General Reports

I just asked myself why the stock market moved up strongly today.

The reason:

[URL]http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/MF30Ae01.html[/URL]

The described scenario is possible. Crispin is usually well informed (but also spreads rumors sometimes). In case that the meeting has really taken place and all parties will keep their word, then my expectations below will not materialize. After a period of "reconciliation" all Thais will live together happily for the next thousands of years, and the Thai economy will blossom!

And I will believe it when I see it happening. Not before.


Giotto
[url]http://www.livingstones.co.th[/url]

Nice analysis, thanks Giotto.

Anyone know of any good [free] online dating sites to meet thai women before I head over to Pattaya for 6 weeks in 5 weeks?

I recently had the pleasure of using VR Taxi service from Pattaya to the BKK Airport, and later from the Airport to Pattaya, as recommended by several previous posters here.

[url]http://www.pattaya-taxi.com/[/url]

I was picked up at my condo at 4:30 am in a late model comfortable air conditioned car. The driver arrived early and called to alert me just beforehand. The cost was 900 baht, tip: 100, which included all tolls, and I arrived at the airport in plenty of time to catch my flight to the US.

On my return to BKK, another driver was waiting for me just outside customs holding a sign with my name on it. Again, the car was late model, comfortable and air conditioned. The cost was 1000 baht to Pattaya, and I tipped 100 baht.

I highly recommend VR Taxi.

[QUOTE=Daddy07; 1171371]I recently had the pleasure of using VR Taxi service from Pattaya to the BKK Airport, and later from the Airport to Pattaya, as recommended by several previous posters here.

[url]http://www.pattaya-taxi.com/[/url]

I was picked up at my condo at 4:30 am in a late model comfortable air conditioned car. The driver arrived early and called to alert me just beforehand. The cost was 900 baht, tip: 100, which included all tolls, and I arrived at the airport in plenty of time to catch my flight to the US.

On my return to BKK, another driver was waiting for me just outside customs holding a sign with my name on it. Again, the car was late model, comfortable and air conditioned. The cost was 1000 baht to Pattaya, and I tipped 100 baht.

I highly recommend VR Taxi. [/QUOTE]Daddy07,

Only a old Daddy like you would get this type of service?

BM

[QUOTE=LittleBigMan; 1171372]Daddy07,

Only a old Daddy like you would get this type of service?

BM[/QUOTE]Or maybe even a young whipper snapper like you. :)

Wild Country has closed for good.I will miss the days of getting a blowjob in the back storeroom while sitting on a box of Heineken.

I am wondering if anyone has any experience with Rosetta Stone language software? They only offer level 1 and reviews are mixed. I prefer software to use with my computer if it is any good. A class in Thailand would probably be best, but are they offered for visitors in Pattaya? I am from the US and hope to be there later in the year or just after the first of the year and stay for two months minimum. I would appreciate any recommendations. Thanks

[QUOTE=Hobbyist2;1171592]I am wondering if anyone has any experience with Rosetta Stone language software? They only offer level 1 and reviews are mixed. I prefer software to use with my computer if it is any good. A class in Thailand would probably be best, but are they offered for visitors in Pattaya? I am from the US and hope to be there later in the year or just after the first of the year and stay for two months minimum. I would appreciate any recommendations. Thanks[/QUOTE]Some people can learn a new language as easily as it is to go to the 7-11 store and pick up a carton of milk. Others (like me) struggle with it. I've tried Rosetta Stone (expensive and eBay always removes used Rosetta Stone for-sale so you'll be stuck with it since re-selling violates a licensing agreement) , Pimsleur, and a couple of other language courses. I kept falling asleep using the Rosetta Stone. The Pimsleur was the probably the best, but it still has its limits. Thai is a very hard language to master and if you're not constantly practicing it, you forget it fast.

For me, I learned certain basic phrases in Thai (for example, Do you know how to speak English?) from Pimsleur. If you know a few words and phrases in Thai (plus their customs) , the Thais seem to give you a bit more respect as a foreigner. That being said, if you go to any major city and you don't know any Thai, you can still get by without any problem.

