Chutney

Maybe I need to ask who your insurers are! I'm UK so perhaps you're in a different country where they're less tricksy.

Wow. you really are lucky to be alive. Truth is when you see all the restrictions, small print and get outs insurance companies ruthlessly apply it seems unlikely to be something we can rely upon. I've had 3 experiences. One like you was taken very ill in Thailand some years ago. I needed wheelchair home. Insurance wouldn't even tell me if I was in fact covered just told me to pay it all myself and they'd look at it later. Second was getting burgled in UK. They found some get out which seemed nonsensical but I got nowhere and nothing. Third was a car crash, not my fault. They decided to pay out some miserable assessed amount but wouldn't contemplate paying for repair so had to write off the car. Now with my history of Cancer I'm basically uninsurable for travel so when I do I'm aware and ready to pay out for whatever might be needed and just be extremely careful when crossing a road and anything else.

Where is he anyway? Nothing in any of the online coverage or even the fundraiser says which city or town he's in or which hospital. I'd have thought putting that info out would at least get him some visitors/moral support, and people willing to at least bring him so food etc. Doesn't look like any of his family have actually got on a plane and come out to him which is very odd. If it had been my son I'd have been on my way straight away.

UK same.

It's not just China. There's a lot of that going on. Conquering by buying up economically powerful assets and even essential resources ( the idiocy of water, transport, property and energy sold off in UK anyone?) is a very effective method to get control of a country without a shot being fired.

You've got that the wrong way round from what it seems you meant to say? In which case I don't agree with you.

I'm no economist but doesn't cutting interest rates take some pressure of US borrowers so for his home population and businesses it might feel like an improvement.? Then of course a cheaper dollar on global markets makes purchase of US products and services more attractive so again to the audience at home there's a bit of stimulation of the economy. It's a tricky tightrope to walk however and much like quantitative easing devalues the currency so US debt on world bond markets becomes more expensive to fund in the long run and is essentially destructive?

I guess that was a typo? Did you mean 'want' Russia to fail? Well obviously IMHO it would be better for Ukraine and probably the rest of us in Europe to see Russia fail to conquer Ukraine. It's not only Ukraine at risk here of this Putin aggression. Poland and other bordering countries are seeing incursions, together with the undercover interference and malevolent operations in other countries. Personally it saddens me having lived most of my childhood and youth through the 'cold war' and the genuine joy when Gorbachev brought peace and opened up Russia. It's a massive country with a deep and rich heritage. I regret I didn't visit during what turned out to just be a short lived ( historically) window of opportunity. I did some business with Russian companies for a few years.... Putin came to power and undid all that. Like Trump he would be better employed taking care of, and raising the living standards and opportunities for the Russian population, than this war mongering waste of resources and the huge numbers of Russian youth losing their lives in this meat grinder.

We'll never know. Water under the bridge. I don't think she could have done much worse however.

Nah. That would mean Trump & Co were actually on the side of Ukraine and playing a deep clever game or trying to. With Trump what you see is what you get. A vain shallow man with the empathy and intelligence of a turnip.

Absolutely. Watching Putin play Trump is like watching a cat play with a mouse. Putin is having fun.

An activist against Putin? We wish. He is well entrenched and you only have to look at how effectively he with utter ruthlessness has destroyed any/all challengers. Navalny anyone?

Very much doubt it's true. Putin slithers and lies as easily as he breathes. He has zero intention of negotiating any peace deal. Ukraine knows this. Europe knows this. Yet we all have to pretend that Trump is achieving something/anything because Trump whether we like it or not wields a huge amount of power. Much as I sympathise with US citizens who never voted for this, when they failed to bring him to book after his first 'Presidency' they endangered not only themselves but dragged all of us down with them; and let us be clear, Europe is scrabbling and preparing for war. Tragic and terrifying in equal measure.

If only Ukraine really had that capacity to attack that mangy rabid bear in his den....

