Bob

As did I (and not sure if I'm embarrassed about that or not). While the exercise is somewhat proof that both the west and the middle east have a lot of screwed up people, at least (thank god!) the truly wackos aren't running the governments in the west (well, most of the time, anyway).

Didn't want to jump into the fray but it's fairly hard to stomach some of this crap. But I'll keep it to a minimum and I'm fairly sure you won't misunderstand me: (1) Sure, you've written (badly and often incoherently) on the boards since the 90's. So what. (2) I actually don't know of anybody that's been kicked off of more boards than you. Now why is that? Well, it isn't because people don't buy your over-puffed claims (as they generally have simply guffawed at much of that) but because you annoy the hell out of people at times. (3) Hate to burst your bubble but I have no interest whatsoever in knowing any secret, special, fantastic, or just plain boring information that you may have obtained from "those in the know" or which you've simply made up. I simply could care less. I'm not one of the "millions" (or, alternatively, the two) of human beings who you think craves your scoops. Part of your problem is you erroneously think there are people out there that do. Other than that, carry on. I know you will until you get booted again. P.S. Increasing the font size is both childish and only serves to magnify your imbecility (if that's even possible).

You can fairly well ski on the stuff (I've seen the machines at work at a few ski resorts) but it's not producing the nice white fluffy stuff that I consider real snow. The recipe for that requires mother nature and nasty temperatures.

Hmmm.......excuse the analogy but the topic you raise is a most definitely 'nother kettle of fish.....

None here but I've heard the same request many times. When the subject comes up - wanting to experience a winter such as I lived through in northern Michigan - the only way I can explain to them how "really cold" it is outside in January is to tell them that it's colder outside my home than the ice section of the refrigerator. That seems to give them a little pause (it ought to given they bundle up like Eskimos when the temperature plummets all the way down to 60F/15C!).

As silly as it may be, I can see the dilemma; however, unless one wants to define sexual stimulation and/or simulated sex as an "artistic performance", guess I'd go with the majority this time. Once in a while, the logical rules just don't work (oftentimes because everybody's trying to weasel around the rules) and one needs to insert a little common sense. Somewhat reminds me of Justice Stewart's one time definition of pornagraphy as "...I know it when I see it."

The Thai press has been all over the accident involving the Red Bull heir and, if they keep it up, this rich kid just might end up at trial. Of course, then he'll be given bail pending appeal and the appeals process ought to be exhausted shortly after he dies a natural death. I've somewhat wondered whether this kid will flee the country given all the publicity. With granddad's billions, he can live wherever he'd like to live.

Moderation in all things, little grasshopper. Khun Michael is providing us all with a light-hearted photo essay of his days in Pattaya and why don't you give it a rest (and/or start your "great and deep" understandings of all things in another thread).

I was thinking about the length of time it would take Khun TW to unzip his trousers.....

Nobody sends me messages, flowers, or anything! Thankfully, however, Mr. Igdigibo Sombiduzzy, a former government official in Nigeria, has kindly offerred me an opportunity, for a little upfront money, to share in millions of national wealth. You're all welcome to attend the huge party I'll be holding once my millions get here. P.S. Why is the Nigerian mail system so slow???

One of the reasons I live in Thailand is that I eventually began to detest the cold winter weather in northern Michigan. The last friggin' place I'd ever want to go is the north or south pole! Plus, how the heck exciting can it be to visit the south pole station?!? Spoiler alert - it's white eveywhere you look and you'll freeze your balls off!

For those that may want to know, the free merit-making event (which they say is only for locals and not foreigners) is on November 24th. The international event (with khantoke dinner, entertainment, etc.) is on November 30th. Or at least that's what it says on their website: http://yeepenglanna.net/qa.html I've not gone out to San Sai (near Maejo University) for this event and, given the festivities in Chiangmai proper including the thousands of lanterns being released here, wonder as to why anybody would. But to each his own.

I've gone to at least 10 years of the Loy Krathong celebrations here in Chiangmai and I'm not aware of anything involving "tickets." I think ceejay was referring to airline tickets.

