Andrew65

All religionists think that their religion is the true religion, and that others are 'children of a lesser God'. I don't think all Muslims think in the way you say they do. Many are like many so-called 'Christians' (some of the worst people I've ever known reckon they're Christians). I worked for many years in the middle east, and many of my nominally Muslim colleagues would happily have a drink with you.

If the Muslim people of Israel were Jewish, it wouldn't be a problem!? Religion - causing problems and dividing people since time immemorial. Lawrence would be spinning in his grave if he saw how this all panned out.

I'm sure the Palestinians don't see it that way. Support for Israel tends to be highest in other countries where native lands were 'stolen' by European settlers.

Many subsequent leaders of Israel were themselves terrorists (Irgun). I suppose they needed to be if they were going to set up a European country in the Middle East. You might look up the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, where in 1946, 91 people were murdered by Jewish terrorist bombers.

Use your imagination????

"Probably". He's lived in Goa for 15 years, an occasional visitor to Thailand.

"...state sponsored terrorism" Iran or Israel!?????

According to an old friend, many Israelis choose Goa over Thailand. They have 'business dealings' there.

I think that in Bangkok the proliferation of high buildings blocks out any breeze or wind at all, and makes it seem hotter. My condo used to look out to a big hotel there (24-odd stories). There was a wind-sock on the top that was usually billowing in the wind, whilst there wasn't even a breath of a breeze at street level, utter stillness (and hot, hot, hot).????

I just logged in to the account and there's still 38,690 Baht there. Was planning on withdrawing 35,000 the next time I visit, in Feb '24.

Years ago you used to have to get your passport notarised etc at your embassy to open a bank account. I haven't lived in Thailand for 4 years now, but will always keep my Bangkok Bank account open, remembering the hassle of opening it! (If I ever won the lottery I would return to live in Thailand, so would need the bank account).

I spent 3 years in Saudi, 6 months in Oman, was on a training course for a few days in Dubai, but never really worked in the Emirates. Many say Dubai is 'soul-less'. I think many Brits and Europeans go there thinking it's like the Spanish costas, which it most certainly isn't (besides the weather and the sea).

That's a very good way of putting it!????

In the years that I did them, and looking at it realistically, visa extensions weren't that bad at C W. They entailed maybe 3 hours made up of 2 hours sat in a taxi getting there and back, 30 mins waiting whilst there, and maybe 20 mins of actually doing it. I lived in Pattaya for a short time and actually doing the deed at Jomtien Soi 5 took 10 -15 mins. Bearing in mind that I had absolutely nothing else to do, a bit of a pain in the <deleted>, but not really a big deal.

I'll always love BKK, mainly for the great memories I have from there. Negatives: Sometimes too hot for too much of the time. (Not a well defined cool season). Traffic. Not a very pretty-city, architecture-wise (so much 'brutalist' concrete).

It could end up like Boxing, WBC, WBA, IBF etc.

Many years ago I was stood on the Thai side of the Mekong near Nong Khai. Small boats were crossing the river in a pretty random kind of way. God knows what some were carrying, but no way of checking their cargo was in evidence.

I suggest that they put "Big Sam" Allardyce in charge of it all!????

Not sure of the veracity of this, but apparently there used to be a "Cold-Balls Lottery" in Thailand. That's where the 6 'winning' balls have been placed in the freezer for a few hours before being added to the main set of balls (whilst no one was looking). ???? Then a blindfolded man (not wearing white gloves) picks out said 'winning' balls!????

There was a debate about this many years ago. It was said that one of the reasons that gambling on EPL games was so popular in SE Asia was because the games are at least perceived to be not 'fixed'.

I too am shocked to read this story. I would however point out that at 20 years old the victim is a woman, not a "young girl".

If you complain about noise to the cops in the UK you can get a similar response. "Nuffin to do wiv us guv, better call the council"???? Won't do anything until it has "escalated".????

I remember many years ago an old friend was stopping across the road from quite a new hotel in Bangkok. When he complained to the owner of the hotel about his '3 million watt' speakers out on the pavement, and threatened to call the cops the hotel owned just laughed and said that he would just call the chief of police. Noise is a big problem in Thailand. Whenever I stopped in Pattaya I tried to make sure that it wasn't within about 1km of such places!

They come from a society where espousing your political views can land you in prison. I reckon very many Russians despise Putin and all that he stands for, but would never openly say so.

On the World Corruption Index Ukraine is actually rated as more corrupt than Thailand or El Salvador!