Tejas

My guess is he left the b out of 'best part'

Much better and logical/smart guess..........I need to read more carefully

QUOTE (craigt3365 @ 2010-05-29 06:07:06) I just got off the phone with a friend and she is talking about potentially living in Cypress. Does anybody have any info on Cypress? I have also heard some good things...just curious....

the island of Cyprus is divided into a Greek and a Turkish part. we lived in the (southern) Greek part of the capital Nicosia from mid 1986 till end of 1989 (when not travelling). easy to get a residence permit, authorities and most people can communicate in english, utmost friendly people, low crime rate, moderate living expenses (but much higher than Thailand), very low taxation for retirees, property and rentals quite expensive. when considering Cyprus again in 2004 nothing much had changed. what put us off where the property prices.

Hey would you be more specific about the property prices which put you off ? and which is the est part you would consider to be in the republic of Cyprus(is it? or the other part?) Thanks

it's the combination of prices and what shit² (construction and design) is offered at a ridiculously high price which put us off. please be more specific on the "est part" as i have no idea what you mean.

Sorry to interrupt, but this is getting interesting.

My guess is that "est part" means eastern Cyprus vs western Cyprus.

That aside, if you have time, I would like to know about all of those islands off the coast of Turkey.............between Turkey and Cyprus (all controlled by Turkey).

Not long ago I was in the Middle East and a colleague of mine was talking about how wonderful those islands are............don't remember the names of the islands.

If you have been there and can shed light on them as possible retirement destinations, your input would be appreciated.

Just as long as there in no tomato in there you are fine. Villa & Foodland sell pinto beans.

I like tomato in it (not overpowering the dish).........but many people do not.

Back to chiles...........I have experimented with the dried chiles in Thailand.........they produce just OK salsa........but it is never the same as "back home."

There is something about the smell of genuine Mexican dried chiles that sets them apart...........also taste.

There are very few Mexican dishes I can make that actually taste good (same for Chinese food..........maybe I am not destined to be a chef )One of them is chili relleno.

I like to use fresh poblano stuffed with a shredded beef mixture...............but for the sauce, I use the ancho (dried form of poblano).

The ancho based sauce makes a huge difference in the dish.

Chipotle (dried and smoked from fresh jalapeno) is another dried chile that I think is essential.

I think, for Mexican seasoning, the combination of chipotle and ancho is a good one.............and oregano, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder.

All very true, but the negligence stretches back much further than a single regime. It's a systemic problem that has been with Thailand since it was called Siam. The godfathers and feudal system still in operation have never had an interest in reforming anything. They want to maintain their overwhelming privilege.

I think you just got to the core of a rotten apple.

You missed my point and even twisted a few points..........congratulations

It is way past time to think about new models of growth that will enhance the quality of life for both Thais and foreigners.

Enhancing the quality of life is often not attainable when growth is unrestrained.

It would help if city planners would start thinking more about enhancing the quality of life of all residents.

Instead, as stated earlier, they seem to be planning the city around the needs of cars and real estate hounds.

My point about Taos and Aspen and other similar cities is that they have been planned to enhance the quality of life of HUMANS, not cars.

And they have attempted to embrace development plans that do not sacrifice nature.

It is possible to create a fun city.......with pockets of insanity..........and other related stuff.........and do it in a way that enhances the quality of life for the people living in the city.

You can also do it in a way that creates good jobs.

Unfortunately, that is very hard to do after a place has been ruined by a mindless form of growth.

You almost have to tear it down and start over.

Perhaps the girls who said to "go away" to the OP where tired of being approached by men who assume they are hookers?

My thoughts also.

Could be all sorts of things........what you said above..........the girls are gay..........they were just tired..........waiting on their boyfriends who were about to arrive just as you approached them........some deal about to take place that you were interrupting..............engaging in some mysterious female ritual that we will never understand...........if you can figure women out, please start a post an inform us as to what they are doing and why.

I want to see fewer people and condos and shops and roads..............

I would also like to see a first class marina. So, I am not opposed to all growth.

What you seem to be saying is that Pattaya should be developed according to your needs. Funny, I feel exactly the same way, except instead catering to my desires.

Of course I would like to see Pattaya develop exactly like I want it to be..........but that is not what I was saying.

