dixon cox

6 hours ago, Pulci Gorgon said:

I found fairly a drastic solution to avoid annoying situations in bars. I just don't go to bars in Thailand.

I agree completely. In fact I could not agree more with your entire post. I only logged in to 'Like' your post.

If someone wants to look around Pattaya with no interaction at all then just watch YouTube videos of people walking around Pattaya.

10 hours ago, Pdoggg said:

First heard in Manchester in the early 90's a NO MARK is a man who is mediocre and not a success in life. One who has left "no mark" on the world

Also commonly used in Merseyside to describe an underacheiver, with no friends, no ambition, no job, but who often has illusions that he is someone or thinks he's important.

Still commonly heard and used in Manchester, especially when you add those who are repulsively patriotic, still live with their Mum, and holiday in Benidorm.

Good description, Mr.Doggg.

15 hours ago, Pdoggg said:

Some guys tell me that various food delivery apps have substantial discounts.  I've never used them.

I don't use apps on my phone although some are installed but rarely, if ever, get used.  No food apps at all.

10 hours ago, Pdoggg said:

BANGKOK -- The Thai baht was the worst performer among commonly traded Southeast Asian currencies during the first quarter, as its fundamentals were eroded due to lack of tourist spending.

The £ has also enjoyed the best part of a 10% rise in exchange against the Baht since the beginning of the year. I can't say I'll be shedding any tears for Thailand for the depletion of their substantial surplus. I find it quite heart-warming to read there's now a deficit as it may assist in bringing their flip-flops back down to earth.

Reducing quarantine from 14 to 10 days is barely a feeble hobble in the right direction. Any length of mandatory quarantine is too much for the majority, I would suspect. The biggest impact will come when it is reduced to zero, assuming people still have the desire to travel internationally and to travel to Thailand.

I can't help but think the income from tourism is vastly underestimated in Thailand. So much money changes hands between foreigners and Thais which never gets detected.

1 hour ago, seven said:

Now mexican is.

Decent Mexican food is massively underrepresented in Pattaya. Such a shame. It is poorly represented back in the UK as well.

If the Thais gave the Mexicans the same concessions as they do the Indians (I have no idea what either get, just saying) a few Indian restaurants could be replaced.  I do like Indian food very much, but there are too many and they over-charge for what you get.

I've had food brought to me from Siamburi's, mainly cheese, but never been myself. Too far.  Been to Nadia's on Soi Bongkot 8 now about 6 times. The last time was the other day and that was the first time there was another customer in there at the same time as me. I've always shopped alone until then. Semolina, rice pudding, HP Sauce, Branston Pickle, Cheese, Yorkshire Teabags and two packs of Rich Tea biccies for dunkies. All the essentials now in stock (in my kitchen).

I miss the UK purely for seeing my Mum and for some decent fish & chips and a decent Chinese takeaway. The rest they can keep.

It's just after 3am here in the land of painted smiles and I'm not long back from Soi Honey. One teaspoon of my next generation lighter and a ham & cheese toasty to soak up the Listerine.

Remind me. What is this thread about?

I've used Wise (formerly known as Transferwise) for years and have never had any issue. All completely transparent regarding fees etc..

Here is an example of the most recent transaction to my Bangkok Bank account using Wise. Initiated on 3rd February 2021, the money transfer completed the same day. The time taken is usually less than an hour, if not just an hour or two.

Transfer Overview
Amount sent - 2,500 GBP
Converts to - 102,016.53 THB
Fee - 13.49 GBP
Exchange rate - 41.0280

No further fees at either end and the exchange rates are extremely favourable. Total transfer cost was 13.49 GBP.

If you're considering joining you can use this affiliate style link provided to me by Wise:

https://transferwise.com/invite/u/michaelb89

Once joined you will also have your own link to share.

Just to add, the money sent above was directly from my Wise account, which can be held in a selection of different currencies, to my Bangkok Bank account in Thailand.

To load my Wise account from my UK bank account (in my case Natwest) is free because it is a UK bank to UK bank money transfer, not an overseas transfer. I made an online transfer just now at no cost from Natwest to Wise and it was instant. Wise has accounts in many, many different countries and currencies for this purpose.

It is a 3-step process. Domestic bank account -> Wise -> Thai (foreign) bank account, or any overseas individual's bank account.

11 hours ago, seven said:

Tell me it wasn't Dixon who gave you old stamps.

No such thing as 'old stamps' in my world as they all get redeemed, plus I don't give away shit.

I ordered 4 lots of bulk buys from 7-11 earlier this evening and used the last of my loose stamps in the process. Sadly my usual pomegranate Purika drink wasn't available by the box so I settled for a box of (24) mixed fruit Purika instead. They'll deliver it all on a trolley in the coming days. Not sure why, but when those 7-11 girls knock on my door and I'm in my under-crackers I want them to see my willy. They always deliver in pairs and sadly one's always a munter which is off-putting.

