like suicide. Sad for them but this should never have happened in the first place.

Since being in Thailand I have seen a lot of people take amazing risks to just save a few minutes or a few kilo-meters. I've seen many close calls even with people crossing the roads on foot. Anyone that has spend anytime on the road as a driver knows that unless it's a real long haul, no time is effectively saved or if it is then it's only a few minutes.

We all have to make sure we pay attention on the roads at all time and treating everyone driving and walking around with suspicion of doing unexpected things.

I'm with BangkokBank, and have been with a few different accounts, for years. I had to do a formal (paper based) application to get online banking but that allowed me to "easily" access my bank details via a smartphone app. Only keeps data for 6 months but can download as CSV which can import into most software. It really depends on what you want to do with that information. Is it for accounting? Is it just personal use?

I've seen a lot of people put things over their plates especially on bikes. I couldn't imagine going over the speed limit or even keeping up with it most of the time. The road surface, conditions and other traffic are just way to unpredictable to risk high speed most of the time. Also, partner on the back saying I'm going too fast already! How things are set up there will be a lot of random addresses getting fines in the post to people who don't live there, either ever or anymore. They may as well add it to the next years registration, that would be easier and probably just as affective. Mind you the police would have a good stream of revenue for unregistered vehicles after that.

Since it is illegal to use mobile-phones whilst driving, it makes perfect sense to set up a LINE ID, where the drivers have to use their mobile devices to receive the information....................

Ever heard of traffic-radio??

I guess you where replying to me. Waze is a phone app but it's not very text heavy. It has a function that allows you to use the phone like a tom tom or navigation device that should sit somewhere on the dashboard showing visual indications of traffic around you, haven't heard of Waze? No, I have never heard of traffic radio.

Have you ever used LINE? It sends messages that is like checking your SMS which is much more like using your mobile. Unless you stop your car to check it. However, each to their own.

Traffic radio was invented way back in the stone age, sometime in the twentieth century.

It is a very quaint idea.

You turn on your vehicles radio (no there isn't an app for that....you actually have to locate the "on button" for yourself).

Check with an adult before you try this for yourself.

Google radio on your digital device for more information.

And then...get this (its so funny you will LOL or possibly ROFLMAO).... people on the radio actually talk...yes!! I mean they actually talk as in communicate with you..and the best part is...you can't talk back!!!!

They actually know what is happening with the traffic in the local area and can communicate this to many , many people...even to people who aren't on you favourites list or you personal group!!!

It's even possible to use your device as a 'phone' and call them to report any traffic issues so they can tell other people.

Bet you didn't know your digital device could do that!!

It's hilarious.

I've just never used it. But look at what you wrote. I'm not 5 years old but we can all see your mentality. Seen as though you are attacking me and not my idea, you know what you can do. I do remember times and lived before computers, in your phone or otherwise, were ubiquitous. It's just a lot easier to press a button on a map app and send a photo and message the describe where you are than describe what is happening to a person of the same language, let alone different one.

Since it is illegal to use mobile-phones whilst driving, it makes perfect sense to set up a LINE ID, where the drivers have to use their mobile devices to receive the information....................

Ever heard of traffic-radio??

I guess you where replying to me. Waze is a phone app but it's not very text heavy. It has a function that allows you to use the phone like a tom tom or navigation device that should sit somewhere on the dashboard showing visual indications of traffic around you, haven't heard of Waze? No, I have never heard of traffic radio.

Have you ever used LINE? It sends messages that is like checking your SMS which is much more like using your mobile. Unless you stop your car to check it. However, each to their own.

I would have thought it would have been more logical to use Waze and create a group. They can post reports, photos and messages. It's map based and they could also help fix and add to the maps. It's not so widely used in Thailand but it's a free and open platform and I'm sure the Highway Police would do enough miles to get in the top ranking. I can't really see how they could use Line as effectively. Also, they could probably work with the people who maintain Waze to add features like localised street names and ever changing traffic flow directs as there is in Bangkok. Just a thought.

I just had a search for the ID and couldn't find them...

You buy lonely planet and get a note... pfff

I always thought that the ban was just to get the incumbents off the beach and then they where going to "try" to create a new "fair" system. The problem is that most people that use the beach for their own businesses seem to feel entitled to "their" area. I think there is a backstory but it's not my business. I hope that they can create a good system that allows all those that want to work on the beach can and they share the beach so that everyone can enjoy it.

oz4x has better rate

I've used them (oz4x) for years and that is the first thing I checked as well. However, the markets are closed and the live quote is always less than the advertised rate, so it's probably closer than it seems at the moment. It's good to have options, will keep my eye out.

Thai people tip. I've seen people tip a money changer but then it probably depends on a lot of things. I usually don't tip if there is already a service change. Otherwise only 20 baht. If everyone gives that amount the staff will have a few hundred each at the end of the shift. Then, each to their own.

-snip- because so many died as a result of what?

Because Tony Blair declared there were WMD's and the Australians went to war with him?

From the outset it looked like folly. At the time I was much less worldly but those in power that made those decisions for all the US allies should have known better. They should be personally held responsible. However, we let them do it and for all that has been done it hasn't made our world anymore safer.