KevinB

Modern exercise trends (read magazines like Men's Health to get an idea of current thinking) argues for intense exercise routines concentrating on multiple muscles groups. Intensity training is replacing long boring sessions on aerobic machines like cross trainers and static runners. Circuits have become mixed and rest times between exercises cut to a minimum - chatting to your buddies is something you do over a protein shake at the end of your session. I've been a regular gym goer for the last decade and a half (but not a muscle / body builder)- must admit I love the new stretching machines like the ones made by Procor where you use your own weight to stretch back, legs, arms and shoulders - particularly useful in showing how inflexible your hip is becoming. Have been using these pre and post exercise and have found them to be incredibly beneficial.

Earlier last year while testing for a bacterial infection picked up in Nigeria which resulted in serious cellulitis it was noticed that my fasting blood sugar had crept up to proto diabetic levels. I was advised to try moving my gym routine intensity levels up. This plus specifically concentrating on developing extra muscle volume has completely solved the blood sugar problem. I'm now sold on the new techniques - get to hit the steam room after an hour and a half with double the calories burnt - have lost no weight but have changed size and lost plenty in the gut area. Am now seriously considering the use of pre-testosterone supplements taken daily in shake and pill form which are shown to help build muscle volume by building self production of testosterone - they are also thought to be much safer that straight testosterone injectables.

But guys I'm 64 not 40 something - and I've done this in close consultation with reputable doctors and sport technologist and as many OPs have advised based on my own detailed investigations of stuff on the internet which I've cross checked with published medical and physiological research. There is plenty of cranky stuff on line as well. But guys I recommend this as the way do go.

Considering how much money the average hi-so Thai in Bangkok and other gentrified locations spends of skin lightening products (partially driven but almost non-stop television adverts promoting "a light you") - basically so they don't look like their darker (and poorer) cousins from up-country - who work out-doors most of the time - the biggest health hazard is going to be the SUN. Suthrep (from his regular appearances on the nightly news) is browning by the day and is starting to look about as nut brown coloured as his loyal followers he has just bussed in from down South.

We should all be thankful to Suthep - Jolly decent of him not to close the airports. It again shows his limited understanding of how things work - He's been shouting about shutting down Bangkok for a month - folk have got the message large numbers have already cancelled their trips / visits. Causing massive traffic jams - which is going to happen during the "Shutdown" (it happens normally without protestors) is going to slow down deliveries between suppliers and factories, delay the packing of containers and their on-ward movement to the ports. Keep it up and soon some mega manufacturers are going to have to shut their component factories here - in the world of JIT delivery unreliability is the kiss of death. The fact that he can do what he is trying to do and apparently get away with it further adds to the slipping reputation of Thailand as a reliable supplier of choice. Folk need to wake up, their local political situation is slowing the growth of this country and that effects everyone even the money bag backers of the political system - yellow and red and pink and .....

Hell this is entertaining. Guys and Gals some of your comments make for an excellent read and have given me plenty to smile and chuckle about. Oh I'm leaving the country on the weekend for an extended business trip - so will have to follow the success or failure of the BKK SHUT DOWN here on ThaiVisa - so hope you keep it light and jolly which ever way it goes and how ever nasty it turns out.

The problem in Bangkok this time of year is caused by a temperature inversion - the cold air at night(remember folks 23rd December was mid-winter here) places an impenetrable air layer "blanket" over the place and all the night watchmen and security guards (and poor folk) like a little fire now and again (just wish they would stop burning plastic to get it going).

We spent New Year up in Kanchanaburi and even up in the hills and wooded areas there the air was very hazy - I was told from excessive rice stover burning in Myanmar - SE Asia is famous this time of year for sharing its smoke with the whole region - remember last year and the major problems experience in Singapore and KL from the fires in the forests (or maybe we should say ex-forests) of Indonesia.

Added to Bangkok problems are all the factories churning out any toxin they like (any Industry level enforcement just needs some "tea money" to go away - try the Rayong area currently with the same temperature inversion) AND all the City traffic fumes - just wait until after today when all the folk head back to work in their cars. Cough cough.

But as any reader who has been in the Pearl River basin, Shanghai or Peking on a bad day - stop complaining we have it reasonably good here.

Having now read through some of the earlier posts - it looks like Bangkok Bank comes out a clear front runner all the OP needs now is for some local CM members to up-date him on the number of Bangkok Bank branches and ATM outlets in the fair second City.

I didn't mention it but I've also found that the BB Internet banking system is absolutely fabulous and easily at world standard (certainly on a par with the On-line banking service I get from The World's Bank in the Channel Isles). Excellent to use during a family crisis while I'm working out the country - transfer to another BB account is basically instant.

