THE WEEK THAT WAS On playing the lottery, large melons, turbulence and trepidation in the “close season”

[webfact]

 

OPINION | by Rooster

 

Rooster must have translated dozens of stories from the Thai press this year along on the subject of mysterious circumstances inspiring lottery wins.

 

It’s all superstitious claptrap, of course……or is it??!!

 

Thais seem to find lottery wins in weirdly shaped banana trees and pineapple plants (recent stories) not to mention when snakes or water monitors invade homes.

 

House numbers and registration plates are used when drivers have the proverbial miracle escapes. 

 

I’ve never played the lottery in 40 years of living in Thailand but now could be the time to start.

 

This week I was engrossed in the follow up to the story about the woman in Samut Sakhon who mistakenly transferred nearly 300K to a woman called Saowanee who paid back 160K and spent the rest before she was found in hiding. 

 

Enter Mrs Rooster in a right kerfuffle as I sat at my keyboard pondering a Thai word I didn’t know.

 

“Guess what?” she said, clearly stressed.

 

Someone from the village who owed her money had transferred 2,000 baht but pressed the wrong digit. It had gone elsewhere and the bank staff were being less than helpful.

 

In this case the error was quite understandable. On the bank app the name had appeared in English only when confirmation was required of the transfer.

 

Though the surname was different the first name was almost identical, another coincidence. The sender couldn’t read English well and had made a not unreasonable assumption. 

 

Mrs R said, why wasn’t the name in Thai….this is Thailand. Fair point.

 

The case reported by ASEAN NOW involved a trader who thought she was transferring 293,000 for pork products. She is leaving the matter in the hands of the police.

 

It caused much comment online about keeping money that is not yours. 

 

It was a lively week on the forum.

 

Top crime story was the attack on a Russian woman out jogging near a reservoir in Pattaya. The assailant tried to claim stress but it was clearly attempted rape. The poor jogger was brutally assaulted and still can’t give evidence. 

 

Well done to the Nong Prue and Pattaya tourist police for a speedy conclusion to the manhunt. Yes, CCTV helped crack it but the force are to be commended on occasion and this is one of them.

 

“Ek Bang Lamung” as the Thai press called him, deserves a very long time in jail. The police are right that he is a danger to society.

 

Voting takes place this Sunday in Bangkok and Pattaya in local and gubernatorial elections. That means no booze. 

 

Do the authorities think we’ll choose the wrong person if we’ve had a drink? 

 

Not that Rooster is allowed to vote of course, I’m just a humble resident. 

 

Years ago I announced at my school that I intended to become a Thai citizen and stand for parliament in Don Muang. I was going to run on a platform to resolve the carnage on the roads.

 

Colleagues didn’t doubt my spirit of public service but reckoned nobody gives a monkeys about road death. They are mostly motorcyclists upcountry, you see.

 

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“What about on an anti-corruption drive? That’ll get votes I insisted”.

 

“Yeh, right”, they pooh-poohed. 

 

My political career was over before it began, now I’m just known as the Ranter from Ratchayothin…. 

 

Most sickening picture of the week - myriad corpses excepted - was tourism minister Pipat sucking up to the Saudis in Riyadh. 

 

I wish he’d wear a burqa on such trips - that face I could do without. 

 

More pleasing pictures were of Thai ladies in a state of undress selling durian by the roadside. (Durian is the flavor of the month - April was mango).

 

One lady appeared to have two melons tightly constrained on her chest. She had hit on the idea of Durian Bua Loi (a Thai sweet dish) while another "mother of three" just cut up the King of Fruits in a colorful bra. 

 

They were both making money hand over fist providing Rooster with ample ammunition for puns that would have made Viz’s Finbarr Saunders and his Double Entendres wince!

 

“Double” click on the stories at the double, why don’t you!

 

In Phuket a young tourist fell off his balcony. Viagra was found in his room as if this had any bearing on the matter. Thai Enquirer would be better off investigating how high the balconies are. 