I was pointing out there are limits to growth..........cities are no exception.

Some of our best cities in the USA, for example, are not that large and have great city planning: Aspen, Colorado; Taos, New Mexico; Jackson Hole, Wyoming, etc. You can see the same thing in Europe.

There is a balance between people and resources............convenience is there...............beauty is there.

In Pattaya, that balance has long since gone. Perhaps that is why I liked the 80s-90s better than what we see today.

Pattaya is, of course, different from the stellar cities I listed.

What I am thinking about is proper city planning.

Imagine a much smaller (far less crowded) city that is clean with proper infrastructure, housing for all income levels, bike paths, more walking street (no cars) areas, more parks, great marina...........AND has the "seedy, exotic side" too, perhaps restricted in the "seedy, exotic development zone."

It would resemble the 80s and 90s Pattaya but with more modern facilities and far fewer people (also would still have the main attraction in place).

Is that such a bad development scheme?

What I am seeing (and perhaps other will agree) is a development scheme for cars and real estate agents..........it is a growth, growth, growth mentality.

Yes, there is the lets make Pattaya into Monaco mentality...........but you can't do that with social engineering schemes coupled with the construction of one concrete coffin building after another.

I don't think this reflects only my vision.........I think a lot of expats would love a "fun city" built for people and not cars and real estate agents.

I am willing to bet, that you as an individual, actually consider an erection to be some form of equitable personal growth!!

Does anybody have a tape measure?

Seriously, your deep psychological concept that dictates your perception of growth (all growth is good) is in direct opposition to mine (there are limits to growth).

That is no doubt why we will never agree on whether growth in Pattaya is good or bad.

Think about it.

I want to see fewer people and condos and shops and roads..............more trees, parks, quality shopping areas with interesting places (not huge malls but interesting places like you see in Aspen or Taos, New Mexico, to name a few models).

I would also like to see a first class marina. So, I am not opposed to all growth. I think their is positive/quality growth and negative/crap growth.

I think cities need to be built for people, not cars and real estate agents (I am not sure real estate agents are people )

A famous scientists/philosopher Rene Dubos once said cities should never hold more than 5000 people..........more than that and they disintegrate. I agree.

Some of the best cities in the world are small...........and very nice..............clean...........interesting.

I think Pattaya-Jomtien could be similar if a nuclear bomb hit it and development could start over

just wanted to share a pic of my home-smoked and dried chipotles...

red-ripe jalapeños smoked for 18-hours using mango wood, then dried.

Looks Good, I wish I had Some!

Cheers:

Looks good to me too..........that would make great chili powder.............bet they smell great.

"In other words, I believe we can do something to stop the insane trajectory we are on."

Please let the rest of us know then??

By the time Thailand and the rest of the world reaches the critical mass and the rest of the hysteria you are preaching, we will all be well processed worm food!!!

Did anyone do anything to smooth your entry into this life, and what steps have you taken to ensure the same "mistakes" if that is what they are, will not be repeated?

You use far too much cliche words, "climate change" "xenophobia" "social engineering" - well here's one for you, PARANOIA, and i am not speaking about the rock classic from Deep Purple!!! - i am referring to you, please get some serious medical help before you miss the end of civilisation as you foretell!!! although i dont think we are pressed for time on that one!!

I like you too.

By the way, ignoring reality........engaging in delusional thinking....is a serious mental disease.

Climate change, xenophobia, social engineering, and the Reds burning down some of Bangkok are all real.

I did not make any of it up.

It is hard for some people to face reality. I understand that.

If you think Pattaya will just get better the more it grows.......well, I can understand that type of thinking (very common actually).

You operate under the following assumption: All growth is good.

Unlike you, I operate under the following assumption: There are limits to growth.

That is one reason we disagree.

While it isn't specifically a "Thai" problem, as they seem to have a low population growth ( I never see Thais with very large families about ), you are right about population growth being the downfall of humanity. This is the "elephant in the room", as all these high powered meetings about "climate change" never admit as long as there is unrestricted population growth there is no hope of stopping it. Soon, there will be wars for access to fresh water, and hordes of poor immigrants fleeing their devestated homelands will, if not stopped, destroy our comfortable western way of life ( let's all have 3 cars and a giant tv in every room! ).

