nisakiman

Under the veneer of democracy, Thailand is essentially a police state, albeit a generally benevolent one.

That's not a criticism, just an observation.

A lot of negative comments here, some sort of justified (because yes, scams are as prevalent in LOS as anywhere else with a transient flow of tourists), but mostly unjustified, I think. Generally speaking, the Thai people are warm, friendly and welcoming. That's been my experience, anyway, from the first time I visited in 1970. I think the 'survey' is probably bull...., but for a visitor it is a great place to visit, particularly if you get off the beaten track.

Wherever you go in the world, you will find a***holes, and Thailand is no different, but you can't tar the whole nation with that brush just because there are a few bad apples. On a scale of ten, I'd put Thailand in the high eights for friendliness, helpfulness and hospitality. I can think of a few countries I've been to that would score a lot lower than that. My own mother country included.

Hadn't thought about olives - didn't really see a market for them (yes, I know you'd buy them, but that's not really a viable business model)

And I'm really .not sure that Thais are ready for fat, juicy olives yet. I may be wrong, but that's my gut feeling. (More's the pity, because I think they are a great side-dish to a drink).

It's a gradual thing.

Slowly slowly catchee monkey....

Not sure about the 'Drizzle' stuff, I've never come across it, having lived in Greece for the past 10 years or so. I do find I become a tad suspicious when they start marketing things like 'Drizzle'. Sounds like they're trying to hide something.

Ah well, you never know, in a couple of years you may be able to buy excellent Greek olive oil from the Peloponissos in LOS. A Greek friend (also married to a Thai) and I have been discussing shipping good Greek olive oil to Thailand. We're looking at the practicalities now.

well, I found this... link to a PDF that has Tesco-brand EVOO rated as 4 star in a taste test by some supposed experts... not sure this is the same type as what I have though...

http://www.dicksonna...120318 copy.pdf

Thanks for that link; a very interesting article. I rather think that the oil from Tesco UK, given the lower transport costs and the £6.99 / 500ml price tag is not going to be the same oil as in Tesco Thailand at 180Baht (£3.60 ish) / 500ml. I guess the bottom line is "Does it taste ok to you?"

Olive oil scams are big business in Europe, and it pays to be careful. Italy imports huge amounts of crap olive oil from Spain, mixes it with local oil and markets it as 'Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil'.

Because Italy has a reputation for good olive oil (undeservedly, in my opinion). they sell shedloads of the stuff all over the world and much of it is industrially produced and blended garbage.

The best olive oil in my opinion comes from Kalamata and the southern Peleponnisos in Greece. Fresh, green and peppery with a low acidity, it's good enough to eat just by dipping fresh bread in it. Yum!

What do Tesco sell a litre of olive oil for now? I've never bought it when I'm in Thailand, so haven't got a clue. Does it state on the label where it comes from? I would imagine a company like Tesco, if they put EVOO on the label then as far as they are aware that's what it is. However, as I say, there are a lot of scams going down in the Olive Oil industry, so many oils labelled EV are blends of EV and low grade oil.

What are blokes supposed to use? Nobody is gonna convince me that an apple pie can do the job

I seem to recollect that in the movie "Portnoy's Complaint", the young protagonist availed himself of the (uncooked) liver which was on the menu for the family evening meal. I would imagine if it was straight out of the fridge you'd need to warm it up a little...

"Erimim" 5 mg is actually Nimetazepam. In Thailand, the slang for this is "five five".

It's produced in Japan and is usually prescribed as a sleeping aid there.

In Thailand it's used mainly as a "come down" when you're high on amphetamines.

Also often used on clubbing on its own. As with all type of benzodiazepines, when used with alcohol, the effect gets stronger. When Thais refers to so called "rape-drug" it's usually a benzo.

The high is similar to Valium (Diazepam) except Nimetazepam has a much shorter half life so the effect is more concentrated while diazepam lasts for half a day.

Just about all articles in the media about 'drugs' are long on speculation and short on facts. And likewise those who comment on the article. It is a very emotive subject, and usually brings out the worst prejudices and ignorance of those who think they know (having read all about it in the tabloids) everything about it.

