BKKBike09

I think you'll find JonnyF was spelling the word the way it was pronounced by the FM. Maybe that, though, is a hate crime: highlighting a regional accent. You can report it at the local sex shop or a fish processing factory if you like.

Tweeting this constitutes a Non Crime Hate Incident: “Choosing to identify as ‘non-binary’ is as valid as choosing to identify as a cat. I’m not sure governments should be spending time on action plans for either.” "Even if the police decide to take no action, they may register the report as a “hate incident”, not considered a crime. This has already occurred to an MSP, Murdo Fraser, who stated on social media that: “Choosing to identify as ‘non-binary’ is as valid as choosing to identify as a cat. I’m not sure governments should be spending time on action plans for either.” The police have defended the recording of hate incidents, saying it helps them “monitor tensions within communities, enabling appropriate police responses”. But is that their job? https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/apr/01/scotland-hate-crime-law-public-debate The police would be better served in seeking to “monitor tensions within communities, enabling appropriate police responses” by, er, actually walking the beat and engaging with people directly. Barmy.

Luckily the Scottish police arranged online training (a 2-hour bore-a-thon) so that officers are well-equipped to identify 'hate crime' under this ridiculous law. Police Scotland’s officers will investigate actors and comedians if a complaint is made under new hate crime laws. Training, obtained by The Herald, states that material regarded as “threatening and abusive” under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) can be communicated “through public performance of a play.” https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24194006.police-scotland-hate-crime-training-leaked/ It's all Orwellian in the truest sense of the word.

The point is surely that if you are down to 50 km range in an ICE, there are filling stations everywhere and it takes 5 mins to fill the tank. The speed at which a car gets filled with petrol doesn't vary very much. If you're down to 50 km range in an EV, it can take some planning to find an available fast charger and 45-60 mins to charge to 100% (especially when the high speed 150 kw or whatever chargers share that 150 kw among however many cars are plugged in, so could be you get a much lower charging rate). None of this matters if you don't need to make an immediate longer journey, of course, but it's still an area where I think EVs fall behind ICE. That may of course change with newer battery and charging tech. EV depreciation is also untested waters in Thailand. But logic says why would someone want to buy an EV with, say, a 5-year old battery? Nothing to do with whether it doesn't hold charge as well as when new - much more to do with 'today's 60 kwh / 90 kw max charge rate' battery will likely, in 5 years, be as outdated as a 5-year old laptop or phone. They all still work fine, but the spec on new has advanced massively. In comparison, a 5-year old IC engine won't be massively improved upon by whatever is available 5 years from now. So today's EVs will likely depreciate way more than an equivalent ICE. May matter to some people. Don't get me wrong - I bought an Atto 3 the first day they went on sale and am very happy with it after 15 months of ownership. Fantastic for urban use if you have a home charger. But I still believe while EVs massively outperform ICE in some applications, they still don't do that as far as 'ease of filling up' is concerned.

Going to have to disagree with the 'appears intelligent'. The PM also forgets to mention that it will take years to build and open the billion-dollar plus Integrated Resorts they have in mind, so 'the economy' won't get any benefit for years. The proposed tax rates are actually competitive but it's years away. Plus they want one mega-project in each region.

So is the wedding off now?

Since one year sounds like a long time but actually isn't, you'd also need to find out when the clock starts ticking. Does your 'ownership' start from the day your partner dies, or from the day that your name is added to the title deed? Should be the latter, because I don't see how you could sell if you are not shown as the legal owner. Of course, also begs the question "what happens if you can't sell within one year"? Title automatically reverts to Land Department? A buyer knowing that you have limited options could push for a fire sale price. Does you GF own the apartment outright or is it on a mortgage? That would be another complication.

Dinty Moore ... I'll clue Ya!

