The week that was in Thailand news: The Root of all Evil….Spending.

 

 

Perhaps it was being the offspring of the frugal Second World War generation that did it. Or maybe it was just in my genes. Growing up influenced by the habit of keeping a bent nail or an empty jar…”in case it came in useful one day”.

 

Whatever it was, Rooster has always been “careful with money”.

 

The second missus uses fruitier and far more direct Thai terms to explain what I see as good sense and she sees as abject meanness. Indeed, I had only been in Thailand for the proverbial five minutes before I learnt enough synonyms for my favorite expression on the matter– “tighter than a gnat’s chuff”.

 

While I am sure that this innate ability to keep my wedge within arm’s length has meant having far fewer friends than I might, I have always thought that the people spendthrift activity might attract were not altogether worthy of my acquaintance anyway!

 

The times I have “splashed the cash” – like buying imported HP sauce rather than carrying it across continents in my suitcase – I have felt vaguely sick with the effort of it all.

 

And like most people here who have been cajoled into occasionally lending money, such profligacy has left me chasing shadows for its return and vowing never to do that again.

 

When travelling the world playing Scrabble – that sometimes pays for itself in prize money - I do couch-surfing.  After all, rent free sleep is always the deepest.

 

In Thailand when hotels are truly necessary I love those roadside motels for 300 baht or so. I’d put E20 in the car – uninsured and whose dents have never been repaired – even if it was proved that more expensive petrol got more kilometers for your baht. It’s cheaper at the pump.

 

When I met the first Thai woman who was almost as mean as me I did the only thing acceptable, and married her.

 

When the kids needed an expensive international school education I willingly sacrificed my principles for principals and became a school teacher. Just so I could get a 100% discount on the fees.

 

Holiday gifts from foreign trips owe their provenance to boot fairs while all my books have the unmistakable yet delectable fragrance beloved of the Scrooge-like, “Eau de Charity Shop”.

 

When the local barbers had the temerity to put their prices up from 25 to 30 baht I shaved my own head in protest while finding ten baht in the street puts me in an excellent mood for the rest of the day.

 

I am guilty as charged – “khem”, “Khii niaw” – you name it, though I prefer the term “prayat”…….economical.

 

One of the ways to ensure that my bank balance remains replete is to eat at home. Only if it can be “clinically proven” that eating out is cheaper would I give in to the root of all evil…spending.

 

So it was with some fly-on-the-wall amusement that I read this week that Michelin has introduced its first guide to eating in Bangkok. Apparently seventeen establishments got a star or even two, a rare achievement as only 98 places were listed.

 

Michelin’s not surprisingly rotund representative, sporting a few of the companies’ spare tires, said one of these was even a roadside stall.

 

Ah! Thought Rooster – my chance had finally arrived to find out what all the fuss was about and even if it cost 100 baht a plate I’d make an exception on this occasion for the sake of Thaivisa research.

 

Problem was 72 year old owner Supinya was serving up crab omelette for 800 baht and her abalone special was 20,000.

 

Oh well, back to the jar of Vegemite in the fridge and yesterday’s cut loaf from Tops.

 

The forum was likewise aghast at the prices thinking there were some typos but I could believe it especially after seeing what some pseuds would pay for a boiled carrot with the green bit still on at a Michelin starred trough.

 

Then out came Thaivisa’s own band of epicurean snobs who told us heathens how we, in our ignorance, just can’t grasp how Michelin chefs boil rice or fry an onion with such trained precision.

 

Supinya was expecting His Generalness to visit now she had a coveted star – I am sure the cameras will be snapping faster than a Snapping Turtle, which are now about as extinct as roadside food stalls thanks to his junta returning sidewalks instead of happiness to the masses.

 

Still, I am sure that Big Too will put a spin on it and I doubt that he will actually have to “check bin” himself.

 

Meanwhile meanness of a different kind was being rewarded not with stars but deportation for the Hell’s Angels of Pattaya who seemed to be of a different breed than us real bikers as two luxury cars were taken into evidence.

 

This observation was only confirmed by another item on the cop’s evidence table – a plaque – that prompted my favorite comment of the week from Gregorio1 who, perhaps really a little scared, created a new profile to observe:

 

“Never realized the Hell’s Angels gave plaques – seems a little ‘Rotary Club’ for one of the most feared outlaw biker clubs in the world”.

