newnative

Where were the actual trained rescue military in all this? Seems the rescue effort by trained rescue military was too little, too late.

And, rightly 'slammed' as the whole sorry mess was a total cock-up--from going out to sea in an un-seaworthy ship, to not managing the ship crisis when it happened, to not notifying rescue vessels soon enough of the crisis, to not getting the sailors off the ship even though there was ample time, to not having enough life jackets, and likely enough life rafts for everyone (but styrofoam boxes on hand, thank goodness), to a very poor and slow effort to rescue the sailors by the other armed services. Army chiming in days later that it was putting itself on 'stand-by' to assist in the rescue. Don't bother; the chance to save the sailors was days ago. Total train wreck, or, I guess I should say ship wreck.

Actually, I think it's hit or miss with the airlines. My partner and I just took 4 international flights this month on our trip to Europe, all with the same airline, Emirates. On 3 of the flights, masks were not mentioned or required. On the 4th flight, masks were handed out to the passengers as we boarded and we were asked to wear them at all times when we were not eating. There were periodic reminders during the flight. In our section it looked like most passengers were complying.

If you want to ride a public transport, you have to obey the transport's rules. It's really as simple as that. If you don't want to wear a mask, hire a private car with a driver who is ok with you not wearing a mask.

Since he likely killed 20 people I think he qualifies. He was only convicted for 2. He should have been tried for at least some of the other murders.

Appalling this horrible monster is being let out of prison after killing many more than just the 2 people he was convicted of killing. Also appalling that a 'life sentence' is only 19 years in Nepal. If that's the case, the judge should have rulds that the sentences be served consecutively.

I'd love to see a list of those 100 4 and 5-star hotels in Jomtien. When I searched Jomtien Beach for a booking in February, 200 choices came up. But, most were not hotels, at all. They were condo projects and pool villas. A number of the many condo projects, like Rivera Jomtien condo, were listed numerous times under different rental agencies. Riviera Jomtien condo had at least 6 different listings. One listing I saw, The Base condo, isn't even in Jomtien. When you knock all of those out, there are far fewer actual hotel listings. I think your list of 4 and 5-star Jomtien Beach hotels will not be too long, and certainly not 'over 100'.

So, many days later the Army decides to go 'on standby' to perhaps, maybe, at some point, possibly offer some assistance in the rescue operations. Umm, don't bother. Would have been nice if the Army had leaped to assist when the ship first sank, when more sailors might have been rescued. All in all, a very lackadaisical response from all the military branches.

December 20 and they are only now holding a planning meeting for crowd and traffic control? There should have been several months of detailed, advance planning, especially after all the problems with the International Fireworks shows.

Actually, if you live to 69 you're likely to live 15 more years, not 10. And, if you take care of yourself, it could be more than 15; my Dad lived to 95. As for no 80-year olds, there's a whole thread running here, If You're Near 80 or Older, which has been popular, with 10 pages of responses. As for the OP, Thailand checks all the important boxes for me. As others have said, I think he can find health insurance. He might try Pacific Cross or April International. He can reduce his premium somewhat by having a high deductible.

It will be interesting to see what is built on that newly cleared lot. You're right, it's huge.

Good. Hope the irresponsible, dumb idea is dead.

Exactly the double standard I was pointing out. Excuses made for Charles, Megan thrown under the bus. If the Palace wanted to, they could have protected her, as they fiercely do other members of the Firm, such as Kate. But, in this case, the ridiculous allegations were leaked by the Palace, itself, right before the Oprah Winfrey interview, timed to cause maximum damage to her. The staff abuse story was leaked and came out in the newspaper March 4, 2021; the Oprah interview aired March 7, 2021.

Welcome to Thailand.

A week ago my partner and I arrived on an international flight around noon. Most of the booths were open and there were only a few people in each line--I was through in just a few minutes. By the time we got to Baggage Claim it was just a short wait for our suitcases. Very easy.

