BritManToo

Still buying my ginger nuts from Lazada at 60bht a pack delivered (with vouchers).

Sadly, same for both my parents.

No worries. I don't have any health insurance!

2009, my first trip to Thailand, didn't even think of coming. Felt like a holiday, went to my local travel agent in Cornwall. Said I wanted to go somewhere long haul and inexpensive. Thailand, 240 pounds return from Heathrow to Bangkok, no VISA required. Three days later on the plane, had no idea about Thailand, no plans, no accomodation. Got off the plane late night, hung around a bit dazed, a bunch of backpackers noticed me. Q: Where you going mate? A: Haven't a clue! Follow us then we're off to Kosan road. So I followed them down to the basement on a bus, $1.50 fare and the bus dropped us off on a big main road. Followed then through narrow dark alleys thad there we were. Kosan road, never heard of it before, they were off to some nasty dorm rooms, I wandered around looking for a hotel with a pool.

Funny how this stuff never happens where I live. Was more concerned about grid failure in Spain (more net zero madness). Currently, it's been my coolest year in Chiang Mai out of the past 15 years. Off topic, Florida has always had Hurricane problems, was it in the 1920s where the big one took out all their train track? Tampa Bay 1921, Labour Day 1935, etc. Nothing to do with climate change, the hurricanes have always made it unlivable. Back in the sailing days, only pirates and indians were prepared to live there. It's just one big snake and alligator infested swamp! Labour Day https://www.loc.gov/item/2021670725/

Did you not notice the court ruling taking Nestle out of the shops for a month, hence causing scarcity and opportunity for other coffee brands? as for my usual shopping items ....... 5x moo ping sticks and a bag of sticky rice still 30bht 2lty Pepsi from BigC still 35bht McVities milk chocolate digestives still 99bht at RimPing KFC Zinger burger still 69bht

A great nation that brutally brutally attacked, killed, plundered and conquered half the world by force of arms. What once made us great, now brings us into disrepute. But come the next world war but one (fought with swords and clubs) ....... we'll be back in fashion again! Back on topic, Loads of cannabis in the UK, a lot grown locally, and easily purchased in the smoking shed of your pub's back garden.

Conspicuous consumption always wins!

While quietly collecting the thrown money to use as evidence ..........

My theory is you're living in an area that's built around an industry of alcohol and prostitution. Up in Chiang Mai the local population and tourists don't seem to have any. Nobody in my Thai gated village (250 homes), or my Thai family have tattoos. Walking around the town, shops and University at MaeJo, no staff, no students, no passers by with visible tattoos.

London museums and parks all free for everyone.

I always do the I'm over 60 so it's free, the Thais all have to pay and I don't. Much unhappiness as rich foreigner doesn't have to pay!

Pattaya (and Phuket) are very small and inconsequential IMHO. If you build an areas industry on alcohol and prostitution, you can't expect to be surrounded by nice people.

I think the story is more about the hatred between Blair and Miliband than anything else.

Don't think it's anything to do with foreigners, most Thais don't even think about white foreigners. Obviously they think about Laos, Burmese and Cambodian foreigners who do all their low level work. 'Fed up' is the way the whole world is going.

I'm proud to have achieved nothing in my life. As for the 'chicks', 1000bht is all I need. As for the super rich, all they want to do is score points off each other. Elon did a good one winning the election for Trump. Bezos just beat him by launching his gf and her pals into space. Elon will have a hard time 'trumping' Bezos last one! Bill Gates = has been, but might still surprise us.

Me too! and I also think they will stop paying expat pensions, same style as Oz and NZ. But still a few years left, they'll creep up the state pension age to 70 first.

Dunno about BillD, but I was paying around 10,000 pounds a year in national insurance for much of my working life (if you include both employer/uncapped and employee/capped contributions). And you need to include the employer contributions, because it's really you paying for both, one in the open, the other hidden. Then you should also take into account the average time a Brit claims their state pension ........ allegedly less than EIGHT years! Lots of dead Brits who never reached pension age, but still paid full/significant contributions. I have way more Brit friends and rellys who died before age 70 than exceeded age 75.

I see the reports, but don't feel the 'rise', so dismiss the reports as more alarmist nonsense. Same for sea level rises, I see the reports, but notice the "top dogs" buying beachfront property. Tony Blair actually suggesting something sensible ...... has the world gone completely mad!

I'm impressed by that teen girl on pillion. She sure beats the Arabs for crazy!

7 years training is a lot to lose, I'd cave in an instant to protect that.

Maybe they read AN, and thought now the secret was out they'd better come clean.

Transitoning from losers in men's sports events to winners in womens sports events.

Do I see a dodgy tattoo peeking from under that bikini?

But oddly, require no proof you are living in the UK. When I completed my pension application online (using invite code + VPN) they never even mentioned/questioned where was I living, just wanted me to confirm my bank was still the same.