PeCeDe

36 minutes ago, greenbottle555 said:

This all stems from cultural differences. Most Thai people simply do not comprehend the concept of savings themselves, they spend every penny they earn in a given month and then demand that their children feed/support them like adult babies for the rest of their lives.

 

Consider this, a low IQ/low-empathy immigration officer looks at a passport and sees a foreigner without a work permit staying in Thailand for more than 1 year on tourist/ED visa? They think, wow how does this person buy room/food/misc every month? They must be working, probably doing illegal tutoring online or something! Let's put him in jail! 

 

The economies of the world today are very wealthy now compared to 20 years ago, producing a lot of engineers and children of somewhat rich families (trust fund kids) who can afford to stay in Thailand without working(anywhere, including online) for years. Thailand is still be behind by a wide margin to the west though, but they too have grown as well, but not enough to culturally understand "gap-year" money or trust funds. So consider the fact that an engineer who works for a company that sells Nuclear powered submarines to the most powerful entities on earth probably has earned enough "gap-year" money to afford himself or his children the ability to easily live in without work/abroad for years, let alone be able to afford living in a rice-selling based area. These immigration officer interrogations are just very misplaced power tripping.

 

 

 

 

 

Your comments are dripping with a demeaning distaste for the Thai "low IQ/low-empathy immigration officer," and smack of how dare they question me, I'm God! Have you tried other Country I/O's including your own because they would be the same, ask the same questions be identical in every way even though they have a well earned and superior degree, just like Thailand all Country I/O's are trained to not care about the visitors self important stature, Country of origin etc. You're right Thailand has some catching up to do but I'm confident it will get there, meanwhile try to be a little more sensitive and appreciate the Country the I/O has allowed you to enter, remember the Country belongs to him/her not you and permission is not automatic just because you have a higher IQ (ahem)...

Thanks Sheryl, I finally found a sleeping position good for me, which goes a long way to easing my concerns since a few days without sleep can be dismaying and disorienting to say the least.

I'm also managing to keep my Ultracet consumption down to between 5 or 6 a day, I don't think my body likes the stuff at all, for a couple of days I took 8 which resulted in huge headaches and the onset of cold sweats. I cannot understand how people can deliberately abuse this medicine but for me personally I will welcome the day I don't need it. I also of course do know the difference between a bodies addiction and a mental addiction.

I will keep the Pain Management scenario for future reference should things change drastically. I'm not made of money so I really can't afford a large hospital bill every week.

Once again thanks Sheryl you've been a big help.

Does anyone know where I can purchase Ultram ER or equivalent, I'm in Bangna and Mega Bangna would be nice, failing that how about downtown somewhere close to Asok BTS?

Second question, is it possible to get a decent nights sleep sitting upright?

Thanks Sheryl, I've tried a few different sleeping positions, fetal seems to be best for me, have problems with the stronger NSAIDS like Naproxen due to stomach upset, the Doctor prescribed Myonal and Lyrica which seems to be ok. I can tolerate the lower doses of Aspirin e.g. 81mg. I will try the extended release Ultracet.

had a lower back injury a couple of weeks ago, after xrays it shows a newly formed wedge to one of the lower vertebrae, Doctor prescribed Ultracet amongst other drugs. this is an extremely painful condition and I cannot walk without the ultracet. As I've already read this is an unpredictable drug. during the day I appear to be able to function almost normally for about 7 hours on just 1 tab but at bedtime i take one and it lasts only a couple hours before waking me with pain. Is this normal and should I look at the e r version for nighttime relief? The Doctor says this could last upwards of 3 months. It also appears 2, 37.5 ultracet have no better or longer relief. Oh for good old Tylenol 3, oh well.

40 minutes ago, lkn said:

Actually, I would dispute that banks have a *real* interest in blockchain.

 

Blockchain is a distributed ledger with participants doing proof-of-work to be allowed to append transactions to the ledger and gets rewarded for doing this.

 

Why do banks need a distributed ledger? Most banks would prefer to keep their ledgers private. Why would they need proof-of-work when they trust each other? It just slows down the process, and as they trust each other, they can just sign messages. Why would they issue coins to unknown third parties to run their IT infrastructure? Banks want to run their own IT infrastructure for obvious reasons.

 

As for Ripple, the platform being tested/used by some financial institutions is xCurrent and has nothing to do with “blockchain technology”.

 

If banks say they are running experiments with blockchain technology, it’s most likely marketing BS.

 

Blockchain technology does *not* allow for faster transactions, on the contrary. There is zero value in blockchain technology for banks.

Let's say, I bought bitcoin in Brazil 6 years ago, (wish I had), and now I'm in Thailand and sold them on a Thai exchange here, how can I prove the money in my Thai bank account came from Brazil and therefore I can take back out of Thailand as a non Thai? The bank has to be able to double check and prove that transaction was legit and indeed was from money bought in from Brazil, therefore they have to understand the block chain etc.. ... Not sure if that's clear, clear as mud maybe.

38 minutes ago, 12DrinkMore said:

 

There is a lot of confusion over craptos and the underlying blockchain technology.

