Rogie

A fascinating reminder just how huge the so-called dark continent really is:

Ah, after having a snoop in the 'forbidden territory' now i'm a bit more dumbless. If you click on search guys then spot one you like the look of you can send him a wink by clicking on the smiley icon. Doing that let's him know you think he is hot . . . Phew! this sleuthing is more than I can take. Extra galling now I know what a wink is and I can reveal I have never had a single one! I think my avatar is winking but at whom I have no idea . . . maybe Abang1961?!

Dumb and dumber, I'm the dumber as I have't a clue what this is all about. What's a wink (in this context)? Is it a kind of twink?

I do hope Traveller Jim has recovered from his time in hospital. I say that because surely the rightful place for the Papal Cat (assuming he is elected what name might he choose?) is in a thread on GT called 'Pope to Resign', NOT on Facebook. What other glories are we missing here that Facebook-users are privy to? Do they get all the scoops as well? In any case its chances are slim, it looks far too young to me. Those puppies are just adorable. Did you find that litter on Facebook too, TW?

I agree with Jimnbkk. MoneyGram works very well, I have used it to send money to Thailand and some other countries and never had a problem. Always worthwhile to remind the person you are sending the money to take his ID. That shouldn't be a problem as I think all Thais carry their ID badge most if not all of the time. Once I have sent the money I usually send the recipient the transaction reference number by sms, with a back-up email just in case the sms doesn't get through for some reason. Ah, just re-read the OP and see an on-line method preferred. I'll check that out. Later: Having checked the MoneyGram website I cannot see any reference to sending the money on-line. Jmnbkk says he has done this, so I am puzzled. Even later: Having read Koko's post (below) I went back and typed in the web address and saw a prominent banner alerting me to the 'new' on line option. I'm not sure why I missed that earlier, even though I clicked on the link in post # 2 above.

The first pic is by far the most appealing. Boy #4 (4th from the left) was obviously caught napping as he hasn't managed to extricate himself. Boy #6 looks like he's got a teatowel in his hands. Those misgivings are nothing compared to the second photo in which, judging by their hair, they've all seen a ghost. Are they Korean? I wonder how many boy bands there are in Korea! That age-old question boys are asked by their elders "what do you want to be when you grow up"? Answer: no surprises there if you're Korean! Another thing, what happens when the boys in the band get over the hill, is there a special scrapheap devoted to them, landfill or whatever? Rogie's rule of thumb: Number of boy bands in any country is proportional to how cute the average boy is

That was your 350th post Bkkguy! Quite a good one. That, and the one in which you responded to some of Fountainhall's points told us more about you. What's nagging me is my doubt that you yourself are interesting. You say we (contributors to this Message Board) aren't. Unless you can suddenly up the interesting stakes and raise your game I feel you will remain uninteresting Bkkguy. At least to us. Maybe there are folks out in the wide blue yonder who yearn for you. Maybe you want to be a bit like our old friend LMTU / Heygay “Call me controversial, but never call me boring”. It's no use me disputing your assertion we're not interesting as, unless you are being deliberately provocative, if you say we aren't then in your mind that must be so. If you don't find us interesting and we don't find you interesting we are going to have to agree to disagree. I fear that brings me back to something that's been suggested by others which is you kindly refrain from upsetting us (as we seem to upset you). No more upset tummies please . . . in the meantime, could someone pass the rennies . . . ?

