Lemondropkid

Revisiting this old thread after being back in the UK for a few weeks.

On the whole I've really enjoyed it. Taking time out of Thailand has made me realise how good the day to day life is there.

Downside to the UK for me is the spiralling cost of living. Feel for young people locked out of the housing market as interest rates have risen, and property values have continued to rise.

Realise more so now how lucky I am to be able to pick up, affordable quality rental accommodation.

Back to the burning heat next month 😀 are there any cooler climates in Asia in April/May that are good to escape to?

3 hours ago, Painter said:

I've been back nearly 4 weeks. It's rained on every day bar 3. This morning yet another gale along the Solent.

I'm supposedly not returning to Thailand until October, but last Friday's miserable weather had me looking at flights for next week....

Feel your pain!

I'd already booked a one way flight "home" next month.

Aside from the weather was missing the food after a day in the UK. An unhappy triple of more expensive, lower quality ingredients and less flavour ( comparing similar types of venue).

The joys of the UK coast. 40 mph.wind, driving rain and a real feel of 3 degrees Celsius. Thailand hot season feels more appealing now😀

5 minutes ago, Derek Dangleberries said:

Yeh.. I mentioned it earlier but didn't want to bet on it cos the odds were too short ... 80/1 is much better odds of winning isn't it ??

But...Minella Indo same jockey and trainer as the 2021 winner Minella Times. Maybe I need to be on Minella Indo too🤔

24 minutes ago, Nightcrawler said:

I've got 10 quid to win on PANDA BOY @ 12-1. Never ever won a bet on the GN before, so fingers crossed this time. I'm feeling lucky. 

 

 

Remind you of an old flame😜

Based on our relative performance at Cheltenham I probably should be following @Stillearly selections.

I really like Limerick Lace best handicapped horse in the race. Worst has to Mahler Mission. Carrying 7 pounds more for getting beaten in it's last race. How it gets a mark of 158( 1 win in 7 chases).and Limerick gets 147(5 wins in 10) I really don't get.

Happy to run off 10-8, rather than 11-5.

So there's Mahler Mission a certainty then!!!

Will also do Mr Incredible (named after a BM I believe...), and Vanillier along with the doomed Limerick Lace.

Good luck 🙃

8 hours ago, Farang-Jono said:

Hi all,

I will be emigrating to Thailand in the next 6 months or so. I am a natural Polyglot (English, Welsh, Gaeilge, Argentine Spanish, German & Hindustani), I did have Mandarin under my belt, but lost the spark for it over the years. Yet, since I'm relocating to Thailand forever, Thai needs to be added to the collection. Online searches come up blank about any proficiency tests for Thai, so it is unlikely that one exists? It is a huge shame if there isn't yet!

If there are no official proficiency tests, what would you think is the next best thing  is? I'm hoping to be based in and around Chiang Mai (Bangkok as a back-up) if location is important. I learned the alphabet and survival phrases back in 2016 when I last lived in Thailand, but naturally it has been exterminated from my memory (don't use it...lose it!). But I would rather start from the beginning after I have arrived rather than cramming in non-natural textbook vocabulary weeks/months before the flight. I want to learn the real, natural Thai spoken everyday from the very start.

With textbooks in mind, are there any that would be useful to purchase before flying out? I'm currently based in the UK. Maybe it is a better idea to buy them once in Thailand though? I would love to read some recommendations!  

Here's an analysis of Bangkok schools that might be useful.

https://www.expatden.com/thailand/language-school-bangkok/#Courses_and_Teaching_Methods

The analysis of each school's teaching methods may highlight the best fit for you.

Given some of will have branches outside of BKK there may be other locations to suit.

I've not found it an easy task finding the right school and tutor for myself. I am going to keep trying till I get there though🙂

27 minutes ago, Farang-Jono said:

Hi all,

I will be emigrating to Thailand in the next 6 months or so. I am a natural Polyglot (English, Welsh, Gaeilge, Argentine Spanish, German & Hindustani), I did have Mandarin under my belt, but lost the spark for it over the years. Yet, since I'm relocating to Thailand forever, Thai needs to be added to the collection. Online searches come up blank about any proficiency tests for Thai, so it is unlikely that one exists? It is a huge shame if there isn't yet!

If there are no official proficiency tests, what would you think is the next best thing  is? I'm hoping to be based in and around Chiang Mai (Bangkok as a back-up) if location is important. I learned the alphabet and survival phrases back in 2016 when I last lived in Thailand, but naturally it has been exterminated from my memory (don't use it...lose it!). But I would rather start from the beginning after I have arrived rather than cramming in non-natural textbook vocabulary weeks/months before the flight. I want to learn the real, natural Thai spoken everyday from the very start.

With textbooks in mind, are there any that would be useful to purchase before flying out? I'm currently based in the UK. Maybe it is a better idea to buy them once in Thailand though? I would love to read some recommendations!  

I've been doing beginners courses based on transliteration.

This seems to be precisely what you don't need.

If in the past you've been able to learn the Thai alphabet, I think you'll figure out the best way yourself.

