Royk

I love the Isaan style (sai grog). Make sure you get the cabbage, chilis & ginger though. Take a bite of each ingredient and chew them all together and it's like there's a flavour explosion in your mouth

Been eating them for years but only got sick once...but that was from the cabbage which I should have washed.

Yes, I agree - all the tastes together makes it a different experience.

Maybe the bite of the ginger and the cabbage also kills off any greasiness from the sausage.

Like one poster said, there's nothing worse than eating one that's been stood in its fat for too long so it coats your mouth. And you never know if you're going to get a treat or a turnoff. Even from the stall on my corner, the quality varies. Got to keep trying though.

I've run into some homemade ones, the ones not made for sale, and they were a lot less greasy and less salty. The lady who made it told me that street vendors add a lot of fat and rice to reduce the cost.

Best regards,

Roy

Palm sugar and unrefined sugar(Namtan Dang) were used before the granulated sugar. Palm sugar is a required ingredient in many Thai dishes including some Nam Prik, Somtum and Nam Kra Ti added to certain desserts. The unrefined sugar is a specified ingredient in many old Chines desserts and drinks.

Best regards,

Roy

We have to feel sorrow for our country's soldiers who have been ordered by our government to kill their friends and neighbors and fellow Thais.

When this bloodbath is over these soldiers will have to return to their homes and try to reconcile with the families of these friends and neighbors who they were forced to kill.

FYI, many of them are not from up country. I live in Donmueng area and many red guards are from this area. I sympathise the true believers but those are not the guards. Those are the human shield. Last year, a friend of mine joined the protest. He took his wife and daughter with him. There was a time when he and his family couldn't leave the site because the bloody guards didn't let them. Most of these people are not the violent ones. Many of the red guards are hired hands and on a daily wage and a contract. They boasted to me how much money they'd got since the whole thing started. For these people it's a good income. I definitely don't want to mess around with these people. There was another group which got paid to sit in as protesters. They didn't get as much money as the first group and have been inactive for a while now. There is also a red supporter's funeral at Wat Nawong.

Just an update. Thai News has just said that several red shirt guards have been admitted to hospital. It appears that the water supply has been poisoned.

I heard that they were offered coffee laced with a sedative. Some were out cold.

Try Kraset Uni on Vipavadee Rangsit. I don't know about the baker's yeast but I used to get some brewer's yeast from them. I've got the phone number somewhere.

Best regards,

Roy

On a related note - can the Thai members / Thai langiuage experts please advise us if the Thai language / slang dialects do have specific words for Thai-Chinese or Thai-Muslim, or Thai-Sikh. I have heard for example the work "Jek" (not sure of the spelling, of course) but I believe this to be not polite.

Having these terms available in the language would suggest that Thai society does indeed make distinctons based on heritage, not just skin tone. In this case it is not just a farang "obsession" but part of Thai social makeup.

I was talking to my wife about this. Her paternal grandparents are Chinese immigrants. Now, I know why she doesn't seem to be on good term with her maternal relatives up country. She said they used to refer to her and her sis as Luk Jek. She used to live in the country with her mother and she said they were looked down upon by their Thai neighbours because she's half Chinese. Another group that's pretty much labeled is Khak. This encompasses Indians of all types and middle easterners. The category is subdivided further into Khak Kao or white Indians and Khad Dum or black Indians.

Best regards,

Roy

Looked down upon because they had Chinese blood? I doubt it, unless they were poor or bad mannered or dirty. That's when Thai look down on someone usually. "Jek" is another blunt description, but the offspring of Chinese immigrants are usually deemed more attractive than Thais and are deemed to have more earning potential. Unfortunately it's more of the things that happen...people are respected here more for their money/looks than they should be. It's another of those inequalities that people just keep supporting.

I've got Chinese Thai and Chinese Filipino friends who are proud of their Chinese ancestry when it suits them: when they feel competitive with ethnic countrymen over a verbal disagreement or lack of respect. However, they look down on ethnic Chinese and China much more and consider themselves completely Thai/Filipino in culture (apart from following a few Chinese traditions annually only because their parents make them). They're more confident in the first place only because the natives bigged them up.