Fair point and one I also made in an earlier post. However there have been some rumours floating about that these persons of extreme wealth have in fact thought of this. Something along the lines of controlled collar things which can be engineered to deliver a life ending shock. Other methods are to include families or children who will get to live but also in effect act as hostages. These people would of course be well aware of their need to control all/any security people.

Isn't that though really only the case for the lower middle - to middle class though? We are seeing in so called wealthy western countries an ever growing number of the truly poor. Along with which comes poor nutrition, so bad health, education lack and diminishing opportunities to climb out of it. We can't live in our bubble regarding the poorer nations either. Which due to climate change and other aspects drive failure and complete breakdown of already limited resources. Hence we in the west are moaning about immigration but we ain't seen nothing yet! You can't stop the ( growing) flood of people aiming for a better chance if they can get into those countries offering, as they see it, hope and life. Frankly if all these billionaires don't pull their heads out of their arses and start using all that money and resource to do some planet mending they will suffer too. What happens in your super guarded bunkhole when your 'Guards' decide to take over perhaps? How long can they maintain their little bit of eden when the rest of the world is a barren void and all civilisation crumbled? It would help if Putin and all the other warmongers stopped wasting resources on weapons let alone the further increase in climate damage the use of such weapons cause.

Thanks.

Thank you.

I wonder if he knew that? Anyway can't pay don't play still applies.

https://thepattayanews.com/2025/12/27/indian-tourist-assaulted-in-pattaya-after-alleged-dispute-over-payment-with-transgender-escorts/?fbclid=IwY2xjawO8xFlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQVFloa0ZxYU5wdjhFUmhNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHotEM4o-Q8hmiOBdckweGNavoDMDlbVw_6hvKP_bunP5YM4mq-P8msIoWM7D_aem_p6kREo8g0xHbdIdckZ1BAQ Seriously. You'd think by now these Indian 'tourists' might have started to realise things here don't work the same way as at home. This guy really thought he could avail himself of the 'service', refuse to pay, then stroll off? I've worked and travelled in India in the past and have a very good understanding of the dangers and low value placed on women so know what their mindset is. However you are in another country! Do none of them even think to do a smidgen of research before fetching up and diving in??

Is this the case as it stands now? I've been back in Thailand a few weeks and despite searching can't find any clarity on it. No problem with getting a med cert if required but if it isn't I don't want to bother. I'm recovering from Chemotherapy and indica high CBD really helps so I'll jump through the hoops if necessary. Seems like places having a 'medical pro' onsite are charging rather a lot though! I've looked into online sales which deliver but my problem is I just use whatsapp and messenger to call friends or businesses etc but most online sales won't let you past their order process without a Thai phone number which I really don't need. Any suggestions gratefully received. I'm in Hua Hin. Near Soi 78 if anyone local can point me in the right direction?

Honestly can't vote either way on this. As long as he is doing what his controllers want he'll be kept in place no matter what. Remember Yeltsin anyone? His Presidency has another 3 years though and he is showing severe signs of physical and cognitive decline. It's not without the realms of possibility that he could just drop dead. He's not in good health however many imaginary health tests he claims to 'ace'. If he does retire Vance is waiting in the wings young and hungry and possibly far more dangerous.

Well said. Good to see a post grounded in facts rather than emotion.

We wish...unfortunately like it or lump it this unstable person has infinite power at his disposal. Grind our teeth though we may he and that power cannot be ignored. My heart genuinely goes out to Zelensky and the constant insults he endures from Trump and his gang but he has to keep trying.

I don't think they do really.Generally you can't be surprised that others maybe don't agree with what you've said or your opinion. and Perhaps they don't feel they want to get into some long tit for tat discussion? Some may indeed have taken a dislike to you and will thumbs down anything you post but so what? Pretty sure I've got one of those here actually (who is on ignore) but it's hardly worth losing sleep over. It's the internet and you'll come across all sorts of people. It's not your problem whatever their issue might be.