j_mack

Nothings changed, The ''Beaver still Rules''

''Must be plenty of spare penises from all the sex change operations.

But, then again, loss of face by having a penis reject you, could be too much to bear''

Dont know whats worse, A Penis rejects you or an Arrsol does!

Perhaps this PRICK has my lost socks too!

we left Bkk for Lampang as soon as we brought a New G Max, we didnt know you must log in Log Book if driving on Red Plates! to a different Province

got talked too and brought BiB some Drinking Water, no fine!

How about at the end of the month,just like your riding you bike with no Helmet,the Bib fine the Chang for crapping on the Road? works for not wearing a Helmet.......................

no relevance in Oz, what happened to Thai food? no offence to M.S. but she not my cup of Tea................

saw T Shirt in Bangna Super market, Girls shop '' after Annal I like a walk on the Beach'' in low key print below the Motif !!!

same same I have brought in 4 bottles and never been stopped, [come here 6 times a year x 3 years] only stopped once and asked ''what thats'' a PC for the wife, never checked in side the bag, and rarely any one manning the Desk, its not like returning to OZ! O NO, thats another story!!!

Are you implying that Ning is a bad person? You just read the horror story of her life and all you can say is your glad you didn't meet her? I think she'd be glad not to meet you. Me too.

We are all happy then.

Nowhere did I imply Ning was a bad person.

Thank you for the story, Im sure its true, I have meet a Ning in my life too, sad to say she is doing 10 years for Yabba, big Heart and big smile buy the cards were always not in her favor, I hope to meet her again

Amway, not Amtrac, but absolutely right you are.

''SCAMWAY'' not Amway as decribed on Oz TV tonight, it on the Rise [nose] again

Look like just about any one, with what thay have...............................

I love em..

what about nokair or orient air or jetstar or tigerairways? or thaiairways? malaysian airways offer good deals for bkk-kl sector sometimes plus free goodfood,plus,plus like thai inter.

another point with AA is you cant book under 24hrs from anyware, Sinapore etc, I was stuck at New Years Day

I to like to travell [and have too] at short notice, like 48 hr before,

other than that I find them good to fly with, and Large seats with a little more room then oter Budgets A/L's

was it Lady Boy in 7/11 who pinch your Sasuage?

my wife has 3 Builders working on a new House here, all hard working and experinced, all have worked in KSA for 1 year....

all never got payed,

we just brought 1000 @ 19.5 bht. Shopped around Lampang, you can buy "no name no standard" at 16bht, and yes the glue is hard to come buy! tried 4 shops this morning.

just been shopping for wood around Lampang, old Teak and Redwood ideal for framing, 30 > 40 year old from old rual houses and some amazing big planks, let me know if you want more info, have phone no.s j mack

Looking for a happy life in the LOS? With a nice girlfriend that you may want to marry in future?

Here are a few things I would like to suggest to any foreign men that may be following this thread, especially new comers to the LOS. I just thought I'd toss this out as it seems that us falang men here in the LOS should unite and, for want of a better word, fight back on the many thai wife scams. Here you are, a few things to think about when starting a union with your new-found dream girl in the LOS::

1) Pick of the litter. Find an educated gal that works in an office preferably raised by mother/father, small'ish extended family, from the country areas, and educated on her own merits. Find out quickly how many foreign men she has had relationships with; ask all the Ws (Who, what, where, why, etc); look for anything that sounds strange in her answers and question her about it. Always tell your other head: "You can take the BG out of the bar but not the bar out of the BG". I recommend re-affirming this daily. Ask yourself: Is your new found girl actually a BG, a part-time freelancer, a freelancer, a part-time escort, a pro escort, a new scammer or a veteran scammer? Has she done any of these types of work in past to generate revenue? Does she have a thai boyfriend, a scam support group, or a scheming family behind her? Fellas, ask yourself these questions and question her; find the closest thing to the truth that you can.

2) Your abode, not hers! Find your own place, in your name. If you are new here, rent a nice apartment on a month to month or 3 month basis in an area you may like (lots to be had these days at fantastically low prices; shop around, ask respectable thais and other foreigners). If you are thinking of buying something, go for a "strata" title deal condo in your name. If you want land/house/property, there are many lawyer/finance businesses (accredited abroad) that can help you with company set up and can handle mutliple thai shareholders "in-house"; this is the safest way, albeit not in anyway completely free of risk. Be aware that there can be many issues and changing "local rules" with land ownership! PM me if you want a couple of examples for lawyer/finance companies - or just search on the web and confirm these with your embassy / expat club / business club. Once you have the girl and the love nest...

