tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12487222509733968362012-02-17T07:56:47.249+07:00Notes on life in Thailand by a Canadian ex-pat.Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.comBlogger811100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-44521371715819790622010-03-30T16:44:00.003+07:002010-03-30T16:50:20.906+07:00

There are various ways of sending money to a friend in Thailand: interbank transfer (also called a "telegraphic transfer" or "SWIFT transfer"), sending an ATM card, and using ATMcash (if you are in the USA) to send a personalized debit card.These are documented at this website: SendMoneyToThailand.com

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-15579730738395037402010-03-28T15:05:00.002+07:002010-03-28T15:07:51.660+07:00

A friend in Chiang Mai, who goes by the handle, "Chiang Mai Rocket", has created a new blog because she and her partner have decided to retire in Thailand. It's at http://ThailandRetirementExperiences.com/

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-24037029616526380382010-01-21T16:25:00.002+07:002010-01-21T16:49:02.169+07:00

I don’t like de dog. My frien’, Baed, he bought de dog from his friend.But I saw de dog de firs’ time, his name “Gatee” (coconut milk). I don’t like it because smell very bad. I don’t like it. He boom, boom, boom, (bark) allatime. He de pooden dog. White hair.After I spend time with him, two or tree day, yes, I like him because he very samaht. When he hungly, he scratch me on my leg. When I go ou

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-34187807410546209362010-01-13T09:15:00.001+07:002010-01-13T09:21:03.483+07:00

This story was related to me recently by a waitress who normally works in Bangkok, but goes back to her village periodically to see her children and work on her farm."I buy baby chicken in market five baht. She go, 'cheep cheep cheep' allatime. She follow me roun'. She think I am her mudder."Everywhere I go, she run behine me, go 'cheep cheep cheep' allatime."At night, I go in house, leave baby

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-28328150485454700062009-12-06T23:35:00.002+07:002009-12-06T23:43:47.870+07:00

Thailand Love Doctor - advice for relationships with Thai people, free forumThai2News - Thailand portalEducation Advice - free education advice

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-20927593045810616802009-11-26T16:29:00.001+07:002009-11-26T16:37:09.140+07:00

Airport Mafia DocumentedI was amazed to discover that Wikipedia has documented the corruption at the new airport and named the AOT managment as being part of the problem.IrregularitiesSeveral thugs and cheats, the majority of them illegal taxi drivers and tour guides, are to be found preying upon tourists within the arrival hall. These scammers belong to major, politically-well connected criminal

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-76603472978495296892009-10-28T22:13:00.002+07:002009-10-28T22:19:51.390+07:00

I finally finished testing the new version of the Multi-Language Dictionary (MLD) Web Update and the new version of Speak Easy Thai. You can download them here:http://www.thai-software.com/MultiLangDict/Pages/Download.htmI have changed the name of MLD Web Update to MLD Download Manager, which more closely indicates its purpose in life. It has new, robust Internet access routines and tries to

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-88662849819016174412009-08-10T23:02:00.003+07:002009-08-10T23:10:59.704+07:00

The Multi-Language Dictionary Forum has moved from Toronto, Ontario, to Houston, Texas; this is the first stage in getting my Thai software site off of the expensive Canadian server and onto the cheap US one, which is where all my other sites are hosted. The new address of the forum is:http://www.thai-culture-publishing.com/Forum/I have been working on Speak Easy Thai and MLD Web Update, and will

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-59103490273524871552009-07-26T21:34:00.002+07:002009-07-26T21:40:18.087+07:00

contributed by Paul GarriganWhen I first heard about Wat Thamkrabok, my life had reached a desperate state. An alcohol addition had almost destroyed me, and I wasn't sure how much longer I had to live. My liver was in bad shape because of my alcoholism, and I had ignored a doctor's instructions, a few years previously, to see a consultant. I now feared that it was beyond repair. I had been an

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-32934983547642741642009-07-05T15:33:00.004+07:002009-07-05T15:46:55.119+07:00