When her mother got married to a Chinese. In those days, she was regarded as something similar to a "Mia Farang" nowadays by some relatives and neighbours. You know what that term implies, right? It didn't help that her Chinese husband wasn't a rich guy either. BTW, Jek wasn't just a blunt description. In the old days, there were rickshaws or "Rot Jek" which means a cart pulled by Jek. These poor Chinese labourers weren't highly regarded by the Thai at all. Jek is a rather derogatory way to call a Chinese person.

Best regards,

Roy

On a related note - can the Thai members / Thai langiuage experts please advise us if the Thai language / slang dialects do have specific words for Thai-Chinese or Thai-Muslim, or Thai-Sikh. I have heard for example the work "Jek" (not sure of the spelling, of course) but I believe this to be not polite.

Having these terms available in the language would suggest that Thai society does indeed make distinctons based on heritage, not just skin tone. In this case it is not just a farang "obsession" but part of Thai social makeup.

I was talking to my wife about this. Her paternal grandparents are Chinese immigrants. Now, I know why she doesn't seem to be on good term with her maternal relatives up country. She said they used to refer to her and her sis as Luk Jek. She used to live in the country with her mother and she said they were looked down upon by their Thai neighbours because she's half Chinese. Another group that's pretty much labeled is Khak. This encompasses Indians of all types and middle easterners. The category is subdivided further into Khak Kao or white Indians and Khad Dum or black Indians.

Best regards,

Roy

Similarly, as a native speaker, which would you normally use as the classifier for ซาลาเปา, ลูก or ชิ้น ? Is this another case of there being no exact correct answer as in your example where either ชาม or a ถ้วย could be used with a container of curry or soup like dtom kaa kai?

The classifier for ซาลาเปา is ลูก only.

The classifier ชาม or a ถ้วย can be used alternatively, but Thai people prefer using ถ้วย than ชาม for a bowl of curry or soup. Sometimes I used ชาม but when the waiter repeated my order he would use ถ้วย instead. Don't ask who is correct because both are correct, but it depends on how each person is used to using which word.

Does the question of using ถ้วย or ชาม depend on the size of the serving? In American restaurants a ชาม is a larger serving than a ถ้วย. Does the same apply in Thai restaurants?

Used to be the same but nowadays, they are pretty much interchangeable.

Best regards,

Roy

If I'm not mistaken, Sechuan peppercorns are one of the ingredients in Chinese five spice powder. You can find it at Soi Yaowarat 8. They make a lot of chinese five spice powder in that Soi and the turnover is pretty high so you are not going to run into any old stock there.

Best regards,

Roy

How do you make dry cured bacon? I haven't had it for quite sometime and being able to make the bacon myself is a boon.

Best regards,

Roy

Relatively easy. You need the salts, spices etc (many recipes to choose from on the web). You rub the cure into the meat, stick it into a plastic ziplock bag and then the fridge, turn the bag daily and after about a week cure is done. Only issue is sourcing some of the ingredients if you are upcountry.

Isaanaussie

Thanks.

How do you make dry cured bacon? I haven't had it for quite sometime and being able to make the bacon myself is a boon.

Best regards,

Roy

I used to smoke roll ups until I quit a few years ago. You can get the tobacco and paper but I haven't seen liquorice papers here.

Best regards,

Roy

If there is a physical clash, the Reds will win, provided the army stays out of it. the Reds are tough folks. The men are real men, not delicate city dwellers that are not used to physical hardship. The Reds are not the ones that will need to put on the whitening cremes, scents and body lotions before the go into battle. I'm sure if there is some girl on girl 'rassling action the redshirts will win.

You got that right !!! My Isan farm boys are some tough dudes ,, real men used to hardship and staying power. I would love to have video of some of these spoiled rotten , pampered elitist teenagers going against them.

Any of you yellows have some thoughts of a fight ? I suggest you stop by the rally site and quietly walk among the crowd and see what you are up against.

You will see many ex military types, ( as black shirt guards ) and some very tough fanatical, committed people some of whom are ready to die for this protest.

The elites had their way with the country and brought it to its knees last time and imposed their minority will on the country. Now its our time and our right to express our opinion,, and if they try to get in our way all I can say is:

LET THE MAYHEM BEGIN !!! Its payback time.

