First, I would like to give you my reasons.

1. Living in a small village, in the middle of rural Isaan, I scarcely have the opportunity to meet other English speaking people.

So, by posting on TVF, gives me the feeling, that I am communicating with a large audience, not only in Thailand but all over the world.

I can freely express my opinion in various subjects……don’t we know it all…..and also crack a joke…..sometimes good……sometimes of bad taste.

Still a “newbie” but I am getting there.

1. I have too much spare time in my hands.

As my wife is a nurse (Always planned ahead in my life), and she works shifts, 8 or 16 hours during the day and sometimes the night shift, gives me lots of idle time.

You could suggest……read a book……listen to some music….watch a film…..get a life, and you would be right……but this is a subject to be discussed later.

1. To improve my English skills.

As my mother language is not English, gives me the opportunity to improve my writing skills and knowledge of the English language.

They say……that it’s never late to learn.

Many times before, I have been corrected by moderators or other posters and I am grateful for that.

Keep up the good job people.

I have shown you mine……so, please, show me yours now.

Reasons…..I mean.

I use TV forum as a means of R & R from my work with the SAS/Special Forces/et al, it helps heightens tension and increases my blood pressure in the event I should be called into action at a moments notice.

chiang mai, on 04 Jan 2014 - 13:09, said:

I use TV forum as a means of R & R from my work with the SAS/Special Forces/et al, it helps heightens tension and increases my blood pressure in the event I should be called into action at a moments notice.

We can't all be as clever and active like you, my friend!

It fills up gaps in the day. My work is rather infrequent these days and with the wife and myself now in our mid-40s so between doing work things, the forum provides a nice distraction when the hound doesn't need walking

I also believe in the power of the internet. After 20 years here, if I can possibly give someone a little advice which may make their time here a little more enjoyable or smoother then it's all good.

I seldom mix with many Westerners these days so I quite enjoy the banter, and conflicts of opinion on here.

Plus one is never too old to learn and there are some very knowledgeable and wise heads on here. It can at times be a very (sometimes alarming) clear similarity to a good old expat boozer;- you have those who never stop moaning about anything Thai related, and who blame their own failings on the locals, those who in their eyes Thailand can do no wrong, those who never shut up babbling, the wise owls in the corner, who seldom have too much to say but when they do it's always worth a listen, the prats who love talking <deleted> and I'm also an utterly nosey B*****d so enjoy the little glimpses into the lives of others...

Costas, there's lots here using this forum in the same way as you. It's a great way to meet some great mates.

What part of Issan are you in if you don't mind me asking?

krisb, on 04 Jan 2014 - 13:25, said:

Costas, there's lots here using this forum in the same way as you. It's a great way to meet some great mates.

What part of Issan are you in if you don't mind me asking?

I live in a village 5 km from Ban Pai and 50 km from Khon Kaen.

Been here for 6 years.

chiang mai, on 04 Jan 2014 - 13:09, said:

I use TV forum as a means of R & R from my work with the SAS/Special Forces/et al, it helps heightens tension and increases my blood pressure in the event I should be called into action at a moments notice.

We can't all be as clever and active like you, my friend!

Yep there's also people like that they try and be funny but just don't have it.

There's also those that try and lure you into a fight. These types usually try and bully and belittle you, making themselves feel inflated but really they are like earth worms and feed themselves on excrement or in Greek it's skutta. Don't allow their insecurities to bother you. Sadly the tuth is they struggle with life and always have.

I do it for the tshirts and beer.

Still waiting for the tshirt........

krisb, on 04 Jan 2014 - 13:25, said:

Costas, there's lots here using this forum in the same way as you. It's a great way to meet some great mates.

What part of Issan are you in if you don't mind me asking?

I live in a village 5 km from Ban Pai and 50 km from Khon Kaen.

Been here for 6 years.

There's so many villages out there. Our place is near Chumphae and See Chompu but we are based in Australia. Maybe next time I'm in the area we can have some food and a beer.

I do it for the tshirts and beer.

Still waiting for the tshirt........

How was the beer?

One can actually get a chance on various forums (fora?) other than this one to help someone out.

That said, I have the most fun when someone responds (to the effect) that you are the dumbest thing that ever walked on the planet and that Thai girl of yours is going to clean you out & leave you without a pot to p-ss in.

I do it for the tshirts and beer.

Still waiting for the tshirt........

How was the beer?

Plentiful....just ask theblether!

krisb, on 04 Jan 2014 - 13:37, said:

Costas2008, on 04 Jan 2014 - 13:16, said:

chiang mai, on 04 Jan 2014 - 13:09, said:

chiang mai, on 04 Jan 2014 - 13:09, said:

I use TV forum as a means of R & R from my work with the SAS/Special Forces/et al, it helps heightens tension and increases my blood pressure in the event I should be called into action at a moments notice.

We can't all be as clever and active like you, my friend!

Yep there's also people like that they try and be funny but just don't have it.

There's also those that try and lure you into a fight. These types usually try and bully and belittle you, making themselves feel inflated but really they are like earth worms and feed themselves on excrement or in Greek it's skutta. Don't allow their insecurities to bother you. Sadly the tuth is they struggle with life and always have.

Thank you very much for your good advice, krisb.