Termites are also called "White Ants", and they are particularly prevalent in warm weather countries. Thailand has more than 100 species of termites, some of which are edible (but not by me).Homeowners, though, get a little upset when termites start eating the wooden poles of their house. I lived in Australia for 10 years, and it was necessary to spray around the house annually. Also, when the

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-15202619266475467962009-06-27T09:36:00.002+07:002009-06-27T09:45:06.329+07:00

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-77019845395525297112009-06-02T15:46:00.000+07:002009-06-02T15:48:12.178+07:00

contributed by FabletooI Love Thailand and Will Probably Live Here for the Rest of My Life, but It's Not PerfectI have lived in Thailand for almost five years and I do love it. However, if you plan on coming to live in Thailand, do remember there are still disadvantages to living in Thailand especially for Westerners. Thailand is an exotic country, it's hot, it's frustrating sometimes and Thais

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-67483229382192671992009-05-29T14:57:00.000+07:002009-05-29T14:59:11.436+07:00

Land purchase through Thai spouse forbiddenPHUKET CITY: The director general of the Land Department has reiterated that foreigners using Thai nominees to buy land anywhere in the country will have their land title deeds revoked if caught – even if the nominee in question is a lawfully wedded spouse.Land Department Director Anuwat Meteewiboonwut made the comments during a recent stop in Phuket as

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-21980574337433453192009-05-18T01:29:00.001+07:002009-05-18T01:30:40.631+07:00

In 2004, during the months of August to December, my wife and I visited many island countries in the South Pacific.We visited a number of French Islands, including Nouvelle Caledonie (New Caledonia), Wallis Island (part of Wallis and Futuna, and which had incredibly beautiful sea views), Tahiti, and Hiva Oa in the Marquesas (where Gauguin and Jaques Brel are buried). I have stood next to

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-88609871761240541292009-05-14T15:07:00.004+07:002009-05-14T16:37:21.670+07:00

A few days ago, I made my first visa run to Laos, by bus.Normally I go to Singapore to get a 60-day tourist visa, but the last time I went, they refused to give me a 60-day visa because I have an open e-ticket back to Canada. They now want a confirmed ticket, and will not accept an open ticket. This is stupid, if you ask me. I told the lady at the front desk that if the violence in Bangkok gets

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-2217485072959315492009-04-14T10:57:00.002+07:002009-04-14T11:01:36.513+07:00

It's Songkran here now, Thai New Year, when people throw water and smear powder on your cheeks for good luck. However, many people have gone back to their villages to be with their families, so the streets are empty and there are no traffic jams.There are now 3 mobs of people protesting. The red shirts, supporters of Thaksin, are protesting the current government and succeeded in embarrassing

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-44631491359135498482009-04-14T10:47:00.003+07:002009-04-14T10:57:25.570+07:00

Although I swore I would never do it again, I made another visa run to Cambodia by bus. The one I use leaves from the coffee shop opposite Ekamai Bus Station at Sukhumvit Soi 31. It leaves at 9:30 AM, which is an OK time for me, and returns about 7PM the same day. It costs 2000 baht, and you need your passport (of course), 2 passport photos, plus a photocopy of the ID page of your passport.It's

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-65293725322603902232009-03-18T12:28:00.001+07:002009-03-18T12:29:38.119+07:00

I have made many visa runs to Singapore in the past, so many I have lost count, but it's over 10. Being a Canadian, I have never had a problem: no request to show sufficient money, no request for ongoing ticket. However, I have been frustrated on more than one occasion by the embassy being closed, in spite of diligent research on the web... they close for Christian holidays, Muslim holidays,

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-29076586871037730602009-02-22T12:44:00.003+07:002009-02-22T13:13:29.556+07:00

I have a friend who is a waitress at a large open-air restaurant frequented by both Thais and farangs. She is attractive, and has a happy, positive personality. She is frequently asked by farangs (never by Thai males) to go with them to their hotel. However, she is not a prostitute and is offended by these farangs. Unfortunately, it happens almost every day.In their own country, most men would

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-54463806415976834212009-01-29T23:10:00.003+07:002009-01-29T23:43:02.531+07:00