People should always remember that it isn't going to be the "end of the world", just the end of humans. The planet will survive quite nicely, thank you.

JR to Thaibeachlover (having problems with the new system here):

The point I was trying to make is that Thailand--and virtually all countries on the planet--has already gone way past a sustainable population level.

So, while it is good that Thailand's fertility rate is down, a population problem exists. And it will get worse (the population continues to grow).

I agree that climate change is a major problem (oopps here come the global warming isn't real Trolls again).........and there is not much hope of stopping it unless we radically reduce population levels (not just reduce population growth rates) and move away from our reliance on fossil fuels.

I agree that we are set for water wars.

I agree that we are set for mass migrations (unprecedented).

I agree that the earth does not need us

But we can't ask the people in the developed world to live like dogs.

They have a right to try to improve the quality of their lives.

To do that..........economic activity must increase (unfortunate reality)..........the only way to make that happen without destroying the planet is to move away from fossil fuel use.

There are other ways............but no need to discuss everything here.

It is interesting that some posters want me to carry a doom and gloom sign around...........in fact, I am presenting very positive solutions to our challenges.

In other words, I believe we can do something to stop the insane trajectory we are on.

Others, like the people who think I should carry around that sign, are clueless...........that can't even see THE PROBLEM.

The first step to solving any problem is recognizing that it exists.

Ignoring problems, like most Thais do, solves nothing...........now, apparently, most farangs are adopting the Thai way: hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.

I do wish I had a franchise on rose colored glasses..........might make a fortune advertising on ThaiVisa.

this is Thailand - its reactive and not proactive

and so bores maybe the go and longer term find another solution if needed

Bangkok is built on the old waterways and so this is why its sinking

The situation is more complicated that what you stated.

Bangkok is sinking............true. Why?

There is an aquifer beneath Bangkok. Above the aquifer is a clay layer.

The aquifer is being drained to support economic activity (among other things).....that is the main cause of sinking.

In addition, the destruction of mangrove forests is playing a role.

On the other side, climate change is causing the sea level to rise.

The combination of sinking plus sea level rise will lead to massive flooding in years to come.

That will be an economic disaster the likes of which Thailand has never seen.

But we are off topic again..............this is about drought in Thailand.

If you and the other "skeptics" want to debate global warming and climate change (and it seems that you do), start a new thread.

But I will have nothing to say to most of you...........already put most of you on "ignore."

The MOD clearly does not want us debating global warming and climate change on this thread.

Readers do, however, deserve an xplanation when misleading information is posted.

To Ulysses G: I disagree............IMHO, Pattaya today reminds me of a freak show parade (much worse than 20 years ago).

I think "the neighborhood has gone downhill."

Tejas, to tell you the truth, I do not know.

But on the other hand I like to try many ways of cooking, If i decided to cook it stove top and had to add liquid I would add some of the marinade (left over) and pork broth.

My 1st option would be to cook it in a Slow Cooker, set it on high for the 1st couple of hours and then let it slow cook for the next 6-8 hours. It will be moist and you could shed it with a fork..

You can adjust the cooking time after your 1st batch.

I do not see why that would not work.

I hope that little bit of information was helpful, Good Luck !

Cheers:

Thanks for the input.

I was asking because many people in Thailand don't have ovens to cook puerco pibil. I was thinking about alternative ways of cooking it.

I know you can cook it in an oven. I am sure you can also smoke it, like smoked BBQ. Slow cooker is a good idea............I will likely make it within the next two weeks and post the results here.

So, put it in one of these...............I think it will work and be very tender.......concerned about being "moist." I think maybe you add more liquid...........maybe more orange and lemon juice (or more tequila).

OK...........

Traffic congestion is growing

Air pollution is growing

The number of "happy with Pattaya-Jomtien farangs" jumping off buildings is growing

The number of businesses closing is growing

The number of crimes is growing

The number of real estate companies closing down is growing

The number of vacant concrete condos is growing

The level of stress is growing

The amount of poor service is growing

The rip offs and scams are growing

Xenophobia in Pattaya is growing

Just like to post some pictures of my homemade tortilla press made and given to me as a gift from my Thai neighbor,

I Can't wait to use it!

Cheers:

I would love to make fresh corn tortillas............glad you got the pinto beans and masa through customs

On a different note, I want to ask you a question: Do you think it would be possible to make puerco pibil in a pot like you make beef stew?