There's a food truck at W District in Phrakhanong that does a pretty good toastie (their burgers are not bad either). https://www.foodpanda.co.th/restaurant/t4fy/awesomesauce-truck-w-district

And that study the OP bangs on about also highlights: Mental Health Conditions Numerous mental health conditions have been identified in children as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including anxiety, stress, depression, panic, irritability, impulsivity, sleep problems, emotional lability, posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and suicidal behavior.67,–69However, mechanistic studies exploring the specific pathobiology and carefully conducted studies with adequate control subjects are required to explore effects from SARS-CoV-2 infection versus the situational context of the pandemic (such as social distancing, school closures, canceled extracurriculars ... https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/153/3/e2023062570/196606/Postacute-Sequelae-of-SARS-CoV-2-in-Children?autologincheck=redirected

A moment of levity from the fire angst - from today's 'other paper'.

Good time to change USD to THB. Rate is predicted to weaken further - it's already at a pleasing 36+ and some predictions are may go to over 37 - in next couple of weeks. Just look at the SCB web site and say Vasu to get an idea (based on Friday's closing rates) what the difference would be. You'd make an extra THB 6500 or so. Vasu = 725,400 SCB = 718,800

Jesus Efin Christ...do you all think cops should be nice and patient if you refuse to stop? My God, do you know what would happen to you in your country if you disobey cops? There is no fOCKING excuse to attack these cops. Those two jerks are the epitome of stupidity. Stop trying to come up with excuses for their stupid behavior. A COP SAYS TO PULL OVER, YOU PULL OVER, PAY THE FINE AND GO GET YOUR HAPPY ENDING MASSAGE! Calm down now, you'll have an aneurysm. I didn't make excuses for their behaviour - I said that I don't think we're getting the full story. Doesn't mean that I don't think these guys are fools.

I don't know if it's the "likely scenario" but I do think we're not getting the full story here. For instance, there are claims the gun went off once during the struggle but I don't hear any gunshot in the videos posted so far. Maybe the cop, being on his own when chasing them, drew his weapon and fired a shot in the air or whatever. That escalated the situation. And what's with the story that the cop agreed to accept an apology and a basket of fruit or whatever? That was quickly dismissed by more senior police as not true, but in other videos showing 'backup' arriving on motorcycles, they all - cops and perps - just stand around for a few minutes. Why didn't the assaulted cop shout at his buddies "they attacked me and got my gun"? Bizarre. Like I say, I'm sure there's much more to how this all kicked off than just two foreign guys randomly deciding to get it on with a Thai cop.

Come now, that's a rather selective post. Here's the full list of, allegedly (it is Wikipedia) 'Fatal Dog Attacks in Asia Pacific Region''. February 24, 2024 Stray dog (1+) October 15, 2023 Rottweiler October 12, 2023 Unknown July 2, 2023 Pit bull (2) May 18, 2023 Pit bull February 18, 2023 Rottweiler (2) December 3, 2022 Bandog Bullmastiffcross, Rhodesian Ridgeback cross August 4, 2022 Dogs (6) Neapolitan Mastiffcrosses, Bulldogcrosses July 13, 2022 Pit bull January 29, 2022 Bull Arab November 8, 2022 Cattle dog, Rottweiler December 24, 2021 American Bull Terrier July 11, 2021 American Staffordshire Terrier June 8, 2021 Pit bull cross (3) March 29, 2020 Bullmastiff x Pit bull (3) July 10, 2019 American Staffordshire Terrier June 10, 2019 Staffordshire Bull Terrier May 16, 2019 Staffordshire Bull Terrier x Rhodesian Ridgeback March 20, 2019 Pit bull (6) March 1, 2019 American Staffordshire Terrier (2) March 3, 2018 Rottweiler October 25, 2017 Pitt bull June 11, 2011 Golden Retriever https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_dog_attacks

From linked article: "Her boyfriend recounted his own experience of being bitten by the same dog three months ago, requiring 18 stitches. His wound had not fully healed. It is understood that the pit bull might have been stressed from being chained and confined regularly. However, the owner has not responded to requests to cover the medical expenses." Put a bullet in the mutt before it attacks someone for the 3rd time.

