simon43

Standard fire escape doors only open from the inside - someone trying to open the door from the outside is unable to do so. Although this is definitely 'after the horse has bolted', at least something practical is to be implemented. One cannot eliminate all possibilities of a tragic event like this, by making the school secure, it should help to minimise the possibility. The school doesn't need to look like a prison. Every door except the main entrance should only be openable from the inside. The main entrance needs to be securely locked and access only given to students and staff, no access for parents or workers etc unless accompanied at all times. It's not rocket science...

I agree with you. I was consulting ancient Dr Google pages which didn't mention MRI scans! My doctor said that we need to clear the bacterial infection first, then check the PSA again, then decide what to do next if the PSA value is high or normal (for me). My PSA value has been about 5 for the past 8 years, which is about normal for a man in his 60's with BPH. If my PSA comes back as 7 or higher for example, then we need to investigate more. But so far, I'm encouraged by the results of the DRE today.

Update: I visited the urology specialist today at Bangkok Hospital, Pattaya. Tests indicated that I still had bacteria in my pee, (possibly from the bacterial bronchitus that I had a few weeks ago or from a UTI or prostitis, even though I have no symptoms of prostatis, other than my usual BPH symptoms). Anyway, that bacteria will definitely cause an increase in PSA. So I've been prescribed antibiotics to sort out the bacteria infection, and then another PSA test will be performed. Additionally, the DRE test that the doctor performed was encouraging. An enlarged prostate for sure, but a rubbery texture and no hardness. But even if/when the new PSA is lower (my typical PSA value for the past 8 years has been around 6, with no change), I think it would be prudent to have a biopsy or MRI etc to check that nothing is amiss. My medical insurance will cover any necessary outpatient and inpatient tests and treatment for prostate cancer (I checked the policy!).

Yes, I have an appointment this morning with a recommended urology specialist at Bangkok Hospital, Pattaya. Best to expect the worst and hope for the best ????

In this case, I think his comments were justified. People will fear swimming in the sea, in case a box jellyfish makes a beeline for them.... I actually was stung by a box jellyfish in Thai waters about 15 years ago, and I had the red welts/scars on my leg for 2 years. It is very difficult to see the tentacles of any jellyfish that's in the water. I sincerely hope the boy recovers.

I haven't smoked cannabis for at least 30 years, and I have zero interest in starting again. But walking around Pattaya, with its many cannabis shops, vans and self-service vending machines, I haven't noticed any problems at all. No stoned tourists lying in the gutter, nada.... zilch.

Jogging along the promenade this morning, I saw the 'devastation' of ripped-up trees. For heaven's sake why? Now it's an eyesore...

As Charlie says, it's a kneejerk reaction. But commonsense would suggest that if a gunman cannot gain entry to the centre, then that must surely help. So fire exit doors only open outwards, only 1 entrance that is locked and monitored at all times, with toughened glass so that no-one can easily enter the premises etc.

Ah no..... that could also be an issue. Sheryl, My PSA test 8 years ago gave a result of 7.5, and 5 years ago it was 5. I did have a DRE 8 years ago, and only an enlarged prostate was found, nothing suspicious. Anyway, I'll go and see Dr Oliver in Pattaya on Monday and consult his wisdom on this matter.

I do, and have done so for the past 20 years, whilst living in Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. I have never lost it, forgot it or been robbed of it ????

To be honest, I haven't tried not taking the BPH medication. I guess I should give that a go ???? Dr Google tells me that a UTI will definitely raise my PSA value. He also says that I need to wait about 1 month before repeating the PSA test after clearing the UTI. But in any case, I will go and chat with the doctor in the meantime.

I did a blood/urine test today. The results indicated that I currently have bacteria and white cells in my urine (presumably caused by a UTI). My PSA result was 11. My last PSA test a few years ago (and previous to that) had a stable PSA value of about 6, slightly raised due to BPH. In the past couple of years, my BPH symptoms have increased, so I now take a daily tablet to enable me to pee. Should I be worried by the PSA of 11? Dr Google tells me that BPH will increase my PSA and a UTI will also increase it. How long should I wait before repeating the PSA test? I hadn't noticed any UTI symptoms - should I take some medication to sort that out? Thanks.

I've been in Bangkok for the past couple of days, staying on Silom Road. I can tell you that perhaps 99% of people walking in the street are wearing masks - those not wearing masks (including myself) are western foreigners. But I saw only 1 Thai person not wearing a mask.

Yes! My mad Thai ex. (But she wrote the letter herself!!)

After leaving Naypyitaw in late 2018, and a spell of living in Laos and Thailand while teaching online, I'm returning to live and work in Myanmar in a couple of weeks from now. I'm exchanging the 'delights' of Pattaya for the uncertainty of living in Yangon, with growing civil unrest. I decided to return to Myanmar because it is easier for me to do my (very small-scale), educational charity work for Myanmar students if I'm actually living in the country again. I think my efforts (although small) will be welcome by many students who are unable to attend school I will be teaching at an international school, and will continue to teach online in the evening/weekends. This joint income will certainly help to cover the cost of books for my charity work. Alas, it's no longer safe for me to visit Shan State by motorbike - so book deliveries will be by bus postal service. Who else is living in Myanmar right now?

Concerned about the PM2.5 air quality, and the lack of online data for my location (the websites simply interpolate data from 2 distant monitors in other cities), I bought a monitor off Aliexpress. Well, the unit switches on, displays a PM2.5 value, and that value increases as the smoke density rises. But the values seem completely at odds with the online interpolated data. In my garden, the normal reading is about 20, which I refuse to believe as correct, (Phuket has very clean air and typically has a value of about 50 - I live in the hills with local scrub burning at times). Online data suggests about 70. If I walk past a dusty building site, the value rises to about 55. The monitor is made by a Chinese company called 'Total B0ll0x Factory #5'. Can anyone recommend an accurate air quality monitor that I can buy from Aliexpress (not Lazada - I live in Laos)?