Good grief. That old prattle? What nonsense--trumped up, marginal charges served up by the Palace to show Megan in a bad light. Worse case, she was a demanding boss expecting competence in her staff--always greatly admired in a man but treated with scorn and condemned if it's a woman. Look at King Charles and his bad behavior to his staff in public--if that's what he's like with the cameras on, what's he like in private with no cameras rolling? He gets a pass; Megan is condemned, with no Palace support at all. Well, no, since the Palace leaked the negative story in the first place. If the staff job is too demanding for you to handle, if you can't take criticism when you screw up, or if you don't like your boss, don't whine, quit and find something else to do. And, maybe next time act professionally and honor the nondisclosure clause in your employment contract. The incident did serve to show the beginning of the end for H&M. They had become way too popular--junior royals must not outshine senior royals, it's as simple as that. In short order, out come the negative stories, many from the Palace itself, starting with this one--which the Palace should have squashed from the get go--and would have if it was a senior royal. And, so began negative story after negative story on anything and everything--most of which could have also been spun positively: How dare she so blatantly flaunt her pregnancy by cradling her baby bump! The absolute nerve! Or: How Adorable! Look how she is gently, naturally cradling her baby bump! So loving! Seriously, you know you're in deep kimchi when something as trivial as that becomes a big, negative story. Add hundreds more, most made up or seen only negatively, and that was that. Everything from her baby shower to assisting with the publishing of a cookbook was portrayed in the worst light possible. As an American, I hadn't been following things that closely but the H&M series has been a real eye-opener. It's interesting that very little in the H&M series has been disputed by the Palace--which they would if they could, as they have quickly done in the past. The one time they did try to dispute--on whether the Palace was contacted for comment--turned into a train wreck. First, they said the Palace had not been contacted, then backtracked and said the Palace had been contacted but they didn't know who it was, and, finally, they came clean and said, yes, the Palace had been contacted by the producers. Makes you wonder what sort of boobs are working there. In any case, caught in an embarrassing lie on that one. Not the first time and surely not the last.

Yet another good example of what H&M had, and have to put up with. No wonder they left that backbiting palace cesspool.

He still alive? Seriously, they need some new, younger blood instead of the same old, same old. Emphasis on old.

Poor sailors and apparently even worse rescuers.

Escorted back to his room. What a joke. He should have been locked up to sober up and then charged with drunk driving, endangering the safety of others, and likely driving without a proper motorcycle license. At least he didn't maim or kill anyone but he easily could have driving so drunk he literally passed out while driving. Unbelievable that drunk driving and road safety are given such short shrift.

Smart move for him to have the vote--allows him to step away from the train wreck he has made of Twitter while saying the voters wanted him to leave, rather than leaving on his own and thereby admitting he has been a disaster.

Watched the video. The waves don't look that bad at all. Likely another reason the ship sunk.

It's a start.

Same size condo at The Edge is 3.5 million baht--and up. So, an extra 3 million baht for a more gilded box . Some want the gild, others can do without. Obviously, small condos are not for everyone but for some they are just the ticket. That's one of the things I like about Pattaya, the very wide variety of housing in all types and at all price points, both to rent or buy.

Some good comments already. I would check to see if foreign quota is available as that is a big plus if it is. If it isn't, you have to set up a company to buy in company name and there is paperwork, with expenses, that needs to be filed every year. People go through the hassle of company ownership so they can buy houses and nice condos in desirable projects, such as Northshore, where foreign quota is full. I don't think this condo would be worth the hassle of company ownership, at least not for me. If it is available in foreign quota, it looks to be a good buy for what it is--a basic roof over your head. I agree that you could make something of it as it looks to be a clean, blank canvas in good shape. It appears to not have a kitchen; you could have a basic one installed pretty cheaply. My partner and I always buy because we like to be able to make changes to a place and make it our own--and we like knowing we will always have a roof over our head come what may. You mention that you usually rent condos for 18 to 20,000 baht a month. If that is the case, you have been staying in projects far nicer than this one, with likely far more amenities. My big question is whether you will be happy in this project, compared to what you have been staying at in the past. Only you can answer that. If the answer is yes, I would check the projects financials and check out the project itself to see how it is being maintained. If they pass muster, I say go for it.