 

Thai kids went back to school this week. In the NE one father went to a government pawn shop with a washing machine hoping to get money for his son’s education. 

 

But he was obliged to take it home because it didn’t work! (The washing machine, not the government).

 

My kids were both back at school for the first time in what seemed like years. Then they had to have a day off for their second Pfizer jabs. Then the BMA said all schools would be closed next Monday for cleaning as some had been used as polling stations. 

 

Please let me know when my children can attend school one day after another in the manner I was familiar with in England. 

 

And also let me know when you care a jot about my nippers' education that I have paid through the nose for. Thanx. 

 

At Suwannaphum airport a passenger claimed he was due compensation after suffering turbulence in a flight from Nakhon Sri Thammarat.

 

He was stretchered away complaining of pain “from his lower back to his coccyx”.

 

Oooh, you are awful vicar!

 

Finally, tomorrow marks the end of the English Premier League season, a time when people like Rooster wonder what we are going to do with ourselves in the close season. 

 

And a time when Mrs Rooster thinks she can regain control of the remote for the soaps.

 

We’ll see about that.

 

I’d been in touch with an old Rangers fan who had to go through the misery of his team's penalty shootout defeat in the Europa League final.

 

He paraphrased Robert Burns saying:

 

“Football leaves nought but grief and pain for promised joy”.

 

At least we get a few months off the agony.

 

Rooster

 

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[BritManToo]

OK, so my kids first few days back at school for two years as well. Torrential rain and wet shoes, not the greatest start. 

[Tarteso]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

I’ve never played the lottery in 40 years of living in Thailand but now could be the time to start.

Don’t do it, you could stop to write????

[Lacessit]

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

OK, so my kids first few days back at school for two years as well. Torrential rain and wet shoes, not the greatest start. 

Same in Chiang Rai, been raining since yesterday afternoon non-stop. I thought the rainy season was supposed to start in June/July.

[natway09]

Think you are joking about the remote ?

I have my TV & required boxes for what I want.

Family still have 2 TV choice in other rooms to use.

 

[Stupooey]

"In Phuket a young tourist fell off his balcony. Viagra was found in his room as if this had any bearing on the matter."

 

Would it not have had a possibly adverse effect on the position of his centre of gravity?

[Mark mark]

Yes, I got my 4th CV 19 Jab last Friday, in the Ayutthaya General Hospital and Jeezzz, they are a Good, and efficient Bunch in there, and well for all my Experience with all the Thai Health services !!!

 

(And the Australian service is just Great also ... If it can be, like the government gives it enough resources to do its Job Properly ! .... In brackets, and Not wishing to get off subject Right !!!)

 

…. Yes, I have had 2 Astra Zeneca, and 2 Pfizer shots now and well the last Pfizer 22 Dec last Year, probably did save my Life as I WAS struck down, not long after arriving here and with a Diabetes and extenuating Foot Infection, (My Great Grandson’s Sword Fighting present to me with a piece of steel upon arrival right !!! ..T I ! T) …. (Though yes, ... With quite a bit of Alcohol, I must admit !!!)

 

… So well I AM a Total ! Vaxer now through, and Through. My Fourth Jab, and Pfizer, and they say I will not need / and not get any more Jabs. …. And well this is what the WHO is saying also ... Like only older people with extenuating circumstances are now advised by them to get a 4th shot.

 

But I also will say that do be careful, as Pfizer is a pretty heavy Hitter for a Vaccine I think ? ... maybe accidentally having a couple of beers might have been what did it this time, … BUT I remember not feeling to good back in Australia after the last Pfizer one !!! (Astra Zeneca Was no problem at all for me) … and I HAVE been feeling tired, and getting people’s Names wrong a bit lately also !!! … BUT I also think that it Saved my Life !!! !!!  … AND has allowed our Society to Open up !!! …. So without any resignations, I would totally advise anyone who is Old or has preexisting conditions to get one at their own General Government hospital ? If they can Like me ? … as it is Easy, and well TIT ...

