LALes

It doesn't matter if the Chinese economy goes up or down by small percentage numbers, they are still, by far, the biggest segment of the tourist industry. China would have to implode into stark chaos before they would lose that status.

Teflon Thailand is right. Nothing in the past 30 years has put a dent in the numbers except Covid. Coups, island murders, fugitive PMs, you name it. The worse these people behave, the more tourists will show up. Don't believe me? Wait a month or so before all the snowbirds start rolling in for the usual high season chaos.

After reading this, it begs the question, who holds the record for the longest overstay? Amazing what you can accomplish if you keep a low profile.

How come when 120,000 Chinese enter Thailand its seen as the second coming but 10,000 Israelis show up and they are "grappling" to deal with the "problem"?

Which is why I finally made a will in Thailand so hopefully, my "estate" will be disposed of in the manner I choose.

You're spot on with your assessments. It does get worse every year and it starts earlier, too. It used to be just January and February but now, it starts around Christmas and goes thru March. A good air purifier is a NECESSITY to live through a Bangkok winter. I've been monitoring the air in BKK for over 10 years, when the Bangkok Post would give a lone figure of air quality (Din Daeng) in their weather box. The numbers get worse every year and the season lasts longer. Those 2013 Din Daeng figures are mild by comparison. Is that due to more burning? Probably. Don't think its any better in Pattaya during the winter months. The north winds blow the sh*t all over the lower portions of Thailand. You have to go far in the south (Phuket) to get out of the range of the pollution, and even they can get a nasty dose once in a while. All that being said, the summer months are heaven, with almost no bad days from May to November. I saw a lot of great days with clear, blue skies in BKK this summer. THe numbers on the Air Visual app will back that up.

Central/Robinson's Department Stores have all the major Thai brands in men's shirts. In BKK, go to the old Tokyu Department Store adjacent to MBK for better deals on closeouts from said brands. 3rd floor.

I had enough of slob roomates in my 20s and determined to live alone after that. Never married either. Had a few regular girlfriends here and there but they also had their own places. I've been able to avoid serious drama in my life and have traveled the world solo. I have friends in Thailand I meet for dinners to get in the necessary social interaction but I consider myself a loner at heart and wouldn't have it any other way.

Met a Filipina nurse in the elevator of Chungking Mansions back in 2000. We carried on a torrid affair on and off for two years, whenever I would come thru HK on my way to or from BKK. Although the handover was in 1997, HK retained a lot of its vibrancy for a few years. By 2001, though, the bloom was definitely off the rose.

Food in South America blows. Chile has good, cheap, Haas avocados in abundance. They even put them in hot dogs. Place is a dead ringer for California. Vina Del Mar looks like Santa Monica and Valparaiso looks like San Francisco. No real falang community, however.

What Big Joke really says is "The joke's on you!"

The master plan is to widen the whole stretch of jomtien beach. The sand dredging boat is still out in the bay bringing in more sand.

Big Joke sez, "The joke's on you!"

Speaking of enjoying your low season while you can, 120,000 Chinese expected to descend on our shores on Monday, the first day of visa exempt. Batten down the hatches@

Ignorant Chinese tourists? Declining Chinese economy? Overblown movie hysteria? Whatever the reason, I, for one, am glad to have a low season again. Better enjoy it while you can. High season will be upon us in no time-Chinese or no Chinese.

At 74, i don't really want to pack up and leave Thailand, but if they start taxing falangs on Retirement Visas just bringing savings in from a Western bank, that would suck big time. Still needs to be clarification on this point.

Dollar hit 38 last October. I'd like to see that again this October. First, we have to hit 37. Baby steps. i bought 80,000 baht at 38 last year. Should have bought 280,000.

He must have done some good work in the "Boss" case. When you're cited, it usually means you are singled out for commendation. Where's his citation for aiding and abetting?

Another great innovation brought to you by Crimestoppers, Inc. Let's face it, if there weren't so many assaults, thefts and fights in the darkened recesses of Beach Rd, there wouldn't be any need for the floodlights.

Taking a cue from Thaksin. He must not be rich, tho. He was probably going to Lo-So prison.

Headline should read, One ethnic, Chinese foreigner lauds new visa.

If this creep is guilty of what they say, I doubt he even has a collared shirt to wear to immigration.

1880s.

We had a Viet driver.

The road from Danang to Hue over Hai Van Pass is spectacular. Best way to do it is to drive. Don't get into the tunnel that goes thru the mountain. Take the old pass road if you can. I did it in an old Russian Lada back in 1993, before the tunnel was built to accomodate heavy trucks and busses. I'm not sure what the rules are about cars now.