General Reports

[QUOTE=Squalid;1923784]Where in the article of thePhuketnews is written that the girls in Nataree had not full freedom to leave the job? I read that many of them were "lured" to work at Nataree. English is not my first language but I think that "lured" does not mean "compelled", "forced" or "constrained".
[/QUOTE]Look I don't care what exact words were used in the article. My understanding after talking to several girls over several years, was that they did not receive any significant share of the payment and that it went to her "manager". She was also not free to simply leave the job if she wanted to go work some other place or other job. You can imagine the pimps would be upset about that. Some girls were on a "contract" to pay back some debt. I am disagreeing with that sort of thing. Illegal girls, e. G. Foreigners, with no papers are not in a position to run to the police that may be corrupt anyway. Nataree was not the only place I met a girl with a "contract debt". Mona Lisa was another example, its too long ago to remember all cases in detail now.

If girl received an extra cash tip, it would be appreciated but had to be kept secret from the "managers" who provided the lodgings, the transport, everything really. Charges for these things would be added to the girl's debt.

I did not have same conversations with every girl I met there. There are many girls where I don't know their circumstances, and what I am told is just stories rather than facts. However I reached the conclusion that not all girls were free to do as they pleased for one reason or another.

I don't think Massage shops or other shops should be allowed to have a direct relationship with managers of the girls (pimps). Girls should receive the money they earn directly. What complicates the issue, is the illegality of selling sex in the first place.

[QUOTE=Syzygies;1925204]Look I don't care what exact words were used in the article. My understanding after talking to several girls over several years, was that they did not receive any significant share of the payment and that it went to her "manager". She was also not free to simply leave the job if she wanted to go work some other place or other job. You can imagine the pimps would be upset about that. Some girls were on a "contract" to pay back some debt. I am disagreeing with that sort of thing. Illegal girls, e. G. Foreigners, with no papers are not in a position to run to the police that may be corrupt anyway. Nataree was not the only place I met a girl with a "contract debt". Mona Lisa was another example, its too long ago to remember all cases in detail now..[/QUOTE]I do not doubt that some girls said to you about "managers" controlling them and that they could not leave the massage parlor for going to another place or another kind of job, until debt is paid with interests. And I surely agree with you, disagreeing that sort of thing. I only pointed out that in the link you provided such stories were not mentioned.

Maybe the girls are scared to report to the police about the contract debt and the pimps getting the most of their wage. Though we don't know why the girls are in the contract debt; not necessarily they were sold to the pimps against their will. They could have agreed to the contract debt knowing what they would face, but knowing also that when the debt is paid, their finances will be better than not agreeing to the "contract". Furthermore they could prefer to be controlled to stay in the massage parlor brothel, rather to be controlled to work as peasants or other hard jobs. Besides, they could have only tried to arouse your pity to convince you to give them a larger tip, LOL.

Contrary to you, I never heard those stories from Nataree girls. Maybe because I frequented the place only from 2014 and, of the girls I met there, only one spoke good English: a 26 years old former caddy at a golf club, with beautiful face, nice body and the usual minimal service you got at that place. Of the other girls, someone could not understand "how old are you" and "where you come from" either.

By my side, I don't speak Thai language (nor Burmese, LOL) and I usually don't ask to the girls why they do that job, nor I like they ask me why I go to the massage parlor (now it doesn't happen anymore, but 15-20 years ago, when I was in my early thirties, they asked me frequently). I only ensured that, before choosing the lady, she showed me some sign of interest, at least a faint smile.

The only time that a girl spoke to me about contract debts in Thailand was in 2002-2003. I barfined a very nice girl at a big bar in Soi Cowboy. She come from Surin, was 18 year old (maybe) and spoke poor English. The second time I barfined her I wanted to ask why she worked in the bar and the answer was: "loan", "loan".

About Mona Lisa, once I asked a massage lady to come to my hotel when she did not work at the parlor. She said she could not do that and made a sign with her hand that her throat would be cut. Though, it could only be a way to refuse my proposal and to avoid that I insist or that I feel offended.

I don't know if girls from Myanmar can all speak their official language. Various racial groups like Karen and Thaiyai have their own languages. I will ask a Thaiyai girl that I know what languages she speaks. One if them is a northern Thai dialect. She does not speak English. She speaks Thai a bit strangely. Lives in Chiang Mai these days.

[QUOTE=Syzygies;1925503]I don't know if girls from Myanmar can all speak their official language. [/QUOTE]You are correct, not all can speak the official language.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;1924818]This chick who I have been messing with for years works at a restaurant. She was telling me about an upcoming holiday where some customer wants her to prepare a bite-sized desert. I forgot the name of them, but they have to be made by hand. Usually she charges 5 baht each for them. But this customer needs like 1500. So guess how much she will charge? 6 baht each! I said but they are giving you more business so you are supposed to charge them less. She said but since it is more work for her to do she has to charge them more. Well since you put it like that...

