Old Croc

Unfortunately, northern beaches in Australia cop the brunt of rubbish from their near Asian neighbors.

Your lack of knowledge gives some clues as to why you went broke in a country where the COL is very low for foreign pensioners.

There are none so blind.... Read my words again, I wasn't suggesting corruption in Australia is about petty rip-offs on the street or paying officials tips to do their job. Thailand style corruption is small scale compared to Australia. There, it's about gerrymandering, politicians using tax money to pander to big business, the church and private schools. It's about conservative leaning electorates being given 3x as much government grant money as labor electorates, and much more. They consider budget money to be theirs to spend in areas that will enhance their personal political ambitions. It's corruption on a grand scale.

I was retired in Oz with sufficient income to live comfortably, particularly as I owned my house. I was, however, bored <deleted>less with the sameness of lifestyle, and sick of the corruption of politics with big business. I also hated the petty officialdom intrusion into every aspect of my life requiring permissions, permits, fees, et al for virtually anything at all. Prices were high and went higher every year.. Wages and pensions mainly static. I lived in a police state where you get fined hundreds of dollars for exceeding speed limits by a couple of kmph and lived in fear of a booze bus lurking around every corner if you had a beer or two. I also travelled to Bali and Thailand several times a year and loved the way locals lived for themselves with little government interference. The corruption and officialdom in Thailand are small scale compared to Australia and can be largely ignored or paid for with pennies. I now own a number of properties (sort of) and live without any worries financially. Here you have a choice of lifestyle according to your wants, and every day can be an adventure. I wouldn't again live in Australia where the only thing you have to look forward to is a slow demise in a nursing home. (I have to specify I wouldn't want to live here on a Thai salary.)

I lifted the pic from GE. I looked for the big signs to which you refer but couldn't quickly find them. I'm not sure what the posted fine is, but he was probably ripped off with the amount he paid.

It's known by locals and expats in Phuket that bikes are banned in tunnels. There has been much discussion on this forum over the years. There are signs, but probably difficult for tourists to spot. Thais generally don't risk the fine to save a couple of minutes, the bikes I've seen roaring through tunnels are mostly foreigners.

Most Thais don't know the difference between a tourist and an expat. Many expats don't know the difference between a one-year extension of stay and permanent residence. Not just jet skis, but all water sports are banned in Krabi for environmental reasons. However, mass transport of tourists by commercial vessels has caused major damage to some islands (and much loss of life), in this magnificent bay. There have been several incidents noted in this forum over the years of tourists taking hire jet skis from Phuket to Krabi islands and also of Thais trying to subvert the rules by starting hire businesses there.

Silly question. Impossible to state an exact speed from the video. However, it was excessively fast for the conditions and almost certainly above legal limits. The girl did look first and tried to run to safety, but the person on the bike was going way too fast for her to escape. The rider made no attempt to swerve and only briefly braked about a meter before hitting the girl. He then immediately sped up to flee the scene. This Frenchman, of North African origin, should spend considerable time in a prison cell to contemplate his actions. Over the years there have been far too many incidents of this nature in Phuket, specifically Patong and Kamala, with the common themes of gangs of French citizens with Arab names, big bikes, speed in busy streets and disregard for others. The Police need to get serious about their activities.

It's not of course, but the poster you quoted didn't question nationality, ie Citizenship., He was making an educated guess as to the Frenchman's origins. I agree with his conclusion.

I had neither a letter nor a stamp in the new PP. Immigration was happy to transfer necessary details based on the stamp in the old. Replaced in 2020.

When I received my new PP, the Embassy put a stamp in the cancelled PP stating any valid visas remain valid, and referenced the new PP number.

Pompeo violated ethics rules, State Dept. watchdog finds | The Hill

Aguilar is 14 years older than the American singer and sold most of her records before Aquilera started recording. It's her birth name from her Filipino father.

A few years ago, a couple of these tourist boats collided in that channel at high speed. From memory, 2 Russian children died.

Others did it! OK, that's alright then. Let's worship their descendants and give them ultimate control of governments.

He knows very well where I'm from he's just being his usual petty, trolling self.

Too broad a description? For someone only a little smart, a clue could be found in my nik or even from my interest in this thread.

What are the British monarchy’s historical links to slavery? | Monarchy | The Guardian

The post I was quoting was about the source of Royal family's wealth and power, not their failure to acknowledge it. That would never happen with this lot. I'm from a country that the British invaded, slaughtered or enslaved the local inhabitants and despoiled the natural environment in their efforts to recreate their home conditions.

The British royal family ancestors were slavers. Why Britain's royals won't apologize for profiting off slavery, and why Prince Harry's admission matters - CBS News

For me the disturbing part of this story is that it was a stranger who thought to check the deceased's phone for a contact. This was apparently too hard a task for the RTP or the British Embassy. Not that what I do automatically relates to others, but I frequently go out with only cash in my pocket, no ID, cards or phone. If I needed to carry all the extra accruements around, I would have been born female and carry a purse everywhere.

It was 2 metres from the road just south of Newman about 120 kms from the mine.

I agree about Corden, and it appears many who know or work with him have similar feelings. However, I have enjoyed many of the "Carpool" segments because of the caliber of the guests. The one with McCartney where he visited all his old haunts in Liverpool was special. At one stage he signed the historic Penny Lane Street sign. He even surprised patrons by performed in his old local pub.

I'm not doubting the truck driver's version but do find it unusual that someone would sound their horn (twice) at someone approaching from behind at speed. I'm sure brake checking doesn't happen in Thailand.

Sam Smith also performed in Bangkok as part of a world tour, in 2018. Last month Smith performed on the South Lawn of the White House in front of the President. Seems the 80yo Biden has heard of him. Sam Smith performs at White House as Biden signs equal marriage bill | Metro News