In the last two months, I am aware of three motorcycle accidents in my area.Tonight, coming out of Ploenchit Centre onto Sukhumvit Soi 2, there was a bunch of people clustered around the point where the driveway meets the road. There was an overturned motorcycle, which looked suspiciously like a police motorcycle, as it was creamy-white and had a red beacon light on a post. There were at least 8

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-29209126991784176022009-01-26T15:34:00.001+07:002009-01-26T15:37:53.690+07:00

I don't think there is a farang in Thailand who got into a relationship with a Thai woman and then did not regret it. This is the story of one of my assistants, whom I will call "R".My relationship with her was not sexual, strictly business. When she got pregnant, supposedly on the first sexual experience with her boyfriend, she did not want to tell her aged father, so she lived at my place, in a

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-90204555482980651442009-01-16T13:17:00.004+07:002009-01-26T16:55:49.787+07:00

How does a child learn a language? They are born unable to speak, and for the first 12 months, just make noises. But after 12 months, words come. Single words initially, but by 24 months, most children are speaking in simple sentences and have a vocabulary of several hundred words.By the age of 5, most children can form complex sentence structures and communicate their thoughts and desires quite

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-85650291899986459082009-01-05T21:12:00.010+07:002009-01-06T18:45:23.293+07:00

Having lived in Thailand for a number of years, I am convinced that Thai people lack the common sense gene. I love them, I love living here, but every farang here has seen many examples of seemingly stupid behaviour, ranging from sidewalks that are broken and barely usable to the recent tragedy at the Santika Club on New Year's Eve.I live very close to the Nana Entertainment Plaza on Sukhumvit

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-42711816963507577282008-12-28T14:17:00.001+07:002009-01-06T23:05:23.839+07:00

I was walking in Sukhumvit Soi 4, sightseeing with my friend. I saw two men with a baby elephant. One of the men was selling sugarcane and cucumber to tourists and Thai people so they could feed his elephant. In Thailand, it is considered good luck to touch an elephant or to have an elephant touch you.The men do this after the rice farming is finished. They buy the sugarcane and cucumber at the

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-22964663026625476882008-12-13T21:04:00.003+07:002008-12-13T21:13:39.448+07:00

Tonight I was in Boots, the UK pharmacy that has 106 shops in Thailand, buying some pain pills for my sore back. All pharmacies in Thailand have many skin whitening creams because almost all Thai women think they are "too black".While we white-skinned Caucasians appreciate their golden beauty, they equate darker skin with poverty, because poor farmers work all day in the rice fields. Every Thai

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-50590333019674516382008-12-09T21:12:00.004+07:002008-12-09T21:27:53.952+07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I made the decision to walk away from Canada and my ever-increasing debts, and return to Bangkok, where I can live on my small Canadian pension. I have enough frequent flyer miles with Air Canada's Aeroplan FF program that I could get to Bangkok for free. But then the People's Alliance for Democracy (P.A.D.), which as far as I can see, wants to destroy democracy and impose

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-22882449329370722072008-11-23T23:30:00.001+07:002008-11-23T23:39:56.606+07:00

Thai uses a simple sentence structure: Subject, Verb, Object. If the subject is a pronoun, you can leave it out if the context is clear:I live in Rayong --> live in Rayong --> yoo tee Rayong.Verbs are not conjugated; past, present, and future all use the same word; you use time words to indicate the tense, and the time word always follows the verb.You indicate past tense by putting “already” (

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-53266513693744009602008-11-13T21:40:00.006+07:002008-11-13T22:46:34.701+07:00

One day, a couple of years ago, one of my assistants left work at her usual time of 5:30 PM. At 9:30 that evening, she called me on the phone, crying:"Doug, please help me, I need your help!"I was surprised, because she gave no indication when she left that there was anything wrong."I have to pay Mafia man 30,000 baht (about US$1000 at the time).""Why?" I asked."A year ago, I borrow money, buy

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-67074989698963259102008-11-12T22:48:00.004+07:002008-11-12T23:08:14.756+07:00

