john b good

"million man march" who is kidding who.

They couldn't organise a pyss up in a brewery.

Kudos for the effort.

Come on Tesco, don't let the side down....

7 - 11 staff can be trained.

Training someone in Thailand is more difficult that trying to train a cat "so who are you trying to kid"

So!, what's new.

If there is money to be made Thai officials will be at the forefront of the any queue if there is money to be made.

If not why is Thailand close to being the most corrupt in SE Asia

Whoever you get it from apart from say, Avis, Hertz, or Budget, they will almost certainly ask to hold your passport.

Tell them to go take a flying <deleted>.

I have been involved in giving defensive driver training over a number of years (as a trainer) and whilst there are exceptions to everything most drivers of big rigs and trucks are not too bad at driving, after all it's their job and they spend quite a bit of time behind the wheel.

As said, there are exceptions and that would include those on 'ya-baa' and those drinking the contents of those little bottles of stimulant drink.

On (speaking about) the motorcyclists they are in the majority as being the most brain dead individuals that one could ever have the misfortune to meet in the realm.

When you stop your car at a red light you can finish up with "and usually do" half a dozen of these clowns pulling in front of your car. They jump the lights whilst other vehicles are still crossing the intersection and again it is the rule rather than the exception to have vehicles including motorcycles proceeding through an intersection long after the traffic lights have turned to red.

Someone mentioned that the authorities are trying to do something about these infractions but as I see they are doing nothing. So to the poster who wrote that perhaps you might give us some examples?

I went and renewed my five year drivers license a couple of weeks back and had to sit through an hour of video of how to drive in the realm and what not to do.

There was not one word said about the wearing of seat belts, the use of mobile cell phones, nor about having children in some form of cars seat or restraint.

There was plenty about thou shall not park on the footpath but does anyone do anything about it? NO!! and, it's unlikely that they ever will, because the police and everyone else in authority lack the will do do so.

Two persons are killed on the realms roads every hour and nothing is being done about it.

In concluding I have as much compassion as anyone posting on TV about death and carnage on the roads, but until the Thai’s themselves show the same level of concern and do something about the carnage as the majority of Caucasian expats who contribute posts to Thai Visa do the carnage will continue.

Another example the GF cousin’s husband is a Thai Airways caption rated for 747's and triple 7's and he and his wife think nothing of their 5 & 6 year olds standing on the passengers seats or the rear seats of their car. Have they got ant child restraints in the car, you can bet your <deleted> life they don't. And she when driving watches the TV which is just below the mirror of her vehicle. It's just a joke.

Am I gonna lose any sleep over it (the fatalities referred to in this thread) you're right, not a wink. I have seen more dead people than pretty well anyone (other than a military person) and I haven't become hardened because of it but as I have said until the authorities change the culture of how people drive (and the denizens of the realm who drive do likewise) in the realm nothings gonna change

I fell sorry for the families but that's as far as it goes.

If you are worried about then taking the guts out of you watch and onselling them OK,

But over many years the place On Thapae has had the most positive reviews.

Up to you, take it of leave it, perhaps sit there while they service your watch.

Most of you guys will be talking about a watch bought in the night bazaar anyway

If I had my way they would be nailed to a cross only that might out them up there with "our saviour" and they certainly do not warrant that distinction.

Failing that I would like to see them put in front of a firing squad.

I have worked in the field if industrial safety for 30 years and what the people at Santika committed was nothing short of premeditated murder.

Will it happen again? Of course it will. TIT

The Thonglor police were involved in the management of Santika so 'nuff said'

Some one mentioned 13 months as being a long time to bring a prosecution "well" the TG air crash (at Surat Thani) invesitigation findings have not been released yet and that occurred I think in 1998 with over 100 fatalities.

The whole country is nothing but one very big joke. Am I cynical ? yes I admit to being so, but then I have been here for 20 years so it's been building up.

Seems that quite a few farang businesses are suffering.

Is this because there are too many competitors or not enough farang?

When I arrived over a decade ago, it was difficult to even buy a Western-style sandwich but now there's a farang restaurant on every corner.

One reason is often the location they choose. Case in point would be Jo-Jets in front of CMU. As for the location of Sansai Sam's sadly failed gallery, I'm not sure what business would work there. I popped in there a while back and while I really liked the gallery layout & artwork on display in there, I wondered how long it would stay open. I don't hold out much hope for the Sports Bar in the Night Bazaar, either.

I share your lack of hope regarding the Sports Bar on Changklan. I was in there around three months ago and was the only customer, Got to talking to the manageress and she told me the rent was something like B100K / month. They (the building owners) had imposed strict restrictions on what sort of sign was permitted at street level.

But at the end of the day I do have to say that some of these entrepreneurs seem to do very little in the way of market research before spemding a lot of money. The Sports Bar is a prime example. Very few tourists would be aware of it's location and parking is a bitch for locals. And they have outlaid some serios money to boot. One would have thought that the "main man" a Belgium I believe, would have been a bit more canny.

I appreciate that many expats are persuaded by their Thai GF's to open a bit of a 'hole in the wall bar' but by comparision what they cost to set up is really just pocket money.

Another example was Soda's new place opposite Sompet Market. It was stuck in the back, she had the opportunity to provide food for the punters flowing out of Spicy but would she listen? NO!!

Then there was Piggy's F & C on Chiang Moi, good food, lovely lady but again another prick of a place to get a park, plus, plus and another one down the gurgler.

If they all had the savvy to set something up like Pun Pun or Mad Dog or take a leaf out of their respective books the ones setting a place up might just have a chance of making a go of it.

It is really beyond me the lack of fore thought that goes into some of these "new ventures"

som nam naah

Thanks for the advice. My TV is only a couple of years old.

