NanAtSOL

I think e-gates are open go more nationals now

Didn't know there was such a thing. Not my favourite dish, to say the least, so I can't be of any help here, lol.

Every time my mum arrives, the airport taxi refuses to turn on meter, negotiates 500-600 and then - when driving away from airport - tells her the tolls will be 300 and demands she hand over that cash immediately. Of course, the tolls are like 70 baht or something. I mean doing that to an elderly woman, they are just the lowest of the low, as far as I am concerned. Apps are much simpler even from airport. Lineman even has a meter taxi option (plus 20 baht hailing fee).

I have mixed feelings about the new wave of Burmese bar staff. On the one hand, they have better English and probably more professional than Thais. But on the other hand, there is no "sanook" or flirting in them from what I have seen, which is what Thailand is all about. But I do find it amusing that they are replacing Thais, as I have often been unimpressed with the service and attitudes of Thai waitresses. Makes you wonder what jobs these Thai girls will be going for in the future. Off to the mattresses where they belong!

I think the Patpong Musuem closed down. There's a cultural museum in the Old Town, dunno if it has any art tho

You are correct. Isaan is actually a dialect of Lao as there is mutual intelligibility between Laos speakers and Isaan speakers (i.e. a Thai person speaking Isaan can communicate in Laos no problem). But they cannot speak Isaan to a regular Thai person (e.g. from Central Thailand) and be understood, therefor it's actually not a dialect of Thai, according to the linguistic definition (because there is no mutual intelligibility between Thai and Isaan). However, Thailand would probably say Isaan is a dialect of Thai, but this is not linguistically true, just as there are 'Chinese dialects' that have absolutely no mutual intelligibility at all, but the Chinese government will still maintain they are dialects of Chinese. This is one of the reasons why we cannot say exactly how many different languages there are in the world, and how many are just dialects of each other. This is also the same for Malay and Indonesian, as well as Swedish and Danish. Despite being from different countries, they can speak freely to each other, just as an American and a Brit can speak freely. They are in fact speaking dialects of the same language. That said, all Thais are educated in the Thai language. So every Thai should be fluent in Thai, even if they only spoke Isaan at home. Though in deepest, darkest Isaan the teachers probably only speak Isaan, but the written materials will be in Thai, so they will be speaking Thai formally for that. A good example is my kid who was fluent in English and Isaan, but weak in Thai according to her kindergarten teacher, but they all become fluent in Thai in the end because the formal education is in Thai (not to mention all media is in Thai). I guess if they don't understand you, it is because your tone or pronunciation is wrong.

How's it going?

Probably a few baht per capsule at the most

Went to The Tavern today to try an American breakfast for the first time. It was ok. Don't think it beats an English fry up. Coffee was dreadful, btw. The only thing that really impressed me was the serving of butter. And since the changeover and redecoration, it just doesn't have the same atmosphere as before. All Burmese staff today too who don't seem to get the flirty fun vibes that guys come to Thailand for.

They are tolerant to the extent of being non confrontational (usually) and not wanting to disturb the harmony of the collective (mostly) or lose face. But I don't think they are truly any nicer than Westerners. Being quiet and polite is not the same as being good or moral. I think Thais try to look good, rather than be good, bearing in mind it is a shame based society, not guilt based society. As others have said, racism and discrimination are baked into society here, especially the lower levels. The West is more tolerant in many ways, but look where that has gotten them.

Damn, surprised that would happen on Silom

Interesting, which bar was that? I've never had that experience in a bar (only Wine Connection)

The only place I have gone to eat/drink that does not serve booze during those hours is Wine Connection. I think it's because they have an off-license on site. Never had this issue at another bar or restaurant; can drink any time (except Buddha days). Aside from that, it is a minor inconvenience timing my supermarket trips (if I want to buy a bottle of wine too) or sometimes I'll feel like a beer and won't be able to get one at 7eleven. It's no big deal, just dumb. It would be a big deal if all bars, restaurants, and clubs had to abide by the same rules as shops. Fuck flying across the world for that bullshit.

They probably don't care who is right or wrong. Thailand is right, that's it.

I don't see how this can grow into a larger situation (i.e. affecting Bangkok/Pattaya) as Cambodia doesn't have any planes. Their army is 3 times smaller than Thailand's and Thailand's army has 10 times the funding. They don't have a proper Navy like Thailand either, I don't think they have any frigates or anything that could do damage.