12 hours ago, galenkia said:

might be of interest to @Krapow as it’s set in Belfast.

Not so sure, main character called Sean. Now if it was Billy 

5 hours ago, SteveBC said:

A most lovely brew, but at five and a half Pounds they could of filled it up........

The barman served me as a group of about 10 youngsters were slowly figuring out their drinks order.

He'd done me a massive favour, so accepting it with grateful thanks.

It was absolutely fantastic, had 3 of them🤤

1 hour ago, Derek Dangleberries said:

Yup.. and not many would know the name of the unit to be fair. Probably only Butch.

So the first verse makes it clear that I am in the Province of Ubon Ratchatani but not the town.

As for the military unit, @boydeste ate there today .......

 

Det Udom, hit lucky Boydy wasn't in the Sportsman(yet)

Oakham Citra around 250 baht- equivalent in London. Best beer I've had in months 🥲

7 minutes ago, Stillearly said:

Same here ... transfer will apparently be done at 03:55 ( U.K. time ) 

Any reason given? Before burning Wise are there better tried and trusted options?

Was too shocked to get a photo. Back in London, cheese, and ham croissant and a latte in a decent chain, Gail's.

450 baht- your welcome 😃

Just breezed through what seemed a pretty quiet BKK at 9.00AM, using the official fast track service.

https://limousine.in.th/

My lunchtime EVA flight was already showing 30 minutes late, but think that's usual for EVA, guessing flight was late leaving London 

3 hours ago, Bazle said:

I think it is not particularly good news! 

In relation to Phuket, I understand that they have been allowed to have a stand, but are required to charge the taxi mafia rates. 

I was solely thinking of BKK myself Baz, in terms of places I pass through often.

Never been to Phuket, the cost and transport issues have always put me off. I do hear it's terrific though.

This is good news. Grab officially allowed into both BKK airports, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2766949/grab-taxi-service-comes-to-suvarnabhumi

22 minutes ago, Derek Dangleberries said:

At this rate I'll be lucky to get past the 2000 barrier ...!!! 

Isn't there 8 game weeks left, you will be way by 2000?

Jeez have a look at my score this week if you think things are bad😭

19 minutes ago, Stillearly said:

Also with Billabong the 2-1 only applies to House spirits, the House vodka is the worse I have tasted ... if you order Smirnoff then they charge 130 Baht per drink ... I can get the same in an air conditioned bar or GoGo 🤷‍♂️

I now avoid , unless friends want to meet there ... but I prefer Time Bar myself 

Thanks for the current info. I'd much rather be over the road in air conditioned comfort, and not have to listen to the Billabong's awful house band.

Joy of Patts, something for everyone's tastes.

20 minutes ago, hugh cow said:

Went to the Triangle bar thought I'd try it out. Had a place mat that said All beer and spirits two for one. I asked the waitress (always looking for the scam) does that mean two drinks for the price of one. She said yes. I got the first drink and looked at the bin and the price was for two drinks. When I queried it they said that's right you get the one price for two drinks. Nice scam. First and last time I will go to the Triangle bar. Spoke to a guy on the way out and he got caught with the same thing. Said he was leaving after he finished the drink so two potential regulars that they lost. Not that they will care.

Out of interest how much did each beer work out as then?

The Billabong run the same scheme as I recall, I'd guess the real earner comes from the number of people who never finish there second drink, the probability of that rise with each order!!

The Sunday Times Thriller of the year, 2nd of 2 in series no need to read the first one to follow it. First book is excellent though, this has started very well.

Mozzarella, tomato, basil, touch of black pepper to keep it interesting, on sourdough. Balked a bit on the 240 baht price, but it was terrific.

4 hours ago, forcebwithu said:

wasn't happy with the trail the hares set. So many opportunities to avoid the farm fields and keep us under shade, but instead, for whatever reason they elected to use the unshaded areas. The worst was one section that went 600m on tarmac road. With the heat it felt like twice the distance. All the while I'm trudging along the road I'm looking to the left at beautiful tree canopy that if I were the hare I would have looped the trail through.

I'd have been furious. Its killing heat at the moment why deliberately put people through the worst of it?

Is this a macho thing?

You can get a visa on arrival, in January it only took around 5 minutes from handing my passport over to it being returned with a 1 month stamp. It may have even been $5 cheaper.

Here is the official site if you want to get the visa in advance.

https://www.evisa.gov.kh/

The processing time is a few working days. Simple print of the visa that you will get sent as an attachment.

There's nothing like the choice of accomodation you get in Thailand. If you need a pool then the Sun & Moon, if not a fellow BM gave me a glowing report on the Tao Riverside.

I've done 1000 baht rooms in the past in PP, but ended up with dingy, poorly lit rooms with questionable security. It just isn't worth it.

I tend to bring USD expect to often get your change in KHR. It would probably be most cost efficient to do everything in KHR but I've never gotten around to figuring the best way to do that.

I love Phom Penhn but it isn't cheap anymore, don't expect any bargains.

Have met some very civilised Russians living here, who make the average Brit look a peasant.

If made to pick I find the Indians consistently the rudest.