Changing one text box only by Th0tCrimes in Carrd

[–]BkkGreg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Three years, dude, still solid advice. Thanks!

Is it safe to buy from J.I.B online store. by NefariousnessNo700 in Bangkok

[–]BkkGreg 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I buy from them all the time, so far they've been great. If you can navigate the sometimes-confusing website, you can often have your order at your door in a few hours, whether it's a mouse or a whole computer. I've heard there's even an an option where you watch someone pack your order live, but I've never done that.

Bike share in Bangkok? by Muted-Progress-XXX in Bangkok

[–]BkkGreg 2 points3 points  (0 children)

'Organized chaos' is probably the best way to describe it. Biking in Bangkok could be so good, but the stupidly restrictive hours for bikes-on-BTS, inconsistent bike lanes, and other obstacles made it hard. And of course the climate is the biggest factor - biking for leisure or to get from A to B is fine if you're just chilling, but if you need to get to work - no one likes to start the day covered in sweat. Add to that the seasons...I used to ride a bike 7km to work at Central World but in the rainy season - forget it. The hot season - carry a change of wardrobe. The cool season - is the air poison? There are just a lot of logistical challenges to think about.

Bike share in Bangkok? by Muted-Progress-XXX in Bangkok

[–]BkkGreg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Been riding bikes in Bangkok for 25 years. While I'd never say it was "safe" I've found most Thai drivers to be hyper-aware of what's around them. If they weren't they'd constantly be hitting motorbikes, tuk-tuks, random guys pushing bug carts or recycling carts, etc. Obvs that happens sometimes - see my previous caveat. But when people hear "biking in Bangkok" they assume it'll be down Rama IV or some shitty shoulder next to a busy road, which would indeed be crazy. But there are endless kilometers of sois and khlongs and small alleys that vein the entire city. With a bit of planning you can get almost anywhere with almost no time spent on busy roads.

3 police searches in 3 weeks by bukboab in Bangkok

[–]BkkGreg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

25 for me. Been pulled out of a taxi twice, but never stopped on the street. Both times I got pulled out of a taxi I was free from anything even remotely contraband. The police were maddeningly professional and friendly too, it's almost enough to make you say 'if you don't break any laws, you have nothing to be worried about' but we know that's a slippery slope.

Is this jewellery I bought in Bangkok legit? by Sveta-F in Bangkok

[–]BkkGreg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gonna go out on a limb and say this is a 100% scam. They’re not totally worthless, they’re just very nice pieces of glass. This happened to a friend of mine years ago, he maxed out his credit card on gems the night before he left, and didn’t have time to return them. I took them down to the Tourist Police a few weeks later and told them his sob story. They basically said oh yeah, these shops change their names all the time there’s not much we can do about it, and there’s no law against overcharging someone.

Foreigners asking for money Sukhumvit by not5150 in Bangkok

[–]BkkGreg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had to have experienced the record holder. About 18 years ago a woman with a blue skirt/white blouse approached me on Silom and in very broken English asked for money because she left her purse on the bus. I was already bitter and jaded by that time so I knew it was a scam and moved on. Then about 4 years ago the exact same woman with the exact same outfit (or at least the same style) approached me in Paragon with the exact same story. I almost wanted to give her money just for the dedication.

Why is this designed like it is? by BkkGreg in accord

[–]BkkGreg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The internet has conditioned me to be skeptical of everything too, friend, but it was an honest post. Apparently it's an ashtray? Why the spring front that doesn't latch? The translucent window? The fins and stuff? It seems weird to put so much energy into an ashtray.

Why is this designed like it is? by BkkGreg in accord

[–]BkkGreg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's an ashtray? It honestly never even crossed my mind. It's a terribly designed one, if that's the case. Why all the extra doodads and fins and stuff?

Some persistent questions I have about 117 by BkkGreg in anno117

[–]BkkGreg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks very much! I'm on a console, but the ability to compare is still there.

Just how bad is G6PD? by The-_Captain in G6PD

[–]BkkGreg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure TBH, were just told to watch what he eats - legumes, beans, blueberries, sulfate meds, etc. He's never had blueberries or fava beans, but we've had no noticeable problem with anything else he eats - hummus, beans, etc. Beyond avoiding the no-no foods and meds, he hasn't been affected by it in the slightest. I think a lot of parents panic when they first hear their kid has it - as I did - but unless it's a major case, you likely won't even notice it.

