Just wondering like.
Not being funny or trying to cause trouble , although I am a funny guy, so I've been told
I don't understand why they like to Lock Threads, kind of takes away the function of an open forum for members to post on.
Then after it's locked you get Threads asking why they like to lock Threads.... [Read More]

...is a genuinely scary place to be on a Saturday night, when you're 27 (though looking "young for your age") and with a former colleague in their 40s. Apparently it's kicking out time for most bars, and if you want to further imbibe, your choice is limited to one or two bars with live music.

Unsurprisingly, bands that play at this unholy hour, are shit. During my hour or so of adventure, my ears were treated to shockingly bad renditions of Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit, Rage Against the Machine's Killing in the Name of, and of course, The Eagles' Hotel California. Top tip for the thousands of bands out there that want to make it big: take the time to learn the lyrics if you're going to do a cover of someone else's song.

Ladies of the night are of course in abundant supply. My moneyed friend basked in the limelight of his new found fame, as buxom 30 somethings competed for his attention and hung on his every word. As a man two and a half years into a long term relationship, I cringed when stroked, prodded or poked by plain, or dare I say downright ugly ladies, who were desperately searching for a last minute Romeo.

The lowlight of my night came when an old African looking lady set up shop on an adjacent stool and began stroking my leg. Every minute that passed brought a new thought, which had to be shared. Rather than leaning over and politely attracting my attention, her MO was to take hold of my head and yank it towards her mouth. Desperate glances towards my friend, silently appealing for help, were ignored as he maintained eye contact with his new friend's breasts.

Many would immediately indicate to the lecherous lady that her fondles were unwelcome,... [Read More]

I’ve got a couple of sisters who do the monthly VAT and annual tax returns, etc for ajarn.com. Proper old school. Both in their late 70’s but sharp as a tack the pair of them. They know every loophole in the Thai system and then some. They live in a great big mansion at the end of a small soi near my house and once a month I pop round with a manila envelope, hand it to the gardener or gatekeeper – whoever comes to the end of the driveway first – and leave. There’s no need for me actually to go into the office where the two sisters work, even though they love to see me and reminisce about the two decades when they both lived in Southern England.

Early in January, my wife and I went round to the office with a nice box of cookies, nothing too lavish but it’s the thought that counts. There they both were beavering away with their calculators and ledgers. “oooh what a lovely surprise Philip. Thank you so much”

We exchanged five minutes of small talk and then just as we were about to leave, the older sister dropped a bombshell. “Would you and Tun like to come to church with us one of these Sundays. It’s a lovely church. You’ll have a great time. And you might meet some very important people”
I just grinned like an idiot and said “yes that would be nice” Thinking, as you do, that five minutes later, everyone would forget that the conversation ever took place. Wrong! My wife has been plagued with phone calls on almost a daily... [Read More]

I’m genuinely curious about those of you who have Thai partners and more to the point, what is their relationship with their work? I’d love to get your opinions.

My wife and I never ever argue or have what you might call ‘blazing rows’ but whenever we have ‘heated conversations’ it’s always to do with the topic of ‘her work and her relationship with it’

I firmly believe that when you marry a Thai woman, you and your well-being come third in the pecking order. You are behind family and work. Coming second to the Thai family I can accept but playing second fiddle to work has never sat easy with me.

The whole work situation has always been destined to cause friction between us. My father is one of the old school – “don’t give the bastards a minute that they’re not paying you for” was his motto during his working life. That’s the environment I grew up in and the stance I’ve taken on board as an adult.

In contrast, my wife has always been the classic ‘willing horse’ She’s had four jobs since I’ve known her and in every single one, she’s been overworked and put under constant pressure simply because I believe she has never harnessed the power of saying no. I’ve seen her come home in tears because she can’t cope with the workload. That can’t be right. I hoped this latest job would be different but certainly not from the way it’s panning... [Read More]

The song, the context.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQYQTFudrqc

Olga, the German exchange student. God she was different.

"Like other expatriates, he could never go home again, and yet sensed that he would never become truly Thai."

I took this single quote from a story on Yahoo! that I saw today, the subject of which was Jim Thompson and that is whom the quote is about.
The link to the entire story, which isn't that great TBS is: New, darker portrait of legendary American - Yahoo! News

Putting that feller and the article aside I wonder who and how many on this board might feel much the same?

http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/the-vir...-thailand.html

On the other side of the coin, whats keep you out of Thailand?


For me, its another 10 months until her in doors gets a Brit passport so we are here for now.

Also, not yet being in a position to start a business and at the same time knowing I can't get a job to my liking in Bangkok - and I cant just not work.

