SAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

[*Robert* 2]

ummmmm FOOODDD!!!!!!

I have 6 days to go until I will get to eat the 'real' Thai food.. I cant wait!!

We leave in the morning for Asia. I'm going to Shanghai first then BKK next friday. Rin's going straight to BKK. She has a list of restaurants, shops, salons, and thai/foot massage places to hit during the two weeks!

Oh great... just rub it in!!!

Chok Dee to all and hope everyone enjoys and has a great trip/vacation!!!

[daboyz 36]

This book is amazing. I suggest anyone bringing a Thai spouse get one of these. My wife has an older version, but it has translations for everything.

http://www.us.oup.com/us/catalog/general/s...i=9780194740180

[AaronLV 12]

This book is amazing. I suggest anyone bringing a Thai spouse get one of these. My wife has an older version, but it has translations for everything.

http://www.us.oup.com/us/catalog/general/s...i=9780194740180

I bought Nam a Talking-Dict http://www.talkingdict.com/2008/en/products/detail.asp?id=17 while we were in Bangkok, and it has been invaluable since we have been here, she has been using it everyday to translate the Nevada DMV handbook. The nice thing about this product is we can put in a word in English or Thai and it gives the translation and pronounces it in both Thai and English. It helps me learn also. We paid about 8000 baht for it.

[daboyz 36]

This book is amazing. I suggest anyone bringing a Thai spouse get one of these. My wife has an older version, but it has translations for everything.

http://www.us.oup.com/us/catalog/general/s...i=9780194740180

I bought Nam a Talking-Dict http://www.talkingdict.com/2008/en/products/detail.asp?id=17 while we were in Bangkok, and it has been invaluable since we have been here, she has been using it everyday to translate the Nevada DMV handbook. The nice thing about this product is we can put in a word in English or Thai and it gives the translation and pronounces it in both Thai and English. It helps me learn also. We paid about 8000 baht for it.

I bought something similar to that for the ex. It just made her better at shaking down farangs at the bar. If I sound a little bitter, I'm just drunk.

[mommymeow 0]

This book is amazing. I suggest anyone bringing a Thai spouse get one of these. My wife has an older version, but it has translations for everything.

http://www.us.oup.com/us/catalog/general/s...i=9780194740180

I bought Nam a Talking-Dict http://www.talkingdict.com/2008/en/products/detail.asp?id=17 while we were in Bangkok, and it has been invaluable since we have been here, she has been using it everyday to translate the Nevada DMV handbook. The nice thing about this product is we can put in a word in English or Thai and it gives the translation and pronounces it in both Thai and English. It helps me learn also. We paid about 8000 baht for it.

I bought something similar to that for the ex. It just made her better at shaking down farangs at the bar. If I sound a little bitter, I'm just drunk.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

I have told my fiancée the same thing I had told my university students, "I am your 9 million Baht talking dict." My fiancée loves her big walking, talking dict.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

My fiancée called to let me know that the police certificate is still not ready, 10 days after she requested it. She is returning home from Bangkok now, so she'll have it mailed to her house, hopefully sometime next week. As soon as she gets it, we can send Packet 3 back. . .

She said "Good news is I got the international driver's license." She went to a station relatively near Mor Chit (JJ Weekend Market). The entire process took her about 20 minutes.

She was asked for:

1) Her 5 year Thai driver's license + her motorcycle license

2) a photocopy of her Thai passport

3) 2 photographs; she used the passport ones she had taken for the visa

4) a 500 Baht fee

She said "There were so many Thai/farang couples. It made me miss you sooo much honey!"

[Kang Lang 7]

does anyone know what happened to devkpaik? he hasn't posted here in awhile.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

I believe he got married. Doesn't that answer it?

[Danno2 0]

My fiancée called to let me know that the police certificate is still not ready, 10 days after she requested it. She is returning home from Bangkok now, so she'll have it mailed to her house, hopefully sometime next week. As soon as she gets it, we can send Packet 3 back. . .

She said "Good news is I got the international driver's license." She went to a station relatively near Mor Chit (JJ Weekend Market). The entire process took her about 20 minutes.