I think they do it on purpose. C'est la vie.

The stamp collection seems to be an annual promotion as I've been doing it for several years already. Runs for around 3 or 4 months, ending mid-November after which no further stamps are issued. Stamps can be redeemed up until mid-December. Stamp books do not have to be complete and can contain any number when redeeming. The crappy gifts on offer are not compulsory. All stamps can be redeemed for anything in-store apart from alcohol and tobacco. They will also not be issued for any alcohol or tobacco purchases. This is my understanding.

So far I've redeemed 4x full cards and have one incomplete card which has quite a lot on it. Each full card is worth B225 and can be spent on anything (besides booze or fags).

No doubt holidaymakers chuckle at the stingy poor expats living on apparent satang-counting budgets, but this is not the case for the majority, certainly not for anyone I know.

These stamps, pronounced suh-tamp, are in abundance when you live here. I buy the bulk of my liquids (water, milk, coffee, cold drinks. yoghurts, and various snacks etc.) from 7-11s and probably visit my local shop at least 3 times per week. I just bung these stamps in a heap and eventually get around to sticking them in the provided books.

I also get certain items delivered to my door free of charge by my local 7-11. Such as Nescafe tinned coffees (x30 in a tray), Purika pomegranate drinks (x24 per tray) and Oishi Lemon Teas (x24 per tray). Saves me carrying them myself and they are discounted versus buying individually. Got a free Nescafe branded mini-cooler box delivered the other day, too.

Regarding the app. I just request my orders verbally in-store when I enter and they've normally got it done by the time I arrive back at the cashier. There is a ladyboy working there who always keeps me informed of what's available for bulk buys which she knows I purchase regularly. She knows what I like, reminding me to get my favourite Meiji peach yoghurt, if I forget.

They look after me very well at my local 7-11 

8 hours ago, sydneyjohn57 said:

My old eyes see 2 numbers. Top line 2488 and underneath 421

You are painfully close, Syd, and are clearly doing it right. However, two numbers are wrong.

11 hours ago, Tomcat said:

why dont you tip your mit then Syd... ?   i cant see anything other than a carpet with some marks too erratic to be a code ..i tried the eye squinting and all that stuff

 TC, there is a way to see what these images hold and once it happens it can become quite satisfying. It is also a nice exercise for your eyes. There are many to be found on the internet if you google 'magic eye'. Most people give up too easily. 

Here are a few tips:  Do NOT focus on the image itself, look through it. If you can see your reflection in your screen then that gives an idea of how it works. You do need two eyes. Relax them. Don't give up. I position myself about arms length from the screen to see them.

2 hours ago, Tomcat said:

Is Quinn giving us a clue here Dixon or have you driven a Tractor over his new carpet

I think he just doesn't like these types of images 

2 hours ago, seven said:

A and B are same colors? Please explain before I book an appointment for new specs.

Here, just for you 

Can you decipher the hidden code?

12 hours ago, Tomcat said:

...can you see what is remarkable about the two squares A and B ?

They are the same colour.

Their neighbouring shades and the shadows make them appear completely different. Nice illusion 

4 hours ago, cobber32 said:

1. Your father

2. His son

Correct! .. on both counts 

A couple of short-time quickies - Family riddles ..

1.  I am your mother's brother's only brother in-law. 
-  Who am I?

2.  Looking at a picture a man says "Brothers and sisters I have none, but this man's father is my father's son".
- Who is the man in the picture in relation to the man looking at it?

On 8/28/2020 at 2:02 AM, bumblebee said:

Looking at this I realised as internet access improved over the years the less I am familiar with those shows.  I have heard of some but never watched most of them.  Unlike the late 90s for example when I loved the X Files and regularly tuned in, along with Friends.

On 8/28/2020 at 2:40 AM, seven said:

I've only watched a few of those such as Sopranos and Breaking bad.

I'd guess I've heard of 10%, seen bits of 2%, seen all of 0.01%.

I want to watch the original Dallas again.  Not on torrents that I could find, way too old. Lost forever 

On 9/10/2016 at 1:25 AM, Pdoggg said:

You and four ladyboys find a 1000 baht note on the floor of Lita Bar. None of you have change, so you agree to play a game of chance to divide the money probabilistically. The five of you sit around a table. The game is played in turns. Each turn, one of three things can happen, each with an equal probability: The 1000 baht note can move one position to the left, one position to the right, or the game ends and the person with the 1000 baht in front of him or her wins the game. You have the biggest dick, so the1000 baht starts in front of you. What are the chances you win the money?

