Thingamabob

Lighten up.

Would be good to be able to believe that the best candidates are admitted no matter what their race, but I fear the days when that used to be the case are long gone.

'Graft busters' want a slice of the cake.

Yes indeed. I did this years ago at my local amphur office in Bangkok. Got my yellow book and, incidentally, a pink ID card at the same time. Both have proven useful.

The sincerity of those approving a ban on the recreational use of cannabis is highly dubious unless they also ban the recreational consumption of alcohol, and the smoking of cigarettes.

For many years it has been the establishment's policy to bail out debtors thereby rendering the debtors incapable of ever learning how to handle money responsibly, dependent on the govt for help, and for retaining their votes come election time.

Crazy to display valuable items on your person in public. Asking for trouble.

Not that bad. Just take things day by day, and try not to dwell on past mistakes.

Currently 82. I would go for 56. Marginally less stupid then than when I was 36. We oldies get treated better here in Thailand than we do in many of our home countries. I have had no abuse on this forum, and even after the accumulated experience of all the years I have lived here I still find the content informative, helpful and, sometimes, good for a laugh.

This is a waste of time. Trivial beyond belief.

That would make your extension applications unacceptable to immigration at Chaeng Wattana. They insist the account with an 800k deposit must be in the applicant's name only. I have no idea, however, if other immigration offices apply the same ruling

Lighten up for heaven's sake.

Very inconvenient for you, however the car's removal will involve a negotiation, in Thai. Your wife's concern is understandable. Be careful. Disputes in Thailand on this subject can result in death, as was the case in a recent, widely reported, incident.

Much the same. First marriage to a girl from Scotland. Not good. Second, now for nearly 40 years, to a Thai, has been much better, good friends and a lot of fun.

China and Russia are obviously a threat, but so is Iran. Trump took a hard line with Iran, but Biden has been significantly softer. Reports suggest that in the last 2/3 years Iran has stepped up the pace of it's development of nuclear weaponry, and will likely have an atomic bomb well within 5 years. That is something to be very concerned about.

Likewise, after 40 years married.

Generally correct, but not entirely. Some, albeit a minority, are genuinely good people, as they are in the same work in any country.

China's grip on Thailand tightens a step further.

There are no new tax regulations, only an apparent move by the Thai govt to better enforce legislation which already exists.

Personally I think they look pathetic rather than offensive. However, most Thais would not like to see this and their culture should be respected by visitors.

Pattaya and nearby areas excellent for families. Reports rubbishing Pattaya are rubbish.

Obviously your last entry date.

Disgusting, and entirely against the tenets if Buddhism. However, not surprising given the idolatry and greed exhibited at so many temples in Thailand, so very far removed from the philosophy and advice advanced by Siddhartha Gautama.