 

And How Bloody fast were they !!! ….Hundreds of People there !!! And, I did not even have time to check my Mail on my Phone !!!

[Mark mark]

Well, I wrote this for last week’s Rooster Forum, as well, I was busy last week !!! ... It IS on Topic for last week, … and well relevant also I think, ... Like Child Seats in Cars !!! Very Important I think ??? But I do not know if Posting it in this weeks Forum ? So it gets seen is OK ? Or Not !!! … ??? If not just Pull it, .... and it can stay in Last week as I have posted it there as well. …

 

Child Seats in Cars !!!  

 

A Bit late here Rooster !!! ? But well I was Busy with the Great Stock Market ???? “Educational Moments” last week !!!) … Amongst other things of course !!! @#$%^&*()(*&^%$#@ …

 

…Yes, I have been Banging on to my Family, and being seriously Po Pooed, and side Lined !!! for Years trying to get them to use Car seats for Children in our Car !!! ... to the point, where I just gave up, So well JAH ? ... Just Another Hassle ... TITW This is the world !!! …. NOT just Thailand. ... 

 

… But Well, back in 2019 and Pree when I was doing this, the wife used to have the babies, riding on her Laps in the front Seat !!! Like F' (That word !!! ???) .... I explained about them going through the wind screen, and landing on the road to be killed by other Vehicles if I had an accident, and they had made it out there alive in the first Place !!! …. But WAS severely chastised for "Foreigner Speaking Bad" ... Like never see the Tiger in the Jungle ? Right ??? …. or these days the child killed sitting in the front seat without any restraint at all !!!

 

…. But well I persevered, and I got the Wife to wear a seat belt, sighting that to kill the child by crushing him against the Dash Board would not look good for her !!! ... ….. (Apart from the 500B was it back then Fine for not wearing one !!! and they DID enforce that … Even though she blamed me for talking to the Cops when they pulled us over any way !!!  ….. But the Children STILL refused to wear seat belts, even only back in 2019 !!! ... But ...

 

BUT !!! When I got back here in January this Year !!! I found that I just had to say "Seat Belt" and the one in the front Put it ON … or he would even tell me !!! … and by Rule of Rod for sure I suspect !!! … So some time in the last 2 Years I think that the Thai school system, or the Government TV stations HAVE got through to them, about Seat Belts and Road Safety !!! …. As well their attitudes seem to have just Totally Changed !!! 

 

… Though well the child in the front seat only can have the lap sash on, as they are sooo short for the shoulder straps, (It would probably take their heads off !!!) …. but well at least it is a GOOD start (Though I am not so sure that just the Lap Strap would keep them in for too long, in a serious head on collision ??? … Though well it WOULD probably slow things down, and stop them getting thrown out, and on to the road. ??? I am hoping.

 

And well I have got them to use them in the back seat a bit to also and at least have them out now, from under the seat, and operational !!! … So well, Great Advancement !!! I do think. ... and the Thai's CAN do things, …. and do them well !!! … When they want to !!!

 

So a child almost 5 ??? and a recalcitrant Wife ?????? I will consider looking at Car Seats !!! When / If I can. !!! ... Exceptionally Good Things for Children !!!

 

(Putting, Stronger Steel mesh on our Doors !!! … To stop the Grand Daughters Bloody Cats getting in a Night !!! … sometimes with very smelly consequences … Like contemplating Cats in Outer Space ??? … a “Boot Launch” of course, you could say !!! …. Without a space suits of course, ….. now being my current Problem !!! Yes !!! … This Is Thailand !!! )

 

[Marpa47]