The most that baby would do (presuming it really woke up and you pissed it off) would be to scratch you a little or inflict a small bite wound. But the 2-year-olds are a whole lot bigger, more capable, and could easily kill/maim a human. I like wild animals too but I'm a bit more wary of ones that can eat me. A Thai friend who's taken hundreds of falang and Thai to the Tiger Kingdom also strongly advises them to stay out of the pen with the 2-year-olds. He's told me there have been other incidents that haven't hit the news and he also thinks it's nuts that they allow people to go into that particular pen. But, regardless, everybody has their own level of risk and if you want to play in traffic, be my guest.

Could you clarify that a bit more? If you're talking about a little old lady who happened to die of old age for no particular reason, I can understand not counting that person; however, if you're attempting to suggest that somebody who died of starvation or disease or even an early death due to stress in a camp or a bombed-out village was any "less murdered" than those shot in the head or gassed, then we view such things quite differently.

I'm not sure how you actually know that information. I and the bf went several years ago and it appeared rather dangerous to me to go into the pen with the 2-year-olds and I remarked about it at the time. A month or so later, one of those two-year-olds grabbed a woman by the leg and rather severely mauled her leg (the newspaper article didn't say one way or the other what she did or didn't do). Since then, I've read of two more injuries that happened in the 2-year-old pen and those articles also didn't mentioned how it happened other than the injuries occurred in the 2-year-old pen. Personally, I'm doubtful that all the incidents are reported and/or hit the news. Obviously, as long as they have the open pen with the 2-year-olds and they allow you to go in there (selling entry fees, of course), it's at your own risk. The tigers are normally lethargic as hell during the day and I've watched the handlers prod them with a long stick to wake/stir them up and get them to interact a little with the poor fools going into that pen. Crazy in my view.

Nope. Have thought about it but it is a little expensive (8,000 to 10,000 baht minimum) and, since the balloons take off near Doi Saket (about 10 miles northeast of the old city), I don't think you'll see much of the city of Chiangmai itself. Plus, given the air quality up here, I'm also not sure how clear the view would be on a given day.

A restaurant here in Chiangmai along Nimmanhaemin once had a large hand-written sign outside that announced "Fresh Poo" (which of course was trying to announce that they then had fresh crab). And, speaking of crab, I've seen more than once on menus here in Thailand the word "crap" in English to represent "crab." Sometimes you just have to laugh.

Sorry, but I'm going to disagree at least in part and find it difficult to believe that anybody is arguing against the need for a periodic general checkup. The lab tests (blood/urine) can point out problems long before they become life threatening and within a time frame that allows you to actually do something about a given problem (whether showing a tendency for high blood sugar, high blood pressure, kidney or liver issues, etc., etc.). The notion that you only go if/when you "need to" is, to me, like the guy quickly looking for a helmet as his motorcycle is about to slam into a truck. As to how often one should go....either for a general physical, eye/retina exam, etc., I do agree a lot of that depends on your personal and family history. I can understand somebody 15-45 only going every 5 years or so (and additionaly when they have a particular problem) but us older guys ought to be going a bit more often than that. I remember talking to a couple of buddies (both in their 40's at the time) when their father died at 61 and them telling me and others that their dad was the oldest male ever for any of their ancestors (most died of heart attacks in their 30's and 40's!). After hearing that, I and a couple of others encouraged both of the brothers to go get a physical (neither had done so since high school football) which they did and discovered that both of them had horrendously high bad cholesterol levels. After that, they (well, to be honest, mostly due to their spouses) dramatically altered their diets and they both are well within "normal" cholesterol levels, seemingly very healthy, and they're both now the oldest males in the family tree. P.S. Khun Fountainhill....it's difficult for me to believe that neither of your doctor siblings ever checks anything out (even blood pressure, cholesterol levels, or whatever). If they truly haven't ever been checked out, they're truly blessed with good genes (except, perhaps, in the common sense department...hehe).