11 hours ago, Tomcat said:

... Also maybe you can figure out the Lita Bar 1000 baht note question as i cant understand it

After thinking a third plus a third plus a third I decided I didn't have the patience or ability to continue, so I translated pdogg's 4-year old ladyboy version back to normal and googled it 

Spoiler alert:  If you click the link below you will see only the translation, not the answer. You need to subsequently click 'Show Solution' to reveal the answer.

https://laurentlessard.com/bookproofs/splitting-a-hundred-dollar-bill/

I'm a words person, this is too mathematical for me 

2 hours ago, Tomcat said:

Two English words begin with letters HE and end with the letters HE. Can you find them both . If you met enough Ladyboys you will probably relate to both words

headache + heartache 

For a little wander down memory lane, here's what we've all been watching ..

2 hours ago, ozzie said:

JJASON - June July August September October November

The correct answer is now clear to others despite you answering incorrectly.

The correct answer was simply  JJ

You may feel that is splitting hairs, but it reminds me of the exam paper which instructs the takers to read all of the questions first before answering any. The last item states to then only respond to one which was to write your name in the top corner of the page    

1 hour ago, Tomcat said:

New Puzzle ..... from " The Brain  users guide" .. lateral thinking quiz

 

What five letter word becomes shorter when you add two letter to it ?

 

short

Here's another .. Next two letters in the sequence, please  

DJ  FM  AM   _ _

15 hours ago, Tomcat said:

NEW puzzle

Many Scientists use this as a password ..... O,T,T,F,F ... as its the beginning of an infinite sequence with a simple rule ...and you wont ever forget it no matter how drunk you are

what are the next two letters of the sequence

 

S,S

I won't spoil it in case others still want to figure out how or why.

On 8/26/2020 at 1:50 PM, Quietguy said:

I haven't been for a few years now, but there used to be some nice looking lbs who worked in lb bar next to the Victoria pub. I think it was called 'So What', I don't know if it is still there.

Some of the lbs would hang out by the bar's back door, in Soi 6/1 and customers who were too shy to be seen going in the front entrance in Soi 6 would come in from Soi 6/1.

So What has been closed for years already. I went to the closing party around 3 years ago and besides an old forum friend from way back I hadn't seen in years I was the only customer I knew. It was great in it's heyday. I barfined Ploy, the ladyboy who was found dead under suspicious circumstances a year or two ago. Such a shame. She was gorgeous and dressed as an office secretary.

Hansi the previous boss of So What also had another ladyboy bar for several years running concurrently with So What called Lucky Love. It was located opposite Whiskey Whiskey.

Hansi now runs the Rock Factory on Soi Buakhao on the corner of the old Baby Boom soi where Rich Bar used to reside. Live rock music, no ladyboys to my knowledge and very much not my style, which is why I've never been in there to verify, but I very much doubt their existence in there.

My memory is poor without the aid of notes, so my estimates of how long ago things occurred could easily be incorrect.

Soi 6/1 isn't what it used to be but the back door entry, for me anyway, was more about the sleaze factor than anything else. Mind you, rarely was I there during bar opening hours. Normally it was dark and desolate when I visited, usually between 2am and 4am, besides a few taxi guys and figures lingering in recesses and doorways.

When it was good it was great!

1 hour ago, Pdoggg said:

 I was OK on a bike on 3 Thai islands as well as Cambodia though I would never ride in Phnom Penh. 

Cambodia around 10 years ago (?) .. in search of a chicken farm we'd heard about   We had a really good ride out one particular day past the port and beyond. I still remember that. Was great to feel the wind whistling through my bald head.

If you're permanent in terms of living here then buying is certainly a consideration. I still feel somewhat temporary here even after 9 years and my location doesn't require a bike as it would just sit idle and unused for the majority of the time. I'd rent if the need ever arose, same goes for a 4-wheeled vehicle.

I wouldn't buy new, there's no point. The depreciation can be appalling even before you've got it home. A used auto about a year old would do me, at least 125cc from a dealership of some sort to assist with the necessary legalities and a warranty of sorts. I doubt very much I'd buy privately from a Thai.

If I did buy I would consider a Yamaha Aerox or a mini-bike, such as the Honda Monkey  'cos I think they look nice and for a bit of fun.

Anything below 125cc is almost dangerous in city traffic as you have not-a-lot of power to extract yourself from situations should the need arise, especially with a pillion. Anything 200cc or above is pointless in or around cities. 125 to 175 is the city sweetspot IMHO and will do nicely for open road trips (not long distance), amogo.

There's a balance between getting something ordinary and decent versus getting something so nice that it becomes a target for theft. Blending in on an ordinary run-of-the-mill bike a few years old has it's advantages and wouldn't break the bank. Depending on the bank.

The custom bikes in the bike shop opposite Pattaya City Hospital have got "Steal Me" written all over them, but I couldn't see you on one of those anyway 

moved.