Headgame

I just received my letter from the Canadian Embassy several weeks ago and the entire application process is completed and then emailed to the Embassy. No need for a notary. Then several days later, the letter was sent via EMS to my home. Very easy.

Oh, seriously. I'm 78 and still riding more or less very day but just for fun not transportation. That means I'm on the road by 6:30 am, the sweet spot here where there is almost no traffic and go for about 90 min. Now I would say that none of my 78 year old friends should be riding a motorcycle any where, much less TH. But just saying 73 like it's impossible to be riding at 73? Very arbitrary and wrong. Testing should determine if you should be riding. Just wait until you're 73 and come back and up date your post.

I am truly way too lazy. All these scheduled zircon / fan / off / on is too much for me. At night, aircon on all night at 27 while during the day, depending on wind conditions, aircon either on or off during the day, as needed. This costs me about 3,000 B per month. Within my outer tolerance level so I take the lazy way.

OK, you don't know me but of course, you have an insulting opinion of me already formed. My point was simply, yes, Phuket is more expensive than the rest of Thailand. You've just confirmed that with your missive. Your only complaint seems to be the price and all your friends agree with you and nobody will go to Phuket because of the price. Other than price, I guess Phuket could be OK. And that was my point.

This topic has been covered so many times. Yes, Phuket is more expensive than Patts so if budget is a critical issue then go to Patts. The majority of other comments are same old, same old negative <deleted>.

I laugh every time a Thai person says “very hot, very hot.” But wait you’ve lived in Thailand your whole life. It’s always very hot this time of year and yet, you seem so surprised. Really?

I rent a condo.

I have loud pipes, not obnoxious. Made in TH, identical to the factory pipes but not TIS certified. Only occasionally ever stoped but never an issue about my pipes. They’re sweet.

Different view of the same argument. This govt has shown time again that it like to go "step by step" as it makes any significant changes. Cannabis is a great example. I consider this to be the end of phase 1 - made it legal. Phase 2 will be to have designated recreational areas, e.g. Phuket where the "best" weed will be available. Promote the hell out of. Thai Sticks and the Golden Triangle. Have shops where you can select your smoke, smoke or take away your smoke, maybe a couple of cold beers and out the door. .2%??? Is that a misprint? No, the most potent weed Thailand can produce. Then they will come. And I mean a lot will come. Legalize prostitution? That would be nice but really, who cares. Quality or not, these tourists will bring their money and be prepared to spend, especially after a couple of hits on the bong.

Nobody has mentioned the proof of income letter from certain embassies. I have never been asked for bank statements by any IMO. Certain embassies will issue the letter based on proof (bank statements showing international transfers) of income with either three or six months of statements. When I applied for my Non-O in Phuket I certainly did not have 800K in the bank but that was 11 years ago. My point is based on your nationality find out if your embassy issues proof letters and if you're lucky you will be Canadian.

Medical certificate. Too funny. I walked into a local clinic saying I needed the certificate for my DL. That will be 100 THB. Paid the 100 B and walked out with my certificate. I guess I just look healthy.

I consider something like the 2,000 B as a Speed Pass. Happy to pay to go faster through the line. Many get completely twisted over this issue. If you're going to live in TH you need to be a realist not a moralist. Life is far easier and stress free.

Been an insomniac for decades and have tried just about every purported solution. if you want 8 hours sleep, do not nap through the day. Be tired. I then take 2 Axprazol and I’m gone for 8 hours and even need the alarm set. Not widely available. May be addictive but not for me, i.e. increase dosage.

Lend money to a Thai - can't stop laughing. There is only one financial transaction in TH - you give the money and never expect to ever be repaid - period. I'm ambivalent and don't care if anyone wants to give their money away just do it with both eyes WIDE OPEN and understand it's a gift. BTW, saying "no" is not difficult to do and should always be the first answer. You can always change your mind.

Never wanted any expat buds. Didn't need to come to TH to meet a fellow American. Amuse myself everyday with the things I like to do - big bikes, etc., Have a Thai lady who ticks all my boxes including best friend. Life is very fulfilling and couldn't be better for me right now.

I think of hordes of Chinese tourists when the reference is made to mass tourism. It takes decades to make a true change of market to benefit the future. I think it would be possible to "ban" tour groups larger than say, 10 persons which would immediately take away the mass tourism label without making unnecessary changes to the sex industry, etc. Get rid of that mass group tourism and good things will come much faster than trying to find and fight over the upper end traveler. Tourism markets around the world always want high end tourists. Getting them is always the challenge.

Some people hate to tip. Personal decision, although wrong. I tip regularly, like dinner at a good restaurant, typically 20% provided service is good. I tip the gas station dude who fills my tank a 10 or sometimes 20 THB I could give more examples but why bother, I tip Why I tip. I promised myself when I worked at a large summer lodge in college basically for tips, that I would always tip once I became a big boy. Stuck to that promise. Thai people don't make a lot of THB so I feel better just giving a little something that might have some positive impact on their financial situation for that day. Some say that tipping is just ruining it for everybody who likes it the old way. Well TH is now a tipping culture - the new way - (not in every sector).

Here in Patong when I pass a tourist not wearing a mask, I say as passing “wear a gd mask”. I don’t make eye contact, slow down or look back. Many “I don’t care opinions” here which I personally don’t understand. Such a simple step that might help slow down the increasing infections on the island. Some say, none of my business, but I say - well the mods have shut me down multiple times for my response to those BM’s. Not saying the mods are wrong.

My gf and I usually begin our playtime sessions watching some porn. It’s like the starter’s pistol, my gf’s “motor” hits the nitro button and we’re off in a matter of several minutes. Not being a patient man, I value minimizing that old fashioned foreplay process. My gf was not polled in this recent survey. Sidebar. Porn is not for children and easily managed if all these worried parents took a few minutes to learn about the Parental Control tools provided for every internet device.

I’m now 77 and am, for practical purposes, priced out of health coverage. Fortunately in excellent health, verified recently by a complete medical at the BKK Hospital. If insurance becomes mandatory for non o retirement extensions, I’m screwed unless they make provision for THB in the bank. As long as it wasn’t tens of millions of baht, I’d be ok. Maybe there will be some sort of grandfather provision although unlikely. Choices - very few - return to Canada no / move to neighboring country probably. But it would be a bummer since I’ve built a nice life for myself here and consider TH home. Not sure my gf would want to be far away from her family and I don’t want to be far away from her. For now, just not worrying about the unknown but for sure I’m not leaving TH for fear of not getting back in. if my family and friends want to see me, buy a ticket.

OMG. This has got to be a finalist in the Goofiest Letter of the Year to the Editor poll. Like you I don’t drink or have never been to Pattya in 11years in TH but seriously you are going do your part to help the Thai people by visiting Patts and pleading with the PM? Anybody with a brain and some common sense knows that the only thing that’s going to save TH is an election. Till then the screwing of the Thai people every where will continue unabated. i’m not a pessimist by nature but the situation here is so bad it may be incapable of recovery for at least 5 years. William, send a follow up letter to the PM.

When did Mensa replace common sense?

Well of course, use the horn and my thumb is always ready to hit it. But there are plenty of times where the pipes have been a positive safety tool, as well.

These studies continue to make the same claims that loud pipes do not save lives but obviously Thailand has not been included in these studies. My loud pipes have saved pedestrians lives (walking in the middle of the road) numerous times while bikes making their typical no look entry onto a main road from a soi have done a double take if I do a quick throttle rev. I have saved lives.