From the linked article: "According to the report, Garcia has admitted selling the drugs to foreign tourists using the Telegram app. He says he purchased all the drugs, with the exception of the magic mushrooms, from a Black man in Chiang Mai, for 800,000 baht." Hmmm. Let's have a stab at who gave the tip-off.

That's a good point.

Yes, much improved. At LHR all the Star Alliance lounges are now open. IMHO United is the best, followed by Lufthansa, then SQ and Air Canada a distant also-ran. Top tip in BKK if flying biz Star Alliance is to use the SQ lounge, or the EVA one (depending which gate your, say, TG flight is leaving from and how much time you have). SQ now open to 11 pm. If flying BKK-LHR on the daytime TG flight, the SQ lounge is absolutely the best choice.

Maybe some years back but these days I think all the big private hospitals - or at least any one big enough for an Opthalmology Dept - should have it.

I Googled the Thai for Visual Field Test + Khon Kaen and Bangkok Hospital KK / KK Ram Hospitals both have the equipment: เครื่องตรวจลานสายตา (Computerized static perimetry) https://www.bangkokhospitalkhonkaen.com/th/center/แผนกจักษุ เครื่องตรวจวัดลานสายตาอัตโนมัติ : Automated Visual field Analyzer http://www.khonkaenram.com/th/services/clinics-and-centers/eye-center

It's a pretty common test so I'd have thought a big hospital in KK / Udon / Ubon would be able to do it.

On eye pressure generally - don't obsess over it. This seems pretty good guidance (I put in the blue highlighting): Raised eye pressure – how to know if there is a problem Most people have an eye pressure that measures between 10mm and 20mmHg. However, this number can be lower or higher and still be fine for your eye. Normal pressure is said to be less than 21mmHg, but the number can be higher and your eye still be normal. Ocular Hypertension (OHT) means raised pressure (over 21mmHg) but no damage to the nerve and full visual fields. If the pressure in your eye is over 21mmHg then you may be told you have raised pressure. If it less than 30mmHg you may not be advised to have treatment, as long as everything else is healthy with your eyes and your general health. If you have a family history of definite glaucoma you may want to consider starting pressure-lowering treatment. Only a small number of people with OHT develop glaucoma over the following five years This means you can decide to have a regular examination of visual fields once a year or every two years. As long as your visual field is full and your nerves are unchanged in appearance, then you are fine at that time, but further checks are sensible. There are exceptions and some people have pressure less than 20mmHg, yet still develop glaucoma, which confirms that glaucoma is about more than just pressure in the eye. Normal pressure is the pressure at which no damage occurs to the nerve. For some people this is as high as 30mmHg. The higher the pressure the more likely that, in time, damage will occur to the eye and vision. Below is a table to help you describe what the level of pressure means. https://www.drray.co.uk/eye-conditions-treatments/raised-eye-pressure/

I'd suggest getting a visual field test done - specifically one that tests for glaucoma. You stare (one eye at a time) at a fixed spot and click a little button whenever you see a dot of light that seems to appear randomly at different spots close to / further away from the point of focus. Normal eye pressure is basically under 20 mm Hg. According to this info from Moorfields Eye Hospital (about as good an authority as you can get), "Eye pressure can vary by as much as 6mmHg during the day and this can be more common in glaucoma patients". https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/All day measurements of eye pressure .pdf Good luck.

EVA is my hands-down favourite for all round quality of offering, although these days it's too much if I'm paying. Premium Eco is pretty good, too (but getting very expensive). Of the Star Alliance offerings to LHR TG comes next - as long as again I'm not paying full fare. ROP Gold status upgrades / mileage upgrades for me. I'd never pay full-fare biz on TG though: just came back from UK and while flight out was on a new 777 (pretty nice), flight back was on a very tired 777. No USB charging points or little cubby holes to store things. Any airline which splits biz into two sections (which is most of them) you want to be in the front section because you'll get better pre-departure service for sure. Rear section often has the whole plane boarding through it, which makes it very hard for cabin crew to offer much service (which they probably like!)