dddave

Like most AI enhanced "journalism", this article hysterically overstates the risks of Sildenafil based ED medications. eg: Viagra, Kamagra, Sidegra Warnings are very clear that persons taking nitrate based heart medications are at risk, also persons with chronic low blood pressure as Sildenafil is a blood pressure lowering drug. A prominent risk of sildenafil is dizziness when standing up quickly, a risk of low blood pressure.

My US DL expired during covid and could only be renewed in person. Because it had been expired for more than 2 years, I was not granted any exemptions in the Thai driving license process. I had to start from square one. I checked out agencies and driving schools but was quoted B8000 to B12,000. The more I looked at it the clearer it seemed that all I really got for that amount was hand-holding. I was still going to have to attend the full day video class and the next day computer and road test. It didn't seem worth it. A foreigner can not make an appointment on the DLT website . One is invited to fill out the online form but when one enters a passport number instead of a Thai ID number, it just sits, doing nothing. The online equivalent of "Mai dai!" I went to Chonburi DLT on my own, 2nd floor and got an appointment that was 6 weeks hence, in middle March. Maybe an advantage of an agency is earlier appointments. I was quoted 2 weeks. As the date got closer, I studied as many online and YouTube driving test tutorials as I could find. This was really useful as there are many questions even an experienced driver would not know the answer to, for instance, how many days in advance should you notify DLT before painting a motorbike a new color? (7). I also realized how important it is to carefully read the wording of questions. There are 50 test questions and you must get at least 45 right so not a wide margin of error. Even with the practice tests, be careful as some have a few wrong answers. I also carefully studied road signs and Thai rules of the road. One week before my appointment date I went to Jomtien Immigration and applied for the "Certificate of Residency" required and picked it up the next day.(B300) I then went to the Jomtien Medical Clinic on Traphaya Rd for the medical certificate (B150). I made sure I had copies of passport, visa and all other documents. On March 17, I was at DLT Chonburi by 0730. Foreigners wait under a white canopy at the building entrance. They started processing applicants and giving queue numbers at 0815, then directed to 2nd floor classroom. We were first given color blind tests and reaction time tests. Then to the classroom where videos were played on a relatively small TV with very hard to read subtitles. The room is large and loud so not easy to concentrate. Several videos in a row, then a one hour lunch break at noon. Several more videos from 1pm to 3:30pm. Attendance was taken and 2 who skipped out after lunch were not allowed to take the test the next day. One may not think they are keeping track but they do. We were told to return the next day at 1pm. Next day, 1pm, after 30 minute wait, ushered into computer testing room, logged into the machine and commenced the 50 question test. I was one of the first to finish and after a short wait, was told I had passed. Then directed to the driving test area in the rear of the building. Rental cars (B300) and motorbikes (B100) are available. The rental guy will approach people in the waiting area. The car was a small Honda Jazz. The test was simple. The tester does not accompany you. You drive to a stop sign. It is super important to observe "stop lines". One then negotiates a curve, then is directed to parallel park between posts not touching the curb. Next is backing up in a straight line. That's it. I was given a document that I had passed and returned to the 2nd floor and was given a queue number. After a short wait, picture taken (B200 IIRC). Another 20 minute wait and license issued. 2 year validity. It's a long, boring process but I personally can see no advantage paying B8000++ to an agency when you still have to do everything, except perhaps for an earlier test date. Most of the agents I saw in action simply herded their people from place to place, nothing more.

Off topic but I've noticed the Asean Now news feed gets an inordinate amount of local stories from Lampang, usually at least one a day but not so much from other provinces. Is there a specific reason for this?

Perhaps. Maybe testing security procedures and response. The Erawan bombing 10 years ago was believed to be connected to Uyghur refugees being returned to China. Similar situation now.

What people ignore is that even prime Wagyu cattle have the same secondary cuts that all beef cattle have: cuts from the round and other leaner, less flavorful cuts. Top Wagyu gets it's flavor from it's high fat content but those lesser cuts do not have that high fat content and are no better than the same cuts from lesser cattle. A lot of the beef used in "Wagyu" hamburgers is ground from those less than special cuts and the only difference is the Wagyu name.

"What??? You expect us to pay back the money we borrowed???...555" Not an unfamiliar theme. One reads many stories about predatory loan sharks but I'd call many Thai borrowers predatory as well.

What's amazing is that some twit didn't run over try to get a selfie with the big cat. That would have been interesting.

What is really sad is the many on this forum who find amusement in the misery of others. In truth, it speaks more about their own miserable lives.

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/oggi-mc2-mc2-plus-i372570299-s4497846765.html? I've had this OGGI MC-2 machine for 4 years now, daily use. What sets it apart is it comes with 3 adaptors so you have the option of Nespresso capsules, Dolce Gusto Capsules or fresh ground coffee. The capsules are great if you are in a hurry, especially the Dolce Gusto which I much prefer to the smaller Nespresso. When I have the time for a great cup, I can fresh grind whatever beans I chose and have a rich and very satisfying cup. Purchased online, Nespresso capsules run from B10 to B30 each, Dolce Gusto usually a few baht more.

It well may not be so much WISE declining as it, along with almost all transfer agencies, are coming under huge governmental pressure both in the EU and USA. Cybercrime has become a prime time issue and transfer agencies such as Wise are often used as conduits for money moving. Both the US and EU can shut them down any time they want so WISE and others like it have no choice but comply with demands for customer data. I have little doubt that is what is at the center of all the current delays and issues.