Your time? Are you a Thai? Both sides(red and yellow) are led and financed by extremely rich Chinese descendants. It's not exactly a struggle between the poor and the rich. Leaders of both colours are the elites. The people behind the red movement are among the richest people in the country. The protesters are just their pawns. Both have real and paid supporters. I fell sorry for the genuine ones on both sides. They are the ones fight for their lost cause. Some of those mean looking blokes you see could easily switch sides depending on who is paying the best price on a particular day.

BTW, if your mayhem begins, it would pave the way for the military to take over. Tons of people are fed up with the red and BTW, they are not on good terms with the yellow either. These are the ones beginning to see the military as the solution because the civilian governments have been unable to find a solution for yellow and red problems. It's a growing trend. If enough people see it this way, we can be in for a long haul of military rule. Thailand might be on the way to become a totalitarian state like Myanmar. Thai people are not like westerners. Many are content to live under the military rule as long as it brings back peace and quiet to their lives.

Best regards,

Roy

This aussi guy and rocks thrown at cars and such does make me think. Next year when i'm driving south with my familly , chiang mai, through central to surrathani, i'm for sure gettin tooled up. With 2 kids in the car and wife you can't just run away or try to talk your way out of it. If some ones put a rock through my windscreen i'm thinking they could be ready to rape my missus or steal my children, i'm ready to stand an fight or die, trying no hesitation.

My missus reckons a thai can be licenced with a fire arm and if your attacked you can legally shoot some one, i'll check if thats the case then i'll get her one if true and keep under my seat, locked in a case but handy; if not a mashety/ big knife is definately legal no troubles, people use em for cut bamboo and coconut, fruit etc, perfectly legit

I recently bought a walking stick where i can unscrew it at the handle and it unsheethes in to a good 20+inch blade , no one ever tell by looking at it; i got this for keep in case of trouble when on camping/ caravan tours round europe but so old bill be non the wiser.

Agree if you do get out a wepeon you need to use it, but if your in a life or death situation then it's good to have one; i'm not mean just for carry to act like a big man, but for real need.

With the financial crash we came to the edge of the whole financial system collapsing, money becoming meaningless, if that happenned i'd want firearms, weapons and food in my yard to sit out/protect familly from the ensuing mayhem. it could happen still, just like thailand could decend in to chaos; hope it never happens, but those who are prepared will be better off.

I think you need a license to carry a gun to have it in your car legally. It's a much more difficult license to get then having a gun at home. I think a friend of mine gets around this problem by keeping his in the case when he goes to the shooting range. It's going to be a bit inconvenient in a life and death situation.

Best regards,

Roy

The title of this thread accurately describes 4/5ths of the British Expats in Thailand.

The other 1/5th are "Old Peculiar"

Hmmm, worryingly I'm in both sets

How does stout, bitter, old and peculiar fit (that has to be 99.99999% of expat Brits at least)

EDIT OP is one of the few things I really miss from the UK But any one of these http://www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk/beers/ would do nicely too.

I, kind of, miss them too. The bitter is not exactly for cooking.

That is a lovely stew - does the the recipe request you add jiuce of one orange and grate some off the rind into the dish when warm - then leave in the fridge overnight and cook up the following day?.....I used to find this a real good dish for making dinner parties easy.....

My recipe has the rind but not the juice. I'll try it with the juice as well.

Best regards,

Roy

Oh, and here I thought you were stout and bitter about it.

I'm not much of an expert when it comes to the alcoholic spirits.

Are you sure that a simple beer won't work? I know that most of the alcohol disappears after it is cooked.

Good luck.

The recipe asked for stout. It's the Beef an Guinness Stew I'm trying to make and lager just wouldn't cut it. It's unfortunate because lager is all they have here.

I've seen Smiths and Tetley bitter on sale in bars in BKK along with Guinness. Just ask them not to open the can maybe?

Thanks. Guess I have to go and get them at the bar. Getting shitfaced isn't part of the plan but...

Best regards,

Roy

Where can I get them in Bangkok? Just need them for cooking.

Best regards,

Roy

Well I did have the cheapest TOT package and now have the most expensive True package, so maybe thats the reason

Did you ever get this stupid re-direct though? That was the point of the thread. I'm not trying to sell True internet.

I'm using True and the answer is no.

Best regards,

Roy

Nothing physical. Neither side would tolerate it.

Best regards,

Roy

Roy, I think you may be running a bit off topic here. The question was regarding Thai men and farang women and SinSod.

