WilliamSmits

With solar pumps being installed all over the place, and water used for field flooding & rice planting, the ground water table is dropping in most places - or salt water starts coming in near the sea.

More sustainable ways of using water will help.

You have places that don't accept cash and places that don't accept digital payments (market stalls)

Digital is preferred it seems to stop employees from handling money, cash is preferred to keep income hidden from the taxman. 

Best to have both. I prefer cash but use the phone or cc at "trusted" places...

I do believe we should get more of our protein out of plants and still eat the meat that we can grow sustainably.

The plant based meat industry is nothing more than another marketing trick to sell fast food with a great name and no real content

On 4/20/2024 at 4:04 PM, retarius said:

Years ago I had advice that fixed term accounts could not be used for the 800K B immigration money because the money had to be immediately available in an emergency. Having said that most fixed term accounts I've had allow you to access your money early for a small penalty. I'm hoping the immigration law has changed as it would be nice to get some interest on the 800K. 

I took money out of the 800.000 baht account for an emergency:  the only cost is that you loose the interest for that period (6 months in my case)

with AA you will never fly for the promoted price, even without food, bab, insurance, seat selection!!!

There is always the added cost for paying by bank transfer or credit card or 7/11. ++++

Just make sure to have a picture of pp data page, last entry stamp + visa page on the phone.

Why risk having to look for another hotel?

Last trip to koh Mak the hotel asked for pp. They fill the data in excel form and upload (daily?) to TM30 app.

Looking to make an appointment to visit the Dutch embassy there is the option to book a slot to get certified copies of pp and other documents. 

Not sure why the age difference happens more with the man being the old one.

Maybe being lonely & divorced has something to do with it, and frequenting bars ...

But richer women seem to marry younger guys too.

It's part due to one side having money AND having time.

Another aspect is that it's more common in Asia than in Europe and not limited to expat / retirees as I see several women in the village have much younger boyfriends.

Talk to a local in Amsterdam or Venice and its the same. Too much spoils the fun, drives up the cost of living and foreigners open businesses, (guesthouses & restaurants,) and drive up rent, replacing the small local shops.

Watch Thai Amarin TV for a daily dose of shootings, car and bike crashes and violence in the villages

Maybe apply for a visa at any Thai embassy? Chance on rejection might be less

We have fingerprint scanner and (or) face recognition before entering lifts area. Fire exit is also in that area.

Makes it much harder for short term renters to enter as you need to do full registration at condo office.

Getting up more, walking and swimming helps me, losing few kg helped too. Medicines are option 2. Operation if all else fails

A coffee pod has just 5 -7 grams coffee. A decent mug of coffee needs 2 pods, otherwise its just like Starbucks water.

Meanwhile in Phonsavan - Laos

In general Thai will not know much about the western world.

People from USA do not know much about Europe etc.

Do not confuse knowledge with intelligence or being smart.

Thai people that I know are smart and learn fast if given the chance.