fusion58

Yep. Corruption exists everywhere in the world, but you’d be hard pressed to find a people more shameless and unapologetic about it.

I walked into Central World, 5th floor, atrium zone, in Bangkok yesterday and got the Moderna bivalent vaccine for free. It’s available to everyone until May 28th. Friday through Sunday. Closed today for general election.

Yep. I like going out just as much as the next guy, but sometimes negotiating these death traps that pass for roads and dealing with all the idiotic drivers just isn't worth it.

Yep. I knew this place had its share of Thai apologists, but Thai bank apologists? That’s a whole new wrinkle.

You seem to have missed the point. There was never any need (or, moreover, any express requirement) to advise the bank re: my new passport number until now. I was issued a new passport about a year ago, and this fact has had no impact on my ability to use the bank's mobile banking app or debit card or to conduct any other bank business - despite my not having "advised" the bank.

Never had any need until now.

Yep. It's not unusual to get three completely different answers to any given question at three different branches (along with a handful of "cannots.") TIT.

Funny - the rep at Bangkok Bank told my wife just the opposite, i.e., only foreigners need to apply.

Received the text from Bangkok Bank a few days ago. I went to the nearest branch today and was told I would have to come back again in 5-7 business days because my (new) passport number didn't match their records. Wonder what sort of hoops I'll be asked to jump through next?

Then: Thailand’s tourism is on the way back Dueling quotes?

False dichotomy. No one is arguing that people should "care more about geography and history than they care about feeding their family." The OP, et al, are simply noting the complete lack of interest and/or curiosity.

???? …Something about “protesting too much…?”

It’s not so much a debate re: the practical value of knowledge in the aforementioned subject areas as a commentary on the complete lack of anything that smacks of intellectual curiosity exhibited by most Thais.

Unfortunately, yes.

When I hear them fretting over tourist numbers, then what always strikes me is the inherent contradiction, i.e., never have I known a people so convinced of their superiority to outsiders and yet so totally dependent on those same outsiders for cash infusions. Farcical, really.

No <deleted>, Sherlock.

I've been taking either Proscar (Finasteride) or Avodart (Dutasteride) since I was diagnosed with BPH in 2006. Both medications get the job done, i.e., shrink the prostate down to size and mitigate weak stream, etc. Luckily for me, I've never experienced any side effects from either drug. Both drugs are available OTC in Thailand.

I’d like to live there as well, but, IIRC, there are no visa options for retirees.

Correct. More often than not, this is exactly what happens - whether you’re in Thailand or in the West. Part and parcel of the psychopathology of the battered woman, unfortunately.

Unfortunately, some people remain fixated at the “magical thinking” stage of child development well into adulthood.

Almost. Mine jumped from ~3,800 for the previous month to ~6,300 for this month.

I like Ali Express because the website is better built and much more functional, readable and reliable than Lazada or Shopee. No issues with language translation. No glitches with payment gateways that suddenly stop working at certain hours, etc. I use the site whenever I want to order something I’m not in a hurry to receive.

Who needs a helmet when you have a magic amulet? ????

Yeah, what was I thinking? Lisa’s “celebrity” status will no doubt remain undiminished even when she’s 80, not unlike Sir Paul. ????

Yeah, that’s a head scratcher, for sure. Makes about as much sense as an Eskimo buying bagged ice.