 

The banks are interested in the technology for transactions. Nobody, not even I, is disputing that. But no bank has an interest in the craptos themselves except for the odd hedge fund making bets, backed by huge computing resources for scalping the victims.

 

The Ripple the platform platform is being used by Santandar as an internal experiment with staff for money transfers in real world currencies. Nothing to do with Ripple the crapto.

 

 

Interesting point and I agree that banks are very interested in the transaction side of things, perhaps because they have to report to the "appropriate authorities" anything looking suspicious

2 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Governments print pieces of paper of an assigned denomination. World exchanges then determine the value of that piece of paper relative to other countries, based on the economic performance of the country.

The main difference between the bits of paper and cryptocurrencies seems to be no-one knows who is behind the electronic coins. The bitcoin originator appears to be a phantom.

Admittedly someone who bought bitcoins in 2010 when they were 8 cents each is sitting on a fortune no matter what.

However, someone such as me should follow Rule #1 of investment - never invest in something you don't understand.

With  a fair amount of effort and some computer skills the Bitcoin can be understood, what can't be understood is what it's going to be worth tomorrow or even 30 minutes from now. Those on here who say the bitcoin is anonymous, that's old news but as of today bitcoin ownership is a lot more traceable than you think and you can be sure the "boys in blue" can now trace most transactions, including where it came from and where it went.

As far as trading in a wild market, I say for those professionals who know when to buy and how to stop loss quickly the benefits of short term trading in a bumpy market can be very profitable indeed. Education is the key here, you can't expect to make money without effort. Same as a card game and as the old saw goes, know when to hold 'em and when to fold... 

Thanks Davidst01, I want to trade, but it seems to me I need to know the rules. As you know the devil you don't know can retroactively come back to bite. Ignorance is not a defence.

I don't know much about Kraken, but I'm looking at their site now...

Glad I asked, thanks for the info. don't need hassles at this stage in my life.

As usual this has probably been asked before but I can't find an answer, if there is a discussion on this where do I find it? Can I buy and sell on bx.in without affecting my retirement visa, I'll be using my btc bought in from overseas. Secondly what are the Thai tax implications if I make a profit.

The name worm invokes thoughts of slow moving creatures, if this guy is the same I've seen, the blighters can move like greased lightning. Startled the heck out of me.

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15 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You're confusing Russian efforts which are fully confirmed with the charges of trump collusion. The latter is still in the process of being investigated.

 

May's speech about Russia was great. Too bad compromised trump for whatever weird reasons can't do similar. The leaders of the free world are different than the potus now. He's clearly speaking for another tradition closer to the ethics of Putin and Erdogan than anything American.

 

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

Well said Jingthing and a couple of others here. If there's one constant thread in all this it's the incompetent bumbling or even outright dishonesty and greed of the current free worlds leadership. Russia, China and others must be collectively slapping themselves on their backs at their shear good fortune. Reminds me of a long gone time, allow me to quote from Google a little history.  

Rome's emperor at the time, the decadent and unpopular Nero, “fiddled while Rome burned.” The expression has a double meaning: Not only did Neroplay music while his people suffered, but he was an ineffectual leader in a time of crisis.

13 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

My post was in response to a note Hilary fan and supporter. Not addressed to you.  Like many Hilary supporters they refuse to accept she lost for any other reason but a Russian conspiracy.

 

Trump does have some good ideas, and plenty of faults. Show me a politician who doesn't have faults? But many don't have any good ideas either. His character seems to be well known before he was elected.

 

 

I fully agree with your comments, I suffer from sarcasm thus sometimes say things that can be mis-understood. Unfortunately it's not due to Ethyl Alcohol due to my dangerous liking for the stuff but that's for a different forum.

I sometimes think we set the bar too high for our politicians, we honestly cannot expect them to be so much more honest and trustworthy than most of us (voters) are. At this point in time the only person I can think of who has the morals and behaviours we are demanding of our politicians is God and I don't believe he wants the job.  That having been said we as voters do deserve and demand to be told the truth and have someone who defends the Constitution however inconvenient that may be. Neither Trump or Hilary can rise to that level or even come close.

3 minutes ago, chainarong said:

I wouldn't worry about a few Russian war ships floating around Thai waters, the Yanks and their Allies know more about them than their crew do,  anyway they don't have any H/S Trains on offer ......................................

So true.

19 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Would that make the US the enemy of the many countries whose elections and/or governments the CIA has interfered with?

 

Still sore because Hilary lost? Gotta blame those pesky Russians?

 

Firm credible evidence yet?

What's with this Hilary nonsense, you'll find many, maybe even a majority of Dems wish she would go away and the reason so many of them turned against their own party in 2016.

Trump for all his failings has some good ideas, lowering taxes, improving health care, support for the military being a few.

Pity he's a proven bare faced liar in the first degree, and a Russian footstool. Hope I'm wrong but it would seem you have fallen into his and your Russian friends trap. I should be horrified at Americas gullibility and willingness to accept that which is patently untrue but no I just shake my head and continue exercising my right to free speech, while I still have it of course, and until Trump figures out a way to suppress it. I hold to Winston Churchill's words, "You can always count on Americans to do the right thing after they've tried everything else," I hope he was right.

