Tesco Lotus carpark, Khon Kaen. The lady wife and I are just walking down towards the entrance and along comes, well, what started-out as a black Vigo four-door. I say "started-out" as I think the owner took it from the Toyota showroom, straight round to Somchai's Auto-Glitz Emporium, laid on the counter a wad the size of a baby's head and told the proprietor to do his worst. Which he did. This poor car (and let me say, right now, that this was the first time I had ever felt sorry for a Vigo) had every tack-on gee-gaw known to man applied in an orgy of bad taste that, frankly, left me speechless. It was actually hard to look at and yet strangely compelling. So much of the car's surface was covered in plastic chrome that it was difficult to determine the original colour. It reminded me of the old "are zebras black with white stripes or white with black stripes?". Even some of the stick-ons had stick-ons. And, naturally, Somchai hadn't limited himself to things adhesive. There was the mandatory bull-bar from the <deleted>-you catalogue, a CarryBoy with luggage-rack perched aloft which will never actually be used, of course. It's sole function is to make the owner that bit poorer through increased fuel consumption and that bit deafer through increased wind noise. The whole confection was finished-off with a set of 21" wheels. In a final flourish, Somchai had even picked out the lettering on the tyres in white paint. Oh, and of course, it was covered in blue LEDs.

As it wheezed to a halt, I remarked that this just had to be a falang. So it proved. The driver's door opened and a beer-gut started emerging. After about a minute, the rest of the body followed. I say "body" but, really, it was just a life support system for the belly. Do I really need to describe the rest? Yep, singlet, gravity-defying cargo shorts, flip-flops and bald head with straggly grey ponytail. About 60, I'd guess. A moment later and the female companion springs lightly to the ground. 20-ish, 4' 11", hair died just too light, big sunglasses perched on top, skimpy halter neck to display her "dead-heat-in-a-Zeppelin-race" boob job, sprayed-on short shorts with obligatory camel-toe, strappy, gold high heels and an iPhone clamped to the ear, engaged, no doubt, in a discussion with the builders working at her parent's house adding yet another wing to their former shack in Ban Nowhere.

Why do I mention this? Apart from the fact that it amused me to see it, it struck me that no matter how many times I hear the voice of reason telling us that we shouldn't classify people and attempt to put them into pigeon-holes, they go ahead and do it anyway all by themselves. They were walking cliches and, you know what? They made me feel good about myself, bless 'em. It's a bit like parking your car next to a Reliant Robin, if you know what I mean.

a detailed description why some mothers (when they look at their sons) think "if only i had given his daddy a blowjob instead".

I believe one used to play for the Arsenal

I'm sure many of us have been quilty of such crimes in one form or another.

There but for the grace.....

I've never played for Arsenal ?

pictures?

Dontcha already have a clear mental picture Boater? I certainly do.

You know, at first i was tempted to defend the guy, to say, well maybe hes a nice guy and blah blah. But well, ive seen similar (although not quite as extreem), here, and other parts of the world, and usually they are not so nice.

Just feel happy for him, hes in his element. ..and didnt you know that his 20-something gf loves him just the way he is? No similar age guy for her, no Sir-ee. Its not about the money, she just desires him. As a western woman im obviously clueless as its hard for me to understand, but apparently many Thai ladies truly aspire to be with much much older men with the "cuddly" bellies and bad fashion sense.

Ok, im retracting the claws back in!

(Sorry, having a bit of a bad day..)

LOOK, I ONLY BORROWED THE <deleted>' VIGO, HONEST!!!!!!!

Dontcha already have a clear mental picture Boater? I certainly do.

You know, at first i was tempted to defend the guy, to say, well maybe hes a nice guy and blah blah. But well, ive seen similar (although not quite as extreem), here, and other parts of the world, and usually they are not so nice.

Just feel happy for him, hes in his element. ..and didnt you know that his 20-something gf loves him just the way he is? No similar age guy for her, no Sir-ee. Its not about the money, she just desires him. As a western woman im obviously clueless as its hard for me to understand, but apparently many Thai ladies truly aspire to be with much much older men with the "cuddly" bellies and bad fashion sense.

Ok, im retracting the claws back in!

(Sorry, having a bit of a bad day..)

Actually, eek, I wasn't making that much of a value judgement. Honestly! Whenever these sort of things occur, I always feel vaguely guilty. I mean, I've met absolute rotters and gems from all classes, walks-of-life, call it what you will. As I'm sure we all have. But it's almost as if they were consciously apeing the stereotype; I almost looked around expecting to see a film crew. But no, it was "real-life" in all its glory. We saw them again a bit later on inside and he had adopted the simian method of propelling the trolley around, I'm sure you know it.

As for pictures, Boater, no, I'm afraid. By the time I'd picked my lower jaw off the ground, the moment had passed. Sorry 'bout that.

dang, next time we are up in KK I am gonna be looking out for that car.

All stereotypes are base don a truth, thankfully this version of the truth is few & far between

dang, next time we are up in KK I am gonna be looking out for that car.

All stereotypes are base don a truth, thankfully this version of the truth is few & far between

You won't miss it, Boo. I just hope you're wearing sunglasses at the time...

bling, someone was obvously watching that "pimp my ride" show & got the same idea I wish you'd managed to get a picture.

I don't see how a farang having such a vehicle would be a cliche. I would have guessed a Thai, for sure. Never seen any farang driving such a vehicle. The partner part, yes, but not the vehicle part.

...

As for pictures, Boater, no, I'm afraid. By the time I'd picked my lower jaw off the ground, the moment had passed. Sorry 'bout that.

I saw two guys walking down the street in our little town, couldn't believe my eyes. Mohawk, big fat belly, no shirt, tatts, pierced, doc maartens and a kilt!

not sure what cliche they would be, but they were very funny to see

I saw two guys walking down the street in our little town, couldn't believe my eyes. Mohawk, big fat belly, no shirt, doc maartens and a kilt!

Holding hands?

No doubt about it. It's the gf's father's car (which, of course, the farang paid for, so reasoned he might as well get some use from it).

This is one funny thread - why I love Bedders.

I'm so happy to be normal

No doubt about it. It's the gf's father's car (which, of course, the farang paid for, so reasoned he might as well get some use from it).

Hmm, that's a thought, Ping; could be. But I know of a Dutch guy who drives around in a "carnival-car". But, come to think of it, your theory could still hold water in this case. His Thai wife might have persuaded him into festooning it in tat. A bit like my wife trying to get me to dye my hair. I've patiently explained several times that I'd rather be dead in a ditch than do that, that it would be irredeemably sad to do such a thing but she still occasionably mentions it. Jeez...