 

Never ones to be mean with the number of their idiotic schemes were the bods of the communications ministry who have come up with the "7-7-7“ plan to limit road carnage before during and even after New Year.

 

As I said in the Midweek Rant “555” would be more appropriate though on second thoughts I think all the hapless authorities need do is get Toon Bodyslam to run all over Thailand – if he gets about fast enough the rocker’s entourage should bring the traffic to a standstill saving countless lives and making zillions for hospitals.

 

Even disgraced clunk-click safety advocate and charity worker Jimmy Savile would be proud, though thankfully he is already dead.

 

Top trolling comment of the last seven days was in yet another beach smoking story from QUOTES – the Queen of the Eastern Seaboard – where we were told that foreigners visiting Pattaya were rebelling against the ban and, wait for it….“law abiding Thais” were leading the way.

 

The Thai media ‘survey’ amounted to asking one vendor his opinion but the woodwork opened up as the keyboard warriors of Thaivisa and Facebook descended like viral vultures on the law abiding comment acting more outraged than the standard Thai netizen.

 

Likewise, those who love to have dig at Thai women and/or police were presented with a bonanza in the shape of the Norwegian man effing and blinding on video about his mistreatment in Thailand. As many observed his problems really started when he bought 34 rai of land, presumably in his wife’s name.

 

At 68 years of age he might have been more cautious and while many felt sorry for him it was hard for Rooster not to remember pensioner George in that school car park in Pattaya who cried foul at the hands of a Thai man but was later shown to have attacked him with a machete.

 

Anyway, at least the Norwegian lives to fight another day, unlike his compatriot who succumbed recently not to a Thai woman and her new lover, but the icy winds of Phitsanuloke at 30 degrees C.

 

But top story from QUOTES was the driver who killed three – if you include the decapitated dog – on Monday morning in South Pattaya. He went from being an epileptic to just a regular drug addict in the space of hours though one suspects that the real reason for the smoke and mirrors was a bungled police attempt to get him off.

 

Now the man – was he a bar owner or just a DJ? – will have to go through the courts where hopefully a long sentence awaits for the people who he so mercilessly mowed down while as high as a kite on the beach.

 

As visible in the news these days as Pattaya station chief Apichai, is new flavor of the month Surachet Hakpan who seems to have taken the portfolio of acting head of the Tourist Police to be carte blanche to solve every crime in Thailand.

 

In order to do this handsome Surachet has wisely decided to arrest every Nigerian he possibly can.

 

The sight of Surachet arresting Hell’s Angels to call center gangs with every African in between has been in stark contrast to new met chief Charnthip Sisawech who one could almost believe has already transferred himself to an inactive post.

 

Maybe he just shuns the limelight and, as I suspect, is doing a good job behind the scenes without resorting to the ‘rozzermatazz’ of former met supremo Sanit Mahathavorn. If the complete absence of daytime “fleece-points” in the capital is anything to go by, Charthip is having a quiet yet positive effect.

 

News that rated barely a comment on the forum was the story that the Bangkok Zoo – on a vast piece of real estate near government house – is set to move after His Majesty Rama X graciously donated land in Pathum Thani.

 

According to Wiki, the government in 1938 “requested” King Rama 8 to hand over the Dusit area site to the Bangkok Municipality.

 

A trip to ‘Khao Din’ has always been one of tight Rooster’s 250 baht days out though one wonders what will happen to the prime site.

 

Hopefully the public will not see another lovely green space disappear under concrete.

 

Finally, quirky story of the week had to go to the launderette owner who set up her own sting operation after female customers accused her of stealing their smalls.

 

Clearly the cops were busy with money launderers so the owner took matters into her own hands installing CCTV and lying in wait for the “knicker nicker”.

 

Soon the appropriately named “Doh” came along with a hard-on in his pick-up to select some lingering lingerie and after a brief manhunt the cops could claim yet another vital arrest along with 50 bras and panties taken down in evidence.

 

Doh freaked out the assembled pointers at the nick by saying that he had kept the underwear in perfect condition and the ladies he stole from were more than welcome to have it back.

 

You’d have to be a serious tightwad to want that.

