wwest5829

51 minutes ago, vandeventer said:

So what's Putin going to do when he runs out of young teenage Russians to fight his war, send old Russians?

There have been current reports that he is doing just that.

Just now, Bkk Brian said:

He previously said: “There are people who will go … I think what I would say is unless you are properly trained, unless you are a, you know, experienced member of an armed forces, I think there are better ways for you to contribute to the security of Ukraine.”

Agreed. While Russia has my back up, at age 75, without any military training? Cannon fodder or just get in the way and take needed resources. Only function could be in humanitarian assistance but better to vocally support allied nations sending military/humanitarian support for the Ukrainian citizens. Putin has royally screwed up!!!

2 hours ago, jobsworth said:

There still is only nobody uses it anymore.

Air America, the CiA and drug smuggling.

Isn't there a book about the goings on there?

The bus drops you alongside the runway which you then have to cross to get to the facilities like guest houses and restaurants.

You can swim in the river. It is a great place or should I say was.

 

"Air America" and "The Ravens" were two books I had read. "air America" was also portrayed in the movie with Mel Gibson.

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Go with what you feel is best for you.

My thinking is that if you pay for one more insurance policy then at some point you (hopefully) can do a quick exit border bounce without reentry permit and reenter visa exempt. 

You could have all the financials in place and the non O + extension is simple process using money in bank method.

How much does the insurance cost. 

11,400 baht (of course will not cover my "pre-existing" heart issues and has a 200K deductible ... so basically a tax to stay).

12 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I understand what your saying.

I wouldn't recommend that if that's the only reason to exit Thailand and kill off the non O-A.

Better would be to obtain one more extension and wait it out till land border entries possible and not onerous. 

I am weighing that balance as I approach my O-A renewal extension date in May.

2 hours ago, stephenterry said:

It takes a Russian businessman to seek Putin's demise as a continuing war criminal, while the USA, UK, and EURO countries sit on their butts thinking sanctions will suffice in the long term. Yes, mates, but by dilly-dawdling along, Putin would be still free to launch a freaking nuclear war.    

Yes, you would think they would actively ship weapons for the Ukrainians ... wait, what?!

1 hour ago, rwill said:

From their facebook page:  "foreigners have the right to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine for military service under Contract of a voluntary basis"

 

I don't know but does voluntary basis mean no pay.

If that were so, the all volunteer US military would not be paying US service member?

1 hour ago, internationalism said:

Ukrainian government has promissed thai to pay $3300 monthly mercenary wage. 
surely thai government would have full right to stop those killers getting killed by withdrawing their passports. 
most of those ex-military as social losers, unemployed, unqualified for civilian life, but still they suppose ro take care of their families and not become cannon fodder and put their families of mercy of thai government handouts 

Hmmm, I do believe I have read the same about why a large number of young Americans join the all volunteer US military (and some foreign citizens, as well hoping to gain US citizenship).

I understand Thailand's traditional stance in trying to keep competing global powers from involving ethnocentric Thailand but ... there is a negative cost to Thailand in not joining with the overwhelming number of global citizens condemning the clearly wrongful action of the unilateral Russian invasion of Ukraine. As regards the commercial balance ... an argument can be made for Thailand benefitting (or at least not costing) from condemning the Russian invasion. To stand with Russia reinforces the view that Thailand remains under military (OK, authoritarian leaning) government.

11 hours ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

So, if Thailand spoke out against Putin and Russia, do you think that Russia would withdraw from Ukraine and call the whole thing off ?

No ... on the other hand the condemnation of the EU nations, the UN nations, even recognized neutral nations, such as Sweden, Finland, Switzerland demonstrates wholesale condemnation of the Russian invasion. Will, that alone make a big difference? No, but followed up with military/humanitarian support will.

3 hours ago, Kiwiken said:

I am sure many will travel to fight but whether they can handle the harsh reality of partisan fighting against a merciless enemy. While western Countries may take mercenaries Prisoners Russia's history is that it does not

I seem to recall solid reputations of Thai soldiers in Korea and Vietnam?

2 hours ago, Thaijack2014 said:

You might be surprised how little trouble you might get. I don't think that a leader who acts like that finds much sympathy from his countryman. I think that guy betrayed his own country by leading innocent people into a war that nobody wants. On the other hand..... our western leaders are not much better. They didn't invade, but as far as I have learnt they ignored all agreements from before by insisting to militarize the Ukraine against Russia.

Too far ... as you are claiming Ukrainians are not freely chosing but rather the "west" insisted on "militarizing". That then could be applied to Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Albania ... etc.?

3 hours ago, hereforgood said:

Yep my SS cost of living raise this year was 95 US dollars

I appreciate the raises ... could due without the cost increase for Medicare, Part B reducing the raise since civilian retirees cannot use Medicare outside US territory.

Quote

 

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Russians are not putin or represent the gov't of.

 

By that logic, US, UK & NATO member citizens should be banned for invading & occuppyng Iraq & Afghan ... ????

I was not aware that the reasoning was the same …. Still, in democratically elected countries (as Putin declares Russia is as he was elected), are the citizens not responsible for their government’s actions taken in the citizens’ name? Yes, I include the US & NATO in responding to the attack on the USA in 2001 …

2 hours ago, blazes said:

Why blame the Russian people for the decisions made in imperial Washington (and its British lackeys like Bojo) to push the limits of Nato right up to the Russian border.  (Cuban missiles anyone?).

 

This whole "crisis" has to do with Biden wanting to help his Ukrainean cronies who have enriched the Biden family and of course the usual suspects: Raytheon, Northrup Grumman and other arms' peddlers who have lost a little bit of business after the Afghanistan defeat.

Oops, sorry my mind asked if you were referring to the Russian or American Afghan defeat … or perhaps the earlier British debacle. It is in the hands of the Ukrainians … if they resist the military invasion by Russia, I have no doubt they will get plentiful supplies from the west. The citizens of each country … if they elect their leaders who are directly responsible for their nations actions … that is applicable to any country holding fair, free elections. It was the decision of each country to freely decide to apply for NATO membership … in large measure the expansion took place in reaction to the post WW II USSR hold on the Warsaw Pact nations. Sorry to see you got the history wrong.

I cannot address mail to Hong Kong but yesterday sent a business sized envelope, with a one sheet letter (so light) by ThaiPost to the USA East Coast. The quote was 1500 baht via EMS or 330 baht by Registered Mail.