Just read the other thread here about deleting replies because you just kind of think 'ah ###### it whats the point' halfway through and it made me think of something that happens to me a lot.

Now don't get me wrong, great forum/community, loads of good info here blah blah blah.

But haven't you noticed when you spend a bit of time away from this forum, on holiday away or whatever that when you next check in a week or so later it just seems to be full of complete <deleted> and you think "Christ, I hope I don't start posting on here again, what a load of crap".

I mean you need some info then its great to have the resource here but when you're just idly bantering away or arguing with some nobcheese in gen topics don't you think it might be worth just switching off that comp and doing something a bit more useful with your life?

idly bantering away or arguing with some nobcheese in gen topics

Rarely go into General nowadays, couple of guy's in my opinion, just looking to dilute the forum, 'Snowstorm', is one and his bunch of cronies, but there you go, you still get some good posters, Mobi tries to lift it out of the morass but is really one of the few recently.

Moss

Just read the other thread here about deleting replies because you just kind of think 'ah ###### it whats the point' halfway through and it made me think of something that happens to me a lot.

Now don't get me wrong, great forum/community, loads of good info here blah blah blah.

But haven't you noticed when you spend a bit of time away from this forum, on holiday away or whatever that when you next check in a week or so later it just seems to be full of complete <deleted> and you think "Christ, I hope I don't start posting on here again, what a load of crap".

I mean you need some info then its great to have the resource here but when you're just idly bantering away or arguing with some nobcheese in gen topics don't you think it might be worth just switching off that comp and doing something a bit more useful with your life?

I totally concur, my posting has died a death over the past month...

The General forum, News forum, and Farang Pub forums IMO, have deteriorated a lot. However the niche forums are full of excellent info, and have gotten better over time. If you more or less ignore those three I think you wind up with a much more positive view of things.

I've noticed that somewhat ironically, the forum with some of the oldest threads still active is the news forum. I rarely post their anymore. Seems to be the same old "what Thaksin had done wrong" and "TRT targeted for dissolution" and others running in an endless loop.

General has its good moments but too many discussions turn into arguments. I generally give up on topics after a day or two. I figure if I can't get my point across after three attempts then I'm not explaining it properly. Nothing more boring than the same opinions flying back and forth ad nauseum.

The tech forum is great, there's such a wide variety of experience in there that I always learn something new.

The real estate and business forums are excellent, as is the Thai language forum.

The Farang Pub forum used to be about music, bars, entertainment, and other similar topics but it's degenerated into a bunch of silly "pick a number, change a letter", and similar post count building games. If I were sponsoring it I'd be pissed.

Family and children forum has come along very nicely, and the local forums are probably the best place to go for specific advice on a particular area. Most people just post their questions in General where they die a quick death instead though. Post in the appropriate local forum and you usually get a better answer.

The Farang Pub forum used to be about music, bars, entertainment, and other similar topics but it's degenerated into a bunch of silly "pick a number, change a letter", and similar post count building games. If I were sponsoring it I'd be pissed.

I popped in there just today, first time in months, kind of forgot it was there really which is a shame because I always used to visit that after general topics. Full of rubbish.

I really don't get all this 'change a letter' / 'last word' shit, just pick up a book and do something with your life.

Anyways this topic isn't so much about an analysis of the board sections or how it's changed, just in general don't you just think it's a bit of a waste of time to come on here sometimes. I always notice it after a bit of time away and I think that goes for a lot of people who just get bored and stop posting. I can see myself only coming on here if I need a question answered in the near future.

General has its good moments but too many discussions turn into arguments. I generally give up on topics after a day or two. I figure if I can't get my point across after three attempts then I'm not explaining it properly. Nothing more boring than the same opinions flying back and forth ad nauseum.

In General topics the trolls have won, even if someone isn't a troll everyone screams 'Troll', that's an almost dead section. Makes a fair bit of cash for the site though, the post quality going down just doesn't matter.

I just use it in a different manner now. First thing I do it look in the tech forum to see if there's anything I can help with. After that I have a look at topics I've been following. Some weeks there's a lot of good stuff, some days there's absolutely nothing out of 1000 new posts. I certainly post my own share of rubbish. My way of avoiding work.

Aren't all the forums a waste of time!?! Only kidding!

Aren't all the forums a waste of time!?! Only kidding!

I know that was light-hearted Tiggy, but all forums are essentially the same, irrespective of subject. You get a central core of contributors who have 'been there, done that, bought the t-shirt' surrounded by the momentarily shirtless with a gaggle of the 'huh' brigade pecking at their heels.