I've also learnt something from the posts and will be back in Bangkok Bank setting up a separate higher interest account into which I'll put my Immigration requirement funds (I'm not resident full-time yet so the tax issue is not critical). I also like the suggestion of keeping minimal amount in the account against which the ATMs draws - I have been offered two accounts as well as joint accounts with my partner before by BB but have not taken them up.

The issue is that he wants to transfer money into his account in Thailand - in that case the best alternative is to use one of the banks that has the best - incoming Forex clearing system. The secondary issue is where he ends up living - all he needs to check then is how many ATM facilities and sub-branches (because sometime he may need branch services not available on an ATM) there are of the bank he selected because of the first decision.

I use Bangkok Bank - which after 7 years experience is excellent fast and reliable especially, as an earlier poster reports, you use the information they provide on corresponding banks. I have accounts in the channel Islands, in the UK and on the continent in different banks and have used GBP, USD and Euro transfers over the years with never a hiccup or falter. excellent service - a bloody sight better than I've got over the year from my main bank - commonly marketed as "The World Bank" (big joke but a worthy subject for a separate posting). Now if my memory serves me correct last time I was in CM there are not that many Bangkok Bank branches (SCB seemed to predominate) but in the up-country area I visit regularly - Chaing Rai there has been a steady increase in facilities. The advantage is that all incoming forex transfers to Bangkok Bank are handled centrally and the account system automatically credits the account where ever it is in country.

Other advantages - a print out of my BB Saving Book is always accepted by Immigration as proof of sufficient funds especially if (as I usually do) it is up-dated the day before - this service is usually available at multi ATM facilities of the bank.

The debit card they issue works everywhere I've used it - service stations and supermarkets etc.

After a couple of years I was offered a credit card and only took up the offer recently and have found that to be universally accepted both here in Thailand and regionally where I often travel on business - have occasionally had my international Visa refused because of the facility being unable to contact the main server.

By the way since switching to a big forex transfer into by BB account and then using my ThB cash card I've saved a small fortune in bank fees and Visa charges - plus in check earlier this year I get a much better rate on the incoming forex from BB than my International credit card company gives me when they convert ThB charges into deduction of my GBP account overseas. I'm winning all the way to the bank - now-a-days.

So CM members give the guy an up-date on facilities in your neck of the woods - for my part the incoming forex side of Bangkok Bank is very hard to beat.

I live out along the BangNa Trat Road (R34)- (the ground level road under the elevated motorway heading for Pattaya) round about the 24 - 25 km mark out to the East of the city beyond Suvannabhumbi Airport. Most of the klong and the natural waterways in the area (which run at right angles to the highway) have elevated concrete paths running along them. They can be ridden by bike (as long as you keep a tight riding line) and very easily walked. Some of the areas are still completely undeveloped (devoid of the increasing number of factories moving into the area to avoid any future flooding where they were North of the City) and run through and past rice fields, aqua-culture ponds, large natural mashes, open grass land and traditional riverside houses. When the paths reach a main road the walkways cross under the bridge and but also lead up on the road where, by crossing the river/canal, you can often get to a walkway on the outside and return from where you came. Great bird life along the way, some real lovely spots like the Assumption University campus and a growing number of beautiful golf courses. (which to get to, you have to leave the waterway - which may actually run along their boundary wall - walk along a road and enter via their main gate). Surprising amount of wildlife - some bloody big water lizards (Varanus sp), turtles, something that looks like an otter, voles / water rats etc.

I've never done it myself but from here some of the waterways via linking klongs running at right angles to the main drainage lines actually lead right the way back towards the centre of the City. Even these areas are very interesting - what you see out of the plane window as you land at the airport.

I started out taking a short walk and exploring how I could get back to our housing complex in a circular walk or bike ride and have made some interesting discoveries - old out-of-the-way Wats where you feel you are the first farang to visit, some friendly informal sector bars (can get hot and thirsty), tonnes of charming lovely people, some great boats you can hire or hitch a ride with, and some grumpy dogs who feel they own the path in front of their houses etc - now I know enough about the system to catch the Airport Link from town to some of the stations before the airport and then take a lovely 2 hr walk home past some old friends and along favourite paths. So get out there and start walking - explore the waterways of the Venice of the East. Unfortunately nearer the city some of the canals are garbage tips but they do eventually lead somewhere real fascinating.

