Old Croc

Perhaps they may have caught the miscreant in the act if they hadn't worn their uniforms while pretending to be customers.

If you had a little more acumen, you may have noticed the bit about the reaching for the stars, and by reading my initial posts on the topic you may have picked up my parody of the new multi layered title structures. Perhaps for those a little slow with comprehension I should have put up a video clip of "Stairway to Heaven". Pomposity! There's a word for people in the habit of accusing others of doing what, in fact, they are doing. Projection.

Bit slow on the uptake as usual Lou! and: Considering most of your posts on the forum consists of quoting others and censuring them, a massive hypocritical comment!

I missed the joke!!!

I have Mitsubishi fans throughout the house. Five speed, from very slow to very fast plus an intermittent setting if required. Remote control. No complaints, work very well. You asked about cost in a subsequent post. Not the cheapest. MITSUBISHI Ceiling Fan Remote Control Type 56 inch C56-RA5 ( New Model Year 2021 ) Classy Grey (Dark Gray) / Mist Gray (Light Gray) | Lazada.co.th

Where to retire on places named in this list for penniless Americans - Bulgaria, Albania, Pattaya? A pity Pattaya is not also named in this web company's next list "The most christmassy places on earth." I presume once Pattaya transforms into a 'Smart City" prices will skyrocket.

In 1976, I was in a work syndicate that won a "Prizes Galore" lottery run by my State's Lottery Commision. The $125,000 prize divided 6 ways meant I received $20,833 (AUD). Doesn't sound like much now, but it was about the price of a modest house back then, which is how I spent most of it. The other members had their picture on the front page of the newspaper, but I was on an overnight fishing trip and didn't find out about the win until the next day. Interestingly, the second prize went to another syndicate of guys from a govt dept and I personally knew about half of them. One of my mates on the fishing trip, worked with them.

An update for those who thought it a good idea at the time. If anyone bought a cabin, good luck getting your money back. Miray Cruises - Wikipedia

I'm glad you found my offerings "interesting". I have no problems with the Brits retaining their traditions even though I find it astounding that a nation would fete unelected descendants of thieves, plunderers and slavers. My rancor stems from the fact that my country retains the inherited leader of that family as head of state. A referendum for a republic was skewed by people with strong British ties who dominated the process. I don't believe plunderer's families should be allowed to retain the spoils of their crimes just because it is historic. Tell that to the Greeks who are again trying to regain their "marbles" from the accumulator of stolen goods, the British museum. The Egyptians would also like their priceless artifacts returned. America. I'm not going to engage in debate about their guns for reasons related to insanity. I will point out the ludicrous inaccuracy of your "world's lowest gun fatalities" statement. By deaths per population the US sits at about 20th. Better than places like Brazil or Mexico, but nothing to boast about. A long way from the best of the 200+ countries in the world. I understand the suicide and child mortality rates by guns probably do lead the "world". You would never convince me that battle scared veterans armed with weapons of war in their homes equates to safety, particularly involving themselves! The reason I specifically mentioned "mass" shootings is because America is the world leader in that genre by a massive margin. I feel I would be much more likely to be mowed down by an automatic weapon there than anywhere in Thailand, including Phuket.

Perhaps he had an attitude of anxiety and contrition and was relieved to be able to depart without incarceration. Many lawbreakers in this situation believe themselves to be the victim when it's time to face the consequences of their actions.

Firstly, a few years ago the government retrospectively added a criterion for extensions to the O-A visas to include bogus health insurance payable only to a select few Thai insurance companies. This stemmed from complaints from Vachira hospital that foreigners had departed leaving a few million baht in unpaid bills. The govt was unwilling to seek compensation from short term visitors so unfairly placed the burden on a small proportion of non-immi long stay residents. Does any of this money flow back to the hospital? Secondly, it's reported this man has a low platelet count, an immune system problem that results in a thinning of the blood. As the treatment requires many transfusions it would not be at all unusual for this thin blood to soil the sheets. I have a medical condition that requires me to undergo regular bloodletting. Occasionally, during the process, blood gets on the sheets even in top level facilities. This huge, very busy, public hospital wouldn't be able to constantly change bed linen. If you want 5-star treatment, go to the excellent private hospital a short distance down the road. If the sight of poor Thai people dying in your crowded ward offends, at least pay for a private room. Thirdly, if your lifestyle choices (see pic of huge beer gut) result in medical problems which you probably ignore, but instead go on a hedonistic holiday without travel insurance, blame yourself, not that country's health system. If you want dunny paper, buy some, poor Thais generally don't use it. Any of the staff or other patients' family visitors, would be happy to assist for a couple of baht. Don't turn such an idiotic thing into an international whinge or form part of your fund raiser!

To me it seems this tourism safety exercise is more about tourist control and overwatch than their personal safety. You mentioned a couple of the great cities of the world, I too would love to return to Paris and Vienna to spend more time exploring what they offer. My travel through Europe previously was too hurried. London, been there done that, and as a strong Australian republican, I have no interest in viewing the accumulated chattels of a family about whom I cannot understand the adulation. America, safety? Over 2000 confirmed suicides from your bridge, more than 520 mass shootings so far in 2023. Pass.

Mixed feelings. It's good to see one of the Bangkok political elites actually visiting the country's tourism cash cow rather than just counting the money as it fills the coffers in the Capital. However, the reasons given for the visit seem silly and paltry compared to the real problems there that require massive remedial action from government to restore Phuket to again be one of the great tourism destinations of the world.

Try searching YT using that name.

"This is great, I'll be rich before I turn 14."

PVC pipe is made for plumbing jobs. It's strong, doesn't deteriorate nor rust, and won't crack or develop holes unless struck with tools or machinery. It can be painted to blend with the house. Leaks occur because Thais don't like to use glue to seal the joints to save money and time or in case they want to move it later.

For those who have trouble understanding the difference between Immigration residency and Tax residency the ATO details their interpretation here: Your tax residency | Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au)

New competition - what is she thinking?

"wacky coffee shops" It's legal in this country, you don't have to use euphemisms.

It's spelt W-a-l-l-e-t-s.

I thought this was going to be another tale of Pattaya. Buffett and his ilk, all claim to be giving vast swaths of their wealth to charity, mainly after their death, but somehow still manage to retain more personal assets than most countries. Certainly way more than one individual or family could ever need. Munger seems to have been an exception. He died with just a couple of billion in shares.

Wow, you encountered a couple of judgmental middle-aged women! Hold the presses!!! Isn't your country the birthplace of the modern "Karen"?

"The primary focus of the Phuket Crime Free scheme is to secure accommodations for tourists, including hotels, guesthouses, condominiums, and rental houses. The initiative aims to develop a comprehensive database of these establishments and their guests to ensure a crime and narcotics-free environment, thereby prioritising tourist safety." So, the main strategy of this MoU , signed by govt and private entities to prevent crime against tourists, is to build more data bases about tourists, their accommodations and drug habits. The presumption being that they themselves are responsible for all crime against tourists.

Don't mention the types of unlicensed vehicles they use on the roads to cart produce and workers around. I had to buy a box of Leo for the rice workers, which they quickly consumed before getting on their bikes and tak taks to drive home.

If the OP is actually considering retirement in Bali there are heaps of YouTube posts about the place that will provide a more accurate version of life there than a bunch of AN posters with whinges about nearly everything. If you hang out in Kutu you will come across Aussie bogans having a drunken good time. It's very cheap to get there from Oz. Alternatively, you could go to Amsterdam or Spain where the UK "Chavs" are much more refined, particularly during soccer matches on the Continent.