Chuck in a couple of real trolls, people that look like they are but aren't really and what do you get?

Aren't all the forums a waste of time!?! Only kidding!

Nail, head....

yet ppl must stick to their plan?

Yes, I discovered this BKKM after my holiday. Not much of interest except as CV pointed out, some of the niche threads; for me that's food, Samui and sometimes pets and plants (mind, even in these forums, I've been berated for recipe quirks or "incorrect" plant/animal suggestions; go figure). The overall tone seems to have gone down a notch, as y'all indicated.

In Beddies, Limpalong and Cawboy are buttressing TLW, but it almost seems like a two-party parry. The camraderie seems to be swishing away, so I guess we better do something about it if we want to continue the good banter.

Let's see, US poli, pink bits, scandals, knife donations, flame throwing and other sundry bits are out, so how about going back to our initial pastime topic, basketweaving under the constraints of lap one, pearl two? Surely someone has devised an under-the-restraints modification to titillate our senses?

Sometimes I like to get into serious threads. Other times I enjoy the silliest of threads. I come here to enjoy myself, meet some new people (granted, most not in the flesh), and share a bit of comraderie with folks from different corners of the globe. It's all been satisfying for me. When it's not I move on to other things.

Just read the other thread here about deleting replies because you just kind of think 'ah ###### it whats the point' halfway through and it made me think of something that happens to me a lot.

Now don't get me wrong, great forum/community, loads of good info here blah blah blah.

But haven't you noticed when you spend a bit of time away from this forum, on holiday away or whatever that when you next check in a week or so later it just seems to be full of complete <deleted> and you think "Christ, I hope I don't start posting on here again, what a load of crap".

I mean you need some info then its great to have the resource here but when you're just idly bantering away or arguing with some nobcheese in gen topics don't you think it might be worth just switching off that comp and doing something a bit more useful with your life?

Generally speaking - yes.

There are some good threads which I still enjoy contributing to, but for the main part I'm trying to cut down my hours on Thai Visa. The problem is that it's addictive, and once you log in it's difficult to drag yourself away. Self discipline - that's what it takes.

It's a blessing in disguise that Thai Visa still hasn't sorted out it email notification gremlin, and for some reason its mainly the stuff in General Topics that I don't come across until it's about 10 pages old, and by that time it's usually been taken over by Neanderthals.

I guess it's a like everything in life - enjoy it in moderation (but not as a moderator!!).

Ah, Madness I understand well. I am trying to pick and choose my topics with care. This is not the only forum I visit and others are run so well. So, I try to decide about a thread before I post and get too involved. I do get frustrated when I notice hours have gone by and I come to realize how much I have used here or other places and I do wonder if that time could have been better spent. Like you say though, sometimes it's fun and filled with things to learn. I visit history forums and a very active Buddhist fourm, so I am learning things from there as all the time. There are books however. Ah well the debate rages on.

The Farang Pub forum used to be about music, bars, entertainment, and other similar topics but it's degenerated into a bunch of silly "pick a number, change a letter", and similar post count building games. If I were sponsoring it I'd be pissed.

I popped in there just today, first time in months, kind of forgot it was there really which is a shame because I always used to visit that after general topics. Full of rubbish.

I really don't get all this 'change a letter' / 'last word' shit, just pick up a book and do something with your life.

Anyways this topic isn't so much about an analysis of the board sections or how it's changed, just in general don't you just think it's a bit of a waste of time to come on here sometimes. I always notice it after a bit of time away and I think that goes for a lot of people who just get bored and stop posting. I can see myself only coming on here if I need a question answered in the near future.

I've also noticed the decline in the Farang Pub... so come on, what are we all going to do about it, tell me what you'd like to see and what you wouldn't like to see, and lets try and get it back to what it was..

Also, it wouldn't hurt to start some decent topics in there........

totster

The general forum and, to an extent, the news clippings forum are tending to become p1ssing contests between certain members. A simple topic rapidly degenerates into a major historical debate over the colonialist polices of the UK and other European nations and how they caused the whole middle east problem or some other such cr@p. I usually look at the thread titles and, if it looks interesting, I'll open them and see if I can contribute either seriously or in jest. Once a thread goes over about three pages I'll only return if it could have any real impact on me. When I post something it is my opinion and if someone disagrees so what? I don't get into long winded arguments as IMO anybody who is going to change their opinion based on an internet forum needs their nappy changing. If I'm factually incorrect then that's another matter and I'm grateful for any corrections.

I've also noticed the decline in the Farang Pub... so come on, what are we all going to do about it, tell me what you'd like to see and what you wouldn't like to see, and lets try and get it back to what it was..