I don't like the sound of that - if what you say is correct Abang, it implies if the unborn infant is a girl she will be aborted. I know you haven't said that but it is well-known boys are generally preferred owing to the one-child policy, as well as this other reason. Logically there must be years when a boy is not sought and a girl is. In addition, I don't like the reason that just because 'it sounds like whores' girls should be avoided. What a load of twaddle! In a country the size of China there must be millions of girls/women born as 'roosters'. Population of China = 1,354,040,000 (Source: wiki) divide by 12 = 100,000,000 (rounded down) divide by 2 = 50,000,000 50,000,000 girls/ women cannot all be whores! Unsurprisingly, I agree! Here is what Miss Bonito/Bonetto has to say for herself: Wow, a 'fellow of the American College of Classical Feng Shui'. Then, this is another view: wow, fortune cookie philosphy, that sure takes the biscuit for cynicism. I don't think even I could be that scathing! and did you see that bit about 'alleged masters of feng shui' ? And how does Miss Bonito/Bonetto describe herself? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui

I'm going to try and play the part of 'good' cop to FH's Mr Nasty (well he's not really nasty at all, just saying what we are all thinking!). I'll set Bkk Guy a fairly easy challenge. He commented on the inundation of so-called advertorials (which are coming through thick and fast as I write this). If you're not too impressed by them, why not tell us in your own words about some of the places you've been that might appeal to readers of this Forum? It doesn't have to be Bkk, could be anywhere in Thailand or places farther afield. Maybe a trip report (are you a keen photographer?) or an item in the Beer Bar. Anything that catches your eye. The Beer Bar is your oyster Bkk Guy. Let us know your impressions of Korean boy bands or anything yucky you've eaten lately. It's dead easy honest. Abang has said more in his brief membership of this Message Board than you have in almost 350 posts. Why not mark your 350th with a sea change?

I can't be bothered. I'm afraid 'yawn' and boring come to mind. Whilst I agree they are quite pleasant to look at, in a bland vanilla kind of way, I have no wish to go a stage farther and actually listen to whatever noise it is they produce. If any of them can sing really well and those that play their own instruments do so skillfully, then all well and good (I still wouldn't be interested though!), but I suspect those teenage years when any wannabe pop musician ought to be practicing is instead spent in front of the mirror preening and primping "OMG, look at my nose, is the tip prominent enough? is my jaw jutting at the right angle? oh no, look at the state of my eyelids, damn and blast! I need another 'augmentation'!!" Sad But if even one boy band makes even one person happy it's gotta be worth it, right?

Those impetuous wilful snakes, why don't they go in tail first if they are so liable to lose their heads in the mad rush to accomplish their desires. By the looks of it, somebody born in the Year of the Snake will be less likely to have much prosperity spread over his entire life. Those that are successful risk blowing it. Perhaps the snake's difficulties are an opportunity for sneaky-minded rivals to steal a march and if a business deal is involved take advantage of the snake's perceived weaknesses. Wow betide those however, who attempt to out-manoevre a snake and are rumbled! What happens when two snakes collide!? Are snakes all the same or are some like grass snakes, just slithering away harmlessly whilst others love to spit their venom and cause their victim to die an agonising death? I understand, or at least can follow the tradition, of the Chinese Year of. . . series, so that an individual's character is forecast to fit certain traits. But I don't understand how the Snake Year, i.e. 1989, 2001, 2013 etc can have any influence over world events. Are snake years different to tiger years or monkey years or whatever? (I don't want to seem heartless or want to spoil the fun, and I am quite happy to play along here, but I don't have any 'belief' in any of this, just as I don't believe in astrology. If anyone seriously believes this Year of.... calendar I am 'all ears').

That brings to mind politicians, including kings, despots and dictators as well as superstar entertainers. Surrounded by those there to ensure their protection they indeed become inured to living in, to what most of us would deem, an artificial world. Good examples are Caligula, and in more modern times, that great survivor Mugabe. Be that as it may, why might any member or reader if this forum live in either an artificial world or one that's protected? Where are the boundaries of this supposed world? The whole world, Asia, South-east Asia, Thailand, Bangkok/Pattaya, . . . or can it be even more precisely delineated? Just supposing one of our number does actually live in such a world! . . . if that were so, perhaps it's quite likely he is not alone. If so, how do others feel about that? Do you feel your lives to be artificial, or protected, or both? And, if anyone does answer "yes" to either or both of those, do you feel safe?

