impulse

Dems better be careful what they wish for. Between Biden's malfeasance at the southern border, and Kamala's support for DC rioters who attempted to assassinate the president, they may not have a slate in 2024 if they're held to the same standard. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/01/trump-took-shelter-in-a-white-house-bunker-as-protests-raged.html "That's right. But they're not gonna stop. They're not gonna stop, and this is a movement, I'm telling you. "They're not gonna stop, and everyone beware, because they're not gonna stop," she continued. "They're not gonna stop before Election Day in November, and they're not gonna stop after Election Day. That sure sounds like support for rioters who did their best to assassinate the President. Of course, she walked it back a few months later and all was forgiven... https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/01/15/fact-check-quotes-democratic-leaders-riots-out-context/6588222002/

Same way they did just before the 2022 midterms. With Biden’s latest push Wednesday to release 15 million barrels from the U.S. strategic reserve and consider additional withdrawals this winter, he’s telling frustrated voters ahead of the midterm elections that the White House hasn’t given up. He rejected the notion that politics played a role in his latest action. But the issue has clear political implications as the president’s approval rating has moved inversely with changes in gasoline prices, which remain high despite coming down since a June peak. “They’re not falling fast enough,” Biden said in remarks at the White House. “Families are hurting. You’ve heard me say it before, but I get it.” https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-biden-announces-release-of-15-million-barrels-of-oil-from-strategic-petroleum-reserve

There you go... Letting facts get in the way of a good Thai bash. Best to just stand aside and let 'em tell us how much smarter they are back home. While enjoying all that Thailand has on offer.

In literally hundreds of orders on Lazada, I don't recall a single one that turned out unsatisfactory. I had very few returns, and those went without a problem. That said, I stayed away from products that required a fitting, like a computer chair that I couldn't test before committing. After my bypass surgery, I outfitted myself at home and in the office with support chairs, but all bought in person after a pretty lengthy sit down test.

Acknowledging that it's a different time now, I bought my MTBs second hand from bahtsold. Paid a small percentage of the new price for bikes that were in pristine condition. That was post- coup when visa rule changes had so many foreigners unable to renew. But there were always good deals from people picking up sticks and leaving Thailand for a multitude of reasons.

That's a trend that started back around 2005, and the USA became a net exporter under Trump. Not that I credit him, either. The question is, how much better would it be if the policies were better? https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/us-energy-facts/imports-and-exports.php In the runup to the election, I'm expecting all kinds of "good news" and gyrations to see a transient (contrived) drop in the price of oil at the pumps. Soon to be followed yet again by record prices.

Can't speak for Chiang Mai specifically, but living in Bangkok I often found Lazada to be the best source for eclectic stuff like that.

Even if you forget the emotional component, it's hard to ignore simple supply and demand as millions pour across the border, who will soon be scrapping it out for their jobs. Add that to higher prices, higher home prices, and much higher mortgage rates, and their American dream has gotten further and further away. Not hard to imagine they're cheezed at the current administration.

I wonder whether Pacific Cross is in the CVS network, and if not, why? That said, having experienced a significant vaccine injury from my 2nd Pfizer, they'd have to hold a gun to my head to get me to take another. 2-1/2 years in, the left side of my face is still numb, my sense of balance is still off kilter, and my energy level (though improved), is nowhere near what it was pre-shot.

Because the quicker they can get rid of the bad orange man, the quicker they can get back on their own career path. Trump upset the Republican apple cart as much as the Democrat cart. Maybe even more.

You're assuming you have the same thing she did.

If I had those symptoms, I'd be hoofing it down to the hospital right now, and no assuming that it was something my Thai partner recovered from.

If the US Supreme court is smart, they'll rule on whether a poorly orchestrated, simple protest (by a bunch of gun owners who left their guns at home that day) was actually an insurrection. Seems the whole discussion is moot if they rule it to be a protest and not an insurrection, just like the hundreds of others during the Summer of Love.

Asked and answered.

Landed last night (Sunday) at 5:00 PM and there was no queue. Walked right up to an IO and got stamped in in about a minute. Old school, no updated process and the normal (not VIP) section. Guess it's luck of the draw.

To anyone reading this wondering how it's going to go for them: I came in on my 8th visit to Thailand since April this year. Arrived around 5:00 PM yesterday. In the "cattle car" area of immigration, not the special areas. No Queue. Walked right up to one of several IO stations and got stamped in in less than a minute. (American, visa exempt, on a monthly visa run from China) Also noticed the Chinese were pretty much independent travelers, without a flag lady to be seen on the plane.

Not saying it happened in this case, but drugs or alcohol would be a reasonable thing to look for in case of an industrial accident.

Staying in China like I do, I get to fly on a lot of flights, BKK to China. And I am amazed at the suitcases full of goodies they haul back with them. My GF used to come with a shopping list from all her friends. She'd shop like a fiend while i was at work. Not to mention the queues at the VAT refund kiosks at the airport. They spend lots of money. Not always on the same stuff we'd buy. But spend, they do. And not all at Chinese owned shops.

Probably some of that going on. But Myanmar seems to have become the go-to country for all kinds of illegal activities. Not hard to believe some folks coming back need to be arrested for cross border scams, drugs, etc. Hopefully, more details will follow. I don't dismiss completely the possibility they were wanted just for getting crosswise with the junta...

Gotta love the way some posters don't mind seeing so many local businesses suffer because they don't like the Chinese. Or the Russians. Or the Indians. Or the...

When you pumped the water from the well, did you put the end of the hose directly into the pond, or did you spray it into the air to aerate it? Depending on a lot of factors, subterranean water can be depleted of oxygen. It gets pulled out of the water to react with the surrounding soils, etc. You can add some back by spraying the water into the air. Edit: I'd still have the water tested on the outside chance you have arsenic or something else in the well water and the dead fish are the canary in your coal mine. Could be a message from Heaven...

I can't take spicy and I do have a problem... Years ago, I forgot which magazine it was that rated Thai Massaman as the best food. They got it right IMO.

Who would have figured that, with so many snouts in the trough, there wouldn't be enough left over for things like development and growth?

Some of us thank you for the heads up, myself included.

That's one opinion. Having been disappointed on several occasions by travel insurance plans that seem bent on finding a reason to deny reimbursement, I'm not that big a fan. Fortunately, it's mostly been small money, but then I fear that they won't come through when it really counts. I've helped people through overseas cash binds which are pretty common given the vagaries of foreign exchange and international ATMs, lost wallets and the like. Especially 20 years ago. I've always been paid back. The idea of GoFundMe to spread out the need among lots of friends seems like a good trend.