If you're going to be there for 2 month, I'd download a Thai phrasebook application to your iPod and practice until your departure and wait until you get to Thailand to take classes (unless you can find classes in your hometown).

[QUOTE=Yujin; 1171599]Some people can learn a new language as easily as it is to go to the 7-11 store and pick up a carton of milk. Others (like me) struggle with it. I've tried Rosetta Stone (expensive and eBay always removes used Rosetta Stone for-sale so you'll be stuck with it since re-selling violates a licensing agreement) , Pimsleur, and a couple of other language courses. I kept falling asleep using the Rosetta Stone. The Pimsleur was the probably the best, but it still has its limits. Thai is a very hard language to master and if you're not constantly practicing it, you forget it fast.

For me, I learned certain basic phrases in Thai (for example, Do you know how to speak English?) from Pimsleur. If you know a few words and phrases in Thai (plus their customs) , the Thais seem to give you a bit more respect as a foreigner. That being said, if you go to any major city and you don't know any Thai, you can still get by without any problem.

If you're going to be there for 2 month, I'd download a Thai phrasebook application to your iPod and practice until your departure and wait until you get to Thailand to take classes (unless you can find classes in your hometown).[/QUOTE]Thanks for the response. I was in Thailand recently and did fine with no Thai language ability. However, it would have been better to know some of the language. The next trip will be for a longer stay, so some language ability would be helpful. I'll check into Pimsleur. Thanks

Since this is a sex guide site, Thai sexual words / phrases might be of interest to some readers:

[url]http://thai-language.com/id/589875[/url]

[QUOTE=Hobbyist2;1171592]I am wondering if anyone has any experience with Rosetta Stone language software? They only offer level 1 and reviews are mixed. I prefer software to use with my computer if it is any good. A class in Thailand would probably be best, but are they offered for visitors in Pattaya? I am from the US and hope to be there later in the year or just after the first of the year and stay for two months minimum. I would appreciate any recommendations. Thanks[/QUOTE]Have you tried Thaipod101. Com?

[QUOTE=Pita123;1171639]Have you tried Thaipod101. Com?[/QUOTE]No, just learned of it now. I'll give it a try. Thanks

[QUOTE=Hobbyist2;1171592]I am wondering if anyone has any experience with Rosetta Stone language software? They only offer level 1 and reviews are mixed. I prefer software to use with my computer if it is any good. A class in Thailand would probably be best, but are they offered for visitors in Pattaya? I am from the US and hope to be there later in the year or just after the first of the year and stay for two months minimum. I would appreciate any recommendations. Thanks[/QUOTE]It's fine if you want to learn how to speak to diplomats and perhaps the king, but useless for speaking to the natives.

This is the headline from an interesting WSJ report. [url]http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304569504576403550032244010.html?mod=WSJ_hps_editorsPicks_2[/url]

Chuvit Kamolvisit, to quote from the report: "rose to fame by accusing police of extracting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from his sex empire and then failing to protect him in a land dispute. Using skills learned at business school in San Diego, Calif, Mr. Chuvit was one of the biggest in the business, which the World Health Organization has estimated could include as many as 200, 000 sex workers in Thailand. He built up a chain of cavernous emporiums with names like "The Sea of Love" and "Copacabana," where scores of women wearing little but bikinis and numbers on plastic tags waited behind glass walls for customers." Guess we all know about that, LOL.

"We need a strong opposition here to make the executive side stronger," Mr. Chuvit says during a campaign stop in Bangkok's notorious Patpong red-light district, where he is viewed as something of an improbable folk hero."That's why Thailand needs me. No other politician wants to ask questions because they want to get into power. Corruption is a big, big problem in Thailand."

No kidding, Mr. Chuvit. Anyway I thought you guys might enjoy reading this article. Elections tomorrow. The results should be interesting.