Useless information about Thailand ....

[Smiles]

Slutting around http://www.thai-blogs.com/ found this list of the top 15 items exported by Thailand in the first part of this year ... in order of importance to the Thai economy.

Nothing particularly startling, but the more interesting items are those in brackets beside . . . (the top exported items of 100 years ago).

1. Computers and parts (Rice) [/*:m:1m2rzueo]
2. Cars and parts (Pepper) [/*:m:1m2rzueo]
3. Electrical circuits (Teak timber) [/*:m:1m2rzueo]
4. Rubber (Bullocks) [/*:m:1m2rzueo]
5. Plastic pellets (Dried Mussels) [/*:m:1m2rzueo]
6. Gems and jewellery (Fried Mackerel) [/*:m:1m2rzueo]
7. TVs, radios and parts (Buffalo Hides) [/*:m:1m2rzueo]
8. Garments (Salted Fish) [/*:m:1m2rzueo]
9. Finished oil products (Rose Wood) [/*:m:1m2rzueo]
10. Chemicals (Tin) [/*:m:1m2rzueo]
11. Iron, steel and products (Dried Fish) [/*:m:1m2rzueo]
12. Air-conditioners and parts (Caradamon) [/*:m:1m2rzueo]
13. Rubber-based products (Sapan Woods) [/*:m:1m2rzueo]
14. Canned and processed seafood (Buffalo Horns) [/*:m:1m2rzueo]
15. Rice (BirdsтАЩ Nests) [/*:m:1m2rzueo]

Regarding the last item (i.e. 'rice') ... even though it is #15 in order of importance, Thailand is still the world's largest exporter of rice:

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060704/4/2mpjx.html[/url] ]HANOI, July 4 Asia Pulse - Vietnam will export 5 million tonnes of rice this year, down by 200,000 tonnes from last year, according to the Vietnamese Trade Ministry.
Export revenue however is expected to be US$1.4 billion, equal to last year.

Vietnam is the world's second largest rice exporter after Thailand.

Rice exporters have been told to look to Asia-Pacific countries where demand is expected to rise because of inclement weather.

Over the first half of the year, rice exporters have shipped 2.93 million tonnes of rice abroad, earning export turnover of US$796 million, an increase of 7 per cent compared with the same period last year.

The price of rice exports has risen in the last six months, with 5 per cent broken rice climbing to US$270 a tonne and 25 per cent broken rice going to US$250-255 a tonne.

Vietnam recently agreed to export an additional 100,000 tonnes of rice to the Philippines, bringing rice exports to 1.6 million tonnes to that country since the beginning of this year.

. . . Last year, Vietnam exported 5.2 million tonnes of rice, earning almost US$1.4 billion in export revenue, the highest in terms of output and value since the country began exporting rice 17 years ago.

In addition, exports of agricultural products have posted strong growth.

Rubber production in the first half of the year hit 270,000 tonnes, a year-on-year increase of 39 per cent, tea 45,000 tonnes (up 40.6 per cent), and vegetables and fruit (up 9.2 per cent).

Cheers ...

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Interesting. What cars do they make?

[Smiles]

Interesting. What cars do they make?

Well you could google it and find out, but here's a (non-googled) stab in the dark.

I do believe most of the big Japanese car makers have assembly plants in Thailand (i.e. Toyoto, Nissan, Honda, Mazda etc etc). Small & mid-size pickup truck sales are especially huge in Thailand and with a population of around 65 million, Thailand would seem to be a natural for that.

Not sure about American cars (not so popular), but I would not doubt that a few European manufacturers have a presence as well . . . "Benz" for the upper crust and all that: the rich back sois of Saphan Kwai are loaded with them.

Cheers ...

Interesting. What cars do they make?

Well you could google it and find out, but here's a (non-googled) stab in the dark.

I do believe most of the big Japanese car makers have assembly plants in Thailand (i.e. Toyoto, Nissan, Honda, Mazda etc etc). Small & mid-size pickup truck sales are especially huge in Thailand and with a population of around 65 million, Thailand would seem to be a natural for that.

Not sure about American cars (not so popular), but I would not doubt that a few European manufacturers have a presence as well . . . "Benz" for the upper crust and all that: the rich back sois of Saphan Kwai are loaded with them.

Cheers ...

I have seen at least one Italian car in Sunnee Plaza, a Thai lady was driving a red Ferrari !

If Italy wins the wold cup to night, maybe Ferrari get a real hit in Pattaya. A lot more sexy as those frens citronella's ! :clown:

Ps : Smiles did you mean Toyota ? :drunken:

Add Mercedes-Benz
Volvo is on it's way.

I read somewhere that Japanese cars may be built & Assembled in Thailand but the motors are made in Japan or made in Thailand under Japanese supervision. Much to do with Thailand's high import tariffs.

I laughed when I read that Thailand is the 'pickup capital of Asia."
http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/a ... p_capital/

[PeterUK]

I laughed when I read that Thailand is the 'pickup capital of Asia."

There used to be (maybe still is) a sign in one of the Patpong sois, 'No pickups'. Kind of like putting up a 'No dumping' sign in a dog pound.

Imagine a Thai brand car... could be a fun name.

BS 4x4 pick up

Num sports GT

Chak wow turbo deluxe

My Top Ten Useless Tips for a Great Stay in Thailand:

On arrival in Thailand ask where you can buy sandals, long blue socks and a selection of Hawaiin shirts to blend in with the locals.

Immediately try some Thai food. The normal dish to have on arrival is Som Tam, ask for the special Isan spicy version and experience a delightful few days losing those added extra pounds you have gained sitting at your desk all year.

As a follow on from the above suggestion, never bother to take toilet tissue with you when visiting places of interest in Thailand or when going out to a Thai nightime venue. They have a nice attachment to the toilet which doubles as both a douche and a shower if you get to warm. There will be a small towel by the sink if you need to wipe your arse and you will notice that many people have taken advantage of this already.

When going out for the night, always leave your passport and other valuables under your pillow, as burglars never look there.

Always be encouraged by the applause of Thai boys in karaoke bars to sing yet more dull and dreary western songs, they truly think that you are the next Sinatra and are not applauding out of politeness.

When you ask a boy to sit with you in a gogo bar, always, always, always make sure you grope him and slobber beery breath all over him. The Thai boys love this as it shows the other boys in the bar that he has been chosen by a wonderful Farang who really loves him.

When speaking to a Thai person or when asking for directions, always speak quickly in your own language. If the person you are speaking to fails to understand then feel free to speak louder and continue on until you are virtually shouting or the other person mutters a pleasantry in Thai and walks away.

Wear lots of gold, chunky gold chains, rings and bracelets are a must in Thailand. You will often find that boys on the street, who you'd think would never contemplate going home with you, will suddenly be interested in escorting you down a quiet, dark alley.

When visiting a gogo bar always feel free to get up on the table/stage and do your own wobbly and drunken version of being a gogo boy. It's what the Farang and other visitors to the bar really want to see. For a great round of applause, drop your sweat stained shorts and get a mate to slip a 20 baht note in the crack of your rounded flabby arse, the boys will be digging around in there all night trying to get it out.

If your visa runs out and you really want to stay, try taking lots of porno cd's and yabba through aiport customs. They will guarantee you a long stay and you probably won't have to pay for your accommodation.