That's what we need....a revolution! Storm the Bastille and all that good stuff.

The general forum and, to an extent, the news clippings forum are tending to become p1ssing contests between certain members. A simple topic rapidly degenerates into a major historical debate over the colonialist polices of the UK and other European nations and how they caused the whole middle east problem or some other such cr@p. I usually look at the thread titles and, if it looks interesting, I'll open them and see if I can contribute either seriously or in jest. Once a thread goes over about three pages I'll only return if it could have any real impact on me.

As a major contributor to the news forum, I try to post new bulletins in a topical thread that is already running.

Are you saying that you'd prefer to see new developments posted as new topics, in preference to additions to existing ones?

Farming forum.....newbie (native english speaker) asks, "aphid?...is that an insect?"

Is there any correlation between the number of members and the so-called deterioration in quality of posts?

I've only been a member since January last year, yet since that date, there have been some 14,000 new members, and total membership now exceeds 40,000.

That's a lot of people. Where do they all post?

Yet, from what I have observed, the same small cliques and groups keep popping up, time after time, mainly making inane comments, and often he..l bent on 'rubbishing' anything half way meaningful that is posted.

Also, it may be my imagination, but sometimes I think I'm being 'stalked'. It seems that almost every time I make a post, the same names immediately follow, trying to belittle and attack what I have just said, regardless of how innocuous it may be.

Or maybe I'm just paranoid

Yet, from what I have observed, the same small cliques and groups keep popping up, time after time, mainly making inane comments, and often he..l bent on 'rubbishing' anything half way meaningful that is posted.

Do you think that us mods should be hitting on this kind of stuff harder?

/Edit - good topic btw bkkmadness... some feedback and suggestions from you senior members is most welcome.

As a major contributor to the news forum, I try to post new bulletins in a topical thread that is already running.

Are you saying that you'd prefer to see new developments posted as new topics, in preference to additions to existing ones?

I think the way you do it is just fine.

Maybe if a thread has gone totally off topic and is little more than a flame war, then it might be worth starting a new thread, but if the discussion is continuing to be meaningful, then IMHO there is little point in starting a new thread and confusing folk as to which thread to follow on a particular subject - which has happened quite often in the past.

Remember all those different threads on the land crackdown?

The general forum and, to an extent, the news clippings forum are tending to become p1ssing contests between certain members. A simple topic rapidly degenerates into a major historical debate over the colonialist polices of the UK and other European nations and how they caused the whole middle east problem or some other such cr@p. I usually look at the thread titles and, if it looks interesting, I'll open them and see if I can contribute either seriously or in jest. Once a thread goes over about three pages I'll only return if it could have any real impact on me.

As a major contributor to the news forum, I try to post new bulletins in a topical thread that is already running.

Are you saying that you'd prefer to see new developments posted as new topics, in preference to additions to existing ones?

I think it would stay fresher if they were posted as new topics after a certain amount of time, say a week or so. I think a lot of people probably miss out on things because they think a long running topic is just a long back and forth on an old subject, so they don't know that new updates have gotten added, giving the impression that the News Forum is full of old stories.

Just read the other thread here about deleting replies because you just kind of think 'ah ###### it whats the point' halfway through and it made me think of something that happens to me a lot.

Now don't get me wrong, great forum/community, loads of good info here blah blah blah.

But haven't you noticed when you spend a bit of time away from this forum, on holiday away or whatever that when you next check in a week or so later it just seems to be full of complete <deleted> and you think "Christ, I hope I don't start posting on here again, what a load of crap".

I mean you need some info then its great to have the resource here but when you're just idly bantering away or arguing with some nobcheese in gen topics don't you think it might be worth just switching off that comp and doing something a bit more useful with your life?

hello maddy me old mucka,

i got to tell you maddy that you must of been a brain surgeon in your past life, as ive been struggling to get my creative juices flowing and you have just gave me the answer why.

ive been doing other things lately and just sort of drifted away from the thai visa not really giving a toss anymore about following the threads.

the next time i looked it had all gone to <deleted> without me.

you know me fairly well maddy, and i started thinking about all my friends here on the visa and how it is not fair of me to deny these top punters the ongoing experience of my good looks, brilliant strait up 175% inside information and my awesome sense of humour.

anyway,

i got my act together out of compassion for all my mates and matetts ( ladies) and decided to get back into the game and bring some happiness and entertainment back into the forum.

the next thing i know im crying into my computer as it had all turned to bollicks and got dead <deleted> boring with some of my favorite punters not to be seen.

