simon43

I read the sad story here on AN of a British man returning with his wife from a holiday in Thailand. He had a heart attack on the plane, emergency landing in Delhi, died 2 weeks later in hospital. He was only 66 years old (same age as me...) We also often read of younger people dying, perhaps because of some unfortunate and unexpected disease, of through their own stupidity/bravado (taking selfies on the edge of the Grand Canyon etc). These events all remind me that our time on Earth is finite - who knows if the Grim Reaper will pay you an unexpected visit tomorrow. I am personally aware of this (near-death experience after a box jellyfish sting, as well as a prostate cancer scare). Make the most of every day as if it is your last. Because sooner or later, it will be your last day!

You do know that 'gang-bangers' has a different meaning in 'real' English (ie UK English)?

[quote] ... Shocking nonsense. That is a seriously jaded person. ... [/quote] I would politely disagree with you and say that I am a seriously realistic person. Look, the OP is not in his 20's or 30's or..... it seems that he is in his 70's and with only a modest income. IMHO he can't risk throwing money around on women at his age. It's too much of a financial risk to try to find that 1 in a 1,000 woman (or even lower odds), who loves him for what he is. Better to relax and enjoy the scenery instead...

If she is anything like my mad ex #2, look in her handbag for a piece of paper that says (in English) "I am not mad" That was a big red flag for me lol....

Actually about 20 minutes with the rubber constriction ring around my todger 🙂 TBH I was more interested in the impressive and rapid growth (all temporary) of my member as the air was sucked out of the plastic tube. Never had such a quick stiffie in decades! I might keep this pump for party tricks at the gogo......

Additionally, assume that there is a 'true' woman out there in Thailand who meets your dream, how are you going to find her? You can spend a lot of money, time and stress trying to locate such a woman. Do you expect her to speak English? If she is competent in speaking English, then I would say that she is either well-educated, (and probably won't give you the time of day when she learns of your financial situation). Or she is an ex (or current) bar-girl, with all the mental problems that come with that profession and a greedy attitude towards your money for her and her family. Come and retire in Thailand or Laos or Cambodia. But don't do it on the assumption that your sweetheart is out there somewhere.

As a man of modest means, and with 20+ years of living in Thailand/Laos/Burma behind me, I have been the most financially-stable, stress-free and healthy when I live alone and don't bother seeking romance, love or dirty women! (3 marriages/divorces later). Ask yourself - why would any women in any country be interested in some old guy who has no money?! For love?? Don't make me laugh... If you're 50 years+, there is only 1 reason why a women would be interested in you and that's for money or for inheritance when she/her family 'dispose' of you 🙂 Come to Thailand, enjoy a bachelor life and your hobbies (I enjoy counting trains passing by my abode, still looking out for the first one...)

Ye p -I think the White House deliberately added the journalist to that Signal group....

They should have called the fire truck to hose him down with cold water...

As a father of many kids and a primary grade teacher, I would have done likewise. She is tarring the vast, vast majority of males with her 'dirty brush of suspicion'. I'd ask the pool staff to eject her from the premises.

Dr Google tells me: "To enter Thailand, foreigners are prohibited from having certain diseases, including leprosy, tuberculosis, elephantiasis, drug addiction, and the third stage of syphilis" Can they not add mental illness to that list? Perhaps potheads and alcoholics?? Nah - their tourist numbers would go through the floor..... 🙂

Bear in mind that a Cardiac Arrest is not the same as a Heart Attack.

How were they electrocuted? Don't tell me that there was a 'live' electricity cable buried in the road?!

Drivers and their companies might start to take better care if the20 injured tourists all registered legal claims for damages against the driver and bus company.

Lol! Bus driving far too fast on a moderate slope. Does that bus not have low gears to engage to slow it down? [quote] This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by steep and curving routes frequently used by tourist transport in Phuket. [/quote] NO! NO! NO! - this incident serves as a reminder of how badly-maintained buses are, how badly-trained bus drivers are, and how the brain-size of a typical Thai bus driver is similar to the size of a pea.....

No they did not - they fully supported me. A local police guy poked his nose in. The government department told him to butt out.

Free speech is only important when you are involved in politics. I have zero interest in politics (because ALL politicians are corrupt). I have learnt to look after myself and those I love. Everyone else can go <deleted> themselves 🙂

[quote] Most western people view free speech as a fundamental human right... [/quote] Meaningless! Who gives a flying <deleted> about free speech? I'd rather live somewhere with decent schools, hospitals etc, and where I can get on with my life without the state poking its nose in.... Most people don't give a damn about free speech, (unless you're into politics). Give me China or Laos any day over the UK/USA/Australia. (excluding the crap hospitals in Laos!!)

If 'freedom' is based on freedom of speech, then IMHO the vast majority of civilians would not consider that a useful freedom. Perhaps if you are some political activist, but again IMHO I think most people just want to get on with their lives without government interference (ie nanny state).

Kids were smart in those days... 🙂

Wrong! Boomers in vented the transistor. Boomers invented lasers. In fact, boomers invented a hell of a lot of things 🙂 (Just as other generations did).

I really don't think that you can leave the money factor out when you're dealing with many Asian cultures, because the offspring have been conditioned from an early age to look after their parents, and that includes financial provision if the opportunity arises. Additionally, is the definition of 'love' really the same in 'western' and Asian cultures? I would say no...

With my scientist hat on, I wouldn't say that it is beneficial for your health, but as an emergency short-term solution in a desert, it might keep you alive. (Sitting in a prison cell is not an emergency, dehydration scenario...) Pee is about 95% water, but the other 5% is urea and excess chemicals/minerals in your body that your excretory system (kidneys etc) are filtering out from your blood. So drink pee for a lengthy period and you're just putting those excess chemicals back into your body again. I know some people claim wonderful health properties from drinking pee, but the science doesn't stack up.

Yep, it was a bit of a metaphorical question 🙂 As a scientist I know the answer. Did you know that bottled drinking water in Singapore is often made from recycled pee? I told some of my young online Chinese students that fact and they almost cancelled their trip to Singapore! 🙂

[quote] If you come to Thailand, stick to beer ... ... [/quote] Most of it tastes like piss anyway, so he should have felt right at home drinking his own 🙂