cannonball83204

From Thai Visa: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/552348-thailand-to-host-motocross-world-championship-next-year/ Will be held at the Pinthong Industrial Estate No 3 in Sri Racha, Chonburi. Looks like it will be an every year event if they pull off this first one. CB

Every time I see this pic #196, I get all goose bumpy. I steer very wide of her and her pets. CB damn, kind of messed that up, oh well, I still don't like that lady and her pets. CB BTW, thanks for the effort, that pic had me so messed up I forgot to thank you the first time around...........LOL CB

Every time I see this gal and them fucking spiders I get all goose bumpy. I steer very wide of her and her pets. CB

This was put on FB by Pattaya Rag and it is from the FB page of the expat mentioned above. Beware of drinking and driving in Pattaya. Worth reading before you go This was written by a Pattaya resident and happened recently. Be warned. Best regards and Happy Songkran. A word of warning for those farang who may occasionally have a drink or two, and then drive a motorbike or car in Pattaya. As of Friday 13th April Pattaya Police are actively using breath testing to test for people over the drink driving limit of 0.05. They have digital breath testing units they can setup and will stop all traffic, as they do when they have a blitz on. On Friday 13th April at 2am until about 5am they setup on the corner of 2nd Road and Pattaya Thai (Pattaya South Road), where they often sit looking for people not wearing a helmet. They were stopping all bikes (didn't see any cars but they were on the road blocking most traffic) farang and Thai. They were breath testing all - not sobriety test, straight onto the digital breath testing units. The units have a digital display and a printer. Once you blow if the reading is about 0.050 then they print out the reading and you are arrested on the spot. You will then be taken to the Pattay Soi 9 watchhouse and locked up in the holding cells. Your phone will be confiscated and you are not allowed a phone call or to contact anyone. Farang's are locked up with Thai's (men and women) in the one lockup in the police station. Not air conditioned, very basic, no seats, just concrete floors, the toilet is behind a waist high concrete barrier and is a bowl with no seat, just a hose and a bucket. This doubles as the shower area, if you were so inclined or happened to be locked up for many days like some of the farang over stay people in there. No water or food is provided, you need someone on the outside to bring you that - and they are generally allowed to hand it through to you. On Friday about 18 farangs were detained (Australians, Americans, Italians, Iran, Israel, India, Swiss - holiday makers and long stayers) and 10+ thai's for drink driving and other offences. If you don't have your passport - it's more difficult - they need to be able to positively ID you to begin processing the paperwork. You are generally not told what will happen or what the process is - if you have someone on the outside then they can get some of the story and relay it, but generally you do not know what will happen or when. And if you are told - it's likely to change, and of course "just wait 10 minutes" really means 2+ hours at least. Once they have processed all the paperwork, and you have signed some documents in Thai (no translation available, no legal advice, just "is this you? sign here), you will be finger printed (in the cells, Thai long stay prisoners do the finger printing). This took from 5am until midday of waiting in the holding cells at the watch house. Then when everyone is processed you are ready to be moved to the Privincial Court House at Jomtien. To move you all the prisoners (Farang and Thai) are handcuffed and chained together in one long line. Then marched down to a paddy wagon, all squeezed in, some standing for the drive from Soi 9 to the court house at Jomtien. You are then unloaded into the holding area in the court house. The holding area is under the building, not air conditoned, You are unshackled, you have to take your shoes off and sit on the concrete floor. No seating, no smoking, no standing. Sit on the floor with all the other Thai's waiting to be processed. The only toilet available is very bad, there are rubber boots outside that you need to wear because the floor is 1cm deep in urine and the smell is so bad you have to hold your breath (it makes the toilet in the watch house look luxurious). The whole area wreaks of urine as the other holding cells (for those Thai's being held for more serious crimes) just has open urinals. During this process - no communication, no advice, no phone calls allowed, you are told "just wait" ... if you have someone on the outside who knows where you are they can bring you water and snacks, you can also buy some thai food that is sold