
rickudon
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Everything posted by rickudon
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Not really true. Plants can survive down to 150 ppm (0.015%) and wouldn't actually die as such, but as they would have very low levels of photosynthesis, natural processes would slowly increase CO2 levels again (volcanic emissions, decomposition of organic matter). Most plants do fine at 280ppm. Although global 'greening' has increased as CO2 levels have gone up the last 50 years, it doesn't actually mean that the extra CO2 by itself has increased growth. You also need nutrients, the right amount of water, and the right temperatures. Increased food production has mainly been due to fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, mechanisation and improved varieties. Unless you get all those, the extra CO2 doesn't make much difference. Also, more CO2 means climate change - more droughts more floods more fires and, more weeds. Greening has probably offset some of the warming but as temperatures increase so will the negative effects. Low levels of CO2 are naturally self limiting, very unlikely to actually cause death of all plants. High levels of CO2 - tend to have positive temperature feedbacks which would just push levels higher (e.g. Methane from melting permafrost, decomposition of methane clathrates) followed by mass extinctions. What we do not know is how close we are to these runaway effects. But the Permian mass extinctions are believed to be linked to high CO2/ temperature levels.
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Should Hamas's Bloody Bet be Rewarded by the World?
rickudon replied to Social Media's topic in World News
First, yes Hamas is an evil cynical organisation who believe the end justifies the means. After 20 years of futile peace negotiations all that has happened is a lot of Palestinians were dead, a lot of land was stolen from them by the Israeli government and the people lived under constant persecution. Any wonder that Hamas could gain converts? I believe Hamas knew exactly how Israel would respond, so actually encouraged some atrocities against the Israeli citizens so this would happen. And sure enough, Israel has stopped at nothing to punish the Palestinian people; not just in Gaza, but the west bank as well. 36.000 Palestinians dead (mainly women and children), starvation and destruction of civilian infrastructure used as a weapon of war, deliberate restrictions on aid supplies, and targeting journalists, aid workers and paramedics. In the west bank over 500 Palestinians have been killed, settlers allowed free reign to terrorise and destroy Palestinian villages, and another 11,000 hectares of land seized by Israel from the Palestinian owners. Remembering that Gaza is just a small city state, approximately 1.5% of the population have been killed in 8 months. In the whole of WW2, UK suffered losses of about 1% of its population. And Gaza only has small arms and rockets to defend itself. Clearly a disproportionate response. Modern drone technology allows you to identify individuals who could each be targeted to minimise civilian casualties. But most Israeli attacks have been carried out with bombs and rockets which flatten entire buildings. Israel doesn't care how many they kill, only restricted by how much bad press they get. Yeah, Genocide. You would think the Israeli government and people should know what genocide looks like. -
What are UV-blocking glass jars? - 4 Benefits
rickudon replied to CharlieH's topic in General Topics
Just keep your food away from windows. Heat is a bigger danger to stored food quality. -
Multiple Entry Marriage Visa
rickudon replied to JT65's topic in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits
The OP says that money is a bit tight, but he still needs the 400,000 baht in the bank to get the multi-entry visa. When you consider the cost of the new visa, 2-3 days in Laos to get it (paying for a Laos visa as well), plus the need to leave the country every 3 months, just getting an extension in Thailand would be cheaper. Could still use some of the 400,000 for living costs after one month also. -
Is there a "Plan B" if we are declared "not fit to fly"?
