rucus7

What do you think the chances are of Democratic canidate, Martha Coakly losing to GOP canidate Scott Brown? Some say this special election in Massachusetts is very close. This 60th vote is needed to pass the health-care reform bill.

Correct me if I am wrong . . . . 60 votes to end a filibuster, a simple majority to pass a bill. . . . .

I have been a SCUBA diver since the late 1980's. We were taught when diving in the open Ocean, some sort of universal marker indicating a diver down below was necessary to avoid this happening.

Regarding olive oil, I have heard the same as you, but I use extra virgin all the time. The only downside I see is it is more expensive.

The carbonara recipe I use is:

Spaghetti Carbonara

Ingredients

Serves 4 to 6

• 1/2 cup diced pancetta or bacon

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• Coarse salt

• 1 pound spaghetti

• 6 large egg yolks

• 1/4 pound Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated

Directions

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat.

In a large skillet over medium heat, slowly cook pancetta or bacon until the fat has been rendered and the pancetta or bacon is crisp. Add pepper and remove from heat.

Generously salt boiling water (it should be as salty as sea water) and return to a boil; add pasta. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 4 tablespoons of pasta water.

Add reserved pasta water to skillet. Place skillet over low heat, add egg yolks, and gently swirl pan to combine. Add pasta, pancetta or bacon and cheese; toss to coat. Serve immediately on warmed plates.

May add ¼ cup heavy cream with the egg yolks for added richness.

Unless you already have high cholesterol, don't worry.

An excellent recipe, I have been using it for close to twenty years. The only addition being two Table spoons of finely chopped yellow onion added into the bacon.Also one table spoon finely chopped parsley into the toss.

Thanks for the help. I am usually coming from Rayong. I come the back way. I come out on Sukumvit in the Jomtien area., turn right proceed on Sukumvit for 10 or 12 kilometers. Then turn left on Pattaya Klang. If I am going to Friendship Market, I take it I would turn left on Pattaya Tai, Then proceed how far?

I think this will attract tourists, not deter them. Many are looking for just this kind of thing. I don't think that many would admit to it though.

Can someone give me directions to friendship market. I will be coming from the jomtien area. If you can give me landmarks it would help greatly.

My first visa in Thailand was the marriage variety. At the time of my first extension, it was suggested by immigration that I change to retirement. I have had a retirement visa since

Also there was not a 90 day wait for the visa application to be processed. Maybe things have tightened up since then.

My first visa in Thailand was the marriage variety. At the time of my first extension, it was suggested by immigration that I change to retirement. I have had a retirement visa since

I am not sure I understand. The tourist agreed to the fair cost, then reneged and tried to bargain? Is this because it was such a short ride?

I spend a couple months in an ashram and it was a nice break from ordinary life.

It was during those months that it became clear to me what my next move should be in my professional life, maybe not the objective of a spiritual community but it worked for me.

Was the ashram part of a commercial enterprise? Did they advertise on Facebook?

No, I have not noticed any increase in prices. Long may that last

There has been no price increase because of the threatened boycott on this forum. Once more the Internet proves its power.

You too can be enlightened . . . . . . for a price. Seriously I have known about this for nearly a year, it is real. People spend money for this. I am not sure I understand what can be achieved in a month.

http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29179

I never had a problem until a year ago. I've got a VISA from US Bank (had it for years, never an issue or late payment, big credit limit, etc.) and, all of a sudden, they stopped accepting any charges from Thailand. When I called and complained, they said that the policy of a lot or most of US banks changed because of the amount of fraudulent credit card purchases from Thailand. When I asked why couldn't I simply authorize the charges (i.e., tag my account in advance), they simply told me that they couldn't do that. All they offered to do is maybe authorize the charge if the vendor telephoned them in the US (I told the guy he was crazy and my days with US Bank were numbered).

My second card is a Mastercard from HSBC (again, had it for years, big credit limit, never an issue) and they just started refusing charges in the last 4-5 months (it started with me trying to get an Air Asia ticket online). Again, in spite of my calling and bitching and moaning, the best the guy would do is say they probably would authorize the charge if the vendor called them (like I told him, the likelihood of me finding some Air Asia employee in Kuala Lumpur that was willing to call some dork in the US was about nil).

Like I said, I don't need a credit card but on rare occasion (like getting an online domestic air ticket or paying for a hotel here on rare occasion), it sure would be handy.

When you said Air asia it jogged my memory, I used a Mastercard online to pay for plane tickets in early September. The trip is scheduled for this coming April I booked very early, I can't see how that would make any difference though.

My bank (SCB) won't let me have a Thai credit card because I don't have a work permit (I do have a long-term visa but that apparently doesn't count). While my guess is SCB is just doing what other banks do, I'm wondering if any of you have a Thai credit card and, if so, how you got it?

I don't need one but, since my US cards won't work over here (in spite of my repeated bitching to them to allow charges from Thailand), I'd like to have one if I ever needed one (plus it'd make buying domestic airline tickets online a whole lot easier).

I have never had a problem with my American credit cards. Is this a recent development? I don't use credit cards often and could have missed something.

I imagine it would be a difficult flight for a smoker. Luckily I quit in 1986. As a smoker,I remember when the no smoking signs went off, and the clouds of cigarette smoke rolled through the plane. It sure must have been difficult to be a non smoker.

Have any members flown non stop BKK to LAX via Thai international/ Was it worth the extra money?

This "story" is perfect for fox "news" I wonder if they picked it up? However since a significant percentage of their audience is white trash they may leave it alone.

It is good to see this type of legal case get international media. Change may be brought about by national embarrassment.

Marching is a form of exercise, and exercise is beneficial in any form. Awareness will be raised as well.

Thanks for your response Thaimo, You have re-enforced what I have read. However we have good friends in a very similar position that have been granted a ten year visa 2 1/2 years ago. They have been to America and she returned to Thailand. Do you have personal experience? Or are are you basing your response on internet research, like I have been.

A one week count down to the New Year. Seems like a not so subtle attempt to generate revenue. Any reason to indulge, in a city (Pattatya) that needs no excuse already?

Same old same old, Religion equates to physical pain. That logic just does not float my boat.

Why not? Green Tea is considered a cure all by many people. The jury is still out as far as I am concerned.

Do any members have experience with obtaining tourist visa for their wives? What I have read versus what I have heard do not conform. There seems to be no consensus.

Does anyone know what percentage of the populous that actually makes the minimum wage in Thailand? I think it may be significant.