mbkudu

I lived and worked as an English teacher in Bangkok for a little over 9 years. The last 6 years I rode a bicycle to work 6 days a week. Nothing beats it for speed, cost, health benefits and your doing your small part to keep the air cleaner.

I have fond memories of whizzing through deadlocked traffic at high speed and arriving on time to work everytime. People bottled up in their cars can only get a quick glance as you blaze by.

This may all seem grand, but there are down sides to every mode of transport. If you plan well and learn to adapt, it's the only way to go. You can even take it on the Skytrain. First of all, there are other dangerous vehicles on the road.

My simple rule is, GO WITH THE FLOW. Don't try to fight a 3 ton bus, just veer over

like motos do. Asians drive and ride differently than Yanks and Euros. Find the gap, climb, dive, slash, perry, readjust and move on through. Don't stay put, hesitate, finger, or yell, or you might get dead. All those years riding I had no serious accidents. The worst I had was a pedesrian step straight out in front of me. I crashed onto the pavement with skinned knees and a bloody elbow. The guy I hit lost one of his fingernails; sheered clean off.

The hot weather can be dealt with. Clean, pressed clothes can be kept at work. I just rolled them up in my pack and changed in the parking garage restroom of the condos where I taught. A little water and deodorant with a towel does wonders. My students were unconcerned with my appearence; they were so impressed that I actually rode a bike to work and always arrivrd on time.

Lastly, rain is the cyclists greatest enemy. It can be downright miserable in the rainy season. However, if you make it to work on time in the rain, you are almost a diety in your student's mind. You are the mad crusader who garners unfathomable amounts respect.

Trink's got his own "Trink Page" now. It's every Friday at www.idontgiveahoot.net. He must be making a living because it costs US$12.00 to subscribe; well worth it though.

Thai women are just too hot to resist, man. The little hands and hard titties

drive me freakin crazy. With a few beers slammed back, I'm a pushover.

Everything in Thailand is always sollved in this fashion, ie high drama. It took

years upon years for the government to start building the sky train even when the

plans and money were already there long before.

It seems ironic (ironic, what a surprise) that RCA will have the most free

reign with closing times ect. That's where all the youngest kids go. Aren't those

the one's the govt. is trying to keep away from the pub scene? I'm not trying to

be a spoiled sport; I used to be a kid too, but it seems ridiculous. Most of the

patrons at Patpong, Cowboy and Nana are old geezers or not younger than 30,

just trying to get a quiet drinking and cavorting night. It's very rare to see the

use or sale of illegal drugs in any of these places. Whereas, I have seen and

heard of very frequent use and sales of illegal drugs at places like RCA or

the Tonglor area.

Doesn't sound like a moral crusade to me, more like a business/ business

conflict of interest crusade. Been around too long to think otherwise.

mbkudu

I just bought a small condo in Bangkok and everything turned out fine. To buy, you must send the money into Thailand from another country. I flew to Bangkok, found an agent, looked at a few units, found one I liked, put down a small deposit called a booking fee, went to Thai Farmers Bank and set an account in my name and then flew home back to the States. The agent will set up a signing date which is very impotant to stay with. Next, I wired the balance to MY bank account in Thailand. It is important to state on the wire transfer form: "For the purchase of a condominium." This is so that your bank in Thailand can issue you a special document called a Tor Tor 3. After that, I gathered passport copies, the Tor Tor 3, cashiers checks and headed to the land department with my real estate agent to hold my hand. There are various "fees" that must be paid, but they are all included in the total price.I had decided to return to Thailand to finish everything, but it is possible to grant power of attorney to someone to do it for you, like an agent or lawyer. This was my first time, so I wanted to go through the process.

Lastly, the title deed was handed to me with my name in both Thai and English. One last note. Get a copy of the title deed, have translated or have a Thai friend who you can trust, read it to you and compare it to the actual property square meters, address, name of owner ect.. especially if it is upcountry or in Pataya or Phuket; this important to do BEFORE YOU HAND OVER ANY MONEY!

Good luck.