There's enough, in fact, loads of "I agree and don't agree about sinsod" within the forum on other pages. But as a note: Both you and your Thai wife don't seem to have much respect for or understand Thai tradition...if in fact, your/her statement is true (seems highly unlikely that statement in quotes coming from a Thai girl), and whether you want to believe it or not....most Thai families do have a lot of influence on their children..and Thai children have more respect for their parents than those in the west....but congratulations to you for beating the system (tradition).

Sorry, just got carried away. Back to the topic, I have a few Thai friends living with farang women and no, they didn't pay the Sinsod. Believe me, Thai men would avoid this tradition if possible even when getting married to Thai women.

Best regards,

Roy

I don't know how long you've been living in Thailand or if you live in the city, but after nearly 25 years of living here I have never, ever seen a Thai man try to avoid this tradition.....

I know a few and they did because they couldn't afford it and the now wives were also willing to help. They simply live with the girlfriends and went back to make a formal apology to the parents afterwards.

Best regards,

Roy

Roy, I think you may be running a bit off topic here. The question was regarding Thai men and farang women and SinSod.

There's enough, in fact, loads of "I agree and don't agree about sinsod" within the forum on other pages. But as a note: Both you and your Thai wife don't seem to have much respect for or understand Thai tradition...if in fact, your/her statement is true (seems highly unlikely that statement in quotes coming from a Thai girl), and whether you want to believe it or not....most Thai families do have a lot of influence on their children..and Thai children have more respect for their parents than those in the west....but congratulations to you for beating the system (tradition).

Sorry, just got carried away. Back to the topic, I have a few Thai friends living with farang women and no, they didn't pay the Sinsod. Believe me, Thai men would avoid this tradition if possible even when getting married to Thai women.

Best regards,

Roy

I didn't pay sinsod for my Thai wife. She actually hates the tradition. She said "I'm not a thing to be bought and sold." If your girlfriend really loves you, she will live with you regardless. If she refuse to be with you on the basis that you don't or coudn't pay the sinsod, she isn't really worth it. Now, if it's the family that wouldn't let her go, that means the family has a lot of influence over her life. They are likely to continue having such influence over her life ever after you're married to her and you would be in the middle of it. It could be a good or bad thing. Now, if the girl herself refuses to be with you on this basis, let me tell you something. Thai girls are not that old fashioned and they are quite flexible in this respect. If your girlfriend really loves you, she wouldn't let the tradition(money) stand in the way.

Best regards,

Roy

My Thai gf (a new convert to thaivisa) actually asked me to post this - like 3 of her friends, within the last couple years, have gotten pregnant with a farang who is already married, not interested in taking care of her, etc. She and I are both shocked by the advice other friends seems to give to these pregnant girls- "have the baby to force him (the farang) take care of you, if you get an abortion it will only make him happy". . I only hear vauge hearsay about what these farangs are doing about the situation- other than they seem to be really angry. I can't imagine being in that situation but I bet some people hear have? What could a farang possibly do in this situation? I guess I'm most suprised by how lightheartedly having a baby seems to be for them... I wonder if anyone has been able to talk such a girl out of having the baby?

I may sound cruel here but why did they let themselves get pregnant in the first place? There are protections they can use. Why did they get pregnant with a married man? If they were not aware of the fact at the time, then I'm sorry but one solution is obvious. Get an abortion. Think about it. A married man irresponsible enough not to use any protection while sleeping around is a health risk for all parties. God knows how many he's been sleeping with. That kind of person is not likely to take any responsibility for the baby anyway. If she forces the person to take the responsibility, she's going to have a miserable life because I don't think the guy is going to give up his old habit. He didn't give it up when he got married. I think he would simply shrug and bugger off. Try telling them this, it may help change their mind.

Don't be fooled..they don't.

I know of two Thais who thought they were putting something over on their wife. They were both caught, and are now divorced (or at least not living with their ex partner). Don't believe all the cr@p you hear about "Mia Nois" on the street. Some Thais get away with it for a while, but most are eventually caught at it. And their wifves are no more forgiving than Farang women are in the same situation.

When I originally "hooked up" with my Thai Girlfriend, she made it very clear. If I ever fooled around with another woman, she told me to make sure it was really good. Because if she caught me, she would make sure it was physically impossible after she was through.

Slash, slice and dice?