Went in for a couple of stents. "Coded" during the anesthesia, going into cardiac arrhythmia, then crashed. Doctors called my sister saying they didn't think I was going to make it. Being the contrarian that I am I was compelled to prove them wrong. Woke-up the next day feeling like I'd been run over by a train; 12" line of staples in my chest, the fortunate recipient of a triple by-pass. Walked out of the hospital six days later. My luckiest NDE was in Colorado in 1976. My GF and I had paid for a camp-site in a campground in a river canyon. We then drove our van up into the nearby mountains, exploring old mines and ghost towns. The steep mountain roads and high altitude caused my van to overheat, fortunately near a lake. We waited at the lake for it to cool down enough to put cold water into the radiator. By the time we were able to do that, it had started to get dark, then it began to rain so hard, we didn't dare drive down the steep dirt mountain roads to get back to the campground. We spent the night in the van, heavy rain pounding on the roof. About 6am, we were suddenly awakened by pounding on our van...it was a park ranger. "What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded. We told him what had happened. "Well, God was with you because everybody in that campground is dead! There was a flash flood last night and the whole canyon was wiped out" This was the 1976 Thompson Canyon Flood: 144 people died that night. If our van had not overheated, it would have been 146.

What tire brands sold in Thailand are considered to be the most durable and reliable? Conversely, which have you learned to avoid? I have a new (to me) sub-compact hatchback using 205-R16 tires that probably have 6-9 months of use to go so time to start educating myself. Easy usage around town. Rarely exceed 90 on the highway. In the Pattaya area, any dealers that stand out for service?

Doesn't show that at all. He faked his ID in 1997, long before birth & death records were fully computerized and put on comprehensive databases. Today, nearly impossible to get a passport that will pass modern biometric and AI reinforced Immigration checkpoints. Most passports have hidden verification codes. About the only way is to go to a very corrupt nation and buy citizenship and a Passport. The days of searching graveyards for the headstones of dead kids are long gone. The fact they were able to finally identify and nail this guy shows how far the technology has advanced.

Read the article again. It specifies how much each idiot was paid.

Unfortunately, the people caught are just dumb mules, so desperate for small money or to get out of debt that they ignore the risks. They were probably assured that customs "Has been taken care of: Don't worry, we have a person inside. You won't be stopped." Duh. Interesting that a Brit was caught entering the UK from Thailand a few days ago with over 35kg of weed. I wonder how he got through Thai scanning with that much in a huge bag.

I hope if he survives he gets no pain medication whatsoever as he lays handcuffed to a hospital bed with his broken bones. Let him live with the consequences of his idiocy

Two suitcases that size and weight are almost certain to be checked as customs is always looking for cigarette smugglers off of Thailand flights. Ten years ago, a Brit neighbor of mine used to finance his trips to Thailand smuggling ciggies back to the UK. He had a friend with a tobacco shop who would always buy his whole load. He finally got busted twice in a row and had to pay a pretty big fine. No Jail time, though.

CANDIA Butter is an excellent French butter sold at Makro. It has a more pronounced buttery flavor than Anchor in my opinion. I had both in my fridge and did a side by side taste comparison: Candia by 2 lengths. Both ORCHID and ALLOWRIE sell "blended" butter alongside regular butter. You need to check the label carefully, always about 40% less expensive.

This is actually common. In the 1970s I drove for a taxi company in Brookline, Ma, a wealthy suburb of Boston. We used to get called to mansion of a VERY FAMOUS sports team owner. A maid would bring out a shopping bag full of clothing and we would take the bag to one of several high-end clothing stores, like "Sak's 5th Ave". We would give the bag to the store manager. The bag contained items shoplifted by the man's wife. It was a special arrangement. Store security would follow her around, taking note of whatever she stole. The store would notify the husband who would direct the maid to gather-up the stolen goods and give them to us. This would happen regularly, about once a month. They aren't millionaires, they're BILLIONAIRES!

Great example of "What goes around, comes around." Corrupt, amoral cop done in by other corrupt, amoral cops. Family wants sympathy. Hopefully they'll get as much sympathy as "Joe" gave to his victims. Karma at it's best.

Somebody chickened-out! Maybe asked by "a friend" to take a "lost" suitcase back home and decided to check the contents. More likely somebody decided it just wasn't worth it. Whoever arranged it is going to be very unhappy.

I was driving in that area Sunday on 331. There were a number of cyclists on the highway. The road shoulder isn't consistent and I'm always ready for a bike to swerve into the driving lane. Some cyclists take an aggressive approach and go down the middle of the travel lave, asserting their right as much as motor vehicles. While that may work in Europe, not such a great idea in Thailand. The road to the Buddha Mountain has a dedicated bicycle lane. The speeding motorcyclist's and moto drivers love it.

Nice flying. My nephew is a member of a similar US Coast Guard Helicopter crew in Alaska. He's sent a few amazing videos of rescues in pretty rough and cold waters.

Oh PLEASE!!! Can't we put this trope to rest? It's been TEN YEARS!!!!

Twenty years ago, Pai was like a 100 year step back into time, truly rural and undeveloped. Now it seems to have become Khao Sarn Rd, North: meeting point for "Heads" of all ilk: pot-heads, meth-heads, smack-heads and the pond scum that lives off of them.