Your choice of The Animals - one of my favourite 'pop' groups - is most welcome Abang. So I guess that makes me a bit of an animal too, but as I'm a softie hopefully one may have in mind those more ferocious than me . . . As for the sexy bit, the avatar may be different but it oozes it.

I've yet to try this, and probably never shall after reading this item on Fox News. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/09/12/eating-balut-going-too-far/#ixzz2KG6s6gfp

As an aside, but following on from some of the problems touched upon in preceding posts, the current horsemeat scandal in Britain is an example of what can go wrong when supply chains are long and often questionable and the company ordering the product do not have much in the way of in-house expertise. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21059425 Britain's Foods Standard Agency recently revealed that . . . Findus beef lasagne contained up to 100% horsemeat http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21375594

Whereabouts in Asia is the 'middle of nowhere' ? It could be anywhere. You say you are gay, but conservative. That implies you are in the minority, but even so fit in fairly nicely with the prevailing morales (which unless you are very lucky or live in an unusual place, are usually 'conservative') and don't want to rock the boat. You aren't out waving placards for gay lib. No harm in keeping a low profile if the alternative will bring prejudice and rejection. We aren't all Stonewallers. Tell us more and we can be more specific in making suggestions. Maybe 'driving for a few hours' as Jovianmoon suggests might help, if not how about hop on a plane. If you are in Asia it's unlikely to be far from Thailand. We are the Thailand experts. Almost at once after you land you will feel an immense weight lifted from your shoulders. Either that, or we are in the wrong place.

King Charles lost his head in 1649 for refusing to concede power to Oliver Cromwell's Parliament, but following an interregnum, his son also Charles (the second) regained the throne.

I was slightly over-egging the herbal toothpaste in my previous post, but I really do like it. It doesn't list any source of fluoride on the label, and as that's a contentious ingredient I am happy about that. When I am home in Britain I use good ol' Colgate 'great regular flavour' (which does have fluoride!) in the morning and the herbal one at night. Colgate Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate Aqua Glycerin Cellulose gum Aroma Sodium monofluorophosphate Tetrasodium pyrophosphate Sodium saccharin Sodium fluoride Calcium glycerophosphate Limonene Twin Lotus herbal Sorbitol Calcium carbonate Cuttlefish bone Toothbrush tree Sodium lauryl sulphate Silicon dioxide Orange jessamine Peppermint oil Menthol crystal Eucalyptus oil Sodium benzoate

That was a bit unfair of me to tarnish all Welsh people with the same brush. The term Welsh Windbag was a 'popular' nickname for Neil Kinnock, a former leader of Britain's Labour Party, although it has been used for others such as David Lloyd George, Prime Minister in the early part of the last century. (Little-known fact: Lloyd George was actually born in Manchester of a Welsh family, but he and his mother moved back to Wales following the death of his father).

Is anybody . . .?

That kid's either cute or sheer torture, not sure which, maybe a bit of both! Welsh eh? How about this?

I can see you're no mere cat-lover TW, you also got to trigger Step 4 when 17 sweet pussies meet, the apocolypse thy shall surely meet

Thanks Z. That seems far more likely. On a related issue, I think we've discussed payouts to passengers (or their families) involved in airline crashes, etc. A difference between say pilot error and equipment / aircraft design faults.

I love the black / brown sludge that others abhor. There may be others, but the one close to my heart is Original Herbal Toothpaste from Twin Lotus. It's just fabulous, it's natural taste leaves my mouth feeling so invigorated. Anyone who's best friends with his toothbrush must know there's nothing can beat a good old rummage around the old toothy-pegs with a herbal concoction. They also do a 'normal', minty one, which is quite good, and a salty one but I haven't tried that yet. Juries out on the salty one: TW dislike, Koko like.

Let's hear it from the snails's mouth - meet Mr Yuckie himself . . .