monekyface

"Are they taken in by the old mans looks, of coarse not, personality  maybe but wouldn't they generally have more in common with someone more  there own age, of coarse.
must be something else attracting them."

Here is the thing.  A lot of the attraction between that older man and younger gal is irrational.  Have you ever had a Thai young woman show you a pic of her ugly old man and rave about how handsome he is?  I have seen this more than once.  And we're talking ugly fellow- huge nose- very thin white hair- just not attractive by most standards of Western women.  She has this falang envy thing going on, or something of that nature- and same for the guy!  He has a young ASIAN gal- with her short, cute nose and almond-shaped eyes and even if she is not tall with ravishing good looks she is "exotic" to him.

So great!  And if he can be faithful and provide a good lifestyle for her even better!!!!!  Perception is reality so let them relish their own little dream-world.  It is their own.  As far as having more in common with someone your own age- for what purpose?  My wife and I have a business in common that we are building, and we travel Asia and the West together and if she would rather marry a motorcycle taxi driver with whom she shares more (common culture, music, economic status, etc) she certainly had that option.  But she chose this life, so what's wrong with that?  She wasn't born with money so it is hard to marry up- it's more difficult here for a daughter-in-law to be accepted if she is poor and the husband's family is "rich" in Asia.  We are far from rich, but relatively- sure!

In interest of full disclosure it should be noted that Monkeyface once used an electric drill to make a hole in the firewall of his new Honda in order to run auxiliary wiring.  Monkeyface actually drilled into an air conditioning line in the process.  Or, rather- his friend did.

Don't mess with cars.  They work fine.  All you do by adding chemicals is increase the operating cost of your vehicle.  Or, as the case may be, your friend's vehicle.  Engine oil additives, fuel system "cleaners", etc. are just snake oil.  If your car needed it then the manufacturer would list it in the owner's manual!  The only thing you should ever put in the radiator is water and coolant.  

/rant

Most likely you can fill the radiator with water, run it for a while (10km on the highway), flush it out, and fill with water and coolant.  At that point quit while you are behind.  Sorry, while your friend is behind.  Is this the same friend for whom you were holding that little bag of weed that mom busted you with in 11th grade?

Holiday Inn on Silom road is offering a flood discount- there is a big banner out front by the Ice Bar advertising it.  Sorry that's all I know, but wish you the best.

"No - it is NOT "the same the world over".

The Thais are unique in several ways and many of the issues that consistently crop up are not common to other countries.

------standing ovation------

The essence of political correctness is to rigidly adhere to the notion that everyone is alike.  But in some truly great places where races mix harmoniously, differences are acknowledged and celebrated.  I have lived in a culture where everything moved at the speed of light, and coming to Thailand was excruciating at first.  Now I can see and appreciate the Thai way of life.  

We are NOT all the same.