Hello Rooster and all!  The wife and I also got our second booster, being over 70.  We went to nearby Central Rama 3 where it was being administered at the time.  No crowd, unlike when we had the first booster at a very crowded Asiatique.  The healthcare staff at Central Rama 3 and at Asiatique were very professional and efficient.  All four vaccines we received were Pfizer and each time we both experienced a little pain at the injection site for a few days.  But this time my wife was cautioned to not do any physical exertion for two weeks.  That was a first.  Neither of us smoke and I only drink on occasion with a meal.  So that may have been why there were very few symptoms.  The injection this time was administered very slowly for me — I believe that was a much gentler delivery method.  Hope everyone is taking advantage of this free option.  The vaccine station at Central Rama 3 is due to close soon.  I believe it was on the 3’rd level and opened at about 10:30 (the mall opens at 11).  There were forms to fill out but were all in Thai.  Only possible for me because of the dear wife.  The staff, too, just about only in Thai although I did see some farangs there so either they spoke and read / wrote in Thai or maybe the staff just ‘leaned’ on my wife for everything and ignored me.  Fine by me!

 

my wife loves durian.  Her favorite is chaani-Thai (my spelling).  The vendors have told her that it has become rare because only ‘Monton’ (again my spelling) is popular so the ‘channi-Thai’ trees have mostly been cut down to make way for the more profitable ‘Monton’.  But, ironically, even though rare, the ‘chaani-Thai’ are usually _less_ expensive.  And, there is usually a line waiting to purchase them when they are available.  I can take ‘em or leave ‘em.  Cannot understand either the passion fer or agin’ ‘em.  Now the wife says that they are very ‘yang’ (hot) and need to be balanced with mangostein which is very ‘yin’ (cool).  Well that’s OK by me — that is something I can really get passionate about.

[The Hammer2021]

Breasts! LOL 555

 

[Stargeezr]

Another good news update Rooster.  I have stayed at the top floor of the Nana Hotel, and the balcony

had been extended to 4 feet,  over 1 meter, and it was because a lady of the evening had been tossed

over the edge, a year or so before. I just do not trust balconies, so other than get a picture of the area around the

hotel, I was only on the balcony, once for pictures.  I hope you all survive the rainy season, and the rules have

gone back to normal by high season. It looks like the government is taking baby steps. By the time I get to Thailand,                                                                 I will have had 2 shots, and 2 booster, and COVID, so am ready for a better future.

[Lacessit]

On 5/21/2022 at 3:41 PM, Stupooey said:

"In Phuket a young tourist fell off his balcony. Viagra was found in his room as if this had any bearing on the matter."

 

Would it not have had a possibly adverse effect on the position of his centre of gravity?

Viagra can significantly lower blood pressure, resulting in dizziness and fainting. If the tourist had taken Viagra in the last 1 - 4 hours, it's quite possible leaning against a low balcony could have contributed to his fall. Only an autopsy would determine the truth.

[The Hammer2021]

8 hours ago, Stargeezr said:

Another good news update Rooster.  I have stayed at the top floor of the Nana Hotel, and the balcony

had been extended to 4 feet,  over 1 meter, and it was because a lady of the evening had been tossed

over the edge, a year or so before. I just do not trust balconies, so other than get a picture of the area around the

hotel, I was only on the balcony, once for pictures.  I hope you all survive the rainy season, and the rules have

gone back to normal by high season. It looks like the government is taking baby steps. By the time I get to Thailand,                                                                 I will have had 2 shots, and 2 booster, and COVID, so am ready for a better future.

Have you a source  for the Nana Hotel story. It wasn't in the papers here recently  but I'm glad to hear the Nana, named after an Indian is still open. The Golden bar used to be my favourite- can't stand  hooters

[The Hammer2021]

22 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Viagra can significantly lower blood pressure, resulting in dizziness and fainting. If the tourist had taken Viagra in the last 1 - 4 hours, it's quite possible leaning against a low balcony could have contributed to his fall. Only an autopsy would determine the truth.

Or pole vaulted?

[brianthainess]

On 5/21/2022 at 3:16 PM, natway09 said:

Think you are joking about the remote ?

I have my TV & required boxes for what I want.

Family still have 2 TV choice in other rooms to use.

 

Same my missus has her tv and i have mine, i can watch foreign movies with English subs and she can watch with thai subs or in thai language, there not expensive now.

