joekicker

I've used this for several years. It's no bargain, just the regular SMS price, but it's an excellent SMS service, especially for us fat-fingered, tech-unsavvy types who get it wrong on the phone. DTAC has similar. I presume TrueMove also. .

International Beverage Holdings is the foreign name of ThaiBev, the Thai distillery and beer company. In Scotland, ThaiBev makes mostly single malts. It has a tonne of websites, but Mekhong.com is for people who like English. They are currently buying up China. Some interesting recent background here. This is a GIANT company. .

That's very tolerant, giving them a year. You just can't *do* that stuff in Thailand. .

Close. Mekhong has a haitch in it. This is the official website, with the correct spelling, right where you'd expect it at www.mekhong.com

The Mekhong factory is open and producing as usual at Bangyikhan. It hasn't stopped or slowed. Shortages of beer and whisky in Thailand are fairly frequent but always artificial. They are the work of agents and companies, who are ... well, blackmailing shops, bars and similar businesses. If a shop won't buy Soandso Beer, then the supplier won't provide Suchandsuch whisky, for example. I have no clue what's going on in Patttaya, but the Mekhong factory is not closed, and producing as usual -- as Bangyikhan residents can tell when they sniff the morning air. .

[speechless][/speechless] good grief. .

Somehow I doubt that most of the 310,454 American who came to Thailand in the first half of 2010 were troopies and contractors, yet that's how many arrived -- according to the ministry of sports and tourism, anyhow. In 2009 total, there were 627,000 Americans. .

and embassies. One Thai consulate will practically fling them at you, the one in the next city won't hear of it. .

I don't think a lot of them are military, except when a ship comes in. I think most Americans in Pattaya are Thailand residents -- but as a percentage, probably lots of tourists. Whoever first said "in groups" had it nailed, I think. These days the worst are packs of young Brits, but they're just in the tradition (in Pattaya) of packs of young Germans/Austrians/Swiss and packs of Saudis. For example. In my opinion Germans are the worst tourists but that's me. .

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That was actually my point - the Liverpudlians claiming it was all about winning. I was born Thursday but not last Thursday. A losing team that makes a grazillion pounds will suit the Liverpool board. What are the Liverpool fans going to do, go across the river and cheer for Everton? And I don't MIND that a losing team that makes money is better for the board than a winning team that loses money. And I don't doubt they'd like to have a winning team that makes money. But it's not all about winning, any more than the Red Sox are all about winning. It's all about the money. That's the JOB of the board. Winning is only part of making money, and very often a tiny part as you so willingly offer up about the Mets and others. .

No visa will give you more than 3 months in Thailand. But a non-immigrant visa can be extended by immigration to 12 months, yes -- after you fulfill the immigration requirements such as for retirement visa, spouse visa, business, whatever. Tell the embassy you're going to do some business in Thailand and need a non-imm - it's up to them but USUALLY you can get one. .

They have to record your passport when you register, and because of increasing police pressureon this, lots of places want to photocopy it. They are not allowed to take it from you or keep it - that's the law. .

Anyone figure out that the King has been on the throne 64 years? The full announcement is on Amata Spring's website, here. It's also wrong about the 60th year. The 60th anniversary of the King's accession to the throne was 2006. This is the 60th anniversary of his coronation, four years after he became King. .

I'm wondering if it ever gets better than this. Today, Lincecum v Lowe (now on). Tomorrow, Cain v Arroyo. .

Sigh. Top of the 7th as I type, after nearly 6 great innings, and now Minnesota goes to their third pitcher - of the inning! 4-2 Bombers. It's just like there is no way Minneapolis is ever going to riot over a playoffs victory. It just FEELS inevitable. .

Well, it hadn't occurred to me that this was a thread about race and whistinling. But anyhow. Indians are people from India. And Arizona and Manitoba, of course. And many other places. But it's 2010. Calling Pakistanis Indians is like calling Canadians European. Since we're being pedantic, however: Indian is NOT a race. Most people from India and Pakistan are Caucasians, just like most Canadians. Would you prefer I call anything with majority-Caucasians the Canadian mafia? Somehow, I think that might be confusing. .

Got a brief groan out of the MLB.com headline: Doctober I'm starting to feel sorry for poor old morose Garden Hose every time he has to walk to the mound after the sixth inning in the playoffs. He really LOOKS like he knows it's inevitable - and has for a few years. I don't think age has anything to do with anything in the very light schedule of playoffs. If these guys are healthy on Oct 1, they can be 10 years older and not feel a thing. They get two, three days off a week ferpetesake. Well... He completely re-invented himself and his pitching, and threw a perfect game. After that, it was all a level surface. He's a brand new guy this year, and it sure shows. .

Heh. My favourite part, from another version of this story, quoting the Liverpool people: "The board decided to accept NESV's proposal on the basis that it best met the criteria we set out originally for a suitable new owner. NESV's philosophy is all about winning and they have fully demonstrated that at the Red Sox." It's all about winning. Yes, of course. Anyone notice what the Red Sox are doing RIGHT NOW while better teams are still playing baseball? Don't josh me, Liverpudlians. It's all about THE MONEY! .

Take a look at the Dusit Princess Srinakarin. It's a Dusit Thani property, very well run, right beside Seacon Square which has 14 theatres. You can definitely get it under 3,000 baht. Novotel Bangna is an excellent hotel but I wouldn't bet on the 3,000 baht - they get a lot of Japanese from the industrial zone. It's close to Central Bangna, a large mall with eleventeen theatres. These are the best two hotels in the Bangna area, excellent access to the airport. .

Yep. Watching the Minnesotas as I type. I think Yankees - Phillies, but that's the safe bet. I still think Cincinnati has a chance. I'll be very mildly surprised if the blonde-haired people get past the Yankees, I really will. For one thing New York is not starting Burnett. But hey, as the noted philosopher Christopher Berman spoke: That's why they play the game. .

Great start indeed by the Doc. He'll he kicking himself for that unearned walk for sure. And the Rays got a shock - no surprise by me, but I don't think Tejas is actually going anywhere beyond St Pete, that's the loser's bracket. I think. .

Shouldn't this be called Acting Exceedingly Stupid Abroad? .

Hadn't heard that, although there is Pakistani mafia in Pattaya -- or was. For a while they were actually killing foreigners. Indian mafia is very active in Bangkok. Ah. The golf club counterfeiters. .

The weirdest part of the post is that you actually seem serious. But c'mon! You mean I don't get credit for spelling all the words correctly? .