Baht Simpson

Moaning about the weather in the U.K. is a national pastime due to its fickle nature, so I think we can count that as a national trait. I think the U.K. , England particularly, is a land of moderation in most things, so when Brits move abroad to a place of extremes in weather, food, speech etc. it's more of a shock and hence there's a bit more moaning. Brits are also more ironic in their speech so phrases like "you'll be the death of me" or "we'll be waiting here forever" whilst meant jokingly can be misunderstood and taken literally. Over the years I've learnt to complain sparingly in front of Thais. By the the way, if you've been with a group of tipsy Thai women you'll know just how much they like to moan about other women. : )

The golden rule is to keep all your travel documentation at least until you get home. Simple common sense.

You're very uptight. You should try meditation.

You don't understand what losing your virginity means?

Should lose your virginity first.

The only good side to this I can see is that Russian LGBT+ persons will now conform to the former U.K. Home Secretary's criteria for accepting them as social refugees, although they'll probably move the goalposts again.

Weasel words. You think that people who "go too far and "think they are entitled" should face long prison sentences? I was always under the impression that they were reserved for people who commit serious crimes, not people who have different sexual preferences and who campaign for equality. And it's no use droning on about how awful you think it is that trans women are using women's toilets to try to cover yourself. That's got nothing to do with this issue. If you believe in free expression you believe in the right for anyone to campaign on any issue as long as it's done peacefully.

Oh my God! I'm straight!! How did that happen? Lol. I'm off to Soi Cowboy to pull a chick and start a fight. 😀 Some of my best friends are straight. 😀

Avoid gurus, sages, seers and prophets. And certainly don't pay anyone to advise you how to run your life. It's all in the I Ching and Tao Te Ching, which you can get for free. I tried to avoid the numinous as much as possible.

I popped into our local Tops today. They were pretty well stocked for craft beers but no Carabao as yet. Also no Laobeer IPA now, which is a shame. I cheered myself up with a bottle of Weihenstephaner Vitus. I also saw a Belgian beer called Martha, but I wan't to find out something about it first.

Mad Max2 ?

Put Bob Smith on block. :)

Yes, and only after your birthday. Last January I was 66 and in February I turned 67.

It's probably the most delightful of all the festivals. Ice cream cone kratongs and sparing on the lanterns it's fine.

Weihenstephaner and Paulaner Dunkels are great if you can get hold of them.

I like Laobeer IPA. At 74b it works out to GBP 2.92 a pint which is about half what you would pay for a decent IPA in the U.K. now. In my opinion it's worth a little extra now and again, especially as it's a limited edition and might one day disappear.

I think the question should be when does criticism of a particular religion become vilification? It does seem to be a bit of a slippery slope. There are aspects of all religions that can be viewed as reprehensible. How do you gauge what is acceptable to castigate and how do you police it?

What a strange and disturbing story.

Not justifying, not perversions and not ChatGPT. Other than that a great sentence.

You're taking me way too seriously.

Nobody cares what you like or dislike. It's about words and actions.

Yes, it's consoling that it's very accurate.

That's her plan. Expect an all out assault on Sunak in the coming weeks, flying the flag of right-wing nationalism....probably on GB News.

It amuses me that they think that being LGBT+ is immoral but facing fear, persecution and possible execution for being who you are isn't.

I would certainly say Bob is the king of cheese, on this forum at least. : )