Gandtee

41 minutes ago, marcho said:

No, it does not. Apply online, don't go anywhere, and get delivered to your door, takes about 14 days after you submit the application.   www.passports.gov.au/apply-or-renew

The last time I renewed my British passport was in NZ. My daughter contacted the British Embassy in Auckland who said they could not do it but pointed the way to do it online. She did and I received my new passport back in a couple of weeks. Excellent service. Why can't we do this in Thailand?

Perhaps bringing in the birch to punish those guilty of some crimes might be the answer. Incarceration doesn't seem to be a deterrent.The same for my home country, England. My mother used to say to me " If you don't behave yourself you will end up in borstal and get the birch." I never did either. But the threat was there.

3 hours ago, frank83628 said:

According to an source.... no doubt anonymous,aka,BS I just made up

One wonders why any sane man who has respect for his wife would encourage/insist, that she exhibits herself almost naked for the world to see. But then I think I've answered my question. What a parasite!.

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

By Bright Choomanee

 

A homeowner, preparing to take a shower, was startled to find a king cobra over 3 metres long lurking in the bathroom. The incident, which occurred yesterday, February 4, prompted a swift call to emergency services for assistance.

 

Today, it was reported that the Hook 31 Korat Rescue Unit from the Thaisamakkee area responded to a request for help from residents at house number 108, Moo 6, Baan Khlong Durian, Wang Nam Khiao subdistrict, Wang Nam Khiao district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. Specialised rescue volunteers, equipped with reptile-catching tools, arrived promptly to assist.

 

The homeowner recounted spotting the large snake coiled inside the bathroom, causing them to dash out and shut the door to prevent the reptile from escaping further into the house.

 

Upon arrival, the rescue team opened the bathroom door to discover the snake hiding in the corner of the bathtub. Using a forked stick, they carefully nudged the snake out of its hiding spot.

 

 

Displaying expertise, the team managed to safely grasp the snake by its head and remove it from the bathroom.

 

The snake was identified as a large king cobra, measuring approximately 3.45 metres in length and weighing about 13 kilogrammes. The rescue team placed the snake in a cloth bag and released it back into a suitable natural habitat, reported KhaoSod.

 

Residents were advised to routinely inspect their homes to avoid creating environments that could serve as hiding places for reptiles and other venomous creatures. The warning comes as the cold weather persists, prompting such animals to seek warmth within household premises. Regular inspections and heightened vigilance are recommended to prevent such encounters.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-02-05

 

 

In 1996, we had a 3.25m King Cobra under the house. My wife called some building workers nearby and sadly they killed it and took it back to their camp. Later I asked my wife if I could get some better photos of it. She came back and said, "Too late. They've eaten it." Better luck with a 4m python. We called the Rescue Team and they took it away to be released?? Our biggest problem was Pit Vipers. Due to the increased human population and housing development, the snake population has dwindled here. So sad.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture of Andrew Hopkins courtesy of The Nation

 

By Bob Scott

 

A British tourist’s claims of bribing his way out of a Pattaya jail have been denounced as “largely untrue” by a Pattaya police chief. However, in a bid for transparency, the Pattaya police chief promises a thorough review of the evidence.

 

Police Colonel Nawin Theerawit, head of the Pattaya Police Station in Chon Buri province, issued a strong denial yesterday, February 3, in response to foreign media reports.

 

A controversial story had surfaced, alleging that hapless Brit Andrew Hopkins was forced to shell out 15,000 baht to secure his release from a Thai cell.

 

Hopkins’s ordeal was told in vivid detail by the British tabloid Daily Mail. The newspaper reported that the 55 year old was staying at an Airbnb in Pattaya when a late-night stroll allegedly went awry.

 

In a comedy of errors, he accidentally knocked over an entrance sign en route, rousing the ire of two local security guards who immediately descended upon him, bellowing in Thai.

 

Hopkins claimed that it wasn’t long before the local police arrived, swiftly bundling him into the back of a pick-up truck and carting him to a cell, where he languished for 36 hours amidst squalor: a picture painted with photos showing grime and overcrowding.

 

 

Seizing the narrative, Hopkins alleged that his release came only after an Italian man informed him of the need to pay 15,000 baht in cash. He described being frog marched to an ATM before his freedom was seemingly bought once two senior officers pocketed the cash.

 

Undeterred, Pol. Col. Nawin set the record straight. The kerfuffle allegedly started on November 22 of last year, when Hopkins, under the influence, reportedly trashed a vehicle barrier. Officers stepped in to calm him down, imposing a mere 100 baht fine before releasing him.

 

But the drama didn’t end there. Pol. Col. Nawin recounted how Hopkins returned to his digs only to be refused entry due to his penchant for loud, boozy antics, leading to further disturbances and yet another arrest.

 

Emphasising procedural integrity, Pol. Col. Nawin insisted Hopkins was subjected to due process, with all his belongings duly returned and documented through photographs. He staunchly defended the state of the cells, asserting daily cleaning and round-the-clock CCTV surveillance, reported The Nation.

 

Nevertheless, the incident now undergoes further scrutiny to ensure all concerned parties are satisfied. As the world watches, Pattaya’s reputation hangs in the balance, poised between reputational ruin and redemption.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-02-04

 

 

Largely untrue?

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Network Rail has instructed its staff to phase out the use of the word "passengers" in favor of the more direct and neutral term "you." This shift is part of a broader initiative to make language used in public announcements and communications more relatable, informal, and inclusive. 