Some of the videos posted are a real blast from the past - I was a High School / University student in the period 1963 - 1972 and what I remember the most (from my loc in Africa) was the newsreel footage of the War and the growing opposition to the war. Back in 1965 Rhodesia Unilaterally Declared Independence from it's so called colonial master Britain and argued it was to defend itself against the advance of Communism. The war in Central and Southern Africa dragged on past the 1980 settlement and Independence in Zimbabwe and like the war in SE Asia left plenty of damage and graves in the region - Mozambique, Namibia and Angola. Well history has moved on and like most conflicts there are those that fought and those that lost loved ones and comrades wondering if it was all really worth it.

Smiley Dude - I've only lived here since 2006 and I still travel a lot but trust that the locals I get to speak with tell me the truth. Thaksin did so much for the poor in his first term in power that they have re-elected the Party which represents him - so he is rich - it doesn't bother them. What does bother the average Thai is that using legal means the powers in control forced a popular PM elected after a military coup to lose his job because he appeared on a cooking programme, then with a switch in allegiance in the Parliament managed to get rid of the next PM and establish a leadership not elected by the people of this country. Then using again legal means "stole" at least half of the man's fortune - equally many might even accept that much of the fortune was accumulated by not such legal means - but accumulated by his own ideas and efforts - in a similar way to most of the fortunes in Thailand. The bit that bugs them is that someone took it away by what they consider to be unfair means - they also see his conviction in the same way. Now for you and I this may mean very little but for them it means enough to vote for the party that represents him, in vast numbers - giving the Party basically un-rivalled access to Power. - Power to use the legal means available to correct what they see as unfair rulings and decision made by the previous Government and the leaders of the previous coup..And this is then the next part of Politics 101 - people often vote based on what they believe the Party they are voting for can do for them. If the party they elect fails to do what they believe in, they may, vote elsewhere next time. It is called Democracy.

I agree with previous posts she is the best looking PM I've ever seen and at 44 - if she looks after this country as well as she has looked after herself then Thailand is going to be a great place. A great place to live and if the Party gets there policy right then a place with much less poverty and suffering. Well down lady - GO FOR IT - you won it - you have the trust of the majority of people in this nation. CONGRATULATIONS

I think people critising the Red Shirt leaders comments miss the point. The Movement was instrumental in mobilising the rural vote that put the party into power. AND as such they had better be included in the cabinet otherwise there will be an instant disconnected between the new Government and the electorate. Think of Obama appointing no blacks to his cabinet or senior Government posts. Think of a Labour Goverment appointing no one from the Labour Movement. Think of the Lib-DEMs (who have sacrifiued some of theiir principles) accepting that they don't get key cabinet posts because of the support to Cameron. Some of you guys just have to get over the fact that the majority of the people in this country support the winners of this election and for the vast majority of the rural population in the North and North-East of this country (plus millions of low paid workers in agriculture, commerce and industry) the Red Shirts represent their thinkinbg and their resistance to the rich elite of this country. This is Politics 101.

Folk

I'm not a Thai plant specialist but I did do botany at university I think the thread has two different plants being discussed. Big fan like species (depicted in the first of the thread) normally start with the same basic structure at their earlliest stage of growth. They don't start out bushey and random like a Giant Elepahnt Ear (depited later) then morph into a fan structure. Well not normally. By the way the first plant must be really old to be that big.

To hammered

Everytime I read your more sensible comments - i like Titanium even more.

To most the other commentators

Come on everyone get a life - PTP Won - why do you think they WON - because the common people of Thailand know what they want and they know who can give it to them. Which is why they voted PTP and why they WON.

Do you really believe that the millions of Thais who voted PTP didn't know what they were voting for? Do you thinlk they care about the niceties of Thai law?- a law that bans PMs because they appeared on a cooking programme.

As has been said the establishment lost - they have tried everything to get rid of Taksin - but he won't go away - because he is popular - respected - and despite what you think or believe about him a Thai who is loved by poor Thai people.

This is their country and they want him back and I'm sure he will be back - why not? he is Thai and he has more of a right to live here than most of us.

Get used to the idea.

yeah and irakis also loved saddam, germans in the early thirties also loved you know who and north-koreans love their dear leader.

Seri - I don't recall the Iraqis or the North Koreans ever having a free and fair election under their dictator and yes the Germans did vote for Hilter in the 30s - they suffered the consequences and I doubt they'll ever do it again. So whats your point?

To Sichonsteve

Do you really believe that the millions of Thais who voted PTP didn't know what they were voting for"?

Thats a big fat yes on that one!!!!!!!!!.

I think that only the Italians are more gullible and naive!!!!

ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO YOUR LIST OF DUMB AND STUPID RACES THIS MORNING. - the Thais are smart and clever - they have taken a enough dumb farangs to the cleaners to prove they are a more than a match for any of the more advanced races I presume you favour. So i suppose I'm a Thai apologist (another implied insult)

Well while I'm about it - let me say - I love italians to - love pasta, love pizza - love Italian opera and never get concerned that they elect a 70 year old who has enough lead in his pencil to score some pretty hot ladies (even if some are borderline underaged - she certainly looked old enough to me). in fact I'm not even prepared to get upset about Yanks electing a sucession of Bushes and then an Obama. I don't even get hot under the collar when the Senate tries to impeach Clinton for lying about getting a ......from Monica and then not even getting upset about the lies told about weapons of mass distruction which resulted in massive expenditure and thousands of Americans death in a war they can't seem to win.

Infact I believe that Brits knew what they were voting for when they voted for Cameron and the American know what they are voting for when they vote for a Tea Party candidate. Given that I think i have right to believe that Thais knew exactly what they were voting for when they voted for PTP - To bring Taksin home.

I repeat myself - Get used to the idea it's gonna happen - it is what people voted for and it's what the majority want. I agree with others on this site - best make it sooner rather than later - like Cameron and Obama - Yingluck needs to get down to what she was elected for. She knows why she got elected (a total novice as someone posted) -Just like Cameron and Obama - the former cutting unaffordable Government expenditure and Obama providing health care for the poor even though it flies up the nose of the establishment. Politics and democracy - and if you want to "educate" Thais about how gulible and naive they are feel free to go out and do it and for Brits and Yanks and Ausies and Kiwis and Italians and Serbs if you don't like the Governments you got back home make sure to register as voters and get involved in a bit of politics and make sure you exercise your vote next election. Just be sure you know what you are voting for and who you believe can deliver it for you.

To hammered

Everytime I read your more sensible comments - i like Titanium even more.

To most the other commentators

Come on everyone get a life - PTP Won - why do you think they WON - because the common people of Thailand know what they want and they know who can give it to them. Which is why they voted PTP and why they WON.

Do you really believe that the millions of Thais who voted PTP didn't know what they were voting for? Do you thinlk they care about the niceties of Thai law?- a law that bans PMs because they appeared on a cooking programme.

As has been said the establishment lost - they have tried everything to get rid of Taksin - but he won't go away - because he is popular - respected - and despite what you think or believe about him a Thai who is loved by poor Thai people.

This is their country and they want him back and I'm sure he will be back - why not? he is Thai and he has more of a right to live here than most of us.

Get used to the idea.

Pretty speaker especially in English - and I liked him because I don't speak enough Thai. But I'm not Thai - I'm a guest in this lovely country and the PEOPLE have spoken. So I must support an earlier member - Good Riddance.

If, like someone argued above - he was a real statesman and an honourable man - he should have called an election earlier and the Reds could have won it - (like they have done now) Instead of being stubbon and intrangient - which in the end resulted bloodshed and extra judical killings which have made this great country look like a banana republic. Without that we would already be well on the way to full reconcilliation and development. The troubles could have been avoided - people were angry because their vote for the Government of their choice was subverted - by court rulings (banning a guy who appered on a cooking program - really) and allies crossing the floor to join a group of people who occupied an International airport and got away scot free. I can tell you that little incident moved more airlines to hubs in Malayasia and Singapore than the occupation of a down town junction.

So bye bye Abhesit - I don't think there are going to be too many folk crying about your departure - remember you only really deserve what you WIN not what you grab or steal.

Just thought about that last comment - There are some folk crying for you but unfortunately they all seem to be expats on a very right wing site - who don't count politically because they don't have a vote - they like me should just be glad to be living here and be prepared to accept that the majority of the electorate have spoken and that they are sensible and reasonable citizens - and that they voted Red because they want someone they appreciate to come home.

Sorry I couldn't get on earlier - my password wasn't working.

What a pleasure to read all the comments which seem to forget what all the Expat dreamers were really believing - with their head in the sand - that Taksin won't be coming back. You are typical Bangkok folk (23 out of the 33 seats up for grabs going to an elitist party called democrats - which they are not really) - a bunch of realatively wealthy folk who appreciate the easy life and the domestic help - get so frustrated when they go "up-country" (almost a dirty word in the city) and don't come back to their well paid ThB 7000 per month jobs. Folk who can't think for one moment why these "dumb" maids and gardeners and under-paid factory and fish farm workers voted Red.