3) Test the girlfriend - apartment. Let her stay over at times but don't let her move in right away! If she tries to shack up immediately, tell her no, go slow babe. If she objects, dump her on the spot, tell her to get out. Once she knows the rules, then let her have a bit of the run of the place, slowly. If she tries to change the maid, tell her no, the maid that came with the place is just fine thank you. If she asks about household goods for extended family, dump her asap. Oh, have I forgotten to mention...don't give her a key, nor any access to the place; if she befriends the apartment staff, the owner or manager, tell her that this is your place and you are a private fella that keeps his business to himself...no personal relationships with the apartment personnel please; if she objects, dump her. If a friend or family member is going to come and stay, tell her that you don't mind her staying at the flat while her friends/family stay at her place. Don't waver on this...once a friend or family member is in your flat, they may be difficult to remove. Don't let her move in at all costs...not until step 9 below and even then be aware that it is not the norm for thais to co-habitate like people do in other countries and the family may be dead against it...so do yourself a favour and wait. Having her living apart from you is a much better deal anyway and will show her true intentions with you (or your wallet).

4) Test the girlfriend - internet. Try and find out about her from as many people as you can without her knowing. I've done some crazy things like using internet social networking sites...trying to get her to add me as a friend and answer my fake messages sent to her facebook, twitter, etc. I've used fake profiles with a subtle focus on apartments/money in my ad and then send a message to her profile (if you think this is a bad thing, don't worry about it, some thai women will do this to you possibly with the help of her girlfriends. Try using emails from fake addresses; same same here fellas, her girlfriends may do this to you, be aware of this. (Been there, done that, bought more than the t-shirt fellas). I've not installed a key logger on my laptop (or hers) but have been thinking about it; this was done to me in past and I actually had a lot of fun with her about it - I eventually told her that the past week of my bizarre internet actions were not me, I lent my laptop out to my friend; a week later I told her that it was all a game that I played back on her; I dumped her a week later after some interesting conversations! She only wanted my wallet anyway and I knew it. Speaking of which...

5) Test the girlfriend - money. Remember, never give out money like an endless ATM. Don't pay for her rent. Don't constantly buy her things. Take her out yes, of course, and choose food or entertainment spots that range from "on the street" star to 5 star. Take note how she deals with the people, especially in the low end spots; in the 5 star spots, she should feel humble, impressed, happy; if she is not humble in the expensive joint then maybe she has had the 5 star high-life before you and is not going to tell you about her wondrous lavish past lifestyle with the previous falang kwai (you'll eventually find out if this is so). In the low end spots, generally speaking, she should feel very comfortable; more importantly she should treat all people with respect and some compassion...that is the true indicator I believe. Ask her for pick up something for dinner one night and bring it over; ask her where she bought it and what did it cost...and don't offer to pay for it...probably cost 200 Baht at most if it is thai food from a small local restaurant in bkk. If she puts her hand for you to pay for it, tell her no have cash right now, you need to go to the ATM so will pay her tomorrow...then don't pay her...if she asks again, tell her that she can pay for the odd thai take-away. If she objects, dump her.

6) Test the girlfriend - money. Once you are getting really comfortable with your new-found love, try a shopping test. First take her out and go shopping for about an hour with her; go to a mall and look around for a few hours but don't spend more than an hour actually shopping (most of us can't shop deal with long shopping sessions anyway so no point in torturing yourself mate). When you go into a shop, check her actions closely...is she shopping for you or for her? Just play it cool and let her make the decisions. If she automatically tries to buy a new phone, new clothes, new bag, or shoes for herself using your wallet, well, then, mate, wake up...you've got your answer. If she is trying to "fake it" and play the game by looking for clothes for you to make it seem that she is authentic, well, her true endeavours are much harder to ascertain. You may have to go back to step 5 above and re-visit this test another time; just let her "buy" one thing for you using your wallet then get out quickly. This may actually lead to her wanting to buy you something on her own accord and she may actually bring something for you in the very near future. If she does, she may be real and not just a wallet chaser, if not, back to step 5 mate.

7) Test the girlfriend - money. At some opportune point in time, preferably when you have something you must do alone, ask her if she wants to go shopping and offer to give her 5000 or 10000 Baht, and jokingly mention that she can bring back the change. If she refuses your money then you may have met a good one. If she takes the money, check her reaction closely, and mention that you would like her to pickup something for you, a phone top-up card or cigarettes or a bottle of wine. When you see her later, don't say a word about her shopping, let her show you what she bought and any money left over. If she bought the wine, ciggies or top-up card...well at least she remembered what you said and didn't go completely brain dead over the cash. If she spent all the cash, well she is probably a wallet chaser. If she just bought all clothes and stuff for herself, her friends and family, most probably a wallet chaser. If she bought some things for her and some extra things for you, maybe she is authentic or trying to look that way? If she bought nothing for herself and some extra things for you, well, possibly she is authentic or acting out her game. If she brought back no change or doesn't offer you the change or just put it on the table, go back to step 5; be wary of her if she spent the lot with nothing much to show for it or she didn't bring back anything for you. Women and shopping go hand in hand, they went to shopping school mate, so best to sort out what she is like with your cash right away. 5 or 10K Baht is a drop in the bucket at the beginning and money well spent to find out if she is just a serial wallet snatcher.