She was asked for:

1) Her 5 year Thai driver's license + her motorcycle license

2) a photocopy of her Thai passport

3) 2 photographs; she used the passport ones she had taken for the visa

4) a 500 Baht fee

She said "There were so many Thai/farang couples. It made me miss you sooo much honey!"

Or 6000 Baht if you dont have item #1

Edited March 27, 2009 by Danny and Chada

[ThaitoUSA 15]

I've bribed a Thai police officer before. He had pulled me over on my motorcycle and tried to issue me a 6,000 Baht ticket. His claim was that I was driving in the wrong lane, but the only reason I was in that lane was because his partner had pulled over a truck. I only saw the truck, not the police and was ready to pass it when the cop flagged me down. Instead I pulled out two 100 Baht bills; one for him and one for partner. He shook my hand with a huge grin saying in broken English "Tank you, tank you," and waved me on my way. I learned my lesson that when a Bangkok traffic cop flags you down, you just keep on driving: They don't go after motorcyclists.

Another time I was stopped, as they had set up a road block and I wasn't going to bust through it. Similar situation, in that they wanted me to pay an exorbitant amount. This time I honestly said, "I am leaving Thailand in two days (after living there for four years) and I will never pay your ticket. So go ahead and issue it, but I will not pay it." He sighed in disappointment and waved me on.

edit: Generally, I am quite a law abiding citizen and in the past would never have thought of doing and saying such things. However, I know exploitation when I see it and my own integrity would not allow me to be taken advantage of as such. Looking back on it, I could have handled both situations differently, but at the time that was how I reacted.

Edited March 27, 2009 by ThaitoUSA

[Kang Lang 7]

I believe he got married. Doesn't that answer it?

actually i don't think he did which is why i was wondering.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

He had posted this on March 8th.

Hey everyone,

Haven't posted on here in like two months, but anyways I have a question for you guys.

So my wife and I got married within the 90 days, however we have NOT filed for AOS yet.

I believe he is just busy with the responsibilities of married life.

[*Robert* 2]

He had posted this on March 8th.

Hey everyone,

Haven't posted on here in like two months, but anyways I have a question for you guys.

So my wife and I got married within the 90 days, however we have NOT filed for AOS yet.

I believe he is just busy with the responsibilities of married life.

Whether he got married or not, doesn't mean that one's old life ceases to exist!

I seriously doubt that just because one gets married means that they now spend all their time in the bedroom (if that is what you’re implying). If it is... that type of relationship won't last very long!

Couples still need time to themselves or to be able to participate in activities that they enjoy.

[*Robert* 2]

I've bribed a Thai police officer before. He had pulled me over on my motorcycle and tried to issue me a 6,000 Baht ticket. His claim was that I was driving in the wrong lane, but the only reason I was in that lane was because his partner had pulled over a truck. I only saw the truck, not the police and was ready to pass it when the cop flagged me down. Instead I pulled out two 100 Baht bills; one for him and one for partner. He shook my hand with a huge grin saying in broken English "Tank you, tank you," and waved me on my way. I learned my lesson that when a Bangkok traffic cop flags you down, you just keep on driving: They don't go after motorcyclists.

Another time I was stopped, as they had set up a road block and I wasn't going to bust through it. Similar situation, in that they wanted me to pay an exorbitant amount. This time I honestly said, "I am leaving Thailand in two days (after living there for four years) and I will never pay your ticket. So go ahead and issue it, but I will not pay it." He sighed in disappointment and waved me on.

edit: Generally, I am quite a law abiding citizen and in the past would never have thought of doing and saying such things. However, I know exploitation when I see it and my own integrity would not allow me to be taken advantage of as such. Looking back on it, I could have handled both situations differently, but at the time that was how I reacted.

In Chiang Mai, the police like to set up check points to stop people on scooters that aren’t wearing helmets. One time I came around a corner and was unable to avoid a check point. As you, 200 bht slipped to the officer was enough to get me out of any citation, which would have included no license and no helmet.

One other time, when they were stopping people on a much larger thorough fare, I just acted like I didn’t see the officer vigorously trying to waive me over, and got the hell out of dodge!