I will over the next day or three have another go.

I see that the Fn-F7 key is the one for choosing the various screen options.

Thanks again

Do I need to install or download special software so that I can view videos "Windows Media Player" format from my laptop on my television.

The laptop has a monitor port and a HDMI output port and the TV has an S-Video input port.

I connected from the monitor port (on the laptop) to the S-Video on the TV ran the video on the laptop but the TV didn't seem to locate it when I scrolled through the various options.

And advice would be much appreciated.

I have been going to Pun Pun (the one in this thread) for perhaps ten 'maybe more' years and I can echo every plaudit that has been said regarding the establishment.

Pranee's pies are great, the fish and chips likewise and the portions such that we always have to ask for some to be put in a styro box to take home. And yes the burgers

The GF rarely eats Thai food when we go there because her standard order is the F & C, so that has got to tell you something eh?

Pranee is a delight and a lady to boot.

John is always great to chat with and I always spend at least 15 minutes either before or after the meal chewing the fat with him about a current topic, something that has been written on TV, state of the economy and ad nauseam (without the boring bit)

Now that the secret is out we will likely have to make a booking to get a table

I believe that there will be violence.

Despite their smiling faces Thai's are a very violent bunch of people and it only takes the slightest thing to trigger them off.

They are like powder kegs.....

Thailand's beaches would be more attractive to me, and I'm sure others, if there was a crack down on all touts. Touts really do spoil what should be a relaxing time on the beach.

It's not only on beaches where 'touts' get in your face. They are everywhere, but TIT

direct flight is back since mid-january. air bagan has two flights per week, thursday and sunday.

RGN-CNX 12:00-13:30

CNX-RGN 14:30-15:00

one local agent has RT tix at 8700-9100 baht, depending on trip duration.

they need one week for the visa, and will charge 2500 baht.

online visa on arrival may (or may not) be available.

air bagan is currently running a promotion; rt flight + 3 nights in yangon for $272

Just as a matter of interest!! How do you get a "visa on arrival online"

Not sure if they have rowing machines but there is a place inside the moat opposite CM Ram but a couple (perhaps three) hundred metres south that sells all manner of fitness machines.

They have given me good service, stood behind what they have sold.

It's got a yellow shop front. Happen by and have a look.

so much for love conquering all

Not long 'til Loy Kratong ...

It would be a long time if you are wanting to get into some girls knickers still if you have never been to Thailand "which it seems you haven't" I guess you could always do the 'chok wow thing'

I might just spend all day in bed with her. Perhaps call up meals on wheels for a delivery.

Dr Tawatchai's clinic on Loi Kroh Rd is the best GP type sugery I know of in town- and he doesn't have dual pricing for foreigners which is a bonus!

seconded

I agree.

It's a pity that you don't seem to be able to make an appointment because the waiting room is always full to overflowing "which I guess is testament to his popularity"

Not sure if they have them but Bakers Mart on Chiang Mai - Lamphun Road about 150 metres south of the Nong Hoi intersection has got about the best line up of cooking gear in Chiang Mai, including ingredients.

Before leaving:

Put it up on bricks and take the wheels off.

Disconnect battery.

Pull wipers off the windscreen.

After returning:

Put wipers on the windscreen.

Reconnect battery.

Put the wheels back on.

Start it and let it tick over slowly to get the oil around the engine.

You gotta be joking aren't you?

I have had several cars in Thailand and been in and out of the country more than a hundred times for spells as long as three and a half to four months.

I have never done anything other than disconnect the battery and possibly throw a cover over the car if going to be away for more than a few weeks.

Never had a problem upon returning.

Have you ever owned a car ??

is the rugby not on True?

I'm trying to find it, but can't

David

True carries SFA rugby.

It's full of that "kick it with your head stuff"

Obviously a lot more to this than published, another day in paradise?

Does anyone think it is as a result of customers parking? I just can't see that! More like gambling debt, or something where money is involved!

Good idea having a member of staff guarding the place after the event! <deleted> is he guarding? The parking spaces?

"Does anyone think it is as a result of customers parking?" It could very well have been the reason.

You can be murdered for a lot less here in LOS

Just allow your foot to point in the wrong direction

I suppose its a plus that CM does have sidewalks. Some places around the world don't have them at all. The fact that motorbikes use them probably confuses the planning dept. Is the reason they like to put all sorts of obstacles on the sidewalk for appearances or to discourage motorbikes?

Embarrassingly I had my hands full some years ago and tripped on a crappy excuse for a sidewalk near Nimmanhemin rd and broke a bone in my hand. 3 weeks in a cast. I couldn't feel too bad about myself because as I was getting worked on at CM Ram I saw a steady procession of accident victims from car and motorbike crashes. Put things into prospective.

I'd almost welcome a broken arm to be needing to visit CM Ram on a frequent basis. I would have so many new telephone numbers in my phone.

Some or the nurses are model material, but then I expect Ian Forbes has photos of most of then, AND, their telephone numbers as well.

That's strange.

There a many Thais who have dual citizenship without problems, though not officially allowed by law it is also not forbidden (as far as I know).

Mr. T. has already passports of some other countries so why was he not required to give up his Thai citizenship before.

Though I support our PM in general I think it has something to do with the fact that the country in question is Cambodia.

opalhort

Almost every country including US have the same rule but they will be able to stop anyone to have dual citizenship. Also not everyone goes and let the homeland know voluntary that they prefer and want another citizenship, like Mr. T. but he already lost the citizenship anyway since will never be able to come back

"but he already lost the citizenship (I am assuming you are referring to Thailand) anyway"

When did this happen ??