I just asked and she sent me a picture of them and said this time she only had to make 1400. She said in February she had to make 3000 for the same customer.[/QUOTE]I kinda agree with her! I would do the same, IF I had to make something a) during or right before a holiday b) make a heck of a lot more than I like to make, Per day, and c) have it still be fresh (as the customer surely can tell) and maintain the consistency and quality.

So, in this case I think I would do the same, simply because of having to produce more in a very limited amount of time, right before a holiday, and if the demand for my product, and my time during the holiday, had an "opportunity cost".

I'm not implying that all of the above concepts went through the girl's head, but rather lessons learned from prior experience with the same customer for large quantities in a short time window right before a holiday.

I would like to ask Syzgies or any Thai speaker to please help me pronounce Asoke. It looks easy enough. I say Asoke as if it rhymes with the word book. But on the BTS it seems the announcement says asoo as if the "k" were silent. My hearing sucks but I would like to pronounce this word correctly since I go there all the time while in BKK.

And while we are at it the words for blowjob and handjob. Is the word for blowjob pronounced like home without the "h"? And is the word for handjob pronounced chuck wow? Thanks for any answers. I am embarrassed I know so little Thai.

[QUOTE=Allover;1925592]

Is the word for blowjob pronounced like home without the "h"? .[/QUOTE]Close enough.

[QUOTE=Allover;1925592]I would like to ask Syzgies or any Thai speaker to please help me pronounce Asoke. It looks easy enough. I say Asoke as if it rhymes with the word book. But on the BTS it seems the announcement says asoo as if the "k" were silent. My hearing sucks but I would like to pronounce this word correctly since I go there all the time while in BKK.

And while we are at it the words for blowjob and handjob. Is the word for blowjob pronounced like home without the "h"? And is the word for handjob pronounced chuck wow? Thanks for any answers. I am embarrassed I know so little Thai.[/QUOTE]Asoke sounds like Ah-soak (the Ah is short). So does not really rhyme with book. The K is very soft so understandable difficult to hear.

Om means to keep something in the mouth (like a sucker or a dick). Rhymes with Home I guess but shorter. Thai O sound is different to English O, closer to German O sound, so like the Om in German Thomas. Say Om with a very closed small mouth. Om Joo (or Om Hum) would mean suck on the dick. Joo rhymes with Coup (silent p).

Most girls probably know the English "Blowjob". Sometimes it is known as "smoking" by bargirls since the Thai word "doot" is used for sucking or smoking a cigarette.

Chuck Wow means literally "fly a kite" but is a Euphemism for a wank. How to use for a HJ I am not sure, I never ask for HJ.

I guess "Chuay Chuck Wow hai (phom)" would mean Help wank me. I would be more likely to say "Chuay nuat joo" meaning help massage my dick.

[QUOTE=Syzygies;1925611]Asoke sounds like Ah-soak (the Ah is short). So does not really rhyme with book. The K is very soft so understandable difficult to hear.
[/QUOTE]Maybe sound of Asoke is closer to Ah-Sork in English, rhymes with the way a German would pronounce Coke (small round closed mouth). I have studied German a bit as well. As mentioned before Thai vowels are similar to German vowel sounds and not so similar to English vowels, with a few exceptions, where an English vowel is very much the same as Thai vowel, however not for letter O.

Some Thai words are very difficult to make into an English approximation.

Years ago, in addition to Thai language classes, I got to listen to Thai a lot by watching Thai Soap Opera videos, when I was not actually in Thailand, once my Thai reached a basic level. These can be obtained on Youtube, however it is hard to find any of these serials that are really watchable. Most are a bit too childish and too over acted. In the modern day I use Thai language every day in Thailand. Hardly speak English.

At start, everyone needs a good strict teacher to fix pronunciation problems. Wrong pronunciation makes you non understandable, wrong grammar is not a problem at all. besides Thai grammar is exceptionally easy. Learned with a few basic drills of the patterns.

I am here 30 to 40% of the time. For any guys exceeding these levels of attendance, I do recommend to learn Thai. My task now is to learn Isaan dialect when I have time. If you have no time to dedicate to a language, it becomes a bit hopeless. Really needs consistent effort, nearly every day.

Ordered a combo 8 at KFC in Bangkok. It has a zinger, fries, large Pepsi, coleslaw, a large piece of chicken at THB 161.00. Really cheap when you compare it with any country. Even in Pattaya, the same combo is at THB 249.00. Very strange.

[QUOTE=Manfield04;1929375]Ordered a combo 8 at KFC in Bangkok. It has a zinger, fries, large Pepsi, coleslaw, a large piece of chicken at THB 161.00. Really cheap when you compare it with any country. Even in Pattaya, the same combo is at THB 249.00. Very strange.[/QUOTE]The price of food in Thailand can be as little as 20% of the price you would expect to pay in my home country. So junk food (high calories low nutrition) places like Maccas (McDonalds) and KFC are not the cheapest way to eat, if cheap is a major factor. You can get more nutritional dishes containing vegetable content for 30 or 40 Baht. Maybe up to 90 Baht for a good quantity of meat to be added. You can live very cheaply. Its mongering that costs significant money.