by a local kitchen. The farangs were processed in the last court sitting of the day, after sitting on the floor from midday until 6pm, signing various court documents during the afternoon. No translation is provided into any language, all documents are in Thai, no legal advice provided, no explanations - very little english spoken, only enough to get you to sign documents and tell you "sit down", "stand up", "come here". If you dont sign the document you will not be processed - there is no option. In the court room there is no visitor gallery, no visitors allowed, no legal representation, no translation available. About 40 people are processed at the same time, sitting on wooden benches or on the floor. The judge (a woman in this case) speaks NO english (she even had to get help from someone to read out the amounts of the fines in English). Each person with a related charge has their name read out in turn, then stands, the judge then addresses everyone in Thai, then decides on a penalty and reads that out in Thai. For drink driving a motorbike you can expect a fine of 2500 to 2700 baht ... Thai and farang the same. There was no discrimination, positive or negative - you get treated like a Thai. Once all have been sentenced you have to pay the fine to the clerk of the court, on the spot. If you couldn't pay you would be locked up again until you can pay. If you have someone on the outside you are permitted to liaise with them for them to get you the money. You may also be escorted to your accommodation to get money as a last resort. You will now be relieved that it is all over and ready to walk free, as you have been watching all the Thai's do once they are sentenced ... but wait, there is more!! If you are a farang you now need to have your passport checked for any possible visa violations - overstay's, back to back tourist visa's etc. However at 6pm on a Saturday night (even worse on a Songkran long weekend) there are no immigration officials available to check your passports. So it's back to the Soi 9 lockup. The trip back to the lockup is sitting packed into the back of a police utility truck, all sitting around the edge packed into the open tray (interesting lack of safety concern given you have just been booked for an equally dangerous driving offence). You will then be locked up again until the police can arrange for immigration to check your passport. None of this is told to you in advance, you are told as it happens, and after thinking you are processed and free, being put back into the holding cells at Soi 9 is a shock - particularly then being told it's likely you will be held until the next day (which is a Sunday - so perhaps 2 days, but Monday is a public holiday in Thailand - so perhaps 3 days). Fortunately through some furious negotiations by some Thai supporters of some of the farangs how had been assisting, those farangs who had been able to provide a passport to police were advised they would be let out immediately, and then return at a later date for the immigration check (the police will hold your passport). This was at 11:00pm (after returning from the court about 9pm), the farangs with the passports were then called out and released from the cells one at a time. The group being released is then detained further in an office while the head of police decides how to handle the processing, you then have your passport photocopied (main page and visa page), you were given the copy and asked to return to the police station the following week to meet immigration, and collect you phone, passport and motorbike at that time (assuming no immigration violations). Only then, after the 18 hour ordeal are you free to leave. NO "tourist police" were present or available at any time during this process (not that I believe they would be able to help anyway - but interesting in their absence the entire time considering how high profile they like to be on walking st). Also - don't think you can flash a few baht and get let off. I'm aware of a number if discreet attempts directed to the police at the testing station of amounts up to 3k baht which were politely returned. This story if from my personal experience, I was riding a scooter. I have lived in Thailand for 5+ years, I speak reasonable Thai, I have a Thai drivers license, I had 10k baht in cash on me, I had Thai helpers on the outside who know police and were able to plead my case to all levels of police. None of this helped me get processed any faster or dealt with any better. Not that would expect it too - but just as advice for those farang who think they are "special". I have no complaints - I was guilty. In future I will be catching a taxi. There is a new police chief in town - and he is cracking down on drink driving. Be warned! Here is the link to the FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/steve.plane/posts/3786348055591 CB