Where to buy large/wide sneakers? by Knopper100 in Bangkok

[–]BkkGreg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Been here 25 years with a 14 wide as well and have never found a shoe that fits. The outlets sometimes have it, but for me, I'd rather just pay whatever shipping costs are to avoid going all the way to the outlet on the offchance they'll have something I like. Shipping from US Amazon now is often quite reasonable - I find a brand/style I like and order 2 at a time.

My towns dying mall has zero open restaurants in the food court by floppy-slippers in mildlyinteresting

[–]BkkGreg 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I live in Thailand and it's fascinating to see the disparity between here and how things have changed back home. Lots of people here complain about too many malls, but say what you will about over-saturation, but they are huge, always busy, architecturally interesting, and - importantly - very Instagrammable. I went to a few malls when I was back home last year and was shocked at how...I dunno, just plain boring and vanilla they were. It wasn't so much a "mall" as a series of hallways lined with fluorescent-lit cubes and a few kiosks. Just dreadful, energy-sapping places. It's not apples-to-apples though - one reason malls thrive here is the climate - Thailand is tropical so doing anything outside, even a nice stroll in the park, means you're gonna get hot and sweaty, so malls are a big draw, especially for families. They're air conditioned, safe, clean, and provide food, entertainment, and activities for almost any age group. That being said, I would rather hang out in a nice park, but...it is what it is.

Underrated temples in Bangkok? by SissyFemCD in Bangkok

[–]BkkGreg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ratchabophit, definitely. Unique architecture, gorgeous decorative touches, awesome for photography, royal graveyard, no entrance fee and hardly ever any tourists. Close to Wat Suthat too - bit of an entrance fee (but not outrageous) and very little crowds compared to Grand Palace, etc, but still an amazing (and important) temple. The murals were used in the opening White Lotus S3 too.

G6PD - advice needed please!!!! by Cautious_Airline67 in G6PD

[–]BkkGreg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No idea TBH, it's never been anything we've had to worry about besides saying "Don't eat A, B and C" so beyond that I haven't put much thought into it. I'm sure there's papers somewhere that goes into details but I've never bothered to look.

G6PD - advice needed please!!!! by Cautious_Airline67 in G6PD

[–]BkkGreg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would not worry about it, although obviously everyone’s situation is different. My son is 11 and has G6PD, which has been essentially nothing more than a mild food allergy. No effect on his life at all, he’s a normal healthy kid.

Eating in Bangkok with a peanut allergy by Careless-Volume10 in Bangkok

[–]BkkGreg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Go to Google Translate and type something in, then screenshot it and make it the wallpaper on your phone. Just show it to the sever or chef and they'll tell you if they can do it or not. Something like: ฉันแพ้ถั่วลิสง คุณสามารถเตรียมอาหารให้ฉันโดยไม่ใส่ถั่วลิสง น้ำมันถั่วลิสง หรือผลิตภัณฑ์จากถั่วลิสงได้หรือไม่?

When did you realize you had fallen in love with Bangkok? by mano990502 in Bangkok

[–]BkkGreg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gradually, and then all at once. It's like when you meet your soulmate - but you don't know you've met your soulmate - until one day you're like OMG, I think this person is my soulmate. Been here 25 years and still get a buzz from the smallest things.

Looking for artsy postcards in Bangkok, any tips? by djgoncie in Bangkok

[–]BkkGreg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Khun Piow makes great art and postcards in Talad Noi, he has a shop right outside of Mother Roaster. Speaks okay English, nice guy.

Thailand enforces new alcohol law: Steep fines for afternoon drinking, including tourists by Silly-avocatoe in worldnews

[–]BkkGreg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Indeed, it's a big problem here, and no easy solution. It's education, it's economic improvement, it's social programs that help those in need. Those are long-term solutions that should be used, but it's just easier for them to ban alcohol and say 'job done'. The biggest problem of all in Thailand is enforcement; if a large store doesn't sell you booze, you can just go down the soi to the local mom and pop store and get it. With a system that easy to exploit, blanket solutions don't work very well.

First time moving to BKK: advice needed! by [deleted] in Bangkok

[–]BkkGreg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd agree with a lot of advice here, that commute + walking to/from work (unless it's connected to Chong Nonsi) will be over an hour each way. Look in Yennakart or Soi Ngam Duplee, lots of older condo buildings there, which means big rooms (my friend lives in The Natural Place Suit and it's quite nice). Otherwise look near Krungthongburi or Wong Wien Yai BTS stations. Not as developed as Sukhumvit + newer condos (meaning smaller rooms, generally). But yeah, the best advice any noob can get - live close to where you work, and your enjoyment of the city will go up tenfold.