donz is gone, jet is in the shitter, the lovely miss fawn aint starting her awesome threads up, dave's <deleted> drowned in phuket and some bugger has burned down my chappel on rambuttri street.

well maddy,

this is what im going to do about it, as im a respectable sort of guy with a lovely nature, caring for all gods creatures equally and love sharing around my incredible insight of the mighty los.

im flying back to bangers on friday, im going to bring dave back to life, rebuild my chappel on rambuttri and get the katoey 10 giving out heaps of free alter wine.

cricky's mate, im getting bloody thirsty talking about it and im going to give the turps a good flogging with the help of a few of my mates from the visa when i get there.

i expect you to be there maddy as your a top piece of farang royalty and i really liked your interogation of that farang begging dude on the bleeding bridge.

thank you very much,

the very religious and polite fellow,

terence.

Welcome back vicar.

I think it would stay fresher if they were posted as new topics after a certain amount of time, say a week or so. I think a lot of people probably miss out on things because they think a long running topic is just a long back and forth on an old subject, so they don't know that new updates have gotten added, giving the impression that the News Forum is full of old stories.

I would agree with that with the proviso that the old thread is not left to wither on the vine but is officially closed, with note referring you to the new thread.

Many's the time I have subscribed to news thread, then the posts dry up without me realising there is a later thread on the same topic.

I guess if I was to spend my life scouring the forums I would find the new threads, but I do occasionally have other things to do in my life

Just read the other thread here about deleting replies because you just kind of think 'ah ###### it whats the point' halfway through and it made me think of something that happens to me a lot.

Now don't get me wrong, great forum/community, loads of good info here blah blah blah.

But haven't you noticed when you spend a bit of time away from this forum, on holiday away or whatever that when you next check in a week or so later it just seems to be full of complete <deleted> and you think "Christ, I hope I don't start posting on here again, what a load of crap".

I mean you need some info then its great to have the resource here but when you're just idly bantering away or arguing with some nobcheese in gen topics don't you think it might be worth just switching off that comp and doing something a bit more useful with your life?

I totally concur, my posting has died a death over the past month...

ive found that once i stopped following the threads everyday it became much less inspiring and the creative juices left town.

ill try and get back into it.

cricky's, that will give a few mods a <deleted> heart attack .

but my followers will love it and on that note, i would like to say a big hello to my top punting friends on the visa and also to my favorite mod meadish.

cheers friends and thank you very much,

terence.

The general forum and, to an extent, the news clippings forum are tending to become p1ssing contests between certain members. A simple topic rapidly degenerates into a major historical debate over the colonialist polices of the UK and other European nations and how they caused the whole middle east problem or some other such cr@p. I usually look at the thread titles and, if it looks interesting, I'll open them and see if I can contribute either seriously or in jest. Once a thread goes over about three pages I'll only return if it could have any real impact on me.

As a major contributor to the news forum, I try to post new bulletins in a topical thread that is already running.

Are you saying that you'd prefer to see new developments posted as new topics, in preference to additions to existing ones?

Not at all JD, I was merely commenting on the direction the threads are talen by some TV members after the OP. Your postings of additional news items pertaining to an existing thread is spot on. It supplies new relevant information and avoids creating a multitude of new topics all covering the same topic.

Keep up the good work, your input is much appreciated.

Welcome back vicar.

and a big hello to you as well vic.

i think its time to blow this forum wide open with some entertainment but im having trouble cracking onto a thread that is worthy of my amazing imput.

i might have to get miss fawn to liven things up again with some of her rippers, and besides that she's a heap better looking than some of the other punters.

jeesuss,

are we still allowed to do humour ? <deleted> hope so.

thank you very much.

terence.

Not at all JD, I was merely commenting on the direction the threads are talen by some TV members after the OP. Your postings of additional news items pertaining to an existing thread is spot on. It supplies new relevant information and avoids creating a multitude of new topics all covering the same topic.

Keep up the good work, your input is much appreciated.

I would suggest the 'Sonthi warms of crisis in May' thread be closed on 1st June - assuming we haven't had a new coup by then, which would have the effect of rendering it somewhat redundant

The Pattaya news clippings, worth a read if only to remind myself why I wouldn't want to live there again, but....

Two points, although Libya is doing a fantastic job (better than his jokes!) why does he oversensationalise (?) some of his headlines?

He's not trying to sell newspapers, he's supposed to be giving us news.

Why is there no follow up to any of the stories or court verdicts? I've asked the question before and got no reply, there are some serious crimes committed, but theres no meat on the bones and it makes it seem like Pattaya is wilder than it really is with rampant crime and no justice for the victims.