8) Test the family - advice/money. If you made it to here, pat yourself on the back mate, you are probably luckier than 90% of other falang. If you have met the family before step 7, well, all I can say is... pause, do nothing with the family, go back to step 3 mate. Does that sound bizarre? Well, do yourself a favour and slow down with the family. Have you given the family money or goods or presents yet? If so...pause, do nothing with the family, go back to step 3 mate. Keep your cool and just tell your girl that family is very important to you and you want to be sure about moving forward with your family as it is a big deal. Do yourself a favour mate and be patient...remember that you'll have plenty of time to dish out cash to the family in the future if she is the one for you. If she is not cool about this, warn her, tell her that her family is important and you want to do this the right way, your way, your comfortable way. Delay, delay, delay fellas. You must be very careful with her extended family, their contacts, connections, and abilitiies. Once you are "in", you only have two ways to go, all or nothing. So just make sure that your ALL is only the disposable money/income that you are willing to lose in thailand; always keep your own nest egg, preferably abroad.

9) Test the family - money. If you have made it this far, ASK her about her family, their history, their current lives, their financial shape, everything you can. Every family has an unique story to tell...there is always some story...and I don't mean this in any negative sense, just find out about them and be aware...put the pieces together the best you can. If you know anyone from their village/town/city, get them to check out her family without them knowing. I am doing this now...slowly, slowly. Then ASK her if her parents want to come and visit; you'll pay for their travel (a test). If they agree, be aware big time; if they offer to come on their own accord, perfect. THE FIRST TIME YOU MEET HER FAMILY, DON'T GO VISIT THEM in their house/village/town/city; JUST DON'T, REFUSE TO DO THIS, plead insanity if you have to, a heart problem, anything. Let HER FAMILY COME TO YOU for a visit. When they come, make sure you have an exit strategy that day; arrange something that "just came up" the evening before the family is to arrive and don't mention it until the day before when the family is travelling or on the day of the visit. Now...make sure you get the family to stay at her place; if this is not possible, offer to pay for a hotel for them; if they easily accept, be aware! If they won't accept a hotel paid for and can't afford one, then let them stay at your place with your girlfriend while you stay at a nearby hotel (clear out all valuables before hand, if they take the furniture well you are not a very bright lad for letting them in for that length of time without supervision, are you?). Make sure you let the apartment personnel know that the girlfriend's family is coming and make sure the girlfriend witnesses this. If it all works to plan up to this point, then ideally make sure that you have a thai/english speaking friend of yours that can pop in and visit with you and the family briefly. A friend that your girlfriend "sort of" knows but ideally a friend that you know well and one that speaks only in english and answers in thai only when required to the family. If you have to hire a "friend", do it. Check out the reaction of the family before, during and after this friend is introduced. Ask your friend about it afterwards; it may reveal some family purpose or schemes. If your first family visit involves talk of money or goods...take your exit card and go do that thing that "just came up" the night before. Speak with your girlfriend the next day and tell her that you are busy today so won't be able to visit with her family; tell her to have fun and be happy with her family...talk later babe. When the family departs, talk to her about the money talk that occurred when you met the family for the first time at your flat.

If your first visit with the family did not involve money, you may be onto a real thing.

If the first family visit worked out, have another one in about 3 - 6 months, get them to come again. If they truly cannot come to you, no worries, just send her alone. Wait for 3-6 months and try again; this time if they cannot come, go and see them. Have a mate stay at your place and lock up all your valuables when you are away at her family's abode.

10) MOST IMPORTANTLY... Make sure that you are more important to her alive - don't put all your eggs into her basket mate...because someone else may understand the scenario and give her the push to put you out of the picture permanently. This has occurred in Thailand on more than one occasion.

Having said all this above, I believe that the LOS is a fantastic spot in the world and plan to eventually retire here in 10-20 years; right now "I'll play my cards close to my chest" and see what transpires with my latest girlfriend. She is lovely and quite "westernised"; she finally asked me for money earlier this year and then paid it back to me promptly.