[bosun]

Well done Spurs!.. finally a morning after the season has finished that Rooster will awake a happy man!..

Back to his weekly round up.  Rooster came across a Thai word he hadn’t seen before.. please elaborate..!.. 

I really enjoy the weekly round up but always wish Rooster and others like him that have spent decades in the Kingdom AND taken the trouble to learn so much, had more time to write specific, more detailed,  pieces on the many aspects of Thai culture that bewilder those of us who have a mere decade or so under our belts. 
What to expect at a Thai wedding or funeral, meal out with the family,

dealing with tradesman, the ‘gik’ & Mia Noi goings on, regional variations here, the obsession with lucky numbers,  etc…etc. I feel there is so much to be learnt from folk who have so much experience of living here… please ASEAN make space for these veterans !

[BostonRob2]

5 hours ago, bosun said:

Well done Spurs!.. finally a morning after the season has finished that Rooster will awake a happy man!..

Back to his weekly round up.  Rooster came across a Thai word he hadn’t seen before.. please elaborate..!.. 

I really enjoy the weekly round up but always wish Rooster and others like him that have spent decades in the Kingdom AND taken the trouble to learn so much, had more time to write specific, more detailed,  pieces on the many aspects of Thai culture that bewilder those of us who have a mere decade or so under our belts. 
What to expect at a Thai wedding or funeral, meal out with the family,

dealing with tradesman, the ‘gik’ & Mia Noi goings on, regional variations here, the obsession with lucky numbers,  etc…etc. I feel there is so much to be learnt from folk who have so much experience of living here… please ASEAN make space for these veterans !

Yes, l was so pumped up I nearly didn't sleep at all! Thrilled for Son winning the Golden Boot - he is a true hero of mine and my family as well as Harry Kane of course.

 

Rest assured there will always be plenty of cultural writings from me, but the best way to learn is trial and error!

 

Thx for reading.

 

Rooster

 

 

[Marpa47]

13 hours ago, bosun said:

Well done Spurs!.. finally a morning after the season has finished that Rooster will awake a happy man!..

Back to his weekly round up.  Rooster came across a Thai word he hadn’t seen before.. please elaborate..!.. 

I really enjoy the weekly round up but always wish Rooster and others like him that have spent decades in the Kingdom AND taken the trouble to learn so much, had more time to write specific, more detailed,  pieces on the many aspects of Thai culture that bewilder those of us who have a mere decade or so under our belts. 
What to expect at a Thai wedding or funeral, meal out with the family,

dealing with tradesman, the ‘gik’ & Mia Noi goings on, regional variations here, the obsession with lucky numbers,  etc…etc. I feel there is so much to be learnt from folk who have so much experience of living here… please ASEAN make space for these veterans !

Greetings Bosun.  We have only been in the LOS a little while as of yet.  Before our sojourn, I had been following the Rooster Tales studiously and picked up on his reference to a book which I since have been perusing occasionally.  It is so densely packed with information that it bears reading in small doses for me.  The title is “Thai Ways” and the author is Denis Segaller.  It may be just what you want. And it is available on Kindle.

[Stargeezr]

For The Hammer2021, it has been several years since I stayed at the Nana Hotel.

and yes it was several years ago that the balcony railing was extended. The source 

I had was a woman at the front counter of Nana Hotel. Just for clarification.

[fgmr]

On 5/21/2022 at 9:41 AM, Stupooey said:

"In Phuket a young tourist fell off his balcony. Viagra was found in his room as if this had any bearing on the matter."

 

Would it not have had a possibly adverse effect on the position of his centre of gravity?

That would depend on the size of his coccyx????️

[proton]

Never do any lottery again, went into WH Smiths when back home in April did usual numbers for the Euro lottery, not knowing they had come up three days before when nobody won! The prize worked out to over 4.000 million baht, well over 100 million Euro. For the same entry fee makes the Thai one look a terrible pay out.