 

Rooster

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-12-09

Hi Rooster,

you're a man after my own heart.

I guess it depends on how we were brought up, but my collection of bits kept ''just in case they come in useful" must at least equal yours. Of course we are never at a loss when a hard to find bit is needed to repair some appliance that everyone else throws away. I even discovered how to repair the disposable toasters from China that burn out after the 10th use.

 

My only "disagreement" with you would be about the zoo. I went once and was so appalled I never went back. I hope they do better with the next place. They could do worse than ask the Singaporeans how to do it right.

As they used to say back in the day "keep on truckin''.

Edited December 10, 20178 yr by thaibeachlovers

Imported HP sauce, 555.

 

Only recently did I learn worcestershire sauce is England's version of fish sauce, introduced by one of your Conquerers, The Roman Army.

 

HP is your ketchup without the tomatoes. ?

 

 

Edited December 10, 20178 yr by SiSePuede419
Whoops wrong sauce

1 hour ago, SiSePuede419 said:

Imported HP sauce, 555.

 

Only recently did I learn worcestershire sauce is England's version of fish sauce, introduced by one of your Conquerers, The Roman Army.

 

HP is your ketchup without the tomatoes. ?

 

 

I thought worcestershire sauce was Indian in origin.

Gentlemen please! Do not let your ignorance of detail detract from that finest of condiments, British HP Sauce.

 

For while there are variations, the original HP is based on tomato blended with vinegar.

We in the UK refer to it generically as "Brown Sauce", but for we true gourmets    only the original HP is really acceptable.    HP Sauce rules!

 

As for Worcester Sauce, its origins are a bit unclear so there may well be an Indian connection.

And yes, there are anchovies in it...BUT it's hardly "based on fish sauce". Actually the Tamarind flavour is more prominent. And, once again, there is only one worthy of consideration......

 

"The Original & Genuine Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce"

 

I shall now remove my tongue from my cheek, and get off my soapbox - time for a bacon sarnie with HP, I think.

 

 

20 minutes ago, VBF said:

Gentlemen please! Do not let your ignorance of detail detract from that finest of condiments, British HP Sauce.

 

For while there are variations, the original HP is based on tomato blended with vinegar.

We in the UK refer to it generically as "Brown Sauce", but for we true gourmets    only the original HP is really acceptable.    HP Sauce rules!

 

As for Worcester Sauce, its origins are a bit unclear so there may well be an Indian connection.

And yes, there are anchovies in it...BUT it's hardly "based on fish sauce". Actually the Tamarind flavour is more prominent. And, once again, there is only one worthy of consideration......

 

"The Original & Genuine Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce"

 

I shall now remove my tongue from my cheek, and get off my soapbox - time for a bacon sarnie with HP, I think.

 

 

Did a google.  Lea and Perrins were asked by an English Gentleman or Officer, there is a difference, to reproduce a sauce he brought home from India.

Two barrels were started but smelled so bad they were removed to the cellar. They were 'discovered' two years later during some renovations and when opened were full of the perfect sauce.

Has anchovie, molasses, tamarind and sugar with a couple of other 'secret' ingredients it seems.

Thai fish sauce is just any small fish, fresh or seawater and salt.

And don't say Humbug, it's a nice story. ???

Edited December 10, 20178 yr by overherebc

1 hour ago, overherebc said:

Did a google.  Lea and Perrins were asked by an English Gentleman or Officer, there is a difference, to reproduce a sauce he brought home from India.

Two barrels were started but smelled so bad they were removed to the cellar. They were 'discovered' two years later during some renovations and when opened were full of the perfect sauce.

Has anchovie, molasses, tamarind and sugar with a couple of other 'secret' ingredients it seems.

Thai fish sauce is just any small fish, fresh or seawater and salt.

And don't say Humbug, it's a nice story. ???

Which is pretty much what my link said!  You did click on it...didn't you?

38 minutes ago, VBF said:

Which is pretty much what my link said!  You did click on it...didn't you?

Nah, did my own google.

???

Didn't realise it was link.

Edited December 10, 20178 yr by overherebc

2 hours ago, VBF said:

Gentlemen please! Do not let your ignorance of detail detract from that finest of condiments, British HP Sauce.