November 12 is Loy Kratong in Thailand. This festival is always on the night of the full moon of the 12th lunar month. In this festival, which is held all over Thailand, people make or buy small floating rafts, each of which has some flowers and a candle. Usually there are also three joss sticks (incense), and the person adds a small coin.The candle and incense are lit and the kratong is placed

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-45704991280564005732008-11-04T06:53:00.002+07:002008-11-04T07:01:04.149+07:00

Thailand is one of the most interesting and easy going countries in the world and can make for the perfect holiday destination. However, it pays to learn a little about the country before traveling here as there are certain cultural nuances to be aware of so as not to upset the locals and to ensure a more enjoyable time.Getting there and aroundBangkok is the main gateway to Thailand, receiving

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-73897115840661871162008-10-22T23:22:00.001+07:002008-10-22T23:24:03.202+07:00

Information for Christians wanting to find new relationships or dates.http://www.christian-match.info/

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-73370587764206560752008-10-14T20:22:00.004+07:002008-10-15T03:38:22.711+07:00

In Praise of Asian Women -- is a video slide show of nude Asian (mostly Thai) women. It's in WMV format, so won't run on a Mac unless you have Bootcamp or Parallels.Also check out: I'm Live! Asian Adult Video Chat

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-23082997051628828622008-09-24T11:01:00.002+07:002008-10-11T03:01:07.570+07:00

Videos about Thailand, Thai Culture, Thai Food, Learning Thai, Thailand Tourism, Thailand Ladyboys, Thailand Bar Girls:http://www.learn-faster.org/Thai/Videos/Also check out: I'm Live! Asian Adult Video Chat

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-8234844485091122232008-09-09T20:41:00.004+07:002008-09-09T20:57:03.766+07:00

For quite a while now, I have been following with fascination the writings of Bill Yaryan on his blog located at http://wyaryan.blogspot.com/Starting a year ago, when he arrived in Bangkok in late August 2007, he has been chronicling his life in Thailand, including falling in love with a Thai lady half his age. He has been writing about his feelings and emotions as the relationship had its ups

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-90974333867895668802008-09-09T19:39:00.002+07:002008-09-09T19:42:51.030+07:00

Today Prime Minister Samak was convicted of a conflict of interest by the Constitution Court because he hosts a TV cooking show. Or perhaps one could turn it around: TV Cooking Show Host Convicted for Impersonating a Prime Minister.Thailand never ceases to amaze me.

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-28505953528578868642008-08-26T20:15:00.002+07:002008-08-26T20:25:36.920+07:00

Whatever you think about Thailand's version of "democracy", there is no denying that Thai people themselves care deeply about freedom and good government, even if they don't always get it. In Western countries, most of us are pretty passive about the government. In the US, where millions loath George Bush and the Military-Industrial Complex, only a few people actually protest. Most people are

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-1361779801340844132008-08-14T00:13:00.001+07:002008-08-14T00:15:05.810+07:00

New site on pet training and health care.http://www.pet-training.info/Dogs.html

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-92183872164648631772008-08-08T22:46:00.001+07:002008-08-08T22:51:05.110+07:00

Symantec Norton 360, 2008 edition, is the world's best and most popular anti-virus and Internet security software. It now uses 1/4 the amount of memory as previous editions and runs considerably faster as well.I have used AVG Free Anti-Virus and got annoyed with the intrusive pop-up messages whenever it does an update. I would be typing something in Microsoft Word and then all of a sudden, my

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-5549943416219685192008-07-24T01:56:00.003+07:002008-07-24T02:10:16.777+07:00

While wasting time browsing the Internet the other day, I came across the story of a young American woman named Holly Mann, who is an Iraqi war vet, and a single mother of a 3 year old boy. She's only 25 and lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand.What's remarkable is that, after her service in Iraq, she was living in the US, pregnant and penniless, and decided to do something bold to change her life. For

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-61477746417825487802008-07-08T21:07:00.003+07:002008-07-08T21:40:34.647+07:00

With all the excitement over rising gasoline/petrol prices, I did a little research on using a water-based fuel cell. They are cheap and easy to build. Basically, they use electrolysis to break water down into hydrogen and oxygen gases. The unstable mixture is called Oxyhydrogen and has the chemical symbol HHO (as opposed to liquid water which is H2O). The gas is injected into the incoming air

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-9699906073775427972008-06-24T10:06:00.001+07:002008-06-24T10:08:34.990+07:00

Where the hell is Matt?http://www.vimeo.com/1211060 If the video is jerky, press the pause button and let the buffer fill up, then press play again.

