dddave

A number of years ago, a person I knew worked for a pharmaceutical company. He took local street versions of Viagra and Cialis along with a few others and had a lab analyze them for content. Virtually all of the street Cialis was actually sildenafil, about 50mg formed to look like Cialis. Most of the street Viagra clones were genuine sildenafil but in amounts somewhat less than marked, most 100mg tablets having less than 70%.

Likely to have been leaching off family for their entire term here. I'd guess the families had already shut the tap off and these geniuses tried to get it turned back on. Sad part is the family will probably now spend a fortune getting them out of the goo they are in. I wish they'd say: "Enjoy your extra 3 years in Thailand. We're done with you."

PM sent.

One mistake people often make at Rutnin is booking an EYE EXAMINATION when what they really want is a simple VISION TEST. An eye examination is exactly that, an exam of the eye itself, for disease and any other physical issues. It usually DOES NOT include a vision test. If you want a vision test and prescription, you have to ask for that specifically. If you are considering progressive lenses, make sure the prescription has your PD (pupillary distance)

I received the most thorough eye exam of my life at Rutnin Eye Hospital. The results were also clearly explained to me by the ophthalmologist.

While never a great MP, Annie's was always my last stop before grabbing a taxi to the airport for the long trip home.

I take 25mg of Losartan daily. When I switched to Losartan after Valsartan became temporarily unavailable (some contamination issue IIRC) I did extensive research and sought advice from my primary care Dr. in the US. It was generally advised that people over 70 not use a larger dose than 25mg if their BP remained within limits. The reason I'm considering changing back to Valsartan is that I have noticed my BP in somewhat elevated in the evening though not alarmingly so. Valsartan reportedly has a 24 hour duration while Losartan's effectiveness is said to trail off at 16 to 18 hours. While I have your attention another issue I discovered: I have taken Metoprolol since bypass surgery in 2017. I was originally prescribed Metoprolol Succinate. I just realized that for the last 5 years, I've been buying Metoprolol Tartrate: 25mg per day. I did not realize until today that the tartrate has a very short effectiveness. I wonder If it is actually having any kind of beneficial effects. There are strong warnings about just stopping taking it. It's suggested one taper off but I only take 1/4 of a 100mg tablet as it is. I don't know how I'd halve that small an amount. Should I attempt to find Metoprolol Succinate locally?

Is there a Thai generic version of valsartan available in Thailand? I was originally prescribed valsartan among other drugs for high blood pressure in The US. At some point here in Thailand, valsartan became impossible to buy so I switched to Losartan. My BP has stayed pretty much within safe limits but I was recently reviewing my meds and think valsartan's longer effectiveness may be beneficial.

In the past year, I bought 2 Win-11 mini-PC's from Lazada. I use both as TV streamers and internet/YT browsing, using the large screen TV as a monitor...easier on my old eyes. I bought them because the mini-PCs I was using before could not play 4K streaming. One is a Chinese "GenMachine" w/ Ryzen 5600H CPU, 16gb ram, 512 SSD. About B6200. I've used it about 9 months now with no issues, streams 4K content very well, never overheats even in hot weather. (Listing for same on NewEgg https://www.newegg.com/genmachine-5600h-ren3000/p/2SW-0090-00025 The 2nd Mini-PC for my bedroom TV was a much less expensive "Peladn" Chinese brand: Intel N-100 CPU, 8gb ram, 256SSD. B3600. Though essentially a Celeron processor, the N-100 is very capable of running 4K streaming video. I don't game but reports say it's not very good for gaming. So far, it has performed with no issues. Streams 4K nicely. Great value for the money. This with less ram/ssd: https://www.newegg.com/p/2SW-007T-00015

I used to act in TV commercials and TV shows in Thailand. Stopped just prior to covid but my name is still on a lot of agency lists. Twice in the last two years I've been contacted by agents wanting to know if I was interested in going to Japan for porn work. Not a very good deal, actually. Would have had to pay my own way there and accommodations. Work and pay not guaranteed. Still, the idea gave me a good laugh. Picturing scenes from "Lost in Translation"

When my friend was hit by a car and died last year, his brother ran into multiple roadblocks accessing his BKB account. First and worst, there was no written Thai will which immediately makes it much tougher on everybody (get on it, guys if you care about your local loved ones). Getting access not only to the bank account but also insurance proceeds paid by the drivers insurance company was a nightmare. He had to get copies of not only his own, but of all his siblings birth certs. and get statements from each that he was the sole person to collect the funds. He had to petition a Thai court to be recognized as the executor. It is now into the 2nd year and still not all resolved. He is making his 3rd trip here soon, hopefully to finalize it all. Nothing can be done casually after you are gone. Get legal advice if your estate is divided between your home country and here in Thailand. A simple will just doesn't cut it.