rickudon replied to Confuscious's topic in General Topics
I have once been wheelchaired to the departure gate in Bangkok and so has my son. If you able to hop or totter.to your seat no problem. But you also see people wheelchaired on to the plane itself, although I assume by prior arrangement. As lomg as death or medical attention is not required, no problem. The old lady mentioned in the earlier thread may have only tequired assistance. Actually, getting to the UK would be the least of her problems unless their was family to take her in at the airport. -
The Social Disintegration Threatened by Mass Immigration in Britain
rickudon replied to Social Media's topic in World News
Simon is spot on. Unfortunately migration is not going away. But, 90% of migration is 'legal' migration. We might need migrants, bjt how many? University graduates these days find too much competition for jobs, and near impossible to buy a house. Meanwhile, nearly impossible to actually deport illegals; the answer is make ilegal entry a crime and force them to work off the fine and other costs of their arrival. If they refuse, simple, ticket back.home and costs written off, free to go any time. -
Crime In Thailand Versus Crime In Your Home Country
rickudon replied to Brewster67's topic in General Topics
In the UK, never saw or experienced any crime before i went to university. And only one memorable event in the next 5 years, when late one night i disturbed 2 men with a rifle in someones front garden and was threatened by them (not robbed).. 2 house breakins in Birmingham in the early 80's, and 2 city riots. Moved to Hampshire. Mother had her jewelery stolen in late 80's. No crime then until 2007, house breakin ( large rurall village). Moved to within 100 metres of a police station. I then got divorced and came to Thailand. In the past 10 years, ex-wife been burgled twice and all ATM'S raided because no police station anymore. Thailand 14 years nothing personally, family lost some chickens and fish. Safer here. -
I'm not a vegan, or a vegetarian. I do like to eat a lot of vegetables, but it needs some high protein tasty food to complement them. I have eaten some nice tasting vegetarian food ( always expensive) and a lot of greasy tasteless stuff. If you want to go organic and back go natural methofs, you need mixed farming - animal wastes for fertisers.
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What does the average British expat think of Tommy?
rickudon replied to Kinok Farang's topic in ASEAN NOW Community Pub
UK does have problems due to migration and radical islamism, stronger action is needed. But Tommy Robinson is just jumping on these issues to serve his own ends. Just another obnoxious little man. -
Pity no body read your post properly. Yes, can eat like french beans. Lookup on wikipedia.
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Thailand Faces Mental Health Crisis as Millions Affected
rickudon replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
M-in-L has dementia, grandnephew has ADHS, nephew is mentally and physically diabled 100% -
Thai Man Appeals for Help Repatriating Overstaying Russian Family
rickudon replied to webfact's topic in Pattaya News
No sane Russian volunteers to fight in Ukraine. The pay is really good, but their is a reason - your life expectancy is measured in weeks. Those going 'over the top' in Russian meat attacks have a life expectancy measured in hours (8-10,according to a chinese soldier who volunteered). The lucky ones are those whose injuries are severe enough to get discharged. But not a lot of casualties get evacuated - you usually need to be able.to walk/crawl back yourself, while being umder constant attack by drones. Reports also of young males being picked up off the streets in cities and being presumably mobilised. -
Cash works all the time (except those buisness's who, especially in western countries, think digital is all they need). I have had ATM's that wouldn't work, for various reasons, cards that wouldn't work, internet banking that is sometimes off line, and banking apps which crash, paralysing the entire banking system for hours or even days. Also power cuts can mean.digital payments cannot be done. For backup, cash is king.
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Crime isn't a new thing. Back in 1980 my house in Birmingham was burgled twice; previously a friend living there was mugged. I moved to Hampshire in 1982, no crime for 25 years. Then they closed the part-time police office, got bugled 2 years later. Moved to a village with a police station 100 metres away. 5 years later they.closed that station. Burgled twice in.2 years. MORE.BOBBIES ON THE BEAT.NEEDED!
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Where do foreigners fit in the Thai hierarchy?