In other words, you don't cook it in an oven or in a smoker, you cook it on top of a stove in liquid (probably 3 hours), then reduce the stock to a sauce consistency.

Obviously, if this is possible, you have to add liquid to the recipe.

What would you add? Water? Chicken broth? Pork broth? Other?

Just an idea.

I've been in and out since mid-eighties. I have bought and built in the area and have watched momentous changes almost every year.

Mid-eighties still dusty streets with the hippy brigade still in evidence and a lot of left over Asia hands from " Nam " ( well they all claimed to be ) and short term trippers from HK, Singapore and the like. In general a nice time, with locals and " workers" less hardened to the experience and everyone having a good time.

Early nineties brought ( sadly from my own country ) the hooligan brigade. Loud bare chested and violent. Locals first offended, and then cynical. Not a good time with the building boom spurred on by crooks from Europe as well as locals, with the infra-structure not addressed to keep pace with the rapid, unfounded expansion. Hence floods, droughts and a dumbing down of society which to my simple mind, was not pleasant. The crash came as a typhoon that destroyed the bubble and left unfinished lumps of concrete on almost every corner, but did not wash away all the dross.

Early 2000's optimism again. Talk of casinos, horse racing, and the arrival of Russian and Asian tourists by the bucketful. The crash, (this time self-generated) in the property market has thinned out the hoardes of Estate Agents that thronged every street, but surprisingly there is still a causious optimism for the future, if you talk to the sensible " older " Thai Pattaya families, who can see at least the start of proper development from City Hall and a realisation that when ( not if ) attitudes change about gambling, Pattaya is best placed to build a Thai " Macao " in the future.

Major Hotel chains and Thai business people do not build modern hotels and large shopping complexes if they feel " long term " the place is going to fail. Just like any stock exchange the small time investor always catches a cold. The bar owner ( singular ) will come and go, never really making any form of impact. What is telling is the slow " clearing " of the streets surrounding what will become the bar area ( the only major bar area ) in the future. Someone somewhere with a bigger picture view and more money than you or I, has a positive view on the future. Remember the hotels and shopping areas are not being built with Government hand-outs, they are being built with somebodies cash. The cynic will reply " Blah blah blah, rose tinted glasses no hope etc etc ". However, not all Thai businessmen are fools, far from it, and some of the smartest are quietly buying land and planning for a better future for the area. I for one hope they are right...............I like it here.

Actually, that was a pretty good analysis/overview of what happened. I do not, however, remember "hippie brigades" in Pattaya in the mid-80s. I do remember far more Americans.......but they did not seem like hippies to me.

You are certainly right about rich people having a vision about Pattaya's future........but rich people often make mistakes, just like the rest of us (a certain wanted terrorist living abroad).

Corporations that once seemed on top of the world make mistakes (e.g. GM)

Countries make mistakes (e.g., Greece).

The problem now is not just Thailand..........it is the global economy. And that is going downhill fast because the world we have created is grossly unsustainable...........for three reasons:

1) we did not act soon enough and with a sense of urgency to curb population growth (too many people are putting too much stress on the life systems of the planet with more to come)

2) we did nothing to move the economy away from dependency on fossil fuels (this is leading to climate change and eventually to social chaos on a scale we have never witnessed)

3) we promoted the globalization of the economy (something that has clearly failed).

The optimism on the part of the so-called "insiders or powerful people or rich" assumes everything will turn around and people will start spending big money again.

I would not bet on it............sure, there will be a turnaround, but that will be followed by an even deeper economic downturn if we do not address the three challenges listed above.

Maybe I am wrong.

I can assure that in my twenty years of living here in Thailand and visiting Thailand for the previous fifteen years prior, the current time is indeed far more peaceful ( for all its perceived faults) than ever before.

That is a good one.................I can assure you that is absolutely not correct. But your opinion is..............your opinion (as is mine).

PTY is going to continue to grow one way or the other: there's no doubt about that. It's amusing that people refuse to believe it.

Couldn't agree more. The moment started awhile back and it will only grow larger and larger. It's inevitable.

