Old Croc

British settlement When British settlers began colonizing Australia in 1788, between 750,000 and 1.25 million Aboriginal Australians are estimated to have lived there. Soon, epidemics ravaged the island’s Indigenous people, and British settlers seized their lands. Though some First Nations people did resist—up to 20,000 people died in violent conflict on the colony’s frontiers—most were subjugated by massacres and the impoverishment of their communities as British settlers seized their lands. Researchers have documented at least 270 massacres of Aboriginal Australians during Australia’s first 140 years, and though the term “genocide” remains controversial, people related to the continent’s first inhabitants are widely considered to have been wiped out through violence. National Geographic

The 1999 referendum was rejected purely because the proposed model stated that the President would be elected by Parliament not the people. This varied little from the way the GG is still chosen to this day and was against the popular will. Many no voters believed there would be another referendum within a reasonable time to amend the model. The public were hoodwinked! The rigging came about by the duplicity of the supposed pro-republic leader on the convention, Malcom Turnbull. He would later join the conservatives and become their PM for a time. Despite lawfully having to remain neutral in a referendum the PM, Howard, held a party for all the monarchists (and Turnbull) at the official residence, where they quaffed $1000s of taxpayer funded top quality wines reserved for state occasions. The Australian republic referendum held on 6 November 1999 was a referendum to amend the Constitution of Australia. The question asked whether Australia should become a republic, under a bi-partisan appointment model where the president would be appointed by Parliament with a two-thirds majority. This was the model that was endorsed by the Constitutional Convention, held in Canberra in February 1998. - Wiki

There is never an excuse for this American style road rage and brake checking, whatever type of vehicle targeted. It is particularly abhorrent when done to an emergency vehicle. For those trying to blame the ambulance because they consider many overuse lights and sirens, grow up, look around, you're in Asia. In this case the wide highway was empty, the offender was not blocked in even if the ambulance may have been hogging the right lane. Again, no excuse for such dangerous, criminal behavior. The route away from available treatment in KK to Chonburi suggests it was more patient transport rather than seeking treatment. The family following suggests to me they may have been taking a dying person home. Thais like to draw their last breath in the family home where friends and relatives can visit with the person or view them after death. Roadside tents are set up for feasting and donating of funds. A traditional ritual.

"Scottish tourist’s weed reaction causes public disturbance; British woman detained at Bangkok mall for alleged theft" Perhaps they just don't want any riffraff.

This thread is a troll. The OP has no interest in other member's long-term marriages nor their reasons for staying together. The fact that he hasn't bothered to follow up confirms it. People stay in marriage for many reasons in every country. What this one-dimensional character is actually implying, is why would you marry a local and stay together for many years when they get less attractive as they age. You can buy younger, better-looking versions for sex as I do.

I'm married here and had to provide a police clearance but am not from the US so won't comment further.

Well said. Good to know the reasons. I get the same rider on my Australian pension funds and worked out it was something like that.

Been retired here for about 5 months and already has a "financial nightmare" from the frozen pension increases! Must have done zero research about his pension conditions before jumping on the plane expecting it alone would sustain him for the rest of his life as an expat. Did he come without any extra savings or income? What did he do with the money earned as an electronics buyer for 40 grueling years? If it was so poorly paid that he couldn't accumulate savings, he should have found a real job about 35 years ago. As others have pointed out, what are his plans if/when a major medical event hits? Has he found any sandy beaches to bask on in sunny Bangers? Does he eat the cheap, exotic cuisine to be had everywhere in that city, or does he only dine at a place with his favorite British fare with a side of blood sausage? Like these 3 whingers I'm also in my 70's. My government also makes it nigh on impossible to apply for any pension when living overseas, so I haven't made application. I live here as a facsimile of a rich man on my own personal pensions and investments accumulated from 40 years of real grueling work. I'm amazed at how many people, from many different countries, expect a basic age pension, and Thailand, to provide them with a hedonistic lifestyle in their dotage.

Giant African Land Snail. Invasive pest has parasites that can infect people. Do not eat, toxic I've eaten snails (escargot) in a French restaurant. They are purged before considered safe for consumption.

You just don't get it! Sixty plus years ago, before the Beatles, popular music was dominated by America and was mainly about R & R and Blues. Lyrically, this music was in a phase of Do wah diddy diddy, dum diddy Do, Leader of the Pack and Tutti Frutti. Music was more about dance, volume and beat. The Beatles took the world on a Helter Skelter, Magical Mystery Tour in a Yellow Submarine through Lucy's Diamond Skies. Sgt Pepper came along with his band in case they needed Help with the Fool on The Hill and his Money. Nobody had ever written lyrics that told such fantastic tales before, and it was accompanied by groundbreaking harmonies, musical devices and sounds. They started the Revolution that took music lyrics away from simplistic love themes into a world of storytelling. Eilish and her brother may have written a better love lyric in your eyes, but they haven't reinvented the whole music industry and changed it forever to a higher plane. The Beatles did. Music these days is very focused on lyrics and of course some weave fantastic stories of modern life. However, one recent song with a lyric that touches one soppy poster on social media doesn't override the Beatles genius and legacy in music. Incidentally, I consider "What Was I Made For" to be a better Eilish song.

Rubbish. Citing one aspect of his life and highlighting it above all else he was, may convince a MAGA moron, but is a poor ploy for someone with a brain. Go and vote for your god figure, but don't use my posts to try to convince others with your lies.

I have liked Eilish from her start and think most of her work is brilliant. Much of that comes from her brother who writes (co-writes) the songs and is a genius producer. Of course, he has the advantage of being able to use modern digital technology not available 60 years ago. Bands like the Beatles and The Beachboys invented and revolutionized how music was produced. 10 Beatles Innovations that Changed Music - Listverse This song's theme is taken from a very old saying and is at least the third I know of with the same "Birds of a Feather" title. Hardly original and not comparable to most of the Beatles groundbreaking work.

I hope to live forever, I expect to die in my chosen country of Thailand.

I'm still waiting. It's probably better described as brunch in my place. Yesterday it was a boiled egg, toast and half an avocado. The day before a banana pancake and a plate of noina. Before that cornflakes, with bananas and yogurt. It varies.

Hard to tell if you are preparing for a day of ploughing the fields or a shopping trip with the other ladies.

As you are checked in to your final destination you seem to be a transit passenger and wouldn't need to be processed in and then out again. Although it sounds like you are changing airports? Are you arriving internationally and departing on the same, or a partner, airline? Your airline or travel agent should be consulted instead of a forum. They have access to your ticketing.

Obviously so old you don't remember how many times that so called joke has been trotted out on these pages. It's staler than the last time England won the world cup.

I'm surprised petty theft only occurs in Thailand and is considered such a heinous offence it requires a flying squad of officers and accompanying press to effect the arrest and get it on the front page of the papers and social forums.

Only a hypocritical Brit would find it funny.

It seems quite a reasonable assertion that the sign should principally be in the language of the country. Unless it's in Wales.

Money buys power and protection in prisons. No one will dare touch him.

"Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet at least seven times between 1993 and 1997, according to flight logs made public during various court proceedings. As the Miami Herald reported in 2021, Trump was accompanied by his then-wife Marla Maples and two of his young children on some of these flights:"

So, who's lining up to buy his crypto? All 3 of his sons have recommended it.

I seriously considered moving over the bridge a while back, but instead decided on a completely new lifestyle in Loei. The jury's still out if I made the right choice. Just sold the villa in Phuket so no returning there.