The coastal area around Prachuap Khiri Khan, Pranbury, Chumpon usually has the lowest pollution scores but that doesn't mean they don't also have their bad days when the winds carry it.

Actually, I'd file this under "Happy News"

Vietnamese pickpocket gangs used to come to Thailand whenever there was a big concert, like the Modanna concert 10 years ago and work the jammed-in concert crowd. I remember the police busted about a dozen of them.

Is an METV limited to 2 entries or an unlimited number of entries for it's duration?

I had a similar 60s kebab experience while stationed in Morocco while I was in the US Navy. Street vendors sold lamb skewers cooked over local charcoal, wrapped in a flatbread with various chopped herbs, tomato and spicy sauce, perhaps what is now sold as "Harissa" 1 Dirham,, at that time, 5 to a dollar so 20 Cents. Also had an attempted coup: The then King piloted his own 727. While he was returning from France to Morocco, some Moroccan Air Force malcontents tried to shoot his plane down. A lot of people in the passenger section were killed. The King was a quick thinker. he got on the radio and said: "OK, The bastard's dead, you can stop shooting." The rebels believed it and broke-off the attack. They were all shot the next day. Funny story: During an orientation lecture when I first arrived, the lecturer was discussing buying meat and produce at local markets. "Don't ever buy hanging meat with no flies on it!! Only buy hanging meat with fly's" He went on to explain: "Vendors know Americans hate fly's so they spray the meat with DDT"

A friend is currently wheelchair bound and we were discussing how useless so many of the ramps are. At best, they are often way too steep for a wheelchair user to ascend without somebody also pushing from behind. Also not unusual for them to have turns and bends to narrow to negotiate. The BTS in Bangkok is notorious for this with the access ramps for the elevators.

Yesterdays news reported a very serious motorbike collision on Pratumnak-5 a few nights ago. One guy was really badly messed-up. Bikes speeding on P-5 seem to have no awareness of how long it takes to stop when going downhill.

I had to uninstall an ad-blocker for my BKB app to function properly after an update late last year.

That's the problem. It's usually the boneheads that "survive with minor injuries", unlike the hapless victims in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Rest assured, OP Your largesse has not gone un-noticed and the good luck you so richly deserve is in transit from the China clearing office of such rewards. You will be notified of the delivery date once the good luck clears customs. The donation box tally crew appreciate your cash contributions though they did find the bags of .25 satang coins somewhat annoying. Paper money usually gets quicker results. (Please note: NOT the Chinese burning paper money)

Last night, about 10pm, on my motorbike, I turned South onto on Jomtien Beach Road from Soi-7. As always, before turning I stopped and looked both ways, checking to my right one more time before pulling out. There were no visible vehicles approaching. As I pulled onto Beach Rd, a sudden loud exhaust blast and a speeding, black Motorcycle literally brushed by me...The &$%#& idiot was back on one wheel, front wheel and headlight pointing to the sky, racing down Beach Rd, passing every vehicle without regard for oncoming traffic, remaining one wheeled. I see idiocy every day in some form on local roadways but this Bozo took the prize for imbecile of the year. He nearly rammed me and if he'd lost control at that speed with that big a bike, could easily have maimed or killed anybody walking or riding nearby. No matter how careful one tries to be, they'll always the chance a moron such as this will appear out of the shadows.

I often see Ultralight and Paraglider aircraft flying over Jomtien Beach, usually around dusk. The paragliders are frequently in a formation of 3. As it gets darker, they usually head in the direction of Huai Yai. I believe there is a field for small aircraft around there. Over my 20+ years in the area, I recall here have been several fatal crashes of personal aircraft. They may look simple and benign but a single mistake or misjudgment can be very costly, but then again, the same can be said for cars, motorbikes and motorcycles, even bicycles.

A woman friend engaged Bolt to take her to Don Muang from Jomtien and agreed to the price. The driver picked her up and everything seemed OK until he exited the highway onto a side road. When she asked what was going on, the driver told her they were going to meet his friend and the friend would take her to DMK in his car. She made clear that no way would she switch cars and immediately began recording the conversation on her mobile. The driver got angry and threatened to leave her roadside but fortunately, she was fluent enough in Thai to make clear she was calling the Police. The driver relented and agreed to continue on to Don Muang but she didn't trust him and had him take her to N. Pattaya. She was flying out of Thailand so did not have time to pursue the incident with Bolt or the Police but it's clear that there are risks using ride services.

I buy all my veggies at Rhampo Market. Usually fresher than Makro and the supermarkets, reasonable prices. Chicken and meats at Makro. I figure the rapid turnover of product in the bins makes freshness more likely. One of the poultry dealers at Rampho is somewhat arbitrary with his prices and does try to overcharge if he thinks he can get away with it. I do not like the open market on Soi Wat Boon Kanchana. Does not seem as clean and cared for to me. The vendors there seem to practice dual pricing as there are many Russian shoppers from nearby condo's.