I go every year. And Ceejay's right.....if you're coming to Chiangmai for the event, you better get your airline tickets (and hotel room) soon. Every year I get a little confused about when they are doing the night parades. Typically, there are three of them...the opening night parade, the second night parade (the smallest and least interesting), and the big night parade on the third night. I saw a billboard down by the Governor's house the other day that listed Chiangmai's dates for celebration from November 25th to the 29th. Seeing that (the actual Loy Krathong holiday this year is the 28th), I have no clue at the moment exactly night parades will be start or end. But I'm sure I'll be down there for at least the first night and the night of the big parade. While there are lighted krathongs going up almost everywhere, the vast bulk of them are being released near the river with the Narawat Bridge being the central location. If you haven't seen it before, rather amazing to see thousands of tthe floating lanterns all over the sky. Last year, it was perfectly safe to go onto the bridge as I understand that the cops have put an end to the fireworks war occurring there (in prior years, you'd have a rocket going by your ears and scare the beejeebees out of you). The big night parade (as well as the smaller ones) goes from Taepae Gate down to Narawat Bridge (or to a point near the bridge) and is a very beautiful event. If you've never seen it before, you ought to go. Beautiful floats all lit up, some beautiful Thai ladies/girls dressed in traditional costumes, and, of course, an abundance of handsome dudes participating in the parades.

Ditto on River Market, very nice place right on the river (50 yards south of the Iron Bridge) with very good food with reasonable prices. The other two of my favorite restaurants up here are Chez Marco on Loy Kroh (about 200 yards east of the moat) and The House (300-400 yards north of the Montri (or M) hotel on Moon Muang. As to the other restaurants in your friend's list: (1) Galae Restaurant. I haven't eaten there so won't comment. Maybe a bit hard to find for people unfamiliar with Chiangmai. (2) Khun Chuen is a vegetarian place on the north side of Soi 17, Nimmanhaemin, maybe 200 yards east of Nimmanhaemin road. I've eaten there a few times and it's okay but nothing all that special to me. If you go for lunch, try to get there a little before noon as it's vegetarian buffet is somewhat "picked over" after that. (3) Palaad Tawanron. Also a bit difficult to find (somewhat near #1 above) for somebody unfamiliar with Chiangmai. Ate there just a couple of weeks ago and the food was fine. Big place, nice grounds (with waterfall right next to the restaurant), and, if you're there before dark, a partial nice view to the east of the the city and a nearby pond/reservoir. (4) Moo Gata (or Grata). We have several of these barbeque joints up here where you go grab the food laying out all over and then cook it at your table yourself. I've gone a few times over the years but would never classify this as "good" food or "good" dining. And, at times, seeing the raw chicken or pork bits, veggies, or whatever sitting out in pans in the heat makes me fear the places at times. If you go, cook the stuff well! With respect to the Tiger Kingdom up at Mae Rim, be sure NOT to go in the cage with the older (2-year-old) cats. It's simply too damn dangerous (a few tourists have been bitten and, if you take a good look at at 2-year-old cat yawning, you'll immediately notice that your head would fit nicely in it's mouth). You can get scratched a little in the pens holding the younger cats but at least there's no possibility you'll need a lot of stitches or a funeral...hehe. Your list, Michael, contains a couple of other items I personally wouldn't bother with but generally is a good list of available options. The number one cultural attraction up here has to be the temple on Doi Suthep which, if you're lucky and the air is somewhat clear, will provide you with an amazing view of Chiangmai.

Probably ought to ask the bar owner if it's okay to take the photos.

Not at all; on the other hand, I was going to ask the OP if they had cottaging fries but that was a bit deeper and darker.

Interesting take but, having read it yet again, I don't see that at all; however, as noted, I can't seem to make anything of what point/humor/lampoon that the writer was attempting to concoct. It's just a pointless and sick piece from my vantage point.

Skipping all tangential matters (relating to the notion that nobody can truly know any given author's intention and your dislike for another poster's interpretation), do you believe this particular author was trying to make a point and, if so, what's your interpretation as to what that might be?