It's refreshing to see a post from someone who has bothered to educate himself about the subject before commenting, and then refraining from being judgmental. Well done Mole.

Edit.

I might add that I'm not actually referring to this thread when I mention ignorant commenters. So far, it has been very restrained. But there are many who like nothing better than to jump on the 'drugs' bandwagon to vent their spleen.

It is a fact of life that some people have a natural linguistic ability and others do not (and of course all the shades of grey in-between). I don't think it has anything to do with intelligence or education, but more to do with how your brain is wired. I have noticed that people who grow up bilingual seem to be able to absorb other languages quickly and easily, and I think that learning two languages simultaneously as a child must alter some of the synapses in the brain, and unlock the "language learning" area.

Native English speakers are in many ways at a disadvantage, because they have as their mother tongue what is nowadays the international language. As an English speaker, you can pitch up just about anywhere in the world, and there will be someone around who will speak English. So we lack the imperative to learn another language. It's made us lazy. All the members of TV who do not come from an English speaking country have HAD to learn at least English. As anyone who travels at all must. And when you MUST learn another language, then you do, even if you're not a natural. But if the wife does all the talking / translating, it's all too easy to take the lazy route.

I do speak another language, and know some of several others, but I'm not a natural. I have to work at it. When I leave Greece, I will retire to LOS, and start the process of learning Thai. It gets harder as you get older they say, but I intend to get to a conversational level. My wife uses quite a lot of Thai when she speaks to me, so I get a little bit familiar already! Plus I learned the basics (numbers, greetings etc) on my visits from years back. Lessons would probably help the OP. I never had lessons for Greek, but I'm sure it would have helped, and I think that's what I'll do when I come to learn Thai.

It will be some time before the Thai politicians catch up with the EU.

Brussels has dispensed with all that tiresome democracy stuff. Well, you just can't rely on voters to vote the right way, can you? Much better to sidestep all that voting stuff and just appoint your mates that are ideologically sound to the important posts.

Job done. No need to buy votes.

Still, doubtless the Thais will catch on soon enough...

I've flown Bangkok - Moscow with Aeroflot.

Cheap.

Don't forget to pack a parachute in your hand luggage...you may well need it.

I've flown Bangkok - Moscow with Aeroflot.

Cheap.

Don't forget to pack a parachute in your hand luggage...you may well need it.

Only AA amongst budget carriers.Other airlines fly it but not cheaper. You might find a week in KL overkill, personally would rather spend the week drifting up through Malaysia to Penang and then Bangkok but each to their own

That would be the way to go. Train KL to Butterworth, hop over to Penang for a few days then train from Butterworth to Bangkok. Nice trip.

I fly from Athens, and I always use one of the Middle East airlines. Used to use Gulf Air, but they stopped flying to ATH unfortunately, You can usually find ok prices on the others ATH-BKK. You need to check layover times though.

I like travelling by train in Thailand. In fact, train is probably my favourite form of transport. I used to go to school by train as a boy, Leaning out the window getting an eyeful of coal smut and smoke - ah, happy days!

In Thailand, don't take trains if you're running to a schedule. Make sure it doesn't really matter what time you arrive, and you'll have a great trip. I took the "express" from Bangkok to Hua Hin one time and it took six hours! But I wasn't rushing to a business meeting, so...

Why Khaosan? There are much nicer (and more accessible) areas of Bangkok where you'll find budget hotels.

Sports channels (presumably you're talking non-Thai sports channels showing non-Thai sports) will be hard to find in real budget hotels I would have thought, whichever area you are staying.

I hope it happens. It will definitely be in my calendar if they do it.

Anyone know the proposed circuit? I'd guess that would have been decided before Bernie gave it the nod. Inclusion of a couple of the smaller sois would add a bit of interest!

Never been made redundant. I've worked for myself for the past 30+ years, and before that jobs were two a penny. Christ, I used to apply for half-a-dozen jobs and then choose which one offered the best deal back in the 60s - 70s. My "midlife crisis" happened about 12 years ago when I got divorced. I decided a bit of hedonism therapy was in order, so spent the next few years regularly decamping to Thailand and Cambodia for therapy sessions.

