ASIC

Elvis is playing at Asia hotel every night by the way.

It's at Muang Thong, so you probably won't see too many clothes and guava-juice sellers, but it's at hall 9 and 10. The two halls in the separate building at the end. The day of the trade-show is over. Nowadays, you can find better information online.

The only really professional exhibitions here, in my oppinion, are the machinery exhibitions at Bitec or Muang Thong.

ASIC

I talked to a Fillipino musician yesterday. He just came back from Aranya Prathet after a 1 year and 1 day overstay. He paid his 20,000 Baht, went to Cam for 2 minutes and got back into Thailand without any problem. They asked for his mobile phone number, that's all.

ASIC

you often see humans mating with animals don't you

Sigfried & Roy comes to mind

Exatly how big is this guy's family?

Apirak Kosayodhin, the only candidate backed by the Democrats, drew the number one ballot for the governor race on Monday -- putting him on the top of the long list of candidates on voters' papers.

But pundits said that his good looks were unlikely to compensate for the perception that he was young and untested.

Good Looks? Did you see his election posters?

Where is Saphan Lek?

OK, let's take KevinN as a typical Farang living here, spending an average of about 70k/month, of which, let's say, 50k is from abroad.

Question number 2: How many farangs are there in Thailand permanently?

Also, I think a lot of the readers of this forum are confined to their own little world, either in Baan Nork, or around Sukhumvit. How many here are involved with Thai industry?

It is no secret that I am in the electronics business and have some insight there. For example. LG and Samsung are each producing 1 million microwave ovens here MONTHLY, and about 200k aircons each per year. Samsung also do all their small-size computer monitors here. There are 5 or 6 semiconductor packaging houses. Each of them can do about 10 million devices PER DAY. I don't have the % of parts actually made in Thailand, where these guys get their raw material, and how much is re-export, but for sure the customers (i.e. Wallmart, GE, etc) are paying in US$

Also, roughly 30% of a Thai made car is actually made in Thailand, and the rest is re-export from Japan/Europe/USA. All are paid in US$, Yen or Euro.

I guess only the Thai govt. will have all the details. Any web-site with some statistics?

ASIC

There is a whole deal of guessing going on here, and maybe some of us whould like to be a bit more important than they really are?

What about some hard facts? How many farang males live in The Realm full time? How many actually spend a great deal of money? I see most of us actually fitting in quite well, get used to the price level here, and after some time end up with spending habbits similar to most Thais. E.g. I think it's minimal what the average english teacher can contribute to the Thai economy.

I should think, the average Japanese or Korean expat spends a great deal more here than we do. They are here only on 1 or 2 year stints and have no intention of settling here.

Also, compared to 60 million Thais, some of which are riched than any of us could ever dream of being, the Farang income may not amount to much. For example, how many of you could afford a couple of Mercedes Benz or 20k Baht mobile phones for your 6 year old kids?

Certainly compared to the 5 or so million tourists coming here anually, I don't think the resident farang male's expenditure will amount to much.

Again, I am guessing... so gentlemen. SOME FACTS PLEASE?

ASIC

So far you have no symptoms? Have you actually had a HIV test? Where exactly can you get a HIV/STD test done in Thailand?

Any decent clinic can do this. It takes a couple of days, as they send the blood to the hospital for analysis.

ASIC

I am not going to write a long story, but I had surgery in Bamrungrad and it was a 100% success. Went back to Europe to have it done there, but the doctor didn't even bother. Seems like he was too stuck-up for such a simple operation. So I went back to Bamrungrad. I was really treated well, the nurses were friendly, the doctor knew what he was doing, and after 5 hours of surgery the problem was gone for good. Only complaint. I think all the money went to the doctor, and very very little to the nurses who also did a heck of a job.

ASIC

I heard that If you exercise 30 minutes a day, you will live on average 7 years longer. However, if you add up 30 minutes a day, it's exactly 7 years. So what's the difference?

ASIC

There's a guy near my house selling a really old car or no recognizable brand for 10k. CASH!

ASIC

If your business is in good standing, you can try to sell the LC to the ExIm Bank on Phaholyothin Road. (Export-Import Bank). That's what they are there for anyway. However, these days they are a bit concerned and will check you out carefully. Seems like someone has been shipping empty containers lately.

ASIC

If history has taught us one thing, is that you cannot win with guns, or money or a huge fence, turture, kidnapping the torture victims lawyer, or whatever that had recently taken place. Someone from the Thai government has to really try to sit down and understand these people.

ASIC

Does the kid have any interests that could help here? I learned English by spelling my way through computer magazines with the help of a dictionary?

ASIC

Wasn't that supposed to be right-wing thinking?

I've been rubbed in Thailand once. They took the TV and stereo system from downstairs while I was happily sleeping upstairs.

Apart from that, I have been had my wallet pick-pocketed last new-years eve. Strangely enough in a more affluent part of town.

ASIC

I hope UBC goes belly up pretty soon. I'm sure someone will think of an alternative by then, then.

Aren't there any alternatives?

ASIC

Snoophound.

The red bus is 4 baht. The blue one is 5 baht, because it has fans in the ceiling. If the fans are not working, should I argue over the price?

ASIC

Talking of Pratunam... isn't it starting to look more and more desserted? I think the economy is picking up and people are opting for other places to buy their clothes?

ASIC

What's the problem with a Thai driving license? This is Thailand.

As for how to tell the other driver that you have "read" his intentions.... try with a hand signal. Not the one with the middle finger though but the one with waving your hand in the gesture that means "come here" in Thailand but "go away" in Europe.

ASIC

What is childish for you, may be "cute" for Thais. Maybe you just don't have any humour? It may be difficult, but try accepting that the absolute truth is not absolute.

I think this is a phase all foreigners here go through, and -may I add- never stop going through. We all learn new things about life, about ourselves,and about our outlook on life, every day. I think this is one of the things that make Thailand so fascinating.

Have an open mind. Accept there is no such thing as a universal right and wrong. Some adapt, and find inner peace in The Realm, and some don't.

As an example of how bad it can go, our last customer never managed to adapt, kept doing everyting the "Canadian" way, insulting local people and eventually had to leave. The Thais have (genious) ways of getting back at you. You won't even know it's coming.

Learn to adapt. Go with the flow. Keep Cool. Mekong and Coke. Honest Mistakes. It's all "Mai Pen Rai". You will find life very enjoyable then.

ASIC

If you think LOS is bad w/respect to the Farang/TG thing, try dating a chick in HK or Singapore. Man, you get the "looks" there.

Now, that I do not agree with. I never had any "looks" in Singapore when going out with a local girl.

ASIC

Yes,

My mouth has started to look like my grandfathers'. Although he is long dead and burried, it's kind of good to know that he is still around... part of him lives on as part of me.

ASIC