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-68494708626331523382008-06-18T18:34:00.001+07:002008-06-18T18:36:10.868+07:00

Today I discovered another Thailand blog; this one has a lot of good pictures about Surin and other parts of Isaan. It’s at http://isanthailand.blogspot.com/

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-12111441655489540732008-05-10T09:31:00.004+07:002008-06-11T00:53:47.493+07:00

Back in 1988, I bought a big black grammar book called "Fundamentals of Thai Grammar". Although I found the phonetics (transliteration) system obtuse, the book is a wonderful resource of everything you ever wanted to know about Thai grammar. Indeed, every time I pick up the book to look up something, I invariably get distracted by all the other useful little tidbits. There are hundreds, if not

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-70100692385005767382008-04-30T09:19:00.002+07:002008-04-30T09:22:16.717+07:00

I have been working on a Thai language section for my Learn Faster web site. I have added a lot of articles on Thai culture and Thai food, as well as a short summary of some products available to learn Thai. I will add more stuff soon.The new site is at www.learn-faster.org/Thai

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-23391024033047552432008-02-07T08:36:00.000+07:002008-02-07T08:38:49.408+07:00

The Only Complete Guide To UK Immigration.Learn safely how to successfully emigrate,live and work in any part of Britain.How to find a job in London and other UK cities.How to get a work permit.What visa do you need?http://www.learn-faster.org/English/Emigrate2UK.html

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-13616703631732998152007-11-28T05:37:00.000+07:002007-11-28T05:39:40.354+07:00

I have been interested in model railroading since I was 7 or 8 years old. I have finally begun a new site about it, with some articles on how to build mountains, make trees and rock cuts, etc. The site is at http://www.model-railroading.org/ToyTrains/index.html

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-70864613822389265572007-10-23T10:48:00.000+07:002007-10-23T10:49:46.544+07:00

I have added a section on Dementia to my Superior Health web site; this complements my Alzheimer site, which was established 8 months ago.The new site is at http://www.Superior-Health.info/Dementia/The Alzheimer site is at http://www.1-800-Alzheimers.org

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-3978365127892677782007-10-09T09:38:00.000+07:002007-10-09T09:42:21.344+07:00

I haven't written much lately on this blog because I have been working on a new web site to help people learn Japanese faster. See Learn Japanese Faster!. It has more than 45 articles on various aspects of the Japanese language from people who have been there, done that, and have now written about it.My Learn English Faster! web site is also doing well, with more than 275 people joining the

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-59032994108095761332007-08-12T05:13:00.000+07:002008-12-11T01:47:00.089+07:00

Many people enjoy Thai food worldwide: spicy soups and salads, flavorful rice dishes are abundant. But in Thailand, fried or roasted insects and scorpions are also popular, readily available, and inexpensive. Insects have traditionally been a rich source of protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals in the Northern Thailand diet. They are also prized as delicacies. In fact, it is unusual to

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-13377430047524198272007-07-21T01:25:00.000+07:002007-07-21T02:42:56.381+07:00

The BBC has a photo article on eating insects. I lived on Sukhumvit Soi 4; there was a street vendor there every evening selling fried insects. No, I never tried any. (shudder)BBC articleHere's another interesting article about American entomologists visiting Khon Kaen and eating insects for the first time: Tastes Like Chicken?And yet another article. This one was published in the New York Times.