I try to cut down significantly on dining in restaurants as its a waste of money. Even cook my own food here, although not cheaper than buying it ready made. If I eat in restaurant, I want reasonably good quality, same as if I monger I want a reasonably good quality girl, not always the cheapest.

I never eat KFC or McDonalds. I am watching my weight somewhat, and I never used them even when not dieting.

Thanks for your input. May be I didn't convey the point I was trying to make in a better way. The same menu of a multinational food chain has such a big price difference: THB 161.00 in Bangkok and THB 249.00 in Pattaya.

You may be having a different diet or eating habit that's good for you. My diet or eating habit is different from yours. That's all.

[QUOTE=Syzygies;1929724] The price of food in Thailand can be as little as 20% of the price you would expect to pay in my home country. I never eat KFC or McDonalds. I am watching my weight somewhat, and I never used them even when not dieting.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Manfield04;1929839]Thanks for your input. May be I didn't convey the point I was trying to make in a better way. The same menu of a multinational food chain has such a big price difference: THB 161.00 in Bangkok and THB 249.00 in Pattaya.

You may be having a different diet or eating habit that's good for you. My diet or eating habit is different from yours. That's all.[/QUOTE]Prices go up in tourist areas. Obvious really. A haircut where I stay is very cheap. If I get it cut in tourist area, the price doubles. Prices in Supermarkets like Foodland, VillaMarkt, and MaxValue can be steep in tourist areas, especially for imported Stuff. Italian coffee grounds like Lavazza could be 3 to 4 times the price in Italy. They even can charge a lot for onions claiming they were imported. They sell exotic brands of Ice Cream at incredible prices. Not sure if these stores also operate in non tourist areas.

I suggest you boycott KFC in Pattaya at least, if the price really matters. I would. My 249 Baht could do much better. I bought a whole roast chicken the other day for 109 Baht in Tesco Lotus. I have a microwave and fridge so that will last me several meals. A quarter at a time is enough protein. I add vegetables separately. If I am lazy to cook, I can buy a pre-prepared meal serve in a plastic bag at local street side stalls, often 30 to 40 Baht. I known this is not relevant to you but I suggest it to others looking to save money. I don't have microbe phobias so am happy to buy from street stalls that do brisk business and have fresh stuff. I don't eat French fries and rarely eat rice. These are considered junk filler non-nutritional stuff. I do eat bad stuff sometimes when it is sufficiently enticing. I try to keep sugar intake well down. That is not possible at McDonalds that put sugar even on French Fries and have high sugar buns. It is possible to get a reasonable quality hamburger at certain places and I do. Nana Hamburger stand is not one of them. The guy who runs that now is dumb and buys low quality meat.

[QUOTE=Syzygies;1931074]Prices go up in tourist areas. Obvious really. A haircut where I stay is very cheap. If I get it cut in tourist area, the price doubles. Prices in Supermarkets like Foodland, VillaMarkt, and MaxValue can be steep in tourist areas, especially for imported Stuff. Italian coffee grounds like Lavazza could be 3 to 4 times the price in Italy. They even can charge a lot for onions claiming they were imported. They sell exotic brands of Ice Cream at incredible prices. Not sure if these stores also operate in non tourist areas.

I suggest you boycott KFC in Pattaya at least, if the price really matters. I would. My 249 Baht could do much better. I bought a whole roast chicken the other day for 109 Baht in Tesco Lotus. I have a microwave and fridge so that will last me several meals. A quarter at a time is enough protein. I add vegetables separately. If I am lazy to cook, I can buy a pre-prepared meal serve in a plastic bag at local street side stalls, often 30 to 40 Baht. I known this is not relevant to you but I suggest it to others looking to save money. I don't have microbe phobias so am happy to buy from street stalls that do brisk business and have fresh stuff. I don't eat French fries and rarely eat rice. These are considered junk filler non-nutritional stuff. I do eat bad stuff sometimes when it is sufficiently enticing. I try to keep sugar intake well down. That is not possible at McDonalds that put sugar even on French Fries and have high sugar buns. It is possible to get a reasonable quality hamburger at certain places and I do. Nana Hamburger stand is not one of them. The guy who runs that now is dumb and buys low quality meat.[/QUOTE]Just curious, but where do you get a good Hamburger in BKK?

Have you tried the Daniel Thaiger food truck? I keep meaning to try it but never get around to it.

[QUOTE=UncleVolodya;1931676]Where do you get a good Hamburger in BKK?
[/QUOTE]Oskar's Bistro has a pretty tasty cheeseburger served up with hand cut fries and as a bonus you can check out some of the well dressed FL's while you are there. Ha Ha. Additionally I am sure many of the classy 5* hotel restaurants will serve up a quality burger too. The worst burger I have ever tried was the MOS Burger in Central World. What an abomination. You got to love the Japanese, not.

Stay thirsty, Uncle V.