rickudon replied to bob smith's topic in ASEAN NOW Community Pub
True that we will never be considered khon thai. If you live in Bangkok , Pattays, etc. then you are just a resource to be cynically exploited. But in Isaan .... we are more appreciated. 14 years in Udon Thani and have never suffered farang pricing in shops or overt discrimination (unlike my experinces from just about 10 days in Bangkok). Probably because Isaan people know what it is like to be considered imferior. My wife's father was a pooyai baan and well.respected. but when she went to work in Bangkok, 10 years in a responsible job and never a promotion or a pay rise, new workers got the same money. She realised that she was not respected. She returned to Isaan and opened a shop. Her sisterfound the same. Result - both married farang. -
Agree it wouldn't happen, for a number of teasons. But, yes we need it. The Ukraine war teaches us one thing. You still need a lot of infantry. The UK hardly has any, in a real war the professional army could only defend about one city and would be out of ammunition and reserves in about one month. WW1 - UK had a.small professional army (still much larger than today) but it was devastated on the first 3 months. Ot took best part of a year to train and equip a nrw one. And as one poster has said, where is the infrastructure to house and train the conscripts? I used to live in Hampshire. Aldershot,now nearly a military museum. Bordon - gone. Ordanance supply depots like Liphook - gone. It would take years to build the infrastructure to train all those conscripts. You cannot start doing all this once a war starts, the war would be over before the first conscipt gets a uniform. 12 months service, learn some useful skills so we have reserve force IF needed. Affordibility? Hell, we encourage 50% of our kids to rack up a 50,000 GBP debt by going to University for 3 years.
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Heavy rain warning issued for 35 provinces in Thailand
rickudon replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
3 days of heavy rain, garden flooded every morning. -
Not a lot of inflation recently, i did notice somd items went up last year, but prices fell this year. Some specifics- Bread. Price rose 20% last year. Milk. Went up about 1 baht a bottle, but price was pretty static for years before. Frozrn mixed veg. A kilo has gone up 10 baht in about 5 years. Crisps. A 5 baht packet is still 5 baht, same as 10 years ago - but hit by shrinkflation, maybe 25% less. 7-11 burger/toasted sandwich. Same price or maybe 2-5 baht more. Fruit juice. Stayed same price for 10 years, but has gone up 25-40% in the last 4. Cheese. Up 20% - but over 10 years. Basic cheddar is now as cheap as the UK. Meat. 100% in 14 years, eggs a bit less than that. Tilapia. Can still get a kilo for 50 baht, maybe up 20% in 14 years. What has changed many more upmarket items, which cost more. Overall, my budget was 30,000 baht a month 14 years ago, now 40,000 baht. Pensions up 50%, so better off.
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What about isostatic rebound in Massachusetts? Last ice age there was a large ice sheet over most of New England, When it melted the loss of mass meant that the land mass would start to rise. Couldn't find anything about current rate for the area, but in the UK isostatic readjustment means that Scotland rises by up to 10 cm a century. So lack of sea level rise previously may not be related to warming, but isostatic readjustment. Future predictions are that sea levels will rise by about one foot by mid century in the area.
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Beloved Brit found dead in Thailand hotel room
rickudon replied to snoop1130's topic in Thailand News
Obviously you have no idea. British Embassy will do zilch. Only tell next of kin he is dead and maybe a few links to lawyers/funeral services in Thailand. -
Eurozone Economy Trails Behind UK's Robust Growth in Q1
rickudon replied to Social Media's topic in World News
Last year, only 30,000 'rubber boat people', 1,000,000 'legal' migrants. No wonder unemployment of British people is up. To much competition for the better jobs. still vacancies of minimum wage jobs, but all those University graduates were told they would find good well paid jobs..... ha ha ha. Brexit keeps on giving .... only to the rich. -
61 Dead from Heat Stroke in Thailand: Warning Signs and First Aid Advice
rickudon replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
Yes, 61 avast under estimate. Both my wife's elderly parents fainted in late April (on different days), F-in-l ambulance, M-in-l refused to go and was unsteady for several days - still taking longer naps than before. -
Thai Banks To Face Rigorous Compliance Regulations Starting June
rickudon replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
My first bank account was easy enough on a visa exempt back in 2010. Next .... not so. Had marriage visa, but first 2 banks flay refused. Third attempt sweet talked the bank clerk and got it. Next attempt (same bank!) for a fixed deposit took 3 visits, a Thai guarantor (wife not good enough?) and took over an hour. Next account ata different branch a lot easier but still took nearly an hour. Just no consistency.