As I said before....I still feel a "newbie" on TVF.......still learning!

Very impressed with your knowledge of Greek!

One can actually get a chance on various forums (fora?) other than this one to help someone out.

That said, I have the most fun when someone responds (to the effect) that you are the dumbest thing that ever walked on the planet and that Thai girl of yours is going to clean you out & leave you without a pot to p-ss in.

Keep buying those insurance policies Crab.

krisb, on 04 Jan 2014 - 13:40, said:

Costas2008, on 04 Jan 2014 - 13:36, said:

krisb, on 04 Jan 2014 - 13:25, said:

krisb, on 04 Jan 2014 - 13:25, said:

Costas, there's lots here using this forum in the same way as you. It's a great way to meet some great mates.

What part of Issan are you in if you don't mind me asking?

I live in a village 5 km from Ban Pai and 50 km from Khon Kaen.

Been here for 6 years.

There's so many villages out there. Our place is near Chumphae and See Chompu but we are based in Australia. Maybe next time I'm in the area we can have some food and a beer.

I will be delighted.....please PM me your Email address or telephone number.

For many of the same reasons as the op.

I am also in a very small village with few expats or even English speakers in the area.

Even with my limited understanding of the Thai language, I know most Thais do not discuss much of any interest to me, mostly they gossip and talk about food, no world affairs, politics or science or social issues.

I find these things on TV.

TV is also a good way for me to learn about issues that are important to expats, like........visas!

Comment to the op...your English is very good, better than for some for who English is their first language.

One can actually get a chance on various forums (fora?) other than this one to help someone out.

That said, I have the most fun when someone responds (to the effect) that you are the dumbest thing that ever walked on the planet and that Thai girl of yours is going to clean you out & leave you without a pot to p-ss in.

Keep buying those insurance policies Crab.

Chiangmai -- ThaiVisa gives me something to do in-between taking all the pills I need to stay vertical.

willyumiii, on 04 Jan 2014 - 13:55, said:

For many of the same reasons as the op.

I am also in a very small village with few expats or even English speakers in the area.

Even with my limited understanding of the Thai language, I know most Thais do not discuss much of any interest to me, mostly they gossip and talk about food, no world affairs, politics or science or social issues.

I find these things on TV.

TV is also a good way for me to learn about issues that are important to expats, like........visas!

Comment to the op...your English is very good, better than for some for who English is their first language.

Much appreciated, willyumiii.

I do it for the tshirts and beer.

Still waiting for the tshirt........

How was the beer?

Plentiful....just ask theblether!

Who?

Something to do - better than beer at 09-00

Sometimes fun to reply and have fun with Trolls.

It can be interesting and helpful at times too for myself and others.

Great source of views and opinions and invaluable for local knowledge and avoiding pitfalls for all things Thai.

To pass the time.

To keep abreast of Thai news and farang analysis. (really vital at a time such as this).

Nowhere else on t'internet is as comprehensive and as valuable as TVF.

From the OP:

I can freely express my opinion in various subjects

I wish I could..

From the OP:

I can freely express my opinion in various subjects

I wish I could..

They can't stop you thinking it though.....

I post, therefore I am?

I use TV forum as a means of R & R from my work with the SAS/Special Forces/et al, it helps heightens tension and increases my blood pressure in the event I should be called into action at a moments notice.

You had better hide your lap top when the nurse comes around or you could end up in big trouble or even back in the straight jacket.

It's a little slice of life. I like the repartee, the banter, the variety of topics, the glimpses (as another poster said) of the lives of others (such as those entertaining guys in the farming and photography threads), the idiots who make me realise I'm sane, the sane ones who make me realise I'm an idiot. There's a great deal of collective wisdom, despite the naysayers who think otherwise, and it's great to tap into. I like the political discussions (a favourite topic of mine) and anything historical or hysterical or histrionic. What you get here is a wider exchange of views and opinions than you would find in your everyday life (or the boozer). Like willy, your English, Costas, is not only of a high standard, it's lucid and easy to follow, and your command of the colloquial is impressive. All the best.

I have a copyright issue with this thread!!

Not too long ago I started a thread with exactly the same tittle!!

But since it is you Costas, I forgive you!

Thaivisa is a source of extremely valuable information and some of the posted rubbish substitutes cartoons

When I moved from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, I thought is was time to find out a bit more about the online world. I started a blog, joined some forums, signed up for Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and many other sites I never really used and can’t remember.

I am still spread a bit too thin on the net but each site which I still use has a role to play in making my life a little bit richer, while keeping me connected to friends and family or meeting new people.

Just today I was standing in line at the immigration booth in Central Plaza, Chiang Rai, when a very nice gentleman asked if I was Village Farang and went on to gush over my photos. It was a very nice, chance encounter and brightened an otherwise routine task.

I may be getting old but I am not a dinosaur and I don’t see anything wrong with using iPhones or social networking to ones advantage, as long as you don’t let it use you.

soi41, on 04 Jan 2014 - 15:57, said:

I have a copyright issue with this thread!!

Not too long ago I started a thread with exactly the same tittle!!

But since it is you Costas, I forgive you!

Sorry, soi41, before I posted that, I looked around TVF but couldn't find something similar.

But don't worry.....considering your posts......you are always No 1 for me