just tried and it is offline. WTF CB

Just received an update from Trip Advisor on Pattaya rentals and would like some thoughts from BM's on the ground there. I have looked at several rental sites and I think this one is way overpriced. What is your opinion? http://www.tripadvisor.com/VRACSearch?geo=293919&token=400e02a3be81cc771bb95391a60cf54f&pricePeriod=d&sortOrder=priceNightLow CB

Andy, that really brought back some memories of my days in Kuwait. Went to a buddy's villa (not youth's) for dinner one night with my Filipino GF at the time and he had Siddiqi hooch that we mixed with grapefruit juice. It wasn't the best tasting stuff, but it would get you drunk as hell if you imbibed too much of it. CB

That guy is pretty damn funny and really has a grasp on the obvious...............LOL CB

ok, thanks for the update Martin. CB

After looking at the Staff Page the last few times, I have noticed that Dante is no longer shown. Did he start another band somewhere else in Patts or a different business venture all together? Just Curious?????? CB

Ronald Reagan when I believe he was on the campaign trail. CB

Yes Martin, they post the score all the time during the game. Steve and I watched it (DirecTV) and what a great game it was. Nothing like the boring and I mean really boring Patriots--Broncos game. What a yawner!!!!! CB

I was stopped once in my 10 or so trips to Thailand. I was coming from Iraq via Dubai where I bought 8 bottles of booze. Stupid me, the lady cashier tried to tell me that I could only have one, but I bought them anyhow. Over $200 USD in value. Arrived at the airport, went through passport control, etc, picked up my luggage and put everything on the trolley and headed to meet my ride to Pattaya. At customs, with all my booze in plain sight I got stopped and the old guy there admonished me (rather nicely) and he confiscated one bottle (my choice) as a penalty. Of course the bottle wouldn't fit into the box there at customs, so he just said leave it on top of the box. I am sure it never made it into the box. BTW it was the least expensive bottle I had purchased, Polish Vodka. I think I got off rather easily now that I look back on it. CB

try asking Adam at Cherry Bar, he has a pig roasted at some of his parties and I bet he will have the pricing structure readily available and the right vendor to procure it from. CB

Lots of surprises yesterday, although I think GB was getting too big for their britches, way to go KC. It's not looking good health wise for my Steelers, hopefully Big Ben can play a full game tonight at SF, but I wouldn't count on it. I love the way that SD kicked the shit out of the Ravens last night. Steelers back in 1st place in their division now, hope they can hang on for home field advantage until they play at NE for the AFC title. Tebow is doing much better than expected and I see a lot of improvement in him over the last couple of months. I've always liked this guy, his drive and determination could be learned by a lot of prima donna players in the NFL. Hopefully Elway will really work with him in the off season and he can get even better. Anyways, my picks for the SuperBowl are the Steelers and the Packers with a different outcome this year. That will make 7, the most of any team in the modern era. GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!! CB

My TGF has a Shihtzu and it seems to be okay with the heat and really appreciates the full coat when the weather is cool in the village now. She also takes it to the pet salon for a trimming about every 6 weeks during the hot season. They are cute and fun little dogs and very loyal. I remember that my ex-wife had one and it protected her quite well, even when I was only teasing. Not dangerous, so to speak, but very, very vocal. CB

So the party might still be going on as it's 4:30 am there at the DD, is TTT horizontal or vertical? Happy Birthday Tony, hope your hangover doesn't last too many days............LOL

Great Job Frosty, Keep up the good work. CB

I have flown Thai before and it is one of the best flights out of LAX that is available. Well worth the extra money for the non-stop, which means no long layovers in Inchon (Asiana), etc. There and back, easy, peasy. Great plane with all the best, even in economy. I will not fly any other airline unless absolutely forced to do so. Gets me in BKK very early in the morning and I leave late at night, which in essence gives me almost an extra day on any vacation I take to LOS. I have never flown on any of their outdated equipment like the OP, but as far as getting there and back from stateside, it is the best option available for me. CB

That's one of the most disgusting displays I have ever seen. RIP and I hope the drivers are drawn and quartered very slowly so they have an idea how painful it must have been for the little girl. Watching it almost made me sick to my stomach. God help the person that ever perpetrated an act like that against any of my family. There isn't a death slow enough for them to suffer what I would have in mind for them. CB

Thanks Randy, I hope this gets shown to a very wide audience as it is very informative. CB

Rest is overrated, you can sleep when you die! No sympathy from me...........LOL CB

I agree with LeoTex, it is a great location and the first place I stayed in Thailand on my virgin trip back in 07. It's a bit spendy, but worth it in my opinion as it is a very classy place and the front desk TG's are very friendly. The rooms are up to date and good size with all the amenities. CB

I always use the safe in whatever establishment I am staying in. Whenever I go out I use a small wallet with just enough money to cover my possible expenses for the night and it is is my front pocket. I keep my bills in order of denomination as the wallet has a built in money clip. If I am wearing a shirt with pockets, I usually put it in there as the shirts I wear have velcro pockets. I have been using this method since my days in Viet Nam (71) and haven't ever had a problem. Not saying they haven't tried, but never successfull (knock on wood); About the only time I even came close was once on a baht bus coming from Residence Gardens down to Walking Street. 3 Thai women, one with a small child got on and 2 of them immediately sat on both sides of me. The younger one with the child engaged me in conversation whilst the other 2 were trying to get my wallet. I jumped up and yelled at the driver to call the police at which time the 3 of them got off and were saying what I take as some pretty nasty stuff to me in Thai. That was as close as I have ever been to having my wallet picked and it wasn't even really close as it was early in the evening and I was stone cold sober. Later on in the evening it might have been a different story, but then there wouldn't have been much baht for them to get. CB

Thanks Frosty, Very interesting service if one is in a hurry or doesn't like standing in long lines. CB