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-26456434512410527792007-07-12T10:32:00.000+07:002008-12-11T01:47:00.273+07:00

Anyone who has ever visited Thailand will know about the beauty of Thai women. In their twenties, they are striking. In their thirties, they are looking more mature, but still most are very attractive.The women working in the ubiquitous bars and massage parlors of Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket are mostly former housewives, believe it or not, married but separated, with two kids they left back in

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-15636184954098292512007-07-11T18:30:00.000+07:002008-12-11T01:47:00.595+07:00

This morning, at dawn, I listened to the morning news delivered by a large, black crow in the tree next to my bedroom window. This crow has a very large vocabulary, and its language is tonal, like Thai. Although crows can make only one sound, which in English we transcribe as "caw", in fact it uses the same five tones as Thai. The morning news lasted about ten minutes, with frequent pauses,

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-39248778975449539972007-07-11T00:57:00.000+07:002007-07-13T03:51:17.446+07:00

The main problem with learning to speak Thai is that the basis of the language is not European-based. English and the other Euro languages have Latin, Greek, Viking, etc., roots; Thai does not, so you have to memorize hundreds, if not thousands, of strange and unrelated sounds. This is difficult, unless you use some sort of memory trigger.Speak Easy Thai is a low-cost (about US$25) CD-ROM that

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-4602438813920898242007-07-01T19:32:00.000+07:002007-07-01T21:31:41.212+07:00

Go here:http://www.1-click.jp/It takes a minute or two to load. Then move your mouse cursor over the screen.Try moving the mouse quickly, and then pausing. Try clicking, too.

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-42957887147440649432007-07-01T05:05:00.000+07:002007-07-01T05:08:15.791+07:00

I have started a digital photography blog at http://dougs-photography.info/WordPress/which will contain tips and techniques for choosing a digital camera, photo printer, taking photos, and making money by selling your photos.Check it out.

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-21144848935045740192007-06-21T02:02:00.000+07:002007-06-21T19:02:35.215+07:00

The girls at Thai Culture Publishing have been having a hard time lately, as one of their computers started acting strangely, constantly rebooting during the initial loading of Windows.This is a sign of the Blaster worm, among other things, so I decided the best way to fix this would be to remove the drive, put it in an external box, and run a virus scan on it.However, I am in Ottawa, Canada, not

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-84729821465898202552007-06-16T07:16:00.000+07:002007-06-16T07:27:11.403+07:00

I have been researching English learning resources lately, as I have some Thai friends who need some help. I have consolidated what I have learned so far here:http://www.ebooks-international.com/Languages/LearnEnglish.htmlThe Thai people I know fall into two categories, as far as education goes: those with a university or college education, and those who quit school at age 10 or so and had to

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-8954022166438305412007-06-10T04:10:00.000+07:002007-06-10T04:19:41.223+07:00

I found this article very interesting, as I have done some research on car auctions:Most Expensive Ferrari Ever Soldby Mike BartleyThe popularity of the Ferrari is known the world over. The Italian carmaker is known not only for building good looking cars with high performance but also for the price that these vehicles fetch. In fact the company's cheapest model has a base price of $150,000. When

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-812761004857369962007-06-03T22:49:00.000+07:002007-06-03T22:54:34.666+07:00

For many years before I retired, I was involved in software testing and quality assurance of software applications. Frequently, I was the manager of a test team of 5 to 8 people. I have now put my experiences into a web site, called QA and Software Testing Concepts, which also has basic definitions, as well as some jokes and true stories about failed testing.

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-84257579135621661092007-06-03T07:58:00.000+07:002007-06-03T07:59:32.431+07:00

Here is a good place to learn about digital photography: how to take portrait photos of babies, children, old people, etc. How to take killer landscape photos, travel photography, how to sell your pictures, how to take nude photos and glamour photos. http://www.photography-help.biz/

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-56182669450293015792007-04-23T18:05:00.000+07:002007-04-23T18:20:23.513+07:00

I received the following e-mail today from a friend in Australia; supposedly, the original was written by John Cleese. Britain is Repossessing the U.S.A. A Message from John Cleese To the citizens of the United States of America: In light of your failure to elect a competent President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-22737088172055573892007-04-21T09:57:00.000+07:002007-04-21T10:11:12.320+07:00