Worked a treat. Had a blast. Enjoyed every minute.

Then, during one of my therapy trips, I met a very shy, very proper accountant and was instantly smitten. I ended up marrying her. End of mid-life crisis. End of hedonism therapy.

Yup, you just can't beat a good mid-life crisis. Wouldn't have missed it for the world.

I'm flying biz class with Sri Lankan tommorow night, BKK-CMB-LHR, Hopefully i'll be in one the upgraded planes.

Worth a gamble for 28,000B one way i think.

I'll do trip report when i get back to the UK and let you know my thoughts on the best seats to choose.

I've got a 13 hour layover at CMB, I know i'll be given a hotel room, but doe's anyone know if i'll get my suitcase back that gets checked in at BKK?

Jim.

Why do you believe you'll be given a Hotel Room ??

Surely its your choice to having a connection flight of 13 hours ??

Not necessarily. I've had 12 hr + overnight stopovers in Bahrain twice, and on both occasions been given hotel room including evening meal and breakfast. And that was flying economy. Cheapest ticket I could find.

My (Thai) wife loves Parmesan cheese. We use it a lot (or rather, I use it a lot, since my wife cooks Thai and I cook European). She can't cope with the soft cheeses though. I love Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Brie, Camembert and all those rather smelly soft cheeses, and she thinks I'm mad. However, I only have to point to the shrimp paste (triple wrapped in the fridge) to crush that argument.

I have to admit I can't quite get my head round her love of Heinz (it has to be Heinz) tomato ketchup. She puts it on everything. Lovingly crafted Lasagne (with real Bechamel), pizza, spaghetti, moussaka, the list goes on.... I despair...

There is a post here about e-cigs on the blog of Clive Bates, who used to be director of ASH UK, (obviously an anti-smoker of the first order).

http://www.clivebates.com/?p=697

And in the comments, something from a lawyer who has been involved in the Tobacco Control Industry.

David Sweanor

December 6, 2012 at 1:19 am · Reply

The apparent new and draconian EU approach to products that are significantly less hazardous than smoking, and could be used in place of smoking, is deeply troubling. As you have articulated so clearly in your postings on this blog, the science and the ethics on this issue are clear (certainly no one within the EU – or elsewhere – has offered a credible alternative view). Strange that the very people entrusted with protecting the health of the citizens of the EU would ignore the science and would act as if ethics is something that need not influence their decision making.

Cigarette smoking is a huge cause of death due almost entirely to the repeated inhalation of the products of combustion. There are products currently available that can substitute for cigarettes without inhalation of smoke, and there would undoubtedly be many more (and better) ones if the regulatory gatekeepers would allow such product onto the market. Instead they seem determined to hand the cigarette industry a nicotine maintenance monopoly. Gee, I can remember when health officials sought to reduce smoking caused disease rather than protect the cigarette business from competition from massively less harmful alternatives.

This is not the first time that key players have acted so as to deprive smokers of the products and information that could save their lives. As a public interest lawyer I have battled on this topic for decades, albeit primarily against the longstanding negligence of the cigarette companies. For far too many years these companies fell far short of their duty of care for their consumers. They are now dealing with the inevitable court actions that seek to hold them accountable for their malfeasance.

But tobacco companies are not the only ones against whom an action in negligence, perhaps even a charge of criminal negligence causing death, can be a viable cause of action. Public officials have a professional, legal and ethical obligation to protect the health of citizens and an obligation to avoid acting in illogical and capricious ways when enacting regulations. The dereliction of duty by these officials is not just a cause of concern but a potential basis of future litigation. They need reminding that the massive and numerous lawsuits against cigarette companies are not a result simply of them being cigarette companies, but rather a result of a failure to live up to their duty to consumers. It appears some senior EU officials are walking that same dangerous path.

