Bushcraft

Well this is certainly an issue with me too. I tend to withdraw using a card from my bank in Germany. In the last 6 months or so I've found that I can only withdraw 10k rather than any higher amount, as was usual in the past, and have ascribed this not to any new policy on the part of my bank, but to greed for the now 180 Baht that each transaction costs me. Can't answer LDK's question, would like to know too.

Having lived there, I'm very familiar with the so-called "Magic Roundabout" in Hemel Hempstead. It was a brilliant innovation, and works very well. Definitely not for Thais though, it would phase them completely as it takes a bit of common consideration for others plus forethought to negotiate smoothly. IMO a roundabout is not appropriate anyway at the Dolphin intersection, as normal roundabout rules can't be applied there - the traffic pouring off Nua to get to Beach Road or Naklua all the time, i.e. having right of way, would hardly ever let traffic coming from 2nd Road onto the roundabout if those drivers didn't push forward aggressively and defeat the object of having one. A roundabout simply doesn't work there, blocking traffic coming from Naklua and forcing it to turn left onto Nua merely causes U-turn mayhem further up Nua and is a half-hearted measure. I predict traffic-lights fairly soon.

Put Fah and myself down for Camillian whenever it's planned - I guess there will be fewer takers for this as it's a way down the road. We can take three in addition in the pickup, and about 6 on the back as well if needed ..

Reminds me of the chap who swallowed a sheep's eyeball during a meal on holiday in Morocco. It became lodged in his intestine and he consulted a doctor when back home, as he was in great pain. The doctor told him he would have to shove a proctoscope up his anus to see what the problem was, and the chap freaked out with fear, he became a gibbering wreck and it took the doctor the best part of an hour to get him to lie down on his front and spread his legs .. When the doc finally got the proctoscope inserted, he spotted the eyeball and said in exasperation: "Now Mr Brown, we really must start trusting each other ..".

Paps got it right, we went to the Beer Garden as usual and found it packed even at 6.50 pm, asked a waitress I know well to let me know as soon as someone at an outside table checkbinned, then settled down with a beer at the bar for freelancers. Sure enough, 20 minutes later I was told there was a table becoming free, and we watched the fireworks from an excellent position after enjoying a meal. Perfect. Recommended.

Fah and I will take part again, just let us know what we can do and when, we'll be there. No question.

I've had my fair share of incompetents and slipshod work as well, apart from a casual attitude to punctuality. Now I won't take the next-best worker who claims he can do everything, as they tend to. There are very capable, hard-working and honest Thai electricians, plumbers and all-rounders out there, but the secret to finding them is personal recommendation by people who have similar standards to yours. That plus having a live-in who brooks no nonsense from workers and tells them in their own lingo what is expected of them for how much. I can recommend a very good bloke for electrical work, fan installation, A/C etc. in Pattaya if somebody wants one.

You're right Tom, this is very much a Pattaya thing and it's maddening. Preventing left turns on red is madness anyway, it's a very sensible arrangement - provided that people are not stupid enough to cause hazards, jams or accidents by insisting on them when unsafe or inappropriate - but then I suppose that's where my argument breaks down because TIT.

The problem, as somebody pointed out, is that if you obey the sign and stay waiting in the left lane you will inevitably have a line of irate Thais behind you who have no intention of obeying it. I was once pressured by this into risking the left turn from 3rd Road into Tai on red, and was promptly stopped and booked by the copper concealed around the corner, while the rest whizzed past. Really galling. I think it's madness to have imposed this ban at that junction anyway, the left resp. right turn on red principle really helps to keep traffic flowing and should be adopted everywhere (as in the US too).

You're right, I stretched the truth a bit. In fact I failed to get a work permit as a Baht bus driver for some unknown reason, so only rode shotgun. Lord give me strength if you can't recognise an admittedly frivolous but not malicious post, there's no call to be abusive Paps.

You're right, I stretched the truth a bit. In fact I failed to get a work permit as a Baht bus driver for some unknown reason, so only rode shotgun. Lord give me strength if you can't recognise an admittedly frivolous but not malicious post, there's no call to be abusive Paps.

As a former Baht bus driver I want to clear up a misunderstanding arising from somebody's threadfuck. Unless we've heard that Paps is in town, we've always turned right onto 2nd Road when coming down Tai from Buakhow. Except for the odd Russian-lover, my old mates still do this now but are waiting to hear that Paps is back, when 80% of them will turn left instead for old time's sake.

Priceless, you've excelled yourself this time. I can just imagine that barcrawl actually happening. Thanks for posting.

Welcome to the Board, and please tell us this is a joke topic. It's certainly got me laughing. If you're even remotely serious with your description of events/feelings, you equally seriously need a wake-up call and were born yesterday. Can't think why you're feeling just slightly suspicious, after all, bargirls often fancy a night in comfort as a change from their hovel, and splash out on a hotel room just to themselves. They also go missing for hours or days at a time occasionally, as they're very devout Buddhists who like to take time out to meditate in temples, where mobile phones etc. are not allowed and you can't contact them. And there's no way that she has or will sleep with another man before or after you, having been so well paid as well. I think you've found a keeper, don't let this girl go, send her some money to prove your love and all will be well.

Forgive me being nosey, but what was the cost of that 1st Class leg to Frankfurt? Just so that I can boggle at the (for me) unaffordable.

Maybe 'Honkytonk Women' ..

Nigerian version of Who's Who: Who Dat?

Brilliant mate, had me laughing.

If not the Forza, get a PCX Martin, it's also brilliant on flooded roads, I've blessed it on several occasions in the past. The Forza sells for around 165,000 Baht new.

I moved up from a PCX to a Forza a month ago, and am delighted with it, as are passengers. I have no trouble getting around Pattaya on it, as it's no wider than the PCX from mirror to mirror. Sure it's heavy, but beautifully balanced and a joy to weave through traffic with. The extra turn of speed from 300 cc is also great when you have a bit of open road. I'm 6 feet tall and find the riding position very comfortable. There is an option of placing the feet flat on the running-board in the conventional position or raising them to the angled section as if riding a chopper. The large fuel tank gives me a range of around 350 km, so fuel stops are rare. The underseat storage is huge, taking two helmets with ease and lots of shopping etc. All in all it's expensive but a joy to ride. A downside is that when parked it attracts lowlifes prone to vandalism (two obviously intentional scratches in different places so far). It performed brilliantly in the heavy flooding last night, as its guts are that bit higher off the ground and I was able to get through where others had no chance. If you're in the market for a bike in that price bracket, I'd recommend it Tom.

Fuck me! I was just beginning to like Dallas. Jackie Kennedy Fuck me! I was really getting into that play! Mary Lincoln Fuck me! The Queen's invited us out for an evening tour of Paris. Lady Di

Pleng has reinvented herself, and good luck to her, but IMO shared by others she's a shouter not a singer, and has a very limited repertoire as yet. I avoid parties where her group are booked to do the music, as she grates on my nerves after about 3 songs. Hope it works for you though Nev.

Fuck me, look at all those bloody Indians! Gen. George A. Custer Fuck me, watch that bugger with the bow & arrow, he'll have somebody's eye out! King Harold

I think most punters who come to Pattaya follow the dictum of J.C. Fields - they don't trust people who don't drink. To the OP: just socialise as you prefer and drink as you prefer, like the rest of us.

As useless as tits on a bull.