Highest taxed nation on earth eh? Let's control what the DOJ does and says, let's eliminate the first amendment, it's so inconvenient... huh? Please pass me another martini, at least that keeps me sane.

Thanks for your reply, it's good to get an intelligent reply to a topic that has attracted so much nonsense. 

I assume you would agree then with the statements that, Obama is a Muslim, or was born in Kenya and not Hawaii, or Obama started ISIS. or that it's Ok to jail or even kill reporters for reporting the news as they see it? How about it's Ok to jail or kill any serious contender for leadership, or perhaps it's alright to quietly whisper anti Semitic sentiments behind peoples backs. Maybe it's justified to go after news agencies that don't agree with you calling them "Fake News."  Or There are areas in Birmingham England, Toronto, Canada amongst many that are No Go even to the police because of Muslims, Russia did not buy thousands of Ad's on Facebook etc. Russia did not try to incite hatred between US blacks and whites with "Heart of Texas" and other fictions.

Yes, you are right, the United States still has terrible things wrong with it but I'd much rather have what we have now and still have the chance to change it for the good than be born into a Country that determines my every move through ruthless suppression.

Don't know who said it but for me it's true and it should be for you.  "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Now, please tell me that can happen in Russia, no it can't.  

Courtesy of a free Country we need to be thankful for our right to express what we want, when we want, that is the difference between the US and Russia, I'd hate to see the privilege disappear.

Make no mistake Russia is our enemy.

13 minutes ago, Rancid said:

So Russia is still the US enemy, why, because the media says so? I notice that you didn't offer one single

 

By the way a definition of a conspiracist is someone that doubts the "official" story.  The term was coined by the CIA in the 60s, what might Huxley or Orwell have to say about that?

Very true... Hopefully they will be given much misinformation and confusion hiding the real tactics should a war become "hot."

The free worlds old nemesis is riding back to challenge our Democracies. It can change it's spots but is still our enemy.

The once mighty USSR now Russia is up to it's old tricks but, as it seems to me, has much more palatable and fatal poisons in its political medicine bag.

A good friend of mine hails from the US and is a firm conspiracist. He constantly commented back in July, August, September 2016 what a great Country Russia was and how well it looked after its citizens, even giving them free land, He told me Russians are treated far better than the US looks after it's own, he also stands firm with the idea that Russia just wants to be friends. 

I have to tip my hat to the great job the Russians have done building a strong and totally servile "fifth column" in The United States even gaining control of the worlds most powerful man, Trump.

I'm not swearing when I say, "God help us all" when we begin to see our enemies as friends and our friends as people to be banished to nether land.

10 minutes ago, superglue said:

 

How did you get sober & stay sober?

Thanks for the question. Here's a brief recap. I was in the military (Vietnam) but after the war I moved to Canada in disgust over what had happened, then tried to forget. Which consciously I did, but of course you never forget hence my drinking. 30 years later I was in such a mess I had to go to the only person who would help, my sister in the UK. There I accidentally saw a retired British Military Doctor who asked if I'd ever been in the military to which I replied No. He then gave me a questionnaire to fill out, which I scored 100%. Bluntly he told me he thought I was lying. He enrolled me in a UK military PTSD group, that's when the memories started to flood back and after all the years of denial I felt free of the need because the cause had been dealt with.

1 hour ago, Neeranam said:

Rather convenient time as you avoid answering my questions.

 

As most know there are many reasons we can become "alcoholic" or at least behave like one. The AA movement has been a wonderful success around the world and saved many from destruction, it cannot be faulted. That having been said many members can be rather pedantic with "it's our way or no way."  My point is there are many reasons we start drinking out of control, one common reason is to forget and if we don't come to terms with the reason, the drinking won't stop, AA or not. In my case I had one damn good reason to forget and was set to kill myself with the stuff until my symptoms were recognized and I came to terms with the problem. This was all done without the aid of AA. I for one had been an AA member for years but the underlying reason was never addressed thus my eventual falling back into my old drinking pattern.

Jeab 1980 does bring up good points. I belonged to an AA group for many years and brought quite a few drunks into the "fold" and then sadly I lost my grip and was gone for six more excruciating years. I had to fly to the UK to get the treatment I needed, got sober again and returned to Canada and to my original AA group only to be greeted by the most obnoxious group of "Told you so's" you could imagine, people I had nursed into sobriety years prior. AA people can be so pedantic and dare I say uncaring and proud of their accomplishments that they forget where they came from and have absolutely no right to criticize.

11 minutes ago, jeab1980 said:

31 minutes ago, jeab1980 said:

Heard some garbage like this at AA meetings higher power my arse. Ever thought your ideas are stupid?.

To tell an alcholic that maybe your not as he ie me doesnt comply to the spiritualist <deleted> or a higher power crap is plain dumb.

I have never said the AA is nonesense i found a good group with my views.

I stay sober for many reasons now none of yhem are anything to do with spiritual or higherbpowers.

Im actually quite offended by your remarks.

 

Is english your first language, because if it is I would guess you're not sober now. I do agree with with what you're saying, but the spelling is a distraction.