David T. Sweanor

Adjunct Professor of Law

University of Ottawa

But what upsets most anti-tobacco activists is that e-cigs:

a) Enable someone to enjoy his e-cig in "no-smoking" areas. (Thus meaning that they have sidestepped the humiliation, denormalisation and demonisation that had been planned for them by the antis.)

b ) It actually rather looks like smoking! OMG! Think of the kiddies!

Anti-smokers (And I mean anti-smokers, as opposed to non-smokers, who are generally fairly tolerant of smokers as long as they are considerate) are, by and large, fanatical zealots. It's nothing to do with health and it's everything to do with ideological hatred. They want to destroy smokers and smoking and anything that looks like it. Hence the problems with e-cigs.

If Aer Lingus and KLM have a codeshare agreement you can check your bags straight through and get the onward boarding pass in Dublin.

That would make it very easy indeed as no need to go through transit at all.

Otherwise it will be a pain....still doable though I reckon.

Yes, you should be able to book your luggage straight through if they codeshare, regardless of whether you bought a package or not. That makes it easy. I've checked through Athens with less than an hour stopover that way.

Check out Voip Discount (Google it). It's the cheapest I've found. From here in Greece my wife can call mobiles and landlines in Thailand free, as long as I have some credit. For me to call UK, it's about 12 cents a minute (I think - can't remember exactly) to both mobile and landline (again- I think!). They have a comprehensive price list you can check out, so you can look before you commit. I put about €10 credit on every three months or so.

Champix basically damps the pleasure receptors in the brain, so it's not just cigarettes which no longer give you enjoyment, but most every other pleasure too, which is why there have been so many suicide attempts and incidents of violent aggression in people taking it. It was not properly tested also, which is in line with most things related to the Tobacco Control Industry. Nicotine patches and gums have an abysmal success rate, some research finding the success rates as low as 0.8%.

If you really want to stop smoking cigarettes for reasons of health or whatever, the best way to go is to invest in a good quality e-cigarette. Not only is the "smoke" (in reality water vapour) less damaging to your lungs, but many people have found them a very acceptable substitute / quitting aid.

Of course, the anti-tobacco zealots will tell you otherwise, partly because they are funded to a large degree by the pharmaceutical industry who make billions out of the useless patches and gums, but also because they don't like the fact that e-cigs "look like smoking". They would rather you died than switched to a safer alternative. "Quit or die" is their philosophy. Nothing else will do,

Personally, I enjoy smoking tobacco, and have no desire nor intention to quit. Having done a good deal of research into the subject, I know that although smoking is certainly not very good for you, (but then nor is drinking, eating Big Macs, taking two sugars in your tea etc etc ad nauseam) what we are told by the Tobacco Control Industry is a mixture of gross exaggeration, cherry picked statistics, mangled epidemiology and junk science.

They are zealots, and they do what all zealots do; they lie and they cheat to try to impose their particular brand of morality on everyone else. For them, the end justifies the means. As an example. just ask any anti-tobacco zealot to produce one - just one from the whole world - death certificate stating that this person died as a result of second-hand smoke exposure. They won't, and they can't, because nobody has actually died from "second-hand" smoke inhalation. All the hundreds of thousands of deaths from passive smoking you read about are actually virtual deaths - statistical legerdemain. There are no body bags, just epidemiological models fed into a computer, and the predetermined results that are consequently spat out. Like the "global warming" computer models. Garbage In Garbage Out, as they say.

However, that said, I certainly wouldn't seek to turn anyone away from quitting, if that's what they want to do. But I would advise against Champix (Google it, and see what you find. I think you would be rapidly be put off). I would also advise against NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) products as provided by the pharmaceutical industry, simply because they have a reputation for being both expensive and worse than useless.

Which basically leaves a choice between e-cigs and snus (a Swedish tobacco product taken orally, a bit like chewing tobacco, but not so messy). I have an e-cig which I use in situations where I can't smoke ordinary cigarettes, and I think it's great. If I actually wanted to stop smoking tobacco for whatever reason, I could happily switch to vaping, which is what 'smoking' e-cigs is called. Have a look round this forum:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/

There's a lot of info there which you might find interesting.