Greetings,
I have taught in Thailand for only few months. As a new teacher, I seek to improve my lessons, therefore any suggestions on what to change or improve are most appreciated.

Lesson with P1 class
Teaching Thai kids - the easiest job ever! - YouTube
And singing Xmas songs with K3 class
Teaching Thai kids #2 - YouTube


Ps problem of excessive sweating already solved. Solution? Bring your own fan!

Go on! Trawl the interwebz and find a car that sums you up. Not what you'd choose, but what you are.

Update as your mood changes.

This is Wilhelm... the Bugatti Type 57



http://static.desktopnexus.com/thumb...gthumbnail.jpg

http://blog.norcalcars.com/wp-conten...ttiType-57.jpg

And you?

Hello everyone,

I would like to hear the reasons or experiences that keeps you living or returning to the "Land of Smiles"...

Thank you

Lethal Lemon

Seriously.... the question has nothing to do with Dre's thread but I was wondering like why ban when you let them in with another nic anyways? What's the point? Just don't ban like or don't.

A little research wouldn't do any harm, yet many film researchers seem to do little more than read a few lines of the Lonely Planet and walk past Patpong - right, that's Thailand summed up, now back to the script.

In American Gangster, Denzil Washington discusses a multi million dollar drug deal in a soi Cowboy gogo bar, wouldn't the boardroom have been more suitable? Actually in that film there are no lengthy scenes set in Thailand so they can get away with that. After watching Bridget Jones 2:The Edge of Reason, I felt compelled to throw up on behalf of all of the British film industry. The Andy Lau film, A Fighters Blues, which was a HK production, didn't bother with any tinkering of what their idea of Thailand was, and just left it alone. The result was a brilliant multi-language film (Thai, English, Cantonese) set in real locations around Bangkok and Pattaya.

Recently I saw Brokedown Palace, the story of two female American backpackers imprisoned in Bangkok. The script was quite cold and callous towards Thailand and it was no wonder it was shot in the Phillipines. The arrogant leading lady, Clare Danes, who comes across as completely unlikeable in the film, also angered the Filipinos with negative comments. The Beach didn't really show much of city life as it set at a beach, and there was minimal interaction with any actual Thais in the film for me to find a fault with it. Then again the portrayal of the crappy guesthouse in Khao San Road that Leonardo stayed in was spot on.

Emmanuelle showed a bit of early 70s Bangkok and Sylvia Kristel even ate noodles whilst riding along one of Bangkok's then-many canals. I'd safely bet that the... [Read More]

Check out Google.

Wikipedia is closed for 24 hours.

Other sites closing down.

This is the growing response to the govt's (US) anti-piracy laws.

---Update---

Wikipedia, Google Go Black to Protest SOPA - WSJ.com

LiveLeak.com - note that this is a graphic video. Please avoid if you may find it disturbing. What we need to do if figure out why people do these things, identify what they are going through, and attempt to prevent it. Budd Dwyer suicide video


Budd Dwyer, a former Pennsylvania politician, committed suicide at a press conference January 22, 1987.

Best Picture

The Artist
The Descendants
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The Help
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
Moneyball
The Tree of Life
War Horse


Best Supporting Actor

Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn
Jonah Hill, Moneyball
Nick Nolte, Warrior
Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Max Von Sydow, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close


Best Supporting Actress

Berenice Bejo, The Artist
Jessica Chastain, The Help
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer, The Help


Best Actress

Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis, The Help
Rooney Mara, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn


Best Actor

Demian Bichir, A Better Life
George Clooney, The Descendants
Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Brad Pitt, Moneyball


Best Director

Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist
Alexander Payne, The Descendants
Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Terrence Malick, Tree of Life


Best Adapted Screenplay

The Descendants, Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash
Hugo, John Logan
The Ides of March, George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Beau... [Read More]

Just thought I'd let you guys and gals know that Makro are selling a rather large 51 litre "portable" oven for the princely sum of 2990 baht.

It's got a timer, rotisserie oven and convection options and claims to have a top temperature of 250 degrees Celsius.

Comes with a grill part, baking tray and spit.

Heats up very quickly, but the whole thing stays hot after you finished so be careful. Not cooked anything yet but I'm happy with my purchase.

Made by Minoya?????

no ceremony, just the legal paperwork and stuff.

We will be having the Buddhist ceremony and evening piss up in Hua Hin in a few months.

A few technical hiccups but we managed it. Married in the district of Sathorn at around 4pm... with my mom as a witness. Then off to the Londoner for a meal and a few beers. I'm now spending my first evening as a married man watching UFC (muscle-bound men in pants cuddling each other.) with whisky. The wife is still watching her soaps.

..and we put down a deposit on a house 2moro if I wake up in time..