At least there are others like me who have seen this coming since that night in September 2006 - when the TVs suddenly switched to an empty desk with a flag behind it while we waited to hear we were being rescued from evil. Folk like me who knew things were wrong: when you occupy an International airport and don't even get a slap on the wrist; can't beleive their ears when a person who won a majority is banned from politics for appearing on a cooking programme; when people who didn't win an election end up as the PM; when snipers "execute" people in front of TV cameras.

For us the day a smart lady with a lovely smile wins an OUTRIGHT VICTORY - we know that the people of Thailand have taken their country back from a bunch of elitists and thieves.

Well done all the common folk - the victory is yours - and if you want to pressurise this establishment to forgive someone and return the money stolen from him - then go ahead and DEMAND IT - this is again your Government.

SC

All part of this modern world we live in - off shore account and e-statement - or else the bank charges £10 for a monthly paper statement - but I like your suggestion of a cable bill - or an internet connection - thanks

And if you like asking questions about the conspiracy between money laundering, the intelligence community and our beloved friends - the BIG BANKS then I recommend the new John le Carre novel (now in paperback) - "Our Kind of Traitor" - paints a great picture - and is a very good read.

and Kawasaki (nice bike)

The yellow book is now a lot tighter (as I have discovered) - you now need to:

1) book and interview - (waiting list in our area is 21 farang)

2) get 4 witnesses to go along and vouch for you (nice thing to ask you friends and neighbours to do - we got to the offices at 10 am - and got number 400 something and they were calling for number 18 - to the gathered throng of folk sweating away in the office - half the population has woken up to the fact that they need IDs with the elections coming up). OK I admit it - my wife knows a lady who knows a lady - we blatantly jumped the queue to find out the information given here.

3) wait for the Village chairman and the MP to agree (both will need some "assistance with transport" - I'm told especially with an election coming up)

I work as an International Consultant and am in and out of the airport on a regular basis - the meter taxi service over the last 3 or 4 years has been truly GREAT - normal fare plus Thb 50 is the rule and my experience is that the rules are observed. and it is organised and very rarely do you have to wait too long.

The gas tank is a problem (but it was there when you left and will be there when you get back) - so carry a couple of bungees clipped round your luggage and use the boot / trunk half open (get a good suitcase) - or chuck your luggage n the front seat. I've seen a pile load of luggage and three passengers go in a taxi - No problem.

At least the taxis have meters and they are registered - their registration number is on a small metal tag on the inside of the back door. As someone said "Stop complaining" - try a taxi in Nampula or Bomako or Cairo or Athens or Mexico City - and then tell me you aren't happy to be back at good old Swampy.

And if you have a big family and lots of luggage - do as advised - get two taxis and take the one behind and say - like the movies "Follow that cab"

And if cost is not problem - get a limo - or better still you can arrange a Mini bus for you, the kids, the wife without her driver - and all your luggage for a lot less than it will to take a cab from Heathrow or Charles de Gaulle.

Travel well

You got it in one - CLOSE this thread - it has gone No Where since it started. Put it out of it's misery!!!!!!!!

Street Cowboy

I normally avoid Nana - but I'll be there today looking for this bloke in a booth. Thanks.

My only problem will be if my wife doesn't believe that thats the only place you can easily find a public notary in Bangkok.

Another General Comment

As I've discovered today (Monday) there seems to be a the new delay (due to strict applications of the regulations) attached to getting myself officially put on our house register. Because of this it looks like I'm going to have to go the expensive lawyer route. How else do I "prove" that I live at a specific address? When you have a British insurrance company insisting on a utility bill in your name (sounds so easy from a UK perspective) - when it is not that easy to do here - especially when the house is in your wifes name and therefore all the ulitity bills are also in her name as well. The joke being that I don't want the money sent here - I want the proceeds paid back into an Off-Shore Bank Account - from whence the funds originally came. By the way - before someone gets the wrong end of the stick - I have never been resident of the UK except when I was a post grad student (many years ago) and none of the hard earned money was ever liable for UK tax. So much for all the reassurances you get when you hand your money over.

And all this time the company in the Isle of Mann gets to hold my money while I jump through little hoops trying to get my hands on all these documents "they require" just so I can get my own funds back.

Don't you love these companies which sell "hassle free" investment products.

I am cashing in a matured UK policy / Investment instrument and need to have a number of documents signed by a witness, and copies of my documents certified. Is there such a thing as a Justice of the Peace (JP) or Commissioner of Oaths in this country. What I don't want to do is have to get everything translated into Thai or go to an expensive lawyer to perform this simple task. Any suggestions?