 

A small example of the Cancelled phrases:

 

 

The organization, responsible for maintaining Britain's railway infrastructure, has issued new guidelines urging employees to use everyday language to enhance clarity and reduce frustration among customers affected by train delays and cancellations. The document advises against using words like "purchase," "obtain," and "rest assured," recommending simpler alternatives to improve engagement.

 

The changes extend beyond terminology relating to train travel. Gender-neutral language is emphasized, with "pregnant people" replacing "pregnant women" and "parent" being used instead of "mother" or "father." Similarly, words with gendered connotations, such as "workmanship" and "mankind," are to be replaced with "quality of work" and "humankind," respectively. Traditional greetings like "ladies and gentlemen" are now replaced with "friends and colleagues" to foster inclusivity.

 

The new approach is detailed in a 134-page document titled "Speaking Passenger," which, despite its name, actively discourages the use of the word "passenger." Network Rail’s chief executive, Andrew Haines, explains the motivation behind these changes, stating: "To put passengers first, we have to speak their language. That goes for all of us. Whoever we’re talking to, whatever the situation."

 

With approximately 370,000 train services canceled or partially canceled in 2024—equivalent to one every 90 seconds—communicating effectively with the public has become a critical issue. The guidance encourages staff to empathize with those waiting for delayed trains, acknowledging the frustration of standing in the cold after a long day, watching cancellation after cancellation.

 

The document contrasts a formal announcement—"All services are currently cancelled due to recent storm events. We would like to apologise for the inconvenience this may cause to your journey."—with a more conversational alternative: "I’m really sorry everyone but we’ve had to cancel all the trains this evening. A tree’s fallen across the tracks just outside the station and it’s going to take a few hours to clear." The aim is to make messages sound warmer and more human, with the belief that a more natural tone will reduce the frustration experienced by those affected.

 

Network Rail emphasizes that these guidelines are not about adopting a corporate branding style similar to companies like Virgin or Innocent but rather about sounding approachable and friendly. Staff are encouraged to refer to people by age-neutral terms such as "younger people" or "older people" rather than "senior citizens" and to use "first name" instead of "Christian name" to avoid assumptions about religious beliefs.

 

The guidance also touches on seasonal greetings, advising staff not to assume all customers celebrate Christmas. Instead of saying, "Merry Christmas everyone," they are encouraged to say, "Merry Christmas to those who are celebrating" or opt for neutral alternatives like "Season’s greetings" or "Happy holidays."

 

Under a section titled "writing inclusively," the document highlights Network Rail’s obligation, as a Department for Transport-owned entity, to "eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different people." Employees are warned that failing to use inclusive language can reinforce biases and stereotypes, potentially leading to a work environment that is "humiliating, unpleasant, and alienating." It also cautions that exclusionary language could marginalize significant portions of their audience.

 

A Network Rail spokesperson reaffirmed the rationale behind these changes, stating: "Passengers are at the heart of our tone-of-voice guidelines, which have been in place for several years and are common practice in customer-facing organisations."

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2025-02-04

 

 

Network Rail --Tossers

56 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Indeed. In Thailand I think they call it "unusually wealthy".

 

What's more, I bet that's the tip of the iceberg. I'd wager the rest of the Biden crime family have sizeable stashes tucked away as well. 

I would suggest most politicians. Are there any poor ones?

22 hours ago, realfunster said:

As I commented on yet another child drowning last week - just look yet again at the dangerous pond design used.

Good swimmer or not, for a wet dog or person getting out of that PVC lined pool with steep and slippery sides is going to be a problem. Fatigue sets in and under you go.

 

I wish they would launch a public service announcement with some basic (non-expensive) guidance on how not to make your water retention pond a complete deathtrap for both people and animals...put in stepped (or at least non vertical) sides when digging, have a safety line anchored somewhere etc etc. 

I've been saying that for years. Mai bel ie. R.I.P.

19 minutes ago, JoePai said:

I knew a lass in Brum who used to swig straight from the wine bottle... 😎

Don't they all in Brum?😉

10 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

No, he won't, neither will anyone else, there has been no telegram service for over 30 years.

That's it! I'm not hanging around then.😀

Bathrooms? When breaking your neck for a jimmy riddle you want a lavatory, not a bathroom.

44 minutes ago, Gaccha said:

You diving over cars and jumping over roofs to escape the Immigration Police will probably be the best footchase on 9Gag in its history. And for that, it would definitely be worth you not getting a new passport.

I'll go for it. Grease up the Zimmer frame if I have one.🤪

2 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

You could live to be 100.  I would get it renewed.

Who wants to?😦

A hypothetical question. I am ninety-one. My passport expires in 2028. If I don't bother to renew it what are the ramifications if I'm still around?

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

So the cute fluffy baby ones you see at temple fayres do not count?

Only if I was really hungry.😉

On 1/29/2025 at 7:27 PM, Gandtee said:

Has anyone seen rabbits in the supermarkets in Pattaya and where?

The title was, Rabbits for the table. To eat.

Promises, promises. Just bugger off and give us a rest.😉

Has anyone seen rabbits in the supermarkets in Pattaya and where?

No lights on the broken-down bike? The cop's helmet not fastened? Seventy year old pickup driver's eyesight not as good as it was? Pure speculation. 

17 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

She was wonderful.

Too bad Trump is not the leader he would open the files and have it re-investigated properly.  

Really? Do you mean the man who has sacked those who investigated him?

17 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Older people are perceived as cynics and misanthropes. But, they are simply people who have at last heard the shrill, sad music of humanity, played by a mediocre rock band howling for fame. 

 

At ninety-one I agree. The way the world is now, becoming more unbelievable it must be a joke. The punch line will not be funny.