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Add the following items to logistics: Jet Fuel, spare parts for the Patriot system, Leopard tanks and eventually the M1A-Abrams. Good to luck to the Ukrainian logisticians.

Russia has been the Wagner Group for years in several countries.

Really? An F-16 has Fly By Wire flight controls. Soviet made aircraft mostly have hydraulic flight controls. So an experienced pilot can transition from a MiG to an F-16 in 6 weeks and effectively complete combat missions. I really don’t know because the most advance aircraft I have ever flown was a twin engine Beechcraft.

One workaround is to have Ukraine directly hire civilian experts. Of course the money would be funneled from the west into Ukraine. I just can’t see the Ukrainians effectively deploy advanced tanks into battle without direct assistance from western experts. Now some are talking about F-16’s to Ukraine? Really, the only way for an F-16 to conduct combat missions would be to have former western military pilots fly them. What is the average flight hours for an experienced F-16 pilot to deploy to an actual combat zone? 1000, 2000 or more. It appears “symbolism” means more than actual capabilities? Just my thoughts as an old man who was once a soldier a long time ago. Not every soldier is capable of going to war. Training and simulations mean nothing when actual bullets are flying. Some freeze and some excel. No no knows how one will perform under real life stress. This applies to any profession.

I would disagree because of the vast differences between the Leopard 2 and T series from the Soviet era. I was tanker in the Army Reserve and when my unit transitioned from M-60 tank(diesel engines)to the M1A1(Turbine Engines) back in the early 90’s it was like going from an old VW to a Ferrari. Just learning the main gun and its systems were challenging. We were not certified for 18 months. Most active duty Army units took much less. The new radios in the M1A gave us some fits and we had a lot of growing pains. I’m certain the Leopard 2 manuals have not been published in Ukrainian yet?

What happens when soldiers who are not properly trained are sent into battle with unfamiliar equipment and weapons? The only way to avoid disaster is to have embedded advisors. I know this sounds like Vietnam but western Tanks and equipment are technically more complex than those made in Russia. NATO should at least consider civilian technical advisors along with the tanks and other equipment. Simple question is this: How long does it take to train a soldier to become a competent tank mechanic? For the US Army at a minimum a 6 month technical school and almost a year of On The Job Training and Mentoring.

Yes. The CVS Pharmacy Clerk asked to see my health insurance and I showed her my Pacific Cross card. She asked what is this? I told her this is my health insurance from Thailand. She handed the card back. I have no idea why CVS was asking for health insurance when it was supposed to be "free"? In the end I paid nothing.

I got the Bivalent vaccine while I was back in the US back in September 2022. You might have to take a trip to the US if you want this vaccine. While I was in line at the CVS Pharmacy I spoke to a couple from Singapore who come to the US on vacation and decided to get the Bivalent Vaccine as well.

200K Deductible? Wow that is a lot. Next year I might take on a 100K Deductible because I know there will be a sharp increase in premium.

The wave from the PRC has not begun.. I saw a few here and there at Central Festival today. You can't miss them because they are usually the loudest. It also feels like there are lot of Koreans in many parts of CNX. I have seen many at the gym, on Songtaews and at the malls. I speak Korean so I can tell. I do not speak Mandarin or Cantonese (nor will I ever).

No problem. I recently renewed my OA Visa Health Insurance with Pacific Cross for the 3rd consecutive year. I got a small discount for no claims. It was only 62,000. I can't wait until I pass 60. The Non O is not an option for me because I am American and the clowns at the US Embassy/Consulate claim " no central database to verify your income"? This was stated at the most recent American Citizens Town Hall in Chiang Mai. Really, my pension has a specific division that verifies pension amount from external inquiries. But don't tell that to an American Consular Officer. Good luck on your search and depending on your age the premium might be shocking.

Just saw the news conference where LA County Sheriff Robert Luna named the suspect. The weirdest parts of this news conference were when State Senator Rico started talking about 'teachers" and someone in the background was clapping. How about little respect and consideration for the families of the deceased? Also, too many politicians spoke and this was a waste of time. The only speakers should have been Sheriff Luna and Monterey Park Police Chief Weise. Monterey Park is nice small city a few miles of east of downtown Los Angeles. A long time ago I knew a couple of officers from the MPPD. This is a good department with good officers. Monterey Park along with San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Alhambra all have large Asian populations. The suspect ended up about 30 miles south of Monterey Park in the city of Torrance (my hometown) where he shot himself after the Torrance Police Department tried to contact him in a Hobby Lobby parking lot. In terms of the criminal investigation it is pretty much over. Sheriff Luna did add the weapos that was taken away from the suspect when he tried to shoot at people at another dance studio in neighboring Alhambra "was illegal to possess in California"? He did not elaborate on this. It appears suspect Tran had multiple firearms. California and even ithe county of Los Angeles have very strict gun control laws. Some cities in California have banned the sale of firearms. Also, Sheriff Luna stated the suspect did not use an Assault Rifle. A motive has not been revealed or determined at this time.

No #14 on the link you posted. Item #8 states the 400k/40K requirement. I would never say you copied the wrong link. The document on the link has two pages. The order on the link is dated October 2019. The 3 Million Baht mandate came into effect after that date.

The above reference to the google drive link mentions 400K. First Year Applicant The applicant is-invalid required toast have a valid-feedback health insurance policy, either form Thai or from Overseas insurance companies, which the minimum coverage of 100,000 USD accounting for 3 million baht and it includes the treatment of Covid-19. The insurance certificate is strictly required to be presented to the immigration. For more information about the local health insurance policy for the long stay visa, please visit longstay.tgia.org/companiessoa In case of non-Thai health insurance policy, the insurance certificate form can be downloaded from here, the form must be signed by the authorized person of the insurance company or public organization. Renewal (before Sep,1 2022) The applicant must have the valid local health insurance policy with the minimum of coverage of 400,000 Baht for inpatient treatment and 40,000 Baht for outpatient treatment. In the case where the accompanying spouse is not eligible to apply for the O-A visa, he or she will be considered for a temporary stay under Category "O" visa. A marriage certificate must be provided as evidence.

"Amazing" Thailand.

One has to wonder was the first time? Probably not. Except on this occasion the Chinese woman bragged about it on Social Media. She just ruined it for future Chines VIP guests.

He should get an interview with Piers Morgan. They have something in common.

Yes. I was advised I can always “buy new”. This also happened many years ago at an Apple Store in Cerritos CA when I brought in my 1 year old Mac Air that was overheating. The employee said “the repair might take a long time but you might be better off with a new Mac Air”. Even then I thought wow this company wants everyone to buy a new device every year. I now have a Samsung Laptop and when my IPad dies I will be replacing it with a Samsung tablet.

I live in Chiang Mai and found a local shop that replaced the battery for 3000 Baht. So fa so good.

Even Apple products have a similar problem. I have a 2017 IPad Pro and it took several days to find a shop that had a replacement battery. I went to a ICare location and they “no have battery for old model”. I guess now a device is considered old in two or three years.

When it is about Money (Dollars, Baht, Yen, Euro, or Yuan) no rules and family means nothing.

I don't believe in Magic.

Then preface it with the term “In general some people will fit this description———-“. I do not imply that you fit into a certain definition because I do know what your beliefs are.

Ah, when did I ever say Climate Change was overblown? When did I ever say it was false and when did I ever deny it? Or did you mean someone else while responding to my comment?

18,000 Baht for an hour of medical treatment? That is outrageous.