Will continue to grow? No doubt............more concrete coffins destined to become vacant coffins will continue to go up

More malls destined to become vacant malls will go up

More bars destined to go under will go up

More restaurants destined to go under will go up

And more concrete coffins, malls, bars and restaurants that are here now will go under.

The fact is that it has already grown beyond its best years (70s and 80s).

And that growth has not been good. It is unsustainable, and it has already ruined the place.

But some people have no idea how good it used to be, so they have no reference point from which to assess whether it is better or worse now.

Others are locked into a growth mentality (all growth is good).

Others are simply wanting to make a buck off of a real estate Titanic.

The problem with all of these costly hypothetical surveys is that they are conducted from afar by overpaid educated but not intelligent pseudo 2 baht intellectuals safely ensconced in their ivory towers and insulated from the reality of daily life.

Whilst events of late were detrimental to the international image of Thailand, there are indeed many worse places in this world in which to be living.

There are ''Lies, dammed lies and statistics.''

Unfortunately it is reality.

With the ongoing conflict in the south and the recent events in Bangkok and elsewhere, it does not surprise me.

In addition, general crime has increased dramatically, especially over the past ten years (in particular, violent crime).

If I hear one more person say Cambodia is more dangerous than Thailand, I think I will explode.

Having said that, I have never felt threatened in Thailand (same for Cambodia).

you seem to be in a majority of one,

Right...........majority of one indeed...........don't see how any person could possibly believe "everything is opening up" unless that means lines to bankruptcy and jail for corruption.

My guess is that a disgruntled real estate agent is acting trollish by introducing this thread (trollish........is that a word?):

Chaiyo.

Khao Yai road project & tree falling to go ahead.

Is this the Thai approach to conservation?

Whatever, no more comments from me.

Might as well let the Trolls have it...........their comments are good for a laugh.

And where do you think the farang would be moving too???

Lots of alternatives: Uruguay, Argentina, Ecuador, Panama, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, Lao, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Turkey, Cyprus, Spain...............and more.

Of course Thailand does have a water problem and an associated rainfall problem.

The rainfall problem relates to seasonal weather: rainy season (less of a problem); dry season (major problem).

It also relates to location........some areas have traditionally been "wetter" than others. So, even during the rainy season, they get less rain.

It also relates to the number of people in relationship to the amount of rainfall...........something that varies greatly across Thailand.

it also relates to the intensity of dry season agricultural activity (again, varies greatly across Thailand).

The govt. recognizes the rainfall problem in the dry season and is "seeding clouds" to stimulate rainfall in severe dry areas (been doing that for some time now).

The govt. also recognizes that Thailand's limited capacity to capture rainwater during the wet season and store it for dry season purposes is a major problem.

Better water management, especially increasing storage capacity, is one part of the solution.

But demand for water is increasing.......way beyond existing storage capacity.

And drought events are become more severe. [There is no reason to assume drought events will not increase in intensity and frequency in the near future.]

What we are seeing is a climate change event..........the start of it.

I rarely cut and paste, but this article from 2005 is interesting............these types of stories go back a long way.

Thailand was "warned" and should have taken aggressive action years ago.

Rainmaking, King of Thailand attacks the sky

11 Apr 2005 Thailand: For the past month, planes from many airfields around Thailand have daily been flying out for a mission of great importance to Thailand, the war on drought, the worst in the Thai Kingdom since more than seven years.

The Thai government has been thinking drought problems are a temporary thing for the past 12 years at least , they have done little in a constructive manner to alleviate this ( Now ) drastic situation , it is useless to dawdle in such inane ( T0 them ) matters such as population reduction , reduction in agriculture etc because they are not interested in any way shape or form . We are Thai . We know everything . Were they not this way inclined , they would have brought in outside experts with vast amounts of expertise and practical experience in water problems and crop growing methods , no interest , no do , NO CHANGE , period .

I tend to agree, but the PM has just made a firm statement........we can only hope some positive action will follow.

Thailand is a developing country............if it wanted to, it could reach developed status rapidly.

It could also avoid the problems the developed world went through to get to that status if it would just embrace the positive models out there.

I am seeing a lot more deep ponds being dug out near where I live..........farmers are responding without the govt. telling them to do so.

Also, in Pattaya, the city govt. is very concerned about the problem...........at least they are talking about it.

I want to be positive.............but I think you are likely correct: no change, or probably not enough change.