I may sound like a self-obsessed bastard but in honesty I treat her like a princess and our lives are, so far, quite full and we are very happy. Issues do occur but she does have the ability to reason with me rather than just put her back to the wall and go into ATM withdrawal mode. She knows, and her parents now know, that I am not their ATM; I told her quite bluntly (verbatim) that there are many falang kwai ATMs in the LOS so she can have her pick anytime and I can go back to how I lived in thailand 3 years ago...foot loose and fancy-free. She continually chooses to stay in my AMT-free zone, works a job now, and is looking for a bright future. Good girl. I've seen what has transpired with some of her single girlfriends; they are unhappy and can't find a man; they need training as well I reckon.

I've been in LOS for about 3 years and have gone through about 4 girlfriends. 2 lasted mere weeks, 1 lasted 2 months, 1 lasted 7 months. I read up on thailand prior to coming here and "played my cards very close to my chest". I am with a new gal now and have been with her for about a year... she pays for the basic living expenses, I pay for most (not all) dinners, drinks, entertainment and most trips within or out of thailand. She has a professional office job. I've basically tried to be as cautious as possible with women here and I've TALKED to her about the many scams that I have heard of in thailand, especially between thai wife / falang kwai. I have told her that I keep my money/nest egg abroad (which I do). And have, many times, kindly suggested in a round-about way that, at the first inkling that I feel our relationship is based on her sole want of my money, I am gone, poof!, instantly. The Lottery is over baby and you lost. The reality is that all women look for money intially, but there is a large difference between a serial wallet snatcher and a woman that is looking for a happy secure future. Fellas, do this first, tell her that wallet chasers are not allowed in your life, well before any living arrangement or, god forbid, money giving.

Fellas, we can teach some of these LOS gals to understand us and what a cross-culture relationship can truly be like plus show them that they do not need to be a serial wallet chasing ATM withdrawal demon to have a happy financial future. On second thought, possibly that is just naive...

Happy Thai life , get a life.............................................

I seem to remember reading Shark numbers are at an all time low and they may become an endangered species soon.

I stopped eating Shark as a result.

Correct me if I am wrong....

I was brought up in Adelaide South Oz, and Shark was called Whiting and Flake. makes a nice Fish'n chips, no problem there! much prefer it to Barra a much overrated fish

Hi folks,

Is it possible to buy 2 Bedroom Condo/Apartment with under 1.2m BHT in Bangkok?

What areas should I look for and how far would they be from central Sukhumvit area?

If I don't have a bank account in Thailand, how can I transfer the money to buy the condo/apartment?

What kind of legal firms/lawyers available and recommended to contact when buying a Condo/Apartment in Bangkok?

Normally, what kind of fees involved when buying such Condo/Apartment in Bangkok?

What are the average monthly/annually maintenance and security fees, etc.. for the Condos?

Thanks,

Tyroon.

I think some how you are TROLL!

So ??

From the Deep South of Darwin to the rest of the Would, its in the news every day! from one who works in the offshore Industry in the West its BIG S$it in Australian waters, my ARRSE would be kicked to the end of earth if i had an anything to do with it , lol.

How is the route and roads from Pattaya to Ko Chang on small motorbikes? Does anyone have a route?

Thanks!

we have been as far as Rayong and Chantaburi in the same day when we lived at Bangpagong! did about 250km in 1 day on a Fino 120cc, watch out for Potholes and Trucks always a concern but no not any worse then BangnaTrad Hi way to Chonburi! returned home tired and covered in Mud, be ok if we stayed overnight at small hotel but had to get back for our Dogs sake! took the Coast road no set plan but sealed roads all the way

now have new Isuzi so any drive is no problem, and moved up North near Lampang.

Im always reminded towards Trat is the wettest area in Thailand, rains more days than any where, enjoy John Mc

Ever wonder which area in Bangkok has the most concentration of expats' residence?

Those on short term visit (less than 6 month's stay), please refrain from voting in this poll.

I dont have a visa, but spend 4 weeks here then go work 5 weeks, been doing this for 5 years, and invest in the home town etc plus a machinery bussiness for my wife, there may be many like me, os simler?

we just brought a sharp fax last week for the wifes bussiness and I spent most of yeasterday trying to send a fax to OZ, YES found out I need to use 008 not 0011 for this company TOT IN Bkk, different no. for diffrent phone company!

have no problems [now] sending and reciving from PHUKET, just sort international out

nothing to fear! JOHN HOWARD put simlar uniformed people on the AUSSI waterfront as security guards several years ago and paid for by the people we voted for. ''we have nothing to fear but the people themselfs'' { CHURCHHILL ?}

[ Ideally a 2ndhand kayak is what i'm after. ]

Ive seen blue plastic long boats for sale, same material as the ice boxs, look farily cheap in the plastic shops along the main roads aroun Choburi and today at Bangna. the canals 80km to the East are much cleaner and quite senic in the back-blocks,

not a bad idea to spend a bit of time touring about in a boat [tours anyone?]