 

For while there are variations, the original HP is based on tomato blended with vinegar.

We in the UK refer to it generically as "Brown Sauce", but for we true gourmets    only the original HP is really acceptable.    HP Sauce rules!

 

As for Worcester Sauce, its origins are a bit unclear so there may well be an Indian connection.

And yes, there are anchovies in it...BUT it's hardly "based on fish sauce". Actually the Tamarind flavour is more prominent. And, once again, there is only one worthy of consideration......

 

"The Original & Genuine Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce"

 

I shall now remove my tongue from my cheek, and get off my soapbox - time for a bacon sarnie with HP, I think.

 

 

And how many times does it say ‘ lea & perrins ‘ on the bottle ??????

59 minutes ago, cookieqw said:

And how many times does it say ‘ lea & perrins ‘ on the bottle ??????

The HP doesn't (obviously) but the Worcester does at least once  - look at the picture....

I thought that Worcestershire sauce was really a bad rendition of

Whats this here Sauce. Just being mumbled as being said.

Geezer

1 hour ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

I thought that Worcestershire sauce was really a bad rendition of

Whats this here Sauce. Just being mumbled as being said.

Geezer

Sauce!!!!!! ?

14 hours ago, SiSePuede419 said:

HP is your ketchup without the tomatoes

Au contraire, it's made using a tomato base. A marvellous concoction, and named HP sauce incidentally as a tip of the hat to the Houses Of Parliament, where it was served in the 1890s.

On 10/12/2017 at 10:02 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

Hi Rooster,

you're a man after my own heart.

I guess it depends on how we were brought up, but my collection of bits kept ''just in case they come in useful" must at least equal yours. Of course we are never at a loss when a hard to find bit is needed to repair some appliance that everyone else throws away. I even discovered how to repair the disposable toasters from China that burn out after the 10th use.

 

My only "disagreement" with you would be about the zoo. I went once and was so appalled I never went back. I hope they do better with the next place. They could do worse than ask the Singaporeans how to do it right.

As they used to say back in the day "keep on truckin''.

Problem is with me getting older is remembering what I have kept and exactly where I have kept it. I recently went to a lot of time and trouble finding and buying an obsolete German double-glazed door bolt catch. I eventually found one on  Austrian ebay. Prudently, I ordered 2, keeping one for possible future need. My pleasure in eventually receiving it and restoring the door to it's former efficient German glory was shortlived when just a week later when clearing out a rented garage I found a small jiffy bag containing an identical new door catch and the invoice for 2 I had already prudently purchased some 10 years ago!

 

   G `day Rooster 

 

    re the Knicker nicker . 

  Pretty sure the proprietor of the laundromat was a bloke .  From what I gleaned from the story . He was getting the blame for the pilfering and decided to clear his name . Put up cameras and set the trap which Khun Doh walked into .    

   

On ‎12‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 2:22 AM, Stargrazer9889 said:

I thought that Worcestershire sauce was really a bad rendition of

Whats this here Sauce. Just being mumbled as being said.

Geezer

Seriously? Have you used both?

Completely different items.

How did a thread about spending end up debating sauce? 

On ‎12‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 1:03 PM, SunsetT said:

Problem is with me getting older is remembering what I have kept and exactly where I have kept it. I recently went to a lot of time and trouble finding and buying an obsolete German double-glazed door bolt catch. I eventually found one on  Austrian ebay. Prudently, I ordered 2, keeping one for possible future need. My pleasure in eventually receiving it and restoring the door to it's former efficient German glory was shortlived when just a week later when clearing out a rented garage I found a small jiffy bag containing an identical new door catch and the invoice for 2 I had already prudently purchased some 10 years ago!

I bought a lot of bits and pieces at auctions. Had so much stuff never went through it as could be done "later".

Of course when I eventually did go through it I found all the stuff I had bought new during the intervening years.

On 12/12/2017 at 5:08 AM, Hi kwai fun said:

 

   G `day Rooster 

 

    re the Knicker nicker . 

  Pretty sure the proprietor of the laundromat was a bloke .  From what I gleaned from the story . He was getting the blame for the pilfering and decided to clear his name . Put up cameras and set the trap which Khun Doh walked into .    

   

Actually it was a woman. She was pictured at the arrest pictures.