One article I read, which mentioned that the issue of gun control may arise yet again, had a quote from a pro-gun organisation saying that if everyone had been armed, the shooter would have been stopped at the beginning of his rampage and fatalities would have been far less. While that's probably true, the guy should not have had a gun in the first place.In Australia, about 10 years ago, a

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-44621465001873487752007-04-21T09:49:00.000+07:002007-04-21T09:50:49.464+07:00

Predictions of the Year 2000from The Ladies Home Journal of December 1900

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-24056876097338306372007-04-21T09:15:00.000+07:002007-04-21T09:45:50.088+07:00

I haven't posted much lately, mostly because I am running out of time. I ran out of money many months ago, and have been borrowing money from a bank in Canada to keep me and Thai Culture Publishing afloat. It's a new company and isn't profitable yet. I figured it would take a year.Things weren't helped by one of the founders deciding her ex-boyfriend needed money more than the company did and

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-34269016200330476382007-04-07T21:57:00.000+07:002007-04-07T22:03:09.368+07:00

The mother of a friend died recently, quite suddenly, after taking medicine to improve her memory, as she was suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. My own mother will be 90 in mid-May, and is becoming forgetful herself.So these two things suddenly motivated me and I spent 4 or 5 days creating an Alzheimer's web site. You can see it here.At the moment, it's mostly a framework, with only a small

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-18401248333909230342007-04-07T21:45:00.000+07:002007-04-07T22:04:50.140+07:00

I met with a Belgian named Yves Masure yesterday, along with Kanokporn Boonjan, the Managing Director of Thai Culture Publishing. Yves has been working on an encyclopedic reference or guide to Thailand and Thai culture for 9 years, and produced a CD-ROM and web site called THAILEX. It's now in its fourth incarnation.Yves demonstrated his CD; it's pretty good, very impressive, has lots of stuff I

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-64629541281252675772007-04-07T21:23:00.000+07:002007-04-07T21:43:32.380+07:00

I read on the BBC news site today about a family who named their child "Metallica", and had the name rejected by government authorities."The name Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 - pronounced Albin - was also rejected by authorities in 1996. The boy's parents had chosen the name as a protest against Swedish naming laws."I dunno, I kind of like the name

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-40608899627428515282007-04-03T07:31:00.000+07:002007-04-03T07:35:25.739+07:00

In Australia, cane toads are a problem. They were originally imported from Brazil and released in the north about 50 or 60 years ago, I think, to combat sugar cane beetle. The problem is, they contain two sacs behind the head which contain a poison deadly to just about everything. If a dog eats the cane toad, that toad dies, but so does the dog. Ditto with snakes, lizards, and most birds. One

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-4640665593985232352007-03-06T07:36:00.000+07:002007-03-06T07:49:41.594+07:00

Note from my brother that arrived today:Today I had to take [my daughter] Joanna to Waterloo for an interview; it was snowy and really windy when we set out. Things weren't too bad, though, so we kept going.Got to the Guelph area and got into some really bad white-out conditions and the highway we were on was closed. Got to Waterloo eventually, passing numerous accidents, rollovers, cars in ditch

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-1203819773955586482007-02-15T21:33:00.000+07:002007-02-15T21:37:25.913+07:00

I learned a new expression in Thai today: "Hong Kong Foot". Yes, that's the Thai; it refers to what we call in English, "Athlete's Foot", the fungus that grows between your toes. Apparently Athlete's Foot is a major problem in Thailand because practically everyone wears open rubber flip-flops, and there's water everywhere. But I never knew this was called "Hong Kong Foot" in Thai until today.

