jacko

Pity the lads dropped out, always more fun with a group of pals. I am sure you have come across a bit of racism before, well Thais are like that but not discreet about it! They have a poor opinion of those coming from the sub-continent, until you persuade them you aren't direct from Delhi they will put you in that group... Cheap Charlie! Tip a little bit here and there, that makes you popular! Cash, let us say £250/day, but important thing is to have something to fall back on. An ATM card to use just in case, don't get stranded at the airport having missed the flight and not having a penny left! (Like we keep seeing on the Bangkok Airport TV programme). Have travel insurance. Bangok+Pattaya or just Pattaya, up to you! If you want a bit of 'touristy' time Bangkok has some things to see. If it is all girlie action, Pattaya has it all covered, although a few days in Bangkok will make you appreciate Pattaya prices. The BG's pick you up! The FLs you can just approach and talk to.

You are suggesting he drain the water tanks in his condo building himself? As to the type of water tanks one normally finds in houses, the blue plastic and fibre glass ones don't come with drains. My current stainless tank does have one but it is impossible to get to. You just made me go into the garden and look.

I too use 009, via my True-H SIM, I think it costs 3 baht /min to a UK landline. The quality and reliability are good. Skype might well be cheaper but quality and reliability for me are inconsistent.

Barfly... Mickey Rourke (I think we had this one already). Yes, here, you and me again! He's the little boy that lives in his mouth.

Ah it says 'Secrets' in the middle of the zero. Didn't think you were that old.

Where does the dirt come from? The incoming water I am betting. They are settling tanks!

I have a filter on my washing machine...... if you ever had to change or clean the filter units you too may not drink the tap-water.

No pics from me tody. I actually avoided the junction going into town, using Nua and 3rd Rd again which is going to have to be my route for a few years I guess. Coming back later, Northwards on Sukumvit, breezed through the Klang junction, and so I should as the lights are off there and Soi Siam CC. There are concrete barriers there now so both Klang and Soi Siam CC closed, right turns South and North bound respectively. Obviously no longer can a right turn out of Soi Siam CC can be done..... or U-Turn on Suk there. I didn't notice if Soi Siam CC is 2 way traffic or not as I was focused trying to get across Suk to get onto Hwy 7 flyover. Bangkok traffic doesn't like to give anyone way or space! The noose tightens!

Fargo? Norm Gunderson. No, Mom, that's the oldest profession.

They were being sold openly at the entrance to Walking St, perhaps a passport was required, I did not ask. Surprising if they are requiring details since they are being sold at the 7-11 and Family Mart too.

There are 'tourist SIMs' (traveller SIM) available now with a limited lifespan. I guess the numbers get reused so it could lead to some interesting calls.... maybe useful calls!

I have heard of Gary here having problems.

I have been hanging on for a bank TT rate above 50 for a while now, a few short lived nose above the water tests but nothing sustained. No sympathy for the Russians personally.

Jack Reacher

So Gary is a 'Nobody'???

Die Another Day.

They have painted 3 lanes on the railway line bypass heading South towards Soi Siam CC. Soi Siam CC is still open both ways, lights at Suk operating. Long queues on soi Yume heading towards Klang in the afternoons. (side of Big-CX Mall). Otherwise traffic not so bad....

Cloud Atlas

The Inside Garden Resort has the dumping area in front, surprising as I think it is owned by a previous deputy mayor, I know I saw him there once. The big ugly buildings viewed from in front of the Hollywood Disco. This is one of those restaurants where you have to squat on the floor to a low table, currently the tables are covered. Again in front of the Hollywood. This is the open-air optician in front of the TOT office, corner Klang/3rd. Soi Honey Inn, Bua Khao end MPs. Taken from behind BigC-X, Soi Yume. Railway line bypass Rd, northern end, north bound. becoming a bit of a dumping ground, I have even ridden past as people dump in broad daylight.

Critical responses to trip reports tend to get moderated closely, flame free and all that. I wouldn't get too worried by the odd negger, it will be more than compensated for, and we all have more +s than -s available to us.

Well to be honest it was my fault! I had a plan when I first got a Thai SIM, whereby the balance lasted 12 months if I recall correctly, each time I topped up. That was suitable but I was thinking in tourist mode rather than considering my Expat status. Then I made a long call to someone a long way off on another network and all my credit got eaten up at 8 baht/min. Since then I have switched plan yet again for 1 baht/min all networks .... (although I get hit for international SMSs), but the credit duration is short. One just has to work around it. Finding all the details of the plans in English can be a challenge. Later Edit. I just logged on to the AIS site to check out all their packages.... a bewildering array, and calls priced in satang/minute, satang/6 seconds and satangs/sec..... had me tapping my calculator to learn all pretty much the same!

Catch Me if you Can.

Wayne's World

The 51st State.