Write them...
Adrian Van Ommering (wcl1@yahoo.com) writes: "Adrian Van Ommering (Bang Kwang Central Prison, Building 6 1 Nonthaburi Road Nonthaburi, 11000 Thailand) from Toronto, Ontario, Canada is currently living a lonely life inside 'the big tiger', Bang Kwang Prison. Adrian and Vahid seemed just as excited about the prospect of penpals as with the bag of food we had for each of them on our visit Christmas day. Adrian has been in there for 2 years and Vahid for 5. You can send Adrian a letter directly at the address above. Please write to me for tips on writing letters to inmates - i.e. what you should and should not say, or what you can and can not include. Thank you, WILL" Thanks, Will... Those interested take note.

Details... details!
Lisbeth (lisbeth_sundman@hotmail.com) writes: "Great site, looks like it has everything one could ask for - except for the exact dates of the festivals in our calender this year, and what will happen on this festival." Point taken - fact is though, we have very limited resources and we were hoping to get more writers on board with us - we were looking for someone to take charge of each section but it never happened. Unfortuantely, this means we sometimes don't deliver the details we should. We recognise this and we're working on it... We'll be reviewing everything on the site during the remainder of the year. However, if there is anyone in the global Khao San Road community who wants to helps us out - let us know!

Spanish-Thai
Arturo Alejandro (aalejandror@hotmail.com) writes: "Well, first then something else let me tell you then you have a great website, congratulations. My name is Arturo and I am from Mexico, but I am a US resident and I am living in US, so anyways I’m having a relationship with a Thai/American girl, and we are planning to visit her mother who lives in Thailand, and she does not speak English at the all “well just like me” so I’d like to learn basic Thai words to try to have a little chat with her family when we go to Thailand. So I have been trying to find dictionaries between Spanish and Thai, I got one but it’s English-Thai and still a little hard to speak it because it comes in English sounds only. So, if I can get something between Spanish-Thai it would be so easy for me, so do you know some sites or somewhere in Thailand or somewhere I can get a Spanish-thai dictionary, let me know please. I’ll appreciate that, thanks a lot." Any linguists out there that can help?

Cliche?
In response to our question about Khao San Road becoming a cliche, Lee (lsledd@attbi.com) writes: "The backpacker's creed; O so true. I always marvel at the Farang lugging their framepacks through the rough terrain of Thai malls, but I suppose the Thais are used to it by now." Murray (murraymagna@yahoo.com.au) writes: "I first came to Khao San in 1990. Then again in '97 and was shocked at the change not just in the progress of the place itself ( 7-11, Mc Donalds) but in the type of people it now attracts. I am very disappointed by the Farang in KSR. Walking around like they own the place with no shirt on and a half full bottle of beer. The sad part is most Farang are only here for a good time and miss out on the real friendship of the locals which is only gained by showing them respect, which is a big part of their culture. As to the take away 10 Baht Pat Thai and the cheapest guesthouse it seems there is a prize for the person who goes home with the most money. The place was a joy to stay in once, but I still have good memories of KSR and still return 3 times a year." What do you think? Is KSR really like this, or is this an extreme view?

Lisa Fuller (lisaleecrawley@yahoo.co.uk) writes:

"Hello there, I am wondering if you can help me with a small matter which is driving me balmy. I've noticed that on several articles regarding Bangkok Fight Club (of which I've trained at and thoroughly recommend) that you've also mentioned the Thai-Japanese Judo Club which was where the owners of BFC used to train before setting up on their own. Basically, I will be coming back to Th. Khao San at the end of this month and have been desperately trying to find out more about where I can train in Judo in Bangkok? Can you help? Kind Regards Lee Matthews" We can't but Bangkok Fight Club can... "Lee - here is the info you want. Judo clubs: At the National Stadium (BTS National Stadium) 6 pm till 9 pm everyday Monday to Friday. Membership fee is 300 Baht a year. Training is free. Really friendly place. Really easily accessible by BTS. Some guys from Thai national team are training there as well. I highly recommend. At the Thai-Japanese Stadium at Dindaeng. 4.30 PM till 6 PM Monday to Friday. Training is free. Schedule is a bit unreliable. At Chulalongkorn University indoor stadium. Right next to MBK. Cost is 30 Baht for the entrance fee. Training is free. Schedule??? Definitely not every day. Since it's really close to the National Stadium you better go there instead. At Ramkamheng University: Every day Monday to Friday. Time: not sure. Hope this helps..."
Bangkok Fight Club

Kristi Castellano (kristi_castellano@hotmail.com) writes:

"I found a TEFL training program on the internet and I can't find any information about it besides its own homepage. It is called TEFL on Samui. I can't find talk about anyone's personal experience with this program, even on the Thorntree. Do you guys know anything about its legitimacy or lack thereof?" Anyone got any info.?

Nat (natpavee@hotmail.com) writes:

About you ending up with the bill is quite a terrible story. Then again, it's probably have something to do with who you're going out to eat with. Some Thais have their idea that 'Farang' (Thai word for "Caucasian") are wealthy and they might think you would want to pay. However, my advice is to take this as an experience, so that you will not run into the same situation again, and do enjoy Thailand for the good things it has to offer."

Good advice... If you have any insights on other aspects of etiquette in Thailand, please let us know.

Chris G (mangi1@hotmail.com) writes:

"Hi - Your website was great. I lived in Mahasarakham from 1993-1996. I taught ESL at MSU (then Srinakarinwirot Uni). I had a great time and have made lifelong friends. Some of whom visit me in Ottawa, Canada. During my time in Thailand I woked at the Uni full time, taught at AUA, the Nursing College in Sarakham, the Teachers College in Sarakham, AUA Khon Kaen, the Police Station in Mahasarakham, PLAN International Child Sponsorship Programme, and I also worked my last 5 months in Thailand in a restaurant in Goh Samui. (waiting for the snow to disappear here in Ottawa) haha. Anyway, just wanted to say hi. Take Care, Chris" Thanks Chris - wish more people would get in touch like this!

Andy Honey (andy.honey@xtra.co.nz) writes:

"I am learning to read and write Thai and am making good progress but having trouble with one thing in particular: What are the rules in written Thai that tell you what the tone is for each word? I understand that "may eek", and "may tor" etc. are the symbols telling you what the correct tone is, but they actually seem to indicate different tones for different words! Is there a consistent rule for this? It's very confusing. Cheers, Andy" Can anyone help Andy out here?

Red Lodge Siem Reap (redlodge_angkor@hotmail.com) writes:

"John, I am writing to you to introduce the Leading Budget Guesthouse in SiemReap Cambodia " Red Lodge". If any body want information about SiemReap , Angkor Wat , LIVE ! weather report or road condition from Poipet to SiemReap this comming Wet season....please mail us: redlodge_angkor@hotmail.com or visit our website www.redlodgeAngkor.com / Thanks..Red Lodge SiemReap PS : My guest who came from Bangkok introduce your web site to me , lots of information we needed.... Thank you"

David Wise (david.wise@rdfmedia.com) writes:

Dear Khao San Road.com: I'm a producer at RDF Television - www.rdfmedia.com - one of the UK's leading independent television production companies. We're currently making a documentary series for Channel 4 about travelling. The fifty-minute documentary I'm making for the series is about travellers' experiences of running into unexpected problems of one kind or another while abroad. I want to tell stories which offer an insight into the joys and risks of traveling and also to offer some suggestions of what people can do to prevent problems happening. At the moment, we're just talking to people about their experiences in confidence and without any commitment to taking part in the film. Kind regards
David Wise - Producer david.wise@rdfmedia.com
0207 013 4311