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-76203747327974405012007-02-12T08:55:00.001+07:002007-02-12T08:55:56.256+07:00

The Culture Ministry [of Thailand] has launched the '10 Commandments of Love' in an attempt to prevent teenagers getting too carried away on Valentine's Day. They are:1. Love with patience, so as not to become a premature parent2. Truly love only one person3. Love with mercy, trying not to hurt the one you love4. Carefully love to avoid taking risks that might lead to contracting sexual diseases5

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-59900978185035362522007-02-11T23:23:00.000+07:002007-02-11T23:23:12.328+07:00

I have Buddy Broadband at my room, which requires a monthly top-up of 650 baht. I called their telephone line, and got a recording that gave several menu options. Eventually, I got to the Payment Options section, one of which is credit card. However, they don't actually allow you to enter a credit card number, they just tell you that you can do it. Not exactly useful.They also say you can pay via

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-81230006418791841552007-02-11T23:18:00.000+07:002007-02-09T15:45:06.576+07:00

From ThaiVisa.com:How does a Thai person pronounce the following English words?Q: right, rice, light, lie, like, lice, life, ripe, rhyme, line, ride, rite, rife, rise, wry, lime, ryeA: lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie .... stiwpid langwit!!

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-71014396300055815692007-02-09T15:19:00.000+07:002008-12-11T01:47:01.291+07:00

Yesterday Thai Culture Publishing got a big order for the Speak Easy Thai CD-ROM from a large distributor. They had been working on this for four months, so were pretty happy when the order arrived by e-mail.However, there were 92 separate purchase orders, and each order had to be packaged separately, with a delivery page and invoice attached. So the girls started wrapping the orders. I just

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-37620617027120049552007-01-29T21:44:00.000+07:002007-01-29T21:51:31.273+07:00

I use MSN Messenger to keep in touch with friends around the world. My assistants also use it.I usually put a subtitle under my name, saying what project I am working on, or naming the current Thai holiday, whatever. One day I put "In hot and steamy Bangkok" because it was 33 degrees C outside and 90% humidity.Shortly thereafter, one of my assistants started crying.I went out to see what was

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-71707324407091209482007-01-29T21:42:00.000+07:002007-01-29T21:43:43.679+07:00

The new subway, opened in mid 2005, is first class, very well designed and very efficient. On a scale of one to five, I give it five stars. The stations are wide, escalators are fast, trains are fast and clean and bright. And it's not expensive to take a trip anywhere. The SkyTrain, built a few years ago, is efficient, but not as well designed. There are only 3 cars in the trains, although the

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-38312836927780533132007-01-29T21:35:00.000+07:002007-01-29T21:37:20.890+07:00

One night, I and my two assistants were sitting in a German restaurant near my place, when there was a funny kind of HONK! at the door. It was a baby elephant, poking his head inside. His handler was selling food, probably sugar cane, to feed the elephant. This doesn't happen very often to me in restaurants in Canada or Australia, but here in Thailand, it is not unusual.Expect the unexpected.

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-41594477448872429702007-01-29T21:34:00.001+07:002007-01-29T21:39:09.806+07:00

Near where I live is the multi-storey, slightly sleazy Nana Entertainment Plaza, which has many licenced bars. Almost all of the 30 or 35 bars or clubs have a standard bar with stools, bartender, and a mirror behind the bartender, just like any other bar in the world. They also have a carousel (some have two) in the centre of the floor, and three rows of bench-type seats, successively higher,

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-45440272763276785772007-01-29T21:33:00.000+07:002007-01-29T21:40:41.266+07:00

I was talking to a beautiful young girl in a bar at Nana, which is near my apartment. "How old are you?" I asked. "Twenny foh," she replied, "how ole you?" "Fifty-nine," I said. "Oh," she said, "same same father me."

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-12105505434939877902007-01-29T21:31:00.000+07:002007-01-29T21:41:30.483+07:00

Two of my assistants often sleep over in my apartment, one in the second bedroom, the other on the sofa. They both sleep with a light on. I asked why. "Because of goat," said Kik. "Goat?" I asked. "Yes, at night goats come." OK, I believe that. Sure, uh huh.

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1248722250973396836.post-71351506927568843122007-01-29T20:03:00.000+07:002007-01-29T20:58:10.958+07:00

April is Songkran, the Thai New Year. Thai people celebrate three new years every year: the standard Gregorian one at January 1, Chinese New Year, and Thai New Year. Did I mention that Thai people like to have fun? Songkran is also known in English as “The Water Festival”. In the Buddhist temples, priests conduct ceremonies pouring water over people’s hands while chanting a prayer. On the

Doug Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097957625094213378noreply@blogger.com0